In between spaces

I think we should embrace little nooks, passageways, corridors,  spaces in between far more than we do by enlivening them , giving them a bit of definition and  some star treatment if you like. Often times I find clients want to knock them through opening out the space except I am rather fond of such transitional spaces and like the idea of walking along a passageway or bumping into a little nook as it intrigues, inspires and leaves me full of expectation of what’s around the corner.

Best of all you can be totally adventurous dare I say even courageous since these areas are there to purely pass through.  Also may I say to this day I never quite understand why hallways are so often-neglected wouldn’t you think that the fist point of entry to a space should be the most fabulous and should shout , sing and dance Ta Da! I want to walk into a hallway that piques my interest  that sets a point of reference for the rest of the space – instead more often than not they are bland and under decorated.

Forgive if I am getting carried away lets get down to the facts – be daring go for some zany wallpaper, or a high voltage paint colour. Hang art, photos, shelves  or slap as I have done a super sized mirror on a teeny tiny console to add some Alice in Wonderland glamour. Enliven such spaces until your pulse rate quickens or your heart skips a beat , focus on some  trailblazing, idiosyncratic, eclectic  ideas and then I will be a happy girl. Promise!

A multi layered space which tantalises the eye.

Shelves are fabulous in transitional areas – this beautifully curated collection of finds can be seen 7th floor Bergdorf Goodman, NY.

A passageway also 7th floor Bergdorf Goodman – the high voltage hue on the walls brings the space alive.

Giving your home a heart

The Berlin home of advertising entrepreneur Christian Boros and his wife Karen Lohmann an art historian has been sitting on my desk for months. Photographed by various photographers and showcased by the top lifestyle magazines around the globe I can’t yet stand to move the magazines into my bookcase so on my desk they sit heaped with scented candles, post it notes  the odd coffee cup and who knows what else. Its an inspiring home,  the look is effortless with older pieces mingling with newer finds and even more interesting the building used to be a bunker and was built during World War II.

You can’t obtain this look in a weekend it has to evolve  by browsing antique stores, auction houses and markets but its these very  vintage pieces that give this home(and indeed any home) a heart. Vintage finds  tell a narrative have a personality which in turn  makes any home unique,  although having said that magic only happens when you contrast and combine with newer finds.

Enough from me am in desperate need for a coffee as I woke some hours ago with Maud’s paw shoved in my ear.  Flat on her back she is taking up most of the bed I made a quick exit and have been working/pottering ever since.

My favourite room in the whole house – the library. I just adore the rugs skimming the floor, the rich plummy purple fabric on the chairs, the Asian console, the modernist coffee table. A beautifully curated space where different styles come together, hang out together and create magic.

The living room, softened with a throw and a zillion cushions.

A comfortably eclectic look where textures abound and play off of each other.

The dining area and outside space. Minimally furnished (which I have to say I am rarely attracted too) however the architecture coupled with this fabulous collection of art and furniture is for me at least an inspiration.

 

Art House

In this months Elle Dec, Editor Michele Ogundehin writes of 6 key trends for the year ahead. Individuality, key colours,  a love of all things floral and art are what we are all obsessing about. The most exciting trend though is the art trend. With more and more online galleries and affordable sites specialising in printed artworks,  apparently we are all getting on the band wagon and adorning our walls with works that ultimately epitomise our individuality. It can feel bewildering but a good tip is to do what I do  if you are starting from scratch and narrow your selection down by focusing in on a certain category for example photography, abstract paintings, sculpture etc. Hanging is a whole other ball game especially if you are hanging in a group. The professional way would be to lay everything out on a table or floor or even better on paper and trace around a combination that works. Tape the paper to the wall and wham bam in no time you have the perfect template for picture hanging.

When hanging art at home I have to confess I am not so professional it gets banged up, moved, holes filled, moved again then again and then more usually than not ends up where it started. Hey ho its all part of the fun (although Graham would disagree he utterly hates it, I have to bribe with  beer and an agreement that for at least 30 days we will have a respite from moving around the collection).

Some images to inspire of some fabulous art (photography by Mikkel Vang) – joy on a wall!

A couple of large works of art totally transform this space and with more and more online sites promoting affordable art you could grab yourself something amazing for the price of an IKEA sofa.

Figuring out your style

I am often asked (zillions of times a day if I happen to be in the store) how to develop and define style. For me its pretty intuitive I follow my heart and my subconscious and although hard to define its a funked up, idiosyncratic tour de force (can I say that about my style)? For some of us it can be over whelming its visual overload out there what with cool interiors stores, magazines, galleries, blogs, fab bars and so on. Pull back and try to analyse what appeals what pushes your buttons or makes you heart beat a little bit faster – tear out images from magazines, flag blog images you respond too and before long you will have a folio that begins to build a story of how you want your space to look. Its worth noting anything that shouts Ta Da when going through images as this is what turns a space from ordinary to extraordinary. It could be a super sized lamp on a tiny desk, a beautiful patterned rug skimming a floor oh and remember it takes time. A simple fact you can’t define your style if you haven’t invested time in knowing what’s out there its as simple as that.

Enough from me– some inspirational images to inspire plus an image of Miss Maud in her chair. An old big leather club which she has eaten – straw is peeking through the arms hence the throw!! . Have just asked her to define her style and apparently its rustic/feminine with a focus on the handmade – hence the need to munch!Miss Maud or Fraudie as I call her having a snooze at home

Beautiful, glam, sultry and an image I immediately respond to.

A Kelly Wearstler designed living room – it pushes boundaries, makes statements and although not every one’s cup of tea I am a fan.