What’s going on?

Morning from a very snowy London. Am kind of glad I don’t commute a simple 2-second walk from the bedroom into the studio and wham bam I’m at my desk. So I spent the last few days in Paris, which I hate to say was very disappointing. Not the city itself which is extraordinary but the show I went too. To safe, to boring, every supplier doing the same thing – if I see anymore rustic, country or beachy looking interiors I think I might slit my wrists.

What’s going on?

I mean I know the economy is tough and suppliers desperately want to showcase what sells but dear God just because its the spring summer collection it doesn’t have to be beachy or rustic right? Where were the leaders of the pack pushing boundaries (there were a few, amazing ones) but only a few?  We found things but boy was it tough a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. On the plus side we found beautiful modern wall lights with the internal part of the shade in gold which cast the most magical light (some of those are coming home), a phenomenal leather sofa, some super cool vases, throws and objects but tough going.

It’s a lesson, as I was saying to Gem (my sister who came with me) I have to get off my ass and design more then I don’t have to worry about not finding stuff simple as that. So baring all that in mind its no wonder that most people’s pads are so conventional because retailers have very little choice when it comes to diversity. Not that that is a good enough excuse for retailers by the way. For us it means I have to go on more buying trips, Morocco, Turkey, France and dig out and find small artisans, but its an expense that many stores don’t want to have in tough trading times. Regrettably if I wouldn’t have it in my home I can’t buy it no matter if it means that the next few months are now crazier than ever pencilling in more trips, no matter if I think some rustic looking pot for 2 euro will sell like hot cakes and buy me a chateau in the Dordogne. Just can’t do it!

Shall I get to the point? I could just sit here all day and yabber to you guys but then I would be putting off the problem and not dealing with it face on and booking more trips. So my point – don’t let the homogenisation of the high street put you off creating a super cool interior. If it means on your part it might take a little more work, a little more digging around to seek out the unusual, so be it, it will pay off. So what if the look is beachy rustic, throw in some Hollywood glamour, some tribal lux, a bit of boho and then magic will happen. The Internet is one big source book; vintage markets and stores another source book. Mass markety things are fine, hell I’ve got lots of Ikea lacquer consoles and shelves all around this place its the odd little bit of stuff that goes on them that takes them to the next level.

A good example of how the odd worn chair or slightly thread bare rug, vintage pieces basically elevate a space.

Enough from me, sure you are bored to death by now. Onwards and upwards as they say!

Brigten Up

Last post of the week from me as am on a 4am wake up call for Paris tomorrow, and hoping the snow forecast for much of the country tomorrow won’t delay things. As its feeling so chilly and wintery I thought ( stay with me anyone living in a hot clim) we should look at something uplifting – ORANGE. I think orange as a colour isn’t used enough and whether you live in a hot country or a cool country it wakes up interiors like no other hue I know.

I’ve dabbled in my head for ages about curtains in the bedroom, thick velvety Rupert Bear in feel type curtains and toss between a dark hue to melt away with the walls or something that stands out, like these amazing curtains below in burnt orange. I love how they have lined them to match the wall colour, plus orange and brown or taupe if you like are a magical combination. If curtains scare you, consider the odd piece in orange – the painting and the little stool in the image below totally and utterly lift the space. Clever, clever colour just when  you think you know every trick in the book, along it comes slaps you round the face like a wet fish (nice) and makes you re-think you’re whole scheme!

Images Petrina Tinslay

A new chair for the studio and going edgy with colour

Thank you for all your birthday wishes yesterday, very kind indeed, was very touched. I had a lovely day all be it a working one.

Yesterday I got the coolest ergonomic chair from Herman Miller for my studio, its called SAYL.  Matched to my specific needs (hours in front of the computer, writing books, designing etc.) I have to say its life changing. Truly life changing!

Now I’ve sat on the oldest, springs in the ass type dining chair for years and have resisted going down the officey route, vainly because I didn’t see it fitting into my scheme. EXCEPT I’m a convert, with a frameless suspension back (that keeps you cool, and was modelled on the San Fran bridge no less)  its elegant, stylish with first class ergonomics, can’t really ask for more than that right! Why I spent so long on an old dining chair is now beyond me. Yesterday I worked into the evening without even noticing it, usually I am groaning and moaning about back pains, hip pains you name it. So thank you Herman Miller I love my new chair.

So this morning, feeling sprightly and inspired I thought I might try and convince those who have not already dabbled that is, to take a few risks with colour. Whether you have a pale interior or a dark interior, going a little off radar with your colour selection is what knocks an interior out of the park. You don’t have to paint the walls pink (although you will see an interior below that has), but you could perhaps fling on the bed a cushion in say Barbie esq paint, or a throw in teal or mustard, or a rug in red – see where I am going?  We’re not talking namby pamby wishy-washy colours here we’re talking ballsy look at me, I’m the king of the castle hues. You can be as daring as you want (generally I shy away from putting brights on walls) but that’s me you certainly don’t need too. But I do love accessorizing with colour, my bedroom which is only half working needs an injection of colour so am planning on upholstering two little tub chairs I’ve got in bright bright catch your breath pink to lift the space. It doesn’t take much, the only thing you need is confidence and you don’t need that if say you’re considering painting out an occasional table or coffee table in an off radar hue. Why. well because that takes a matter of seconds (OK a few hours at the most) so there’s no worries there as it can easily be repainted.

Flowers in amazing hues lift a space, we’ve got peonies, berries, renuculus, hell I’ve put a load of fake pink and red berries in a tub in the garden and they look super cool and catch and tantalise the eye. Talking off flowers cannot wait to show you the Spring collection, due in in a few weeks – ah ma zing (including trees – yikes)!

The red chairs and the odd splash of blue lift this space and take it to a whole other level.

Pink walls anyone, I’m kind of loving?

Have a lovely day

xx

Don’t stop decorating too soon

Morning morning, no snow in London which is fabulous hate the stuff.  Yesterday morning I turned into a crazy person out in the garden in the dark in pyjamas with a broom knocking the snow off all the plants (worried that there were getting to cold) – yes even stood on a garden chair and attached the olive tree that’s like 80 years old. Nobody likes to be covered in snow especially if you are 80 (was my theory and I’m sticking to it) – but now it’s all melted so the pressure is off.

I say this a lot so I hope you don’t mind if I mention it again but I believe people in general stop decorating too early. AND yet it’s the accessories that give a room soul and make it intriguing. The more stuff you have in a room the longer you want to linger. Now art, which I also talk about all the time is one such way of bringing a room alive. Something we plan to do in the revamped store in a few weeks time is to create a bijou art collection. Flanking one of our fireplaces with wallpaper behind beautiful little shelves with affordable art, prints, oils all cool and all something I would have at home (infact they may well stay at  home will come back to you on that one)!  We all know that hanging art saloon style (i.e. in a higgidly piddigly fashion) is in Vogue in a big way right? If you’re art isn’t expensive or you’ve got the odd, (please make it odd and not a whole wall of family snaps) , or magazine tears, or framed book covers this style of arrangement is the best way to go. Another totally cool idea taken up a step or too is this, which I saw over on Apartment Therapy:

A simple shelving system housing  pieces of art. The homeowner fronted in glass but I’m thinking that isn’t totally necessary, I would go for something a tad more casual and laid back and ditch the glass, but its totally up to you. It’s cool no? Suddenly the wall makes a fabulous statement and I reckon it’s pretty easy to knock up yourself? Obviously you don’t need the shelving system but it grounds it and makes the room feel and look way grandeur then if the art were merely hung on a wall.

Before I go I must thank the Wall Street Journal on Saturday for their very lovely mention, thanks guys.

Have a fabulous day