White On White Interiors

I absolutely love white walls and white floors. It's such a fresh, bright look and sets a beautiful backdrop to whatever colourful furnishings, artwork, furniture etc., you have. 

Also, if like me you get bored easily, you can change the accent colours within your home to make it feel different - without having to repaint, which is always a bonus.

Images via Elle Decor 

Show Off Your Style

 

I came across this colourful jewellery stand outside a store a few weeks ago and it got me thinking about something... (maybe you don't already) but why do we hide away our beautiful, eye-catching collections at home - be it jewellery, scarves, bangles, even shoes (!), in drawers, cupboards, boxes, etc...

I had some wasted space in front of our bedroom fireplace and knew it was the perfect spot to appreciate my shoes. Now they're not hidden away and (though they do get a little more dusty) they're fun to look at.

Possibly my most treasured collection. I've been collecting sunglasses for a good few years now (well, I probably have an obsession (these aren't all of them)! Back then I decided I wanted to find a wall-mounted perspex case to house them so they could become a piece of art instead of being tucked away in a dark drawer, as they are now. Unfortunately, I'm still yet to find the case! 


I think showing off your style makes your home personal. It adds character and makes it a genuine reflection of you and who you are. It makes you feel warm to be surrounded by it, to remember the stories of each piece  - oh, and as another plus, it's simply eye-candy for any visitors!


Happy weekending xx

DIY Designer - Painted Furniture

I'm a big fan of using paint to spruce up old furniture. It's cheap, pretty easy to do and can really make something of an otherwise non-exciting piece - or provide a change of scenery if you're bored! 


I love using black or white because they provide a really nice base when used with bright/patterned fabric. As you can see from the photos though, colour can be just as effective when used in the right way. 


All pics via August's issue of Living etc plus check out the site for more info on painting furniture.

DVF For Home

Earlier this year, DVF's (Diane Von Furstenburg) 'At Home' range became available in Selfridges here in London. Check out these cool pieces which focus on tableware and bedding for now.


In terms of fashion, Diane's use of colour and pattern has always caught my eye. I'm very glad to see she's turned her hand to the interior market!

Bedding for the brave! I think leopard print in the bedroom is risky territory, but this pattern could look cool in small doses... I would probably use it as a sheet under a plain white duvet so you could see flickers of it when the bed was unmade. I think it would look amazing used to cover a lamp shade too (but not in the same room)!

This design is a lot more subtle and really beautiful. I could deal with this is my bedroom... I love the pattern and the colours are fresh and calming. I think it would work well used with stronger accent colours in the room to really set it off. I can't wait to see what Diane comes up with next...


All images via DVF 

A Most Cheerful Hallway

The cowhide rug above (found in Egypt) sits in our hallway and gives me a little brush of happiness every time I pad across it in the morning in bare feet, usually on my way to make tea. I love that its round and soft, where everything else is rectangular and sharp. 


We've not finished decorating the hallway yet so the colours from the rug help add a bit of interest to the otherwise stark white/grey setting.

I love vintage furniture, but even more so when it has family history to it. Sitting above the rug are two beautiful chandeliers I inherited from my mother-in-law. We were given these last Christmas. We had just moved into our house and I knew they would be perfect in our hallway. I literally reverted to acting like a 5-year-old again on Christmas Day when I discovered what they were! (I had seen them being cleaned a couple of weeks before and completely fell in love with them).

As well as being pretty to look at when they're not turned on, they cast beautiful shadows across the walls when its dark. I love taking them in when I'm trundling up and down the stairs (which happens A LOT). 

I Heart Melbourne

I've not lived in Melbourne (my home town) since 2005 (I've been moonlighting as a Londoner instead). I do miss it. I discovered a way to cope recently and wanted to share my find. Lucy over at The Design Files has been photographing homes in Australia for her very cool blog. Check out the pics here for a taste...

I love that Melbournians aren't afraid to be bold with their interior styling. Plus, there's always some op-shop finds dotted about (that's charity shop for the non-Aussies!). I love trawling through interior pics like Lucy's - as well as getting ideas on styling, just seeing things sparks my own creativity - perfect for inspiration really.

If you want some more gorgeous interior eye-candy, check out Lucy's huge collection of pics here. 

(P.S. - thanks for the pics Lucy)!

Decoupage With A Modern Twist

 

The last time I decoupaged anything, I think I was about 12-years-old and it involved using photos of my friends and I. I loved it back then and though I haven't done it very often since, I did return back to my roots more recently when considering how to restyle the chair above. 


Another classic English wooden kitchen chair (about £10 from a charity shop), it had a dark stain on it and apart from having some cool detailing in its shape, it was really quite simple.I decided decoupage was the way forward to really show off the shape and give it a unique modern twist. 

 I pulled out my stash of fashion mags, cut a load of squares out and started pasting in a line using PVA glue (under and over the top, using a paintbrush). To be honest, it took me a good week to finish (who knows if I would have been so brave knowing the amount of time it would take?!) but it was well worth the end result. Hope you like it! Happy decoupaging. 

The Perfect Partner For Afternoon Tea?

I stumbled upon Sabre cutlery once on a trip to France and fell in love. They do all sorts of cutlery, in all sorts of colours and pretty designs. On a more recent visit to Amsterdam I also discovered Eme do a similar style, but in block colours. 

They make the perfect addition to my mismatched vintage tea set and never fail to get comments from friends when we're tucking into cake! They also live on my kitchen shelves where I can appreciate them every day. I want to build my collection to eventually include dinner cutlery too -  they'll work well mixed in with other cutlery here and there and bring a burst of colour to the table. 

Ikat - Never A Dull Moment

Photos above shot by Simon Upton & William Abranowicz via Elle Decor

 All cushions via Madeline Wienrib Atelier

It's probably quite clear by now, but I have a real thing for colour and pattern. When I first discovered Ikat fabric I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. 


I love the photos above - the use of clashing Ikat pattern and bright colour really appeals to me. I used to think using such colourful design was only possible in sunny countries, (like Oz for instance), but it didn't take me long to forgo that idea - who could resist furnishings like that!?


P.S. Madeline Weinrib Atelier in ABC Carpet & Home is well worth a visit next time you're in NY.

Cute Owl Trinket Box

I went hunting this weekend and found this trinket box in Hungerford, a small country village here in the UK, known for its antique stores and arcades. 

I love it!! I love the pattern, colours used and the fact there's an owl sitting atop - how random. It will bring a nice shot of colour to my dressing table - and make me smile each morning!

DIY Designer - Restyle A Vintage Kitchen Chair

I love hunting down cheap furniture, especially chairs. This one was about £10 from a second-hand store, and was in dire need of some emergency re-styling. Originally, it was dark brown and had an awful dark brown vinyl covered cushion. (I'm all for the 70s but this was pushing it)!


I sanded it down by hand, repainted with an oil-based gloss white and added a fresh new foam piece to the cushion. I sourced some beautiful hand-printed Swedish fabric to reupholster it with, and after enlisting the help of my boyfriend, we used a simple staple gun to secure it to the base. 


Result - a beautiful, inexpensive, original piece - made right at home!

Knitted Furnishings With A Cheeky Twist

UK artist Donna Wilson makes beautiful knitted home furnishings, in the softest lambswool - cushions, blankets, pouffes, etc. - even weird little creatures (!) I love her use of pattern and colour - every piece makes me smile. The two below add a bit of fun in my home. 

Pattern Fanatic - Vintage Kilim Rugs

My latest love is Kilim rugs. I'm deliberating buying the Moroccan one above (via Hay pop-up store in Selfridges). Though it is well worn (all the more character I say!) the colours are amazing and it would make a nice addition to any dull floor.

Loom (Melbourne) have some amazing ones...