Day Birger et Mikkelsen Autumn/Winter Collection

Yesterday was all about refreshing, cool whites but today I've spun the tables and gone dark and cosy, with the inspiration courtesy of Day Birger et Mikkelsen's Home Collection lookbook. It's a veritable feast of delicious darks: silky grey hues are teamed strong black accents and accessorised with shimmering silver candlesticks and wooden surfaces. The excellent styling shows how simple textile additions can warm up these colourways - a casually laid rug provides a tactile touch to a wooden floor, whilst a collection of inviting pillows and cushions soften the somewhat industrial colour scheme. There's also inspiring ideas for autumnal decorating, such as a nonlinear art wall featuring seasonal illustrations and using a collection of candlesticks to make a statement out of an otherwise nondescript windowsill.

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Colour Cocktail: Blue and Black

This cocktail is for the Nigella's of this world. You know, those of us who wake in the middle of the night and trot down to the kitchen to whip up a fabulous fruit gateau, whilst gently flirting with the camera. Similarly, whenever midnight blue finds itself in the same scheme as chalkboard black, the flirtatious twosome can't help but tease one another. However, they are always careful not to step on each other's toes; if Mrs. Black is ruling the roost, then Mr. Blue knows he's to let go of the limelight. To ensure the cocktail works its seductive magic it's important to keep the flirting between these two strong hues at bay. Achieve this with a bold wall in shimmering midnight blue hues and ground it with deep, sensual black accent accessories.

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Home Tour: Glossy Brights

If I was going to host a tea party (hey, tea can be cool!) then you can bet your bottom dollar I'd host it in this delightful home. Photographed by Stellan Herner this vibrant home has Bright.Bazaar style stamped all over it. In the bedroom a glossy red chest offsets smooth turquoise accents, whilst black base shades help to turn an art wall into a striking statement in the dining area. There are bright, preppy hues aplenty but notice how red hues are used throughout to ensure that the different spaces remain connected. Clever use of patterned textiles serve to elongate a narrow corridor, whilst sharp lines on the wardrobe give the illusion of higher ceilings. However, for Mr.B, the real star is the kitchen decor. It holds a wonderful air of whimsy, don't you think?

Skarp | Stellan Herner

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Colour Cocktail: The Golden Sparkle

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me with warm words of congratulations about my contributing work for sweet paul magazine. Your support means a lot to me and the fact we can share our passions, successes and inspirations with one another everyday is pretty rocking, don't you think? Well, given a celebration is order, this week's cocktail is seeing us into the weekend with a dash of shimmering honey hues. Next time it's your round at the DIY store pick up the golden sparkle and you'll be set for the party season. Don't order your black and white drink straight up; instead mix it up with a hint of golden hues, adding another dimension to this fabulous little number. Back at home upholster a couple of your dining chairs in a metallic gold fabric and then paper the inside of your drinks cabinet to really impress your guests. Cheers, friends!

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{Home Tour: Tommy Smythe}

Every now and then I crave a hit of black interiors inspiration and the Tommy Smythe's designs that I saw on Tamara's blog sorted out my latest craving in one big, bold hit. Isn't that kitchen a seriously sexy affair? The rustic wooden table holds its own against all the black to become a focal point that ties the room down with effortless style, whilst the glass pendant adds a dash of Traditional-meets-Modern American style. As for the red chevron throw and those adorable tartan stools? Hot, hot, hot! Such simple additions, but they take the spaces to the next level. Like they say, the devil's in the details.

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{Colour Cocktail: Black and Yellow}

Happy Friday, Friends! I've totally been bitten by the Friday Feeling bug today and I'm ready to wind down for a couple of days, catch up with some books and enjoy a cocktail or two. This week I've gone for a more masculine cocktail, pairing up some handsome, dark and mysterious black hues with a sunshine yellow pop. These two maybe like chalk and cheese, but they mix to perfection. Use black as the main colourway, like below, and swirl in poppy, bright sparks of lemon yellow hues for a seriously sexy and ever-so-stylish look. Then, if you want to soften the scheme, add in a few feminine touches such as the Noir Console/Dressing Table from Heals or to make a bigger statement lavish your walls with a pretty flock wallpaper, as seen below. There's something about this combo, I just love it - perfectly bright for the summer and cozy and warm in the winter. Add two to the tab, please...!

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{Colour Cocktail: Black and Gold}

I'm so pleased it's Friday, aren't you? I'm in the mood for a weekend of relaxation and a touch of indulgence. There's no decor scheme more perfect for this than black and gold - it's the ultimate in luxe glamour. I feel like diving onto that couch below, cracking out my favourite escapist movies (Devil Wears Prada, anyone?!) and tucking into all my favourite finger foods (olives, lots of them). From this week's colour cocktail picks I'm really drawn to the gold scratch vase, and that taxi pillow is certainly interesting; I see something new in it everytime I look at it. Do you have a favourite piece? Well, whatever you do this weekend guys I hope you have a lovely time. A very happy Canada Day to all my Canadian readers, and as for all you lovely stateside dudes and dudettes, enjoy your July 4th celebrations! See you on Monday. x

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{Bright Blooms #7}

Now I'm getting settled into the new place I've had time to do relax and try out some more arrangements. This week I've gone for a contrasting visual: vibrant yellow roses, softened with some white stems, held proudly upright by a tall and sleek black gloss vase. This really brings my living room to life!

Images & Layout: Bright.Bazaar

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{Colour Cocktail: Black and White}

Shall we warm up for the weekend in a little 007 style this week? The classic black and white colour combo is always a winner; it works brilliantly in striped window dressings, just as it does in sofa fabrics and mix and match furniture pieces. Decorate with these two BFFs and the scheme will be instantly glam and even more sophisticated. Plus, you never know James Bond might actually pop around to check it out. Just remember: shaken, not stirred!

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Thank you for all your lovely comments this week and for continually inspiring me with your own wonderful blogs. I hope you have a fantastic weekend; I can't wait to be back here on Monday! Hope to see you then. Will xo

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{Blog Love: Elements of Style}

Normally for my Blog Love posts I group together a whole bunch of scrummy stuff that has inspired me from the wonderful blog in question. But, this week it's all about Erin Gates, fabulous author of Elements of Style, and her quite simply A-mazing bedroom makeover, which I know will be more than enough to convince that this is a seriously hot blog. Thanks for all the great inspiration, Erin!

Before

After

Images: Erin, Elements of Style

Yeah, my jaw's wide open, too...Be sure to check in with her blog to see the next developments in the makeover!

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{Magazine Review: Elle Decoration May 2010}

Given that I love shelter magazines so much (I've been known to store them in my oven on occasion!), I thought it would be fun to share my favourite highlights from them each and every month. This super tasty and sophisticated spread comes from the May issue of Elle Decoration and is basically how to rock the monochrome look. I'm totally digging that NYC canvas (1) and the vignettes in the bedroom (7) are stunning in the simplest of ways. Just looking at this apartment makes me feel relaxed...just imagine living in it.

Images: Elle Decoration

The latest issue of Elle Decoration is out now.

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{Bedroom Bliss}

I would happily set up camp in either of these two bedrooms. Is it just me or are yellow and black a total match made in heaven?!

I like how the heavy, panelled walls are softened with the bright pop of yellow in the softly upholstered headboard. I rather like the idea of having such a minimalist bedroom. Not in the traditional sense (white walls, white linens, white just about everything). No, I mean minimalist in the sense of 'scaled-back'. Using a tam tam stool as a nightstand and a cosy, but has-seen-better-days rug makes the room feel lived-in and relaxed, instead of feeling fixed or so beautiful I would be scared to sleep in it! What I suppose I am trying to say is: I like the fact it's a little rough around the edges.

Images: Living Etc

I'd like to think I would be brave enough to paint a bedroom grey, but I'm not quite there yet. Still, I posted this grey and yellow combo because I instantly fell in love with the headboard. (I've got a bit of a thing for headboards at the moment as I'm looking for a new one!) I never knew navy, yellow and purple could look so scrumptious together. But my goodness, don't they look good? Again, there's nothing too OTT or fancy about this scheme: it's comfortable, welcoming and oozes sophisticated style. I'd be very happy with this bedroom.

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A Giant Horsefly

Wouldn't want to be bitten by this little bugger...

View A Similar Shot
Or
Something Different

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Caged In Green

Raining Day Yesterday Here In Michigan...

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Something Different

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Take These Broken Wings...

Check Out Another Creature From Nature's Wallpaper
Or
Something Different Here

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