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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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Floral Rugs from Bluebellgray

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

I’ve written about Bluebellgray a couple of times already, here and here.  And I make no apologies for that as I am a huge fan.  So when I heard about her new rug collection I just had to share it straight away.

bluebellgray rugs

Clearly recognizable as the work of the lovely Fi, the rugs manage to capture the colours and watercolour qualities of her hand painted designs.  In fact, they are the first rugs in the world to be digitally printed on wool.  They are manufactured and distributed exclusively by Brink and Campan.

bluebellgray rugs 2

I love the oversized painterly florals best I think.

Aren’t they lovely?

Photographs by David Cadzow for Bluebellgray

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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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Ombre Effect Rugs from Woven Ground

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

No one can have missed the current trend for ombre effects lately.  From paint effects, to fabrics, to hair even!  Now, I wouldn’t go that far, but I would be very tempted by these rugs from Woven Ground.

Woven Ground - Ember

All the colours of the rainbow, but done with such a subtle touch that they are simply stunning.  I love the styling too.  The rustic wooden stool, the unvarnished boards and the plain walls.  All of this restraint just helps the quiet beauty of the rug stand out even more.

Woven Ground Ebb 1

Maybe a pastel two-tone is more of your thing?

Woven Ground EbbedOr a rug with more neutral colours?

Woven Ground - Lapis

This is my runner-up favourite.  Brighter colours with an almost Moroccan flavour.

Which do you like best?

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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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Houndstooth Check from Roger Oates

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

If you say Roger Oates to anyone, they immediately think of striped stair runners.  And very handsome runners they are too.  But the company is now making a natural evolution to checkerboard designs – the first of which is this new houndstooth.

The balance of tone and colour within the graphic design creates a border to form a uniquely smart look that is perfect for stairs, but can also be joined by hand to make a rug.

There are six colours including a more traditional looking black and grey but I love these soft pastels.  They are smart and feminine all at the same time don’t you think?

And that top photograph is to die for!

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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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Lonny de Licious

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

As we put the last few finishing touches to the anniversary issue of Heart Home magazine I took some time out to have a look at the latest issue of Lonny.

Lonny is probably the digital magazine that inspired me the most when Heart Home was just an inkling of an idea and a ‘what if’.  I know Arianna will probably say Rue was her biggest inspiration, but all I know is that I am glad that those two magazines braved the new frontier of online publishing and are still flourishing today.

Without them we would not have had such an interesting year behind us and I hope that we go some way to inspiring others too.  It’s been hard work of course but it has been worth every late night and lost weekend and I know my two fantastic co-editors agree.  I couldn’t have wished for better partners than Arianna and Daniel and I know that we will be working together for many years to come.

And I still get excited when I get the email saying Lonny is now out!

This is my favourite home from the September issue.  It’s a weekend retreat tucked into the pine forest of East Hampton and is just minutes from the beach.

I’m envious of the lifestyle, the nearby beach, the fabulous light flooding the rooms.  But most of all I’m envious of that Beni Ourain rug in the first picture!

All photographs are from the September issue of Lonny mag.  Out Now.

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Faded Grandeur

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

Inspired today by blue and white, a scattering of faded florals, and a hint of pink from garden roses. 

Puts me in mind of a sultry summer afternoon and the promise of high tea.

 What are you up to today?

Sources:  Main image, Carma. Marcel Wanders carpet, Ferrious. Wallpaper, Graham and Brown.  Tea set and cake stand, House of Hackney. Bombe chest, Sweetpea and Willow. Sam Pickard Tray, AryTrays.

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