Hippy Chic

Do you use Pinterest? Its an amazing tool for us creative (forgetful) sorts in particular - not just as a place to keep things we spot but its full of inspiration, admiration & revelations galore!
Its so addictive Ive had to restrict the amount of time I allow myself on it, otherwise I could be there all day! It was when I checked in to Pinterest this week that I noticed that the whole of my feed had a definite boho vibe going on! As Pinterest shows you stuff based on boards that you follow or things you've already pinned - its quite evident that the anticipation of summer holidays and imminent festival season is definitely on my mind at the moment!

These interior shots were just 3 of many I could have chosen but I think they each embrace that laid back, eclectic style really well. 

While the beauty of this look is that almost anything goes, if you dissect the images you can see they each have similarities and a few notable key points. The room composition is naturally informal; theres plenty of interest created through differing heights - hanging chairs & planters for example and general layering is key. Leathers and fibres are natural colours; fabrics are either natural (sheepskin) or have a handmade quality - think embroidery/macramé etc; an obligatory pouffe of course and plenty of lush air cleaning greenery.

Todays board contains a selection of pieces that will work independently within your existing interior or all together as a whole Hippy Chic look......

Sources & Links (clockwise from bottom left)
Moroccan Tan Leather Pouffe from Cuckooland

Hurricane Diamond Vase from White Mint

Faux Mongolian Fur Cushion from George

Celia Small Woodblock from Monsoon

Hanging Swing Chair from Rockett St George

Floral Print from Howkapow

End Grain Coffee Table from West Elm

Sheepskin Throw from The Organic Sheep

Fiesta Embroidered Cushion from Bombay Duck

If you have any queries, sugestions or just fancy communicating, as always, please feel free to leave any comments below, or drop me a line directly in the box to the right & I promise to get back to you!

Bloody Marbleous!

Marble was one of last years predicted trends but it seems to have been a slow burner that's only just coming into its own again right about now.

Marble has been coveted as a precious material for many thousands of years - the Taj Mahal, Michaelangelo's 'David' and our own Marble Arch are just a few recognisable historical marble masterpieces.

Marble is synonymous with affluence and high living. Installing marble floors or worktops in your home or business would never be inexpensive, however it is absolutely a worthwhile investment. There are few materials that can offer elegance, texture, durability and pattern all in one package but marble is definitely top of that list!

If youre liking the marble thing, but not sure how to incorporate it into your home, remember you dont have to go down the obvious route of kitchen or bathroom hard surfaces. Theres an ocean of smaller furnishings, fittings (you can even get marble radiators!) and marble inspired accessories available at the moment, that illustrate the beautiful versatility of this fabulous stone.

I've mined the internet and brought together a selection for you for todays inspiration board and if I do say so myself - its Bloody Marbleous!

Sources (clockwise from top left)

Marble Print Duvet Set from Ted Baker

Hadleigh Black Marble Doorstop from Habitat

Marble Base Desk Lamp from Cinnamon Bay Interiors

Marble and Copper Pouch from Renna Deluxe

Hello You Postcard from Paperchase

Marbled Pillar Candles from Nordic House

Mohair Throw from Heals

Marble Sphere Votive from French Connection

Marble Look Plates from Rose & Grey

As always please leave a comment below or feel free to contact me directly with any comments, questions or requests - love to hear from you! 

Club Tropicana

Theres a definite hint of pineapple throughout the world of interiors at the moment, have you noticed? 

John Lewis have these stylish, on trend, metallic pineapple pots, Barneby Gates have this brilliant Pineapple wallpaper - the pink is lively and fun but they also do a dark colourway  that would look amazing in an eclectically dressed dining room. Then we have Graham & Green stocking this fabuous Golden Pineapple table and just about every other store you look at has a pineapple stashed on a shelf or two somewhere this season!

So todays inspiration board is pushing the pineapples and welcoming in a bit of tropical sunshine.... say hello to Club Tropicana! 

Bright colours & punchy patterns can be intimidating - but if you keep the base clean and crisp, like this white sideboard with colonial style doors, then you can throw colours around and have loads of fun!

Sources (Clockwise from top left)

Pina Lampshade by Rosa & Clara Designs

Tropical Floral Wallpaper from B&Q

Toucan Print from Lila + Lola

Bert storage Coffee Table from Habitat

Cactus Vase from Howkapow

Various Cotton Cushion Covers from H&M

Flamingo Tealight Holder from Home by Matthew Williamson Designer

Tropical Pineapple Garland by Postbox Party

Barbade Sideboard from Maisons Du Monde

Flamingo Hooks from Rigby & Mac

Dekale Side Table from Maisons Du Monde

As always, please leave any comments below. Feedback, questions, requests - everything always welcome!

And finally, if you've have had a certain tune in your head the entire time you've been reading this and actually landed here hoping for some 80's hotties - this one is for you..... Haha! 

You're welcome! Xx

Unwind

So, avocado and peach suites are out, right?
Totally agree! And there's nothing sharper or more fail-safe than than an all white combo. There are an abundance of differing styles available that work every time, each becoming timeless classics that will fit into any scheme without issue.

However, there are other options!

I've designed this bathroom with two things in mind - the recent leaning towards greenery & botanics PLUS the ongoing trend for taking personal time-out for self care.

I've moved right away from the slick, clinical polished white that we ordinarily refer to when we talk bathrooms. I spotted this bath (that beautiful black, layered structure in the centre is a stone composite bath, you can actually bathe in it!) and it was just perfect for this latest scheme - Unwind.

There's no better antidote to stress than to get back in touch with nature and so I've created the bathroom from an amalgamation of natural textures and materials to stimulate the physical senses and soothe the soul.

Warm timber flooring and smooth pebbles underfoot; slate walls; dark stone basin & bath and plenty of lush greenery (its everywhere at the moment!) If your'e green fingered go for the real deal, if not there are some amazing faux plants available these days, like this fabulous bamboo screen from RSG - so go ahead and just fake it! Ive kept the colour scheme deliberately dark so it encourages the brain to slow down and the body to relax at any time of the day.

At the very least, every bathing experience should gently address each of the senses -

• Steamy hot water - Touch ☑
• Soft, low lighting options - Sight ☑
• Music - Sound ☑
• Something that smells divine, like one of these amazing, customised bath soaks from The Bathory - Smell ☑
• And a last but not least a glass of whatever takes your fancy, purely to tick the box of course! - Taste ☑

What's your favourite way to unwind? Any questions/ comments/ suggestions/ chit chat - please feel free to leave them in the comments below or contact me direct. Cant wait to hear from you!

Sources (clockwise from top left)
Copper & Black Candlestick from Hutsly

Ragrund Towel Rack Chair from Ikea

Slate Wall Mosaic tiles available from most tile suppliers
Copper bathroom fittings from Livinghouse.co.uk

Cocoon Shadow Granite Basin from Living Roc

Teak timber flooring available from most flooring suppliers

Customised Bath Soaks from The Bathory

Faux Standing Bamboo Screen from Rockett St George

River Pebble floor tiles available from most tile suppliers

Harmony Round Bath from Apaiser

A Design For Life

As a Designer, sometimes inspiration just strikes and you cant help but run with it - todays board materialised from one of those moments!

I accidentally stumbled across the image of the beautiful sideboard I've featured whilst looking for something totally different. I pinned it instantly - knowing full well it was exactly the right partner for the equally epic West Elm sofa Id already earmarked a couple of weeks ago. With two strong pieces decided, the rest of the design just fell into place.

I'm aware that quite often anything related to 'interior design' tends to err towards the female of the species but, from both personal and professional experience, I know that blokes do have an opinion on it and the ones that go down that professional route are generally red hot at it! So here's one with the guys in mind,  A Design For Life.

I've used a few industrial touches to balance out the slick lines of the furniture. The saw-burnt reclaimed timber flooring, the distressed leather of the punch bag and the rough surface of the concrete planter give balance to the overall effect.

Often we think a look is determined via a 'colour scheme' but in this instance the design is held together through the repetitive use of 3 main materials - timber, leather and concrete.

Choose some statement art work that reflects your own taste and yes, despite being the nemesis of many a man, I actually went and added cushions.
They are Star Wars graphics though so I think I might just get away with it!

Sources & links (clockwise from top left)

Concrete & Brass Lamp from Graham & Green

Double Trouble Canvas by Bitten London

Round Hanging Mirror from John Lewis

ES Sideboard by AFID Design

Brooklyn Leather Sofa from West Elm

Jake Tripod Table from Johnny Moustache

Concrete Planter from Whosit & Whatsit

Reclaimed Oak Flooring from Trunk Reclaimed

Timothy Oulton Punch Bag from Barker & Stonehouse

Star Wars Cushions from Whosit & Whatsit

Drop me a line or leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Spring Dining

Mid March & finally the weather seems to be on the turn!
I live in the North East of England - not too far from the coast - so when the wintery wind gusts off the cold North Sea it has such a bite to it, but this weekend that edge was definitely missing and the sun was trying so hard to warm things up.

It got me thinking of fresh, clean & beautiful but low key interiors and I unearthed a whole pile of amazing pieces that I narrowed down to this one board dedicated to Spring Dining.

Its important to light your dining table well - and while a large statement fitting can be ideal in some circumstances, sometimes you can achieve an equally perfect effect by hanging several smaller pendants (I always choose an odd number) over a table. I was really taken with these wooden pendants - there's a few different shapes and combos available I chose these as they mirror the white legs/ timber top of the dining table perfectly though.

Chairs, I dont mind mixing it up with chairs - the Ercol bench is always going to be fab, but Im itching to try out these crisp John Vogel chairs!

Mouth blown glass and hand thrown teacups; embroidered runners & textured fish scale ceramics - by focusing on various natural materials and incorporating organic textures and patterns we can invite the outside in, even when its still a tad too chilly for proper al fresco meals.
Ive kept it simple, using a neutral colour palette but freshened it up with accent spots of natural greens and blues.

Are you feeling that spring in your step yet?!

Sources & Links (clockwise from top left)

Sinatra Dinnerware from Habitat

Reykjavik White & Wood Pendant from Horsefall & Wright

Carla Teapot from The Scandinavian Design Centre

John Vogel Chair from West Elm

Scales Vase from House Envy

Betty Extending Dining Table from Made.com

Spring Bird Table Runner from Marks & Spencer

Relief Patterned Glass Jug from H&M

Ercol 3 Seater Dining Bench from John Lewis

Prindl Celadon Thumb Cup from Canton Tea Co

Granada Juice Glass and Bronze Age Cutlery both from Anthropologie

Copper & Teal

Copper & Teal is such a fabulous combination.

The blue-green colour of teal naturally zings when paired with orange-red tones of copper.

If you're up on your colour theory it makes perfect sense - green and red are complimentary colours (they sit opposite each other on the colour wheel) as are orange and blue, so when place side by side they enhance each other.....but maybe this is a whole different blog post for the future!

Back to copper & teal!
Its a versatile mix - it can be dressed up in a sumptuous, decadent stately fashion or pared right down with lots of raw materials - think exposed brick for example- as a nod to industrial chic, or it can sit quite confidently anywhere between the two.

For todays inspiration board Ive aimed for a bit of an eclectic mix. 

Ive teamed distressed style paisley papers with rich, dark paint colours. Using the muted paint palette in this instance serves to anchor the scheme with an air of refinement but it could work equally well with lighter, airy paint colours too depending on the atmosphere you want to achieve.

Ive mixed it all up with beautiful velvets and button down upholstery flanked by minimalist side tables. Simple, angular light fittings (this one is copper and leather - what a twosome!) and faceted glass candle holders. However the pièce de résistance has to be the copper drinks trolley for when you're finally ready to sink into that sofa & enjoy.

Sources & Links (clockwise from top left)

Mervyn Console Table from Barker & Stonehouse

Dinner Candles from Rockett St George

Aqua Diamond Hand Cut Glass Tealight Holder from Oliver Bonas

Mahogany & Brassica paint colours from Farrow & Ball

Paisley Wallpaper in Turquoise by Barneby Gates

Wilder Pendant Light by Endon from Castlegate Lighting

Biba Feather Foil Cushion from House of Fraser

Roo Abrook Antique Page Print from Rigby & Mac

Mirrored Copper Side Tables from The French Bedroom Co.

Enya Relaxing Chair from Graham and Green

Shoreditch Drinks Trolley from Rockett St George

Mid Century Planter from West Elm

Bagsie Sofa in Belize Clever Velvet from Loaf

As always please get in touch and let me know what you think - if youve any subject requests or questions let me know!

Also, if you happen to buy anything Ive suggested Id love to hear your feedback on it and maybe even send me a pic so I can see it in situ!