For the love of rattan

Well it's still here, rattan, cane and bamboo have been around season after season after season. And I still love it! The high-street to high end and everyone in-between has something that will fit into this natural trend. So I thought I would do a little round up of the best pieces (in my opinion of course) that would stand the test of time as it continues to grow and persevere. 

Marte collection from Urban Outfitters

This whole collection is fantastic, with the large storage cabinet being the showstopper. The natural wood and woven front plus a hanging rail and drawer make it functional and stylish. The entire collection has a mid-century feel mixed with vacation vibes, a great combo I would say! 

Available from Urban Outfitters

HK Living bedside tables

These have been on my radar for a while, because they are just so CUTE! The unusual shape for side tables, their skinny little legs and full webbed front make them quirky and kitsch. Yup, these are on my wish list for my kid's room, along with a heap of other things....I have a furniture addiction.

Available from a number of retailers The Bowery Company

Rattan Mirror

This is a great item if you are looking at adding just a hint of this natural trend. Simple, clean and easy to hang plus would fit in to almost any interior style. I would hang this beaut as a 'last looks mirror' at the front door. 

Available from H&M home

Antigua All-Weather Wicker Dining Armchair

An all weather chair that would make any balcony, deck or courtyard look fantastic. A sleek design, that wouldn't look out of place inside, this chair has a Scandinavian feel that's incredibly popular, with the woven wicker and wooden peg legs. Yes please. 

Available from Pottery Barn

Dusk headboard

To finish off my round up I would be amis to not include this phenomanal headboard from Tribe. The sheer size and impact it has never mind the shape make it a MUST. The rest of the bedroom could be plain, paired back and simple, this statement piece would be enough to really pull the room together. 

Available from Tribe

Iconic Lighting; the lamps I lust after

I am a bit of a lamp lover: I always have a lamp I am lusting after, something that lights up my day (pun intended). I thought I would compile some lamps that I either own or want to own right here. Lighting has a key role in interiors. If your lighting is off then the room can feel sterile and too bright, or basked in an orange hue with the wrong bulb. 

I believe that a lamp should be as important as the furniture it is sitting on, although it is often forgotten and only used for its convenience and practicalities rather than its design aesthetic. Here are some of my icons:

Carl-Johan lamp by Olsson & Jensen

This is my most recent purchase, based on a porcini mushroom this lamp gives me all the feels. Swedish designer (of course he is Swedish) Carl-Johan has designed an over sized gorgeous lamp that I just had to have. It is massive I may add, and really stands out in a room, so if you want a bit of a showstopper then this is your lamp. 

Available from a number of retailers including: Nordic Nest

Verner Panton flowerpot VP3 lamp by &Tradition

This beauty has been on my hit list for years, and I finally got my mitts on one. I opted for the 'beige red' - which isn't beige red at all but a dusty pale pink which is exactly what I was wanting. 

Created in 1969 by Verner Panton in Denmark (can you see a Scandi theme here) it was based on the era's love of 'flower power' and became a design icon as soon as it was released. The balance of skinny stem and the heavy series of spheres makes it iconic and just so damn stylish! Its as if it hasn't aged a day since its creation. The sign of a true icon.  

Available from a number of retailers including: Finnish Design Shop

Hebe Floor Lamp by Ferm Living

This lamp comes in a number of colour ways but this is my fave combo. The Ferm Living Hebe lamp has a vintage 70's German ceramic retro feel about it, and I LOVE it. The large cylinder shaped shade and grand proportions make it a floor lamp or a formibable sized table top lamp that would look phenomenal in a high ceilinged property.  

Available from a number of retailers including: The Bowery Company

Metal Triangle Lamp by HK Living

This is a new classic, available in 2 sizes as a table top lamp along with co-ordinating floor and pendant pieces. I am lusting after the mustard, I can see it sitting nicely on my rattan unit.  It has great clean lines, and its little triangle hat makes me happy so I guess that's why it is on my list. 

Available from a number of retailers including: Urban Nest

Bourgie Ferruccio Laviani Lamp by Kartell

Now, this is a classic that has been around for a while. I used to own this lamp until I dropped it and broke the shade to bits....because I am ridiculously clumsy and this kind of thing often happens to me. It has a grand presence as it is intended in this French style. The light is cast beautifully and the modern clear material (there are a few colours available) makes it quirky and trés chic (get it?!).

Available from a number of retailers including: Kartell

Arne Jacobsen lamp by produced by Louis Poulsen

RIGHT - this is one of my favourite designs and I think it may be my next purchase. It is just such a sexy lamp (is that a thing?) and being as old as it is in design it is unbelievable that it is as modern as it is. It would have been a trail blazing design in 1957 during the mid century modern era. 

Available from a number of retailers including: Finnish Design Shop

How to pick a sofa

Newport sofa @ West Elm

Picking a sofa is a tricky business, it has to fit with your existing decor and tick a few boxes:

comfort

practical

size

colour

durability

and finally style

I am going to work through the checklist and give you a guide to what I feel you need to think of when looking for your next purchase because lets face it is a high ticket expense!!! 

Comfort:

© Hay Mags sofa 

When it comes to sofa comfort you have to decide what you are looking for. Is it a movie room sofa, that you want to slump into, chill and eat popcorn and inevitably fall asleep on? Or is it a formal lounge look that requires a bit more structure and form? If you need an in-between then you may have to sacrifice some elements further down the list to get the level of comfort you want. Some are even willing to sacrifice comfort for style....your choice and not a wise one as ultimately comfort kind of trumps all in the end. Try before you buy, this is key. Places like sofa.com and Loaf are online but now have high street stores that you can try the sofa out. If you are willing to drop a few thousand on a BIG purchase you want to make sure it is right. If you cannot get to a showroom, then make sure you read every review you can to make an informed decision. If it is feather filled cushions, they will be super comfortable but you will be FOREVER pumping up those pads to make them look full again which ties in to practical....see this checklist will all lead into one another. 

Practical:

© Hemmingway from G-Plan

Practicality is high up on my list as I have two kids, I need to make sure that the fabric I chose is up to the task or is washable. If you have pets then velvet is possibly is not your best choice. You have to look at the lifestyle you lead, the room it will be in and how much traffic it will get. 

Size:

© Loaf

One of the things I HATE are sofas that are too large, that overbear a room and just look silly. They make the room seem smaller and claustrophobic. Measure your space, make sure you can manoeuvre around the room and think about how many people will need to sit. Would a 2 seater and 3 seater work or a large L shape? If it helps draw the room to scale, then plot your space with the sofas your are considering. One BIG tip is think about how you will get it in the house. I personally had a BAD situation where the sofa arrived and would not fit through the front door, it had to be carried above the poor delivery guys heads round the side and in the back door. 

Colour:

© Made.com

Colour is key, it doesn't mean you have to go wack-a-doodle and order a bonkers colour, but you have to balance your palette, and consider what would look good considering it is the biggest thing in your living space. Colour is fabulous, I love a splash - just limit your choices and don't pick anything too trend driven or you will be wanting to cover your sofa and buy a new one in a years time. 

Durability:

© Swoon 

I mentioned previously that fabric and durability is important, velvet doesn't work with dog hair, although I believe there are some brands that are doing pet friendly velvet now. Wool will bobble, so if its a high use sofa probably not the best idea, leather and cat claws are not great, and your stuffing may need pumped up so think about how often you want to deal with that! 

Style:

© Muuto at The Finnish Design Shop

People often put style first but there is literally no point in a fancy looking sofa that's a brick and needs constant maintenance. Sleek lines or country style, a Scandi look or traditional, modern or vintage? You will know what you like, what your current furnishings are that your sofa has to work with. Think about how long you will likely have the sofa and again, trends are not a great idea as they just date so quickly. 

Do your research and consider all the points above before you drop your pennies. 

My Top five interior designer Instagram accounts

Here are my top 5 picks of who I currently follow on instagram. Accounts that inspire me, influence me and entertain me...I look forward to their updates and love to see the projects they are working on. 

© Sofie @ Three Boys and a pink bath

 @threeboysandapinkbath

 

Sofie with a F is an explosion of colour. Her homes are a wonderment of rich pinks, mustards and greens, painted ceilings, #dustyhouse plans and garden office pods. With a never ending interiors plan from Pimp My Rental to a total home renovation project Sofie never seems to run out of ideas or energy! Her stories are filled with fun, as is her home. She has the bedroom of dreams, in rich pinks, greens and a massive headboard. I literally love seeing her updates, and look forward to seeing the outcome of #sheilashed – if you follow you know!

 

© Lisa Dawson

@_lisa_dawson_

 

Lisa literally always seems to have a project on the go! I am in awe of her ability to transform rooms in very short periods of time. A love of art and gallery walls, charity shop finds and cooking her home is eclectic and fun. You can even rent her newly renovated annex on air B&B and get a taste of her amazing interiors for yourself. An award-winning blogger who writes interiors columns for a number of publications and can be found presenting at interiors panels and with partner in crime @deecampling. 

Having worked with a host of big brand names, Lisa’s home is amazing, and her Instagram stories keep me entertained. 

 

 

© Live Loud Girl

 

@liveloudgirl

 

One half of @fronteriors – Linda is an interiors stylist, blogger and designer working in Dubai. Her home is calm and full of rich tones and textures while her projects include luxury homes and hotels. Her Instagram is a mixture of her cool home design, her sons who happen to be models, her work projects, her holiday rental in Holland @liveloudgirlstays and everything that Dubai family life has to offer. 

© Stella and the Stars

 

@stellaandthestars

A super fun home filled with neon colours and quirky prints Emilie has been featured in a host of publications including Harper's Bazar Arabia. An award winning blogger, interiors stylist and mum of 3 Elilie offers a colourful look at interiors on a smaller budget for her clients. A unique take on the interiors market in Dubai, which is often about expensive, custom designs, she surely has the niche of providing incredibly stylish looks that don’t break the bank. 

 

 

© Liz Nylon

@liznylon

 

An American transplant in Edinburgh, my hometown. Liz is an interior design student, who has a blog that has already won awards. Her shower room renovation is fun and full of character from a colourful sink unit to crital style shower screens. Liz also takes you for a walk around Edinburgh to look at the unique, weird, wonderful and colourful front doors of the New Town and Dean Village. Her love of typography prints is in sync with my own and getting to see a little bit of ‘home’ while living abroad makes me especially happy.