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My Design Tips

Beautiful bookshelves … working with colour 2492

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Since my last post I am noticing bookshelves and bookcases everywhere and the ones that work really leap out.  The bookshelves above are my idea of perfection.  Such an interesting combination of colours, both books and decorative items.

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One could call this styling … the ability to put together bits and pieces that work … and it is all about having an eye for colour.  It is the combination of colours that pull it all together … or to be quite specific, always work with a complimentary palette of colours.

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Apply this principle to any collection whether it be bookshelves or dressing table. There is nothing as elegant as white or cream with a hint of soft metallic. Have a play and see what you can achieve.
My Design Tips

Neutral palette with a splash of colour 2264

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Any neutral palette will come alive with the introduction of a little colour !

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It could be anything from muted dusty shades to vibrant colour !

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A black and white scheme looks sensational with a splash of … well, any colour really … hot pink, soft pink, bright orange, brilliant yellow or cobalt blue …

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Refer to previous posts for tips on how to introduce colour into a neutral palette but it can be as simple as fresh flowers or a bookcase full of books.
My Design Tips

5 sleep essentials 2158

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Of all the rooms in a house the bedroom is possibly the most important … it is where we spend half our life !!!

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1.  A good mattress is essential to ensure a restful night’s sleep.  The very best mattresses support our spines in their natural, neutral position.  The latest technology allows the mattress springs to mould to the shape of our body.

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2.  Mattress toppers are becoming extremely popular … they add an additional layer of padding and comfort, particularly good where the mattress itself is too firm.  Reversible toppers with wool fleece for autumn and winter … and cotton percale to keep you cool in spring and summer, are the ultimate.

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3.  Choice of pillow is critical to a good night’s sleep.  The right choice depends on a number of factors including neck problems, allergies (non allergenic filling choices)and preference for firm or soft, one or two pillows. How soft or firm your pillow feels is determined by the ratio of feather to down used … feather being firm and down being soft.

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4.  Beautiful bedlinen is a luxury and you really do get what you pay for.  Thread count (number of threads in a square inch of fabric) isn’t everything and other factors such as the quality of the raw cotton (firmness of yarn) and the way threads are woven comes into play.  I love the softness and elegance of Cotton Sateen without the expense of Egyptian Cotton.

5.  Your choice of Doona/Duvet is all to do with weight and seasons/climate,  however your first choice is natural or non allergenic filling.  The right choice of doona weight for your particular climate is essential to a good nights sleep.  The weight of doona for a cool climate will be vastly different to that where winters are mild.  Down doonas trap more air between clusters than feather fillings and are therefore warmer and incredibly light.  The greater the percentage of down and the higher the quality of the down, the more you pay.

Yes, lots to think about … however worth spending a little time to get it right.
My Design Tips

A hint of gold … 2090

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A touch of gold or gilt adds an element of warmth and style to any interior.  It looks best I believe, where the palette of colours used is minimal or neutral.

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There are no hard and fast rules for the placement of gilt mirrors except to say, the larger the better.

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This palette of colours and textures works like a dream.  Gilt … furniture or mirrors, adds a touch of elegance … or even faded glory !!

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For all your restoration requirements … whether it be regilding mirrors and picture frames or conserving your Old Masters, it is worth speaking to International Conservation Services who have a very impressive portfolio.

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Images: tumblr
My Design Tips

How to do white well … 1933

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Crisp, stark white is not for the faint hearted.  In fact most clients I work with shy away from white, on the basis that it is cold and uninviting !!  I beg to differ …

It is all about using it effectively and achieving the right balance.

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A white interior looks its absolute best where there are timber floors … of any shade or colour.  It is the perfect balance, with the timber providing the warmth.

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White on white is the ultimate in elegance … and it is all about the texture.  Try layering  rough and smooth.  I love the combinations of smooth white bedlinen and the texture of an antique marcella quilt or white linen loose covers on a sofa with silk velvet cushions.

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Of course you can always weaken and do white with a hint of …

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And for something really luxe … white with that touch of gilt.  Oh so elegant !!

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Working with white and its varying textures and tones will allow you to create a very sophisticated interior … not always achievable with colour.

images via thisisglamorous
My Design Tips

5 favourite upholstered furniture pieces … and finding interesting homes for them 2406

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1.  the footstool … the perfect addition to any seating group but extremely practical in a bathroom … as big as will fit the space without cluttering it.

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2.  this buttoned armchair works well anywhere … lovely in the bedroom or as a pair in a quiet corner of a sitting room or study.  I do love the idea of a pair of these (or one plus ottoman) in the corner of a large country kitchen … for that quick cup of tea.

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3.  a buttoned chesterfield or even chaise is the ultimate … anywhere, anytime.  Looks fabulous in anything from an exquisite velvet to a vintage linen.

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4.  the rolled back armchair is a classic design that can be positioned in a classic or contemporary setting, depending on fabric … I love the slightly higher version around a dining table.

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5.  these squishy daybeds as a pair, are perfect for that covered verandah with view of the garden … just curl up with a book and throw rug.
My Design Tips

5 ways with vintage style 2103

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The trend toward minimalist interiors is I hope on the wane, with the pendulum swinging back to that of warmth and comfort … rooms that are inviting, lived in and have real character. Let your possessions provide the detail.

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1.  Display and use on a daily basis inherited pieces such as pretty porcelain or silver.  Don’t just store it in the attic or at the back of a cupboard.

2.  Visit antique shops and markets to keep your eye out for vintage finds … baskets, picture frames or collections of glass bottles to use as vases.

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3.  Collections of new or old books add character to any interior …  either in bookshelves or piles on coffee tables.  You can go a step further by displaying them by colour.

4.  Antique timber furniture of any period will always add warmth and texture. Often only one or two pieces are needed to make the difference in a very modern interior.

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5.  Choose a classic piece of antique furniture and recover it in a modern fabric.

It is the combination of old and new that gives character … and it should be constantly evolving not created in a few weeks.
My Design Tips

5 ways with texture … adding a whole new dimension to your interior 38752

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Texture is a very important element in any interior however it is even more relevant when working with a neutral colour palette. The texture becomes the focal point.

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When glancing at Wallpaper magazines 2013 High Altitude, the latest in ski resorts, I was struck by the impact of fabulous texture in varying forms. This was the key element in all these interiors … timber, stone, rustic furnishings and fabric in contrast with the icy surround.

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There is unlimited scope for the introduction of texture … wall finishes, floor and ceiling finishes, furniture, floor coverings and of course fabrics.

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The use of texture or the juxtaposition of different textures will bring a balance to the visual appeal and comfort of an interior … more often than not it brings warmth and sense of wellbeing.

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Introducing texture into your rooms can be as simple as:

1.  Roughly textured jute or sisal rugs on smooth polished floors

2.  Velvet and silk cushions on a linen sofa

3.  Cashmere throw rugs draped over crisp cotton bedlinen

4.  A collection of beautiful shells or pebbles in an all white bathroom

5.  Rustic limestone floors with stainless steel slickness in kitchens

and on it goes …

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