tips
I thought I'd gather few interesting reads for you so you can enjoy over your lunch break if you are staying at your desk as I am. Who else is happy it's Thursday??
The smaller the bedroom, the smaller the actual space you can style and use to display your pretty things. Top of the dresser is obviously great to be used as storage and you can keep flowers, perfume bottles, art and anything else on it to make it personal and stylish. Here are my favorite "dresser inspirations" to help you create your own! Ps. How adorable is this Jonathan Adler's Iphone dock? I need one!
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all on my pinterest
There is so many fabrics out there, it gets really difficult to chose the perfect sofa fabric that will suit our style, use and space. And unless you don't work with fabrics everyday all day, it will not get easier. So here is a little "Guide to fabrics" I put together so you know what to pay attention to while choosing a perfect fabric for a domestic use sofa.
Durability
First of all, ask yourself who will be using the sofa? Is it for a cinema room for the whole family and friends to hang out in? Is it for a formal living room you will receive guests from time to time? Maybe for a library-or a playroom? Each upholstery fabric undergoes a special rub test called the Martindale test - the result of the test indicates how durable the fabric is. Knowing the rub test result will help eliminate the fabrics that are not suitable for your needs.
Less than 10,000 rubs : Fabric for decorative use like cushions or curtains. Won't be suitable for upholstery (but you may use it for a back of an occasional chair).
15,000-25,000 : The fabric will be suitable for a light domestic use, occasional armchairs or a formal living room sofa you use from time to time.
28,000 - 30,000 - The fabric with this test will be good for general domestic use on an everyday sofa for a living room.
Over 40,000: If you have kids and friends over all the time or use a fabric in a busy family/cinema room the higher rub test the better. Look for fabrics over 40,000.
Type of fabric
Depending of the style you want to achieve and the use of a room, you might go for a plain, chenille, suede, linen or wool fabric or velvet.
Plain fabrics, especially cotton blends and linens are casual and will look great in a contemporary space. The choice is REALLY wide but you can find great plain fabrics in any price range.
Wool fabrics are durable and stain resistant and will be best in traditional and rustic interiors, cottages and country houses.
Velvet reflects the light which make it look more shiny and therefore formal. Although, if you like the softness of a velvet but don't like the shine - go for a 100% cotton velvet. Pay attention to the the pile as well. Touch the sample back and forth to see how it moves. You don't want to have to brush it back to smooth all day at home.
If you are on the budget, don't overlook the synthetic fabrics- they are much cheaper and some of them really look and feel great and have a high rub test in the same time (example of my recent favorite this fabric from Houles or this velvet).
Texture and color
Even a fabric considered "plain" can have a texture so really "analyse" the fabric before going ahead. Some fabrics have metallic tones to them, some of them a bigger, irregular weave and some will look really smooth and regular. The important thing is to take the sample home and test in a room you want to use it in - the color may look completely different in the natural light and you don't want a surprise on the delivery! If you liked a fabric with a big pattern - try to use it on the cushions or back of chairs - with sofa being a focal point of the room you don't want to have to change it when you get bored with it - it's much easier to get new cushions!
Care and maintenance
Ask if the fabric is washable and if it is, make sure the sofa has a removable covers you can take cleaning- this will make your life so much easier. Also, ask if the company you buy the sofa from can supply a spray fabric protection - it usually comes with a full cleaning service - in case of accidental spillage your sofa will be professionally cleaned or if not possible - the fabric replaced. This only works on plain fabrics, if you want a velvet sofa, ask for a dry policy protection!
I hope this is helpful, feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section below! x
There is something about the canopy beds. They transform the
bedroom, make it more spectacular and sophisticated, add volume to the space
and create a boutique hotel atmosphere
in your own home. I think they look just stunning and I would hesitate between one of those and a high upholstered headboard for my future home..hmm tough. I love how differently can a canopy bed be styled and how far from one another the looks are. My personal favourite is the modern take on a canopy bed, without the curtains and drapery. The drapery look is perfect is you want to achieve a sweet romantic or more traditional look, especially when using chinoiserie patterns and brighter colours. No matter what style you are going for, remember to keep the room very symmetrical - this will help to achieve a very sophisticated. Some say canopy bed only makes them thing of a holiday hotel room- I think the pictures below prove them wrong! Have a look to get inspired, I really like all of those rooms and how beautifully decorated they are!
Which one is your favorite? x
Having a look back at the blog I realized that there are not many articles/features/inspirations for the male part of the readers. There are few reasons for that, including myself being quiet girly and having most of the visitors being girls! So I thought more of a masculine touch is needed and picked some inspirations for the ultimate bachelor pad decor. Not liking to generalize at all, I have to admit that those interiors feel very masculine with simple, natural materials, monochromatic color scheme, leather accents and industrial/loft feeling to it.
So gentlemen there are few tips on how to create a similar interior:
1. Keep it simple. Huge loft or a rental bedroom, chose your furniture carefully and go for quality, not quantity. The space shouldn't be packed with things, but feel airy and spacious.
2. Go for raw. Wooden floor and white concrete or brick walls will add this industrial touch to the space and make the rest of the decor pop. You can add black and white posters and quirky art and display them on the wall.
3. Invest in leather. Brown or black good quality sofa or armchair look sophisticated and styled with vintage accessories will make you feel like Indiana Jones.
4. Search flea markets and vintage shops for accent furniture, accessories and books. You may find real treasures and make your space unique. Try Alfie's Market (also featured here) or some of Shoreditch antique shops if you are in London.
5. Let the light in. Make the most of your windows and don't hide them behind the curtains. Choose the blinds if necessary to hide from the neighbors' eyes.
6. Use natural, primary materials for accessories and soft furbishing to create a masculin, "raw" look. Untreated wood, glass, metal, fur, leather, linen, wool, hand made ceramics are what you should look for. Keep the color palette simple and quiet monochromatic. Whites, black, browns, dark blues, oranges and grays will be the perfect choice.
Few items you may like to use :
Sofa / Cow hide / Floor lamp / Trio pendant / Bookcase / Clock / Pillow / Stool / Leather chair / Chest of drawers on castors / Art work / White brick wallpaper
More lighting here
Remember Schmidt, Winston and Nick from New Girl? They are living in an awesome loft in LA so watch for some inspiration and obviously for a good laugh!
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