Published April. 27th 2021
Available to view online at The National News
Monday, 26 April 2021
Saturday, 24 April 2021
Kids room sharing
How to plan for children sharing a room is a tricky one dependant on their age. We started the girls in separate rooms until the youngest was two, now they are in together and loving life. It started with a bed and crib and now they are both in beds and we stagger their bedtime so they go to sleep without much fuss. I have complied my top pieces that I love in twinning bedrooms:
Rugs:
Lorena Canals Rug from Martin & Ella & OYOY road runner
our girls room
Beds: I am in love with wicker beds, I brought one with us from the UK from La Redoute and the other we bought from The Attic in Dubai. They can be made into daybeds/sofas if you decide at a later stage to swap to bunk beds. There are a few different styles you can buy but I decided to go with the entire thing made from rattan rather than woven cane sides and headboards, I just prefer the aesthetic. Tribe in Dubai also do some amazing styles and sizes that could work for you.
Tribe Dubai
The Queen of children's rugs is Lorena Canals - totally machine washable making them ideal for playrooms and kids rooms. Super lightweight and ideal to throw into the machine when the inevitable spill happens. I had some space between their bed and went for the OYOY lion rug from Marmarland and on the other side have an OYOY runner that has a little road which is also machine washable. Its all about practicalities with kids!
Lorena Canals Rug from Martin & Ella & OYOY road runner
Decoration:
I like to have gallery walls and fun things on the walls in the kids room. Things to stimulate their little minds. I got a great print by Mushie from The Kids Collection about feelings that is in the centre of their beds, and some Emma Bridgewater heads that they each chose from Tribe. Its about making it fun and quirky for them.
Our children's room
Lighting:
They have their Miffy lamp that is on a dimmer which I adore. I would love one of the sitting Joseph bunnies from Rose in April to go on their bookcase. Super cute and adds some light and personality. I made the mistake of having a gorgeous Abigail Adhern dog lamp in their room and it got smashed so now I keep it non breakable and the dimmer helps as they like to fall asleep with the light on and we turn it off later in the evening.
Rose in April Joseph Lamp
Storage:
Baskets, cabinets and bookcases, I have all of the above! I use crates inside the wardrobes that are by Aykasa from The Kids Collection, the cabinet below is from Tribe and I have a small rattan bookcase that is from Bonton in Pairs. You cannot have enough storage! I have baskets from Ikea, fabric storage from Nobodinoz: it all is used and super handy for keeping everything from toys to hair ties in place. I ways go one stage further and use my label maker to keep it in order (yes I am that person).
Cabinet from Tribe, small suitcase Olliella and fruit baskets Ferm Living
I will be creating a wish list for kids on my next blog with all the items I am coveting for the littles.
All images copyright to the owners created
Saturday, 10 April 2021
My wishlist mood board part 2
I thought I would do a follow up with my most recent mood board that I am working my way through! Some pieces I have already purchased, others I am working towards. I am always tempted to look at the highstreet for the 'inspired' items that are similar to the high end however, a lot of these pieces are classics, limited editions or re-issued from the 50s,60s and beyond. It is an investment in something that I will keep (hopefully) for a long time. So my mantra is 'buy well, not cheap' - that doesn't mean blow all your money. Just buy the best you can afford.
Click the pink link below to take you directly to the item:
Top left to right:
Grey & black chair: Trento chair available at Soul & Tables
Pedestal side table: Lato from &Tradition - available at Designitch
Palm Beach book: Assouline available at The Bowery Company
Black dining table: Fritz Hansen 'Caramite' (limited edition re-issue)
Brown portable lamp: &tradition available at Finnish Design Shop
Square coffee table: from &Tradition - Fly table available at Designitch
large floor mirror: 'Sienna' Custom No.9
Small black portable lamp: Hay design available at Finnish Design Shop
Curved desk lamp: Fritz Hansen 'Kaiser Idell' available at Designitch
Wooden vases: Bound No.82
Black large bowl: Pottery Barn
Black Bird: Norman Copenhagen 'shorebird' available at Skandium
Painting: Aure available at The Poster Club
Bottom left to right:
Lady statue: Vera at Abigail Adhern
Sand bowl: 101CPH available at The Bowery Company
Black and wicker chair: Wood Culture
Gourd baskets: Bound No.82
Wall Light: DCW éditions - Mantis wall light available at Finnish Design Shop
This is my round up of all the lovely things I am LOVING right now. Some pieces I am lucky enough to own, others I have clients whom adore this style and I get to work with them and others I am working towards owning!
All Images copyright to the designer. Other stores stock these items, these are just who I would choose to buy them through.
Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Designer Focus: Ferm Living
A brand that started with just one wallpaper and now caters to your entire home and all your children's needs: ferm LIVING was established in 2005 in Denmark. Created by Trine Andersen after being unable to find a wallpaper that she liked for her child's room, she designed 10 styles booked a trade show and the rest is history! Ferm Living was born and is now stocked around the world.
"Our biggest ambition is, and has always been, to inspire people to create the kind of space that makes them feel comfortable, that allows them to be themselves in their own home."
With the new Boutique and Showroom in the centre of Copenhagen you can see all the products for yourself, book appointments and have one-on-ones with the creative staff. You can take it one step further in their Material Library where you can see all the samples and a 3D printed model of what your items would look like. Even though based in Copenhagen they are truly global, creating jobs for artisans around the world while fusing in that Scandinavian design and colour palette.
"With in depth knowledge and skill, every single ferm LIVING product is made by the dedicated craftsmen with whom we work closely."
Sustainability is at the core of everything ferm LIVING does, with a conscious effort to be green and limit waste while not compromising on aesthetics and design. 20% of the products produced are made with sustainable products, with an ambition to grow this % year on year.
"We believe that investing in sustainable, responsible practices should also be good business. We’re designing not only for today, but for the future, where sustainable action will become even more vital."
A high end Scandinavian brand with an ethical conscious that produces some of the most iconic interior pieces in homes today. Ferm LIVING and ferm KIDS produce stylish, design orientated items to enhance your space and 'balance the contrasts of life'.
My Top picks:
Ceramic Basket - Medium
Meridian Table Lamp
Plant Box Two-Tier
You can buy Ferm LIVING from the following retailers in the UAE:
You can follow Ferm LIVING, Ferm LIVING boutique and Ferm LIVING KIDS on instagram
All images are ©ferm LIVING
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
Kalklitir: Loving Lime Paint
Kalklitir colour: Anacardio
Limewash paint has a natural uneven texture, its easy application and the beauty of the imperfect: I was drawn to giving it a try. It is not readily available here in the UAE and shipping liquids never-mind paint is almost an impossibility. Introducing Kalklitir a family owned Icelandic based powder limewash company that ships internationally, and because of that social media is awash with videos, posts and how-to's.
Kalklitir colour: Anacardio
I ordered online and within 3 days my parcel of lovely paint packets had arrived with my new brush and pretty postcard. I decided to start small, one wall in our living area: as I wanted to try it out and see if I was 100% OK with the textured qualities of the paint. The instructions on the back of the packets are amazing, how to mix, how long, how to paint etc. The packaging itself is super pretty, and their social media is great for getting advice and seeing the colours in real-life situations, so if you are stuck have a flick through what others have done before.
Kalklitir colour: Anacardio
It took 3 coats to get my living room wall done and it looks amazing. I had some leftover and completed my small office wall - weirdly it only required one coat. I have come to the conclusion it very much depends on what your wall is made from and where it is within the house. The larger living room wall is a thicker load bearing external, while the office wall is an internal, non load bearing just made of plasterboard.
Kalklitir colour: Anacardio
A few things I found to be helpful, wear a mask while stirring the paint as the dust is awful and obviously not great for the lungs. Secondly, you will get sore arms and hands: the constant 'cloud' or 'cross over' method is fun and great for a messy painter like me but does make your hand claw up a bit. Thirdly don't be scared when the paint goes on and is drying as it looks crazy and dark = VERY scary! It drys very quickly, so you need to just be patient.
Kalklitir colour: Anacardio
After such a positive first go, I placed my second order and decided to go BIG! the whole bedroom was going to be tackled, every wall. I found the same to be true, very dependant on the wall you are painting on and how many coats required. I was unsure about how imposing it would feel with every wall painted, but I needn't have worried as I instantly fell in love.
Kalklitir colour: Nudo Grigio
My round up of working with Kalklitir paint is purely positive: easy and very fast trackable delivery, great colour options stylish packaging, great guides online and on the packaging and the actual product is great. What is not to love!
Kalklitir colour: Nudo Grigio
You can order paint samples, two sizes of bags (they give you a coverage estimate), brushes and other
items to make your lime wash painting experience as smooth as possible!
All available from their their website: kalklitir.com
You can see more images of my Limewash painting on my Instagram page and a highlights reel.
A small press discount was received on my first order.
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