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Little Rowen and Little Wren

Posted by deardesigner in Childrens Rooms - (3 Comments)

Yes, I know I’m a little nursery/children/babies obsessed at the moment.  But even if I wasn’t I would have rushed over to the Rowen & Wren site to have a look at their new children’s collection just to find out what they had chosen.

And it doesn’t disappoint.  We have come to love and expect great taste and even greater design from the R & W guys and hell, yes, some of these things would look just as lovely outside of the nursery.  Why should children have all the fun?

Little Rowen and Wren 1

The Baa Baa bookshelf might even encourage the little ones to put their own books away and the rocking sheep is so beautiful to look at and to touch it needn’t be relegated to the nursery at all.  I’m also loving the liberty print bedding and the giant crocheted pouffs.

Little Rowen and Wren 3

Another personal favourite is the retro mini chairs.  How cute are they?

Little Rowen and Wren 2

And don’t forget the cuddly toys!

Little Rowen & Little Wren

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5 Steps to Creating Cosy Layers in the Bedroom

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

If there is one room in the house where you want to feel warm and cosy and cosetted, it’s the bedroom.  Like any other room in the house these days, it often has to multitask but whether it’s a place to sleep, feel romantic, watch TV (a complete no no in my house), or read a good book it’s important that it’s comfortable.

There can never be enough layers in my book.  So, once you have decided on the basics like a good mattress and the style of headboard you prefer, you can then start to add the luxurious details.

1. Nothing beats the feel of natural cotton or linen for sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases.  The higher the cotton thread count, the more expensive but also the most indulgent.  Buy the best you can afford.  There is a hugh range at Yorkshire Linen.

House Beautiful - Bedroom Layers [3] Photograph by Ngoc Minh Ngo

2. The number of pillows is down to personal choice but always have an extra one for when you are sitting up in bed.  There’s something very comforting (and supportive) about having a mound of pillows to lie back on.

House Beautiful - Bedroom Layers [1] Photograph by William Abranowicz

3. A throw or two at the end of the bed is more than just decorative.  Think of those afternoon naps when you want to ward off the chill without actually getting into bed?  A throw is great for snuggling under and on those extra chilly nights is an extra warm layer.

House Beautiful - Bedroom Layers [4] Photograph by Reed Davis

4. Extra decorative pillows.  Just because they add the finishing touch to a well dressed bed.  They can add colour, pattern and texture to a room and yes, you do have to throw them off when you get into bed at night but they are so worth it.

House Beautiful - Bedroom Layers [2] Photograph by Jonny Valiant

5. A bedside rug.  To wriggle the toes in on those cold winter mornings.

All images from House Beautiful

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Spring Inspiration from Ikea

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Who could resist sharing these gorgeous images from Ikea?

Bohemian spring bedroom from ikea.se

A bohemian beautiful bedroom, with bright
colours and a harmony of flowers and stripes on the soft inviting
bed. Ready for a modern-day Marie Antoinette perhaps, with a penchant
for fashion, charm and beautiful things?

Bohemian spring bedroom from ikea.se [2]

 Like a dutch still life; gorgeous spring flowers in a jewel-like purple vase that contrasts beautifully with the muted tones of the rough plaster and unadorned window.

Bohemian spring bedroom from ikea.se [3]

All photographs courtesy of ikea.se/livethemma

Photographer Idha Lindhag
Stylist Camilla Krishnaswamy

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Designers at Debenhams – Bedlinen

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (3 Comments)

Not sure about you, but the little glimpses of sunshine over the past few days have put a new spring in my step.  I’ve even seen a few signs of daffodils pushing their way through the mud in the garden.  And so thoughts are turning to spring cleaning and sorting out and maybe buying a few new things for the home.

New sheets always feel like a treat at this time of the year, and while I am a great lover of white, I am tempted by these offerings from Designers at Debenhams.

Debenhams Julien Macdonald Bedlinen

Julien Macdonald

Debenhams_Ben de Lisi Bedlinen

Ben De Lisi

Debenhams_Betty Jackson Bedlinen

Betty Jackson

Debenhams_John Rocha Bedlinen

John Rocha

Debenhams_Matthew Williamson Bedlinen

Matthew Williamson

Which is your favourite?  I think I’m leaning towards John Rocha.

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The Amelie Collection at Feather and Black

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (5 Comments)

I don’t know about you but once Christmas and New Year are over, the decorations are put away, and thoughts start to turn to how else to freshen up the house.  I get a sudden and unfamiliar urge to clean.  And I don’t just mean a desultory dust and mop either.  I mean a proper move all the furniture, take the curtains down and make the windows start to gleam kind of clean.

Feather and Black - The French Trend 1

It’s not even as if we are anywhere approaching spring yet!  Maybe it’s just a desire to put everything back into order and look forward instead of back?

Feather and Black - The French Trend 2

I’ve been saving these images of this French inspired collection at Feather and Black but now it’s time to share them.  I think it’s the simplicity that appeals to me.  The rooms look as if all they need is a good sweep to clear away the cobwebs.  The curtain-less windows would be sparkling with little effort and the bed-linen will smell of fresh air and promises.

Feather and Black - The French Trend 3

The collection is called Amelie and I love its vintage appeal and freshness.  Perfect for looking forward to spring.

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Meet the Blogger Stockholm

Posted by deardesigner in Events | Interior Design - (3 Comments)

It’s official.  The Heart Home team are off to the next Meet the Blogger event in Stockholm next February.  In fact we have been invited to be guest speakers and we’re over the moon with excitment!

I have never been to Sweden and I’m looking forward to my first visit although I expect it’s going to be colder than I’ve ever known before.  So here’s a little Swedish inspiration, courtesy of Skona Hem to get the creative juices flowing.  Enjoy.

If you haven’t booked your ticket yet and you’d like to go, hurry because there is a limited number.  Click the logo below to go to the registration page.

We’ll see you there.

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I Spy – Toast AW12

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (1 Comments)

Have you seen the Toast Autumn/Winter catalogue yet?

As usual, it’s just filled with the most covetable items imaginable.  Good design, simple ideas and a warm and inviting colour scheme.

Don’t all these skins and furry things make you want to curl up and relax a little?

A store of extra logs and blankets in the long winter months are always a good idea.

And it may be raining outside but I can almost smell the scent of pine and feel the softness of the organic cotton bed linen.  Loving that paisley quilt!

You can never have too many cushions in my mind and this tonal mohair one is going on my Christmas wish list.

And wouldn’t it be nice to live in this stylists world?  Good quality, useful items that are beautifully made and without the need for any superfluous decoration.

I may have to have a clear out.

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I Spy – Joules Bed & Bath Collection

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (3 Comments)

 Anyone who is a fan of Joules, the country lifestyle brand, might be interested to know that they have teamed up with Bedeck to create a bed and bath collection.

The collection reflects the iconic countryside style synonymous with Joules and features six designs for adults and four for children.

I love the Sunbird Floral theme above.  An abudance of flowers interspersed with bird motifs which is sure to bring the English Countryside into the bedroom.  I can almost hear the birdsong and feel the summer breeze!

And as I just adore anything with flowers, I’m also very fond of Lulu Floral (above).  A bit fresher, slightly nautical, but just as lovely.

Deckchair Stripe might appeal more to the boys but also coordinates beautifully with Sunbird Floral.

Also for the adults, Ribbon Stripe Horse, inspired by Joules’ equestrian heritage, Coastal Boats with it’s delicately drawn sailing boats and Coastal Birds.

My favourite from the childrens range is Circus (above). There is also Rugby Stripe for the boys, English Garden for the little ladies and Piggy Cat Farm for the young ones.

Available from House of Fraser, John Lewis, Fenwick and other leading retailers from August.

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I Spy – FCUK for the Home…

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (3 Comments)

Something must be seriously up with my radar!  Am I really the last to know that French Connection are now doing homewares?

And a well-considered, very handsome range it is too.

French Connection Home.

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Inspiration – Colourful Childrens Rooms…

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (6 Comments)

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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