Styling Idea # 378 Gold Trims

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST 

Ok…I am predicting a major gold revival!

Interiors have been awash with silver and its shady cousins (grey, chandeliers, crystal, mirror furniture) for too long! Let’s get for gold (I honestly was not meaning to create a pun) and embrace this new hue along with brass, wood, leather and a pop of brights!

Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Styling Idea # 344 Rug in the Kitchen

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

In the land of decorating and styling the rug is akin to a magic wand. It has the powers to create invisible walls where no walls exist, it can change the mood, temperature and acoustics of a space all at once and powerfully divides or unites spaces  at your request.

An open plan kitchen living is an excellent place to turn on some of this magic!

Design Attractor

Styling Idea # 323 DIY Storage Wall

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST 

Wow wow wowie. The number of ideas and visions that come to mind when I think about this styling area are incredible!! Some photos really get you thinking and for me this is one of them. What are your thoughts?

Check out this perfectly curated storage wall. YUM. Aptly found on Today you Inspired Me!

Today You Inspired Me

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• This images uses all white storage – I would love to see this in wood such a teak or brazilian rose wood- vintage style.
• Plan you heights and don’t try to make units look like they are connected- the variances from one to another create the visual interest.
• I love the gallery style paintings above- look for ways to gain height with the prints- that will help balance the length of the storage units and pull it all together as one cohesive vision.
• If you must place items on top of the storage units (here they have used almost all white) I would treed lightly…perhaps display 3 or 4 and remove 1 or 2. Be discreet.

Styling Idea # 318 Runner Along Bed

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST 

After a dreamy, long sleep listening to the sound of rain I was lucky enough to sleep in today as I don’t start until 10am! Gotta love a mid week late start. Although it does afford you the extra time to do good things, like exercise, I opted for the extra good things, like pancakes. I thought this little story had a nice link with the play on word title of this post “Runner along bed” – kinda doesn’t make sense until you see the picture.

One Hour

TRANSLATION TRY THIS AT HOME 

• The beauty of this styling idea is creates the illusion of two things- 1- extra space. 2- segregation. Both of which are excellent things to achieve in the smallish spaces that are bedrooms.
• You have two options- go with the palette of the room for a neutral streamline look or inject a new colour or pattern for fun.
• I love that your eye is drawn to the dresser and mirror- don’t let this idea run to no mans land- have a destination at the end.

Styling Idea 289 # Zig Zags

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

I must say I am little disappointed. The House and Garden top 50 rooms are now online and I was so excited to check them out. However the quality and inspiration level zig zags all over the place! (What a PUN!) But seriously, I am sure these rooms are beautiful in real life however most just loose the wow factor in the photography. My mum’s house should be in the list next year because some of her rooms kick arse over these. We just need a really good photographer to capture the moment. Visit the slideshow here and let me know what you think.

House and Garden- room by Diane Berferon

Painted Furniture

Vogue Living

Styling Idea # 262 Rich Tuesday Printed Settee

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

If you really want to evoke a Parisian feel (yes, this is for my house in Paris) then you must look seriously at a settee- and I would advise upholstering in a fabric with a bit of personality and a lot of restraint. Floral is too predictable however a magical modern black and white print is perfect.

From the Right Bank

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• Style with colour block cushions and a coffee table stacked with colorful spines.
• Ensure that you are balanced with other prints- this colourful ikat is so cheeky and could have been a risk but it works a treat.
• Artwork hang nonchalantly and includes only real gallery pieces.
• Roses roses and roses only. Serve with tea.

Styling Idea # 201 Bench Seats with Tray Table

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

Cold days are supposed to be about sitting around and sipping tea. Not going to work and needing coffee. We have got it all wrong!

I love this simple little way to had personality.

Absolutely Beautiful Things

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• I love that these bench seats have been left just far enough apart to add a small tea tray- so simple but excellent styling- not to mention functional to boot.
• Note that this images uses a rug on the floor and on the wall- I’m a fan.
• Mix patterns in the cushions and make sure there is enough to be comfortable.

Styling Idea # 121 Visitor Chairs

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

I hope you will forgive me for doing a short post today- the weekend of birthday festivities has left me a bit rushed, exhausted and probably late for work! I have so much to share from an amazing weekend but not enough time to squeeze it into this post. I was so spolit and one of the lovely gifts I received was The Story of Eames furniture! An incredible double book collectors package that I cannot wait to devour. Most will recognize the married couples work from the famous lounge chair with ottoman but (as I am about to discover) there is so much more.

Here is an iconic white DSW chair used a visitor chair in this sleek and stylish room.

DESIGN QUESTION? – Can anyone tell me if the DSW is in fact a replica- I thought that Vitra manufactured the Dining Height Side Chair with wooden legs and the DSX had a lower cross section? Also- I know that is of course a Featherstone in the grey upholstered fabric but I cannot remember the name? Bonus points if you can help me out??

INSPIRATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• I love that the chairs sit in front of the television as if to say that it is not the most important element in the room. I think we get precious about styling for viewing TV and realistically I think that is a bit sad- there is more the life than the big black rectangle and the crap that is on it!
• All the elements have been held together with the rug- two small chairs would appear floating in space if they were not given this dimension.
• If you are keen to give this idea a go be very simple with your colour palette- take it from the Scandinavians and use teak, black and white and maybe a touch of grey.

Styling Idea #15 Cowhide Rugs

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

Oh I love new products that have been designed by clever people! Reading Mr Jason Grants Blog I found out that the People’s Choice Awards are on now for Evolve Design awards – jump on and have your say. Patterned, printed, designed, collaborated rugs are huge at the moment so there is no excuse for boring floors- although I must say they don’t always hit the nail on head for me- too many leave me feeling kind of….perplexed?

How would this really look on my floor?? Some of rugs make me we want to shout (in a good way!)

I agree with Jason’s selection of picks but I would also add Emma Elizabeth round diamond because round rugs are unbelievable. Also because I am a huge fan of Emma’s vision and think she is an incredible stylist – if you are not already following her Design Vlog hurry up.

Anyway- back to the post about cowhide- here are my picks from around the traps!

Emmas Blog

Samantha Pynn

Living Etc

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• There is something soooo comforting about these rugs against the new flashy designer prints don’t you think?
• Yes, they are earthy, so keep them earthy in colours and tone- leather, brown, black, neutrals, charcoals, green.
• No, they are not country so stay away from cane, taxidermy, dried floral arrangements or coffee tables that look like tree stumps.
• Yes, they can be kitsch so think about retro references such as exposed brick, modular lounges, matching ottomans (YES) swinging salon doors and chandeliers- if that’s what your into.
• These images all show surprisingly sunny cowhide but I like it a little more dark and moody- heavy wood, burgundy leather, bookcases and record players.
• Be aware of wear and tear- these will improve with age in my opinion but if you want perfection place them in low traffic areas.
• Do look for different prints to suit your style – block colours work well if you like prints and artwork elsewhere, tri-colour can be an over powering print so select these wisely.
• I love how Samantha Pynn used a clear transparent coffee table over the rug to see the full effect- top points.
• Combine with carpet or floorboards- this idea will work with both.
• If you like minimal interiors this will work, conversely if you want to lots of layers don’t look past a cowhide.
• If you like animal skin to stay on the animals don’t bother with idea at all- it will just make you sad.

I would really love your thoughts on cowhide v new designer rugs craze??

Styling Idea # 6 B&W Striped Rugs

INSPIRATION FOR THIS POST

Its feeling a little bit warmer in Sydney today- I’m hoping it will reach its forecasted 22 degrees!

I am not really thinking about spring yet (still two weeks to go and counting) but we start to think about ways to cross the seasons- Winter and Spring- Wing? Probably won’t take off. At this time of year the mornings and nights are cold but you want to start to lighten up the place- flat weave striped rugs and native flowers are my pick. This way you keep your feet warm but the lighter stripes put a spring in your step.

Vogue Living

Living Etc

Apartment Therapy

TRANSLATION: TRY THIS AT HOME

• Welcome to Minimal Rustic Rooms- rooms that use a backdrop of whites, woods, earthy palettes and texture to create clean living spaces that can be layered upon ever so slightly.
• Black and white is a great base for Minimal- Rustic Rooms providing texture and warmth easily.
• Use different size rugs- extra large that extends out from a double bed, large in living rooms, medium in dining, small in kitchen, hallways, laundry or dressing rooms.
• Feel free to place these over carpet or floorboards.
• Try smaller rugs in larger spaces- a small rug in the middle of blank space can look quirky and interesting
• Think about using this idea in the smaller sizes under a pre-exisiting side table and build up the black and white theme on the table.
• Different strokes are not just for different folks- play with horizontal and vertical and kilim prints.

Ikea has a great one that you should buy today! See it here

Have a good day!