trendey

I’m not so fond of one continuous marine style, but injecting a few nautical details in any other style can add lots of fresh interest. A bit of sea breeze and ancient fishing village vibe. I think this boat chandelier below is one splendid piece of decor, and the wallpaper right has a fine boho charm in a mild and light kind of way.

I just got back from a trip to Northern Sweden now where I’ve visited several cozy flea markets and made the best of bargains..! More about that later. Next on the agenda is – tada! – a trip to a picturesque little Italian fishing village. I have a feeling a good deal of interior design inspiration is awaiting there. In addition to the warm sun and sea, for our Swedish heat wave is now replaced by cold winds and pouring rain…In the meantime, keep enjoying fabolous Henen, the other half of the Trendey duo, serving you the uniquest and trendiest decor inspiration!

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

[pics from Living Etc and Idenfor & Udenfor]

Just three picks of interesting lighting going on right now. Since time immemorial, I do believe, people have appreciated the splendor and grace of crystal chandeliers. This one, from the portfolio of stylist Lili Diallo, has the very interesting shape of an old ship.

In the Department of Chandeliers, colourful, pearl-based and not least the gypsy-style versions have become increasingly popular. This turquiose empire chandelier below was featured in House Beautiful.

Another recent boom is copper. This over-sized copper bowl of a lamp was featured in Italian Marie Claire.

I like them all. How about you?

| living etc |

To me, lighting of this kind is pure beautifulness. Antique empire crystal chandeliers is my no 1 in the lighting compartment. In a boho chic setting, mixed with modern decor, in a playful eclectic atmosphere or just anywhere! It’s vintage glamour and beyond. You won’t need much more, it makes the job. And it can do many jobs.

| pic: Alvhem |

| pic: trendey.com |

Love the vibe. | pic: LivingEtc |

| pics: Living etc |

French-style bedrooms are romantic and sophisticated as well as seriously trendey. To create a French look, stick to one colour theme (for example pale blue, green, gold or pink) and team with distressed or whitewashed furniture. A sumptuous chandelier, soft floor-length curtains with tassle tiebacks and some antique items to give a shabby chic feel will further add to the look. And most importantly, allow a fab French style bed to take centre-stage in the room! I love the dramatic carved headboards of Louis XIV-style beds – if it’s good enough for royalty it’s good enough for me I reckon! :)

Take a look at these examples (both from the Living etc gallery)

As I am hunting for a new apartment, many glimpses of Stockholmish homes pass my eyes. It is well known that the Scandinavian interior style is fresh, elegant and sleek. It has a neutral palette of colours and clean light elements of decor. Details are quiet; few, simple and uncluttred. Interiors are airy. In apartments I’ve looked at – mainly in houses from the turn of the century to the 1920s – floorings are close to always wide planks or parquet. Walls are white. White, white… white! (No wonder there’s a colour named “Stockholm-White”). Windows are naked. If decorated, with simple straight curtains. Personally, I get bored of all the whiteness. At the same time, I fancy the peaceful, stylish and airy fundaments of the Scandinavian design. What I’ll do? I’ll add a twist or two!

Now imagine a big airy living room with Stockholm-white walls, large clean windows, high ceilings and a dark-stained wide plank floor…Add to this a multi-coloured gypsy chandelier: A touch of boho charm and baroque class that speaks up and has something to express in the quiet northern interior.

Gypsy Chandelier Multi Colour, £85 from Dutchbydesign.com. It’s made out of metal and durable resin, and has a total length of 125 cm from the top of the chandelier to the bottom of the beads. For a low-ceiling room, a corner, somewhere with less space, there is also a smaller alternative, the Gypsy Mini Chandelier (below). The mini version’s dimesions are D.38cm H.28cm, and the price tag says £35. Let the interior talk!

Designed by Selab for the company Seletti, this is the The Wize Chimpanzee – A burlesque and quite baroque 5 arm candlestick chandelier. Constructed from colored resin, the theatrical ape measures 45 cm. You do feel an affinity with wise monkeys, don’t you? Or is it just me?? Anyhow, this delicious piece of design will bring new mischievous life to any dull interior. Price tag approx. £150.

The September 2009 issue of Living etc (UK issue, page.29) featured this beautiful and inspiring example of a stylish dining room where antlers have been incorporated in the room design to great effect. The contrast between the grand proportions of the room and the rustic vibe from the different sized antlers on the wall along with the mismatched dining chairs creates a striking result. Add to that some old world glamour in the form of a majestic antique chandelier and the room succeeds in being elegant, edgy, unintimidating and relaxed – all at the same time. I love it!

However, if you feel a bit squeamish about hanging actual animal bones on your walls (I know I do…especially the skull part…ewwwww…), there are plenty of fake antlers around which work just as well!

Just take a look at these great antler coat hooks from Erich Grinder and Graham and Green for some inspiration on how you could incorporate antlers into your home without any risk of unintentionally making it look like a hunter’s cabin.

Many designers have jumped on the environmentally-aware bandwagon and some are designing the most beautiful chandeliers out of discarded every-day objects. How about this grand statement chandelier from en Pieza made out of Bic Ballpoint pens (!), or this chandelier from Josh Owen recycling used CD packaging?

Don’t they look the business?

However, since designer goods tend to come with big price tags, why not have a go at making one on your own? Take a peek at these two beauties below to get your creative juices flowing (Jelly Bowl Lantern by Madeleine Boulesteix and Milk Bottle Chandelier by Droog).

I particularly like the milk bottle one! Imagine that softly glowing over a rustic wooden kitchen table…

Hmm… time to raid some dustbins for unwanted treasures I think!