Under the Sea

After a few get togethers with some friends recently, Disney films and particularly The Little Mermaid kept coming up, and so too the "Under the Sea" song.  So with that and mind and a little bit of May sunshine I thought we'd look at a new space to decorate.  This initially was going to be a fun filled colourful room, but as I went browsing I ended up with a more sophisticated twist on it.  I'll probably return to the colourful version later on so watch this space!

Remember the monkey wallpaper I loved (and still do)? Well the company who have that one also have this fantastic Koi Fish print wallpaper.  To refresh the company is called A Shade Wilder Available in a selection of colours, my firm favourite is their black and grey colour way.  I have a sample of this and can assure you that their description of reflective scales really is their, it's beautiful.  If you don't wish to paper a full wall, buy 3 tall frames and frame some of the paper. 




Koi Print wallpaper from A Shade Wilder

As with the other wallpapers they do, they also are very helpful here in providing a suitable cushion.  A fab piece of wall art is also available but I'd rather have the paper and cushion, but if you are only decorating a small space (for example room a home office desk) the artwork will be perfectly suitable.

Koi print cushion

The sea world is filled with textures and interesting object so keeping this in mind with accessories I found some lovely items, from the faux coral, shell balls and faux fossils from Cox & Cox to the silver tea light holder at White Mint.  Add these on floating shelves or mixed with some of your favourite books on this coffee table at West Egg.  I love the rustic metal frame that adds the edge to this room and creates more texture.  Available in grey, white or stripe.

Exclusively Designed by Louisa Blackmore @ West Egg 

 Don't forget the accessories

Faux coral, faux fossil & shell ball from Cox & Cox Tea Light from White Mint

And just before anyone mentions they have nowhere to sit in this room, I'm throwing in some fun from long time favourite Made.com Oh yes they have some new goodies in and I'm pleased to say this as finally arrived, also available in red and shark pattern (yes shark pattern - check out their site for that one).

Fin Chair @ Made

Tropical Living

So just as the sun is shining and we want to make the most of it, off we go outside and realise that as nice as it is out there, that Spring chill still means it's not quite shorts and t-shirts yet.  However if you are fortunate to have a sun room in your home (I'm not but I know how nice it would be) it means you can enjoy all the beauty of Spring and be warmed by the sun as it pours threw the windows.  Enjoy the lighter evenings and nature in all it's beauty, still warm.  Wait a minute though, you don't want standard wicker chairs? and the only place you have to display items is the windowsill?  Why and where would you start decorating this glass box?  Well that's where some of my favourite websites come in!  Let's bring the outside in, a tropical escape as you dream of holidays.

Let's start with your seating.  It's true as you can tell from above I'm not a massive fan of the standard wicker chairs.  Now that doesn't mean I'm not a fan of wicker style but let's find something different.  And don't be afraid to think outside the (glass) box.  Who's says outdoor furniture cant be indoor furniture? Nobody says that, in fact it's a great trend right now.  Also it's handy if you suddenly have a garden party and need extra chairs, you are happy in the knowledge you have great ones inside.  By great I mean these.



Cuba Lounge Chair @ Made

Available in black or green and with the co-ordinating table, choose them in one or both colours to suit your style.

Now as I was hunting for the ideal items to use in the space, I starting looking at blinds, you may not have the walls to hang pictures so make your windows be the feature piece, but I found I was massively torn on two styles so we will look at both, a light, bright style and a slightly dark version.  Depending on design and budget, pick a main window to be your feature window, here you use a bold patterned blind, and the others can be colours taken from that, just as you would with your painted walls.  Head straight to Gilroy Curtains & Blinds for some fantastic prints in a wide variety of colours.  For the bright version I'd go with Calliope as the feature with Apple on the other windows, or a plain white, they have lots available.   Or go dark and choose the black furniture with the Rainforest fabric, with Matara and Brick on the others.




Calliope and Apple

Rainforest with Brick and Matara

Let's finish off styling the green room first.  With plenty of natural light you will need any lighting to be decorative as well as functional, I'm quite loving the bird cage lights from Graham & Green.



Graham & Green Bird Cage

If you need a ceiling light stick with nature and check out the bamboo pendants from Cox & Cox.  A great tip on their site is to hang the two sizes together as below to give a real statement.



Bamboo Pendants @ Cox & Cox

Back on the dark tone, to add a bit of interest (and also because I've really wanted to feature this since I saw it) don't go matching on the table and chairs and go for the bamboo coffee table at Graham & Green.



Bamboo side table at Graham & Green

I just love this parrot on a perch for the windowsill, it doesn't always have to be flowers and candles you know.  Available at Rockett St. George



Windowsill décor at Rockett St George

And lastly you might need some multifunctional storage, where you can put your candles, few books and pictures.  Best about this storage is it can be easily moved, adjusted or added to when you need.  Available in 3 different shapes and each set of 3 in small, medium and large.



Functional and fabulous? Storage boxes from Graham & Green

Go on, relax and think of those hot tropics.



A Little Piece of You

This is a little room that came to mind the other week when searching for new companies to blog about.  Bluebellgray have some beautiful products with simply gorgeous designs.  As well as previous designs featured in the blog, the following pattern really made me smile.  I can't see a pattern like this without it reminding me of my mum.  So appropriately so as today is Mothering Sunday I figured this was the best day to be inspired by Mum. 



Willow fabric from bluebellgray

We all have those days, when we just need our own little space, to switch off and let it be about us.  When I lived at home that space for me was always my bedroom, and my parents room was always called Mum's room, so for this space we are going to look at a bedroom.

Clear the decks, declutter and allow yourself that space that is your own.

White walls, and a neutral flooring, are my usual starting point, I want that soothing, cool feeling that those soft neutral; tones can bring.  However if the bright white is too harsh for you, look at adding a feature wall, or go for it with Sanderson's Blue Moon paint.  Remember a feature wall doesn't have to be the usual wall behind the bed, consider it at the window if you have a great view to look at it will draw your eye there, or how about the wall facing the bed if you have a dressing table here with photos or a collection of your personal nik-naks, it's a beautiful back drop for them.

Blue Moon from Sanderson's
 

The Willow fabric from Bluebellgray is available in fabric panels of 137cm x 340cm (these are fixed sizes), in metre lengths from 1metre (minimum order).  So a couple of fabric panels for the curtains is ideal for this. 

 

They also do a perfectly matching cushion, so do pick up a couple of these lovelies to sort out the bedding.  Keep the rest of the bedding crisp white and with some plain blue cushions behind these to give that showhome look.  Dress the end of the bedding with a soft throw to add those luxury layers and something you can wrap round your shoulders in the evening chill.  Check out Oscar & Eve for their soft mohair throw.

 

Matching Willow Cushion @ bluebellgray

 

Mohair Throw by Bronte @ Oscar & Eve

Keep the accessories of the room simple, sometimes it's great to fill a space and keep the eye interested, but when looking for a calmer space just allow key pieces such as this fabric to be focus.  A few favourite photos by the dressing table, either leaning against the wall or in a salon style arrangement (lots of photos together to create another focal point).  See the way Rose & Grey have theirs (also great frames by the way).

Reclaimed Wooden frames @ Rose & Grey

Add a little dish to the bedside table dressing table for you jewellery or loose change at the end of the day.  I love this Chinese Blue & White ceramic pot from West Egg.

Cermic Pot from West Egg

Enjoy your day and enjoy some down time to yourself.

Spring time Sunshine

So we don't know how long it will last but while it does we enjoy every minute of it.  This lovely sunshine springtime weather is just what has got me thinking.  After a gorgeous walk by the canals last weekend, hearing the birds and seeing nature at it's most beautiful, I felt the need to incorporate this indoors.  I also was doing a little browsing and came across some lovely new websites to feature products from.

Grey is my new black at this time of year.  It can be mixed with a variety of colours and is less dominating than black, so the accessories still stand out but the back drop is not as heavy allowing the room to flow more as one.  See below my chosen sofa from Made.com



Ritchie 2 Seater @ Made

 

Accent chairs are a great addition to a room these days but sometimes the whole, different colour, pattern and style seems a bit much and for this look I want to add pattern and colour elsewhere so I'm going with a different colour and thanks to Made I can keep the same style.



Candy Pink Armchair also @ Made

They do plenty of colours in this design, 3 seater, 2 seater and armchairs.  Don't forget to check out the fabric samples available.

Now to introducing you to some of the lovely accessories I have found on some of the new sites I'm looking forward to featuring more of.  Accessories are a great quick way of updating your look. These cushions are from bluebellgray and to be honest I was hard pushed to pick my favourite, they have more pattern ones on there but I did just keep being drawn to the Betty floral cushion.  I also like the idea of mixing the other cushions using plain but taking colours from the flowers so I am picking both the Saffron Piper and Cindy Piper , gone are the days all cushions need to match but as long as they tie to together in similar colours this will work great.



Selection of cushions @ bluebellgray
Photos by David Cadzow for bluebellgray

Another great site I came across recently is White Mint keep an eye on them as they are going to be adding more products shortly.  A couple of things caught my eye though and for this room I actually quite liked the candle holders, especially the light green.  Better still not only are they lovely, but they are made from recycled glass!

Light Green Recycled Candle Holder @ White Mint
Also available in clear

A great way to keep up with the seasons without having to do a full redecorate of painting and wallpapering, is to use wall decals.  I'm a massive fan (as you will have noticed) and these gorgeous pink butterflies from Rockett St. George are great.  I love how they have them from floor to wall as well, consider this or having them on the ceiling (if your ceiling is smooth) or just a touch from behind the sofa.  Easy to put on and just peel right off.

Beautiful Butterflies @ Rockett St. George

Why not complete your look with some spring time photos of your own?  Or display a few favourites in a trend setting bird shelf? And add a bunch of fresh flowers on the coffee table and little jar of candy for those spring time treats.

Giant Bird Shelf @ Rockett St. George



Candy Jar @ Graham & Green



Happy decorating and make time to enjoy the Springtime while it's around.

Love Is In The Air

A maybe predictable title and predictable blog piece for this time of year, but nevertheless I am going with it.

Yes as February hits, so too does Valentine's Day and everything around seems to be rosey and red.  So let's join in the fun.  Many restaurants get booked up, and their prices go up too.  Now as much as a I love a nice meal out, I love nothing better than being at home with a good meal (preferable one I haven't had to cook - even if that means take out!).  So let's say we are staying in, this is more about the top thing's I have spotted over the last few weeks that you can buy to add that touch of romance to your home.

Rise and Shine - start the day with a bit of breakfast in bed.....a little egg on toast? Oh not just any egg on toast let's have heart shaped eggs with the Fried Egg Heart Mould from Hunkydory Home

Set the romantic tone with breakfast

Don't forget that morning coffee wake me up.  Absolute essential start to the day in our house.  Here's the ideal coffee mug from Red Candy.



Coffee Mugs, cappuccino and espresso cups also available @ Red Candy

Candle Lit Dinner - There are some fab products out there to create you own romantic evening.  Be it chilling on the sofa, then set the scene with heart cushions, fab choices out there.  Have some little cup cakes perfectly placed on your heart cake stand.

Cake stand from Hunkydory Home

 

If you are going all out there for the true candle lit dinner then you are going to need a few pieces to set that mood.  Here is a selection of my favourite finds. 

Matchbox Art @ Rockett St. George

Adorn your wall with beautiful wall flowers, a fab feature to keep up afterwards too
Available from Lorna Syson

Love Place Settings @ Red Candy

 

 

Serving up love with Anthropologie

 

All these sites have plenty of other ideas too and some great gift ideas too.  Whatever you choose to do, spending time with your loved ones, be they friends, family, partners.  Enjoy!





Retro Red

I've recently gone back to doing a bit of part time study, just online and it's all about interiors.  It's great fun, and hard work but I'm looking around thinking where am I most productive with this work.  Sitting on the bed or the sofa are not working.  It was sitting at my kitchen table however I felt inspired.  I've already designed an office for my other half, but what if it was my office space what would I want. 

Well it took little time to decide, staring at my green Sanderson Mobile's Wallpaper.  I decided I'd have the red version.  A strong colour for an office space, but I'd want my space to feel welcoming and not so clinically office!



Sandersons Mobile's 1950s design

If the red isn't your colour, they do 4 other colour options, all with matching fabric available that you can mix and match.  The black version of fabric would work well with this wallpaper.

Paper the wall that will be behind you while you are at the desk.....this means the strong colours will add a great vibe to the room without hurting your eyes if you are looking at it for too long.  And if you are not a wallpapering fan, don't forget you can still use this design by framing large pieces of it to create great art work.  This also allows for easy change in the future.

Add a functional, yet equally stylish desk, courtesy of Made, and if you have a desk top, consider getting a wall mountable screen to keep the space on your desk.  Desk also available in red or white.



Graphix desk from Made.com

In a world of mobile phones, it's great but what about a little mid century style from Red Candy.  They have a bunch of cool mid century, retro phones.  For this 1950s inspired room though I've picked these two, the silver tone being my preferred option to pick out the grey in the wallpaper.



Phones at Red Candy

Give yourself a bit of luxury in this fab chair from Rockett St. George and in the corner add a second chair, for when you need to just back away from that screen and catch up on the latest interiors magazine (Ideal Home in my case).

Black Leather Chair at Rockett St. George

Replica Eames RAR chair from Plush Deco

Keep an eye on your time and set the alarm for that coffee break with a little more help from Red Candy and their Newgate clock.

Tick Tock at Red Candy

Don't forget to add a few floating shelves above the desk for all your books and files, tidy them up in filing boxes, using colours from the wallpaper.  Make sure your shelves are the same colour as the wall so they kind of disappear into it.  Even with books and files on them this helps keeps the space feel open.

In The Mighty Jungle

I recently came across a company called A Shade Wilder, and boy am I pleased I did.  Their products are fabulous.  Something a little different and I can only imagine would be a real talking point if you had any of their products in your home (I'll let you know when I eventually get round to having at least something in my house!).  I requested some samples of their wallpaper and when they arrived, they were even more fabulous than online.  Now my usual black and white style was going to work well with their black and white monkey wallpaper, but I also received the orange/grey version and quite frankly this week I feel like mixing it up!



Treetops Wallpaper from A Shade Wilder

If you do want a less vibrant but still just as WOW factor in this style look at their black/white or dusk version.

Alternative colours of the Treetops design

Now these designs would be great for a kids bedroom, but seeing as though us grown ups are just big kids anyway, let's put this in the lounge.  Yes I know the rules state a living room should be warm, cosy and inviting but this does not mean we have to stick with red tones and wooden furniture.  We can make this living room cosy but totally quirky.  Besides I have a canvas of a cow and another of the Joker from Batman in my living room.....rules? what rules?

Ok so we have our wallpaper and for the purpose of this blog I'm going with the orange/grey as my focus, they are my current colour combination obsession.  Fortunately clever A Shade Wilder also have cushions available you can mix into this décor including coordinating Monkey's or Zebra's and Giraffe's!  You love this already don't you?!

Mix and match at A Shade Wilder

Their cushions are available in a perfect range of mixing and matching with the wallpapers.  For this I want to go back to black and white, but if you have gone with the black/white or dusk shaded wallpaper, use the brighter colours to add that pop!

 

Don't necessarily wallpaper the fireplace wall as a feature wall, look at doing the facing wall, or the wall opposite the window.  If you do the wall facing the fireplace, then above the fireplace you could look at adding a selection of mirrors, they will then reflect the wallpaper creating their own piece of art.

Let your mirrors reflecdt for added art work

And look who has provided just what I need!  That'd be A Shade Wilder.

Lighting should not be forgotten here and one of my favourites, Rockett St. George have just the piece I am looking for.  Shown here with a fab vase by A Shade Wilder.  Remember sometimes in these blogs it's about showing you what is available, then pick the items you want to include, you certainly don't have to put in everything but I like to show you what you can find out there.

VAse at A Shade Wilder Light at Rockett St. George (photo courtesy of Jane Rockett)

Happy decorating everyone! :-)