trendey

Displays of natural history objects like insects, bones, seashells or just anything quirky and peculiar, along with glass bell jars (big trend alert on these!), statues or anatomical drawings, can create really interesting focal points. I think this Victorian and gothic touch works especially well in otherwise quite modern schemes as it brings out the contrast between new and old. 

                                                                                        (mouse over pics for sources)

I really like the look created by mixing items from different eras in a completely current way. The contrast is fun and interesting and makes the old look older and the new newer! Mid-century classics (like the Saarinen tulip chairs from 1958 in the pic below for example) are great to use in an eras-mix as the 50s “space-age” style tends to look more modern than modern items!

To me, this “retro-vintage-antiques-modern” mix is all about recycling and reusing great designs from the past – disregarding as many rules about consistency and coherence as possible – and in the process creating interesting and elegant rooms fit for modern living. This eclectic style (which might be easiest to pull of in a period property), ought to have real staying power. So many combinations to try! Posssibly stay clear of the most heavily used 50s classics at the moment to avoid it all looking predictable, but overall I can’t see a room with a successful and harmonious vintage-modern blend going out of fashion any time soon!

Here’s more from the same stylist…

All of the above pics come from stylist Aaron Hom.

Super stylish DAY Birger et Mikkelsen never fails to impress. The photos below by the talented photographer Ditte Isager of the DAY Autumn Winter collection 2010 are absolutely stunning. They make me want to buy everything that I see! (minus the girl’s hat – that’s not my cup of tea)

The images are crisp and perfect. The colours of the collection are beautiful. Rich and earthy reds and browns add elements of warmth to the predominantly black and white colour scheme. Soft wood is also in the mix as is the background colour…”blueish gray”? Don’t know what to call it, but surely there’s a better name for this colour? Whatever its name though, I love it. Definitely would go for that on my walls.

Now, from the collection,  if I was twist-my-arm-forced-to pick just three things, I think I would get this black desk with storage…

…a set of these quirky little things…

…and this pretty cushion…

For the full experience and to check out more pictures and products in the A/W 2010 collection, visit the websites of Ditte Isager and DAY.dk. And since we’ve long been fans of DAY here at Trendey, also check out Mia’s earlier posts on DAY.

…is a successful colour combination. I think it looks both fresh and calming and I love how the deep and lush shade of teal (or dark turquoise) makes the white pop out. Red and yellow accents completes the look.

[pic: Living Etc]

[Right: Andy Warhol Butterflies print, 100 GBP at Heals Left: pic from Promove]

The interior design world has had the poor things locked up in birdcages long enough; quoth the raven, ‘nevermore’…

[upper pic by Studio Ilse, bottom pic by Domino magazine]

Although I still love Chesterfield sofas, I must confess I’m having an affair with the Knoll sofa at the moment. It’s just so simple, elegant and classy that I can’t help myself! Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, it has never really gone out of fashion – and it still looks amazingly sleek and modern today.

This sofa has experienced a huge surge in popularity recently as part of the general trend favouring mid-century modern classics (a trend still going strong!), so if you don’t want to fork out on an original (at least 8-9,000 USD), there are masses of reproductions and cheaper interpretations of this sofa out there. For example, IKEA’s very good value version, the Karlstad range. Below left in white leather for 599 GBP. Also check out Sater to the right at only 239 GBP – now that’s cheap for so much style!

Above are details from some lovely rooms featured in Danish magazine RUM June 2010 issue. To the left, pillows made out of ponchos from Peru and rugs from Iran and Yemen create an inviting and homely ethnic/folk traditional look. To the right, a startlingly interesting space (a circus wagon in fact) is made even more interesting by the pretty and colourful folk art textiles. I’m warming up to this style, which is all about handcrafted textiles and furniture, patterns and multi- colours.

Some shopping inspiration below:

[Top left: Suzani bedspread from Yurdan, approx. 200-700 USD; Top right: Chair from Niki Jones 250 GBP; Bottom left: Plant pots from Graham & Green 39.50 GBP; Bottom right: Cushions from Niki Jones 38-60 GBP]

The drug abuse, violin-playing and the outsmarting of super criminals aside, perhaps, I would be very comfortable living like Sherlock Holmes in his flat on Baker Street. Here I would feel free to spill tea on the carpet, paint an oil painting or two and read a stack of dusty old books in peace.

Sure it’s cluttered and messy, but who’s to say that’s necessarily so bad? I think this is an inspirational home. This vintage victorian style mixed with mad inventor’s hangout needs just a few modern touches to bring it up to date. Some more white, a few more uncluttered areas and some modern pieces (how about a giant anglepoise lamp?) What must remain however is the cosy atmosphere, the velvet curtains and the telescope - in my humble opinion.

In the above image I’m particularly liking the heavy-looking crown above the fireplace, the leopard skin slung across the ottoman, the marble bust to the left and the pair of granny-esque lamps. Oh, and I guess I wouldn’t mind so much if Jude Law and Robert Downey JR popped in to embellish the design scheme either ;)

[The above images come from the set of Warner Bros blockbuster "Sherlock Holmes" (2009) directed by Guy Ritchie. Set director Katie Spencer. Production designer Sarah Greenwood. Photographs by Barry Wetcher copyright Warner Bros. Via Set Decor Online]

I find these images fun and inspiring. What I like best is the yellow/deep pink colour combo and the granny-esque lampshades (I so would like a bedside reading lamp like the pink one! :)) However, while I would love to stay in a boutique hotel or visit a friend’s home which is decorated like this, I don’t think I would like to copy this interior design style wholesale myself. Mostly because I want more modern design classics in the mix and am not overly keen on quite such colourful walls, but also because I know I would struggle to get away with it as my husband would absolutely hate this style ;D

[upper right pic from Canadian Home & Country magazine via Brabourne Farm; upper left and bottom pics from photographer Chris Court]

…when an antique chandelier is placed in front of a large mirror!

[pics from Living Etc and Idenfor & Udenfor]

This kitchen, which was used as the set for Sophie Dahl’s cooking show “The Delicious Miss Dahl”, is tranquil, bright and bang on trend with a rustic cooker, smart Belfast sink and public toilet style tiles. Although I’m not normally a huge fan of the all-white colour scheme or the shabby chic look, I really like this kitchen design. To me, it’s a blank canvas and perfect backdrop for adding splashes of colour and fun decorative objects according to mood and season. I just know this kitchen will look great even when it’s totally messy!

In the TV show, the kitchen looked much more lively than on the above estate agent pics (the north London house to which the kitchen belongs was for sale a few months back for £1.45 million (!)) With only a couple of additions - like a cheerful and pretty wallpaper and assorted vintage items, the kitchen became a much more colourful and homely space.

In a land far, far away, on a little hill above a dense pine forest in the remote northern Swedish wilderness, you will find this idyllic summer house garden. Here, creativity and enthusiasm has created an artistic and imaginative environment. First, some snap shots from the conservatory:

See how many frogs, gnomes and colourful flower arrangements you can spot! :) Here’s another dose…

In the extended garden the deep green forest foliage provides the ideal backdrop for the cute wine cellar and the local wildlife. This is charming, unpretentious and pretty.