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...

Pastel Dip Painted Timber Dining Room Chairs

These chairs have been created by Interior Designer Alexander Waterworth Interiors for this cute cafe Hally's London in Parson's Green.

Earlier this year I was designing a resort that had a focus on the use of pastel colours. What a great way to bring some colour into any room and bring a little life back to some old timber dining chairs... 

This would also make and a nice DIY project at home!

Thanks to Holly of Decor8 for sharing such a great article on using pastels, thanks.

Have fun.

How To Decorate :: The Shabby Chic Style

I am frequently asked... "How do I find out my own interior design style?"

So I thought over the next few weeks I would post some images that should help explain the subtle differences between all the styles to help you on your way.

I will start with...

The Shabby Chic Style 

Shabby Chic is a type of interior design and decoration style that combines vintage accessories, distressed and aged furniture with soft pastel colours, floral fabrics, flowers and lots of use of white.

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

images from items sold on Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture

via Shabby Chic

image via Shelterness

via Shabby Chic 

images above via houzz

images from items sold on Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture

images via Shelterness

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

Have fun...

Patchwork Cushions :: Recycled Fabric & Denim

When I was a child I remember my Nan used to keep tins and boxes with assorted buttons, old zips, bags of fabric remnants, denim off-cuts and pieces of string. She would never through anything away if it could be recycled. I also find myself doing the same thing especially since I have a lot of samples leftover from projects.

So what a great way to use up those samples fabric pieces and create your own original cushion designs! 

These lovely cushions featured are by textile designers Cloth Fabric in Sydney. They patch their textile own remnants, composed in colour combinations that work really well together and create a new family of products.

images via Cloth Fabric

Just goes to show it is better to gather and recycle than to throw away!

Have fun

Recycled Patchwork Fabric Sofas

What can one do when your sofa looks tired, frayed on the seat cushions and has seen better days? 

Buy a new one? 
Buy a new cover? 
Throw a sheet over it? 
Or re-upholster?

I love my old sofa... It was a lovely house warming present from my dear Nan, purchased from Ikea UK over 12 years ago. It has participated in 4 house moves and one long boat ride from the UK...

It has lasted really well considering and still has the original fabric, is sturdy, the seat cushions still have great structure and it is so comfortable. The only thing now is that the seat cushions are a little thread bare and in need of a makeover. 

So this has now become a little personal project of mine to create a new look with my existing sofa. I am thinking of:

• Using recycled upholstery grade fabric where possible
• Changing the style of the legs
• Changing the colour of the legs
• Making new scatter cushions

To start my project I have added some images of other successful patchwork sofas for inspiration.

Image via Terry's Fabrics

I love how the choice of patterns used within this patchwork sofa co-ordinates so seamlessly with the colour scheme in this room. A great colour combination!

Image from the Spier Hotel

This sofa takes on more of a natural colour scheme and is highlighted by the green dining room chairs and co-ordinated by the use of natural woods and use of pale green within this room.

Image via Arthur G's furniture

By keeping the patchwork design structured, the cushions works well with the square style of the sofa frame.

Images via Design Rulz

This is where you can have a little more fun by creating a statement piece by using both strong colours and strong patterns.

I will let you know how it all goes.

Have fun.

Re-upholstered Dining Room Chairs :: Sari Fabric

I just could not help myself to add this image today by the style files. 

image via the design styles

This setting is actually an office board room of the fashion label the Free People in Philadelphia. 

The chairs have been upholstered with different pieces of recycled sari fabric and look amazing! It's a great way to add character to your room, tell a story of your travels and just the thing to go with my sari artwork. 

All I need to do now is find some second hand dining room chairs to upholster. 

Have fun.

Driftwood Coffee Tables & Side Tables

Early this year, the beach at the end our garden got an absolute hammering with ex-cyclone Oswald and a further mini tornado that ripped through after. 

We moved in just after these storms but are still reminded by the extent of tree damage and driftwood that still remains on the beach. The beach is now slowing and naturally repairing itself though a meter lower than it originally was earlier this year.

I keep walking past quite a bit of driftwood and thinking what can I do with these lovely redundant items? Maybe a new driftwood coffee table or side table like these?

These striking driftwood side tables sold by by the sea are created by layering the individual pieces into an outward fanning shape.

This simple design by her-indoors with the stacked driftwood is perfect set against the natural rug below. It probably is also easier to build!

This driftwood table by designer Tristan Cockerill has each peice of driftwood nailed in place until the shape is realised and then a piece of toughend glass placed on top to finish it off.

I will have to see how much driftwood I can gather first.

Have fun.