Sunday 26 May 2013

Perfectly Pale in Paris

 
 
 
 
This boudoir scene graced the cover of Vogue Living recently, and having just returned from a visit to Paris, it struck a chord.
 
There's no doubting the beauty of the parquet floor and the lofty windows to the balcony but is the rest of the room super chic or sickly sweet?  All the individual elements are pleasing, they have been delightfully assembled by interior designer Marianne Tiegen and we love the mix of classic (chair) with contemporary (dressing table), the free standing wardrobe, the abundant curtains and the slight nod at kitsch in the giant Tulip lamp and the movie star mirror.
 
Yet there's something about the room that makes us not want to linger.  Is it too feminine? Too pretty? Too pink?  Or perhaps it's just that this is surely a room to indulge in a leisurely primp and preen and we'd feel too guilty?!
 
Maybe we just need to get in touch with our inner Marie Antoinette and learn to pamper.  Maybe we can't do that much pastel but would love the room in tones of grey, blue or red?  Whatever, it's clearly got what it takes as it's a cover girl room and got us talking!
 
Fancy a look like this?  Eco Chic can actually help!  Our Pinto ottoman is round and would look divine in white or grey cowhide; the Fiona free standing storage cupboard is very pretty and practical too, try our St Tropez chandelier for tradition with a twist and the Manhattan trestle table with a white Luanne chair would make a perfect pair. 
 
 
 




 
 


Thursday 16 May 2013

5 Interior Design Myths We Think Need Busting!

 
Myth 1: Clutter is bad.
Truth: Artfully organised clutter is very cool.
 
Myth 2: Indoor plants are old fashioned and naff!
Truth: They have always been, and always will be, great when well tended and over scaled.
 
 

Myth 3: Don’t put too many things in small spaces.
Truth:  Small spaces with nothing much in them are depressing; make them cosy nooks with lots of intimate, inviting furnishings!
 
 
Myth 4: Dark walls will make a room feel dark and dreary.
Truth: They can actually maximise the feeling of light and highlight the furnishings in contrast.
 
 
Myth 5:  Bathrooms look best with big white tiles and caeserstone.
Truth: Australian bathrooms are SO boring. Let’s get funky and make them a destination! Does anyone agree, or are we being typically impractical designers?
 
 
 
What myths would you like to see busted?
(all photos from the wonderful www.lonny.com
 
 
 


Saturday 11 May 2013

Eclectic Essence

 
Do you have a range of different items and styles but don’t know how to piece them together? Colour people, colour!
·         Take a look at all the blue you can see. There is such a variety of tone used throughout the room that ties it all in beautifully together – even using blue and green in the same picture allows for an introduction of green elsewhere.
·         A white backdrop is just perfect to allow the harmonious flow of colour. You can swap and change accessories often and whenever you like, thus creating a whole new vibe to the room. Pink, anyone?
·         The white headboard is still a statement piece without taking over; adding studs generates interest to the eye yet still allows for beautiful patterned bed linen.
Want the look with Eco Chic? Why not try our gorgeous Matilda Headboard and combine it with a funky side table like the Ironside. Add a splash of colour with some Buttercup Art or a Bamileke headdress.