trendey

Gorgeous and trendy, black walls provide a dramatic backdrop for light coloured furniture, art work or accessories. I particularly like the sharp contrast between black, or really dark grey, and white and/or gold. It really makes the objects pop out!

The above photos come from Apartment Therapy, Living Etc and Marie Claire Maison, The last bedroom pic, which is a favourite of mine featured before in Go French in the bedroom, also comes from Living etc.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it right over again again again:.. the decor heros of our times are Granny and Grandpa! They knew how to do it :) Some of the most beloved items in our home were given or inherited from our grandparents. Here’s another tour at Mia’s! First up, the dining area rug – from Mike’s Grandpa. Grandpa Birger in his turn got it from his sister Elin, who was actually born and raised in the neighborhood we live in right now. In other words, this rug has been on a voyage and now, in its old days, come back home.

Next, below, my beloved pendulum clock I got from late Grandpa Sven. He got this clock when he quit his job as a private chauffeur in the 50s. I think it’s the most beautiful vintage clock there is. To the right, ceramic art signed Grandma Tora. She was a ceramic artist, who amongst other things had owls in her repertoire. This artistry is now contined through the trendey-mum (more about her works later)).

Well, not really… But close enough on the L’eau dining chair from Italian contemporary design company Calligaris (new in for 125 GBP at Heal’s)

I love the turquoise colour and the ripple effect on the seat!  I can see these chairs looking great around a white kitchen table. Only thing I’m not a 100 percent certain of, is the overall shape and design of the chair – doesn’t it look a lot like the chairs one used to sit on at school? Hmm.. I would need to see and test-sit this one in reality to make sure I don’t get any back-to-school vibes before considering a purchase!

I’ve got stripes, stripes around my shoooulders...

I rather like the impression of black & white stripes in decor. It’s classic, modern and stylish. Stripes work well in any style. How ever the trend winds blow. I love my b&w Bob Pappelina rug, it always fits somewhere. There are some b&w stripes around this Autumn, e.g. in the well-circulated pics above from DAY and Ferm Living. Always classic and an interesting style-break in many settings, right now I’d combine the black-white-striped details with grey, with colour schemes like these, added a bith of warmth.

Personally, I am not particularly fond of modern graphic patterns, I think they often have a disruptive effect. As small details though, they can be really nice..

| photo: Trine Thorsen |

For large surfaces, I prefer a white pattern against a black background rather than vice versa. These dramatic walls below are really cool I think. And and extra hello to the boho charmig magpies!

| photo: Andrea Ferrari |

I’m drawn to the lush atmosphere in these rooms. Urban yet green and fertile. The granny vibe and those unexpected branches in the lamp are crucial elements: It’s fresh and botanical, and at the same time urban eclectic. The bathroom below in particular, has such a snug healthy feel it makes me want to jump right into that tub and stay for days.

[ pics from Russian Seasons No 65 2010 ]

Finally, after nearly ten years in a smallish two-bedroomed flat and one looong year of very active house-hunting in London, my husband and I have had an offer accepted on a new place, yay!! We’re so excited!! =) =) =) We’ll be getting some more space and a small garden at last!  As the deal is not 100 per cent final until the contracts are signed and the fat lady sings, I’m not sharing any pictures yet for fear of jinxing it, but in CELEBRATION please join me in drooling over three truly inspirational London homes which feature the best of London style – oodles of creativity, fearless individualism and plenty of eccentricity!

No 1: Victorian townhouse in North London (Hampstead Heath) owned by Sam Roddick – daughter of Body Shop creator Anita Roddick and owner of erotica shop brand Coco de Mer. The boldly blue living room is a very original and personalised space with family pictures, drawings, paintings and vintage furniture. Underneath a glimpse of the trendy industrial style kitchen (love those lights!) and of an inviting seating area with more well-loved vintage furniture. Striking, unique and rather cosy!

No 2: Equally original, but in a completely different way, is this quirky and colourful home of furniture designer Lisa Whatmough (of London label Squint) in Hackney, London. Here, uniform and minimalistic backgrounds allow the happy, multi-coloured granny-esque lamps and vintage-style furniture to take centre stage and really sparkle joy and friendliness. A brightly bohemian and homely fantasyland!

No 3: Third up, is this 1930s arts and crafts house in Brondesbury, London, owned by Joy and Daniel Isaacs.  While a little more “sober and grown-up” than the other two houses, this home is still full of charm and eccentric touches. I love the dark blueish grey on the walls together with the deep red accessories and the vintage stag head - which contrasts beautifully with the modern coffee table. I also really like the minimal yet full impact hallway. It’s bright, uncluttered and spacious and the zebra hide looks great in there.  All in all – a stylishly decorated home with a robust and timeless feel!

[all_images _via Marie Claire Maison and Living Etc]

I love the red chinese cabinet to the right (from John Lewis, 299 GBP). It would be so great in a black and white kitchen or dining room to add a global eclectic touch and a splash of vibrant colour!

[right: morton holtum, left: John Lewis]

…ever wondered what’s the hottest colour right now according to trendey?

Nah, I figured! ;) To me it’s blue, always, but this Autumn grey is all around. From raw concrete to the silkiest sophisticated shade and everything in between. The ‘new’ base colour. I like the room above, from Danish RUM. Shades of grey is not the base, but the elements that assemble the style and provides the harmonious and cool vibe.

And now to the thank yous. A great big THANK YOU to all you lovely readers, for following us, commenting, greeting and feedbacking. Without you trendey wouldn’t be nearly as fun. And a thousand thanks to all of you who have written about trendey this last month. We appreciate it dearly. This has also given us new blogs to follow, and I wish to highlight three of our new-finds. Thank you Sunny @ beautiful morning’s light. Thank you Natacha @ interior-passionate Mocca & Me and Thank you Michael @ inspiring and charmy Inspired by charm.

Grey can work wonders for bedrooms as it’s such a neutral and calming – as well as sophisticated - colour. Below are examples of rooms where grey tones have been used in one way or the other and resulted in really stylish, relaxed and comfortable-looking rooms. Would happily have a snooze in any of those beds, yawnn…

[pics from top left: 1 - Zimbio; 2 - BkkHome; 3 - Marie Claire Maison; 4 - Living Etc; 5- Marimekko; 6 - Aura by Tracie Ellis]

| images via MarieClaire.it |

I’ve got bathrooms on my mind at the moment and have just been looking through what’s new and available in the bathroom accessories department. Here’s some of my favourites from what I came across: First up, how about this bathroom mirror designed by David Dear and sold through Urban Outfitters  or through Gift Ideas  -  isn’t it super-cute! :) 

And from the same source I’m really liking this frilly, romantic-retro shower curtain. Perfect around a traditional roll-top bath.

Below is a slightly more restrained version sold in the UK via Balineum.

Another shower curtain that I really like, is this stylish Octopus one from Thomas Paul (available at  2modern)

This turquoise bathroom accessories set from Matthew Williamson’s AW10 Home collection at Debenhams is pretty luscious (available from August 16, 2010).

I also like this fun bath plug from Gift Ideas!

Finally, returning to shower curtains, what do you think about the one below…

It’s from Spinning Hat and also has a matching bath mat…

…ewwwww……….

No 1. This is one of the bathrooms in the Rough Luxe Hotel in London, UK. The Rouch Luxe hotel is housed in a Grade II listed building transformed by designer Rabih Hage. The interior style concept is “half rough, half luxury”. The look is a mix of old and new and luxurious fittings and furniture are combined with cheap materials and existing distressed original walls. I think the result is definitely interesting. I really like the contrast between the rough walls and the sleek tiles in the stylish shower.

No 2. The bathroom design below by super-talented Abigail Ahern, is dominated by an oversized “neo-baroque” white chandelier which looks absolutely stunning against the darkish-neutral walls.  Again, I really like the contrast between the rough (the baskets, the urn) mixed with the sleek and luxurious. Simply elegant and fun! Just hope there’s a seperate shower in that bathroom also – would be tricky to have a shower in that bath tub.

No 3. The fortunate owner of the magnificent bathroom below is Jenna Lyons, successful stylist. The bathroom (and the house to which it belongs) was featured in Domino magazine (now discontinued) and Living Etc Sept 2009. I love the black walls, the reclaimed brass fittings in the shower and the herringbone parquet flooring. Just beautiful!