Decorex - Highlights

I had a fantastic day at Decorex last week, the exhibition stands were beautifully executed and the show had a diverse mix of exhibitors. I wished that I could have spent more time at Decorex this year and attended some of the inspiring seminars hosted by leading designers in the industry, anyway until next year... 

The top lighting company for me was Teranzi, each piece is so unique and sculptural, they truly are exquisite works of art. I could just see one of these dramatic lights in a hotel foyer.

Philip Watts Design wowed me with their oversized glamorous rock style door handles pictured below, again I could see these in a beautiful boutique hotel, restaurant or bar. The skull heads can even be finished in Swarovski crystals, just imagine...

I was also impressed by Ginger & Jagger, a brand that was only launched this year in Portugal. Their products are made from the combination of nature's most fascinating forms and the knowledge of the designers, definitely a brand for beauty lovers. I also was inspired by the colour palette of Munna's products.

Here are some of the talented brands that I had my eye on...

Terzani

Skull Head Handle
Philip Watts Design

Skull Head Handles
Philip Watts Design

Skull Cushions
Alexander McQueen
The Rug Company

Ochre

Philip Watts Design

Sculptural Handles
Philip Watts Design

Munna

Munna

Wood And Copper
Pebble Stool
Ginger & Jagger

Walnut Cabinet
Ginger & Jagger

Autumn Colour Palettes

Yesterdays post on 'Preparing The Home For Autumn' started me thinking about Autumnal colour schemes. I absolutely love the palettes created by Colour Forecaster Jessica Colaluca (creator & creative of designseeds.com)

My favourite Autumn colour palette is shown below, Mustard Yellow, Moss Green, dark chocolate brown with shades of grey, beautiful...

I have linked the colours to these amazing cable knit pouffes which are inspired by nature and bang on trend. They work as extra seating, create focal points and add interesting texture to any room in the home, they remind me of giant sea urchins!  

100% Wool Pouffe €510.00
www.thomaseyck.com

Image:Pinterest

Ursula Cable Knit Pouffes,
inspired by nature
£175.00 grahamandreen.co.uk

Autumn - Time to start Nesting...

Autumn is officially here, the leaves are turning colour, slowly falling and you can feel a chill in the air. Although I am always sad to see summer behind us for another year, there is something to look forward to at this time of the year.
Preparing your home for the winter months
Now is the time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead, invest in some new bedding, change the duvet to a higher tog, put your mattress topper on, treat yourself to a new cosy pair of slippers, a lovely new throw/cushions for the bed, sofa or both!
For me there is nothing quite like a freshly made bed with crisp linens and layers of warmth. 
Throws and cushions are a great way to instantly update a bedroom or living room, they add interesting texture, warmth and colour. The trend for chunky organic knits continues this season, wool is tactile, stylish and elegant. Silk is opulent and luxurious, if the budget will stretch a luxury cashmere throw will last a lifetime, feel beautiful against the skin and you will probably never want to get out of bed or off the sofa!
Sheepskin, fur and animal hides create an alpine/ski chalet style, Mongolian Lambskin and ostrich feather cushions will add amazing texture and glamour to your room.

So as we get ready for hibernation, I will be lighting the fire once again, surrounding myself with candles, cuddling up in a cosy throw wearing my new slippers, with a good book and a glass of wine or two...
To give you all some ideas, here are a few of my favourite A/W 2012 products from the leading Home online/mail-order companies.

Image:Pinterest

Image:Pinterest

Shearling Babouche
£65.00 Toast 

 Reindeer Hide
£145.00 Toast

Sheepskin Rug

£99.00 Toast

Image: Toast

Large Sheepskin Rug 

£500.00 The White Company

Sheepskin Beanbag
£950.00 The White Comapny

Image:Pinterest

Chunky Hand-Knit Throw £400.00
Cushions £85.00
The White Company

Image:The White Company

Image:The White Company

Silver-Grey Plain Cashmere Throw
£500.00 The White Company

Cosy Moss Stitch Cotton Throw
Grey/Brown £69.95
Rockett St George

Made in England wool Throw
Silver-grey £69.00
Rockett St George

 Mongolian Lamb Skin Cushions
£39.09-£100.62 West Elm

Ostrich Feather Cushions
$255.00 Calypso St Barth 

Image:Pinterest

British Artist - Sarah Webb

I had the pleasure of meeting a fabulous and talented artist last week... 
British born painter, Sarah Webb has lived and worked as an artist for the past 28 years, graduated in Fine Art at Loughborough University and has twice been a finalist in the world's most prestigious portrait competition, The BP Portrait Award at London's National Portrait gallery.

A seminal moment in Sarah's career was being discovered by Eric Hall (1928-2008) in London in 1989, who was to become her Patron and very dear friend for the next 19 years. After a brief meeting with Eric at at her favourite haunt, 'The French House in Soho', Sarah found herself bound for Southern Spain courtesy of a 6 month contract to live and paint in Andalucia. 
During that time the artist was invited back to London to exhibit with 'one of the most prolific, talented and knowledgeable art dealers at the time', Roy Miles whose account of his groundbreaking exhibitions and glamourous parties feature in his autobiography, "Priceless".

After four successful years in and around southern Spain, Sarah then moved to Madrid where once again, she won competitions and as a result was invited to become a member of The Circle of Fine Artists. A further three and a half years were spent living in the capital with many other European painters, sculptors and writers.

The influence of Sarah's formative years on the East Coast of England, and the time she spent in Spain and later Italy, is evident in both her drawings and oil paintings. 2012 has been a turning point in the artist's career who has left behind her fugurative approach to produce a series of large, abstract pieces.

Her current paintings take on a more sculptural form using colour and light as a vessel to impact on the viewer whilst allowing their own interpretation of the work.

Oil on canvas 120x184cms £4,995

Sensoria Oil on board
65cmx85cm £595

Coldplay - Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrows Los Angeles Home

I am a huge fan of the band Coldplay, after seeing their spectacular performance last sunday closing the London 2012 Paralympic Games I was inspired to take a sneak peak into the recently purchased home of the rock legend and his famous wife Gwyneth Paltrow.
The celebrity couple have bought Veranda magazines first-ever concept house in Los Angeles named 'The House Of Windsor', it was designed by Windsor Smith and decorated by some of the worlds leading designers. If you go to verandaunveils.com you can take a 360 degree tour of this dream home.
In my opinion there is nothing to dislike about this perfectly executed home, the white exterior is impeccable, the brass and leather furniture is retro and luxurious, I could just go on and on raving about the interior but you can all see for yourselves below...

I think my favourite room has to be the white and grey guest bedroom designed by Tara Shaw. Feminine, elegant and refined, she has used one of my favourite colour schemes with the use of beautiful nude tones as an accent colour.
This house was actually staged for the magazine shoot, I do hope Gwyneth and Chris have not changed the sublime interior too much...

Images: Veranda, Habitually Chic