The Interior Design Blog

Add some glamour to your bedroom

2010-06-17T10:53:00.004+01:00

We all like to feel glamorous every once in a while, whether its buying a new LBD or blagging your way into a celebs party, but why not recreate that feeling every morning when you get up?

Allure says it all with its name. Allure is a finely woven shaggy rug that just begs to be touched. Its metallic shiny shades add a touch of class to any floor they're laid on. Four colourways are available including Bronze/Black, Silver/Black, Orange Gold and White Gold, each more rich and sumptuous than the last.

Polyester rugs are a great alternative to wool sometimes, allowing more adventurous designs and textures. Allure is made from 100% polyester and is soft to the touch as well as being easy to maintain.

Add some glamour to your bedroom with an Allure rug. This rug would look great at the foot of your bed and would be a dream to walk on first thing in the morning. If you have a dark room then choose a lighter option such as white or orange gold rug, where as if your room is light in colour then bronze/black rug would make a powerful statement.

When nature calls

2010-06-10T09:06:00.004+01:00

With the abundance of decorative items created from man-made materials on the market its refreshing to consider opting for something natural when it comes to your floor coverings. Natural rugs is a broad term that encapsulates a collection of products ranging from Jute rugs and herringbone rugs to Sisal rugs. These materials are mainly harvested in India and Nepal where they are major crops, responsibly farmed, making them an environmental choice - but also one that comes with history and craftsmanship past down through generations. Natural rugs have graced homes for hundreds if not thousands of years.

So next time your in a store looking at rugs, or indeed anything where there is a choice between polyester and wool - make the right choice. You never know it may just make you feel better too.

Bruce Willis gets sued over a rug

2010-06-03T10:40:00.002+01:00

Its been reported that the Die Hard star is being sued by a shop which claims he ruined an £18,000 rug by trimming it and spilling wine on it. Natural rugs and red wine do not mix.

The interior design shop state that the 55-year-old actor brought the rug back six weeks after it had been delivered to his Los Angeles home, stained with red wine - and shortened by several inches.

Willis's lawyer Marty Singer said the legendary action hero did not buy the wool and silk rug and it was not damaged or dirty, but he had offered to clean it.

The shop says it is stuck with a damaged shaggy rugs.

Roadkill Rug is Surprisingly Appealing

2010-06-02T08:56:00.003+01:00

Dead fluffy animals don't spring to mind when i think of soft furnishings, but that's what Dutch product design studio Oooms thought of. The studio run by Guido Ooms and Karin van Lieshout create thought-provoking and original products - some are sold via their website, others like the rug are a one off.

This is their take on the what the rug's about:

Do you know the feeling that you do not want to take a look at something, but you still do? The Roadkill carpet is a continues struggle between attraction and repulsion. It’s a warm, soft, cuddly carpet that attracts you to take a nap on it. But at the same time its a repulsive image of a car-flattened, bloody fox.

Thought-provoking yes, but hardly a mere snip at 3,400 Euros.

Bringing Nature Indoors with Natural Rugs

2010-05-19T14:18:00.005+01:00

As we're coming ever closer to Summer its time to get ready for more outdoor living and having as many BBQs as possible, however, don't forget to spring clean inside - you can achieve a fresh new look with the addition of a just few new items. Rugs make a perfect (relatively low-cost) floor covering for conservatories, kitchens and open plan living rooms in the Summer.

The Rug Lounge is a small rug store we feature occasionally on this blog and i recently revisted their natural rugs section to see what i could find. Jute and Sisal have their own unique properties, but both are durable and appealing materials that make a room a pleasure to be in. Jute is usually the softer when used in a rug and can even therefore be used in a kids room to add comfort. Sisal tends to be more coarse making it perfect for areas that see a lot of feet.

Organic Knot is my favourite natural fibre rug from The Rug Lounge. Its rough and knotted look is extremely fashionable at the moment and create a great focal point for a large space with lots of light. At £48 with free delivery its also a real bargain. Natural Herringbone features the most traditional pattern alongside a sumptuous velor border. As in the image i think this rug would suit a real wood floor, or if your not so lucky any solid colour carpet or laminate would give it a could frame.

Natural Weave is a Jute rug with a brown cotton border, here seen on a wooden floor paired an old English arm chair in red leather. At the time of writing this rug is on offer - at a very reasonable £74.00. I think combining what are essentially natural materials with traditional approaches to pattern and form can be a real winner when styling a room.

Flooring to modernise your home

2010-03-24T14:44:00.002Z

If you are looking to modernise your home this summer or change the décor you need to think about all the different flooring options that are now available to you.

Carpet seems to have been thrown onto the waste pile in recent years as people have opted for hardwood, laminate or tiled flooring.

The consumer has moved away from carpet as it is less hygienic and it can be ruined if something is spilt, especially if it is light in colour.

These days it is very rare to find carpet down as flooring for a bathroom or kitchen however, where hardwood or rubber flooring has been used people often like to add a rug as a feature.

Depending on the style of your kitchen there are many options available for both the colours and materials.

Sisal and Jute fibres are often a good choice on hard flooring surfaces because they are less likely to slip. These fibres are also best for use within a kitchen as they do not hold dirt. Another good tip would be to use an anti-slip underlay to stop your mat from slipping.

Interior design of a kitchen

2010-03-22T14:54:00.002Z

Quite a few changes have taken place in the world of kitchen design over the last couple of years.

No longer do we have the old farm kitchen doors made from wood, with the latest modern look kitchens are now also using modern materials such as high gloss plastics and glass work tops.

Colour is being introduced into kitchens but the use of high gloss black or white kitchens are also on the rise.

Kitchens are being made with better storage solutions, hidden features and soft close cupboard doors. Integrated appliances are still on the top of many people's ideal kitchen list and that now includes double ovens at just below eye level.

We haven't lost the past completely though, it has just taken a slightly different approach. Belfast style sinks have become very popular in our kitchens again but with a modern twist. The deep pot sinks are back in fashion but now they have the added pot draining board area attached.

Rather than having wooden doors the wood now appears on the work surface in a butcher's block style worktop.

Granite is still a popular choice for those who can afford it but the wooden worktops are becoming increasingly popular especially in larger kitchens.

Carpets in a kitchen are a thing of the past and many people opt for either a tiled or rubber flooring. Rugs are also often used just in certain areas of the kitchen to add a bit of colour and warmth.

Put Your Feet Up in The Rug Lounge

2010-03-22T14:49:00.004Z

A brand NEW retailer specialising in natural and shaggy rugs has just launched in the UK. The Rug Lounge differentiates itself from the competition by offering free delivery on everything (within mainland UK that at least).

What's different about The Rug Lounge?

From the looks of it The Rug Lounge is trying to provide people with affordable rugs that also say quality and reflect both current and classic rug designs and materials. Entropy is a shaggy rug like any other but at this price makes adding much-needed style to a room easy. The other shaggy rug line is the wonderfully named Allure rug, also made from Polyester making it affordable, but also easy to maintain and bright.

The Rug Lounge's range of natural rugs is also worth a look. Bringing together a mixture of modern and traditional looks in both Jute and Sisal the natural rugs have something to offer everyone.

Flooring Sale to Celebrate St Patricks Day

2010-03-16T11:31:00.002Z

UK Flooring Online are celebrating St Patricks Day this year by offering a massive 17% discount on any green version of any flooring products they have on their website.

St Patricks Day marks the start of the sale, which runs until Sunday (March 21st).

UK Flooring Online sell a variety of flooring options for your home or business, from studded rubber floor tiles through to vinyl flooring.

You could save yourself the equivalent price of VAT (17%) if you buy your flooring between March 17th and 21st, 2010.

For more information and to grab yourself a top bargain visit www.ukflooringonline.com

BA Flying The Flag For Interior Design

2010-03-01T11:24:00.006Z

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you mention the words interior design but a lot of thought and effort goes into the design of the interior of aircraft flying around the world.

If you have ever been lucky enough to travel first class then you will know that the interior of the first class cabins can be a lot different to the standard class option.

The 100 million-pound revamp to the British Airways flights has closed the gap on standards set by the luxury cabins provided by rival airlines in the Middle East and Asia.

The first class cabins now come with wider bed seats, leather desks and linen made from Egyptian cotton. Passengers will also be treated to an Anya Hindmarch washbag containing toiletries from the 200-year-old London pharmacist D.R. Harris & Co.

The designers of the new BA first class cabins have previously worked in the motor trade creating leather-rich interiors for Jaguar and Aston Martin cars and they will be available to passengers travelling to 40 different locations.

This is BA's first makeover for the premium class seats in just under 10 years and has been created to provide an “intimate private jet experience”. The new design also features the first electronic blinds on a commercial airliner.

It will be interesting to see if any other airline companies follow suit and update their first class cabins in the coming months or provide other extras to get people to use their flights.

Yoville takes interior design into the digital age

2010-03-01T09:35:00.002Z

A lot of people are interested in the world of interior design and it seems that Yoville has taken this one step further.

Not only are people interested in designing their dwellings in the “real world” it seems that following the fashion and design trends is also becoming of interest in virtual worlds too.

Yoville is an online virtual community, which has been heavily boosted by the Facebook Application, is all about designing and decoration your “virtual” home.
There are many different designs and features that you can take advantage of to build your ideal home.

A lot of the furniture designs you can buy in Yoville with your virtual cash have been based on real designs that you can buy in the shops.

Recent additions to the furniture styles include digital versions of the Arne Jacobsen Egg and Swan Chairs.

What makes Yoville even better is the fact that you do not have to part with your hard earned cash and that you can style your house just the way you want it without having to worry about how much it costs. You can also change the colour of the walls and your carpet as often as you want. If you don't like the colour you just pick another and it will change instantly – no waiting for the paint to dry.

Italian Interior Designers Showcase in Abu Dhabi

2010-02-19T15:40:00.000Z

More than 35 of Italy's finest interior designers and manufacturers are set to showcase their work in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.

The event has already attracted interest from the region’s trade buyers, as well as design consultants and architects.

Italy is well known for producing superior quality goods and craftsmanship using the finest materials.

An interactive living zone has been created by Italian architects Mr Attilio Lapietra and Mrs Tiziana Burrini from ARTEX, the Centre for Artistic and Traditional Handicrafts of Tuscany.

Looking back on a decade of interior design

2010-01-21T16:28:00.001Z

The Interior Design blog takes a look back across the past decade of style and trends.

The 90's featured a lot of beige, white, and well lets face it a lot more beige.

This became the palette of choice for the many buy-to-letters who were making the most of the rising house prices.

As we entered the noughties the trend continued but as the prices slowly began to fall the market saw a slump in house sales.

Towards the end of the decade the prices began to fall and lending became a lot more difficult people started to invest in their current home instead of moving house.

As the prices changed so did the interior design styles because people were starting to make homes their own and not just decorated for sale.

Here saw the return of colour with feature walls and large designer prints and florals.

With the recession towards the end of the decade a feature wall provided a cheap way to spruce up your home and allowed stronger colours to return because of a feature wall not overpowering a room.

The end of the noughties following the start of the recession led to people reusing and revamping old furniture and materials.

Interior design offers currently on the web

2010-01-12T09:53:00.005Z

Interior Design Sales currently available on the web. We have been searching all across the internet to bring to you some of the best offers currently available on the web. They have been sectioned into different areas of interior design.

If you find any offers you think are worth a mention please add them in the comment box below.

Paint

Homebase

Homebase are offering Dulux 2.5L standard coloured Emulsion at half price and buy one get one half price on Crown Emulsions.

To see the offer click here

Flooring

Doormats Delivered

Currently have up to 30% off in their January Sale across a number of their products.

The Rainbow Blue Coir Mat is a real bargain!

UK Flooring

UK Flooring have taken off the cost of VAT across the whole of their website.

Check out the Slate Rubber Floor Tiles.

B&Q

15% off ALL flooring!

Click here to see the sale prices.

Bedroom

Debenhams

The Debenhams sale has some great bargains on good quality bed linen bed linen

Betty Jackson Black Yellow geo bed linen King Size Duvet £15 @ Debenhams was £40

Kitchen

Focus

Up to 70% off all kitchen units

Save 50% on the Vermont range plus an extra 10% off currently. A standard 7 Unit kitchen is priced at £288.90!

Bathroom

Sainsburys

Bristan 3 Piece Bathroom S uite White only £179.31 and you get Nectar points!

B&Q

Half Price on Cooke and Lewis bathroom collections and many good deals on other bathroom suites too!

The Seattle Bath Suite is a web exclusive offer and the whole suite is available for £249!!

Living Room

Elsa Large Sofa in Chocolate

The Elsa offers superb value for money with its combination of clean modern lines and great comfort levels. Supportive foam-filled seat cushions combine with the soft fibre-filled armpads and back cushions and Upholstered in leather/PVC combination.

See more information on the sofa here

Layers are the way forward for interior design

2010-01-05T12:36:00.008Z

Wallpapered ceilings and layered rugs are set to make an appearance this season.

If you have high vaulted ceilings, beams or ceiling roses in your house original or mock, the wallpaper can bring emphasis to these features.

Make sure that if you wallpaper the walls as well as the ceiling you use a different paper for the ceiling otherwise it will make your room feel boxed in and claustrophobic.

Remember to use a plain paper on the ceiling if the walls have a pattern or vice versa.

If you are going to go for the layering look then you need to make sure that the colours and patterns on the rug are similar in style. This way the rugs will then work as a theme together rather than looking odd and out of place.

In the cold winter a room will be made to feel snug and a lot warmer with the introduction of layered rugs.

These trends can work in both modern and more traditional dwellings provided that you use patterns and colours to suit the style of the house. Use persian rugs for a traditional look and bright bold colours for a modern take on the trend.

For a nice range of rugs visit www.nicerug.co.uk

New Year New Trends

2010-01-04T16:58:00.007Z

A New Year means out with the old and in with the new. That also includes the interior design trends that we are set to see this year.


With the world becoming more environmentally friendly, the colours looking to make an appearance this year are of earthy tones. Expect to see a lot of natural dyes being favoured over chemicals, such as the use of berries.

Along with the more natural earthy tones the interior design world will also see the introduction of more vibrant global tones especially in the way of sofa's and soft furnishings.

Green and yellow will play a huge art in the colour schemes of any modern dwelling and expect there to be a hint of purple and orange to add to the rich vibrant colours of the season.

Environmentally friendly textiles will play an important role in the design of any interior and concrete greys will become the new black in the neutral colour chart.

White is a bright design choice

2009-12-21T09:16:00.010Z

With the amount of heavy snow the country has witnessed over the past week what better time to talk about the white design trend currently in fashion.

All white furniture has been one of the hottest trends this year and it doesn't look set to take a decline just yet. The trend is still very much a highly favoured choice in the interior design industry.

If you are looking to adopt the clinical approach on your furniture then we suggest that you add a few colours and textures to the rest of the interior design to give it a bit of warmth.

The trend seems to be very popular in kitchens and living rooms more than any other room in the house.

In 2001 the white trend began to rise as Apple launched it's first white mp3 player, now they even make a white iphone and it has sold millions.

White cars are also coming back in fashion with a lot of the top sports ranges now appearing in white, especially Audi's, VWs and Fiesta's.

The Bacon Grove residence

2009-12-02T13:25:00.003Z

Having a compact apartment doesn't mean your interior has to struggle to have impact or feel spacious. The Bacon Grove location is a new addition to the Shoot Factory website. It combines bohemian chic with funky modernism to create a vibrant pad that would definately make an interesting place to shoot.

Elemental vintage retro and antique furniture

2009-11-16T15:14:00.006Z

Finding that unique piece of furniture to give a room impact is getting more difficult. With the increasing popularity of a certain Scandinavean retailer flooding homes with low cost flat-pack items, you're less likely to procure quality inidividual furniture.

Elemental are a UK-based furniture seller with a simple website. Their 'New Arrivals' area is where you'll find all their latest pieces - check back reguarly though because this is always updated. Because of the nature of the products it's hit and miss whether you see what you're searching for first time, but the standard is high and there's always a gem waiting to be found.

These photos give a general idea of the range of items Elemental have to offer.

Modus makes heating cool

2009-11-12T11:03:00.006Z

Fireplaces can be an overlooked aspect to interior design, even though they're usually at the heart of any living space. Creating a bold statement with your fireplace can give a room individuality and character.

Modus are a UK based designer and manufacturer of fireplaces for the most exclusive private and commercial properties. I came across their site while looking for original or innovative fireplaces as inspiration. Their designs are split into five categories: Against the wall, Two sided, Suspended, Internal and External Corner, and Unique Applications.

These images are a snapshot of the huge range of projects Modus have worked on. Check the site out its worth a look.

Dreary days at the office are no more with this furniture

2009-11-01T07:58:00.000Z

It can be difficult to become impassioned with your desk job when the office environment resembles that of every other office you've ever walked into.

Knowingly, the Austrian manufacturer Bene has collaborated with designer Pearson Lloyd to produce the kind of stimulating furniture you'd happily have at home.

The Parcs collection is bright, ergonomic, comfortable and playful yet functional - ticking all the prerequisites for furniture you'd love in the office but would never be able to convince your boss to buy.

Refreshingly simple modular benches, fences and walls provide a semi private meeting or working spaces that could occupy common areas in the workplace.

Pearson Lloyd's hope is that through his furniture, people will be able to achieve the creative and productive levels they previously found away from their desk in a newly designed office environment.

We think he may have just hit upon something...

Source

Stick and stones may break my bones, but bricks are surpisingly comfy

2009-10-27T07:44:00.006Z

The concept of outside architecture influencing the interior design form is one that's become rather en vogue recently.

Looking at the highly artistic concrete structures of recent installations around the globe, influences can be found that are evocative of the East German modular home constructions of the 80s.

"Ostalgia" as epitomised by 2003's cinematic hit Goodbye Lenin can certainly claim responsibility for making a once isolated endearment held by few into an accessible artform appreciated by the masses for its contextual integrity.

An incredibly insightful and thought-provoking installation is distilled somewhat into this realistic and surprisingly comfortable sofa, despite its rather non-conforming appearance from designers Sebastian Wrong and Richard Woods at Established & Sons.

By utilising the angular structure of the sofa to add dimension to the piece, it is complemented by the carefully scaled design which provides a geometrical layout to the brick printed fabric.

Very clever.

Source

Just hanging out at home (in a suspension bed)

2009-10-25T07:40:00.001Z

You didn't mishear us, Bernstein Architecture produces an array of hanging pieces of furniture for the home that perfectly fit with the concept of minimalist living.

With beds, tables, chairs and bookcases, they've created an interior design dream collection that saves space and looks great.

The pieces are all tension based; and while we'd advise sticking to the instructions for the most part, Bernstein actually encourage having a play to find your optimimum tension on their beds. Ordinarily motionless, once the stablising wires are loosened, it's an adults' playground!

The one piece of advice we would advise you follow to the letter is that you're careful not to trip over the wire ropes as you could do yourself a serious mishap.

With a combination of solid steel support entwined with crossed suspension wires, weight bearing surfaces are supported and structurally held in place from every required angle.

Source

Graffiti for tea? It's on the table...

2009-10-21T07:35:00.001+01:00

Having been a controversial symbol of expression for centuries, street graffiti's form has finally been coverted to art form and accepted into the homes of the fashionable.

Renowned for plauguing the walls of property in run-down estates, the aesthetic potential of graffiti has been recognised as a design discipline in its own right; combining form, symbols and style to produce innovatively expressive pieces that are both striking and functional - in essence, mimicking the very essence of graffiti in producing both a statement and contribution to the home.

This is truly experimental contemporary furniture that undoubtably provokes strong reactions from its audience, whilst it's also possible to recognise almost baroque style decor notes in the curved scroll form.

Venezualan UK-based designer Luis Alicandu has created some absolute talking points with his graffiti inspired furniture set, as they are as equally eyecatching as complementary to other interior design influences.

Visit his website for further inspiration.

Source

There's an app for everything - even designers!

2009-10-19T13:46:00.005+01:00

Ever been caught out without your trutsy Pantone book or in need of some inspiration for a new interior design project? Well there's a new iPhone application that you may just find useful. Color Expert from developers code-line is an intuitive, interactive colour wheel that has all the Pantone colours.

Color Expert can be used to select and experiment with different colour schemes or just as a reference tool. Just the thing if you are out of the office sourcing ornaments or styling rooms and need a colour chart. Or even in a meeting with clients deciding on colours for a shoot… every interior designer should have it.

Display the date with this dynamic design...

2009-10-17T07:30:00.000+01:00

Even the most adoring of mothers soon tires of receiving embarrassing wall calendars constructed from glued macaroni pieces on cardboard. These days, even when it's been purchased from a shop, the style police would have just cause for banishing the offending article from your pad thanks to the monotony of zany animal images on display each month.

Let's face it; traditionally calendars aren't cool. Although an artist called Oscar Diaz might just change all that with his incredibly clever/astonishingly simple wall construction. It is nothing less than art integrating with its own environment in a rather organic fashion.

The dates in this piece of wall art populate over time (24 hours to be exact) as the ink crawls along using a capillary action for momentum creating a truly perpetual calendar.

Even more impressive is how Diaz has developed specifically coloured inks that correspond to the season; the mixtures respond according to temperature and humidity and produce the neccessary capillary momentum speed required to move through the dates at an appropriate pace.

Expect dark blue hues in December to shades of green in spring, or oranges and red in the summer. The scale for measuring the colour temperature that Diaz used is a standard called ‘D65’ and corresponds roughly to a midday sun in Western / Northern Europe.

Too lovely. We want one, or several.

Source

Need a cheap decor update? Go and stick it.

2009-10-14T07:26:00.002+01:00

And no, we're not being rude - what we mean is that the best solution we've found to make an instant update to your home decor when it all feels a bit drab is to invest in some vinyl wall stickers.

Both removable and handy to position strategically over scrapes and marks on the wall, the choice available these days is disarming.

Our favourites come from Hu2, whose designs - and seriously affordable ones at that - will be just what you needed to makeover your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or any room for that matter.

Forget the bland car and princess vinyl cutouts you'd expect to see in B&Q - this is vinyl with style. Think peel-off cocktail recipes for the kitchen, Banksy replicas for your living room, or amusing cartoon styled graphics surrounding light switches which depict a hamster powering it from a running wheel.

We especially like how Hu2 not only seperate out their designs by room (and room owner; kds, adults etc), they'll also let you select the colour you'd like it supplying in. Prices start from about a tenner, with the really big art pieces costing up to about 70 quid.

If you're after something just a bit more unique though, you can email them a photo and they'll provide you with a vectored vinyl cutout to adorn your wall; there's customer service for you.

Source

Goldilocks and the Grizzly Bean Bag Bears

2009-10-11T07:21:00.002+01:00

As modern fairy tales go, this is one you'll want to hear - we guarantee it.

Take a comfy lounging concept, add some great graphics, and finally add someone sleepy for maximum impact.

This bean bag is the most realistic looking grizzly bear imitation I've ever seen, and despite their ordinarily grumpy demeanour I'm really inclined to give it a snuggle.

Featuring knitted bear graphics to mimic a real grizzly's furry hide (much better than printed fabric), and a moulded bear's head, the rest of the body is perfectly rounded and filled to the seams with thousands of "beans". Measuring 51cm in height, 70cm wide, and 103cm from top to tail, there's more than enough room to get comfortable on and have a snooze.

Handily, this grizzly's fur will happily peel off to visit the washing machine during hibernation season; in fact it'll even endure being pegged out to dry in the garden. For 135 dollars this bear will belong to you - a small price to pay for the big bear hugs you'll receive in return.

Visit the Etsy store here to lure him home with you. We can certainly see now that Goldilocks was ahead of the style curve, but it's never too late to catch up with this trend we reckon.

Source

Create your own Cabana

2009-10-09T07:14:00.002+01:00

We love this product. And so will you, or even your dog if you've got $500 to spare.

After stumbling across Modern Cabana who build small prefabricated buildings to provide affordable space to relax, or live if you prefer, we're thinking of jacking in the two-up two-down and going for broke with a lovely little nest like this.

Especially when you discover that it's possible to have a prefab delivered that comes with a kitchen and bathroom installation - so no late night calls in the the wild, you'll be glad to hear.

Posed as the ultimate solution to tranquility and solitude (we're there already...) prices start from $11,500 for the basic Cabana package, but if you're interested in having one to replace your current abode expect to spend up to $67,500 for the mod-con inclusive version that you'd need. Kennels come in at a much more affordable $500 though.

What's nicest we think is that you can build your dream home yourself with the pre-assembled panels that Modern Cabana provide and two able bodied adults with some construction experience in only a couple of days.

The quick and easy build is largely thanks to the ingenious concrete pier system that allows the Cabana to sit on top like a deck would, without the need for pouring a slab foundation.

May we introduce "Less hassle", you'll be very pleased to meet it!

Source

Tips on Lighting from LLB

2009-10-07T16:42:00.004+01:00

Ever get confused on how best to light a room, to make the most of its features and create as much space as possible? Well TV favourite Laurence LLewelyn Bowen or LLB as we like to call him has posted a short guide to lighting on his own website. The foppish interior designer made famous my BBC's 'Changing Rooms' is still creating and innovating even though not as much in our living rooms.

Here's a tidbit of advice from the great man:

"Never, ever, ever underestimate the decorative potential of lampshades... That is of course the kind of statement that one expects from an interior designer and whilst it sounds floppy, it's actually very true."

Yeehah, cowboys! Giddy up for a table that’s got us all giddy…

2009-09-25T16:12:00.000+01:00

We’re not sure how we feel about this one, but it’s certainly worth a mention.

Designed for a contemporary home, this leather and cowhide coffee table is almost definitely a guaranteed talking point for your lounge aided by the superb finishing of this piece of furniture.

With a wood base, solid oak feet, and butter soft 100% quality leather reaching up the sides, this attention seeker steals the show with its complementary authentic cowhide topping.

Pick one up in either off-white or black leather and opt for the 6mm deep loose safety glass top to protect the hide from spoiling or else you’ll only be allowing people to look at it rather than use this stunner as it was meant to be.

Coming soon will be the addition of a tan leather version, that we think will be all the more cowboy-esque and likely to disappear quickly.

From £180, you can readily have one in three different sizes, but the craftsmen behind this creation will happily quote you for bespoke pieces too.

Pop along to this site for more details.

Books belong on a bookshelf

2009-09-24T16:09:00.003+01:00

How many of us heard those words as a child? Although these are seriously stylish shelves we really don’t mind tidying away for.

Entitled the “SelfShelf”, the books appear to float in mid-air thanks to conspicuously designed invisible wall fixtures that appear as books conveniently named “Ceci n'est pas un livre”, or as the French would say, “This is not a book”.

Well at least it’s honest, even if only with the Francophiles amongst us. You can look smug anyway.

22 centimetres in length by 15 wide, and 2.5 cm deep it’s impressively sturdy for its dinky sized dimensions.

Incredibly strong fittings allow you to stack an impressively large number of volumes on top of the sneaky book in disguise. Or in fact, any other possessions you might feel deserve a loftier position.

What we’re really chuffed with is just how cheap the SelfShelf is; at £22.50 each and coming in red, yellow, blue, white and black, it’s seriously tempting to create a wall display from them.

Who needs bland bookcases?! Our books will be sitting pretty on their own bookshelves. Literally.

Riddle me this…

2009-09-23T16:05:00.000+01:00

There’s nothing more infuriating than a dinner party where the attending guests run out of conversation and sit for an hour in pained silence.

Fortunately that’ll never have to be a scene at your dining table if you invest a pretty paltry 30 quid on this riddle tablecloth. 150x50cm, we’ll be placing ours lengthways on a considerably longer table than the one displayed – looks like it has great potential as an innovative table runner.

Printed with 300 riddles that’ll keep you all guessing well in to a fifth bottle of wine (although your guessing skills may have diminished somewhat by that point) it offers a light hearted talking point for both intimate tête-à-têtes and larger group participation also.

Considerately, its makers have left a couple of spaces for you to leave plates on; so you can carry on nibbling without moving the tableware about in order to read all the riddles.

If you get really stumped, they handily provide you with an envelope full of answers, which you may wish to sneak a crafty peek at in advance to fool your friends into believing that you’re oh-so super intelligent. Which we’re sure you already are, but this nifty cloth will only enhance that reputation tenfold!

Source

Light up your life

2009-09-22T15:58:00.001+01:00

If you’re as big a fan of interior design and home furnishings as we are, you’ll absolutely love these innovative lampshade designs.

You could be forgiven for fearing they’d catch fire, but these mohair seamlessly machine knitted light fittings sit snugly over energy-efficient noiseless Compact Fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs, cables and sockets for a real homely atmosphere.

Designer Lise Lefebvre from Amsterdam describes them as providing a warm, soft and inviting glow that avoids risk of fire thanks to the low temperature the CFL bulbs provide.

Coming in different sizes and patterns to accommodate different types of CFL bulbs, expect to pay between $30-40. Sales go directly through the designer, who can be mailed here.

Equally, this BÖJA lamp from IKEA is a pretty perfect partner for a cosy bedroom, living room, or conservatory. Each individual lamp features a uniquely made plaited bamboo handmade shade, which when lit casts decorative light patterns on the wall.

Designed by Maria Vinka, the 40cm wide lampshade stylishly comes in either natural or black bamboo with a cast iron base weight plated in nickel.

For under 25 quid we think it’s a real bargain and will be snapping a few up before they all disappear.

Sleep deprived? Look at your décor…

2009-09-21T15:54:00.002+01:00

Here’s a novel idea; if you can’t sleep and it’s not down to traffic, noise or being tired enough, the missing link in your puzzle could well be your home décor. Sound odd? Read on.

As the most intimate of rooms in the home, the bedroom is a zone of rest and relaxation away from prying eyes and reflective of its occupant’s solace.

Some people manage to keep their bedroom tidy, and others – well, others have rooms that look like a hurricane just hit it. Mine included. With clothes, shoes, coats and bedding strewn around, sometimes the space your possessions occupy detract from the space you require to feel at ease.

It’s a good lesson to learn that just because space is available, it doesn’t mean that you need to fill every last inch of it with home furnishings. You wouldn’t crawl in to a rabbit hutch to sleep so likewise it makes sense to give yourself space within your own room.

If you’re in dire need of decluttering, think about what you want your space to resemble first and then be ruthless. You’ll need to be in the right frame of mind to do this, so chin a couple of coffees if need be, and then get to work.

Anything that’s in the way of clear walking space around static furniture - chuck or move. Throw out anything that you don’t absolutely adore or isn’t a functional necessity – if you won’t really miss it, you don’t need it, at least not in your bedroom.

Give your bedroom the benefit of any natural light coming in to the room and use no-fuss drapes or blinds to help control it. Furnishings should be fairly minimal in a truly relaxed room and built-in furniture can really help in achieving this.

In creating your own sleeping beauty haven, it’s wise to pick your colour schemes carefully. Softer tones will mellow out the space, whites will visually enlarge a small room, and gold can be great for creating warmth as an alternative to red.

Avoiding this tempestuous colour will help maintain your respiratory rate (odd but true) to let you fully relax. All that’s left is to splash around a bit of lavender and you’ll be in the land of nod in no time.

Students with stylish pads

2009-09-20T15:43:00.000+01:00

A perennial problem for students is furnishing their often out-moded university accommodation after years of careless occupants and halls parties. Especially when leaving home for the first time, there’s no more important instance of needing to create a home-from-home atmosphere to settle into quickly.

So the question is, how do you do it without incurring the wrath of halls managers or breaking the bank? There’s 5 key tips we believe will help you/or your offspring make the most of the available accommodation and make it feel homely in the process.

First off, pick furniture that will multi-task for you. You’ve not got much space, so having furniture that serves several purposes will make life easier. Pick up a futon or sofa bed so you’ve got a spare bed, a storage ottoman to double up as a coffee table, or a table that can be used for eating or studying at.

Next, opt for clever storage that makes the most of your room’s height. If there’s not much length or width to your personal space, adding in wall mounted shelves or wall hangings will work a treat. As will under bed storage boxes to help to pile up all your necessary knick-knacks.

Clear out the clutter (or at least out of the way) with desk and shelf tidies. These super easy storage boxes will help you focus when working and make it easy to grab bits on the way to lectures! Head to Ikea for incredibly cheap yet stylish options.

Next up, colour. You’re stuck with those drab magnolia coloured walls, but no one said you can’t spruce up your pad with colourful rugs, bedding, throws or other splashes of textiles. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but it’s one way to make a big impact with very little money to spend.

And finally, have your own Art Attack. This is your space, albeit for a year, so hang your posters (ask first if blue tack or pins are preferred by the halls of residence management to avoid a telling off later!), put up the photo frames and inject your personality in to the little space you have.

How to create great kids’ rooms in one easy step

2009-09-19T15:11:00.002+01:00

It’s a headache we’ve all suffered when trying to come up with a fun décor and furnishing concept for a kid’s room that there’s never any really inspiring sites around.

We’re just glad we’ve found ArtisticSensations.com where you’ll be inundated with great inspiration at a one-stop online shop for concepts to furnish anything from a baby’s room to a high school student of either gender.

Either use this handy site to sift through thousands of décor goodies which they’ll not only ship across the continent to you, but also personally tell you exactly how much the shipping will cost; or, just use the great articles posing questions you’ve probably not considered as a nifty resource to add the finishing touches to truly themed rooms. You can’t ask for better than that!

Take this fantastic cowboy themed concept as an example where you’ll find material swatches to have bedding and curtains made up from, themed furniture and room accessories.

You can gauge just which room features you’d like accents of the selected theme on, and then, if the cost’s too much or you don’t fancy dealing with the shipping just look for the products within the UK.

For example, you’ll be able to pick up cowboy themed printed material from Michael Miller fabrics or even the upmarket home furnishing starlet Cath Kidston.

Go and have a look if your grey cells are lacking in inspiration, you’ll be stumped for choice!

Recession-proofing the home furnishings market

2009-09-18T15:05:00.002+01:00

You’d have to be a fool to assume that the recent recession hasn’t had a major impact on the home furnishings and furniture markets, and for retailers to make a come back successfully after the drain on our finances it’s apparent that a “business as usual” attitude will find them quickly sinking instead of swimming afloat.

Looking at the US Department of Commerce’s stats it’s easy to see that recession-scarred customers are withholding approximately 13% of previous years’ home furnishings and furniture retail sales from businesses and keeping the pennies where they’re needed most – in their wallet.

Clearly consumers have altered their financial priorities, a downturn anticipated as far back as the middle of 2007. Strong businesses have stayed the course but it won’t be long before their luck runs out, or rather their financial reserves.

The stats are echoed by revelations that the average amount spent by affluent households on luxury furniture, rugs and other furnishings is down 7.3% from the previous year.

Savvy retailers will recognise that the way to stay afloat in the coming months will be by focusing on the motivating factors for consumers and intelligently strategising their business rather than banking on a new product line to secure their imminent future.

It won’t hurt that Christmas is around the corner, but a key trend will inevitably emerge of “better to do one thing very well than many things badly”, and retailers concentrating on and reinforcing their existing assets should prosper in the face of this economic downturn.

Source

Boutique Hotels in London

2009-09-17T16:01:00.009+01:00

The Telegraph shows us the real meaning of 'boutique hotel'. These are the most fashionable places to lay your head in London these days. They range in price from the reasonable (£80 per night for a large double bedroom at '40 Winks') to the luxurious (£287.50 per night at the Haymarket SW1).

"Fashion editors in the know have been using the interior designer David Carter’s theatrically flamboyant east London Queen Anne townhouse for shoots for years. A recent development, however, has given the place a whole new dimension. A stay at 40 Winks promises a 'home from home’ experience, offering understated opulence in a relaxed setting without the hefty price tag."

Take a look at the photos here and let us know what you think!

Portfolio: Mary Barber Fray

2009-09-08T15:32:00.003+01:00

I chose this month's portfolio of Mary Barber Fray because of its sense of cohesiveness and modernity. Her solutions seem to accurately solve a brief and go hand in hand with every space's attributes. Please let us know your thoughts.

Selecting Outdoor Furniture

2009-09-03T14:07:00.005+01:00

Picking your outdoor furniture is as important as picking it for any other room in the house. Like living room furniture or bedroom furniture, the right pieces for your garden or patio can make or break your leisure time at home. With all the styles to choose from, how do you know which one to choose?

First of all, your garden furniture should match your home theme. This may require you to pick coordinated colors and designs. More importantly though your outdoor tables and chairs should match your preference and personal plans. If you are looking for more comfort than visual appeal for example you may want to settle for a chaise lounge than rigid chairs. If you are intent on entertaining guests, a small bar set or a table with matching seats would be in order.

Your choice of furniture should not only depend on what you want. Choices also depend greatly on space. If you have a small patio, going for a long wicker seat will only cramp the space. For limited spaces, the best options are slim compact furniture such as a round table with high stools.

Durability is another consideration you need to look into. Patio furniture should be specifically built to be resistant to outdoor elements. Among the most durable materials for external furniture is wrought iron. If you prefer a different look though, you may choose specially treated wood, aluminum or even plastic. Despite pre treatment though, excessive exposure to the sun, wind and rain will eventually degrade less durable materials. For extra protection, you may have to buy matching umbrellas or covers.

The wonderful thing about outdoor furniture is that it can add a fresh twist to any dull garden. Its foremost function though should genuine enjoyment, comfort and relaxation.

Tit for tat(too) over a table…

2009-09-03T12:14:00.001+01:00

This picture perfect wooden table has been digitally printed to resemble the traditional style of Japanese tattoo artists.
Created from natural grain wood, the unique tattoo surface print manipulates the wooden texture as a natural skin form and catapults this home furnishing into a real statement piece.

Due to the digital nature of the printing technique, each print can be individualised, becoming a unique expression of the owner as an ordinary tattoo would.

The Yakuza coffee table begs to live in your lounge bringing the character and gravitas you might imagine a conceptual item referential to Japanese culture might command.

Prices for the pieces are available on request from Generate Design, who will happily ship this rock steady objet d’art for free in the US, Europe and Canada. Nice.

In its design, the table is treated as a living body and receives its character from a unique tattoo printed on its surface.

The wood texture acts as skin, becoming a platform for expressing a strong cultural and personal identity.

Who are you looking at?!

2009-09-02T12:10:00.001+01:00

These aviator mirrors really couldn't be cooler.

The self-adhesive reflectors are tantalisingly in a collection named Narcisse and will happily affix themselves (with a good push from you) to a large flat surface.

Well, for the narcissus complex in everyone, you can't help but admire yourself as you pass by these wall-hoggers.

The two Perspex glass screens span 1.2 metres each in width and 50 cm in depth, so we wouldn't advise putting any pictures up as they'll only be eclipsed by the sheer magnitude of these aviator lenses.

Great for sprucing up a bedroom or lounge in one easy move, you really won't need any another statement interior design pieces as this pair of showstoppers will do all the hardwork themselves.

An absolute bargain we think for £76 including VAT. Bargain!

A ducking good chair

2009-09-01T16:35:00.003+01:00

This unusual looking piece of furniture is the creation of designer Jung Myung Taek. Called The Ducking Lounge Chair it is supposed to offer supreme comfort both indoors and out.

Manufactured from walnut and built into a certain degree of curvature, the chair is as classy as it is comfortable. Whether your relaxing with a movie or enjoying a drink outside with friends this chair is certain to become to the talking point.

To the Beach? No arguments from us

2009-09-01T12:06:00.001+01:00

Nautical themed home furnishings are always a firm favourite without ever really going out of style.

And that tired, slightly scuffed look it gets as your décor gets older and a little bashed round the edges only adds to the effect.

Which is pretty useful when you think about it, because newly bought nautical pieces will always fit in with your existing decorations.

These rather sweet signs would look right at home in your bathroom, or even the garden by a sandpit for the kids.

Stuff it, plonk a couple in your kitchen or bedroom while you’re at it and you’ll definitely be ready for the summer all year round!

Delicately trimmed, and painted with great graphic text these decorative arrows are certainly worth 10 bucks each.

Soapy snout dispenser for the shower

2009-08-31T12:03:00.000+01:00

You'll be pleased to know that this runny nose shower gel dispenser is currently in stock at baronbob.com, because, let's face it - who couldn't resist buying one?!

Posing as a practical gizmo to attach to your bathroom wall or indeed any flat surface with the help of some super suction cups, all the dispenser needs is filling up with a suitable goo you'd willingly wash your body with.

Easily refillable and handily supplied with instructions on how to blow out the required amount of cleaning gel, all you really need to know is that once filled you just squeeze and out pops oozing soap from the right nostril.

Mmmm, lovely. Well, you don't have to pick green shower gel but I guess it makes for better comedy value.

And for just under $15 you could plop them all around the home, furnishing your kitchen, garage or shed.

The online store informs us to have a wonderfully wacky day. Oh, okay then - we will!

Coin chair that costs a pretty penny or two

2009-08-30T12:00:00.001+01:00

We stumbled across this lush butterfly shaped chair, which is ergonomically designed and composed of 1500 half dollar coins, and 7000 welds.

Contoured to cradle the body and hand welded to ensure comfort, we think that the superbly named Johnny Swing’s Coin Chair would be a stunning centrepiece in any room.

Looking like it’s fit for a king, from the price requested you’d need a princely sum to be able to afford one. $59,000 to be exact. Wowzers.

Which really is a shame, although with an impact puncher like this you certainly wouldn’t need more than one anyway; it’d only detract from how uniquely beautiful it is.

Weighing more than a small child, this 60lb sterling wonder chair probably won’t be ideal for lugging around the home, so pick a room and decorate around what we reckon is a pretty impressive feature.

Chainsaw carpentry you’ll be off your rocker for

2009-08-29T11:57:00.002+01:00

Now it’s not something we’d normally think of as completing a lounge, games room, or conservatory but this incredible chainsaw chiselled full scale wooden replica of a Honda Accord car seat is a real spectacle.

A fully functional rocking chair with brass plated rockers, the sweeping curves defining the iconic car seat are undeniably realistic.

We’re just amazed it’s been accomplished with a chainsaw of all tools; it must have required hours of concentration from the artisan Christopher Chiappa commissioned to help render it faithfully.

Chiappa claims it was a real challenge to find an expert chainsaw handler who would carve out anything other than bears, wolves or eagles, but he was thrilled with the result.

And so are we with this nice juxtaposition of high and lowbrow art.

Source

Perfectly preserved pieces for the home, set or exhibition

2009-08-28T11:54:00.001+01:00

Here’s an innovative idea to add an air of mystery to your home, Dutch designer Maarten Baas has been preserving interior design pieces with a unique approach of combining charred furnishings with an epoxy resin.

Exhibiting 25 pieces in New York, the Smoke collection is an unusual concept that reclaims abandoned and forgotten furniture to preserve them as souvenirs of the past.

Iconic pieces from the likes of Gaudi were blowtorched to create the necessary impact and coated in the translucent resin sealant to preserve the furnishings from turning to ash whilst retaining the charred texture.

A fragile project that’s been hardcoated for posterity as objet d’art, we’re just grateful that international design company Moooi have commissioned reproductions for distribution.

Back in time this Autumn

2009-08-28T09:19:00.005+01:00

Whether you're a fan of the Eighties or not they're here again if music and fashion are to be believed. Now expect this Autumn/Winter to bring a whole host of Eighties inspired interior trends; from neon furniture to shaggy rugs. It seems that every few decades, fashion trends come back, gain momentum and re-emerge. So when crop tops, neon high top trainers and acid wash denim leggings started creeping into the fashion world last year, critics took notice. "A bit like Sleeping Beauty, they [the Eighties] have been roused from their fashion coma by the mwaah-mwaah air-kiss of style," says fashion writer Hilary Alexander.

Take this Louis Console Table part of the 'Heal's Discovers' range, created by British designer John Reeves. "Stylised around contemporary baroque, this decadent piece has three drawers and a seamless lacquered finish. Innovative in design, the traditionally turned table leg is divided into four and inverted on each corner to create a striking leg profile" say respected furniture house Heal's -we say, you couldn't have imagined having an shocking blue table three years ago but now it seems like quite a 'cosmic' idea.

In the Eighties, the theme was "anything goes" when it came to texture and scale; the more tactile and the more playful the better. Hairspray sold like hot cakes and velvet was the fabric du jour. This season's homeware collections mix and match silks, metallics, velvets, leathers and sequins so be prepared.

Crystal chair not built with comfort in mind

2009-08-27T11:51:00.001+01:00

This stunning natural crystal chair has been created by submerging a polyester elastomer chair skeleton in an aquarium.

Grown entirely within the laws of nature and fit for purpose as a home furnishing, we feel that although it’s completely sustainable in source material it’s probably completely uncomfortable for use as a chair!

In fact, our bums hurt just looking at it.

Winching aside, this incredible creation entitled Venus by Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka is no surprise for his previous collaborators at Hermes, Toyota, BMW, and Swarovski were similarly stunning interior pieces.

However, it's not all about discomfort, at Yoshioka’s Second Nature exhibit in Tokyo, he displayed lamps and other interior design pieces that aren’t so reliant upon having cheeks of steel to endure sitting on them.

Source

Kooky creations from Straight Line Designs

2009-08-26T11:42:00.000+01:00

With furniture concepts straight out of Alice in Wonderland or a Tim Burton flick, we’ve pretty much fallen in love with Straight Line Designs.

It’s fortunate they ship worldwide because these Canadian creators of frankly the most fun furnishings we’ve seen in a long while take our breath away.

With tables that take a tinkle on your rug, beds shaped as beehives, cabinets in the shape of carrots, and drawers that melt on to the floor we’re wondering just what they’re likely to come up with next.

Made from the finest materials, primarily maple solids and veneers, these fully functional pieces of furniture would be an absolute dream to have in the home.

We’re particularly excited about their latest offering, the little black dress(er) which suspends from straps on a wardrobe rail.

Not exactly the nifty nightwear that usually comes to mind, but one we’d definitely keep in the closet.

The Enlightened One

2009-08-25T15:00:00.003+01:00

Check this cool lamp out. We recently featured a new range of funky plastic moulded lamps, but Buddha here exudes a little more class. The Buddha Head Lamp is made from polyethylene, a strong and durable plastic which can also cope with high temperatures. It’s available in three different colors including the yellow as pictured and also white and a reddy-orange.

Smart Space at Fairmont Battery Wharf

2009-08-25T10:58:00.004+01:00

Kim Vallee took these quick shots of a space maximising room layout at the newly opened Fairmont hotel in Boston. We think the colours are subtle and it certainly looks comfortable. "The most clever design idea is definitely the closet. It has doors that open from both sides: from the bathroom and from the bedroom. This is an idea that you must remember if you are renovating your master bedroom with its ensuite bathroom." We love the shorts by the way!

Best for classic home furnishings on the high street: Laura Ashley

2009-08-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

We’ve always had a sore spot for high street staple, Laura Ashley, and their iconic classic home furnishing lines.

Managing to pair classic and contemporary styles seamlessly each season without appeared tired or twee in their inspiration; the items they deliver are quality, enduringly fashionable pieces of furniture that build stylish homes effortlessly.

Their new collections are no disappointment, with bedrooms, living and dining design ideas to lust after.

As they bridge the gap between designer home furnishing and the likes of Ikea, Laura Ashley has something to offer every budget as even the smallest addition from their subtly styled ranges appears a statement in the home, thanks to the detailed craftsmanship of their products.

Best for unique home furnishings online: etsy.com

2009-08-21T16:59:00.000+01:00

We reckon we’ve found the ultimate in stylish home furnishings. Ladies and gentlemen, may we present Etsy.

A site dedicated to selling bespoke artisan pieces from across the globe, this site is the Amazon equivalent for the artsy among us. They list a million new products each month!

Pick uniquely designed pieces from your local area, or choose something from another continent with the location finder; alternatively, and this is our favourite find, use the colour picker to select items to fill your home with according to specific colour themes.

Just drag your mouse around the screen until you find the exact shade you’re looking for, and click!

Magically it matches the shade to images of products within the site and does the hard work for you.

We like. A lot.

Greener outdoor spaces with recycled decking

2009-08-20T20:55:00.003+01:00

It seems there’s a use for everything as American garden furniture company Trex manage to produce reams of high quality garden decking from our throwaway plastic bag habit.

The result is incredibly impressive; with the authentic appearance of wood (even under close scrutiny) this original product can be fire proofed, stain, scratch and mould resistant.

Cleverly composited from a balance of plastic and reclaimed wood, they can recycle 140,000 plastic bags to produce a 500-square-foot composite deck.

Reportedly one of the largest plastic bag recyclers anywhere in the US, you can see they're putting waste to good use.

Annoyingly, we’re likely to be more damaged by the sun than their recycled product, but it’s worth all the extra hours we’re likely to spend in the garden.

Purrrfect Polystyrene furniture

2009-08-20T16:52:00.000+01:00

We stumbled across this amazing line of furniture created from expanded polystyrene (EPS) that includes living room tables, chairs and bookcases, all innovatively crafted with characters cut from solid white blocks.

A cat coils itself around books as small birds peck at personal belongings, all resulting in a visually striking yet minimalist feel.

Fill In The Cat is a real achievement for NEL, a collective of Mexican independent designers, who we think are definitely one to watch…

Floral prints are back with a vengeance

2009-08-20T09:18:00.003+01:00

Zoe Wood from the Guardian has noticed how the quiet growth of floral print is steadily taking over the high street. One designer that can profess this to be true is purveyor of "kitchenalgia" Cath Kidston, who has seen sales and profits have jumped more than 60%.

Accounts filed at Companies House show profits at the retailer increased from £2.9m to £4.6m in the year to March, as its floral biscuit tins proved a "tonic for recesssionistas."

Kidston's teapots and oilcloths, which epitomise the image of the 1950s housewife, celebrating baking, tea and buicsuits, have become addictive for a generation of women whose busy working and home lives have led them to idealise rather than practise domesticity.

There are 27 Cath Kidston stores in the UK and Ireland, with 10 new retails outlets opening in the last 12 months. The prints have also risen in popularity in Japan, where Tokyo, Nagoya and Yokohama have outlets.

Seating gets sexy with the Naked Chair

2009-08-19T20:50:00.000+01:00

This ergonomic acrylic chair is described by its creator, Chez Banc, as being "more than a love chair for two".

Well, it sure as hell does what it says on the tin.

The Naked Chair has been built for comfort and its bold presence is enhanced by a custom made cushion.

With customers able to pick from an array of impressive fabrics or even suggesting their own, the Naked Chair’s seating pad comes complimentary with purchase of the seat.

Combined with an appropriate fabric, the Naked chair is designed for use both indoors and out.

Great news, as we’re tempted to get two…

Stones that cushion the blow (to your wallet)

2009-08-19T16:47:00.001+01:00

Sticks and stones may break your bones, but living stone pebble cushions will never hurt you…

That’s a rhyme we anticipate hearing in playgrounds across the country as Smarin’s snazzy seats take a meteoric rise in to the public view after appearing in this year’s Big Brother garden.

These oversized spongy creature comforters would be a great addition as furniture for the lounge, bedroom or garden.

Relaxing both in appearance and structure, these pebbles are a fantastic alternative to beanbags or traditional sofa suites.

See for yourself at Smarin, and relish the exclusivity of them only being available in Europe!

Park Woo Sung takes the classis lamp to pieces

2009-08-19T11:28:00.005+01:00

We were delighted when we saw this new creation from Korean designer Park Woo Sung. Its as innovative as it is practical. Available in a range of cool hues like red, purple, green, blue, orange and white. We would love to see some more variations on colour patterns, the colours of the Union Jack maybe, or how about a red/white candy effect?

You can see this and many more cool creations over at Park Woo Sung's own website.

Homemaker notion turned on its head

2009-08-18T20:44:00.002+01:00

A survey this month has indicated that it’s no longer the “fairer sex” who is committed to building a nest, but it is in fact men who are spending more on furniture for the home.

While women spend lavishly on personal items like jeans and perfume, it is men who are investing in large pieces of furniture for the home.

Experian’s survey results are supported by the impressive statistic that UK furniture stores saw the largest sales growth for 3 years last month.

Due to the recent poor weather in Britain, it is believed that the boost in sales of homeware and furniture is due to shoppers turning their sights inside the home.

With the boys spending £257 on average to improve their home surroundings last month, the UK’s girls lavished £231 on themselves!

Brooklyn artist’s Plywood seat sets the benchmark

2009-08-18T16:40:00.003+01:00

This incredible bench redefines the popular misconception of plywood being a cheap and unattractive material as Brooklyn artist, Susan Woods delivers her stunning New Wave Line of seating.

Our favourite, the Working Wave, is both sculptured and structurally sound in its design and perfectly demonstrates Wood's approach of combining selective and reclaimed materials to produce innovative and artistic furniture pieces.

She calls them prototypes, bespoke creations for individual requests, so unfortunately there’s no price tag to speak of.

Back to nature with Otobi’s furniture from the rainforest

2009-08-17T20:36:00.002+01:00

Hats off to the creative geniuses that produced this amazing advert.

Featuring 3-dimensional mahogany furniture pieces that appear to grow organically within the jungle, Asian furniture company Otobi almost convince you that their tables, beds and seats all belong in the forest.

The pieces appear to grow from vine stems shooting from the ground, as leaves fall and tropical jungle creatures comfortably mooch around in the backdrop.

As much nature documentary as profiling the furniture, this is an excellent piece of marketing.

Amazing concept showcasing some beautiful furniture; who could ask for more?

See for yourself, we've had to watch it a few times ourselves.

A table built to last infinity

2009-08-17T16:31:00.002+01:00

Jason Heap’s stunning dining room table, Infinity Squared, is one of the most beautiful creations to eat your Sunday dinner from.

A circular sheet of toughened glass sits atop of the American black walnut woven frame with shocking green edge detailing.

Created to undermine the rigid constricts of ordinary tables, Infinity Squared has been designed to deliver an undulating focal point that commands attention.

Well it’s certainly done that; Heap’s spectacular centrepiece is featured in this year’s Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design exhibition in Cheltenham.

Held from Saturday 15 to Monday 24 August, the exhibition will feature modern furniture and decorative arts from 70 designers.

Pop along and pick up a statement piece to furnish your home before it’s all bought up!

Tips on Coordinating Curtains and Soft Furnishings

2009-08-17T14:40:00.004+01:00

For most people, high fashion, and stylish interior design seems far away from the realms of our real homes. Our homes are places of practicality and living not puffed pillows and chaise lounges. Whatever your budget and whatever your tastes, it is very simple and moderately inexpensive to give your rooms a lift and create a more aesthetically pleasing and balanced space. By choosing coordinating and well fitted curtains and other soft furnishings you can create a sense of logic and identity within an otherwise eclectic room of new and old.

The first step in choosing new window dressings is to look at your existing room. What is there in the space that defines it and gives it character? It could be an old sofa, a mirror, wallpaper or a rug. Whatever it may be, you should use this as a central point for your inspiration. Look at the colours or patterns within the item and use this style or colour palette to choose your curtains. Consider prints, velvets, silks, hessians, damask and plains. Consider how using vertical or horizontal pattern will accentuate the width or the height of the space. Consider whether to include just curtains or a curtain and blind. Although not particularly necessary, this enables you to have an elaborate dress curtain for visual impact and use your blind on a daily basis to block out the light.

If you want to further enhance the look of the room why not buy some coordinating scatter cushions and a throw to incorporate your sofa into the design scheme. Either buy ready made or ask a seamstress to make you the covers piped in matching material to your curtains or blinds. Similarly, why not consider adding ribbon or trim around your existing lamp shades to again incorporate them in to your scheme?

When selecting fabrics do not be scared to ask for samples as, once home, fabrics can look completely different. Furthermore, it is sometimes best to use both ready made and made to measure products. For example, you may find the perfect pair of ready made curtains for your home but struggle to find a matching blind in a complementary colour and to fit your window. If this is the situation, shop around and look for the best solution for you, your budget and your timescales.

Ideas from the Academy

2009-08-13T13:12:00.004+01:00

Just came across these amazing bits of furtniture from the Design Academy Eindhoven graduation show.

Design Academy Eindhoven presents its annual graduation show: Graduation Galleries 2007. The exhibition takes place in deWitteDame in Eindhoven, the monumental factory premises in which Design Academy Eindhoven is located.

Next Stop Dubai for Interior Design Showcase

2009-08-11T13:15:00.002+01:00

Around 800 designers will visit Dubai for the bi-annual International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects (IFI), which will also focus on fusion design, such as the blend of East and West, According to Design Week.

Scheduled to take place from November 6th to November 11th, it will have the theme 'Celebrate Interior Design'. The event will take place in the Grand Hyatt Convention Centre and Sebastian Conran, founder of Conran and Partners, will be among the speakers.

The publication noted that other speakers will include Ross Lovegrove and Piero Lissoni who along with Conran will appear at the World Interior Design Congress, which is part of the event. Other features of the general assembly will include workshops, student competitions and masterclasses.

Brighten up your child's life

2009-08-04T10:29:00.002+01:00

Casey Lewis from Cookie magazine posted some exciting pictures of the new candela lamps from OXO.

"OXO's brilliant candela lamps are LED lights that provide eight hours of illumination. The quirky Zoom and Tooli models are perfect to top a bedside table, while the sweet house-shaped Roomi makes a relaxing nightlight as your children drift into dreamland."

Draw on your walls

2009-08-03T13:48:00.003+01:00

We like these wall vinyls from Wright On The Walls a lot. Although the living room space above gives us creepy memories about The Birds (not sure if that was intended or not). You can choose from a load of styles and colours to suit your room. In the shot below you can see they've matched the stickers to the fabrics seamlessly.

IKEA Furniture Catalogue Imminent

2009-07-31T08:53:00.002+01:00

The ubiquitous homeware retailer IKEA has previewed their latest furniture catalogue. Featuring some of the stand out items from its 2010 offering, the sneak peek revealed that the continue to champion ground breaking designs.

The includeds a hand-woven, long-fibre Andrea rugs, Tallvik steel lamps and Ronas candlestick and tealight holders, which were created by Ehlen Johansson.

It also included three-in-one cushions, which can be laid flat along a sofa or folded up into an s-shape to make a soft seat and Evabritt panel curtains, which are hinged to fold in the middle.

The IKEA catalogue has been produced every year since 1951 and is now read by more than 400 million people in 28 different languages across 38 countries.

This year's catalogue will present approximately 2,000 products, including several hundred new ones. The full IKEA range is made up of 10,000 products.

Editor of Homes & Interiors to launch new chocolate business

2009-07-30T16:52:00.002+01:00

Former editor of glossy magazine Homes and Interiors Scotland Sandra Colamartino has turned her back on the magazine sector to launch a new confectionery business which combines her two passions - books and chocolate. The Chocolate Library, based in Edinburgh, creates chocolate bars designed to look like books with packaging that opens so that buyers can read an article about the subject on the cover of the product.

As well as offering its own products, The Chocolate Library has already expanded to offer an extensive private label service ranging from bespoke products being created for single bars for hotels through to complete packaging ranges for large organisations.

Colamartino said: “I launched the first range of chocolate bars, Landmarks of Scotland, in the spring of 2008 with the help of renown illustrator Iain McIntosh. He created a fantastic set of drawings to go with the series and it was a bit of an experiment to test the market. These bars attracted a lot of interest and requests came in from companies keen to develop their own unique bars in a similar style.”

‘It’s a bit bonkers, I’ll admit.” she says. “But it’s exciting to be working on something totally new and there certainly does seem to be a demand for the product. Oh, and of course I can eat as much chocolate as I like and pretend that I am proof reading!”

Interior of the Week

2009-07-29T15:09:00.003+01:00

This week's interior is from our friends at Wallpaper magazine and the 'Rossana Orlandi 'pops up' in Sardinia' feature.

The Gallery Fumi space, complete with Bokja sofa and pendant light by Pieke Bergmans

Habitat to launch online magazine

2009-07-29T09:03:00.003+01:00

The home furnishings retailer Habitat has appointed Fitzgerald Shurey Tarbuck to launch an online digital magazine. The mag is intended to provide ideas and inspiration to the growing number of customers who interact with Habitat on the web.

A digital newsletter will showcase the Habitat range and keep customers up-to-date with current interior decorating trends and the latest store news. Recipients will also be able to click through to the magazine microsite.

Habitat recently got into some hot water for using the Iran election and interest in products such as the new Apple iPhone to help publicise money-saving discounts at its stores on Twitter. It used its Twitter account to add keywords, known as hashtags, to Tweets.

The UK's largest and only flooring event

2009-07-28T11:24:00.002+01:00

Whether you're a retailer, flooring buyer or contractor, National Floor Show provides you with the opportunity to touch, see, source and be inspired by all the latest trends in flooring. National Floor Show provides the largest forum to meet with existing suppliers as well as source new ones and network with peers.

Are you visiting the National Floor Show in Harrogate this year? We'd love to hear from people who have visited or exhibited in the past.

DEENA is a punk rocker

2009-07-28T11:14:00.002+01:00

Apparently these sculptural coffee tables with their slatted pedestal frame are as light as a feather. (What happened to heavy furniture being a sign of quality?). We think they look fantastic and would fit perfectly into a contemporary open space. But with a price tag of £249 you would have to make a feature of it!

Blogs and Coffee, a great combination!

2009-07-27T15:20:00.002+01:00

I just came across this beautifully simple screen print; perfect for any cosmopolitan bloggers' kitchen or home office. Made By Girl is the brand of blogger and coffee lover Jennifer Ramos. You can view the full eclectic range of unique and original home decor items here.

Five of the Best Interior Design Quotations

2009-07-27T13:54:00.004+01:00

1. I'm for style - fashions change too often.

Coco Chanel

2. The mood of a room must dictate. Every room has a mood or personality - sometimes - latent - and it is this that one desires to develop.

Eleanor Brown

3. It is just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress.

Dorothy Draper

4. Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.

William Morris

5. The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what's in or what's out. This is not an easy job.

Albert Hadley

Channel 4's Kevin McCloud Goes Green

2009-07-24T14:08:00.002+01:00

The Triangle’s 42 properties — which will meet the testing Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes — will be built around a traditional village green, with a contemporary eco-touch. There is, for instance, a wet meadow, part of the development’s drainage strategy.

The model for the two and two-and-a-half storey terraced homes will be Swindon’s Victorian railwaymen’s cottages, but the properties will be updated with 21st-century green extras, such as triple-glazing, eco-roofing and rainwater harvesting systems.

The 19th-century layout will also be modified to fit in with today’s thinking on energy efficiency, as McCloud explains: “We have decided to raise the ceiling on the downstairs living space to give more light; this makes the first-floor bedrooms more womblike.”

McCloud, who studied scores of examples of domestic architecture when formulating his plans, considers the railwaymen’s cottages quite beautiful. This is appropriate as his development company is called Hab — Happiness Architecture Beauty.

Tre Pezzi Makes a Comeback

2009-07-24T14:01:00.003+01:00

The guys over at interiordesign.net recently highlighted the return of Cassina. Franco Albini and Franca Helg introduced their three-piece Tre Pezzi in 1959 as an update on the bergère.

The comfortable proportions, crescent shapes, and tubular-steel base endure. However the latter, originally painted black, can now also be ordered in polished chrome, and the wool fabric, formerly offered only in red, now comes in other bright colors and a selection of neutrals.

Original Article

Welcome to The Interior Design Blog

2009-07-24T11:06:00.002+01:00

Welcome to The Interior Design Blog - this is our first post. We hope to bring you the latest style news and trends in interior design. Subscribe to our feed and get fresh ideas, comment and design-orientated discussion straight to your reader. We're made up of a group of focussed individuals who are dedicated and passionate about interior spaces and their effect on our lives. From wallpaper to rugs and paint to furniture we have it covered.

Join in with the discussion, we love to hear feedback and people's comments on what we've posted.