Everyone is going mad for the Monochrome trend right now, so here are a few black and white rooms which I think are really successful. Although it’s a simple palette, the question is what ‘style’ of Monochrome do you go for? Romantic: delicate and decorative textiles with pretty ceramics, Graphic: strong geometric pattern, clean lines and an abundance of black and white prints or Industrial: lots of textures, warehouse style with faded linens and a hint of charcoal. I know, I know, sorry to add more options, but this is worth considering before you start planning! One thing is for sure, the strong black and white theme will be certain to add impact and drama to any room in the home.
Credits: 1.studio.2.I fashion Copenhagen.3.Hazlynda Kushairi.4.mittvitahus.blogspot.co.uk.5.a day in the land of nobody.
I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since my last post!! I have been feeling so anxious that I haven’t be able to write anything! This is the problem when a big job comes in, radio silence on the blog…Anyhow, I’m back (until the next shoot!) and wanted to share with you some of the gorgeous products from all of the Spring/Summer 2013 press shows; starting with the lovely Laura Ashley.
All of the images below are from the Bloomsbury range, a pattern originally launched in 1987 and adapted to todays trends. For me, this was the collection that stood out the most at the press show, it’s colorful, fresh and exciting and is sure to be a hit. Away with the beige and in with the colour!
Whether you are thinking about buying a solid wood, metal or maybe upholstered bed frame, it is important that you choose carefully and spend time comparing styles and prices; after all this will be one of the biggest investment purchases for the bedroom. If you are designing your room from scratch then the bed can be a good starting point for the rest of your scheme. For example, if it is shabby chic French look you are after, opt for an upholstered bedstead in faded greys, creams or blue and team this with weathered furniture and painted floorboards, finish the look with faded french linen bedspreads and a droplet crystal chandelier. For a classic French look then visit La Maison on Shoreditch High Street, London, they have the most beautiful antique bedsteads, mirrors and armoires. For antique lighting, try The French House. If it’s a sleek and modern finish then B & B Italia has some very cool and individual pieces, I absolutely LOVE their Lazy Nights bed, combine this with a tri-pod or cord lamp from Design House Stockholm and faded wooden furniture from Hay, if it’s a Scandi look that you are after. Or, consider high gloss cabinets and dressing tables from Camerich for a minimalist feel. For mid-range prices, look at Raft for their classic reclaimed bed frames and Camerich again for their simplistic and modern style (it is a more affordable B&B Italia or Ligne Roset).
Hello lovelies, continuing with my obsession of grey and mustard, I’ve put together the following colour scheme. I am a big fan of armchairs and chaises in the bedroom, as it’s good to sit and unwind in a room other than the lounge, the chairs below look so comfortable; the perfect place to loose yourself in a good book. The bold rug is on trend, echoing our love for all things geometric, whilst the carafe and lighting are Scandinavian by design. Last but not least, I am in love with this Lazy Days bed – #want!
Bedroom furniture, like any furniture, is a really personal choice and will determine the kind of look you want to give your place of rest in the home.
Recently I have seen some really creative and interesting ways to incorporate bed heads into a room, and they aren’t necessarily expensive or your typical idea of what a headboard might be. These inspiring ideas are a fantastic reminder that things can be done in a different and inexpensive way, to achieve stylish and unique results!
Finding a bed that is exactly what you are looking for can be difficult. However you can find a wide variety of beds online at dreams.co.uk which should make it that little extra bit easier.
Our ‘look to the future’ trend has been bubbling away for some time and can be found in tv, fashion & homewares. The subject is quite broad and all centres around one word, ‘science’. Brian Cox (who is now super cool) is the face of the television movement, with other celebrities following behind. Fashion collections for Spring/Summer 2012 saw world renowned designers, dressing their models with ‘spaceage’ clothes and alien inspired hairstyles, whilst architects and interior designers are having fun with white futuristic spaces, teamed with splashes of punchy neon.
Credits: Paco Rabane Spring 2012 RTW (silver dress). Grad show, Otago Polytechnic collections 2011 JoJo Ross. Silver trousers: Giles Spring 2012 collection. 2012, Golden Globes. Set of 4 models: Christopher Kane, S/S 2012. Restaurant Design, Home Design 2 you. Futuristic living room, Home Interiors Look Futuristic by Geometrix Architecture. White room with face on wall, Raiffeisen Bank’s flagship offices in Zurich. Lampshade head, decor.davinong.com. Medical glassware: essy.com. Colorful alien: Anne-Sofie List by Signe Vilstrup for Elle Denmark, on fashiongonerougue.com. All white apartment: Natalya Farnosova and Elena Samarina in Kiev, Ukraine. Hair, Paris Spring/Summer 2012
Ok, so what’s the score with mattresses? I am trying to convince my husband that we need a new bed and therefore a new mattress ;0) I can understand his hesitation as they are not cheap, but, they are definitely worth the investment. We bought ours from John Lewis a year ago and I’m sad to say we are disappointed with the quality, we can feel the springs when we lie down and it has two big dips on either side, we have been turning it every now and then, as advised by the company, but surely this shouldn’t happen? It came with a guarantee and so I think we are going to return it. I have provided the following information in the hope that you don’ t experience the same problems as us.
In the first instance, you need to find out what works for you as an individual. Do you prefer hard or soft mattresses? Do you suffer from backache or any other ailments? The first place I suggest you visit is The Sleep Council, a fantastic website covering absolutely everything to do with sleep, including, ‘How to get the best night’s sleep’ and ‘Shopping for a new bed’, I have included their video below which should offer some helpful tips & advice.
Another useful site is ‘Which‘, an online resource for consumers, covering pretty much every topic you can imagine. The link above will take you to an article they have on ‘Choosing the right mattress’, there is a small charge to access this information but they only charge £1 to trial the service. Also, take a look at Mattress Info as they have a really informative buying guide.
Other places to look when buying is Dreams, they have a really wide selection to choose from covering all price ranges, visit their website to view all beds and mattresses and mattresses.
There is one mattress that I slept on for a few weeks (at my sisters house) and wow, to this day, I have never slept on a more comfortable bed, it was some of the best nights sleep I have ever had. And no, I am not being paid to say this. It was a Vi-Spring mattress and this is something that I would definitely save for…
With all this doom and gloom around due to the credit crunch, I thought I would post some bright colour schemes to brighten things up. If you are bored of the neutral colours adorning the magazine pages then liven things up with hot South American tones . The image above was inspired from a trip to Cuba. I styled the shoot with photographer Lizzie Orme and then it was published in Real Homes magazine.
Paint: To create the look use colours confidently with strong green, bold blue and hot pink and team them with lighter colours such as soft lime and cool cream for furnishings and accessories. There are several paint suppliers you can use to acheive the look: The Serenity collection at Craig & Rose offers a good selection. Dulux paints have a Rich collection that offers vibrant colours perfect for this scheme. Their selection of ‘blue’ paints are especially stunning.
Credits: 1.F
