Tag: Accessorise your home

Gold – Tasteful or Tacky?

Gold is on trend at the moment, but not everyone knows how to use it effectively to get a tasteful effect. Gold is associated with opulence, luxury and wealth but the misuse of gold, in interior design, can look inelegant and garish.  We think that gold is a great addition to an interior, and you can find gold accessories dotted around our office. The Golden rule, is to use gold sparingly, in the right proportion and right places.

Accessories are a great way to introduce an accent colour, without it overwhelming the room.  You can also use the decor with the addition of a feature wall, alternatively a thoughtfully chosen wallpaper can bring pattern, texture and colour on the perfect proportions.

We want to inspire you and put you on the right path to how you can inject a splash of gold into your home.  Here are some of our favourite things:

This Magazine Rack from Alchemy is a stylish addition to any living room. It’s functional yet quirky; nothing boring about this!

This Golden Shell, again from Alchemy, would look great displayed on a shelf, in a glass-fronted cabinet or on a mantelpiece. It is eye-catching, and the perfect way to get gold into the room.

We do love a quirky accessory, and this is another example; this Golden Beetle from Graham and Green is a unique piece that will add drama to your walls. The detail and the finish of this piece are beautiful.

This Standing Planter is another way of how a functional item can be used to bring colour into your room. Functional doesn’t need to be boring and every day.

These Gilded Vases can be used to create interest in your room. The variety of sizes and shapes mean that you don’t need to just have the one, and they are a modern twist on a glass vase.

If you’re inspired to update your décor, have a look for gold accessories that catch your eye, or look at how you can add gold with the use of wallpaper, like this one from Graham and Brown, or furniture, such as this side table from Wayfair. Contact us if you want help and advice on how to get the look that you are after, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more great ideas.

Interior Design – Ask the Experts

We’ve been tempting you or a while with titbits of our exciting news and now we can do a full reveal.

Sallie, of Interiors at 58 has joined the expert panel at House Beautiful; answering readers’ interior design questions each month. We are honoured to have been asked and have been eagerly awaiting the first edition.

With years of experience, Sallie is ideally placed to answer this month’s question:

“I love all the botanical prints around at the moment, but how can I use them in a room without feeling completely overwhelmed by greenery?”

Leaf and botanical prints have become one of the biggest trends in the last few years, adding vibrancy and personality to a room. There are many variations to choose from.

Click here to read Sallie’s full answer and get hints and tips for your own home design.

The first edition is the April issue which is out now – get your copy today and see the article in print.

Home is Where the Heart Is

February is the month of love, hearts and flowers so we are looking at some apt accessories to inject a little love into your home. Heart shaped and heart inspired accessories can be gorgeous additions to any room.

This hand cut and polished heart, made from natural stone from Westelm is something lovely to add to a room, and perfect as a gift.

Rockett St George often provides us with some of our favourite things, and this is no exception. Over a mantelpiece or a bed, this light adds warmth to your home.

Mirrors help add light to any space and enhance any décor, not to mention their practical uses. These beautiful heart-shaped mirrors from notonthehighstreet.com could add a little something to your bedroom or hallway.

If you want something a little more discreet, have a look at these cushions from Amara. An everyday reminder to the person of your choice, and a little fun put in the house.

These cute heart-shaped stools from Melody Mason are an affordable way to add vintage chic into a country kitchen.

In red or white, this LED light from Cult Furniture can be wall mounted or freestanding so you can put it anywhere, and in any room.

And finally, a stunning heart-shaped shelf from Melody Maison; perfect for trinkets and ornaments as well as a décor triumph.

There is a huge choice of accessories, something for everyone. February might be the month of love, but any of these items will stand the test of time.

Using Accessories in Interior Design

Interior Design is about making a room both functional and aesthetically pleasing; it’s about creating a space that you want to spend time in. We believe in investing your budget in quality timeless pieces such as sofas and curtains and then adding accessories that convey your personality and sense of style, whether it’s something traditional, like a vintage vase, or something fun and quirky, such as a faux fur upholstered chair.

Accessories are perfect for complementing the décor of a room, and should work with it and be in keeping with the rest of the room. They do, however, need to be selected carefully to create the right balance. Accessories can include: Artwork, Sculptures, Vases and Ceramics, Antiques, Rugs, and  Cushions.

If you are looking to accessorise your home, why not read our guide as to how the items below can be used to great effect!

Mirrors

The range of mirrors available is wide and varied and you will always be able to find one that fits with your room. Both size and style play their part, and they can be very useful in smaller, darker rooms too. A carefully placed mirror will create a sense of space, reflecting light within a small room; placing a mirror behind a light works wonders for lighting up a small or dark area. A mirror in a hallway delivers a first impression as soon as you walk into a home, and gives the all-important opportunity for a last-minute check before you leave the house. Don’t be afraid to go large with a mirror if you have the space, they can give a real wow factor like this reasonably priced mirror which is a huge 120cm diameter from William Wood.

Clocks

You might think that clocks are merely timepieces and while they do serve that purpose, they can also be a statement piece; a focal point on a wall. As with mirrors, the range of clocks is vast, and they come in all shapes, sizes and prices and in a large size they can be a great affordable way to give some impact to plain wall. We recently used this large clock from The Range to complete the end look, demonstrating that taste doesn’t always need to be expensive.

Cushions

Cushions allow you to bring colour, texture and a touch of luxury and decadence to a room. You can use them to introduce in a statement colour to a room or accentuate a colour from the décor, or you could use light-coloured cushions to give the illusion of light and space.

The choice of accessories seems limitless which, if you’re not a decisive person, can leave you confused about what choose.  To make the search easier have some guidelines to stick to. The type of accessory, budget and colour scheme should all be considered before you start your search. You may be drawn to certain shops and suppliers, but don’t be afraid to explore a variety of retailers. Online, there are a plethora of websites and shops where you can source accessories, and don’t discount high street retailers; you can often find great bargains in TK Maxx and we love Next for affordable lighting.

 

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