Eclectic Natural Style :: San Giorgio Hotel, Mykonos, Greece

I know the San Giorgio Hotel has been written about already but as I have been focused on eclectic and natural design styles, this hotel lovingly combines both the '60s bohemian life with a down-to-earth natural approach.

For me I just love the palettes of white, simple textures and the use of colour through furniture and decoration. They achieve this look by...

• Exposing and painting the existing timber ceiling.
• Using mosaic floor tiles.
• Mixing rough plaster wall finish with polished plaster floor and built in joinery.
• Playing with filtered light with sheers and pendants.
• Decorating with natural finishes, local crafted weaves and textiles, recycled furniture and eclectic decor.

images via San Giorgio Hotel

Now if I lived back in the UK, this would be on my top 10 places to stay.

Have fun

How To Decorate :: The Natural Style

Image from interior designers Hare + Klein 

As the name suggests “natural modern” is a type of interior design and decoration style that combines the use of recycled furniture with natural sustainable finishes, natural fibres like hemp, jute, sisal and linen, textures instead of patterns, taupe, off-whites and neutral earthy colours and lots of timber. 

It is also a change of mindset for consuming less, choosing environmentally friendly finishes, fittings and materials and breathing new life into unloved furniture.

 image via Design to Inspire for more natural kitchen images link here

1. via Bloomingville 2. via Restoration Hardware 3 & 4 the style-files 5 natural modern interiors 
6 natural modern interiors 

images by Peter Bennetts of Fjall Ski Lodge
for more link here

via natural modern interiors

For more detailed information on how to get this look, email me here, for my NEW FREE E-Book "Your Guide To Interior Design Styles" .

For many more Natural Style interior images and details, feel free to hop over and follow my Pinterest boards.

Have fun...

Xavier Rudd's Home :: Natural Finishes, Recycled Materials and Sustainable Design

It's been such a busy time for me over the last month and I apologise for my lack of updates and posts. 

I have been working on varied selection of projects from an organic coffee cafe (on site as we speak), a sustainable new country kitchen refurbishment to an new build circular organic home. I am so excited about all these projects and will be posting more details over the coming weeks. 

Until then, a project that I have been using as a point of reference for the use of natural finishes and recycled timber is Xavier Rudd's home designed by Zen Architects in Melbourne.

What interests me with this house is the mix of soft natural finishes, sustainable and eco friendly architecture and capability to store excess electricity.

This home features straw bale walls with a hand rendered plaster finish, timber construction, reclaimed timber for stairs, rails and seating and polished concrete floor giving that natural and earthy feel. 

Love the reclaimed taps, Moroccan style wall tiles and stone wash hand basin.

What a creative outdoor shower concept!

all images by Phillip Stubbs

Also, unlike grid-connected power systems this home has an off-the-grid (stand alone) power system to store excess electricity produced during the day into batteries which supply the house at night or when its is overcast. 

It would be great to be off grid in the future but while we still work in close proximity to cities we will have to do with a grid connected system instead.

Have fun.

Joglo Living :: Khayangan Estate, Bali

I had the absolute pleasure last week to assist a lovely client with her furniture layouts for a traditional Joglo she is building in a beautiful tropical setting just inland from Noosa. 

If you are wondering what a Joglo is? They are a type of traditional crafted timber house, mainly found in Bali and Java and built to be dismantled and moved easily. 

I have attached a fine example of one, recommended by my client, with The Khayangan Estate in Bali. These particular Joglos were once the traditional home of Javanese aristocracy and have been saved from destruction and lovingly restored.

Fantastic indoor / outdoor views...

Note the use of high ceilings, low perimeter shading and no major internal walls allowing cool breezes to flow throughout.

images from The Khayangan Estate

The result seamlessly mixes traditional craftsmanship with antique pieces and contemporary furniture within a tropical backdrop. 

Having travelled to some hot places I have nearly always been more comfortable with the heat with high ceilings, massive ceiling fans and shaded open areas rather than enclosed rooms with air conditioning units... 

In the absence of having one of these Joglos shipped over from Bali for myself... I await with excitement to see my client's one finished in the not too distant future and the chance to visit The Khayangan Estate the next time I am in Bali. 

Have fun.