So Hot Right Now / Plywood
How sexy is plywood right now? That's a sentence I never, ever thought I'd utter and yet, there it is. Suddenly I can't stop thinking about it. I want to use it as my new desk once my workspace is ready and I'm thinking about creating a funky desk out of it for Reuben's room too. My father-in-law, a former builder and master craftsman would think me utterly crazy, but there's just something about it. It's raw, unapologetic. It can only be what it is. But I don't mean chucked on the floor to aid the path of a filthy wheelbarrow or nailed over a broken window, I mean used intentionally as part of the make-up of a home. In the kitchen as minimal units, a wall of storage, or flooring even.
These beautiful kitchens are the perfect example of how brilliant plywood as a material can be when left to shine, especially paired with white. It's uncomplicated and contemporary in feel and I love that you can see the grain of the wood without having to treat it. Whilst it's not a material for every home, I think it's versatility makes it ideal for a blank canvas space-be it an industrial apartment or a small two up to two down Victorian terrace.
Ok, so I'm starting to bring you round to my way of thinking, but you're still not sure? Try it in your workspace as a backdrop for your moodboards...
So tell me-am I crazy? Is it not really your bag or are you absolutely on board with plywood? Tell me your thoughts!
Bathroom Inspiration: Bottle Green, Black & White
Good afternoon everyone, how is your Thursday going? I was hit with a sudden surge of inspiration this morning so whilst it's fresh in my mind I'll share this with you now!It might sound like an odd thing to say, but I've been thinking about this beautiful image from the Chaucer Road townhouse in Herne Hill ever since I pinned it earlier this week. An exuberant mix of Victoriana meets modern style, for me this is exactly how I would want my own bathroom to look had I the luxury of a roll-top bath and plenty of light. So, I set to putting together some inspiration that I could put into a journal ready for when we find our new home. Who knows, maybe I'll find a way to bring some of these elements into it?
I'm always drawn to green, almost without thinking about it. If I stand back and take a look around my home I realise that little touches of green have made their way everywhere. It has a calming, relaxing effect if used in the right way so it makes sense to use it in the bathroom-the one space where you'll spend a fair bit of your time at some point during the day.
Using a crisp white base, I would bring in dark and bottle green tones in with metro tiles as a splash-back around the bath and sink (see below) and echo this around the room with a collection of sweet little green glass bottles and pots to sit on the windowsill perhaps. If the room isn't big enough for blocks of black (like the bath as pictured above) then display ferns and succulents inside black pots, it will bring out the vibrancy of the leaves too.
To soften the contrast in colour I love the idea of bringing in some soft lace-perhaps a re-purposed lace tablecloth made into a roman blind or simple screen over the window. I've also touched on the idea of introducing a little antique gold into the mix to create a little luxury. An old gilt mirror or a grouping of chunky gold candles would make a beautiful addition to the room.
I hope my board has inspired you today! Does this look speak to you? What would make your perfect bathroom?.
Mabel and Bird / Cushions For The Kids' Room
What a week! My goodness I need this weekend. The chickenpox have gone, my baby girl is "back", house is relatively tidy and the forecast is set to be spectacular. Heck-I might even make meringues! Hopefully this weekend the only rainclouds you'll be seeing will be these from UK printmaker Emma Pearson of Mabel and Bird. I discovered her sweet little Folksy shop yesterday and thought her cushions would make the perfect addition to a kid's room, particularly if they (or, rather, you) love monochromatic, scandinavian style. I think they'd look great in Reuben's room to match his bedding, don't you think?!
Grand Designs Live 2014 / My Top Picks For Interiors
Hello you! How was your weekend? Mine was a strange mixture of glorious, child-free design indulgence and chickenpox-my 7 month old is currently covered in spots, poor sausage.On Saturday I took Rob with me to the penultimate day of Grand Designs Live courtesy of John Lewis, to celebrate their 150th birthday. The store were launching their new range of large appliances at the show and I wished I had space for one of them, especially after exploring them first hand in their kitchens stand.Today I thought I'd share with you some of the interior style that caught my eye and my pick of the "ones to watch". There were some real gems too. I loved the room sets, one of which I've shared on the Facebook page as there just wasn't room here, but I've picked out my stand-outs and think you'll love them too...
I absolutely loved the idea interior design duo Owl Design introduced into their room sets to use paint piping just above the skirting board. As seen in both sets, the splash of neon added a playful element in the kids room and really lifted the rich and decadent marine blue in the living room with that gorgeous cantaloupe orange. The kids room took inspiration from modern scandinavian style with fresh white walls and bright, zingy colour. The Lego storage bricks were a brilliant idea! We also decided that we needed to invest in a Donna Wilson Frank Pouffe-the sofa just isn't enough for us!I wish I'd taken better shots of the living space they'd styled-the colour story was a beautiful deep blue with clean wooden flooring and copper accessories, but the light wasn't the easiest to get right. I've not been able to stop thinking about that stunning Badger footstool by Orwell and Goode either. Seriously.
The reclaimed oak parque flooring had me glued to this bedroom set by K P Interiors-isn't it stunning? What I wouldn't give for a real parque floor. The whole feel of this space was serene and calm and modern-vintage in style. Warm woods connect the look, from the flooring to the Ercol Treviso Desk and Loveseat (out of shot).
Our stars of the show were design collective Joined+Jointed. This collective of established and emerging designer makers were brought together by furniture designer Samuel Chan, who I had the pleasure to meet in person.
With a keen eye for clean lines and simplistic, functional yet completely beautiful design, Joined+Jointed showcased a stunning collection of pieces where the wood was left to shine through. I loved the smooth, tactile feel of the Willow Chair by Sean Yoo, which I'm told his unique design is that the chair back will never hit the wall when you push the legs back to it. Clever, no? My favourite piece, however was this beautiful accordian desk lamp which was also available as a floor lamp. Just exquisite and I'm desperate to have one on my desk!
Did you see the incredible HiveHaus modular living space on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces? It blew me away. How excited I was, then, to see it standing there- I couldn't wait to get inside. A living space made from interconnecting hexagonal pods, they are custom designed to suit your needs in a sustainable and affordable way. Had I land to build on I think I'd choose one of these. A definite highlight for me and the bespoke pull-out kitchen was to die for. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good shot of it as it was always full of people!
As my last top pick of the day, I'm lusting after the humble radiator cover. I think that designer/maker Jason Muteham may actually be a genius. How do we not all have these in our homes? Finally-a stylish alternative to the DIY store lattice model. Look at these beauties! Hand crafted by Jason they come painted, laminated, fabric covered or in timber. I think they're a feature in themselves, don't you?So what do you think of my favourites? Did you make it to the show too? What stood out for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts...And thanks again to John Lewis for treating us and a very happy 150th birthday to you!
Plans For Our Living Space - Modern Botanicals
They say you when you first move in to a space the biggest mistake you can make is to rush into decorating it. You should give yourself the time to live in it, get to know how the light changes throughout the day, what works for you, what doesn't. In the beginning when we moved in here, I was very set on what I wanted to do with the space and, at the time, it all revolved around white, grey and copper. I wanted a dark grey on the chimney breast (yes, the one with the dodgy "retro" gas fire) grey curtains and a grey sofa. For months I trawlled the DIY stores to hunt down the perfect shade of grey to coat the wall with, painting large sheets of paper, taping them up for a week at a time and "umming" and "ahhing" over each one. But then I couldn't find the right shade at all, in fact, all they seemed to do was draw the room in and suck in all the beautiful light we get here, and I realised that I was forcing the room into being something it wasn't.So I tried another tack, stopped over-thinking it and just let it be. For months. And instead of getting caught up in all the trends, some of which I'd rather forget (I mean you, "Radiant Orchid"!) I sat back and let the room come together on its own. Looking at what we already had and noticing a pattern in what I like to buy, I picked my most recent purchases of two beautiful ombre green rattan baskets as my "jumping off point". This past week as I've been working on Project Indoor Jungle the room is suddenly coming alive and I can finally see a coherent style emerging. Modern botanicals.
|1| Leran rattan pendant lamp | Ikea |2| Dog rose wall chart | Wallography |3| Heal's 1810 Herbarium coasters | Heals |4| Poppy angled floor lamp | NOTHS |5| Large woven basket | TK Maxx |6| Scarlet Green cushion | Imogen Heath |7| Buttoned velvet box cushion | Cox & Cox |8| Low wire storage unit | Loaf |9| Black chair with armrests | Ikea
I picked out a couple of looks that I love and working from my Plants & Botanicals Pinterest board and from those selected 9 key pieces to tie the look together. Keeping our white walls as a base with tones of grey to tie in our curtains and sofa, I'm bringing in a little more green in soft furnishings and possible in painting a couple of our wooden dining chairs a soft green. The matt black gives the look a more contemporary feel as the house is Mid-Century and I wanted to update our existing vintage dining table with the addition of the black chairs to compliment the green-what do you think to that?I'm desperate to own an original Jung Koch Quentell botanical chart, but being a little on the pricey side, Wallography have a beautiful alternative and I love the pink of that dog rose against the black background. It's so striking!The coasters were a discovery I made last week during my two day visit at Heal's (more on that next week!) As part of their new 1810 fabric collection-the first since they stopped producing a range in the 1970s, these gorgeous coasters are taken from the Hvass & Hannibal Herbarium collection. To die for.I think by now you know I'm a complete basket case, I need to have a lot of baskets in this house. Have you seen Marvin, my new rubber plant? He's in desperate need of repotting, so I thought when I've done that he'd look amazing in this black woven rattan basket to compliment my green ones.Last but not least. Storage. Given that my little urban jungle is growing by the week and reluctant to put up too much shelving to display them, something like this gorgeous wire shelving unit would be perfect for them. Maybe adding in my favourite cook books on one of the bottom and middle shelves would break them up a bit and make it easier for me to have them closer to hand-they currently live upstairs in the spare room.So there we have it-a much easier way to tie in an 'almost there' look and with minimal effort. It's light, fresh and satisfies my craving for green and print. I won't have to paint out that chimney breast when we move again either!What do you think? Are botanicals still floating your boat? I'd love to hear your thoughts!.
NEW! Butterscotch & Beesting Cushions To Covet!
Back in October an email landed in my inbox from designer Camilla Westergaard of Butterscotch & Beesting which said she'd been secretly beavering away on a new print and would I be interested in featuring it when it was ready. It was a bee-centric design in her signature circus style and she was really excited about it. How could I not?!Camilla has such an imaginative, playful style which comes to life in her prints and fabrics. Inspired by children's illustrations and with a love for storytelling, she has created the whimsical world of Butterscotch & Beesting for her own mischevious characters, Mr Bumblewick Beesting and Miss Betty Butterscotch. This dashing ringmaster and former trapeze artist turned confectioner (Miss Betty doesn't have a head for heights apparently) will bring the magic of their circus antics into children's bedrooms everywhere if you let them.So I waited oh so very patiently (which is quite uncharacteristic for me) until just this week they appeared as a lovely surprise!
Feast your eyes on these utterly delightful Bumble Bee Balloon cushions. As with all of Camilla's designs, these too come with a sweet little story..."I wanted to create a print that told the stories of the bees who steer the Butterscotch & Beesting Circus on its travels. The bees fly around the fabric, and you follow their path in the trail of the turning ferris wheel, the stem of the flower, and the root of the tree. There's a slight Fifties' influence to it I guess, particularly in the geometrics that make up the ferris wheel, and the clean lines. When I designed the pattern, I imagined it covering an Ercol sofa or daybed, and I'd still love to see it like that, with the bees spreading their wings."
Every cushion is printed in Britain on cotton and lovingly stitched by Camilla's own fair hands. If you love a circus motif with a mid-century meets Scandinavian twist then I urge you to visit Butterscotch & Beesting. Thank you Camilla!
Leaf & June / 8 Houseplants For Every Home
I can't wait to introduce you to a new friend and talk plants today, but first I need to be honest about something. These past few months since Tabby was born, I'd fallen into a horrible funk about our house. I say "our house", it's not actually ours because we're renting it and, having owned a home, had the sale of "the house" we were buying fall through and taking a last minute rental just so we could catch our breath took some getting used to. We're still adjusting to it. Last week I had myself a little pity party and wrote this horribly draining post about how much I hated living in this house because I wasn't allowed to fall in love with it-it's not mine, so how could I? Then last week we sat down together, Rob and I, and made plans for our next move. It felt good to reboot and realign and the following morning I woke up feeling slightly more optimistic. I deleted that post and decided to carry on as before-hanging the curtains, painting the walls and making it feel like home for as long as we're here. And it felt good to have made that decision. Sure, my home isn't a show room, it's not catalogue ready packed with design classics, but it's real and human.And so part of my plan is to introduce an abundance of indoor planting. The one thing I love about my mum's house is the sheer number of plants she has, everywhere. In fact, I'm here now in her living room and as I type I can see seven in this one space. I want that for my home too and if you're renting it's one of the easiest ways to bring in some life and personality without committing to anything more permanent. Question is, where on earth do I start in choosing the right plant for the right space?
Enter Brooklyn based horticulturalist and plant designer Lisa Muñoz of Leaf and June. She is awesome. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, she grew up alongside her green fingered grandparents who cultivated her passion for gardening, producing fruit and vegetables in their backyard. They nicknamed her 'Leaf', a name which she combined with her grandmother's (June) to create the name for her newest business venture.
With a background in Animation and Visual Effects and producing commercials for the likes of Google and MoMa, you can see how beautifully her talent for the visual translates into her design portfolio. She has worked for Sprout Home and as Director of Horticulture for The Sill helping New Yorkers find and fall in love with their perfect houseplant before moving on to launch Leaf and June, designing for residential and commercial spaces as well as editorial and events.
Isn't her style utterly gorgeous? Luscious green everywhere! I'm told she has over 50 plants in her apartment, too, which she names after 70s soul singers. A girl after my own heart. And because she's so amazing, Lisa's put together a selection of plants for us that thrive in great light, and plants more at home in a shady environment-the aim of which is to encourage you to introduce botanicals into your own space and to do it successfully.
|1| Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium indues) |2| Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa*) |3| String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) |4| White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) |5| Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) |6| ZZ (Zamioculcas zamifolia) |7| Baby Rubber (Peperomia obtusifolia) |8| Baby's Tears (Soleirolia)
* This plant is toxic
Lisa has also designed a plant plan for our living space according to what we already have successfully growing and what will flourish elsewhere (she loved my monstera which also happens to be her favourite plant) so I'm going to spend a little time sourcing and planting before I share the reveal with you in a few weeks. I'm really excited to see and feel the room soften and come to life and hope that it inspires you to do the same.
Have you been inspired by Lisa's work? Follow her here for more beautiful botanicals...
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A Splash Of Spring With HEMA
I got some freakin' fantastic news from my friend in Holland last week. Get this-HEMA are opening two stores in London. Two stores!!!! Although I'm still unsure of an exact launch date, word on the street is they're planning to open 8 but test out the market here in the UK first with one based in Kingston and another in the Victoria area. Am I excited much? Yes, yes and yes, because now I can bring me home some Dutch style without having to lug it back in a suitcase!If you've ever been to Holland or Germany, then chances are you'll have come across HEMA on your shopping travels. Full of european style and a cross between Ikea and Wilkinsons (that's a British brand for my non UK readers) they offer home ware, fashion, crafts and food at affordable prices-they're a value brand but they're by no means cheap, if you know what I mean.To celebrate the news, I've done a little online shopping and picked out my HEMA spring favourites for quick and easy ideas for a home refresh.
|1| Mint green garden chair |2| Blue stool |3| Mint, yellow & grey cushion |4| Blush pink cushion |5| Mint & white brushed graphic cushion |6| Pouf |7| Narrow neck vase |8| Green vase |9| Vietnamese basket
Mint is showing no signs of ducking out just yet and why should it-it's the ideal colour for spring and summer and works with so many other colour combinations. I picked out that amazing garden chair but quite frankly I'd happily have that in my office with a couple of cushions for good measure.As a habit I tend to shy away from pink, I think it used to have a rather dirty reputation for being a little on the tacky side, but it's enjoying a revival now and suddenly it's grown up and out of little girls bedrooms. I'm even toying with the idea of using it with coral tones in our bedroom. Maybe...Coloured glass is an ideal way to experiment with colour if you're a little shy to try-the tinted glass vases would compliment any cut blooms.Oh-and I need to talk about this basket. Baskets are my new obsession, I love the texture and my new "thing" is to display potted plants in them. I see this yellow one is a bag but you could easily pop a plate in the bottom of it to avoid water damage and put a statement plant (like a monstera or fiddle leaf fig) inside. Gorgeous.Are you a HEMA fan too? Does your place still need a spring clean? The weekend's on it's way, so maybe now is a good time to do a little shopping, too!Follow HEMA:TwitterFacebookPinterest.
My Styled Wedding Table At West Elm London
Follow my blog with BloglovinHello! Just popping my head up over a mound of paper-I've been so busy making paper flowers for the past couple of weeks that I've had very little head space for much else! I've been cutting, painting, scrunch pleating, cupping, fringing and glittering like crazy to get them ready in time. Yesterday, all 130 of these little crepe paper beauties which became my evening projects came with me to London's West Elm where they're now enjoying a new home as part of a table I styled with some of my favourite West Elm tableware.
To tie in with my paper flower making workshop at the store next week, the West Elm team invited me to create a tablescape using whatever I liked-how exciting?!!! A few week back I got a sneak peek of the store's summer collection which showed that coral was likely to be a key colour. Riding on the coat tails of the pastel trend, we saw a brief introduction to coral in 2013, but this summer it's about to take centre-stage. And I love it.Inspired by the idea of a coral, gold and celadon green wedding reception and going all out with my love of pattern and bold colour, I set to work on pulling the look together for what took me most of the day-I was in heaven- settling in on the shop floor, pulling what I needed from the shelves and exploring in the stock rooms, playing and experimenting with the look. For some reason, I just can't move away from celadon green and these organic shaped plates are perfection. I absolutely love them, with such a calming tone they work so well within this colour story.
Using a gold and white cotton runner as my starting point, I glued each flower into a centrepiece on a separate piece of fabric with hot glue and overlaid it. The addition of gold glitter on the stamens and petal edges catch the light beautifully -imagine how romantic these would look in soft candlelight. Sigh...
These jewellery trees become multi-functional decorative pieces with a small handful of blossoms wound around their branches and add a little height to the table without being obstructive.
To echo the red and coral print napkins, I found, as if by perfect serendipity, this coral, red and yellow patterned paper from Paperchase. Drawing templates from a side plate, I cut out the paper discs and laid them on top. They break up the green and tie in with the napkins and coral flowers. If you're a little afraid to work with colour or print but want to experiment then using paper overlays as part of your table decor is an inexpensive way to start.As sweet little gifts for each guest (names taken from the lovely staff members) I picked out orange and jasmine scented soaps from beefayre, tied with simple cotton ribbon. They smelt beautiful!
And then, as if my day couldn't get any better, Igor Josif of Happy Interior Blog (one of my must-reads) popped in with Bridgee of Little Star Blog. We've been in touch for some time but as he's based in Munich our paths have never crossed until now. As someone I greatly admire, I've come to him for advice on numerous occasions and he's always been so open to share his own experiences, so it was wonderful to catch up and for Igor to see my table come together at the right moment. Thank you for taking the photo Bridgee, although my iphone made the colours look slightly dodgy, you get the idea!Thank you to Paria, Rad, Jane, Jess and the rest of the West Elm team for making me feel at home to roam around and be in my creative bubble for the day. If you'd like to join me for my workshop next Saturday on April 12th you can find all the details here or pop into the store on Tottenham Court Rd and check out the table which will be there for the following week.So what do you think of my styling? Are you feeling the coral? Maybe the green? Perhaps you've been turned on to the idea of making your own paper flowers for your next occasion?.
Bohemian Style - The Family Love Tree
The other day I was having one of those "if you won the lottery" conversations with my husband, Rob. Yep. We have those from time to time, along with the "if my face looked like this when we met, would you have gone out with me?" (the answer is always no) and he asked what the first thing would be that I really wanted and had to buy straight away-a post win splurge. Initially I said nothing-because there's isn't really anything I absolutely have to have right now, bar the Tuscan farmhouse of course. Then I found The Family Love Tree's jaw-dropping, head-turning, make you trip up the curb rattan furniture and changed my mind. Yes. That's what I'd buy straight away. Give me everything.
Just take a moment to pour over these gorgeous peacock bed heads and chairs, kantha quilts and bold, graphic cushions. Everything a beautiful, clashing palette of harmonious colour. It shouldn't work, but it totally does. No home should be absolutely perfect, it should be a little rough around the edges, lived in. That's what I love about this company, it's a celebration of colour and life and doesn't need to take itself too seriously to be stylish.
If like me you're old enough to remember these chairs, or indeed had one, you might be wishing you'd held onto it now. Australian stylist Katie Graham, founder of The Family Love Tree and all round interior genius has taken these retro classics and given them a fresh and contemporary, bohemian edge. It's almost as if she knows my style better than I do! She's a rule breaker-she loves to mix clashing colour, print and texture. I like a rebel.
An Australian company (although they ship internationally) The Family Love tree ethically produce the rattan for their furniture in Indonesia where it's grown, harvested and produced by skilled villagers. The collection also includes macrame plants hangers, tables, screens, rugs and lighting-I think I could find the space to fit everything in if I had to.
These beautiful shots taken by photographer Derek Swalwell and stunning backdrop below hand painted by visual artist Jacqui Stockdale make me want to add more colour into our blank canvas of a home. There's limits to what we can achieve here, but I've been holding off the colour for some reason-and that's not me. Maybe I'll listen to Katie's advice instead and just go for it!
By the way, don't you think that bed looks like Jimi Hendrix just got up from it in his dressing gown to grab his guitar? Sigh...Get onboard and fall in love with The Family Love Tree here or if you're lucky enough to live in Richmond, Victoria, then you can actually shop in person. Jealous.FacebookPinterest Instagram.
House Tour - Eos's Light & Airy Swiss Family Home
Good morning to you! How was your weekend? Mine was surprisingly chilled-we normally use the weekend to hammer through everything we don't get done in the week, but this time we filled it with gardening, the farmer's market and enjoying the spring sunshine. And you?Today's post has been about a year in coming to these pages and I'm seriously happy to have my lovely friend Eos from Signora Aurora blog here today, sharing some beautiful images from her home in Switzerland. When I first asked if she'd like to be featured, she was living in Turin (I found her blog through my obsession with Italy) but then house moves and new babies got in the way of things, so it had to wait.Eos (which means "dawn" in Greek) is, much like her name, a vibrant, calming character. She puts so much love into everything, be it writing for her blog, painting and sketching or creating her family home. She's open and honest, just like her home-that's what I love about it. She also rents, which for me is a big thing. Until last April the last time I'd rented was as a student, so suddenly I was faced with the idea that there'd be too many restrictions to make our house feel like our home. What Eos has done with hers is the perfect example of how to make a rented space your own. I hope she inspires other renters out there too..."I’m Eos Koch, an artist, a graphic and webdesigner, a storyteller and seeker of light and beauty. I live with my husband, our two daughters and our three dogs in the French speaking part of Switzerland. We came here last summer and before we lived for five years in the north of Italy. I grew up in the rainy, German speaking part of Switzerland, but at heart I’m a little gipsy girl and love to not stick to one place.
We live on the fourth and highest floor on 130 qm with an additional big terrace of other 60 qm. As an artist and designer I work from home and this space serves us as a living and working space in one.
We're renting this apartment and for the moment it totally fits our needs. Having a home that feels like a protected and secure nest is so important. I love lots of light and searching for the perfect space to rent in, my biggest attention was on the light. Coming from sunny Italy to live in the Swiss mountains, the missing sun was the most difficult thing to leave behind. I even researched for how the sun is moves, where the sun comes up in the morning and where it sets in the evening.
There are some details, like the colour of our kitchen and the floor in there, that I don’t like, but making the best of it and making these parts blend in as much as I can helps me to accept them. After all it isn’t my home and we will be here for some time until we go decide to see more of the world.
This is my studio, I love it to be white and airy. There's a door that goes out to the terrace. Most of my furniture is from Ikea, mixed together with pieces from thrift stores and flea markets. I love to paint old things in white to make them all connect.
In my studio are lots of tables and big closets for all my fabrics, papers and other supplies.
A peek into the bathroom, some spring flowers and a vintage map from Italy out of a book I found at the flea market. I love pops of color as much as I love white.
The girls room is full of toys and games, there is a lot of colour and pink going on here.
I force them to only hold on to the things they really love or are very beautiful. Since we've already moved long distance twice, we had to simplify and it just feels so much better to not own too much clutter.
This is an older painting I made for my eldest daughter's birthday- I love to express with colour and am a believer that beautiful art can change the mood of a room and tells a story.
Light makes a room beautiful for me and these floral curtains diffuse the light a little bit and make the room shine. The high bed is perfect for the children's room, since my girls are still little they have a lot of space underneath.
I found my nightstand at a flea market, years and years ago. I love that it's a trunk and I can fit inside all my books inside so the bedroom stays tidy. Our bed is a very easy construction my husband and I made together. It is oversized, which means there is one double and one single mattress next to each other. I need space to sleep.
This is the view from our living space into the kitchen. To make a boring kitchen more playful and blend in I hung a white chandelier and brought in some white accessories.
The view from the other side, out of the kitchen into our dining area, where my husband and I work on most of our projects at the kitchen table. The rocking chair is a proud keepsake from my grandfather and is the perfect place to sit down in the afternoon, drink a coffee and swing back and forth.
My little four year old is with me all day and when I’m cooking she likes to cook delicious little things for us out of play dough.
My special ingredients are plants and flowers, they life into my white space. Too much white in a home can look clean and sterile, but plants help to bring a little bit of colour.
Our sofa area to drink coffee with friends, chat and have a good time. In the back is our entryway and on the right is our outside space which I love even more than a garden- I love to live high in the sky and have views.
Lots of space, to dance, build forts with my daughters, play and create. I love to fill our life and for this it is always good to have some empty space. This is where my inspiration comes from.
Lot of baskets all over with blankets for our dogs. I found this little yellow sideboard at the flea market and just painted it in white. The graphic print of the rose is a creation I made and printed myself.
Another nook to sketch, work and drink some coffee. The honeycomb balls I made by myself out of tissue paper, there are some good tutorials online to create your own.
My workplace and our space for dining. The table and corner bench is another keepsake from my grandfather, and to make him fit in I too painted it in white.
Big plants bring life into the space and they love to be near the window where there is a lot of light.
My love for chandeliers is easy to recognise, I especially love the old ones, but the mix of different styles makes the big picture more vivid.
I hope you enjoyed the little tour around my home. I love to surround us with beauty, this need comes from my belief that we have the control over our lives and how we want to feel. Creating a certain mood for our home helps us feel the way we want."
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I couldn't agree more! Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful home with us Eos.If you'd like to follow Eos, check out the links below. She also has a beautiful new project that she's working to get off the ground, so if you love her work as much as I do, watch her project video to find out more.Would you like to give us a tour of your home? Perhaps you rent too and have found ways to make the space your own?
Xylo - Furniture With A Story
Today's post is so much more than just good-looking decor (sounds like something Derek Zoolander would say...) It's a post full of heart, giving you a sense that home is not just where you hang your hat at the end of the day, it can also be where you work. It's about second chances, being given a chance to shine by someone who is willing to let you try - not just the furniture, but those that transform them.Furniture designer-maker Preme Dhillon got in touch on Twitter recently to introduce me to an amazing organisation she runs, Xylo Furniture, based in Brentford, West London, which nurtures and trains those struggling to find employment to breathe new life into old and pre-loved furniture...
"The idea of Xylo was birthed out of a social enterprise in West London that sells second hand furniture as a means to providing work experience to long-term unemployed adults. When the idea was being developed in early 2013 I was working as a furniture maker in Brooklyn, New York but moved back to London last summer to put the vision of Xylo into action. At Xylo we work with a group of trainees who are often marginalized adults, teaching woodwork and restoration through each piece of furniture we create.
What do you love about what you do?My favourite part of managing Xylo is working alongside the Xylo Trainees and seeing them take such delight in their work as they see the piece transform. We make sure that each trainee works on the same piece from beginning to end so that they feel a sense of accomplishment when they look upon what they have created. I think that the process of working at something with your hands is so encouraging, whether you are a naturally creative person or not, seeing a tangible change that you have created builds confidence. This is why the Xylo scheme is so beneficial to those who join the team. Also, each Xylo trainee has one of their own creations named after them so that they have something with their name on to be proud of!
What does a piece of furniture need to have to be 'Xylo'd'?Our criteria for selecting furniture is that the pieces have been finely crafted, using techniques and processes that are now close to becoming a lost art. We work on pieces that have stood the test of time and have been loved for generations, we believe that these pieces should continue to be enjoyed. Xylo products often show signs of traditional woodwork such as hand-cut dovetails, these details are rarely found in contemporary furniture and we want to celebrate these skills and to draw attention to the craftsmanship. Traditional craftsmanship is the thread that runs throughout the Xylo product range.
We also like to know how each piece was made and where it’s lived. We love learning about each items unique heritage and building it into the products story. When we sell an item we write the customer a letter describing their pieces story including where it can from, how it was made and which trainee has worked on it. Our tagline is ‘furniture with a story’ and we want our customers to engage with the unique story of their Xylo piece.
Talk us through the process from sourcing to getting ready to sell a piece of furniture...Once we have chosen a piece we begin generating ideas for how we can enhance that item and build on its best qualities. We look at its unique features; for example ‘Is there a detailed carving to highlight and emphasize’. When designing a Xylo piece we also consider the history of the item and the era its from. If it’s a 1950s item we’ll play on the retro theme and to make it a statement piece iconic of that particular era. Once we have chosen a design that brings out the best in the original piece, we begin adapting it for the modern home and a member of the Xylo team will set to work. The Xylo trainee will sand, prime, paint and varnish each item and polish all of the original hardware such as handles and drawer pulls. We use Farrow & Ball paints because of their range of colours and finishes. What we love about Farrow & Ball is that they share our values; they are passionate about using age-old methods to produce products that will stand the test of time. All of our products reflect this ethos!
Throughout the restoration process we share updates of the progress through twitter and instagram so that our followers can see the items take shape. Once its complete we give the piece a name, write its story and publish it on the Xylo online shop.
I must admit, I've cut corners and been a little spray happy with Plastikote in the past, so what advice could you give me if I wanted to restore a piece of furniture properly?Before you set to work on an old item of furniture inspect it thoroughly. At first glance it may look in good condition but sometimes the wood may have split over time and it will take a lot of work to repair. My other piece of advice would be to enjoy the process of restoring a piece of furniture. It may be time consuming but if you relish each stage; sanding, priming, painting etc. you’ll be delighted with seeing the fruits of your labour sat in your home."
Reading about the Xylo trainees before they found the scheme and the positive affect it's had on their lives since brings home how important it is for all of us to feel included and valued. You can clearly see that in their work too. It's hard to pick a favourite, don't you think? We have a few large pieces in our home that worked so well in our old house (it was Edwardian) but in the mid-century home we're in now...well, they don't entirely fit but I can't part from them either. I think it's time to give them an update!Xylo is offering a 10% discount on your Xylo order with the code XyloCurate&Display. Take a look in the shop and pick out something you love. Follow Xylo Furniture
An Exclusive Pre-Launch West Elm Tour
Apologies for the mysterious disappearance-the past ten days have been a horrid fog of broken 25 year old boilers leading to no heating or hot water (thanks to our tight fisted landlord) followed by a virus which has slowly and steadily worked its way from our three year old, to three month old and finally the two of us. Fun times! Needless to say I have a whole heap of posts to share with you, just bear with me...
Before all the doom and gloom, I got the chance to take a very special private tour of the West Elm shop floor just one week before it opened. Occupying the former Pier store on Tottenham Court Road and with two facades of giant window concealing the hive of activity behind I could not WAIT to get in amongst it all with associate marketing manager Jessica.For those new to the West Elm homeware brand, this now international name began with just one store in Brooklyn and is part of the Williams-Sonoma company. Remember that episode of Friends where Phoebe fell in love with every piece of furniture Rachel bought from Pottery Barn and was convinced they were all original collonial? Yep-that's Williams-Sonoma! Now, West Elm has stores across the U.S, Canada, Australia and finally our very own London town. And yes, I'm excited.During my tour I was very kindly allowed to take a few shots of some of my favourite products, I think you already know I'm a huge fan of metallic gold, but just in case you didn't...
There was a real buzz in the air watching the visual merchandising team, flown in from the U.S working their magic, unpacking, sorting through and styling up box upon box of deliveries with a calm head and heaps of energy. As Jess walked me through each section of the store, from the living wall of plants on the ground floor (yes, they're all real and their hydration system is controlled from America!) to the West Elm Market -a social hub for coffee and croissants, cooking utensils and tableware, to the basement with its modern and stylish bedding, furniture and soft furnishings, I absolutely couldn't wait to see the store in all its glory. Unlike some shopping experiences where you're left feeling cold and uncomfortable, here you're encouraged to touch and try. The products have a sense of warmth, a story. There's something for everyone here, prices are accessible and the quality is excellent. 
West Elm is an environmentally conscientious brand too, taking care to responsibly source their product materials, from organic and recycled textiles and fabrics to non-toxic dyes. A large portion of their products have also been designed and created in collaboration with artisans which personally I love-it's so important to support and showcase talented creatives. These hand-painted bowls are a perfect example of this -aren't they stunning?
An example to all major retailers, West Elm is well known for its in-store workshops, many of which are featured on their blog, Front & Main. With an aim to become a community centric store, much of these workshops are free on a first come first served basis and range from crafts to entertaining to styling. Do keep an eye out in the new year for announcements. There may even be one or two from me. Hint-hint.
The store officially opened on the 5th and you can now spend a leisurely hour (or two if you like) wandering the shop floor and discovering perfect pieces for your home. Christmas is on its way too, right? Looking for an update for the bedroom in the new year? Maybe a rug for the dining room? Show the team some love and stop by and say hello!Best of luck in your new home West Elm, I hope London treats you well and I very much look forward to collaborating with you in 2014!.
A Very French Riot Of Colour At Caroline McGrath!
You know sometimes when you see something and your jaw drops and you know you just have to have it? Yeah, that. Well actually, what I said when these fabulous cushions arrived in my inbox was "oh my god, I've got to feature those!" So I am!If you've yet to be introduced, meet fun and vibrant French brand, Le Cerise sur le Gâteau, the brain child of designer Anne Hubert. Delightfully quirky aren't they?
Clogs Liberty | Clogs Pois Pink | Clogs Pois Duck Egg
I absolutely love the styling, it's no wonder that Anne started out as an editorial stylist. In fact I wish I'd done this myself-I do love a pop of colour.The collection takes reference from polaroid photography, fairy tales and a childish appetite for discovery which is brought to life through the bright prints and Day-Glo colours. These would look right at home in any fashion forward teenager's room or given pride of place on the sofa if you're a big kid like me.
All Anne's textiles are silk screen printed using water-based inks which, I'm told, are as colour fast as their chemical counterparts but much kinder to the environment and the fabrics she uses includes Toile de Jouy from Alsace, linen from Les Vosges and good old fashioned Liberty print. Everything she uses in her products are sourced as locally as possible, that's pretty important. What's not to love?
To shop the collection which includes funky tea towels to brighten up the kitchen, you can find them online at Caroline McGrath who also boasts a bevy of beautiful decor in time for Christmas..
How To Get The Measure Of Your Kitchen
For me, the heart of our home is shared equally between the living space and kitchen, in fact, I'd be inclined to say that I spend more time in the kitchen (entirely willingly I might add!) than anywhere else in our house. I enjoy the ritual of coming down in the morning to make my son his milk, honey and cinnamon (I made a rod for my own back the day I introduced him to that!) baking cookies or making our evening meal which also doubles up as time for me to unwind whilst Rob takes over the childcare.At the beginning of the year we were all set to buy what we thought would be our next home. It was a little rough around the edges, but that's what we loved about the house, that it was open to change. As viewings went, we were neither enamoured or deterred by anything we saw-the decor was relatively neutral save for the red "feature wall" in the front room, but still, it was all very standard as late Victorian 3 beds go. Until we reached the kitchen. I knew then that I had to have this house. What hit me first was the space there was available and the light streaming from a pair of French windows at the end. There was room for a table and a double oven-I could see it all before us; the family meals, helping Reuben with his homework at the table. Ok, the units were not to our taste and the layout didn't entirely flow, but being "project people" we relished the thought of re-designing the space to suit our needs.So what's the best way to plan your kitchen layout before you go to the expense of having it fitted? Magnet Kitchens have created a helpful guide as part of their Quick Quote service to highlight the basic rules as well as how to draw out a basic floor plan. If you're also lucky enough to be planning your own kitchen re-fit then take a look at the latest trends - I'm drawn to white gloss units at the moment like Planar White with clean, simple lines and a timeless look.Sadly our purchase fell through and with the pressure of baby Tabitha's imminent arrival we decided to move into a rented property until we could find the time to start the process of house hunting again. So, the dream kitchen is still on hold but given our experience of small, badly designed kitchens to date, there's no doubt in our minds that we'll be going to a professional when we're ready!*This post is in collaboration with Magnet. .
The Covet List - Living Space Must Haves For November
The Covet List is back! I've really missed spending the odd moment here and there online window shopping and let's face it, there's not been much time since selling the house, moving to a new one and having little Tabitha (I wish I was super-human). As things are slowly settling down again now, I've decided to start sharing those homely items I most covet with you each month, perhaps a few things might even make it into our house as I start to plan the various rooms.Let's kick off with November...
1. I've recently had my eyes opened to baskets and I want to fill our home with them. I could fill them with magazines, blankets, even a cat or two! This natural Indra coil basket from Nkuku is ideal for a tall houseplant and I love the combination of the natural woven fibres and tan leather. Perfection.2. Ikea has a great selection of affordable house plants and I've had my eye on a fiddle leaf fig for ages now, although it might prove tricky to sustain it here as they don't like direct sunlight and I wanted to put one in the corner of our living space next to the french doors. That aside, this ficus nitida with the twisted stem would still make a simple feature of an empty corner. Especially in that basket.3. This Wishbone chair designed by Hans J. Wegner from the Conran Shop is a classic piece of 1940s design given a contemporary update with a blue/grey lacquered colour-way. Ideal paired with a simple desk for the office or as a set for the dinner table, it also comes in eight other colour combos. Yes please.4. Is it just me or are lampshades one of the hardest accessories to buy for the home? I find it a little bit boring and it's yet another job I have to do in this house. BUT, give me beautifully printed paper, fresh colour and something folded within an inch of it's life and I'm sold. It's from my favourite Dutch homewear store, Klevering, too.5. Scent is so overlooked in the home yet we live with all our senses. Some of our most treasured memories are based on scent-for me it's things like the trace of my mum's Chanel 19 on her trench coat (it's the late 80s) or a chocolate cake baking on the eve of my birthday whilst I lie in bed. My favourite perfumers Penhaligon's produce some exquisite soy wax scented candles-I'd like to curl up under a blanket of an evening and light this one.6. If you follow my activities on Pinterest you may already know I have a penchant for hand thrown, rough-around-the-edges ceramics and this Scholten & Baijings mug in light blue and white is no exception. I'd love the full collection from Smug displayed on open shelves in the kitchen.7. Thank goodness we're starting to embrace the folk trend a little more-the delicate embroidered flowers and traditional patterns are very special- think eastern european. Elisabeth Dunker of Fine Little Day has a gorgeous example by Oscar Modin and Lina Holm for you to love.***Do you have a particular favourite? What are you coveting this month?.
Anthropologie Christmas 2013 Preview
Shhhhhh! I know it's only mid October but Christmas is fast approaching (I won't mention how many weeks are left because quite frankly, I find it too scary to think about) BUT just look at what I have for you. The lovely folk at Anthropologie have allowed me to share a sneak peek from their 2013 Christmas Look Book and I've selected my absolute favourites to bring a touch of sophistication into your home this winter. From rich metallics and beautifully illustrated ceramics, to woodland motifs and tactile textiles, here's how to embrace the festive season the Anthropologie way...Winter Wonderland
1. Festive Word Cushion, Wish, £48 | 2. Yakity Pillow, Antlers
Welcome winter into your home by introducing a few select pieces. I've focused on the living area with embellished cushions, faux fur throws and a little soft lighting. Create a warm and cosy nook with a touch of luxury.
3. Faux Fur Throw, £188 | 4. Large Ginkgo Candelabra
What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?Bring the party to the kitchen and dress for your turkey in one of these glamorous pinnies. I'm a huge fan of the Anthro apron, they're always perfectly tailored and oh-so chic. Sequins, pleats and peter pan collars...sigh.
Served With StyleIllustrated art needn't be confined to the wall - have you seen these charming plates by New Orleans based painter Rebecca Rebouche? These beautiful woodland creatures would be a magical addition to the Christmas table, particularly if you're a colour lover. Alternatively, group them together on the wall if you're too scared to spoil them!
1. Dessert Plates, Rebecca Rebouche, £14 each | 2. Rebecca Rebouche Platter, £78
I chose this sweet little gaggle of measuring cups as a whimsical twist on a classic design - who wouldn't smile whilst cooking with these? I love the little touches of gold.The antler trend this winter has been carried through to tableware with this range of jugs, casserole dishes and platters. They're a statement piece without shouting about it.
1. Gaggle of Geese measuring cup, £36 | 2. Stag Serveware from £68
You can find my favourites and a whole host of festive lovelies online and in store from the end of October. In the meantime...have you seen the sale?.
Bringing Holland Home - Decor the Dutch Way
The past week has been utterly insane. In a good way. I'm actually still rather gobsmacked (unusual for me). On Thursday 19th, under the influence of a full moon, we welcomed our new baby daughter, Tabitha into the world. She was a complete surprise, more so because we were convinced we were having another boy. Now we have her, we feel complete and Reuben is head over heels in love with his new sister. I can't wait to introduce you to her in a couple of weeks!
It was a week in which I also turned 30, an event I'd come to dread for one reason or another-mainly because my plans to have a blow-out weekend were somewhat scuppered when we'd discovered I was expecting again and with a newborn to love and care for it was more likely to be a damp squib. Imagine my surprise then, whilst up to my eyes in breast feeding, nappies and midwife visits to see my wonderful friend of nearly ten years, Suze who lives in Holland, walk into my living room. Given that we chat every day for a split second I thought nothing of it to find her standing in front of me, it seemed like a very natural thing. Then of course the penny dropped that she'd come all the way from Holland (with her mum Ans too) and suddenly I was a blubbing wreck on the sofa. Ha! Apparently she'd been planning this visit along with her mum and my husband for many months cheekily behind my back. Now I don't "do" surprises, but in this case I made the exception and for the rest of the afternoon I was thoroughly spoilt with beautiful gifts, including the Tiffany tea tin which Suze discovered in a thrift store-could it be more perfect a gift?
Amongst the goodies were a selection of some of my favourite Dutch magazines and I thought for today's post I'd share my pick of the pages, they're utterly gorgeous and have filled me with plenty of ideas and inspiration for our own home...
101 WoonideeenThis month's issue explores some of the major trends for the up and coming year as spotted at the Paris and Milan trade shows. What's your favourite? 'Golden Delicious'
Metallics are set to continue to dominate our interiors for the coming year but with a minimalist, linear edge as opposed to something more opulent. Lamps and furniture take on more geometric shapes and are complimented with bold, leather furniture as a contrast. I'm particularly taken with polished copper for its warm, reflective qualities and love the introduction of 3-dimensional and geometric wallpapers to re-enforce the trend.'Into The Wild'
This look is my absolute favourite. This contemporary, bohemian jungle style is all about bold and bright print-think large leaves, bright grasses and landscapes. Mix ethnic designs inspired by Africa, South America and the Caribbean with natural materials- bamboo, woven grass, leather and linen. If there's one thing I've learnt about my decorative style in the four months we've been in this house it's that as much as I love clean, blank space, I'm all about colour, pattern and texture. Especially where green and ethnic print are concerned. I'm going to embrace it wholeheartedly-watch this space!'Sweet 50s'
It's clear the retro 50s look is here to stay for some time and here in the UK we're showing no signs of tiring of the pastel and sweet shop colour palette. I'm pleased to see that 101 Woonideeen have gone the route of mid-century geometrics and Festival of Britain design elements over the more floral option with touches of soft watercolour for texture. This trend is happy and positive, thus the colours, shapes and textures should also reflect this mood.Ariadne at HomeA new publication for me, this jaw droppingly beautiful central Milan apartment, home of interior designer and stylist Stefania Passera and her three daughters has taken a hold of my heart in this feature which translates as 'Refurbish and Arrange in 20 Days'. Leaving their old house behind for a new start was a daunting prospect for Stefania who knew it was of fundamental importance to bring memories from their old home with them to create an instant feeling of home. Having upped sticks and moved house ourselves just four months ago, I really connected with her own thoughts of the meaning of home..."I personally believe 'home' is what's inside of you. The intimate, internal space that feeds our being...you can live in a little urban attic space or in a two bedroom home in the suburbs, but when YOU are balanced your house feels like home."
The house is lovingly filled with objects and accessories with a story of family history. Use of colour as an accent along side a calm and tranquil base of white and grey-blue is reminiscent of a Kahlo-Duffy mash-up in places. It's full of character and vibrance.
Isn't the kitchen gorgeous? The Studio Ditte plate wallpaper and pastel metal framed chairs compliment each other beautifully. It's a fun and feminine twist on modern vintage.
Styling: Francesca Davoli | Photography: Fabrizio Cicconi/Living Inside
This home is unapologetic in its style and character as I think all homes should be. Home should speak volumes about your personality and family life. It should wrap you up and ease the stresses of the day the second you walk in through the door, as a space where you can just "be" without any expectations.Tell me, what does home mean to you? Is it a feeling or atmosphere? Perhaps it's snuggling up in your favourite chair or something as simple as a slice of toast and Marmite?.
The Jolly Studio Tour
I'm extremely excited to share this gorgeous post with you this morning, very kindly submitted by my wonderful transatlantic friends Tom and Laura of creative illustration company Jolly Edition.
You may have seen Laura's beautiful illustrations already ala Jolly Edition, if not here then most definitely Martha Stewart Weddings, Glamour magazine, Brides and Smitten to name but a few. I wish I had her artistic flair, the skill with which she interprets a couple's love story before sketching it out and breathing it to life with a humble paint palette.
Tom's not a bad guy either, a web developer/designer extraordinaire who recently undertook the rather daunting task of handling my rebranding and is currently putting finishing touches to my brand new, squeaky clean website and puts up with my nit-picking most days! There's not many that can handle that...Having recently upped sticks from leafy Cambridge to set up in Laura's home town of Baltimore USA, the couple are now installed in a light and airy home studio and I get to share this little tour with you today. Normally I only see a small snippet of this space when we chat on Skype, so when Tom sent these to me I was pleasantly gobsmacked (and ever so slightly jealous)...Whatever their individual talents, these two are undoubtedly better as a team and this post gives us a little window into how their studio works for them...
" We needed to find a space with a lot of light, we like to keep things minimal in our work space, if there's too much clutter we can't get anything done."
I love the addition of the seafoam green to the window frames which ties in with Jolly Edition's branding and adds a fresh pop of colour to an otherwise blank canvas.
"Our furniture is a mixture of modern with a vintage feel - we've got modern Ikea pieces and an antique Ikea desk (sorry, we are the worst!) The colour rug which adds a splash of colour is Urban Outfitters and the navy love seat is from Ethan Allen."
"We need to sit next to each other like the starship enterprise so we can focus on our individual work and bark orders at each other when we need to."
"Eventually we'd like to fill our space with plants or animals, if there is none, it's incomplete."Tom and Laura currently look after Biscuit, the family dog (not pictured) who enjoys making the most of the hardwood flooring, sprawled out most days, but doesn't do much to help around the studio.In case you've got a little Jolly Studio envy and want to recreate their look in your own home or work space, I've put together a handy little shopping sheet below. And if you'd like your very own Jolly Edition design to adorn your wall, you can commission a portrait!
1.The Ocean, The Sea, The Wave Print, Budi Satria Kwan, Society6 | 2. Fenton Wing Backed Charcoal Sofa, Rowan & Wren | 3. Paris Pendant, Pedlars | 4. Morton Glass Trestle Table by James Harrison, Made.com | 5. 'Marine Splash' by Dulux | 6. Newgate Watford Lab Clock, HealsThanks to Laura and Tom for sharing your space and to Sarah Mooney for the photography..
Swedish By Design - HOW ARE YOU
Here's a colourful start to your week in the form of Stockholm design duo Tobias and Emelie or HOW ARE YOU. As the ombre/gradient trend continues into the summer months bringing both bright and subtle pops of colour into our homes, I simply had to share these with you.I'm discovering a love of all things plywood at the moment that I never knew I had. Such a simple material and one no doubt you'll remember using to practice with on jigsaw machines during design and technology classes, HOW ARE YOU's Plywood Cabinet from their 'Made for us' collection is (I quote)..."RAW, it's BIG and MADE FOR KEEPING STUFF IN".I totally would too. The splash of graduated colour gives it a lift away from the ordinary and turns it into a real feature piece for the living space or office. All their cabinets are custom made in a "large and smaller than large" and painted to your preference. You could seriously go to town on this bad boy.Their soft canvas cushions from the COLORS collection are an ideal addition for your sofa and would look gorgeous mixed in with some light or dark grey soft furnishings for a contemporary feel.Love what you see? Check them out...Follow HOW ARE YOUWebsiteBlogTwitterFacebook.