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The Wonderful World of Mineheart

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Mineheart takes its name from the Shakespearian English words ‘mine’ and ‘heart’, meaning ‘my heart’.  This expresses their passion to create freely, without restraint.

The company produces the ‘Lovable Collection’ of furniture, lighting, wallpaper and interior accessories and was launched in 2010 by designers Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia of Studiomold and Young & Battaglia.  The duo are known for their playful approach to design, and innovative re-appropriation of materials and imagery, so expect the unexpected…

mineheart palace wallpaper mural

The Palace wallpaper is inspired by the wonderfully opulent interiors of stately homes and palaces of the 18th Century. It features an image of a large hall adorned with beautiful paintings and chandeliers.  Absolutely fabulous for creating an illusion of space and grandeur.

mineheart palace wallpaper mural 2

The Renaissance cowhide is unlike any cowhide you have ever seen, it’s from a very exotic breed of beast that lives in the fantasy world of designers Young & Battaglia. The piece features a background image created by artist Himitsuhana, overlayed with tufts of fur and hand cut out in a special rubber backed fabric.

mineheart renassaince cowhide rug

A fusion between art and utility, this rug will no doubt add a beautifully surreal touch to any interior, and unlike real cowhides this one is hypoallergenic, washable, and will always lay flat.

mineheart candela wall light

The ‘Renaissance’ wall light is a beautifully simple circular shade made using traditional lampshade making techniques of fabric stretched over a steel frame. The front diffuser features an image of a girl lit by candlelight, and is designed to give a soft, romantic glow.  The candle flame is cleverly positioned directly in front of the light source so that when the light is on, the light emanates from the flame.  Genius.

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What’s New at Oka Direct

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Oka direct is always one of my go-to websites when I’m looking for something that is timeless and a little bit different.  They seem to source and design products that I love for myself and for clients.  Especially if the look we’re going for is one of agelessness and gives the impression that everything has been picked up from the four corners of the earth during a well-travelled life.  Which it has, but from the comfort of my armchair and without the hassles of shipping and taxes.

For spring they have put together four inspirational homes on the website and in their catalogue but the one I’m most drawn to is ‘Highlife’.  Here’s a taster.

oka highlife 3

oka living room get the look

high-life-dining-room

oka dining room get the look

high-life-bedroom

oka bedroom get the look

All products are available from Oka Direct.

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Industrial Chic Ideasbook On Houzz

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

I’m delighted to say that I am now curating a monthly ‘ideasbook’ over on Houzz.

The first one is now live and it’s featuring ‘industrial chic’ as if you hadn’t guessed that already.  20 products picked by moi that encapsulate exactly what this trend is all about.  So please pop over and have a quick look by clicking here.

Houzz

If you haven’t already discovered Houzz and you are interested in interiors, then you really should have a look at this website.  It is a leading platform for home renovation and design which connects homeowners with interior designers and other professionals.  But best of all for those of us who can’t get enough of inspiring images, it has a vast database of photographs and shopping ideas.

Details of all products are on the Houzz website.

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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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Statement Table Lamps

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

There’s nothing nicer than the pool of light created by a table lamp don’t you think?  It instantly creates a homely, cosy atmosphere and it’s even better if the lamp itself is something of a statement.

Wildwood Lamps 1

These very handsome specimens by Wildwood Lamps were inspired by traditional elements found in textiles, ceramics and jewelry from around the world and capture the spirit of various indigenous cultures. Partnering with the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Wildwood developed five lamps (four shown here) that feature ancient and highly graphic motifs translated into a modern canvas.

Wildwood Lamps 2

I also love these striking glass designs by leading UK decorative lighting manufacturer, Heathfield & Co.

Heathfield 1

Adding to their existing range of creative designs, this beautifully crafted collection features a diverse selection of styles in striking finishes that include these full-blown glass. And in such pretty colours too.

Heathfield 2

You can never have too many lamps!

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A Penchant for Pendants

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

I’m loving this new and exciting range of cutting-edge pendant light designs from Heathfield & Co.

heathfield julipe 1

Julipe

The collection fuses contemporary contours in ravishing new colours with decorative glass finishes and finely sculpted metal work.  For added impact, each pendant has been created to work with exposed decorative filament or halogen ES bulbs that in my mind gives them that added edge.

heathfield Medina

Medina

The Leoni and Medina designs are made from premium Borosilicate glass and feature a clear cable and suspension wires of brushed steel. Inspired by the opulence and diversity of souks, Medina features unique tassels exclusively designed by Wendy Cushing.

heathfield leoniLeoni

Leoni is more organic shaped with a dimple effect finish that perfectly distorts light to create stunning patterns on surrounding surfaces. The metal work is available in finishes of nickel, brass or bronze.

heathfield Julipe 2

Julipe

The Julipe is perfect at introducing a focal point into interior schemes. Created through mould blown shapes with a kiln fired coloured glass finish, the design is supplied with a metal ceiling rose and twisted or clear cable.

The Leoni is my absolute favourite.

Zoe Darlington New Sirens Collection

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

Anyone who reads this blog will know that I do have a bit of a penchant for anything unashamedly feminine.  I like curvaceous lines, bold florals, and colour.  If you can add in a bit of adornment.  A few frills or tassels, or even better, lace, then I am very happy indeed.

So when Zoe Darlington sent me images of her new Sirens collection I was over the moon.

So let me introduce to you, Greta, Ava and Ingrid in particular.

I am so in love with Ingrid!

Photographs by Natalie Dinham

Barn Update – The Guest Bedrooms

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Last but not least the two guest bedrooms.

They are both quite small, tucked under the eaves, and both had existing metal beds so it has just been a question of adding some additional furniture and some decorative accessories.  Only the bigger of the two needs a wardrobe because a) there was no room in the smaller room and b) a guest bedroom doesn’t necessarily need a wardrobe.  The larger room also has an existing aged pine chest of drawers.

Other than that is was important to make the two rooms individual and interesting.

I’ve had a lot of fun with this project and have to thank my clients for being so open minded.  Not all clients would have given me such free reign and I can’t wait to see the results.  All that’s left to do now is the second reception room (which is really two rooms in one) but that will be a project for next year.

Sources: here and here

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The Latest Lorna Syson

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

It never takes much for me to post about award winning designer Lorna Syson, so when she slipped her latest images into my bag at 100% design it was only a matter of time.

She’s best known for her three dimensional wall flowers which I’ve been lusting after for like ever!  But she also creates a carefully curated collection of interior accessories, including wallpaper, fabric rolls, lampshades and cushions all of which are inspired by her love of the great British outdoors.

The great tits nesting outside her bedroom window inspired the lampshade below and her fondest childhood memories are of picking berries with her father and the summer days playing in the woods and countryside.

Is it too much to ask for one of these in my bag next time?

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Barn Update – The Dining Room

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (2 Comments)

Finally, at the weekend I found some time to spend on the Essex Barn project.

The dining room is semi-open plan to the kitchen and has the flagstone floor that runs throughout the ground floor, lots of wooden beams and a whole wall of windows.  The client had already chosen a 3 metre long dining table that fits in with the distressed, slightly industrial theme of the main living area.  It’s made from a 300 year old temple door and has metal struts on the underside.  He also liked the distressed metal chairs I had shown him previously.

I was concerned that all this wood and metal and stone could look cold and hard without the soft furnishing that soften up the living room so I went for colour.

I quite like it.  What do you think?

Sources here.

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