Beautiful Bouclé - the bobbly interior trend

It is the start of autumn: Q the start of cosy fabrics and interiors that will take centre stage. Bouclé has begun, that warm looped fabric that makes you want to stroke it and snuggle in. Although living in a warm country year round, bouclé is a trend that has just dropped in the UAE and I am all for it. I have rounded up some brilliant bouclé pieces that are begging to be bought. 

Ferm Living sofa

This stunning piece by Ferm Living is a statement, its curved form, with no definite back and sides make it stand out from the crowd. Add in some gorgeous Bouclé fabric and you have the perfect autumn cosy couch. It may not be cheap, but this sofa will last season to season with its timeless charm. Its number one on my list for investing in this fun textured trend. 

Ferm Living sofa from The Bowery Company

Zara Home

Adding a splash of colour are these Zara Home cushions in the bouclé fabric. An affordable and easy way to add in this playful trend, while adding that texture without breaking the bank. Just imagine cosying up with a great book on these, on a snowy day (lets face it there is NO chance of snow in the UAE but just pretend with me). An easy and affordable purchase. 

Bouclé cushions from Zara Home

Homecentre

This chair has a 60s feel and I think it a great piece for adding the bouclé element to a room. Its statement legs in chrome and warm and cosy buttoned back make it inviting and sexy (if furniture can be sexy) at the same time. Ideal as a bedroom chair, or a reading corner in your living space. 

Bouclé chair from Homecentre

Pottery Barn

Lets continue the warm and snuggly feel with a cosy blanket in bouclé. Another way to add that texture and trend in an affordable way. This blanket is available in a range of colours too, so you can add to your existing colour palette easily. 

Bouclé blanket from Pottery Barn

HKliving 

This has to be included in my favourite pieces. As a lover of HKliving, this lounge chair ticks so many of my boxes. Its comfortable design, the bouclé fabric and of course its chunky-ness. A great lounge chair for the living room, and even better in a pair if you can drop some cash on this investment piece. 

HKliving lounge Fauteuil chair from Urban Nest 

This is my round up of great bouclé buys with a vast range of price points. Obviously this trend will be everywhere soon and your choices will be endless, but if you want to get ahead of the game, and have that bouclé sofa by pumpkin carving season get buying! 

All images are © to the brands credited

Scandi Style on a shoestring

The scandinavian interiors trend has been around for years and it continues to be a key look for people to try and imitate. With so many options, and styles it is hard to know which pieces are worth the investment and which to avoid. There are lots of great low cost stores that can transform your space into a little slice of Stockholm, here are my top picks for adding that Scandi style to your home. 

JYSK Nebel rocking chair

JYSK

Founded in 1979 by Lars Larson in Denmark they now have more than 2800 stores worldwide in 52 countries. The epitome of Scandi-cool this brand has all you may need at fantastic price points. The Nebel rocking chair is one of my current favourite pieces and at only AED 742.50 you can see why it has made my list for affordable Scandi style. 

NEBEL rocking chair AED742.50

IKEA BJÖRKSNÄS double bed

"IKEA is named after the initials of founder Ingvar Kamprad, 

Elmtaryd, the farm on which he grew up, 

and Agunnaryd, the nearby village."

IKEA

Well I am sure this is the most obvious store when thinking of Scandinavian design at affordable prices. IKEA was founded in 1943 in Småland, Sweden and is now one of the best known furniture brands in the world. 

One of the standout pieces for me is the Bjorksnas bed frame. It has a feeling of Ercol, a British brand that always took influence from Sweden, of course at a much more affordable price point! The clean lines, light wood and bed head detail make it a great piece for adding some Scandi to your bedroom. 

BJORKSNAS double bed frame AED 1995

(also available in king)

HEMA Water Carafe With Stopper

HEMA

Hema is new to the UAE but has been in the UK for years. A great Dutch brand that has been around since 1927 with 775 stores in 12 countries. Home accents, and perfect party pieces this brand has fantastic items at low prices. Now available in the UAE on Namshi.com there are some great items that will add a little bit of European charm to your home. 

I feel having a carafe on your table with fresh juices is a great addition to any table top. If you have a home bar, then use this beauty in multiples to add some affordable luxe. 

HEMA water carafe AED 40 

Homecentre Ino Metal Table Lamp

Homecentre 

Homecentre is a staple in the UAE - seen in most malls and offers a great price point with some lovely Scandi inspired treats available. The Ino table lamp has a 60s feel and at only AED 50 its a perfect addition to your home office or side table. 

Homecentre Ino table lamp AED50

H&M Rattan-door cabinet

"No matter where you are in your home, each room 

should reflect your personal style and taste. "

H&M Home

H&M home launched their first concept store in the UAE this year, so you can get to view your coveted piece before you buy. If a trip to Dubai is off the cards then just pop online. This rattan cabinet is not just a looker...its practical and a great size for a smaller space. It would look great as a pair of larger side tables on either side of a bed or as a smaller console in a dining room. 

H&M rattan door cabinet AED 1499

This is my round up of great affordable brands and items I feel add a bit of Scandi cool to your home on a shoestring. 

©All images are copyright to the credited brands

Designer Focus: HKliving

Carrying on this months focus of Dutch design this week is all about HKliving. Created by childhood friends Emiel Hetsen and Sander Klaver using their last name initials to create 'HKliving' in 2008, this brand is sold in over 70 countries globally. A brand that is cool, sleek lines mixed with vintage charm bring a true individual identity to the interiors market. 

 

"...we always look to highlight an array of styles, 

as long as they strike a contemporary note and 

complement your home and your vibe. Be inspired!"

Traveling around the world to create an interior story that is influenced by 'everywhere', you are sure to see elements of design from Paris, Greece, The Med and more. This brand offers you a 'whole look' concept from tableware, candles and prints paired with fantastic collaborations with artists to complement the collection. There is no escaping the underlying European cool that HKliving exudes. They are always bang on trend, if not setting the trends themselves with geometric designs, tactile upholstery and vintage inspired home accents.

Even though a Dutch brand, HKliving could be from any cosmopolitan city - not distinctly Dutch but definitely has that minimalistic vibe teamed with quirkiness that makes European brands so recognisable.  They have so many options from cane and wire furniture to velvet cushions, the 'chic-ness' is obvious but what draws me is their sense of humour. Who doesn't need a pink velvet Grecian style ornament in their home?

Further proof that HKliving is a design powerhouse is their collaboration with Strandhotel Zoomers: an entire hotel has been styled in HKliving by The Other Season. Dune rooms, beach rooms, suites and an apartment all kitted out in glorious fashion with the entire collection, sign me up! A great way to try before you buy...and a little holiday! 

Here are my top pieces on my 'gotta have it list' this week:

Wire chair: 

The gorgeous wire chairs from HKliving are on my list, due to their retro design and an industrial aesthetic. Great as an office chair, or at the head of a dinging table to add a 'cool'.

You can buy HKliving exclusively from Urban Nest in the UAE and Levant as well as other stores worldwide. 

"When it comes to funky colours and finishes, 

it really is time to shine for our 70’s ceramics. 

New shapes and designs found their way 

into this series, to give it that seventies glow."

70's ceramics:

This collection is inspired by the 70s and are finished by hand making each one a true individual. You can buy different colour palettes and pieces to build your collection.You can buy HKliving exclusively from Urban Nest in the UAE and Levant as well as other stores worldwide. 

Pillar table:

This table design has become iconic. Available as a side table or a desk the ribbed legs and rounded top make it slick and stylish. This design has been replicated and 'hacked' by people wanting this look. Why not invest in the original?! 

Urban Nest is the exclusive distributor in the Middle East and provide to companies such as The Bowery Company. HKliving are available throughout the world, for a list of stockists in your country visit their website. You can follow on their Instagram @hkliving.  

All images ©HK living 

Linda from Live Loud Girl: Dutch Design

This month I am going to look at Dutch and European design, designers and brands and what better way to start than chatting to Linda Dekkers from extremely successful creative consultancy: Live Loud Girl. Having followed Linda for a while now on her social media and blog plus her jointly owned business Fronteriors I wanted to discuss her design aesthetics and what makes her 'tick'. 

          Do you feel that your Dutch upbringing influences your design aesthetic?

I grew up in a household of practical furniture in combination with treasures we would take with us from our holidays through Europe. Brands like IKEA are big in The Netherlands, but so is being exposed to Dutch design. I have always had a passion for working with furniture. I would paint an old chair or use a hand me down table as a desk. So working with a mix of affordable and high end design, vintage and new has always been in my blood. 

@nataleecocks

Your own home is very stylised and looks like it is in a magazine when it features on your Instagram. Which pieces in your own home do you love the most?

Our Eames chair is a design piece that I had fallen in love with years and years ago. When I got a bit of money when we lived in New York, I decided to invest in it and have not regretted it till this day. I do believe that if you fall in love with something, that you should invest in it yet it does not have to be design furniture. The cabinet in the boys room used to belong to my grandmother. When she passed it on to me, I decided to paint it and use it as a closet. Vintage finds on a flee market can also make me very happy. It's the mix of things that I love most.

Which interior designers do you most admire, and what is it that draws you to them?

On Instagram I follow a lot of interior stylists that inspire me. Like @eyeswoon and @elisabeth_heier for their consistent style and beautiful imagery. But I also get lots of inspiration from other industries for building my brand and being a successful entrepreneur by @_jeanettemadsen_, @yara_michels and @jaceyduprie. 

@nataleecocks

 

When you are blending the old and the new what pointers do you have to keep things balanced and aesthetically pleasing?

For us, the most important when styling a space is that it reflects your story. Whom ever is going to use that space should start smiling when they walk in. Wether that is using lots of design, lots of vintage, keeping is minimalistic or bringing in colour, there is no right or wrong. We do believe that you should invest in furniture that you can bring along in the following years even if that sometimes means it will have a different function. Cabinets can become storage, dinner tables can become office desks, chairs can be bedside tables.

What is your favourite design era and why?

The here and now but I am a sucker for a 70's accessory

You co-own Fronteriors with Kathryn, what made you decide to create the business?

Kath and I have known each orther for years. And even though we are in the same line of business, we never felt threatened by one another and would help each other out when needed. As we both have a long history of using IKEA hacks in our designs, we felt there was an opportunity of starting Fronteriors. We complement each other and have not looked back since we started almost 18 months ago. 

 @nataleecocks

With your company Fronteriors being so successful in upcycling Ikea products, do you feel that there is a movement in restoring and ‘upskilling’ products to make them look custom?

Absolutely, and the pandemic has only made that feeling more present. We spend so much more time at home now, realising that we should really make it our happy place. Making your home beautiful does not mean you have to invest a lot. Upgrading an existing IKEA cabinet that you have in the house ties in with many of our values. Besides that, we think it is important that customers can mix and match to create a piece of furniture that reflects their own personality. 

Image from Live Loud Girl Stays - Holiday rental property

You are great at blending affordable, custom, high end and vintage finds into one clean cohesive design. Is this a natural skill you have, or do you feel that it has evolved over time?

I have always loved combining. Yet over time my style has changed. When I started my blog, I was very much in to minimalistic design and a monochrome colour pallet. Now I use much more (warm) colours in my design (and in my own house) and love the traditional Scandinavian aesthetic. That is why it is so important to let your interior tell your story because your story will probably change over time.

Are there any items that you are in love with right now, and are on your wish list for future purchase?

A lamp from @casagitane - a shop that is also a huge source of inspiration to me.

A serial entrepreneur with an enviable business roster: an award winning blog, design consultancy business, Fronteriors and now Live Loud Girls Stays - where you can stay in her holiday rental surrounded by all that designer goodness. Linda Dekkers has the interiors game locked down.