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A Warm and Cosy Sitting Room – Top Tips

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

I’m drawn today to this warm and cosy sitting room as the best antidote to the cold grey weather outside.

Skona Hem

To me, it’s just the perfect combination of colours, pattern and texture and it has a few tricks up its sleeve too.  So here are my top tips for creating your own little cosy corner to snuggle into with a good book.

  1. Keep the wall colour neutral so that the artworks and furnishings take centre stage.  This grey is perfect for a background colour.  It’s not as cold as white but it’s cool enough to handle the other hot colours.
  2. Choose a classic sofa in another, darker neutral shade.  The style will never go out of fashion and you can ring the changes simply by changing the cushions and accessories.

Black Grey Gold3. Add colour and pattern with a rug.  Sometimes the rug can be the starting point for a decorating scheme which may have been the case here.  This one is colourful but not too bright and although it’s busy, the patterns and colours work together well.

4. A coffee or side table is more than just a piece of furniture.  This pair is the ultimate in flexibility as they can be moved apart when necessary and yet work together perfectly.

5. The rule of three is always a good rule to follow.  Here the three pendant lights at different levels create just the right effect for a seating area.  Not too low and not too high.  And the three framed prints inside the bigger frame are echoing that effect.

red yellow black

6. Pick out the colours of the rug in the cushions and by using stripes again as in the rug but differently the effect is of subtle co-ordination.

7.  Use small accessories to repeat colours and effects.  The gold bowl echoes the gold inside the pendant lights and the gold frames.  The grey ‘string’ candle holders repeat the same grey as the wall and even the colours of the book covers are similar to the cushions.

The overall effect is one of perfect harmony.  Nothing shouts too loud and it all appears effortless.  My favourite kind of scheme.

Main image: Skona Hem

Ingredients: Tom Dixon Beat Lights, Conran Shop Oswald sofa, Tom Dixon bash vessels, gold frame from Antique Frames Eu, vintage patchwork rug from Bazaar Velvet, Hay Bella occasional tables from Nest, yellow cushion from H & M Home, patterned cushion by Jonathan Adler, knitted vase by Urban Cuckoo.

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More Slices to Your Loaf?

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

Did you know that online homeware brand Loaf is getting even bigger?

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Having recently launched sofas in 2012 to add to their collection of beds and bedroom furniture (they were formally know as The Sleep Room), they are now branching out into all areas of the home including designs for the kitchen and bathroom.

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_Loaf

On 1st March 2013 they will launch over 150 gorgeous new pieces from kitchen tables and chairs, coffee tables, side tables and floor rugs, to bathroom furniture and a kids’ furniture range for the first time.

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Expect to see a load more comfy beds and sofas too.

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Loaf aims to be cheaper, faster and less hassle than the high street and the one-stop shop means that you can now ‘Loaf’ all of your home.

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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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Anthropologie is Calling

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

Normally when you think of Anthropologie you think of bold colour and riotous patterns and all of the glorious hodgepodge of global collections and worldwide folklore.  At least I do.

But I am inexplicably drawn lately to the more neutral treasures available on their site.  The softness of flokarty, the weighty heaviness of french style pottery, the handiwork on their indian inspired cushions and the delicious combinations of metal and glass.

anthropologieThese are all of the things that I would never tire of and I’m not sure I can live without them.  A shopping trip may be on the cards!

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Stars by Barbara Chandler for Habitat

Posted by deardesigner in Events - (0 Comments)

I felt very privileged to be invited to an installation of festive photography by Barbara Chandler last week at the Kings Road branch of Habitat.

Barbara (for anyone who isn’t familiar with her work) is the author of Love London, which was published last year and contains 180 photographs of the capital, and her photographic work has featured in a series of London exhibitions.  She has also worked extensively as a journalist, writing mainly about interiors and design for many national newspapers and magazines including the London Evening Standard (for over 20 years), and more recently Homes and Gardens.

Last weeks exhibition also marked the launch of her ‘stars’ collection for Habitat which features her photographs digitally printed on cushions, aprons, tea towels and tote bags.  The tea towels are shown here.

I haven’t known Barbara for very long but in that short time she has shown tremendous support for us humble bloggers and I’m proud to be able to call her a friend.  She also (and I don’t think she’ll mind me saying this) looked stunning in one of her own ‘stars’ aprons and black high heels.  Such amazing legs!

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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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The Winter Peony Collection by Bluebellgray

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

The new collection from Bluebellgray has arrived just in time to brighton up our dull, grey winter days.

The Winter Peony collection features a rich palette of pinks and plums in painterly strokes.  As well as Fiona’s signature florals, there are also abstracts in deeper hues.  All on a warm linen background.

And to keep you warm in the months ahead, there are the new Hattie throws, which are 100% merino wool and co-ordinate beautifully.

But I’ll tell you a little secret….

I love the lavender cushion best.

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Laura Oakes Digital Decoupage

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

During my many hours of online sourcing this past two days I came across Laura Oakes on the Rockett St George website where she sells a few of her items.  Not content with that of course, I decided to investigate further as I have not noticed her work before and it is simply, quite beautiful.

Laura is an artist, photographer and pattern designer, and her unique style of “digital decoupage” features layers of vintage and hand-drawn imagery, with her own photography. Each work of art, whether it’s a Perspex wall-mounted image, a beautifully printed cushion or a giant-sized drum lampshade, is the result of hours of research and foraging through her vast library of imagery, including vintage memorabilia, newspaper cuttings, retro advertising and precious scrapbooks collected from far and wide. To this Laura adds a liberal dose of originality and humour, both of which are an inherent part of her work.

The photographs here, were taken in her gallery and studio which is tucked away in the art’s quarter of Rye, East Sussex. This newly-hip yet elegantly retro seaside town plays an influential role in her work, as well as being an incredibly rich source of unusual raw materials and eye-catching imagery. Melting old into new, blending vintage with contemporary and partnering aspirational with accessible.

Laura also takes commissions for highly individual, bespoke montage works.  She will interweave treasured personal memeorabilia, such as photographs, invitations, tickets, love letters or newspaper cuttings, and using her own creative skills she will embellish, embroider and interpret life stories, special events, such as weddings, anniversaries and birthdays, or even to remember a once-in-a-lifetime holiday or expedition.

I can’t think of a more perfect gift for someone special.

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Decorative Decorex

Posted by deardesigner in Events | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

Last week disappeared in a whirlwind of preparation for a last-minute photoshoot, the London Design Festival, Blogtour LDN, a Blogtour NYC reunion and that other stuff called real work.  And as always happens, I didn’t get to do half the things I really wanted to, let alone blog about them!

Vivienne Westwood

I have to mention Decorex International though, because for me it has become a little treat at the end of London Design Festival.  It’s like sinking into the bath after a long hectic day.  It feels more hushed somehow, more sedate and certainly more plush than many of the other events.  In reality it might be just as noisy, but as deep pile carpet deadens the constant chatter I often find myself lost in my own little world of glamour and indulgence.

Venetia Studium, English Home, Spina, We Are Front

I am drawn, magpie like to anything with a bit of glitter, a hint of sequins or a patina of gold.  The theatrical entrance, the opulence of the stands and the chink of champagne glasses tells me this is where I truly belong.  If only for a few hours.

Christopher Guy

And then, after I have traipsed back across London with very tired feet and sunk into a real hot bath, I can look back and think, yes, Decorex has done it again!

Branch (can’t find the url for this one, can anyone help me out?), Ecco Trading, Graham and Green, De La Cuona

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I Spy – Suki Cheema

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

What do you think of these gorgeous home accessories from Suki Cheema?

The are just a few of the products in the Indonesia Collection which is inspired by Suki’s design background and her travels. 

The collection is made using 100% natural materials and features hand silk-screen prints and embroideries that are centuries old.

I like them – very fresh looking!

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