Three Ways: Grey in the Bedroom

Maybe it's because it marries with such ease to yellow (one of my favourite colours), or perhaps it's the restful vibe it gently oozes. Either way, grey really chimes a decor-loving cord within me - and it makes for the perfect hue when it comes to decorating bedrooms. The versatile colour can be called upon in various different shades for varying effect. Whilst I love the drama of the second scheme, my heart pulls me towards Gentle Romance - yes, there's the saffron yellow, but the subtle nude tones of the sheets and overall relaxed vibe also have me sold. Which scheme is for you?

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Colour Cocktail: Chalky Grey and Warm Gold

Given the temperatures here in the UK are sub-zero this week, and with friends speaking of heavy snowfall in Vancouver and Seattle, I felt we'd all be in the mood for a warming colour cocktail to see us into the weekend. There are darker greys on the cards this week; their gentle tones make a great team when paired with a bold golden hue. If you're a modernista and like to keep things fresh, ask for your cocktail served with an extra dash of grey as this will serve well to lift the scheme. If, however, you're more akin to all things traditional, indulge in the glamour and decadence of gold by asking for a triple shot of honey-hued goodness. You can see below how a silver-grey table and accessories dominate the modern space, whilst on the right, golden tones keep things traditional with a hint of grey in the door to add dimension to the room.

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Colour Cocktail: Silky Grey and Sapphire Blue

Inspired by the royal engagement, this week's colour cocktail is about adding a touch of luxury to your space. Kate Middleton looked radiant in her sapphire blue dress, dazzling the world with that ah-mazing ring. Now your home can dazzle, too! Rather than buying the over-priced engagement mug, bag yourself a new-look interior, instead. Treat yourself to a shimmering throw cushion or perhaps dress up your lighting with a glamorous new shade. Be sure to work in some delicate grey hues to your base colour scheme, as this will ensure your homage to the royal engagement airs on the right side of sophistication. Order yourself a sapphire surprise and come next summer you'll be sat watching the wedding in your own little Buckingham Palace!

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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: The Orange Crush

Moving day is looming and the Mr. isn't happy about loosing his bachelor pad. "Yikes", shrieks the Mrs. over her second Apple Martini, "He's all X Box this, PlayStation that and I'm standing there thinking: 'What about my favourite Orla Kiely prints?!'" Fear not, as this Mr. and Mrs. needn't fret for long, no sirree. The orange crush will solve their decor dilemmas. This hot little colour combo will see them through their first place together, with punchy orange tones adding masculinity for the Mr. Meanwhile, the Mrs. can work in her favourite patterns, textiles and delicate prints to soften the look. Phew! Looks like it won't be handbags and PlayStations at dawn after all.

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Happy Weekend: Livingetc Winners!

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Last weekend was quiet and relaxing; the sofa and I had some serious bonding time. This weekend, however, I'll be working on some upcoming articles and features, which I'm looking forward to getting stuck into. After a long day it would be lovely to soak in this bath, admiring that stunning chandelier as I sipped a glass of bubbly and listened to soothing cracks and pops of the roaring log fire. Ah, a boy can dream, right?!

Before I pop off, I'm excited to announce that random.org chose comment numbers 40 and 16 from the Livingetc giveaway. Which means congratulations are in order for Saer over at Craven Maven and Julieann from CreateGirl! Drop me an email (details in the contact section) with the address to which you wish your subscription to be sent and I'll send it over to Livingetc to start your year's subscription. Thanks again to Livingetc for being so generous to help organise this wonderful giveaway - if you haven't yet, please do check out their new blog.

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Colour Cocktail: The New Neutrals

With autumn settled in for the next few months it's time to cosy up with a new neutrals colour cocktail. Shake off those summer brights with a mix of dusty grey hues and softer nude-like neutrals. Order a metallic chaser to follow and you'll be sorted for the new season. Place a chic grey sofa next to a collection of brass, copper and silver candlesticks holding flickering nude-coloured candles proudly aloft. Then use delicate textures to balance the masculine greys; silk quilts and sumptuous wool pile rugs made up of natural, taupe and auburn tones work well to add warmth to such schemes. Meanwhile, metallic surfaces will reflect the glistening glow of your lights that will shine through the long, dark evenings.

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{Colour Cocktail: Grey and Orange}

Oooo this is another of my fave colour combos. Grey is to orange like lemon is to Diet Coke - they just go together with such ease. When these two get together for a decor party you know you're onto a winner; the results of their matrimony are just so satisfying. These two can be make a simple, subtle yet stunning statement as seen in the dining room below; or can form part of a structured scheme as seen in the home office. I've posted that home office before, but I couldn't resist including it in this post as well because - I'm not gonna lie - I'm a little bit in love with it! Have you ever decorated with this statement duo of colours?

Images (left to right, from top): 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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{Colour Cocktail: Grey and Yellow}

I've felt quite inspired by masculine-meeting-feminine spaces this week; from the sophisticated and colourful designs of Nate Berkus, to the fun my style challenge ran by Ally. So, I decided to make this week's colour cocktail on a combo that worked perfectly in such spaces. I love both of these shades - on their own or as a combo, but the latter really helps to bring each partner alive. Don't you think the grey makes the yellow pop and the yellow makes the grey look deep, thoughtful and comforting? This is the kinda colour cocktail you'd expect to see in a high-end Manhattan hotel with a room over looking the park and the glistening lights and yellow cabs below acting as an extension of the scheme. I'm going to dream of this over the weekend...whatever you do, I hope you have a great time and see you next week. x

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{Relaxed Style}

When it comes to the decor of my living space I like to make sure there is a small corner of my apartment dedicated to creating a laid back, relaxed ambience - nothing too bright, but certainly not beige either. I think of it as an area to indulge in chic grey hues and warm, earthy tones mixed in with glass pendants and metal lamps. That's what I love about colour, you can create uplifting and vibrant spaces using poppy brights, and in the same corner of that room a simple white desk, metal lamp and sage chevron rug can create a space to gather thoughts and clear your mind. Whenever I need inspiration for these spaces I check out both the myles henry blog and these roving eyes - both a dead cert for inspiring in this area of decor. Here's what has my decor taste buds all a riot...

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{Blog Love: A Perfect Gray}

I wouldn't be surprised if you are already checking in with this blog, because it's pretty damn awesome. Besides the fact that grey is the neutral of the moment, A Perfect Gray always inspires me on intriguing and stylish ways to decorate with this sophisticated shade. Many colours compliment dulcet grey hues - from purple right through to yellow, so it makes for a versatile scheme allowing you to add accents or key seasonal colours as you wish. A Perfect Gray is summed up as: 'Life's Four Phenomenal Goodnesses: antiques, decor, art and style - and one girl's search for the perfect grey wall colour'. Well, this is one search I love being a part of.

Images: Belle Maison; Peppermint Bliss; House Beautiful; Skona Hem; The Diversion Project; Decor Pad; Visual Amp

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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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