Original features

This Parisian apartment has got lots of original features, high ceilings, enormous windows and gorgeous wooden floors. It's simply, but tastefully decorated and there's a real mix of old and new. Sometimes beautiful spaces are better left like this so we can appreciate the fantastic original features. There's just no need for lots of added decorations here. The apartment speaks for itself. Love it!

photos by Festen

Enjoy your day! 

hx

Tuesday Tips - Add a top

Sometimes accidents happen and you might have scratch on a piece of furniture. This is a great way of "fixing" the problem. Add a thin top to it - you no longer see the scratch and it looks nice and updated. To me this unit from A Merry Mishap looks like it's had a design detail added to it - trendy light wood. You can either place the plywood directly on top or glue it to the unit. 

photos by A Merry Mishap

photo by Daniella Witte

In Daniella Witte's photos you see a thin cement top over the units. This not only makes it look more interesting, but it also makes it look like one large much more expensive unit. I love the way she's glued a sheet to the underside of the wall units too. They look very special and unique. After all it is all in the details... 

photos by Daniella Witte

Hope I'll see you back next week for more Tuesday Tips.

My weekly column is now 1 year old! 

hx

Byres Road, Glasgow

As Magnus has got his French class, I'm now spending every Saturday in and out of Byres Road. This to me isn't a problem at all as it's one of my favourite places in Glasgow. This Saturday I discovered Australian magazine Frankie, drank coffee(s), and got myself a new notebook. 

If you're ever in Glasgow this is a really nice part of the West End with lots of cool shops, coffee shops and restaurants to visit. Next weekend I'll bring my camera to show you a fantastic restaurant I spotted. 

Have a lovely new week! 

hx

A room in a room

This is a beautifully renovated 1894 Swedish apartment. It's 58m², which is not huge, but it feels light, open and spacious. 

Natural light is really imporant, so I think this is a great solution. If you have a room without a window - use glass panels instead of a wall. It creates more light for a start, but also the room feels bigger as it's not enclosed. It's more like a room in a room than two separate spaces. 

The mix of old and new, industrial and trendy is perfect here. Love those leather armchairs. 

The simple wood pallet bed fits in perfectly with the industrial and natural feel. 

In the kitchen there's a 50s style mint green SMEG fridge, marble worktops, tiled walls, open shelves and also industrial shelves, vintage chairs, trendy wall lights, brass taps... Perfection!

photos by Per Jansson found on Homedit

Like it, too?!

Happy Weekend!

hx

Hush S/S14 Collection

When I was in London a few weeks ago it was such a miserable, rainy day. I went to the Hush press show of their Spring / Summer collection. It was nice to see all the bright colours and dream of a brighter and lighter time of year. 

I did of course fall for a black dress, but that's me.. I've heard "Mummy, why do you like black so much.. " many times. Maybe it's time for a change.

photos by me

photos by Hush

Spring is by far my favourite season. Can't wait!

hx

Fab workspace

Let's pretend we're working from here today.. What a gorgeous, modern, bright space. I'm loving that pop of yellow. Think I could quite happily work from a Wishbone chair.. you too?!

design and photo by La Shed Architecutre via Home Adore

smiles from me

hx

Tuesday Tips - Trend Pop of colour

This spring / summer season we'll see a lot more colours. If you (like me) are a bit scared of colours - then one way of introducing colours is by adding little touches. 

photo by Trettien

It's amazing how you can change a bedroom with bright bedding. 

photo by Jonny Valiant

photo by me

photo by Freundts found on Happy Interior blog

photo by Lucas Allen on the Design files

If you're feeling a bit more daring - you can really go for it!

photo by How to decorate with dark colours

photo by Damian Russell found on House to Home

photo by Egue & Seta

Will you be adding hints of colour this coming season?

If you missed the Maison et Objet Trend report by Decouvrir Design you should go back an read it. Thanks Juliana, for your great post and for keeping us updated!

hx

Brass and copper

Hope you've had a good weekend. It was actually sunny here, which did us some good. Back to freezing rain again now and some work... 

Isn't this workspace just perfect?! I really want to make that origami decoration. The Limited Editon of the PH 31/2-3 copper pendant by Poul Henningsen really stands out here.  It's really a top end buy, but it's also very special. 

photo and styling by Louis Poulsen

Fancy adding brass or copper to your workspace? Here's a roundup of some lamps for all budgets. 

1. Milkster 2. Made 3.Anthropologie 4.Habitat

1. Cox and Cox 2. Bloomingville 3. Urban Outfitters

Have a fab new week!! 

hx

Pins of the week

My favourite pins this week.. 

I'm really excited to see Netta Natalias back in the blog world. This sliding door was made from old windows. Very inspiring. 

photo Netta Natalias

photo by Cachette

Curved tiles - yes, please! 

photo by Dtile

Come join me on Pinterest for more lovely pins. 

Happy Weekend! 

hx

Happy Valentine's Day

It doesn't all have to be red for Valentine's Day. Anemones are my favourite flowers and they happen to be out at this time of year.. 

photos 1. Isa Silva 2. Regards et Maisons 3. Breakfast this morning by me 

4. Alison Flowers

Lots of love to you all!

hx

Marble Coaster DIY

As marble is very trendy these days, I've made a set of six marble coasters from some marble wall tiles I found at B&Q. 

I found these beautiful marble tiles and instantly thought - "coasters". (As you do, or is that just me?!) Here's what you need; tiles, scissors and furniture pads.

You start by cutting and ripping off the net on the back. You then stick on the furniture pads. I put one in each corner. 

The coasters are perfect for a coffee break and even better with a little chocolate. 

Have a nice day!

hx

Tuesday Tips - Maison et Objet Trends

The twice annual event 'Maison et Objet' in Paris is undoubtedly one of the most important fairs within interior design. The event held in Paris between 24th & 28th January 2014. I went there and browsed through so many stands. There are over 3,000 exhibitors from all around the world ! I left with lots of discoveries and decor inspirations.

Hege asked me (Juliana from Decouvrir Design) to make a post about what came out on top this time. I’m so happy to show you my hand picked selection of the very best in furniture, objetcs and acessories, lighting and also my favourite designs and the emerging trends.

The fair honours those who have made an impact on the french design scene.  This time, the famed British creator Tom Dixon was named Designer of the Year. He is always looking for best known for his furniture and lighting design. After famous Beat light, I loved the Etch light, a mix of Sculptural artwork and metallic mood, 2 big trends for 2014. Anyway, metal was everywhere : they are going warmer, more towards the copper, aged brass and bronze finishes. Checked at beautiful stands of nordic brands Bloomingville, House Doctor and also at’s Michael Ruh Studio. All that glitters is now gold !

With a collection of furniture and accessories for many important brands like Hermes or Foscarini, the french desiner Philippe Nigro received the recognition ‘creator of the year 2014 – now! design à vivre. His creations are a mix of style and functionality, like the modular Noctiluque lamp for Artuce and the sofa he has created for french furniture brand Ligne Roset. The design of the Cosse sofa was to optimise comfort, so he created a form with gentle contours that sweep around the sitter with. It’s so  ahead for furniture with rounded edges like a bar of soap and romantic shades. By the way you’ll see softer pastel colors popping up in home decor this year! There were really great scenographies. I loved the mix of those soft colors with beautiful desks, stools and storage objects at Petite Friture, Hartô, Eno Studio and Seletti.

What else ?

I saw Light-toned wood everywhere ! Once again, caramel and honey tones will take the spotlight. The softer look blends with any design style like contemporary design, retro and vintage scandinavian.

Natural elements and materials are incorporated into wall art and also in fabrics and furnishings. Sweet and soft textile and paper decor as origami lamps make funny, simple and ludics decor.  

Prints are continuing to reclaim their rightful place in home, they are bigger and more graphic. Talking about it… graphics and geometric patterns are making a big appearance in the textile realm in a variety of colors and applications. Floral patterns are in and always will be, this time more oversized. I was seduced by the colorful and poetic world of english brands and creators from Miss Print, Lorna Syson and Eleanor Pritchard.

Maison & Objet is definily an enormous bazaar of style, a perfect mix of inspiring ideas and everything else in between ! Thanks Hege for coming with me this time !

photos by Juliana / Decouvrir Design

Did you see anything you like?!

Soon Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day in a couple of days and I'm rummaging around in my Christmas decorations.. What's going on?! I'll explain. 

I had an idea.. You can use your fairy lights to make a heart. All you need is some masking tape and a bit of patience and it works really well. We've now got a huge heart in our living room ready for Valentine's Day.

First find the midpoint of your lights and make that the middle of the heart. Then shape the two sides. This is perfect for parents who stay in, but still wants a bit of romance on Valentine's Day. 

I also made some more cement candle holders. I made some before Christmas too, so you can find the step by step tutorial here. They are really easy to make. 

You need quick drying cement for this project. This time I added some red paint for Valentine's Day. I made a line all around the candle holders with some masking tape and painted them.

I believe in little details when it comes to red, as I feel it makes it less tacky.. 

The cute stone heart is from the Spring /  Summer collection at B&Q.

Now all a girl has to do is wait and hope for some flowers.. 

and maybe some chocolates too..

hx

The products in this post were sponsored by B&Q

Happy (Mrs) Monday

Hope you've had a good weekend. Thought we'd start the new week not only with a Monday but with Mrs. Monday. I love the mix of old and new in her living room. 

The poster really did it for me. It's so striking against that white wall. 

photo by Mrs Monday

Have a fantastic new week!

hx