What they never told you in Home Beautiful...

Sometimes, small spaces look better with dark walls.

I love dark walls!

Dark Walls

I love dark walls, and since painting my bedroom the fab Dulux shade of Stonecrop (which in my tiny dark room looks like a much darker shade of grey brown), I've been obsessed by how to decorate the room to suit the deep, dreamy hue.

Originally blogged on Bodie and Fou, the following room is part of Chateau de Latigolle. I am smitten with the use of black and white furniture against the grey walls and timber floor - it reminds me of my bedroom so much - I also have big white skirting boards and pine floors. I also have a dark brown/black timber wardrobe and tallboy which look sensational against the dark walls... now all I have to figure out is what duvet cover will match the Marimekko lamps shades and red Kartell bedside tables...

Originally blogged on Bodie and Fou.

Cute Little Makeover

Originally blogged by Anh Minh.

You know what they say - the telling is in the detail, and that is certainly true for this little gem. Completed in 2 weekends, it goes to show that a splash of colour, furniture and use of geometric shapes can really add character and turn a simple yard into a living space. The details of this cute little backyard makeover can be found at Sunset.

Inspired by Lace

I've been collecting the best pieces of design and furniture I can find that have been inspired by lace and crochet. Here are some of them (from left to right):

1. A gorgeous piece of real black and white lace to be inspired by.
2. White Lace Table designed by Marcel Wanders. If you haven't heard of him yet - Marcel Wanders is a living modern classic. Named in the 100 most influential people in Holland, Marcel Wanders is ubiquitous, designing for the biggest European contemporary design manufacturers including B&B Italia, Bisazza, Poliform, Moroso, Flos, Boffi, Cappellini, Droog Design and Moooi (which he is also art director and co-owner).
3. Black lace table designed by Marcel Wanders.
4. White lace table designed by Marcel Wanders.
5. Large white lace table designed by Marcel Wanders.
6. White lace chair designed by Marcel Wanders.
7. White lace sideboard designed by Marcel Wanders.
8. Black and white lace drawers designed by Marcel Wanders.
9. Grandma's lace chair designed by Yaron Elyasi. This lace-inspired chair is made (partly) of recycled plastic and is an example of Yaron Elyasi's one-of-a-kind work.
   
10. Prince chair designed by Louise Campbell and produced by Hay. Signaling a return of the extraordinary Danish design of the 50s, the Prince chair was designed by Louise Campbell for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Frederik. Inspired by the juxtapose of Prince Frederik - falling somewhere between new and old world royalty - in April 2006 the Prince Chair was awarded with the EDIDA – Elle Decoration International Design Award.
11. Lace Chair designed by Gam plus Fratesi (dynamic Finnish/Italian duo Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi) is a fusion of lace, steal and fiberglass. The chair is produced by L'Abbate.
    
12. T-Table designed by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola and produced by Kartell. These tables are stocked by the Kartell store and Space Furniture in Sydney and retail for around $327 AUD.
    
13. Lace bathroom fittings designed by Patricia Urquiola.
14. Lace rug designed by Patricia Urquiola.
15. Garland (lighting) designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
    
16. Come rain come shine (lighting) designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
17. Midsummer (lighting) designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
18. Thinking of You (vase) designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
19. Glassware designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
20. Until Dawn (curtains) designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
21. Until Dawn designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
22. Ivy panels designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
23. Ivy panels designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnica.
24. Anemone table designed by duo Anna-Katriina Tilli & Mari Relander (Perhonne) and available through Selki.
    
25. Embroidery (chair) designed by Gam plus Fratesi and produced by L'Abbate.

Trends: Contrast colours

Yellow is cool. Check out the May issue of Inside Out.

The type of pillow I like

Get it? The TYPE of pillow... hehe. You can get one of these little gems made of classic Maharam fabric from here on Esty, made by Jamric. Be sure to check out Jamric's Peppermags Blog.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5063914
http://peppermags.blogspot.com/

The awesomeness that is Decor8

No one can deny the brilliance of the Decor8 blog. And here is the proof: sewing hoops. Simple sewing hoops, filled with beautiful fabric and hung for usage as an alternative to pinboards, discovered by Decor8 and made by the delectable Little Pretty Studio (on Esty).

I am smitten.

Above: A photo originally posted by Decor8 on Flickr and idea blogged on Decor8.

And yes - I just heard you all say "Now why didn't I think of that?". Well don't sweat it - you can make it yourself, thanks to Sweet Jessie's instructions on how to make one youself! FAB!

http://www.decor8.blogspot.com/

Pretty Little Studio

http://www.sweetjessie.com/

Tea with two

How gorgeous are these hand-made pillows? But it gets better - they are made from beautiful tea towels!

Above: finished pillows Originally uploaded by traciw on Flickr.

Black, Hot & White

Check out Black White Bliss, a blog by a designer obsessed with all things black and white.

http://www.blackwhitebliss.blogspot.com/

Ink Blot Plates

I'm all black, hot and white today. Ink blot plates by Kathleen Walsh. Available from Unica Home.

http://www.unicahome.com