So it’s a somewhat delayed post Christmas and New Year ditty from me… Huge apologies, but the family Christmas was a bit of a washout due to the nasty sickness bug going around and the New Year has been a flurry of getting the latest addition to the family, ie the baby boy bubba, ready and settled in nursery. And so it’s done. Another year started and lots of projects in the pipeline, events to attend, plans to consolidate, and hopefully horizons to broaden (my own of course).
I always get twitchy at this time of year. As though I can’t wait to shed some wintry, heavy mantle and skip off to challenges new. And I do have some new challenges afoot… Last Monday I returned to work after 10 months of maternity leave. This may be third time down the line, but it still filled me with a mixture of abject terror and ridiculous elation… what, I can go to London on my own, by train (well hopefully), read a magazine, determine what I do when (well within reason, I still have a line manager), have unbroken adult conversations, wear clothes that aren’t covered in snot and baby food, eat my food sitting down and at a leisurely pace?! Yes, and what a treat it was. I got to peruse several of the magazines I have been piling up over the last half a year and I have been left full of bouncy inspiration. Not least from the fantastic colour combos that are being championed at the moment. My favourite of which is the green, black and pink combination. So for my first post of 2017 here are some visuals to whet the old appetite. I hope you like them. (All images are courtesy of pinterest)
Apologies for the radio silence. I’ve been super busy the last few weeks getting things ready and setting up a new space in a retail outlet. All very exciting.
The 1986 film Pretty In Pink became a formative part of my teenage years. Yet, the colour pink in the home has never really done it for me. Well, not until recently that is. I confess to being a complete convert!
Pink in the home can be used in so many different ways. You can introduce subtle pastel pink hues or go full-on saturated in-your-face-pink, or somewhere in the middle. Whole walls can be painted or just well-chosen accent pieces… There is huge scope for experimentation. Combinations that work well are pink and copper, pink and black, pink and concrete, and if you’ve really got guts, pink and red. You can introduce colour through artwork, paint just a door, throw in a vibrant rug or some cushions. If you feel cautious start with soft furnishings as they are straightforward to change. Pink can be sensual or cosy, dramatic or subtle.
So if you are like me – basically turning my nose up at the thought of pink in the home until recently – feast your eyes on these visuals and hopefully you too will see the potential of pink!
Pink trompe l’oeil. (tinekhome.blogspot.dk)Deep, saturated cerise used successfully in a kitchen couple with concrete. The combination stops the pink being too frou frou! (bloglovin.com)Take inspiration from this truly stunning restaurant interior. The Pink Gallery at Sketch in London // pink dining room with retro chairs and chevron floors. (thecarelessblogger.wordpress.com)The Pink Studio, 1911 by Matisse. (TOPofART.com)If you can pull it off, go big and bold and transform the facade of your home with pink! (reifhaus.tumblr.com)Why not look to existing belongings to determine the colour of your walls. Here seashells have been the point of reference. (chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com)Pale pink, but done with aplomb. Who doesn’t love an embossed wall. (1stdibs Introspective on Frank de Biasi / 1stdibs.com)Pink wallpaper punctuated with vintage frames. (boho-weddings.com)Creating a bold statement hallway using salmon pink, and black and white. A combination that definitely works. An eclectic collection of artwork, a vibrant rug, and monochrome stair runner all help pull this strong look off. (domino.com)Introduce pink through fabric and soft furnishings. This Art Deco fabric (1920–1930) would look incredible as curtains. Think sophisticated pink… (pinterest)In the pink. (flickr.com)A pink accent chair. (lisasaysgah.com)Not for the faint-hearted! Pink living room in the home of designer Solange Azagury Partridge – Photography by Neil Gavin (wmagazine.tumblr.com)If you’re going to go pink, go pink… I love the combination of pink and yellow kitchen units. (ilovepolkadot.blogspot.no)I just love this image. (theleoisallinthemind.tumblr.com)Pink and copper. And a tolix chair. What’s not to love! (ideasmag.co.za)Be bold and brave… combine pink and red for a truly dramatic look. (pinterest)Or create a mediterranean roof-dining experience and give the exterior of your home a lush pinky colour wash. (pinterest)Pink doesn’t have to overpower. Here it is used effectively with a combination of seemingly clashing patterns to great effect. (pinterest)Another kitchen. The pink works as a powerful backdrop to a very personal collection of belongings. (pinterest)And to finish, a gorgeous pastel pink geometric artwork. (pinterest)
I don’t know about you, but it’s at this time of year that I like to whisk the other half off, sans children, for a night or two of “boutique-hotel” stay yumminess.
I’ve found fantastic deals on Groupon; truly stunning accommodation on a par with any boutique hotel on airbnb; riffled through the virtual pages of Mr & Mrs Smith for a super-cool destination; or trusted the word of friends and family… And I can’t say we’ve experienced a dud yet. In recent years we’ve visited Prague, The George in Rye, The Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Hastings Old Town, Barcelona, London, Paris, and Castell Deudraeth in Portmeirion in Wales, to name but a few.
And it’s not just about grownup time away from the kids. I get so much inspiration from the places we’ve stayed in that I come away bursting with ideas of how to add a touch of luxe living to my own home. So why not treat yourself to a night away from home and steal some fantastic home styling ideas while you’re at it! Here are some visuals to inspire you. It’s all about creating an indulgent and intimate space, full of layers of lighting, sumptuous bedding, and the odd roll-top bath for good measure.
Next stop a riad in Morocco! Well El Fenn to be precise. It’s on my Christmas list…
A page from one of my scrapbooks.Create an intimate environment with clever lighting. (Photo: Natalia Price-Cabrera / Location: The Tunbridge Wells Hotel)Dark walls and aubergine velvet upholstery, together with a gallery wall work beautifully to create an intimate corner. The Palladian Hotel in Seattle. (lonny.com)The gorgeous Artist Residence Hotel in London. http://artistresidencelondon.co.uk/Artwork in Prague. A bathroom to hide in… for hours! El Fenn. Statement lighting in Barcelona. (photo: Natalia Price-Cabrera)Aim high. The foyer at St Martin’s Lane Hotel, designed by Philippe Starck. http://www.starck.com/Barcelona.The tiny Alma Boutique Hotel in Tel Aviv features boho-chic rooms inspired by the 1920s. (travelandleisure.com)Lighting ideas to steal. Cluster pendants at The Tunbridge Wells Hotel.Why go for understated?! This is an amazing riot of pattern and colour, but the restricted palette means it works beautifully. Toronto-based The Design Agency designed the Generator Hostel in Barcelona, Spain. (contemporist.com)Bold statement lighting in Prague.A bedroom fit for a Queen. Coqui Coqui Mérida Hotel in Mexico. (bloglovin.com)Add a little hotel glamour to your home with bespoke lighting by Mols & Tati-Lois. http://www.molsandtatilois.com/Designer Ilse Crawford and her team realise a passion for ‘homeliness’ in the creation of Stockholm boutique hotel Ett Hem. Vogue Living November/December 2012. Photograph by Magnus Marding. (voguelivingmagazine.tumblr.com)More El Fenn, Morocco. (sfgirlbybay.com)
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)
I recall clearly when my love affair with Frida began…
I was in my early teens when my parents took me to an exhibition to see the work of Mexican artist Diego Rivera. In a small section of the show there was a subsidiary exhibition of the work of artist Frida Kahlo, Diego’s wife. I was blown away by the power of her paintings, their tactile nature and the feast of colour and pattern presented in them. Full of references to indigenous Mexican culture, I was drawn to their primitive style and bold use of symbolism.
Since then I’ve been hooked and have looked to Frida’s work for inspiration in much of what I do – and I seem to not be the only one. Frida lives on as a modern-day cultural icon and references to her style and art can be seen in fashion trends, interior furnishings, photography, and popular culture on a regular basis. Personally, given half the chance I would surround myself in all things Frida-oriented! I recently treated myself to a gorgeous Queenie and Ted wrap with stunning embroidery and applique that to me is very Frida Kahlo. It has become my go-to autumn accessory!
So in celebration of Frida and her enduring influence on all things visual here are some images to inspire you… I hope you enjoy!
All hail Queen Frida. (pinterest)Influence on fashion. (pinterest)Interiors a la Frida. (pinterest)Colours and flowers. (pinterest)Folk, boho, and Frida come together in this stunning interior. (pinterest)Queenie and Ted Frida wrap. http://www.queenieandted.co.ukColours and symbolism. (pinterest)Frida gracing the cover of Vogue. (pinterest)Jean Paul Gaultier and Frida. (pinterest)It’s all about that centre parting! (pinterest)More influence on fashion. (pinterest)Frida and deer. (pinterest)Folk and Frida. (honestlywtf.com)‘Self-portrait with Monkeys’, detail. http://www.thecityreview.comInterior. (pinterest)Poster (Tano Design/pinterest).Bold colours and patterns. (pinterest)Frida-influenced moodboard. (www.molsandtatilois.com)Folk and Frida. (honestlywtf.com)Crockery by Wild and Violet. http://wildandviolet.bigcartel.com/Vibrant upholstery. (pinterest)Homage to Frida. Artist Yasumasa Morimura. (artnet)(pinterest)Gracing Vogue once more. (pinterest)Frida. (pinterest)Fashion and Frida. (pinterest)More fashion and Frida. (pinterest)Frida/Daft Punk. (kottke.org)Frida print from rockett st george. http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/Frida socks (hotsox.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).
The Maximalist 