Monday 27 April 2009

Sherbet throw*

I have a new throw! It's in this season's colour - yellow, named by Pantone as this year's hot colour trend. It's so cheery for our bedroom and just right for spring. Sherbet cotton throw from Habitat.

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Spread the interiors love!*


The sun is shining in London so I am spreading the interiors love! Tile by Ryantown


Tuesday 21 April 2009

Taxidermy & Les Trois Garcons*





For our 10-year anniversary I don't think my lovely man expected to be transported to a bistro in the French Baroque style, eating tasty food under cloudburst chandeliers next to draped curtains to the crooning of Edith Piaf. And of course, we had an aviary of stuffed birds and a stuffed tiger for company... I honestly cannot imagine a more magical and theatrical interior in which to eat my din dins. Even the taxidermy had diamentes draped over them. I know that taxidermy isn't everyones thing, but it's making a big interiors comeback. Designers such as Sebastian Errazuriza and Alex Randall are taking an interiors lead from Les Trois Garcons with their mysterious stuffed animal creations. The duck lamp by Sebastian Errazuriza certainly makes a change from an Ikea print in a blond frame! And I love the softness and naturalness of the pidgeon against the industrial light cord on Alex Randall's pigeon light. The feel maybe slightly gothic, even morbid, but they add a touch of beauty and orginality to a room and take the recycling ethos to the extreme! Look at Jericho Hands for inspiration - even if the website is a bit cluncky.

Monday 20 April 2009

Missoni interiors - new Edinburgh hotel*




Seeing photos of the new Missoni hotel in Edinburgh has reminded me that my lovely boyfriend should treat me to two nights of luxury when we are next in Scotland. It looks like the room interiors have been designed in Missoni's trademark stripes, geometrics, and abstract florals in blacks, whites and silvers, so not in their usual kaleidoscope of colours. Maybe it is to reflect the Scottish weather! Missoni are also known for their inventive use of fabrics such as wool, cotton, linen, rayon and silk, but I won't know if they've pushed the interiors envelope on this unless I pay them a visit.


Tuesday 14 April 2009

Future trends alert*




So, according to The Future Laboratory, we are witnessing the end of opulence and the beginning of austerity in interiors. As lovers of design, we are looking for the unique, the hand-crafted and the ethical. And in terms of aesthetic - gloss, bling and sparkle are OUT! and soft muted metallics, simple shapes and grey are IN! Or as Future Laboratory put it ' the look of the late afternoon is in'. Examples of this new trend are Rabih Hage's Kings Cross Rough Luxe boutique and anything and everything by Ilse Crawford, my favorite interior designer at the moment. All hail the pared back look.

Monday 13 April 2009

Summer seating - Myto*


Ok, I live in London zone 2 which means no garden, which is totally depressing as summer is approaching fast. But I figure I'll move one day and the new 'Myto' plastic chairs by Konstantin Grcic are very cleverly designed for use indoors and outdoors. And they look beautiful stacked too. So if I buy them as guest chairs, stack them when not in use and then keep them for one sunny day when I have a garden I will save a packet. And be super eco-friendly too as they are multi-use and made of recycled plastic. Gold star! They are available from SCP, my favorite East London design shop on Curtain Road, Shoreditch.

Sunday 12 April 2009

Cute spring florals*



Everywhere I look I see cute, vintage rose florals online and in the high street. Far from being chintzy I love their nostalgic feel. My favorite vintage piece online is the Miss Verity teapot by website Katy Potts Tea for Two. On the high street, the stunning silk Gracie cushion by Laura Ashley offers a similar vintage feel.

Wednesday 1 April 2009

I heart Polaroid*


After much searching [I love any excuse for trincket hunting], I can't seem to find a cute frame to hold my treasured collection of Polaroid photos. So I took things into my own hands and made them into a pretty heart shape on our far bedroom wall, so I get to look at all my favorite people in the world as I fall asleep - and at zero cost : )