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)
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)
The Maximalist 