What do you get if you throw eccentricity, britishness, a predilection for all things Baroque, and a hefty dose of wit into a bag and give it a thoroughly good shake up? Why, you get seriously exciting design ideas…
I would also like to point you in the direction of Mister Finch – the super-talented textile artist whose exquisite oversized insects should adorn every interior in my humble opinion; Alex MacArthur Interiors – a veritable cabinet of curiosities; and Melody Rose – bone china “marrying the unexpected with the traditional; images that shock and please in equal measure; the juxtaposition of quaint and quirky.”
So as winter approaches and we get ready to hunker down for a cold spell, why not inject a bit of good old-fashioned drama into your home interior. Surround yourself with unusual objects and create a cocoon of design statements. Think open fires, rugs, lots of texture, dark walls, creative lighting, kooky accessories, witty artworks, and a large dollop of weird and wonderful eccentricity. If nothing else, it will make you smile as you sip your mulled wine and listen to the wind and rain beating down outside. Home should after all be a sanctuary…
A page from one of my scrapbooks.Striking wall art from Mineheart. (www.mineheart.com)More striking wall art from Mineheart. (www.mineheart.com)A cabinet of curiosities from Alex MacArthur Interiors. (www.alexmacarthur.co.uk)Lush, dark, wallpaper design from Witch and Watchman. http://witchandwatchman.comTransform your home into a treasure chest. (pinterest)Annabelle rug from Mineheart. (www.mineheart.com)Dark walls, an open fire, and some antlers. What’s not to love! (thisivyhouse.tumblr.com)Cosy up a corner to snuggle up in.(homedesignlover.com)Add a bit of cheeky humour to a room. Burlesque wallpaper from Dupenny. (www.dupenny.com/wallpaper/burlesque)Lady Peacock cushions. (www.mineheart.com)Oversized moths by textile artist Mister Finch. (www.mister-finch.com)Velvet-flocked cherubs from Squint Limited. (www.squintlimited.com)Nostalgia and whimsy combine in this charming wallpaper from Elli Popp. (http://ellipopp.co.uk)‘Rinse’ artwork from Abigail Ahern. (http://abigailahern.com)Abigail Ahern lighting for Debenhams. (www.debenhams.com)Wallpapers by the uber-talented Deborah Bowness. (www.deborahbowness.com)“The Melody Rose brand is known for high quality, contemporary bone china tableware with an elegant twist.” (www.melodyrose.co.uk)Majestic textile swan from Mister Finch. (www.mister-finch.com)Print heaven from House of Hackney, the Artemis collection. (www.houseofhackney.com)Butterfly domes from Alex MacArthur Interiors. (www.alexmacarthur.co.uk)More scrummy wallpapers from Deborah Bowness. (www.deborahbowness.com)Taxidermy taken to the extreme. (by Decorista Daydreams from bloglovin.com)
Kitsch (/ˈkɪtʃ/; loanword from German, also called cheesiness and tackiness) is a low-brow style of mass-produced art or design using popular or cultural icons.
Who doesn’t love a kitsch interior? I can’t get enough of it. I don’t care how naff it is. The naffer the better. Festooned with plastic flowers, pseudo religious iconography – shrines are cool, faux taxidermy, flamingos, neon lights, stuffed animals, cocktail bars, a miami palette, disco balls, and as much paraphernalia of mass-produced popular culture as you can muster.
In my opinion the King of kitsch, albeit very tastefully done, is without a doubt Jonathan Adler. With his origins in pottery, Jonathan Adler is now an iconic interiors brand and worldwide phenomenon. The man himself is potter, designer, author, and personality dedicated to bringing style, craft and joy to your life. “Jonathan’s creativity is fuelled by various sources of inspiration: Mid-century modern, art and global pop culture combine to create the signature Adler aesthetic.” And boy does he pull it off with sophisticated aplomb.
Another great source of inspiration is film. Have a look at the interiors in films by Wes Anderson, Pedro Almodovar, Michel Gondry, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Kooky and kitsch in equal measures, these directors have created their own very distinct visual language through the medium of film.
Feast your eyes on all these gorgeous images to get you in the mood for a kitsch-fest.
Every home should have a cocktail bar. Furbish Studio, Bar vignette, bar styling, blue and white porcelain, Jamie Meares. Flickr by Jamie Meares. (isuwannee.com)The ultimate in kitsch interiors. Inside the home of artists Gilbert & George. (pinterest)A flamingo is a must! (www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk)Plastic flowers and religious iconography… what’s not to love. Guadalupe Altar outside the home of a fisherman on the Pacific coast of Guerrero, Mexico by Ilhuicamina. (flickr.com)Neon lighting from Oakley Illuminations. (theselby.com)Kitsch-tastic. (pinterest)Vladimir Tretchikoff artwork. (www.vladimirtretchikoff.com/gallery.htm)Oversized ornaments from Jonathan Adler.Every home should have a vintage motion hula lamp. (alohaoutlet.com)Kitsch heaven… not for the faint hearted! (pinterest)The genius that is Wes Anderson. (pinterest)Jonathan Adler’s sophisticated kitsch.A Clockwork Orange film set. (pinterest)On the set of ‘Broken Embraces’ by Pedro Almodovar.Kitsch glamour a la trailor trash. (junkgypsyblog.com)Just because. (urban outfitters)‘Amelie’ screen shot. (pinterest)Wes Anderson-designed cafe, Bar Luca, in Milan. (http://www.dezeen.com/2015/06/07/wes-anderson-designed-bar-luce-takes-cues-old-milanese-landmarks-cafes-fondazione-prada-interiors/)The very cool photographs by actor, director and photographer Aaron Ruell. (http://www.aruell.com/)
a brief evocative description, account, or episode.
“a classic vignette of embassy life”
2.
a small illustration or portrait photograph which fades into its background without a definite border.
In interior design terms, a vignette is a collection of objects displayed in such a way as to possibly create a ‘story.’ By this I mean the objects on display can go some way as to explain something about the person whose home it is – perhaps they love patterned crockery, or they are a voracious explorer, or they collect art, or they are passionate about shoes…
I am an ardent collector. I always have been. A veritable magpie, I freely admit. Over the years I have collected vintage bottles, coloured glassware, crockery, miniature chairs, postcards, tiles, religious effigies and artefacts, mirrors, brooches, scarves, paintings…and I could go on! And I am a great fan of creating vignettes. There are no hard and fast rules in my opinion, although objects do tend to work better if displayed in multiples of odd numbers. The beauty of a vignette is that you can change it as and when you feel like it. You can become your own interior ‘curator’. Don’t hide your possessions away. They speak volumes about who you are as a person and the experiences you have had throughout your life. I find great comfort in having objects that are dear to me dotted around the house… even if they do collect dust! At a base level they make me smile, and that’s never a bad thing in my book.
Possessions can spark wonderful memories of travels to far-off lands or ‘just because’ gifts from close friends. Why keep them in the loft? So I urge you to unpack your treasures and show them off with pride. There is no right or wrong, as you will see from the visuals that follow. Trust your gut. If you don’t like how certain objects work together, just swap them around a bit. It’s that simple. I particularly love out-of-context displays. For example, at home I have a collection of mismatched cups and saucers in one of our bathrooms just because the colours work well together. And why not…?
One thing to consider with any form of vignette is how to light it to create the most impact. This type of lighting is what is known as ‘accent’ lighting. You can achieve this by having table lamps dotted around next to any vignette you’ve created, or you could have directional lighting so you can angle lighting in a specific direction. Again, experiment to find out what gives the best end result. In my book a vignette should always have an edge of drama and that’s where the lighting can come into full effect. So go forth and rustle up a little bit of theatre in your home. I promise you’ll be hooked in no time!
Use colour boldly and don’t be afraid to layer. Interior Color. Jasmine Wallpaper from Farrow Ball | Avenue Magazine (thedesignsheppard.com)Create a wall display with pinned cuttings. (shabbychicgirls.blogspot.com)Display objects of a similar colour. Here vintage pottery vases work beautifully together. (binkandboo.net)Create gallery walls with groups of artwork. Here the different-sized pictures hang together beautifully on the solid-coloured background wall. (dailydreamdecor.com)My collection of cups and saucers in one of our bathrooms. (Photo by Chris Gatcum)Pattern-clashing vignette. You can create a vignette from pretty much anything. (garoopatternandcolour.tumblr.com)A bedside table can double up as a tiny ‘gallery’ space. (elledecor.com)Vignettes can be dramatic and unusual. (scotch-collectables.com)Consider carefully how you light your vignette. Here a feature table lamp has been incorporated into the display. (Lampshade by http://www.molsandtatilois.com / Photo by Chris Gatcum)And why not hang clothes on the wall. (desiretoinspire.net)Crockery can be very effective as wall art. (independent.co.uk)Pile shelves with curios and emulate an apothecary cabinet. (homelife.com.au)One can never have too much glassware! Brabourne Farm (brabournefarm.blogspot.com)Small cameos work well clustered together. (toast.co.uk)Collections can be totally random. They still hang together beautifully. Photo – Sean Fennessy, styling – Lucy Feagins (thedesignfiles.net)Books with interesting spines always work well. So too do trinkets and favourite pieces of jewellery. (elledecor.com)Throw colour at a vignette. (Lampshade by http://www.molsandtatilois.com / top plate by Remnant Black / bottom plate by Wild & Violet / Photo by Chris Gatcum)Open shelves in a kitchen are a great way of showing off beautiful crockery and glassware. (gypsypurple.blogspot.com)
The now ubiquitous pineapple was once a rare beast…
Indigenous to South America, the pineapple was introduced to northern Europe by the Dutch and the first successfully cultivated pineapple is recorded as having been grown in 1658. Catherine the Great was a huge fan and grew pineapples on her estate. Importing pineapples was expensive, so too was growing a tropical fruit in a temperate climate, so it wasn’t long before the pineapple was seen as a symbol of extreme wealth, becoming the subject of great rivalry between wealthy aristocrats.
This plate is from Christopher Jacob Trew’s Plantae Selectae (Nuremberg, 1750–73), which was illustrated by Georg Dionysius Ehret. (tinypineapple.com)
Throughout history the pineapple has also been used widely as a design motif, symbolising warmth and hospitality. Incorporated into all manner of home furnishings – from furniture, ornaments, wallpaper, table linen, crockery – the popularity of the pineapple is alive and well. Currently referred to as a micro-trend within the world of interiors, the pineapple is still a curious-looking fruit, but with an undeniable big dollop of charm. I am a huge fan and I couldn’t care less if it’s become a design cliche! Long live the pineapple!
So here are some glorious ways you can incorporate the pineapple into your own home…
Pineapple wall lighting sconce from abigailahern.com.Iguana Superwide by Timorous Beasties. (timorousbeasties.com)DecoBREEZE Pineapple Figurine Fan. (m.shop.nordstrom.com)Adelphi Custom and Historic Wallpaper and Paper Hangings. (adelphipaperhangings.com)Some pineapple artwork? (thedesignfiles.net)Large Turquoise Sofie Pineapple Container. (templeandwebster.com.au)Pineapple lamp base by House of Hackney.Papercraft pineapple from peachblossom.co.uk.Pineapple Door Knocker. (capecodweathervanecompany.com)Pineapple lamp on old gold carambola side table. (rockettstgeorge.co.uk)Pineapple vases. (bloglovin.com)Pineapple cushions. (decor8blog.com)Every home should have a resin pineapple! (mybuckett.com)Åsa Jungnelius – Riff Relay #2 (design-milk.com)Vintage mid century brass pineapples. (tumblr.com)Deb Haugen For DENY Pineapple 1 Tapestry (urbanoutfitters.com)Possibly my favourite interpretation! Salt & Pepper Shakers by Godinger on @HauteLook. (hautelook.com)Goodnight Light Pineapple lamp. (vogue.com)More fruity lighting. Perfect for a child’s room. (pauletpaula.com)Pineapples as accessories. (etsy.com)Pineapple passion.(anothermag.com)
Who doesn’t love pattern? I certainly do. My philosophy is that there can never be too much. Pattern clashing rules.
Perhaps not for the faint hearted, but you really can layer pattern on pattern to your heart’s content. I can’t imagine a world without pattern. And a home without pattern… doesn’t bear thinking about! It can seem overwhelming dealing with pattern, but with a few basics up your sleeves and some belief in your ability to select and combine prints, you’ll be amazed at what can be achieved.
It’s not just about being brave with pattern; be adventurous with texture too. You can introduce pattern and texture into your home in many different ways. An obvious way is through accessories such as cushions, curtains, rugs, and throws. Wallpaper is a fantastic way of adding both pattern and texture. I am a huge fan of wallpaper (so much so I wrote and curated The Wallpaper Colouring Book!). These days you can find stunning wallpapers in all price ranges. Wallpaper Direct is a great starting point. It should come with a warning though… I can spend hours exploring on there and whole days can be lost.
Artwork is another way of bringing pattern into the home. This is a clever way of getting your pattern fix without committing to anything too permanent. I often frame wallpaper samples or pages from magazines to create mini worlds of pattern on the walls of my home. Experiment. If you don’t like it you can always change it at hardly any cost.
Stencilling is another way of adding pattern. On floors, walls and furniture, stencilling has come a long way of late and there are some truly beautiful sources of inspiration out there. Just stick ‘stencilling’ into the search bar on pinterest and you will be spoilt for choice!
And no one does it better than Tracy Porter, Poetic Wanderlust when it comes to pattern, particularly on crockery! Tracy is a designer after my own heart. I would happily decorate my home with her entire range! She carries pattern through every possible surface imaginable with true aplomb. Definitely worth a look if you are not already familiar with her work.
So go on, explore a little and channel your inner ‘brave’ self.
Pierre Bonnard (google images)(www.poeticwanderlust.com)Edouard Vuillard (google images)I heart Tracy Porter.A fantastic source of inspiration… the work of artist Jill Ricci. (jillricci.com)Pattern, colour and texture working beautifully together. (squint limited)Floral heaven (Found on arcademi.com).Just yum. (www.poeticwanderlust.com)Serious pattern clashing, but it works. (www.olyaivanova.com)Edouard Vuillard (google images)Tracy Porter rocks!(http://www.poeticwanderlust.com/inspiration.html)It’s not just about being brave with pattern; be adventurous with texture too. Here we can see orange suede, shot silk, damask and hand-woven material I brought back from Cambodia all working beautifully together. The colour palette is fairly constrained, but the juxtaposition of textures is what brings the excitement. (photo by Chris Gatcum)Pierre Bonnard (google images)I recovered this old wing-back chair I found online in some gorgeous 1950s barkcloth and some donkey-brown velvet. I’ve teamed this with a couple of contemporary print cushions and a cushion I made myself with Lucienne Day-style prints. This colour scheme is predominantly grey, black, and yellow, but I’ve lifted it with the lampshade, which has orange, green and blues in the pattern, and with the orange accent ceramic pieces. (photo by Chris Gatcum)Floor stencilling (blog.freepeople.com).
“Lighting is the unsung hero of design.” Jonathan Adler
Mr Adler couldn’t be more right. Anyone who knows me, knows my complete obsession with lighting. Old, new, big, small, modern, vintage, kitsch, sleek… I don’t mind. I love it all. So now that the days are getting shorter, darker, and markedly colder, I thought it only apt to celebrate lighting in the home. In particular, statement lighting.
Lighting really can transform a home. It can turn an otherwise unwelcoming space into a glowing haven you won’t want to leave. The number of lamps and lights we have at home has become a bit of a running joke. I truly believe you can never have too many! Our main living room alone has eight at the moment and each has a specific purpose.
Below are some examples of gorgeous lighting together with go-to sources where you can find similar products for your own home. I hope you feel inspired to add a little lighting magic to your home now winter is approaching. Have fun!
A 1961 oversize Venini chandelier and vintage Stilnovo hexagonal wall lights dominate the entryway. A Fine Balance – T Magazine (nytimes.com)Stunning wall lights by Dimore Studio. (dimorestudio.eu)Danish design hanging lamp. Semi by Claus Bonderup and Torsten Thorup 1968. (pinterest)Mixing old and new faultlessly. This space is just beautiful. (dimoregallery.com)Some of my favourites! Rolling greens’ arrangement bar in L.A. / sfgirlbybay.com.More yumminess from Dimore: “Milan Design Week 2014. The Dimore duo are the pioneers of an exceptional & a truly unique aesthetic, forging new ground in unchartered territory of unwritten design rules.” (yellowtrace.com.au)Copper Round Pendant by Tom Dixon. £255.00 http://www.heals.comThe jewel-like Lily range from Martin Huxford. £495.(martinhuxford.com)The Decanterlight Chandelier by Lee Broom £1,250 http://www.heals.comFacet 18 Mini Pendant Stainless Steel by Innermost £557 http://www.heals.comFacet 60 Round Chandelier Pendant Brass by Innermost £8,250 http://www.heals.comNeon Font Wall Light by Seletti £40 http://www.heals.comNEO-BAROQUE CHANDELIER £1,785.00 abigailahern.comERIGONE CHANDELIER £1,450.00 abigailahern.comSTARBURST CEILING LIGHT £640.00 abigailahern.com
“White… is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black…” Gilbert K. Chesterton
I will be honest, hitherto I have not been a fan of a lack of colour. In fact, the very absence of colour makes me get a tad twitchy. I thrive off colour, lots of it, and pattern in abundance. So, I thought I’d take myself out of my comfort zone and see what all the fuss was about.
Neutrals, whites, natural materials… plain, dull, soulless. Well, that’s what I used to think. I did some digging around and it’s quite incredible what you can create with a very restrained palette and lots of different textures – not just soft furnishings; you can source incredible textured wallpapers and tiles these days to add further dimension to your walls. Far from clinical and devoid of any personality, you can create quite wonderful, uplifting, almost spiritual spaces.
Two designers whose signature style is the very absence of colour are Alex Legendre and Zoe Ellison, owners and founders of the divine i gigi General Store in Hove, East Sussex. Alex and Zoe have embraced unique textures and a natural palette to create a haven of calm. They have also written a beautiful book called A Life Less Ordinary, which I highly recommend for anyone who wants to pour over gorgeous photography and interiors. Definitely one to curl up with.
Below I’ve collected some inspiration for you should you wish to travel down the route of natural palettes. It’s certainly a style that can be successfully applied to any room in the home. Just beware of small people with crayons and sticky hands is all I can say…I can’t say I am a complete convert, but I am certainly not quite the skeptic I once was! Enjoy.
A monastic experience? It’s all about texture. (srta-pepis.tumblr.com)Stripping it all back. (esin-ozcan.tumblr.com)i gigi general store on Hove, East Sussex. (www.igigigeneralstore.com)Simplicity in the kitchen. (pinterest)A veritable celebration of white. (pinterest)Stunning beaded chandelier from http://www.bodieandfou.com.Vita Eos Feather pendant light from http://www.papilloninteriors.co.uk.Grey flocked donkey head from http://www.abigailahern.com.An injection of natural materials. (pinterest)Chair from http://www.bodieandfou.com.Neal Grundy photography. http://www.igigigeneralstore.comWhite and cream rag rug made out of upcycled T shirts by Handiworkingirls (www.etsy.com).Doing the neutral thing, but with a splash of wall art colour. For me a happy compromise! (pinterest)
boudoir. (ˈbuːdwɑː; -dwɔː) 1. a woman’s dressing room, bedroom or private sitting room or salon. [C18: from French, literally: room for sulking in, from ‘bouder’ to sulk]
Now the weather is turning decidedly autumnal how about creating a warm and relaxing sanctuary in the home where you can snuggle up with a good book, a hot drink and some cake, or luxuriate in a roll-top glass with some tunes and an indulgent glass of bubbly… I’m in!
For me the boudoir look is all about opulence, texture, pattern, drama, deep rich colours, and some female charm. Lighting is key too. This is a fantastic look to work with in a bedroom, dressing room, powder room or snug. If you are not a fan of bright colours you can always adopt a more sedate palette of nudes, creams, sorbet pinks and chocolatey browns.
A page from my scrapbook.Getting that boudoir feeling. Another page from one of my scrapbooks.Photographer: Miss Aniela. Series: Surreal Fashion. Model: Faye Shearwood Stylist: Minna Attala. Dress: Busardi. Feather cape:National Theatre Costume Archive. Hair: Doubravka Marcinkova. Make-up: Rhiannon Chalmers. Stylist’s assistant: Becky Smith. Photographer’s assistant: Tim Charles Matthews.More Miss Aniela gorgeousness.Photographer: Miss Aniela / Model: Kim Davis / Dress created by Kirsty Mitchell Photography / Stylist: Minna Attala / Hair: Anne Veck / Makeup: Grace Gray / Photographer’s assistants: Greg Sikorski, Matt Lennard, Ian MearsSomewhere to recline with a glass of fizz. (image from pinterest)Grab a book and doze in this delightful space. (pinterest)A dressing room fit for any discerning boudoir fan. Loving the lampshade by Zoe Darlington. (Image from Pearl Lowe’s Vintage book/pinterest)Matisse’s ‘Seville Still Life’. (google images)Matisse’s ‘Reclining Nude Back’. (google images)Sumptuous lighting design by the extremely talented Zoe Darlington. Lush! (www.zoedarlington.co.uk)More yumminess from Zoe Darlington. (www.zoedarlington.co.uk)The Bluebell sofa from sofa.com.Waterblooms Crewelwork Rug by anthropologie. (www.anthropologie.com)Inject some colour into your scheme with the Maud Deco by Mols & Tati-Lois. (Photo by Chris Gatcum)The Club Tartan from Mols & Tati-Lois. (Photo by Chris Gatcum)Pineapple wall sconce from http://www.abigailahern.com.Anthropologie’s Nature Table Dessert Plate… perfect for eating cake off. (www.anthropologie.com)Elegant perfume bottles are a must. (fredmiranda.com)The bubbly is beckoning… so let’s get supping. Enjoy. (pinterest)
The work of the extremely talented artist/photographer, Miss Aniela, encapsulates the boudoir look perfectly in my opinion and she adds a healthy injection of attitude. A very modern boudoir I would say.
Think lush fabrics such as velvet combined with sheers, fresh flowers releasing a heady aroma, ornate mirrors, furniture to recline on (sofa.com has some beautiful customisable sofas), pattern clashing, flamboyant lighting (visit Zoe Darlington, she rocks, and of course Mols & Tati-Lois), beads, tassels, fringing, dark corners, rugs, throws, cushions, arresting wall art.
There’s so much scope with this interior style so let your imagination run wild.
Breathe some life back into a sad-looking charity-shop find and create a stunning conversation piece for your home.
Today I am going to show you how to quickly and easily transform a tatty old foot stool into a quirky, unique object of beauty for the home. A foot stool makes a great little punch of detail in a room if you don’t feel confident yet to reupholster a whole chair or sofa. Kids love sitting on them too! So let’s get creating… I hope you enjoy it.
What you will need:
-A foot stool
-Fabric
-Staple gun plus staples
-Hammer
-Pliers
-Upholstery tack strip trim plus tacks (you can use just standard tacks, but strips save time)
Step 1: A tower of foot stools. What the foot stool looked like originally.Step 2: Original foot stool stripped of old fabric and any tacks and staples, and with legs already painted, distressed and waxed.Step 3: The length of upholstery tack strip needs to be long enough to work around the whole of the edge of the top of the foot stool.Step 4: You will need sufficient fabric to cover the top of the foot stool plus an inch for turnover. I’ve used a vintage-style tea towel to cover this foot stool.Step 5: Start by stapling each edge in the centre point of the fabric, creating a smooth seam by turning the fabric back on itself by about and inch.Step 6: Once you’ve secured each edge you can start stapling along each edge fully. You will need to pull the fabric taut in order to avoid an uneven finish, but do not stretch it so much that you the pattern if the fabric has one.Step 7: Next attach the upholstery tack trim by bending it around the edges of the foot stool to cover the line of staples. Use a hammer and watch out for your fingers!Step 8: The finished foot stool transformed into something really rather lovely. Definitely something to be proud of!Alternative trims and finishes: You don’t have to limit yourself to upholstery tacks to finish your foot stool off. Pom poms, braiding, ribbon, and even buttons can be glued or stitched around the edge of your foot stool to cover the staples and create a unique trim. You also don’t need to use one whole piece of fabric. A great way of using up remnants of fabric is create a patchwork foot stool. This is a great way to mix up print styles.The finished stool! A foot stool makes a great little punch of detail in a room if you don’t feel confident yet to reupholster a whole chair or sofa. Kids love sitting on them too!
The Maximalist 