How to Work it – Black Kitchens

What do you think of black kitchens?   

Dramatic, sophisticated, glamorous, or too scary to even contemplate?  I must admit I am put off by those ultra modern shiny black kitchens that modern developers use to attract young buyers, but, done right, black kitchens can look lovely too.

Keep the walls white, or at least pale.  That way the black kitchen cabinets have a lovely bright contrast.  Window frames and architraves can look stunning painted black too, but make sure it’s matt black to keep the look contemporary.

Keep wall cabinets to a minimum or at least replace some with open shelving or with glass fronts.  Too much solid black will almost certainly feel oppressive.

Use reflective surfaces to bounce light around the room.  Shiny stainless steel, glossy wall tiles, or glass (see above) will all work.

Make sure that you plan for lots of different lighting sources.  A black kitchen at night might look like a black hole but with plenty of task lighting and mood lighting it will look glamorous and inviting.

Introduce some warm wood tones into the scheme.  It can be the work surface, a table or even the floor.  Too much black and white without relief can look cold.

Keep accessories simple.  White tableware, steel utensils, wooden boards and linen will all create a sophisticated look.  Depending on the accessories you choose the look can become country, contemporary or industrial.

If you love black but really cannot take the plunge, why not compromise with a white kitchen and black island?

Would you contemplate a black kitchen?

Image sources: 1 jean-marc wullschleger 2 remodelista 3 elle decor 4 design shuffle 5 gregory mellor 6 apartmenttherapy 7 atlanta homes and lifestyles 8 decorpad

Inspiration, Interior Design ,

I Spy – Chisel and Mouse…

Chisel and Mouse was started in 2011 by Gavin and Robert who make high quality, handmade models of beautiful buildings.

“At Chisel & Mouse we are enthusiasts, we love architecture, we love technology and we love models.

They pride themselves on being able to reproduce the architect’s original design in stunning model form. Each piece is handmade and individually crafted by a small team of skilled model makers in a Sussex studio.


3D printing is used for rapid prototyping of the models before returning to traditional techniques of sculpting, mould making and plaster casting to build the finished product. By blending state-of-the-art techniques with traditional model making skills they are able to create an inspired collection of high-quality models which are beautiful to the eye and touch.


The restrained colours ensure that the pieces fit any style of interior although some models have fine details, such as window frames etched in metal.

What do you think? Do you like them?

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I Spy – Loop the Loop…

I get a lot of mail.  I mean A LOT!  First there’s my work mail, Heart Home magazine mail, personal mail and then my blog mail.  Not to mention Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin.  I know it’s the same for all of us; we just seem to be bombarded with spam and requests for something or other every minute of the day and all night too.

So it takes something special to attract my attention these days, and a while ago I had an email from Laura at Loop the Loop which I bookmarked for later.  I’m so glad I did.

The website is just packed with beautiful vintage finds and homemade items for the home that are not only lovely to look at but useful too. 

And beautifully styled and photographed I might add!

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Inspiration – Urban Love…

Just a few random things that I absolutely know my son would love in his life.

interiors,red,black,white,urban,shopping

Well, he can dream on!

Sources: 1 Street signs wallpaper, Mr Perswall 2 Black Raven, Cloudberry Living 3 Beat light, stout, Conran Shop 4 Girls only cushion, Beverley Hills Home 5 Skeleton and skull plates, Holly’s House 6 Shipyard mug, People Will Always Need Plates 7 Love sign, Posh Graffiti 8 Egg chair, Conran Shop 9 Chip wrap and ketchup bowl, Dwell 10 Storage Unit, Made in Design

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BlogTour NYC Lasting Impressions…

I can’t believe that it has been over a month since I was in New York!  Sometimes when you go on a trip you have to hit the ground running on your return, don’t you find?  You have to deal with the backlog at work, spend time with friends and family, catch up with the chores and just generally deal with life.

I did do some blog posts at the time about the memories I was making because blogging is about the here and now, and it’s important to keep subjects topical and let you, lovely readers know whats going on.   The six days went past in a bit of a blur.  There were so many new faces, experiences, designers, and sponsors to absorb and record and it was a tad exhausting I have to admit.

And sometimes it takes longer than that to let memories settle.  It takes time and distance to form those lasting impressions that will stay with you forever. 

So finally over the weekend I had time to sort my photographs into some kind of order and the memories started to flood back.  Partly it was the people who made the trip so special.  I will be forever grateful to Veronika at Modenus for masterminding the whole Blogtour NYC event and making it possible in the first place, but also to all of the other bloggers who participated and made it such fun.  If you’re interested you can see us all on Facebook.

It will probably take me some time share the rest of my photographs but in the meantime here are my ‘springtime in New York’ snaps.  A lasting impression of unseasonably hot weather and blossom and spring bulbs in the park and on the streets.

A big thank you also, to all of the sponsors:

Blanco America,  Miele, Samuel Heath, Du Verre Hardware, Rotsen Furniture, MMPI (organisers of AD show 2012), Scholtes, Poggenpohl Kitchens, Spirit of Sports, Victoria and Albert Baths, Jenn Air, Big Ass Fans, Modern Aire, Mix Magazine, WallunicaVitra, Axor.

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Inspiration – Colourful Childrens Rooms…

Children go through so many fads and phases that it’s often difficult to choose a scheme for their rooms that they won’t tire of in six months time.  They should have some input into the decor of their own rooms of course but try to steer them away from camouflage wallpaper or pink furry carpet!  It’s much easier to let them choose accessories instead that can be changed without re-decorating the entire room. 

On the whole it’s always wise to keep the floor covering practical against spills and the wall coverings fairly neutral.  Try not to submit to the temptation either of buying child size furniture that they will grow out of in three years.

Other than that you can have a lot of fun choosing curtains, bed linen and accessories…

This boyish scheme is appropriate for practically any age and you won’t tire of it too easily either.  The red, blue and black scheme is fresh and the London theme is particularly relevant this year.  I love the black and white duvet cover!  The red metal locker is edgy and practical and the union jack chest of drawers would look equally at home in any adults room.  Just add a few fun accessories like the telephone box wall sticker and the London bus money-box and you have a scheme that will still look as up to date many years from now.

A girls room doesn’t have to be baby pink.  There’s just enough of the sugary hue in this scheme to keep her happy but partnered with pastel blue and a healthy dose of punchy red the scheme will last into her teens and beyond.  The ditsy blue wallpaper is quite girly but the duvet cover is bold and colourful and stops it from looking too twee.  A pretty white daybed, striped woven rug and some colourful bunting is all that is needed to keep a feminine edge.

All products are available from Next Homeware.

Next are also running a competition on their Facebook page where you have the chance to win £1,500 worth of products from Next Homeware.

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Take Me Away – Song Saa, Cambodia…

Song Saa is a luxury resort situated on two islands on the Koh Rong archipelago, 30km off the coast of Cambodia.  It has taken six years to develop and is the work of Rory Hunter and his wife Melita who has a background as a stylist specialising in organic installations, sculptures and set design.

It was Melita who oversaw the architecture and design of the hotel and she based her inspiration on the textures and colours of the fishing boats and wooden houses of the islands, and on the twisted vines, bamboo and driftwood on the deserted beaches. 

The local community were employed on the site making it also a conservation project.  Thai contractors re-taught the Cambodians construction skills that had been forgotten during decades of oppression and carpenters made floorboards and furniture from timber recovered from broken boats and abandoned houses.

The hotel now has nine over water villas, seven beach villas and 11 jungle villas on the larger island, while there are plans for tree house retreats on the second island which will be reached via a wooden walkway.

Song Saa means ‘the sweethearts’ in Cambodian and I couldn’t think of a more apt name.

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Dreaming of a House in France…

Just back from six days in the French countryside and feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

Six whole days with no TV, no newspapers, no wi-fi, no crowds, no traffic and absolutely no noise.  Now that doesn’t happen often!

Nothing to do each day but sleep late, wander ancient villages, breathe fresh air and admire the tumbling wisteria that was everywhere.  Meals were wholesome, the cheese was soft and runny and the wine was plentiful.  The only thing we could have wished for was better weather, but it didn’t really matter.

And of course I’m now dreaming of a permanent bolthole.  I’m not imagining anything grand, in fact quite humble.  And the more I think about it the more my wish list grows.

Rough plastered walls, with plain wooden floors and simple country furniture.  A dresser with piles of mis-matched china but mostly in white.  A muted colour scheme, predominately whites and grays and warm, warm wood.

A huge fireplace of course and plenty of candles to make the evenings extra cosy and to make the chandeliers sparkle.  I didn’t say there would be no luxury did I?  And for adornment, an oil painting or two picked up for pennies at a local brocante.

Sofas and cushions will be covered in linen that has been washed until faded and soft to the touch and smelling of the sweet outdoors. 

Bedrooms will be particularly simple.  A headboard made out of an old door.  A chair for a bedside table.  Fresh flowers tumbling out of earthenware jugs.

And outside there will be a shady place to sit and enjoy endless meals during the summer months.  And of course a potting shed to grow vegetables and herbs.

Do you dream of a house in the country?

Image sources:

Collage 1 and 2 my own

Collage 3, 4 and 5 from Pinterest board.

 

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I Spy – The Vintage Archive Co…

The Vintage Archive Company was founded by two friends, Harry Villiers, founder member of Villiers Brothers, designers and makers of finely crafted original furniture since 1989, and David Riches, Creative Director of Visual Edge, the designer of publications for Liberty.

Metal cabinet partly repurposed from roller doors and featuring hand-painted advertisements and imagery from Victorian India.

Between them they have over 50 years combined experience in design and this venture is the result of a chance conversation at a Christmas party.

Alphabet chest of drawers. Upcycled from solid teak with 26 pull out drawers and a beautifully aged paint finish.

They have explored markets and secret sources in far off places, in search of vintage, upcycled furniture, toys, objets d’art, vintage posters and graphics to sell. They only choose items which are genuine, with a story to tell and the look of age is very important to them.

24” Coca-Cola enamel button sign from the 1950′s. Found in New Orleans prior to hurricane Katrina.

It could be a horse from an Indian fairground, a garden bench made from the oars of a 1930s boat, or a collection of 1930s glove moulds, which transform into a piece of installation art.

Tri-folding screen. Repurposed from an old shop front in Panjim, India, this unique screen has many layers of sign writing, graphics and paint on both sides. Each panel is made from solid teak and held together with heavy-duty hinges.

All items are total one-offs. So hurry, they won’t be around for long?

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Say it with Flowers…

There are so many flower inspired products in the shops at the moment and what better way to update our interiors for spring?

Here’s a few of my favourites.

 Designers Guild printed floral bed linen. Giant peonies on crisp white cotton.

The Sanderson Early Tulips rug in Cherry from Hill Co Rugs.

The Vintage Collection of tiles from Taylors Etc.

A contemporary take on traditional designs from Prey UK.

What’s your favourite?

 

 

 

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