The Swelle Life

Essential, Iconic Chairs

The classic, stackable Tolix chair designed by Xavier Pauchard in 1956 became a café favourite

And by 'essential', I mean so cool you have to have them. There are dozens of iconic chairs from the modern era (late 19th century on) that are so special and significant due to their influence on future design and enduring relevance throughout the decades - today, they are as coveted as ever - that they have transcended their function as something to sit on. Some might say they are a work of art. These are a few of my favourites. 

The name Arne Jacobsen is synonymous with iconic chairs, among other furniture and household designs. He was the most celebrated post-war Danish architect and interior designer, and one of the pioneers of the concept of organic modernism. If you're not familiar with his name, you will know his Egg chair (above, left) and Model no. 3107, Series 7, both still being produced by Fritz Hansen.

Tell me you've never wanted an Eero Saarinen tulip table and chairs. Have you ever noticed what the Brady's were sitting on to eat breakfast? Green and orange they were. Knoll has been producing the Tulip collection for over 50 years now and there's no end in sight. We hope. 

The furniture of Eero Aarnio, namely the Ball Chair (left) and Bubble Chair, are pure joy. The Finnish interior designer who is still with us at age 80, was one of the pioneers of using plastic in industrial design to create furniture that offered both function and fun. And it sure does.  

Finding Your Dining Room Style

Colour can instantly make your dining room vibrant and fun and the place to be in your home

Whether we have a grand dining room or a tiny spot in the kitchen to work with, we traditionally create a special place to sit down and eat in our homes. It's important to establish a consistent daily ritual of eating at the table, even if it's just us, but it's especially beneficial for families with children. It has a positive impact on mental health and the strength of the family unit, and since so much time is spent there, it's well worth making the dining room as charming as possible, yet it is probably one of the most overlooked and underestimated areas of the house. (And for some reason the place where clutter tends to accumulate!)

It all begins with the dining room furniture we choose. Some will automatically lean toward what they grew up with which tended to be heavy wooden tables and chairs, and a serious, formal tone to the room. But a dining room can be so much more, anything you want it to be. 

On that note, here are some dining rooms that I would love to spend time in every day, and I chose them because they are simple, warm and inviting, and offer many elements that are easily adaptable to any space. 

Having hardwood plank floors and lots of large windows will give even an empty room heaps of charm. But take it all away and that wonderful, glass-top trestle table and sleek white chairs can carry the room on their own. The sheepskin chair covers add texture and warmth, and the table decoration couldn't be more simple - it's a bunch of tea lights straight out of the box. 

You don't need 12-foot ceilings to recreate this art-focussed look. The elongated sideboard against the matching white wall fills the space yet is virtually invisible, keeping the focus on the pictures on the wall above it. A few of the frames cleverly echo the wood tones of the table and two chairs to warm up the white, and the textured, transparent lampshade softens all of those linear features and creates a focal point in a room that has a whole lot to look at. 

This is a modest and efficient dining area, yet it has its enchanting qualities that make it stand apart from the rest of the kitchen. The dark blue painted wood table top and chairs don't seem a likely pairing with the gold candlelabra lighting, yet it works quite beautifully to create a visually separate and intimate place to eat.

Good wood and iconic Danish chairs will work wonders; as you can see, you need little else to entice others to your table. The Scandinavian style is so versatile, though it works best when you allow the furniture to stand on it own as it speaks volumes. Keep the decor simple, functional, and warm. 

Sources linked from photos

Spring Pastel Palette: Mint + Neutrals

One of the most beautiful and enduring pastel combinations is mint with neutrals, specifically beige, taupe, ivory and white. The look is soft, fresh and bright and I'm particularly partial to it because it's both uplifting and serene at the same time, and who wouldn't want to live with that? It's not exactly the most kid or pet-friendly colour scheme as it keeps no secrets, and to look its best your decor needs to be in pristine condition at all times, but it's well worth the effort to maintain it. (And 'what you see is what you get' is the best approach when it comes to what you sit on, isn't it?!) 

Mints and neutrals not only look gorgeous in the home, they're a classic combination when it comes to fashion as well. Coloured leather jackets can be a risky investment if you were to go with something like red (just ask anyone who bought a 'Beat It' jacket) or another bright, conspicuous colour. However, you can always find a match in your wardrobe for soft neutrals, and a refined cut such as these streamlined and fitted leather jackets by Pinko (below) will allow you to wear them through the seasons. 

 

If you're looking to create a romantic look, washed-out mint and taupe is the most effective way to go dreamy, as illustrated in this Elisa Cavaletti devore embroidered blouse (above, left). There's a reason we see this combination consistently pop up each season regardlesss of what's happening in fashion; it's simply lovely and feminine. 

One important thing to keep in mind when putting mint and neutrals together, especially when choosing paint colours, rugs and fabrics, is the underlying tone of each specific shade you're considering and how they will work together. For example, beige might have an undertone of pink, tan or gold, whereas white might be slightly yellow, bluish, or peachy. You want to achieve the cleanest, most complementary look possible, so stay away from ruddiness in your neutrals and look for cool tones to match your mint (which comes in all kinds of shades as well). And finally, always test them before committing to anything - it can be time consuming but the results will reflect your efforts and give you that 'happy room' you've always wanted. 

Sources linked from photos

The Benefits of Real Wood Flooring

We can all appreciate the beauty of a genuine wood floor; it's immediately evident as you walk into a room that is finished with, say, white ash plank (my favourite), rich walnut, or distinguished parquet. Have you ever noticed how those highly polished wood floors of art galleries come close to stealing the spotlight away from the permanent collection? They're also the most effective way to add warmth to a space. 

Great looks aside, wood flooring can add considerable value to your home and it doesn't have to cost a fortune with all kinds of varieties being manufactured to fit a range of budgets. And there are many more advantages to choosing wood flooring:

1. They're timeless and get better with age. Unlike rugs and laminate flooring, high quality wood floors will last for decades with minimal maintenance and actually become more beautiful as time passes. And a great wood floor will transcends the trends for its entire lifespan and continue to impress. (Ok, that was another plus for beauty but it's worth mentioning!)
2. Easy to repair. Hardwood can be repaired by sanding and refinishing out nicks or stains which is not possible with laminate, and if you get a tear in your carpet you're stuck with it until it's replaced. 
   
3. Easy to clean. The world doesn't end when spills happen or kids and pets disrespect your lovely floor, you just simply clean up the mess. Carpet is far less forgiving. 
4. Hygienic and odour-free. What you see is what you get with wood floors. Even seemingly clean carpets can smell and harbour allergen-producing dust mites which can cause all kinds of misery for allergy sufferers. And wood is most ideal if you have furry pets as it won't absorb odours or give fleas a place to hide. 
5. Quicker sale. Estate agents report that homes with wooden floors sell twice as fast as those with other floor finishes. This is not hard to believe; it can be wonderful to inherit an old wood floor, but someone's used carpet is absolutely devoid of any vintage charm!

All in all, hardwood flooring is a risk-free choice for now and for longevity that you will appreciate more and more as the years pass, and one of the wisest investments you can make in your home.  

 

Sources linked from photos 

The Exquisite Side of Rattan

Architectural design combined with open and closed weaves transforms an outdoor day bed into a functional piece of art

We all associate rattan with outdoor living; a common and comforting summer scene is rattan garden furniture on the deck at home as well as beachy resorts and conservatories. Its popularity is due to its rustic and homely appeal, but it can also be refined, elegant and artful. Rattan is light yet durable, making it ideal for outdoor conditions and for re-arranging for entertaining, as well as storing during the winter. And if you're a texture nut like me, you'll be drawn to its tightly bound, intricate weaves, the styles and techniques of which are as limitless as one's imagination. 

If you're wondering whether rattan and wicker are the same thing, they're not. The difference between them is the distinction between a product versus a process. Rattan is a type of wood with a vertical grain that is used to make woven items, whereas wicker is a weaving style using any suitable material. Rattan is also sometimes confused with bamboo; while similar, bamboo is hollow in the middle and rattan is solid. 

The real beauty of rattan lies within its pliable quality which allows it to be shaped into exquisite structures, beyond what we'd normally expect of traditional outdoor furniture. And it works well when contrasted with manmade materials such as metal. Here are some stunning examples of rattan outdoor furniture which represent a range of weaving techniques in a variety of colours, in designs that would also work beautifully indoors:

A lounger can be so much more than something to lie around on. The chevron pattern of the golden rattan weave finished with a stitch detail is like fashion for outdoors, and beautifully complements the elegant, fluid curves of the polished aluminum frame. 

The hanging chair is an enduringly coveted item, it's just so cool. If you're looking to up the style factor of your garden, the cocoon and wigwam styles are perfect for an instant transformation. 

There's something very comforting about this set of day beds, its semi-igloo form practically begs one to crawl in and commit to a few lazy hours. The overhead cut-out provides air flow and keeps the furniture looking light. 

This super stylish loveseat is reminiscent of a 1960s design in pattern and structure, yet is fresh and contemporary and will endure beyond the trends. 

The more I see the more I'm convinced that I should be sleeping outdoors more often. During the day. This rattan day bed is designed as a cocoon, enveloping its lucky occupants in cushions, with an open weave that allows the summer breezes to flow through. Dreamy. 

Sources linked from photos

Standout Stools: How to Make Them Work in Your Space

I've been thinking a lot about stools lately, you know, as you do! We looked at beautiful breakfast bars last week and saw a variety of great looking bar stools, and then I found myself in Harrogate drooling over a high back stool of exquisitely woven hot pink polyurethane (trust me) in a contemporary furniture shop, saying "if only..." Sound familiar? A (good) stool is one of those furniture items that is universally appealing, but actually found in very few homes. It's probably for the same reason as why I don't have one in our home: we don't think we have the space. I lamented this 'fact' to the owner of the shop I was visiting and he stated quite confidently, "You always have room for a stool." He wasn't a hard-selling kind of guy, he was simply stating a truth which has trickled through; I've since realised after coming home and scrutinising every room of ours for potential places to put such a stool, that it's not about shoe-horning it in to your existing decor for the sake of it, but rather seeing it as a replacement for an existing piece, or even as a foundation piece to build your space around and create a vibe that works for you. If a particular item excites us that much, it can be worth mixing up our traditional approaches and coming at our spaces from a fresh - and sometimes scary! - perspective.

Here's an exercise to try: Use your coveted stool (or any wish list item you have an enduring lust for) as a starting point for a particular room and think about what you can move, or get rid of - chances are you'll have at least one major thing that you live with that doesn't thrill you anymore (there's a joke in there I'm not going to touch). I'll use my living room as an example: I have a large sideboard that was once my pride and joy and now I see it as an eyesore, and also I'm bored with how I've decorated it on top; it served me well for a time but I've moved past the style altogether. Replacing it with another sideboard that's more my taste now is one option. But, what if I were to abandon the idea that a large, decorated, storage piece needs to anchor the view into my living room? And the armchair that looks nice but isn't sat in all that much? What else could I do with that space? This is where the scary and exciting makes an entrance - oh, the possibilities! But a clear focus is important. The ultimate goal here is to achieve a balance of function and flow; your space needs to be harmonious and comfortable to be useful and enjoyable.

Here are some ways you can create a stool feature in your home, starting with a living room in which the stool doubles as a table (above, notice how the odd proportions of the higher stool with the low sofa are balanced by the articulated desk lamp), and a secondary dining area in a contemporary style:

The table and high stool set give this workspace a unique industrial-meets-natural vibe:

I really love this alternative to the home office (below). Yes, having skyscraper ceilings and gigantic windows with a great city view makes this space magical, but you can create something similar in your own home - it's just a matter of priority! In fact, it has me thinking about how I work (I refuse to be stuck in our little office upstairs all day). That armchair I mentioned earlier that doesn't get a lot of action happens to be in front of our bay windows, and I'll bet that the stool that has me preoccupied would fit just perfectly in front of a charming table...

Sources linked from photos

Ideas for Pastel Home Accents

It's been impossible not to notice that pastels are making a huge splash in everything from fashion to home decor this spring. The sorbet shades go far in brightening up a room and most people tend to be drawn to that; even if you don't consciously identify with 'mint', for example, the colour will likely have a pleasing effect. Also, pastels look great mixed with other pastels, as well as brights and straight neutrals like beige and ivory, as illustrated in that gorgeous writing desk, above. And due to their mood-elevating powers, their appeal will last well beyond the seasonal craze.

My enduring love of the soft palette and its particular relevance to decor choices this season was the basis for a recent product Ideabook for Houzz. Even just one pastel piece added to a space can completely transform how it feels, such as a beautiful rug in pale celadon or a stand-out chair. And if you're fearlessly indulgent, you can create a haven of tranquility and cheer by going all out with several complementary colours, or building the room using a variety of shades of your favourite hue. And remember to extend it beyond furniture and accent pieces to every day, practical items such as what we use to cook or eat with - interract with your pastels to get the most out of them!

WOWW...That's More Than a Tea Towel

Mae Engelgeer, you have made me covet a tea towel. Or two, or three. The Dutch textile designer has created the Woww, Fest and Bow collections of graphic fabrics, developed in small quantities at the Textile Museum in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The fabrics are a mixture of mohair, cashmere, cotton and acrylic yarns for the blankets, shawls and scarves, and the tea towels are just slightly less precious yet still fine for such a utilitarian item, in cotton, linen and acrylic. I'm probably going to buy one - my favourite is  Woww (above and below) and I won't lie, I will try to wear it as a scarf.

You can buy Mae Engelgeer textiles at her online shop or at The Minimalist which is based in Australia, where I found out about her.

But there's nothing worse than buying something pretty that's meant for practical purposes and then being afraid to use it and dirty it up. I once bought cloth napkins that had a print on a white background and I loved them. The first time I used them was when we had friends over for lunch for the first time ever. I guess the importance of a first impression was lost on me, because when I realised that any mouth wiping would result in an instant stain, I collected them up and replaced them with paper towels which happened to have The Muppets characters on them. Yes, I did that. I was a little embarrassed but would I have done it differently if I could go back? Um, no! Later, I had to figure out how to make them practical and not stress about it. I decided they would not be table napkins but would look nice on my serving trays when I was bringing out tea or desserts. And this is exactly what I would do with these awesome tea towels which are far too good for wiping stuff. 

 

Building the Perfect Breakfast Bar

Purple bar stools look rich and striking against a walnut finish in this open concept kitchen and living room. Later they can be easily changed to white or other colours in a different style, giving your breakfast bar a fresh, new look without much expense. 

We all love the idea of a big, spacious eat-in kitchen, but I don't think I'm alone in getting equally excited about a well-designed breakfast bar - and if you're really lucky with space you can have both! The breakfast bar is a clever way to create an eat-in option in smaller kitchens without compromising on design, and the sky's the limit in terms of options. There's a whole world of fantastic breakfast bar stools alone that reflect every taste and style and allow you to create a truly unique dining feature in your kitchen. 

Here are some breakfast bar designs that illustrate some of the different presentations we can consider in our own kitchens. The entire setup may appeal if you're looking to redesign yours, or you may discover a small yet significant detail that could make all the difference in perfecting the breakfast bar you already have. 

A breakfast bar can be as simple as a high table and two stools. The chrome, glass, and white gloss of this ensemble keep the look light and airy which is perfect for tiny kitchens, while the retro design of the stools adds style. 

I had to take a closer look to see that this is indeed a home kitchen! It has all of the great features of an old-style diner which is a great reference point for a kitchen loaded with character. I'll bet those stools are from an actual diner that existed decades ago (if so, let's hope they've been reupholstered since then!) and the semi open concept is so welcoming. The one thing I might want to modify is the extension of the counter; the stools appear to be fixed into the floor and a fair distance from the counter. I can't imagine the people who created this wonderful kitchen overlooked that detail, surely this configuration works for this family; however I like to be able to pull the stool right up and not have to lean over too far. The lip on a counter is a very important consideration when designing your breakfast bar - comfort always rules in the end!

This is a unique yet simple design where the counter extends to create a breakfast bar with the addition of a separate block, this one in gorgeous soft green glass. It's a great way to add colour and keep your dining area a bit separate from the rest of the island.  

Colour is the easiest way to liven up a plain kitchen. This traditional island with a built-inPublish breakfast bar gets a big lift with chairs in blue and pastel green. The different textures of the wood, rattan and ribbed fabric are equally important in making it an inviting place to perch, and as this ensemble shows, you can sometimes mix chair and stool styles as well as colour - just be sure to think it through, first!

This could easily be a shot from a cafe if that chalkboard had today's specials on it instead of the tennis schedule, and I like that look. This multi-purpose island has a built-in bar fridge which makes a handy companion for the breakfast bar but can be a bit unsightly. Somehow it doesn't look bad in this kitchen which is probably owed to the spare decor and lovely baby blue wood planks next to it. 

These lucite bar stools carry through the soft green of the painted wood in a complementing shade. Choosing stools with transparency in a sleek design is wise for such a colour heavy space; this is about as far as you would want to go with the green. A contrasting colour would create a completely different look in this kitchen, and clear lucite could replace the green if the colour love begins to fade. 

I would absolutely love to have a breakfast bar in our kitchen and I hope we do one day, though the challenge would be keeping it from becoming another place for papers to gather! 

Sources are linked from photos 

Five Luxury Furniture Items to Transform your Home

Your home is your palace, so instead of being just a place to kick your shoes off at the end of the day, it could be a hub of luxury and relaxation. A lot of us are reluctant to take this step as the cost of kitting it out with extravagant furniture can be pretty daunting. But interior design is more than just an indulgence, it’s an investment in your home and most importantly, I think, can ultimately make life nicer. 

With that in mind, here are five high end pieces to transform your home from modestly furnished to magnificently fabulous. Having just one is enough to make your home exciting and more relaxing. Yes, those two things do go together! Who doesn't look forward to a glass of wine in the hot tub?

Garden: Spa

The crown for the most glamorous of all luxury furniture items goes to the outdoor spa. For just about everyone, a hot tub is an irresistible asset that offers you a lavish way to unwind. The diverse range of hot tubs from Artesian Spas in the UK means that anyone can find the perfect spa for their garden space. 

Bedroom: Four Poster Bed

Nothing injects grandeur into a room like a four poster bed, and it can be done as ostenstatiously or as restrained as you like. This demi four poster bed from Julian Chichester combines traditional features in a contemporary style. Its antique silver frame and eglomisé headboard give a regal touch without going overboard. 

Bathroom: Whirlpool Bath

Immerse yourself in a whirlpool bath and feel all the worries of the day just melt away. If I had one I would no longer be a shower girl. The six rotating jets in this Celtia design tub from jacuzzi.co.uk will massage you whilst the arched interior and fitted headrest offer unrivalled comfort. Yes, please!

Kitchen: Smeg Fridge

Smeg kitchen appliances are the embodiment of retro-meets-contemporary chic. Their coveted collection of fridges are available in a selection of sizes and colours including my favourite, mint, and add a splash of style to any kitchen. These bold 50s-style pieces will become the pride and joy of your kitchen. 

Living Room: Corner Sofa

There’s nothing we look forward to more than coming home at the end of a long day and sinking into our sofas. This modular corner sofa by Darlings of Chelsea is ideal for adding relaxing space and colour to your lounge in your own mix of favourite shades and patterns. Its greater seating capacity means socialising becomes a more relaxed affair. Not forgetting of course that with a corner sofa you can literally put your feet up and relax, even if there are three of you!

Choosing Rugs to Make an Impact

We tend to think of big furniture first when it comes to planning the rooms in our homes and the rug last; however, the right area rug can make a significant impact in the look and feel of your space and may serve as an important starting point. It can 'really tie the room together' (I love that line in The Big Lebowski) and say a lot about who you are. (And if you go for something like what I have in my living room, a lovely hand tufted area rug in shades of pale celadon, it can reveal how often you forget to hoover.)

Sometimes it's not the colour or pattern of the rug that makes the difference, it's the texture. We all know of the magic a shag rug can work in a minimal space (above) as its a common decor style, but there are many other ways to introduce texture:

Unusual rugs with uneven edges and details worked into the surface can become the centrepiece of the room. Decor leaning toward the minimal will allow it to stand out. 

 

These unusual and cosy 'sock' or 'sweater' rugs add instant warmth to a space. Their mostly neutral palette with bright stripes would work well with the simplicity and colour of Scandinavian furniture and decor. And I imagine they'd be great for lying on!

Colourful dots are always fun and they are great for keeping the feel of a space light and playful. The recessed colour dots of this large area rug take the typical spotty pattern and turn it a more refined and artful piece. 

So the next time you're thinking about rugs or starting fresh with a room, consider textured options and make the most of your space!

Photos are linked to sources

The Power of a Good Sleep in a Great Bed

There's an unforgettable episode of Seinfeld where Kramer announces he's not going to waste a good part of his life sleeping, so he adopts Leonardo da Vinci's legendary habit of napping for 15 minutes every four hours, for a grand total of one and a half hours of slumber a day. While hilarious, it predictably ends in disaster for him and everyone around him. It is an odd thing that we go unconscious at a scheduled time each night for (hopefully) six or more hours, but it can also be something to look forward to if we have an amazing bed to slip into. 

When I was a student living away from home for the first time, I had a huge futon that was known to my friends as the most comfortable thing in existence. It was kind of my pride and joy (keep in mind how little the average student has that's actually worthy of boasting). And then one day it turned on me. It became hard and lumpy seemingly overnight, and whereas before my friends would sink into it and dreamily announce they were never going to get up, they would now leave my house after sleepovers all hunched and crumpled. I learned my lesson, and knew I needed a proper mattress, especially as my philosophy around sleep was in stark contrast to da Vinci's - I loved to sleep! I endured the lumps for a while longer until I moved in with my now-husband, at which point we bought a very good responsive foam mattress. It was expensive, and the best money we've ever spent; 10 years on I can say there hasn't been a single night when I've crawled into bed and didn't notice how heavenly it feels. Considering we all spend a third of our lives in bed - really! - and the fact that a high quality mattress should last 25 years, it's a worthy investment in your comfort and well being. 

So what are your options? Luxury beds come in many forms these days, and the type you choose is a very personal matter. Beyond whether you like a soft, medium or firm mattress, you need to find out which kind of construction will give you the most comfort, and the best way to know is to lie on one. It's also important to research which mattress is best for your weight/body type and any health conditions you may have, as some designs will be better suited to alleviating your symptoms, while others may exacerbate them. Types to consider include: natural fibre mattresses filled with wool, horsehair or coir which is a fibre extracted from the husk of coconuts; foam that reacts to your body's weight, shape and temperature; pocket sprung which consists of cloth wrapped coil which holds the spring's tension allowing it to move independently; latex for its hypo-allergenic properties; and you can even have a bespoke mattress made to your specific requirements. 

We all know that getting a good night's sleep is important, but it's actually crucial to our health. If comfort isn't enough to get us thinking about what we're sleeping on, these six reasons to get enough zzzzs from The Harvard Women's Health Watch may do the trick: 

• Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.
• Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
• Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.
• Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
• Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
• Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

So, proper sleep habits combined with the right high quality mattress can improve our quality of life and make us happier people. Top it off with a gorgeous bed and you've got the best of both worlds!

Colourful Kitchen Wishlist

We spend a lot of time in our kitchens, especially now that so many of us are aspiring home chefs, and so making our kitchens look and feel inviting and stylish is as much a priority as having a charming living room. And the saying is true - people really do end up in the kitchen at parties! (I can grudgingly attest to that after attempting and failing to heard the group back into the living room which I'd spent much time making look perfect - maybe it's a primal fear of not getting their share of the food?) So a kitchen wish list might include some impressive appliances and cookware, with a splash of bold or pastel colour here and there to make your space a happy place and draw attention to your latest 'pride and joy' gadget.

I've gone 'window shopping' at the John Lewis website where you can always find those kitchen items that expand your ideas of what appliances can be aesthetically: curious design in great colours (so many blues and mints which I love!), and what's best is these products aren't restricted to trend-based, throwaway items, they are high-end and made to last, which tells us the love-in with colour isn't going anywhere. 

So here's what I've got my eye on for bringing colour into the kitchen (or patio dining), clockwise from the top left: 

Kenwood K-Mix Boutique Kettle in yellow: there's nothing nicer than a pop of sunshine, especially in the kitchen. Bright yellow will wake you up in the morning and may even make up for a dismal, gloomy day if that's what greeting you through the windows that day. (Or that week in our case!) 

Assistent AKM6120PB Stand Mixer in duck egg: this mixer is just so cool, and one of the reasons I earlier referred to 'curious' design - you wouldn't immediately recognise this as a mixer due to its stainless steel bowl. Not only is it pretty enough to become a permanent fixture on the worktop, it has a powerful output of 800w and boasts stepless speed control for smooth speed changes. 

Le Creuset Oval Casserole in Marseilles blue: My one and only love for cooking is Le Creuset. I have the round casserole and the shallow 30cm which are brilliant, so the oval would complete the collection and make for perfect roasts. Each season new colours are introduced with this bright and cheery Marseilles blue being the latest, and it's a lovely complement to the pale cornflower hue of their equally gorgeous coastal blue collection. 

Little Home at John Lewis 'Ahoy There' stripe rug: I chose this rug as an accessory to anchor the same-hued kitchen appliances, but it's actually from a selection of children's rugs. It's a classic nautical stripe that would work just as well in other rooms; in this case it would be perfect for pulling together the bold colours of the kitchen items, especially in an otherwise white kitchen.

FrancisFrancis! X7.1 Coffee Maker in red: (I love a brand that has an exclamation point in its name!) Another design that will make you look twice and give it a good stare is this glossy red espresso machine that uses illy capsules. It features a steam wand and one-button brewing for perfect coffees, and it will make you look like a proper barrista. 

Gloster Asta Outdoor Dining Chairs: A patio should be a sunny, happy place, and these chairs bring the cheer regardless of the forecast. They are available in a range of colours so you can mix and match, or go bold with a monochromatic  scheme in red, yellow or blue. They're also a great indoor option for when extra seating is needed for parties. 

Live Like a Local in London with onefinestay.com

Regardless of how adventurous we may be, it's always a comfort to feel a connection to the city we're visiting and avoid feeling like an outsider - no one really likes to read as 'tourist'! The best way to feel at home when traveling is to live in one, and onefinestay understands this well. Through their website you are matched to everything you want and need for accommodation in two of the world's greatest cities, London and New York, then you are provided with a service that offers all the convenience and comfort of a hotel. While staying in a distinctive residential home while the owner is out of town, guests enjoy luxury amenities like 5 star hotel linens and toiletries from The White Company (in London) and Kiehl’s (in New York). Every guest is also lent an iPhone for the duration of their stay to use for free local calls, and to acquaint you with and make the most of your new neighbourhood, the phone comes stocked with local tips from the home’s owner. 

In addition to their luxury personal service, onefinestay stands apart from other rental sites thanks to the tightly curated selection of residential homes they offer - every room is so gorgeously decorated and well-featured that you'll quickly find yourself daydreaming as you browse the photos on the site; it's like choosing your travel accommodations from the pages of Architectural Digest. And still, many of the 1000+ homes offered are welcoming to families with babies and toddlers, so there's no sacrificing style when traveling with your little ones. 

Prices range from £150 a night for a comfortable one bedroom apartment to £1495 a night for a grand townhouse. If you're traveling on a budget it's still well worth considering the less expensive options as you'll have your own kitchen, and being able to cook your own meals can significantly offset your living expenses. Distinctive options on onefinestay include a palatial apartment in Knightsbridge and a converted sugar warehouse with views across the Hudson, alongside unique homes such as the ex-industrial lofts of Tribeca and mews houses in Notting Hill. 

Have a browse of onefinestay and see for yourself what a difference one of their gorgeous homes can make to your next visit to one of your favourite cities. 

Fuelled by rave reviews from guests and hosts, onefinestay has expanded from just 6 host members in 2010 to more than 1000 across London and New York today. 

A bright and spacious eat-in kitchen in South Kensington

This Hampstead home boasts bespoke furniture and many coveted architectural details

A large master bedroom in Primrose Hill features a terrace and French doors

Many of the homes on onefinestay feature private outdoor spaces and gorgeous gardens 

How Gorgeous Flooring Can Transform Your Home

If you want to liven up your home for spring, wood flooring can transform each room and update tired decor in a flash. Wood floors add instant panache to living rooms, update old fashioned bathrooms, boring bedrooms and hapless hallways (and in my case, any room with the too-thin grey carpet the people who sold us our the house put in - we had to at least re-do the living room in hardwood). But what are the other options?  Choosing the right flooring for your needs can be easier said than done, but these tips can help you to find the perfect flooring solution for your home. 

Solid Wood Flooring

When you want something sophisticated and exceptionally stylish, solid wood flooring is ideal. If you can splash out, solid wood flooring will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout your home and will stand the test of time due to the durable nature of the wood. Solid wood flooring is available in a range of finishes to bring you beautiful flooring to complement your decor. While it is one of the most expensive flooring options, it will add value to your home and make it more desirable to potential property buyers when the time comes to sell.

Laminate Flooring

If you want the stunning effect that comes with wood flooring but at a fraction of the price, laminate flooring is a superb option. If you're on a budget, you may be looking for affordable flooring that doesn’t compromise on quality. Laminate flooring is budget friendly and simple to install, making it a stress-free flooring option for homeowners. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that it is relatively low maintenance, requiring very little upkeep, and is a great option for families with young children and pets. Plus, it's not so precious that a nick here and there will give you a heart attack in the way that damaging expensive solid wood flooring will (ours already show the dozens of times remotes have been dropped but I've had to get over it). 

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is set to be an up and coming interior design trend for the season ahead and will appeal to homeowners who want to embrace greener living - only the bark of the cork oak tree is harvested and it replenishes every nine years, making it a sustainable material, and flooring can also be made from recycled wine cork production waste. Cork flooring has a few other advantages: it provides a natural cushioning effect making it soft underfoot;  it isn’t as cold as some other floor tiles; and with proper maintenance it can last a lifetime. Look for more refined options that aren't immediately obvious as being cork (unless you like the corkboard effect), such as the specially textured and patterned styles that are available.  UK Flooring Direct has a fabulous selection of flooring options for homeowners looking for high quality flooring at low prices.

Photo source

Creating Your Glamourous Bathroom

Your bathroom should be a haven. It shouldn’t have mouldy caulking and peeling paint, now should it? If you’re shaking your head sadly, then perhaps it’s time to redecorate. And in what better style than something befitting an 1940s film starlet? Re-imagine yourself as Ava Gardner or Lana Turner and go for a soak in the tub to have think about you want your bathroom to be.

Lighting

A chandelier is an instant glamour injection. As long as the lighting is unlikely to get wet, you can have as big and sparkly a chandelier as you like. In big, spacious bathrooms you may want to include wall sconces in the same style (an art deco pair would be gorgeous) for an extra glamorous touch. Add a dimmer switch so you can have bright lights when you need them and low lights when you don’t.

Mirrors

A big beautiful mirror is essential for admiring yourself in and for completing your glamourous decor. Venetian or French rococo style mirrors are ornate and perfect for creating that Hollywood penthouse feel.  Click here for bathroom cabinets for a dressing room look with illuminated mirrors. Having lots of mirrors creates light and sparkle and so are perfect for recreating a glamorous style.

Tiles

Create a dramatic look with large floor-to-ceiling tiles for a real wow factor. Or alternatively use tiny mosaic tiles in glass or mother of pearl to create diamond-like sparkles, and use as splash-back or make a pattern on a feature wall. If you'd rather paint, pastels such as dusty pinks, blues and mint will create the effect of softness and luxury. 

The Suite

Although you’re creating a classic Hollywood era style bathroom, you still want all the mod cons. If you’re really going all out, you'll need a standalone roll top bath, twin basins with well crafted cabinetry, and a rain head shower for the ultimate in luxurious bathing. Use brass or gold fittings and fixtures on a white suite to add to traditional feel. 

Seating

If you're fortunate enough to have the space for seating, or even a spare corner, an elegant chair or padded bench will round out your decor beautifully and will transform your bathroom into a retreat where you can spend hours relaxing. The ultimate in seating in terms of comfort and glamour is the chaise longue. Accessorise it with a cashmere throw and a plush area rug. 

The Detail

The little details are what will make or break the bathroom. Store essentials like cotton balls in cut glass jars, and match your soap holder or dispenser to the style. White fluffy towels warmed on a towel heater radiator should be waiting for you as you soak in the tub, then you can slip into a dusty blue silk robe to relax and read your favourite magazine. 

Photo source

DIY Your Own Runway Tie Dye

As soon as the first model hit the runway for London Fashion Week, retailers began scrabbling away, replicating the patterns and styles of top designers. As Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte gave a nod to the ‘90s by bringing back tie dye at New York Fashion Week, are we likely to see the same on this side of the pond?

If so, you can avoid wearing high street reproductions by tie dying your clothes yourself. And no longer do you need to stick to dying a white tee as you did when you were younger. This year’s trend sees Rodartetie dye a blanket shawl, a silk dress and a satin body suit. So this is your chance to be adventurous! Pick any white item you like – cotton, linen and silk tend to work best – and we can go from there.

You can buy fabric dye from any good haberdashery or fabric shop – and you can choose hand dye or machine dye in which you put the dye, together with your garment, in your washing machine. For tie dying purposes, you want to buy hand dye, as you’ll only be dying parts of your material or immersing it for a short amount of time in a washing up bowl or bucket.

When you’re ready to get started you want to soak your garment, as wet fabric is easier to dye. Spin out the excess water in your washing machine or squeeze out what you can by hand. You’ll then need either elastic bands or string to create your desired look.

There are a number of different designs you can create easily just by folding and tying your item in different ways. Some of the most popular ways to tie dye clothes include creating spirals, circles, stripes and knot tying:

• Spirals: Lay the fabric on a flat surface and put the handle end of a wooden spoon in a position where you’d like the centre of a spiral. Holding the fabric in place around the handle, start twisting the fabric around it. When you’ve got the material into a circular, spiral shape, tie multiple (around four) rubber bands or pieces of string over the fabric so that they crossover in the centre. Make sure the fabric retains its circular shape.
• Circles: Pick up a small area to be the centre of a circle and hold it between your fingers. With your other hand, tie string or elastic bands at one-inch intervals – go as far down as you’d like the circle to be wide. 
• Stripes: Roll the fabric up to form a loose tube shape. Tie string or elastic bands tightly at regular intervals.
• Knot tying: Hold the garment at each end and twist it tightly to create a long rope. Tie it together to form a large knot.

Wearing rubber gloves, dissolve the dye in water as instructed by the packaging – the amount you need will also vary depending on the material you’re using and the size of the garment.Some patterns such as creating spirals will ask that you completely immerse the clothing in the dye, while other styles, and those where you want different colours will need you to apply the dye from squeezy bottles directly on to the individual areas. If you’re immersing the whole garment, leave it in the dye solution for around a minute before taking it out, squeezing out some of the excess water, sealing it in a plastic bag and leaving for 24 hours. If you’re applying the dye directly to the fabric with a bottle, you can pop it straight into the sealed bag.

After the 24 hours, without untying the item, rinse it in cold water until it runs clear. Then you can untie the string or elastic bands and wash it in hot water using washing detergent.Once you’ve dried your tie dye masterpiece, it’ll be extremely wrinkled so you need to use a steam washing machine or iron to remove the creases. Now you’re good to go!

If you want to get more involved in London Fashion Week’s trends, designer Holly Fulton has teamed up with event sponsor LG and will be creating a bespoke Pinterest board showing the inspiration behind her unique fabric prints and embellishment in her latest collection. You can share your own fabric inspirations on Pinterest –enter using @LGUK and #LGLFW on Twitter for the chance to win an LG 6 Motion Direct Drive washing machine, also available to buy on LG’s website.

Photo: Style.com

How to Use Glass in Interior Design

Glass can be incorporated into the design of your home in a variety of ways, whether that’s architecturally or superficially as decoration. And there many different types of glass that can be used for different purposes and different effects. The fact that glass can be quite fragile is no longer a problem as it can be toughened for use in any part of the house, from walls to floors and furniture, too.

Architecture

There are concept houses in Milan, Italy made entirely from glass. Everything bar the ground floor flooring is made from glass, so there is nowhere to hide. There are no barriers to the outside world, so it's a bit like a ghost house, whereby living in a completely transparent structure you live in the environment that surrounds it. However, it's not yet practical to occupy an entirely glass house as it is difficult to retain heat, and that's if you can get past the privacy issue (reality tv stars probably wouldn't have an issue with that).

Instead, many people who love the inclusive properties of glass, its ability to bring the outside in, are opting for sky lights or incorporating floor-to-ceiling glass windows into their conventionally built houses. (Our friends who live a street over have a similar house to ours, but the second floor windows begin just above the floor, adding an extra three feet to the window space, and the difference it makes in opening up the room is massive.) Others are using textured glass bricks to build walls inside their homes, to create a partition that allows transparent obscurity, letting light in without losing the divisive aspect of a wall.

Those who aren’t designing their own house but want glass in their homes can opt for a conservatory. Conservatories now come in a variety of styles and are no longer stuck within the confines of wicker furniture and jungle plants. Pavilion Glass in Sussex, for instance, have a variety of styles that can be used as a dining room or a reception room, or however you please. I think a sun-filled (when you can get it) English tea room would be lovely!

Glass flooring is generally used to let light into the floor below, for instance if you had a (super clean and attractive) basement but wanted natural light. It is strengthened to hold the weight of several people. (How long would that take to get used to walking on, I wonder?) And glass panels can replace staircase banisters or railings, or the top area of a staircase wall to open up the stair area (my mother-in-law has done this to stunning effect.)

Decor

Glass furniture creates a futuristic look, and is perfect for small spaces as it allows the eye to move through it. Paired with leather, glass furniture can be quite masculine and minimalist, but if you use glass in other elements of your decoration as well as different materials and textures, you can balance it out with a bit of femininity with cut glass vases or sculpture. 

Photo credit (bedroom): William E. Carter Co.

The Eco Conscious Kitchen

Studio Gorm's 'Flow Kitchen' may be the world's most eco-conscious kitchen - see below for the details of the features

With many homeowners now being required to recycle, compost and generally be as energy efficient as they possibly can (especially if they want to sell or rent their property), it’s no surprise that kitchens designed around being eco friendly are going to be a major trend in 2013. 

Efficient Cooking

If you can’t quite afford a complete refit, then there are a few small ways to increase your eco friendliness without having to spend large amounts of money. Using cookware that has a long life will be more efficient than having to buy new ones over and over again. Instead of going for wooden implements that may rot and break over time, or plastic that can melt if subjected to high temperatures (I have a collection of warped plastic utensils in my kitchen), buy cookware made from metal such as stainless steel - three ply is best if you can afford it - or cast iron. Use high quality pans that won’t break or bend, and look after them well (never put cold water over a hot pan, it can warp!), and those pans will last a lifetime. 

When cooking, skip the preheating on most recipes as this wastes heat that you could be using. Always try and cook more than one thing at a time, to reduce the time the oven is used for. You can save energy while stove top cooking by using the lids of pans, and making sure that they are the right size and fitted properly.  

Appliances

It’s relatively easy these days to find energy efficient kitchen appliances. Every appliance should have an energy rating, and looking for energy efficient appliances is easy now since the advent of online kitchen stores such as Better Kitchens. Cheap goods generally don’t have good ratings so they drain energy and are therefore counterproductive. It’s worth spending a little more so you can save in the long run. Things like energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines will reduce the amount of water as well as power that they use. Installing a high efficiency ceiling fan can be more effective than an extractor fan, as well as being quieter.

Eco Friendly Materials

Kitchen designs themselves have become more eco-friendly than they ever have before. With kitchens being designed around the need to have a recycling or compost centre, the rest of the kitchen needs to be just as energy efficient and good to the environment. This is why many of us are opting for durable, ethical materials for their worktops and units that are just as stylish as any other materials out there. 

French Interior Design for the Bedroom

After Marie Antoinette lived in the lavish opulence and superfluous excess famously established by King Louis XIV, French interiors became more restrained and less ostentatious. However this doesn’t mean that they are any less original, bold or exciting than before. The key to French interiors is the mixing of opposites, old and new, raw and refined, decadence and simplistic.

Pared Down

To create the feel of a French provincial bedroom, go for white walls left mostly bare in a pale palette. Think white, off white, taupe, duck egg, grey. Go for natural, plain fabrics, cotton, linen and cheesecloth. Don’t be too heavy handed with the ruffles, perhaps a few subtley ruffled cushions on the bed will do. This will create a simple, light and airy feel to your room.

Bold     

To create a modern French feel, one of sophistication and effortless style, pair the above pared down natural feel with a strong accent colour and some extravagant artwork on that bare wall. This will bring the room firmly into the 21^st century.

Old and New

Make a statement with antique chairs or luxurious French beds but keep the rest of your decor plain and minimalist, with the theme subtly running through soft furnishings or other furniture. You can do it the other way too, as long as the antique element isn’t too heavy. You could, for instance, juxtapose baroque furniture with simplistic bare walls and a modern bed or bright soft furnishings.

Raw and Refined   

The French love their history, so incorporate any period features willingly into their decor, but they don’t always do them up and make them into a feature. They just exist in the house along with everything else. This is where the raw and refined element comes into play, the mixing of what was once refined but may not be any longer. 

Country and Court 

French decor falls into two camps, country and court, but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix the two. As above, under-decorate your walls with plain and pale hues, but add pattern elsewhere. Go for a French inspired pattern such as a Fleur De Lis, Toile De Jouy, rococo, or damask for a luxurious French court feel. Gold also adds an opulent feel, especially when used on a huge rococo style mirror.

So if you’re looking to create a French feel to your bedroom, make sure you combine plain and patterns, simple and over the top, antique and modern. Make a statement with your bed, layering cushions and mixing textures, patterns and styles, and make your bedroom the place to be. 

How to Turn Your Bathroom into a Spa

As families and households grow, the bathroom for the adults in the house becomes the only real place that you can escape, relax and unwind (although my daughter is still learning that bathroom=privacy!). If your bathroom is not as spa-like as you would like, and it’s actually more toothpaste than oasis, then perhaps now is the time for a change to indulge all the senses.

The ultimate way to transform your bathroom into a luxurious at-home spa is to install a wet room. A wet room is a fully tiled, waterproof room, essentially a walk in shower. If you want even more luxury, try an extra large wet room with dual rain head showers. Not only is this romantic, but it could make showering in the morning more time-efficient, especially if you and your partner have to shower at the same time to work in the morning. His and hers basins is also a good idea for this reason. A stand alone roll top bath, such as those available from Bathrooms365.com, is another must-have for a relaxing spa-like treatment.

A dimmer switch will allow you to light your bathroom to suit your needs: bright light so you can use your bathroom practically, and moodier lighting for a soak in the tub. Think about the decor of a spa, then try and recreate it in your bathroom. Think neutrals, earth tones and natural materials such as wood and slate.

Sound is an important part of creating a spa experience for your bathroom. You don’t want to hear the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house or the neighbour's lawnmover when you’re trying to relax, so either a portable speaker dock or a specially installed sound system will mean that you can listen to whatever soothes you most.

Scent can calm you in an instant; which scent is the right one for you is a different matter. Scents carry memories particularly well, so figure out which one will comfort and relax you best. You can choose from candles, potpourri or bath products to produce the scent. 

Don’t forget the little details either as these can make all the difference; the spa experience goes beyond the soak. Think about things like a heated towel rack and Egyptian cotton towels so you can have soft, warm towels when get out of the tub, with a luxurious spa robes to relax in afterward. 

How Practical Is Your Stylish Home?

Building a house on stilts is one way to avoid flooding! 

I’m not talking about that deer head wall hanging you bought as a hook for your coat but don’t actually use because your coat just falls off. I mean when things go wrong, when disaster strikes, flood or fire ruins your home. I’m sure you’ve lain in bed at night and thought about what you might do, but there are actions that you can take to help prevent these things and make sure you can minimise damage.

Flood

If your home is at risk from flood, then you have likely been affected by them already and know what to do. (Luckily we've been ok. We're at the top of a dip in the street, just around the corner from where a car had become completely submerged under a bridge.) If the floods last year have shocked you, then now is the time to act. Water can very easily get into your property so it is impossible to completely flood proof it. So what can you do about it? There are many different flood proof products that you can install to help stem the flow of water, including automatic flood proof doors and windows. If you raise the threshold of your door or invest in flood barriers or buy sandbags, it can help to prevent shallower flooding. To prevent flooding through the ground, you may need to concrete or seal your floors.

Fire

A fire in your home is easily caused but it is also easily prevented. You must have smoke alarms in your home, and check the batteries regularly. They warn you, whether there’s a serious fire or just a burnt cake (my cooking tests ours almost daily). Either way, you’ll want to know. Make sure that you avoid clutter, as lots of superfluous stuff catches fire far more easily than clear space (which I can also attest to when a pile of paper towels I was using for blotting got too close to the flame on our hob and I had to put out a 'little' fire. This made my afternoon far more interesting). Always make sure that electrical heaters and candles are positioned away from flammable materials such as curtains, and that they are turned off or put out when unattended. 

When building your home, use fire resistant materials to dramatically reduce your risk of fire. Use fibreglass instead of wood or chipboard, for instance. Smoke ventilation systems can also make your building much safer and easier to evacuate the building if you have to; so you may want to find out more about specialist smoke control systems.  

Cold Weather

Winter proofing your home will not only mean that you will prevent something like a burst pipe but will also mean that you are more comfortable and will save money and energy in the long run. The water pipes are the main source of disaster so making sure they don’t freeze is the first thing you should do. You can buy preformed insulating tubes from hardware shops to make sure they are warm, and check that you have no faulty taps. Get your boiler serviced so you don’t go without hot water unexpectedly, and insulate your loft to prevent loss of heat in this way too.   

Photo: Inhabitat.com

 

How to Turn your Garden into a Social Space

A dreamy and vibrant social garden by Harold Leidner Landscape Architects via Houzz

There may be a layer of snow currently covering your garden, but spring is just around the corner - really! - and these tips will help you to create a superb social space, whether you have a cosy country style garden or a spacious urban garden. Your garden is an extension of your home and so it should be just as visually appealing as your interior décor. Easier said than done I know, but the following may help make it feel a less daunting project. 

Seating

If you want your garden to be the hub of every social gathering this spring/summer, seating is crucial. When you are planning your design, the first step is to plan the location of your wooden garden furniture. There are many things to consider when choosing the location; for example, which areas receive the most sun and shade. Once you have pinpointed a place for your seating you can then begin to plan the points of interest around this area, such as flower beds and plants. This adds to the ambience and appearance of your seating area and gives guests something pretty to look at. When choosing the type of furniture you require, be practical. You will need a dining set that is functional but one that also provides comfort while adding a touch of style to your garden.

Lighting

If you want to socialise after dark, you will need high quality outdoor lighting to keep the party going once the sun sets. Lights are not only a functional aspect of your garden, they create a mood and are also a great way to highlight any special features. If you have a water feature, strategically placed lights can draw attention to the things you want to show off (and maybe keep some areas that could use improvement in the dark). And you can use lighting to illuminate pathways and doorways to keep your guests safe.

Heating

Nothing will cut a party short like the cold. If you want your guests to be comfortable, it is going to take more than comfy seats when the temperatures drop. Strategically placed heat lamps will provide enough heat to ensure your garden is usable all year round. Or for an impressive centrepiece that will also keep you and your guests warm, a chiminea is a great choice that will also add a splash of colour. 

Privacy

When designing your garden to create a social space, you will need to consider ways to make your garden private. Fences are one way to create privacy but there are a lot of creative ways in which you can make your space more intimate. Plants and shrubbery provide barriers that will enhance your garden without making your guests feel claustrophobic. Or you can do what my neighbours did and put up straw walls (I'm not sure what they're called) that tower above the fence, thus extending it and making your garden feel a bit more secluded.

Bright Home Lighting Trends to Try in 2013

This is the Danish shade I have in my living room, it's unusual yet still fairly understated

These dark nights have got me thinking of new ways to light up my home, especially our bedroom as our ceiling fixture's 15 tiny bulbs are all blown but one, and I never really loved it anyway. Going to bed in the dark is one thing, but getting ready for the day ahead without natural light is something I loathe. So what’s the solution?

Transform your Home with Lighting

Lighting is no longer just a functional aspect of your home decor; the appearance of your lighting is also a huge factor to consider. It's incredible how much of a difference contemporary lighting can make to a room - our new ceiling pendant shade was like a one-piece makeover - and if you want to make a few changes to your home decor without spending a fortune, simply replacing your light fittings can add luxury to your home for less. 

White Out

When choosing lighting options for each room I tend to over think things, but I've found that often it is the simplest ideas that I like the most (but beware the half bowl-shaped pendant lamps, they are simple and look great but the focussed light can be harsh and make your space feel like an interrogation room). I tend to be drawn to chic white fittings and shades, though carefully chosen colour can do wonders for a space. The great thing about white lighting is that it will work with every room and there are so many different options to choose from. This style of lighting is great for vintage style decor as well as modern minimalist rooms.

Textures

After having a look for inspiration online for my home lighting makeover and finding my translucent white Danish gem, it became clear that it is not just all about colour. It is also about textures. Using different textures is a huge home decor trend this season and choosing an unusual lighting design is an effective way to make an immediate difference. There are some fantastic options when it comes to home lighting, from basic metal fixtures to crystal to wrought iron and translucent polypropylene (looks nicer than it sounds, kind of a papery look). 

LED Spotlights

Eco friendly lighting is still a big trend this season which is great, and as I'm trying to adopt a greener lifestyle - we've become obsessed with turning the lights off - I think these are great for homeowners who want to light up their home while doing their bit for the planet. Making sure your home is environmentally friendly can save you money each month as well as helping you to save energy. LED spotlights are perfect if, like me, you don’t want to spend a fortune. And you won’t have to compromise on style. 

Chic Home Office Ideas for the New Year

Through some wonderful and unexpected miracle, my productivity has risen exponentially this New Year (I can thank my three week visit home to Canada where everything was done for us by family) and I’ve been contemplating ways to make my home more functional. We have a small home office which could benefit from some creative rearranging/redesigning, and I've been finding inspiration online. The bottom line is, an effective home office should incorporate the perfect balance between fashion and function, and I can certainly improve on ours. My husband is a professor. Our solution isn't hard. We simply need more bookshelves! If you don't have a home office but want one - maybe that makeshift workstation that is your lap in bed isn't working for you anymore - consider these clever office space ideas - you may be surprised at where and how you can create your own home office!

The Closet Office

If you have a spare room that is kind of a junk room (nice problem to have) but you can’t justify using it all as an office space, why not create a room that acts as both a walk-in wardrobe and an office space combined? There are lots of examples of this on Pinterest and love how the room is pretty yet practical. The most common way to create this type of office is to have wardrobes built in around the outside of the room and then have a functional workspace in the centre. Or, as seen in that cheery room in the photo here, you could take a closet space and creative your own pretty alcove where you can get down to business - the mirror, lamp and curtain are brilliant touches and keep the space from looking too 'officey'. 

The Bedroom/Office Combo

If you have limited space in your home, you could turn a portion of your bedroom into a workspace. By placing your bedroom furniture on one side of your room and a desk and chair on the other side, you can create a functional space without it looking or feeling cramped. You can also add shelving to make space for folders and work-related items (see above for how to make it blend with your room!). This is one of the most cost effective ideas, and although having a larger room helps, you may be able to do more than you think with a tighter space - try different arrangements with your bed and desk (or find something that is of similar size to the desk you want to help get an idea) before you rule it out. 

The Loft Office  

If you have a loft that is unused, this could make the perfect office space. Converting a loft into an office is one of the most expensive ideas and the most time consuming. However, converting your loft into something fabulous can add value to your property while making your home more functional. And having that useable space on another floor will immediately make your house feel a lot more spacious.

The possibilities are endless for transforming your space into a workable one; hopefully these ideas will get you thinking of your own brilliant solutions!

Creative Ways to Light Your Bathroom

The glamour of the dressing room can translate into the bathroom using lighted mirrors

The bathroom is probably the last place you think of when deciding to add some new life into your space; there's not a lot of room to work with, and most of it is occupied by large fixtures. (Don't even think of a toilet tank cozy.) However, some new lighting trends are emerging that may have you contemplating a bathroom makeover this spring.  Here are some ideas you might like to consider for your own home design.

Dressing Room Style Lighting 

I’m loving dramatic lighting designs this season and dressing room style lighting is great for adding instant wow factor to the bathroom. Dressing room style lights are basically bare light bulbs that surround a mirror (I love the rectangular style offset by the round bulbs). Not only does this design provide maximum light, it also adds a some Old Hollywood glamour to your home. This type of lighting is great for applying makeup on those dark winter mornings. 

Illuminated Mirrors

Illuminated mirrors are a superb addition to any bathroom as they not only provide light but also a beautiful mirror that is functional and stylish. You can choose from a variety of designs to complement your bathroom and opt for a size to suit you. This is a great choice of lighting for those who want something simple and subtle.

Under Basin Lighting

If you want a bathroom that is guaranteed to stand out, under basin lighting will do the trick. You can choose from a range of coloured lights (I would love a calming, soft blue) to really transform your bathroom and set a mood, or opt for classic white lights. This feature will add something special to an ensuite bathroom or a guest bathroom.

Colour Changing Mirrors

A colour changing mirror allows you to change the mood in your bathroom when you please. You can change the colour when you fancy a change in decor, and you can also use different colours when you want to relax and when you are just getting ready for the day ahead.

Fairy Lights

If you want to add a magical touch to your bathroom but don’t want to spend a fortune, fairy lights are perfect. They work well in children’s rooms but can add a lovely glow and create a magical atmosphere in any room. Put them in a large glass vase as a table decoration or drape them from a curtain pole. You can find some fabulous lighting options online at Bright Lightz.

Painted Houses: Portmeirion, Wales

For no good reason at all, I've neglected to do a Painted Houses post in longer than I'd care to admit (so don't go checking, eh?).  Since the last, I've had some great reader submissions that absolutely must be shared, and so I'm getting back into the colourful houses and buildings theme starting with Portmeirion in North Wales, thanks to reader Pixie who introduced me to this vivid, fantastical place.

In the seven years I've lived in England I've never been to Wales - the closest I've gotten is Bristol and Bath - but it is on our list of UK places to visit, and now that I've had a peek, Portmeiron has become a must-see. Pixie provided a link to  their tourism site and I noticed this: "Portmeirion is open every day of the year from 9.30am to 7.30pm." And you need tickets. I was very confused until I read this:

"This unique village is set on its own private peninsula on the southern shores of Snowdonia. It was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it. Portmeirion is made up of about 50 buildings, most of which are used as hotel or self-catering accommodation and surrounded by 70 acres of sub-tropical woodland gardens. On the main driveway is Castell Deudraeth, a Victorian mansion recently restored as a brasserie style restaurant and hotel."

And the late 1960s TV series The Prisoner was filmed there. (I wonder if they got kicked out at 7:30?)

Here are Pixie's photos from her visit, followed by some screencaps from the incredible 360° panoramic views of the village which I had great fun playing with.

These 'window' frames are decorated with clam shells

I love the pale turquoise of the fence; this particular shade highlights so much of the village's features. Below, Pixie shares a photo from inside her suite which was in its own private building:

These two images (above and below) are taken from a panoramic view of Portmeirion's Battery Park, by Ralph Ames

The panoramic angles and the vivid colours remind me of the slides I used to look at as a child through my View-master!

There seems to be a religious theme in this part of Battery Square of the Christian persuasion. I can't see the detail of the painting on the arch of the white building on the left, above, but it appears to be in the style of the Mannerist era. And below, I think that's Jesus saying hello on the balcony! Shot by Billy Hepburn

 

 

The Portmeirion Beach,  Traeth Sands. By Billy Hepburn:

The Bristol Colonnade is...making me want to book train tickets!

A magical name for a magical house - Unicorn Cottage:

And we'll end with the Village Green before I explode with enthusiasm:

Thanks, Pixie!

Organise + Beautify Your Space with One Piece

I must have had clutter solutions on my mind when I chose the theme for my most recent product Ideabook for Houzz.com: Fabulously Decorate Storage. Before we left England for the holidays in Canada, I spent many hours getting the house ready for a friend's parents who were going to be staying there while we were away, and I became painfully aware of just how much clutter we'd accumulated. We couldn't deal with all of it in time so we hid it, hoping that they wouldn't open the tallboy sideboard in dining room, or the bombe sideboard in the living room, or any of the bottom three drawers in the kitchen... I haven't had a report of an appliance manual/children's drawings/miscellaneous plastic things avalanche enveloping them, so I assume they resisted the urge to see what's in there. Most of it is paper that we have to sit down and sort out - fun! - and a lot of it can be shredded or recycled. But there are so many things that, despite their apparent uselessness, have to stick around for a while longer. The good news is there are ways to deal with them that don't have to involve ugly plastic storage bins. Or lots of yelling (just me?)

The 20 products I chose for this Ideabook are storage solutions that will actually enhance your decor while helping hide a little, or a lot, of clutter. From small, shimmery bowls that will obscure those annoying little bits that can't seem find a home, to a filing cabinet that will instantly make your home office a happy place - yes, even a metal one! - there is hope for us clutter magnets yet. The products above are some of my favourites from the Ideabook. Some are way beyond my budget but they plant ideas in our heads (hence the name of the book), while others are really affordable, such as the harlequin print Circus Sack from Danish designers Varpunen which I just love; I see a trio under my living room sidetable holding and hiding everything from magazines to DVDs to Wii controllers. (Here's a tip: don't keep anything in a room that doesn't belong there and you'll have much less clutter. Note to self: shipping materials do not belong under the couch.)

If all of this organisation talk has inspired you to start the year with less mess, you can get more helpful ideas from these articles: 

• 6 Clever Kitchen Storage Ideas Anyone Can Use,
• Top 10 Unsung Organizing Tools,
• Your Total Home Organizing and Decluttering Guide,
• Clutter vs Keepers: A Guide to New Year's Purging

Of course you do realise that if you read all of these, then you really have no more excuses! 

FYI - you can always see my latest product Ideabook in the Houzz widget in the sidebar!

 

A Twist on 'Moving House'

What would it be like to live in a house that follows the sun throughout the day? And folds into different configurations to take on up to eight shapes? (And here I thought I was doing well to have deep window sills for my plants.) Actually, no one knows what it's like to live in that house, the Dynamic D*Haus is still in the concept stage. According to Dezeen, The D*Haus Company originally planned this home with Lapland residents in mind, to deal with extreme temperatures - hot in summer, freezing in winter. (Sounds just like Ontario.)

See Dezeen for more views of this house with rooms that would, theoretically, fold out on rails so that interior partitions become exterior walls during warmer seasons. The UK-based designers are still trying to figure out how it will work in reality (that's the tough part).

Make Mine Multi-Faceted

 

('Faceted' would have sufficed but alliteration just sounds better)

I know what I want for Christmas. Forget diamonds, I'll take my facets in the form of water-based blue resin, please. (I wasn't going to get diamonds anyway but it's still a compliment.) I've been looking for decor pieces that are different from anything I have. My living room is in need of a minor transformation, and I like to buy things that aren't just space fillers but unique and beautiful and the kind of piece I won't be looking at in a year saying 'I am glad I am no longer the person who thought this was a good idea.' But these things of enduring significance tend not to come cheap, so it's a slow process building that collection. (If bookmarked web pages and blogs count as a collection, I'm already there!)

These Faceture vases, which I think are better without flowers - the way the light catches the facets is beautiful enough - are made by Phil Cuttance, a New Zealander who manipulates each object's form with a turn of the hand before casting, making every piece genuinely unique (you can see how he does this in the video above). Phil says:

“I like the idea of people knowing where products come from, and what goes into making them. I think a lot of products are now seen as ‘throw – away’ as they are made on a mass scale, in places far away from where they end up, and out of sight. There was time when people commissioned a local maker or craftsman to make an object, which gave it an inherent value. I like that model.”

Yes, us too! The vessels and the rest of his Faceture series, which includes lamps and sidetables, are sold at Australian-basesd shop theminimalist.com.au, my new obsession. The lamp is just awesome, but I like the slender design of the vessels so much that, for me, the the sidetable's chunky approach can't compare. (It's still cool though!)

This small vase is a limited edition colour called Summer Mint. That totally has my name on it.

The vases in two sizes, lamp and side table. I want to touch them for a long time.

Photos: The Minimalist

Feeling Festive with Sweet Paul

A gloomy, windy, sort-of-rainy day like today isn't ideal for getting into the festive mood, so I went straight to Sweet Paul's winter issue which just came out, my go-to for holiday inspiration. (I like a build-up to Christmas but it's hard when you're struggling against the wind with your umbrella and trying not to get Mary Poppin'd into the North Sea.That's not very cheery. Or jolly.)

Sweet Paul's world is all about creating a warm and inspired home no matter the season, but the holidays are the one time of year that many of us will actually take the time to do that! So if you're looking to change up your traditional rituals a bit, or have a go with something you've never done before, there are lots of things to try (my favourites are below. Some of them. I love it all).

There's a fantastic interview with textile artist Richard Saja that will have you thinking about embroidery differently, and you may never look at a traditional toile de jouy the same way again. He uses needle and floss to alter existing toiles, not only adding colour and texture to the monochrome pastoral motifs, but injecting a bit of humour with the unexpected (a wolfman pushing a maiden on a swing in place of the doting young gentleman, for example). And you'll get some history behind the toile de jouy, too. Good read!

We also get to hear from the boys of Baked, the Brooklyn bakery so popular that it spawned three cookbooks and a legion of drooling fans. And there's a special bonus: the recipe for Baked Wintermint Cake, created specially for Sweet Paul readers. Who wouldn't want to make something with a name like that that looks like this:

I love this Nordic table styling which I would be tempted to keep around well past the holidays:

This issue's cupcake is a tall drink of bubbly. Copy Sweet Paul's styling for the centrepiece and surround it with others decorated with just the silver balls:

Sweet Paul's brunches look aspirational, but he makes it easy to recreate the magic in your own kitchen:

 An icy blue Christmas is a gorgeous alternative to the traditional colour scheme:

Why not citrus in winter? I'm dying to make the blood orange vinaigrette:

 

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but it's fun to think about what's next, especially when it's all about spring:

Images from Sweet Paul magazine

Cosy up your home for winter

With the chilly days and long winter nights now ahead of us, it’s time to start thinking about bundling up. That sentiment not only applies to your winter wardrobe, but what you can do around the house to make it cosy for the cold months ahead (and maybe save a bit of money by not having to crank the thermostat to 'hades'). These homeware items will help shield your home from the chill:

Area carpets and rugs

Hardwood and tile floors may have a leg up when it comes to cleaning, but in the winter months it helps to have some extra padding underfoot. Swap your thin area rugs from the sunny summer months for heavier sheepskin ones from Achica homeware. In social areas like the living room, you can also throw a few pillows or cushions on top of the rug to create a new cosy seating area for your guests.

Warm pillows and throws

Once you’ve got the floors covered, start bundling up the furniture as well. Here, it’s all about the texture: pillows and throws made from fabrics like cashmere, wool, velvet, and faux fur are great to snuggle up with when you’re watching tv or reading a book on the couch. Make the furniture look even cosier by paying close attention to colour: neutral tans, creams, and grays and deep reds and oranges help to give your furniture a warm aesthetic. Pillows with woodsy or leafy patterns add some subtle warmth to the space as well.

Lighting

Sometimes making your place feel cosier is as simple as choosing the right lighting. Lay off the harsh overhead lighting this winter by investing in a few table and floor lamps that use warm lighting—bulbs that emit an orange to reddish-toned light. A related idea is to create a more intimate ambience by lighting candles around the house; candles that emit autumn and winter aromas like apple, pumpkin, cinnamon, and peppermint are all great choices.

Kitchen essentials

We all have those days when just the thought of venturing outside and braving the elements sends chills down our spines, so stock your kitchen with the right equipment to make a hearty meal at home. Consider buying a personal espresso maker to get your morning caffeine fix or invite a few friends round for a chat, and invest in a warming drawer to keep foods warm for your wintertime dinner parties.

Wood and wicker finishes

Swap out your spring and summertime decorations for some winter-inspired pieces. Wood is a must-have for winter, as it helps to give your space that classic ski lodge aesthetic. Think creatively here: mirrors with wooden frames, wooden candle bases and holders, and wooden bowls and utensils all help to create a cosy feel for a lot less. Some carefully placed wicker baskets and wreaths help do the trick as well.

How To Make Pine Work in Your Space

Modern Kitchen design by New York Architect Bates Masi Architects LLC 

Pine may conjure images of ski lodges and old country cottages, but this rustic, hardy wood is actually quite versatile and well worth considering for your own home. I think pine is at its best in a light and airy space, with fresh, bright colours and simple decor. Done this way, it can create a serene environment and become your new favourite room to relax.

This eclectic living room(yes, that does appear to be a tire swing hanging there!)  illustrates how pine can be used to warm up a room and keep linear white pieces from feeling too sterile:

Eclectic Living Room design by Photographer Elad Gonen & Zeev Beech

Create a warm and homey feel in your personal space with pine bedroom furniture. A couple well-chosen pieces can be used to complement pine floors and walls for a bedroom that feels like a country retreat:

Traditional Bedroom design by Los Angeles Interior Designer KellyBaron

Let a painted pine piece stand out in a room of neutrals. This washed-out blue is a gorgeous, calming shade, and its vintage-effect application reveals the character of the natural wood at the base and legs:

Contemporary Family Room design by Boston Media And Blogs Justine Hand

These heart pine planks in an all-white kitchen anchor the room and provide a contrast in texture and colour, making a more interesting space:

Traditional Kitchen design by Manchester Architect LKM Design

A heavy pine cabinet is lightened up with a large, bright, picture frame and some well-placed white accents:

Eclectic Living Room design by Orange County Interior Designer greige/Fluegge Interior Design, Inc.

Pickled pine (this is a staining process that produces a white-wash effect) floors run up the staircase and are integral to this space that is an intriguing combination of industrial and rustic:

Modern Staircase design by New York Architect John R Berg AIA LEED AP

Pine galore! Three pines are used in this barn-like kitchen to highlight the unique features of the angular ceiling (knotty pine), walls (pickled pine) and floor (heart pine).  And I'll bet that gorgeous green-stained cabinetry is...pine! A brilliant way use to use the wood in all aspects of a large room without overkill:

Eclectic Family Room design by Burlington Photographer Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

You can find lots of pine furniture ideas at Wedo-bedroomfurniture.co.uk

Autumn/Winter 12 Lighting Trends

As the nights draw in and a significant slice of your down time is spent wrapped up on the sofa watching box-sets, lighting becomes crucial to create the right mood in your home. Here, a John Lewis guest blogger offers tips on three of the hottest table lamp trends for the cosy season.

Art Deco Decadence

The decadent Art Deco trend isn’t reserved for just clothing fashions this year. American TV hit Boardwalk Empire and the upcoming remake of The Great Gatsby have had the fashion press in a flutter over flapper dresses, stylish geometric shapes and a whole lot of gold and silver. And this look translates seamlessly to the home. Adding a Deco-inspired table lamp to your living room or bedroom is an easy way to inject a bit of glamour into your interior, so look for gold, chrome and mirrored pieces, complemented with subtle colours such as black and peach and curved shapes inspired by nature.

Mid-Century Modern

Fun and functional Mid-Century style shows no sign of losing its appeal; particularly as Scandinavian design is currently being credited with bringing ideas from the post-war era back to colourful life. As well as sleek Danish and Swedish accessories, Britain has its own rich history in the style, as proved when the Original BTC London desk lamp switched on interior-lovers in Fifties-set BBC drama The Hour. And there’s no denying the enduring appeal of British designer George Carwardine’s Anglepoise task lamp. A household must-have in the 1960s, the design comes in a variety of bright retro colour pops, and can still deliver on the tasks of function and style today.

Bright Ideas

If period décor isn’t your bag, and you’d rather create your own unique look by mixing and matching quirky pieces, there’s plenty to delight your statement-seeking eye this season. Choose from a variety of animal-inspired LED lamps, or play with materials by choosing a glass piece to expose the workings of your lamp and bringing the outside in with an untreated wood base.  And perfect for that festive feel are this season’s mini tree lamps and house casings, helping to create a warm glow for all the family to enjoy.  

So snuggle down with a fleecy throw, get comfy on your Fatboy and enjoy the atmosphere created by your new lighting. 

All products featured available from John Lewis at the time of writing.

This is a sponsored post for which I received a John Lewis voucher, and I'm happy to include the article on The Swelle Life as Art Deco and Mid-century Modern design are one of my loves, and I know John Lewis to be a great source for interior decor items!

Walls to Transform Your Space

For my Houzz Ideabook for August I looked at ways to bring a different look or feel to your space using one or all of your four walls. As usual, putting together the book was hugely inspiring and also frustrating because I wish I had endless rooms (and a limitless budget!) to play with all of these great ideas. Many of them are fantastic solutions to setting a tone or creating a style in a room that doesn't offer much charm in itself; most of us have at some point lived in a place where the rooms were like plain boxes, the drywall uneven, the baseboards icky, etc. And while space usually comes at a premium, sometimes we find ourselves with more than we can fill because of budget limitations or our stay is short-term, but want to make a nice home. 

So how about a super-sized field of poppies, a grand Castel corridor courtesy of some clever trompe l'oeil, exquisite laser-cut panels or a zen-like ombre in pastels? See the Ideabook for details and more inspiration!

Floral Friday! Alnwick's Ornamental Garden Pt. 1

We've taken a little stroll around Alnwick Castle, and now we go into the gorgeous Ornamental Gardens atop the Grand Cascade, a glorious fountain that features four different, spectacular water displays that take place at random every half hour:

The walk up to the Ornamental Gardens begins under a canopy of leaves:

 

The Venetian gates of the entrance can be seen  in the background

  

These last two are actually on the grounds outside of the gardens but too lovely not to show!

Photos © The Swelle Life, except the Grand Cascade from Alnwick Garden

Floral Friday! Fabulous Florals for Your Home

I chose florals as the focus of my July Ideabook for Houzz.com, and being so fervent for anything that blooms, I can't believe I got to 14 of them before doing this theme! It's a collection of 20 products offering ideas for bringing florals to your space in small, non-commital ways as well as through serious investment furniture. There's even something lovely for our dog friends (although we know it's really for the doggie mum).

You can view the entire Fabulous Florals Ideabook at Houzz or click the link in the sidebar widget on the right.

One of the Ideas is a painting by UK artist Stephanie Stow, a favourite of mine. I love her gestural, vivid approach to flowers and gardens and so I had a painting commissioned for our living room when we moved into our house. Stephanie was fantastic; she asked to see a photo of the room to get a feel for it, and also wanted the name of the paint colour on the wall it would hang on. She matched the dusty slate blue shade exactly, using it in the background elements to make the layered floral colours pop. I get compliments on it all the time, and regardless of where we're living in the future, it will have a home.

This isn't ours (I'll get a photo and add it) but I just love the aquas and peachy tones of this work called Coral Garden, and I think this was the one I asked her to base the composition of ours on:

Coral Garden, Stephanie Stow. Acrylic on canvas. 60cm x60 cm

Finishing the Garden with a Painted Pastel Bench

I've been wanting a bench for the back garden ever since we began to slowwwly build it two years ago. First, we put in a patio and bought a big (by UK standards, so not so big) barbecue with a table and chairs, then built a shed and playhouse. But it was all a bit barren, it needed some life. So this spring we finally tried our hand at gardening and planted some veg, fruit, herbs and flowers in a bed and in some pots and in some hanging baskets, all of it a bit random just to see what would grow well.  So far, most of it is doing well while the peppers and tomatoes are keeping us guessing, and I never thought I would be so excited to see salad growing in a pot ('speedy' salad is living up to its name!), but there is something thrilling about being able to go into your garden and pull half your dinner out of the ground. Most of the fruit and veg plants were bought with vouchers given to me by Groupon, to apply to anything that struck my fancy and then share my shopping experience with you. New deals come up daily with many befitting the season, so there was a lot of choice in the way of gardening, from potted plants to mini greenhouses to bird feeders for making your space more lively. And then there was a deal on garden furniture and that was a no-brainer, we would finally have our bench!

There was a choice of two styles, one of wood and iron, and the other all wood. I decided to go for the all-wood at £49 (a 62% savings off the RRP). Like the plants, it was supplied by the online retailer within the time specified and arrived in good form. I couldn't wait to pull it out of the box and paint it, but the skies had other plans and it would be weeks before I could complete it, put it together and take a few shots through a dry lens. It came in a few pieces, so little by little I worked at it, and then last Thursday as you may have heard, there came the flood. Some parts of the bench were inside, others were at the side of the house, and as I watched transfixed on our lawn which within minutes turned into a lake, thinking that the relentless rain and winds would surely kill everything we'd planted (a month's rainfall in two hours!), it never even occurred to me that those painted pieces hiding around the corner might be destroyed. Luckily they weren't, but they sure needed a touch up. When it was clear we wouldn't be needing to build an ark and gather up the animals in pairs, I put the bench together which was easy-peasy, and set it against the fence with my mint green watering can to keep it from looking lonely.

As for the painting, I used the stains I'd bought to do our shed and playhouse (yes, it's a very pastel-y garden) which are Cuprinol Garden Shades, in Beaumont Blue (the darker, slate blue), Coastal Blue and Sweetpea, which is the pale pink I used on the front and back pieces of the seat. Originally, I'd tried to stripe the back rest, but it was a lot harder than I'd thought to get it looking neat, even with a small brush, so I painted over all of it with the Beaumont Blue and I think it looked better for it. It's amazing what a little colour can do!

Missoni's First Interior-designed Residence Unveiled

Missonihome have already brought their vividly textured lifestyle concept to the world through their branded hotels in Edinburgh - I haven't stayed but I've eaten at their restaurant Cucina and it was fantastic, from the food to the pattered plates and walls - and in Kuwait. And now in partnership with Century Properties, the fashion house unveils the interior design of its first residential building, the 52-storey, tropical rainforest-infused design condo, Acqua Livingstone, in the Philippine capital of Manila.

Acqua Livingstone will have 645 units ranging from 27sqm to 140sqm, with one to three bedrooms. A private collection of special units called Acqua Privé will also be available to purchase.

Showcasing the regenerating Pasig River into its waterfront design, the residence features a central amenity area called The Pebble, a four-storey sports and leisure complex with three waterfalls. At the Pebble’s ground floor is the RiverWalk Promenade that features a stretch of restaurants, bars and cafes. Next to it is the Boardwalk, where an exclusive water shuttle will take residents to and from the Makati riverside. 

Not for fans of beige.

The Canopy at Acqua Livingstone. The lower level will house functions rooms, business center, an indoor and outdoor gym, Jacuzzi, a library and spa. The upper level is a social space dedicated to interaction and entertainment with an amphitheatre, lounge, DJ booth and dance floor, pool with swim-up bar (see below), and barbecue facilities. Tying these two levels together is a fanciful organic wire-mesh tree that winds its way up and connects to the mezzanine floor, where residents can enjoy surrounding views or a meal in the open-air dining area.

 

Playing with perspective in the lobby of the residence

 Look at that. It's like the Garden of Eden with a swim-up bar.

Images courtesy MISSONIHOME and Century Properties

Cupcake Monday! A Ladurée-Inspired Patisserie Party

Wipe down your screen because you're probably going to lick it. (No? Just me?) I was asking all kinds of questions when I thought this was actually some lucky girl's bridal shower - did she get to eat during? What happened to the leftovers? And how can I get an invite to her next party? But this heavenly scene is just that, a set-up for a photo shoot. Amanda of Ruffled, an inspirational wedding blog she began after finding a lack of resources for creating a vintage wedding - see her stunning 1930s-themed nuptials here - worked with a team of talents to produce this patisserie brunch bridal shower shoot, including event designer Melissa of The Loveliest Day. It's not hard to see that Ladurée and other tea and pastry salons of Paris inspired the shoot, the centrepieces being a dessert table and a tea bar, and it's all been done to give you ideas so you can create your own. So better get going on amassing an enviable collection of cake stands and plates for styling! Some of the stands and platters you see are available at the My Sweet & Saucy Shop.

The tea table was set with vintage teacups, saucers and silver teapots and no detail was spared. Each variety of tea had its own custom colored label, and the chalkboard menu, hand drawn by Jane of Olive Hue Paper Goods, identified which color tea tag coincided with each tea.

Melody of My Sweet & Saucy created the pastries for the shoot including this cake for the shoot, and due to all the begging, shared her decorating secret here

Even the sugar cubes were displayed in a way that elicits squeals. Squeeeeeal!

Photos from Ruffled, shot by Ashley Rose of Ashley Rose Photography 

The Intelligent Coffee Table

Great, now coffee tables are smarter than I am. The latest technological innovation bringing us one step closer to living like they do on the Star Trek Enterprise (because that looked so fun) is here. We knew this was coming; the enormously popular, can't-live-without-it tablet is being integrated into furniture including a coffee table, so in a work situation for example, small groups can gather around to view a presentation without fogging up the screen of your iPad with their morning coffee breath, although you may be at risk of knees touching. And at home, it's the ultimate coffee table book, in that the 'book' is the interactive table top. I have to admit, at the moment the most function I want out of a glass table at home is to be able to play Ms. Pac Man (best video game ever! don't laugh), and I do love the traditional, heavy, coffee table book which I hope never goes away. (Do you think one day we'll walk into a doctor's or dentist's office and find old issues of HEAT magazine loaded up on tablets built into the waiting room chairs? It's probably inevitable, but can you imagine how gross the screens would be? Then again, when's the last time you wiped down the keypad of a cash machine before using it?)

This is one of Mozayo's interative multi-touch tables. As the photo illustrates, wearing a suffocating dress will seriously hinder your ability to use it unless you have a freakishly long arm and panoramic vision.

Houzz.com has a great article on 'intelligent' coffee tables by Mike Elgan if you'd like to learn more about what you may be maxing out your credit card on in the not-so-distant future. That is, if you don't find the idea of banishing your fine mahogany coffee table in favour of one huge tablet somewhat creepy, like all of the commenters on the Houzz article at the time of publishing this post.

 

I like my new pink bike

We got new bikes. All three of us. It was a huge surprise considering I hadn't owned, or even been on a bike since I was about 14, maybe even 13. I know, I know! My last bike was an orange ten speed Supercycle from Canadian Tire and I was probably 11 when I got it. The reason it was orange is because that was the colour they had in stock and I thought it was alright enough, and it meant I could go home with a brand new bike. It was the boys' style with the crossbar which was a must, the girls' was not considered cool. And to this day I have no idea why there were different versions of ten speeds for boys and girls. (Especially when the boys' included what was essentially a rod of agony to the 'nads. Just ask Morrissey.)

We went to our local bike shop to get a new one for our daughter, and on display was this lilac-pink Claud Butler with a deep wicker basket and brown leather seat with matching handle grips. My pupils dilated. A fairy godmother appeared in husband-form and asked me if I wanted it. About a half-hour later, I was riding home wearing an updated version of a retro-style helmet and narrowly missing crashing into parked cars. Since then I'm steadier on it and not embarrassing myself nearly as much, but I've noticed that people stare at my helmet, and I've even been asked 'What is it?', which I cannot get my head around. When I tried the streamlined racing style helmet it looked like my brain was on the outside, and it didn't match the retro style of my bike. Mine kind of looks like a motorcyle helmet I guess, maybe that's what's confusing people. That and the fact that hardly anybody here wears a helmet for recreational cycling, there's no by-law. I have found that it is not hard to confuse most people. 

The wine bottle, rubbish and broken bench are a nice touch, aren't they? I hadn't noticed until I got home and looked at my photos. I could have photoshopped them out but I'm keepin' it real.

My favourite place to ride is along the coast, which in most places has a very wide pavement which is a life-saver because I do not like riding on the road. Wussy and proud. You cannot beat it for the scenery and fresh air, and I have to admit in the seven years we've lived by the North Sea there is a whole strip of coastline I'd never explored until now. My bike is already expanding my horizons!

I love these baby blue painted shelters with the ornate iron brackets reinforcing the roof.

The beach in Whitley Bay on a bright and sunny day

There were three of these houses in a row, a style I had no idea existed out our way!

My friend Caroline took me out to St. Mary's lighthouse which no one could believe I'd never seen before. Well, now I have! 

Photos © The Swelle Life

Sweet Paul Magazine Delivers Summer Bliss

Make your own palettas! Mexican ice pops in watermelon & chili, and pineapple flavours

Sweet Paul magazine is out again, just in time to give us all kinds of inspiration for cool summery treats, 'unfussy' DIYs (I like that kind) and beautiful presentation ideas. The styling and photography in the pages of Sweet Paul is so irresistibly gorgeous that it's a delight just to browse, but you'd be nuts not to try something for yourself. As usual, Paul Lowe brings us ideas that are so simple to make yet will greatly impress, without any pretension - hence the 'Sweet'! (At the weekend I finally made the Polka Dot Milkshake from the Spring 2011 kids' issue for my daughter and it was a huge hit, she loved the 'surprise ingredient' of the marshmallows. And of course I had some!)

Some of my favourites from the Summer 2012 issue are the palettas, above (I now know that's what Mexican ice pops are called), and these have my brain swirling in the best way:

Kris Mullen contributed her Orange Creamsicle Milkshake to the 'My Happy Food' feature

'Perfect Day for a Picnic' offers ideas for gourmet snacks on the go

The gorgeous styling of the radishes in blue, pink and green in 'The Best Summer Pickle' might actually get me to eat a radish

From 'Memories and Inspiration: How Flea Market Finds Can Inspire You' - if it gets anything like this out of me I'll have a go!

 

 
This issue's cupcake is a simple strawberry and cream - perfect for Wimbledon!

Never mind the kids, we could all benefit from a Princess Party! And below, a simple recipe for homemade caramel corn (I am in such trouble) plus a few sheets of colourful paper turns a regular snack into an irresistible party treat:

 

Read, ogle and drool over the entire Sweet Paul Summer issue online

Photos from Sweet Paul magazine

The Most Beautiful Garden Bench (and some other nice ones)

When I saw the Luzio azure blue bench above on Dalani.co.uk - an interiors site that has become my latest obsession for its tightly curated flash shop - all discounted! - and daydreamy magazine of gorgeous ideas and inspirations, my brain quickly scanned itself for legal ways I could immediately come up with the nearly £900 it cost, on sale. Believe it or not, I came up short. The sale ended, and now I only have this photo to remind me of just how beautiful a garden bench can be. It makes me want to become a carpenter like my grandfather, although I would be hindered by my sensitivity to wood dust. And physical labour.

I do have a bench of my own on its way, a traditional, all wood style thanks to Groupon who gave me some vouchers to spend on items to review. I've ordered some pastel stains from our local hardware store and I'm planning to paint my bench and transform it, maybe with alternating planks in coastal and beaumont blues to create a striped look. I'll share the process and results in a few weeks.

The Luzio is a tough act to follow, but here are a few more that caught my eye for being colourful and pretty:

Ingrid Jansen of Wood & Wool Stool is a fan of Fermob and had one of their peony benches displayed in her house for a few days before moving it outside - I think it looks right at home inside!

I'm not a fan of iron in silver or black, though it can be the right look depending on the garden, and the person. It's just not really me. But with a can of spray paint it can be easily transformed into something light and playful.

PATierney put the question out on her Flickr for colour ideas for this garden bench:

In the end, she went for turquoise and lime - what a transformation! It's been given a completely new look, it's so fresh. This is making me reconsider my decision to go with the all-wood option for my bench, I think I could have done something really cool with the other style which was a back in iron and wood, with ornate iron sides. Oh well, I will just have to make mine so good-looking it won't matter!

I don't feel right calling this vividly painted piece a bench, so let's call it a small, iron loveseat. It's quite exotic with its classical Greek detailing, and although the cushion surely makes it nicer to sit on, it would look much better bare:

A garden dining bench with what looks like a marble-top table set in pinks, to match the flowers - too bad the (I'm assuming) gorgeous umbrella on the left got cut out of the shot!:

From House to Home

 

The ever-popular distressed/vintage look which has likely been hand-finished in the photo above, and I think is the real deal below judging by the style of the iron work: (I've lost my links and am still trying to credit these photos!)

Gorgeously ornate in ivory, this painted cast iron and wood bench is also the real deal (and sold unfortunately!), from Antiquated.co.uk

 

 

Little Black Dresser

Little Black Dresser
14”W x 46”H x10” D
MDF, Maple Veneer, Aluminum

It took a second, didn't it? Yes, it's a dresser, fashioned like a little black dress and it appears to be suspended from a hanger on a short rail protruding from the wall, though it's firmly secured.  LBD is one of many ingenious pieces of furniture by Straight Line Designs - a one of a kind workshop in Vancouver led by Judson Beaumont, a designer who says he is motivated to prove naysayers wrong when he's told "You cannot build that" or "No one would want that". (See, this is the role the crabbyfaces play in the world, brilliant people will come along and shut them up by pulling off something like this.)

No gimmicks: The LBD is exquisitely crafted and finished

We have to look at more of Judson's humourous and gorgeous work, but it is so tough choosing which ones. Each offers something fresh and unusual, and at first glance you've already rearranged a room around it in your mind or kicked a former beloved to the curb to make room. So here's a bunch, (but you must take a look at everything on the Straight Line Designs site):

 

Surely a queue would form to sit on Canned Bench at your next house party:

Canned Bench
60” W x 25”H x 29” D
Eastern Maple, Maple Veneer, Birch Plywood, Laminate, Vinyl

 

Cracked Cabinet
26” W x 56.5”H x 14.5” D
Eastern Maple, Maple Veneer

If you act up around Anne she will give you the business:

Anne Armoire
48” W x 6'H x 20” D
Western Maple, Maple Veneer

An impressive feat of engineering:

Accordian
52.5” W x 24”H x 17” D
Western Maple, Maple Veneer

Bad Table
40” W x 18”H x 20” D
Western Maple, Maple Veneer, Aluminium, IKEA Carpet (hee hee!!)

Bird Home
16” W x 60”H x 16” D
Mountain Pine Beetle Wood, Fiberglass Resin

How incredibly darling!

Photos from Straight Line Designs

Floral Friday! A Green Stroll Through Alnwick Castle Estate

Last spring I visited Alnwick Gardens and Castle for a story I was doing on north east English castles and gardens for an American magazine, and I think it's time to do a show and tell! With spring arriving again (sort of - it came early all gorgeous, sunny and warm, and now I've had to pull my winter scarves back out) I can't wait to get out there and explore more of the stunning Northumberland countryside. In the meantime, I use my photos to imagine I'm there.

So let's start on a little tour of the grounds at Alnwick - this is more greenery than flowers but next week we'll walk through the gorgeous gardens - beginning with the Treehouse Restaurant which is what greets you as you enter the estate. I love that this magnificent forest abode actually serves fantastic local fare - pretty tourist trap it is not. I was there on this day with my lovely friend Luisa and we hadn't made reservations before our outing and couldn't get a table (though they did try), but luckily I'd eaten there twice before. Then again, I knew what I was missing!

This is the view as you walk away from the Treehouse without lunch in your tummy (it's the same if you do have lunch in your tummy):

This is inside the part of the castle where the Duke of Northumberland lives with his family. Yes, they do live there sometimes and you can see many of the rooms during visiting hours in the summer. There are family photos everywhere in the one sitting room, you kind of feel like you shouldn't be there looking at everything because it does actually appear lived in, rather than a museum-type moment frozen in time. I took a sneaky pic of the China Gallery, I couldn't resist how gorgeous it looked with the jewel tones, carved mahogany, candelabra chandeliers and the reflection of the glass.

Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, after Windsor Castle.  It's 1000 years old if you count back to its original structure. The history of it all is quite interesting, you can read about it here

If you drive outside of the estate and around through Alnwick, you can see the sprawling view of the castle; however I'm not showing you the full sprawl because part of it was being renovated and scaffolding is not charming! (Invariably, whenever I visit an architectural site something is being renovated, it's so frustrating!)

Behind me was a pretty pond:

 

 Photos © The Swelle Life

Dressing Rooms To Die For

So elegant in its symmetry and perfectly decorated with soft colour

In a recent houzz feature, I fell in love with the most gorgeous dressing room (see the ivory and deep rose room further down), and once I got back from buying a lottery ticket I had to see more. I think the dressing room, or the walk-in wardrobe, must be the most aspirational home feature for many women; it's a purely indulgent luxury, your very own space to take as much time as you want getting ready. (Husband is reading this thinking "you're already halfway there.")

Here are the dressing rooms I found on houzz that have given me the sharpest pangs of envy in my stomach:

Gorgeous shimmery nude tones and texture, but I'd love to see the rad covered with this

What one gorgeous bench can do...

Gorgeous rich blues and a great complementary mix of prints (above), and the prettiest blue ever, I think, on the walls below (and that dresser!). It's like a freshened-up grandmother's house:

I want to know more about the ornamentation on the top of the wardrobes, and who made those lamps!

A bathroom big enough to get ready in - see the lovely sink in the mirror reflection?

Open shelves and doorless cupboards are another approach that looks fantastic if you're as good at styling your dressing room as you are yourself!

Photos from houzz.com

1000 Drawers...

...is probably still not enough. I found so many wonderful, unusual pieces when putting together my Fantasy Furniture Ideabook last month for Houzz.com (what, you don't have a throne in your house?),  and I've been meaning to go back and revisit some of the more intriguing makers.

Germany's Entwurf-Direkt is behind one of my favourite pieces from the Ideabook, an awkwardly stacked set of drawers - is it a chest? a console? - with brightly coloured highlights.  The creation is part of their 1000 Drawers project in which orphaned drawers (who knew?) are refurbished and designed to be attached to the wall. Each drawer is numbered and stamped and comes with a certificate. I would like to adopt one:

This is all part of a bigger project founded in 2001 by Entwurf-Direkt that would bring together a shop/event/art venue in one space. Today there are locations for shopping, exhibitions and lectures in both Hamburg and Berlin where you can also find advice on how to incorporate their unconventional furniture into your own decor. That's a good one because you'll probably need help (the answer is not to pile up your existing furniture so it fits in.)

I can't decide which I love more, the one in the header for its cheerful colour, or this for its pleasingly asymmetrical arrangment of 11 mismatched drawers and pulls, and the corrugated texture of the blue drawer: I won't strain over it, it's a moot point - at well over €2,000 I can't afford them! They're all one-offs, and I do think they're worth it. They're like mid-century modern with a sense of humour.

I love these things, let's look at more!

You can buy a single drawer! What would you do with one?

The Worst Interior Design of 1974

"Hi, Sharon? Today I finally found shoes to match my toilet! Is your telephone leaking, too?"

Awful interior design is awesomely entertaining, mainly because we know it began as someone's vision of a beautiful and idyllic living space, and it's fun to try to get our heads around that. The 1970s - a decade I did experience nearly in its entirety - was pretty much a revolt against good taste, typified by snot-green household appliances and casino-inspired carpet and walls that my husband thinks were designed to mask 'fluid' stains. (Don't think about that one too long.)

The worst/best thing about these photos put together by omodern.com are the models. I don't know what was going on there, but this was the decade that gave us the 'Big Momma' underpants from Sears for plus size ladies, and Welcome Back, Kotter as network primetime viewing. Different things were deemed acceptable back then, such as a pervy little boy trying to get a peek under sis' skirt:

You could projectile vomit in this bathroom and no one would know.

"Go on Lois, bend over and pour us more drinks. Feel free to make a phone call while you're down there and take your time doing it."

   

"Honey, I know how hard you try, but your cooking smells like horse shit."

Naked and cowering over the tub, Carol found the yellow and brown bathroom fixtures multiplying at an alarming rate.

 

A room so hideous it frightened children to death.

Decor Daydreaming in Pastels

Here we go again, where I get lost in decorating daydreams on Designers Guild UK. It's impossible not to when you go there. I wouldn't normally want to transport an entire room into my house - the first time I lived on my own someone told me my living room looked like an IKEA showroom and I didn't take that as a compliment - but the Designers Guild stylists have a way of making the polished, elegant beauty of their model rooms seem lived-in and homey. Well, I think so. I have a friend who I suspect thinks my living room isn't the comfy place it should be, but I stand by my view that a room doesn't need overized brown couches and scruffy carpet to offer some peace and relaxation. I've fallen asleep in there enough times to prove otherwise! (I could fall asleep standing up but that's beside the point.)

The midcentury styling above is perfect for rooms that are more linear and have lower ceilings, and for those with lots of height to work with and big bay windows,  a bit of French is the way I would go, and I think they can exist in carefully thought-out combinations.

These textures and colours are gorgeous:

I  love the timeless simplicity of the chairs below and the way colour is emphasised by using contrasting fabrics for the buttons, though using analagous colours isn't my preferred approach - I think contrast with some harmony is far more beautiful. They've done a lilac chair with magenta buttons and it's my favourite, you can see a bit of it here (the stack of cushions isn't a stylish booster seat for short-legged people, it's to show the colour options!):

And these rooms are just a breath of fresh air:

I love the striped turquoise fabric backing this sofa which you can see a bit of in the bottom right photo, what a great surprise! And the matching blue buttons makes this white piece become instantly far more interesting:

Photos: Designers Guild UK