Sunday 26 January 2014

Layered


When I popped into Woven Ground to see the rug in this post in person, it wasn't on display in the showroom. I was shown something similar, but unfortunately I was not convinced.

The pile was just a little too deep - the rug too new, too fluffy. So after realising that what I was really seeking was a faded and worn rug, I began trawling Ebay.


Cue hour after hour of looking at antique Persians. It seemed impossible to find the size I needed, at the right price, with the right colours. Hours turned into days. Days turned into weeks. The rugs all started to resemble each other, and I started dreaming about geometric patterns. Then, I had a light bulb moment. LAYERING.


via Lonny
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSVQSr0J9SdyhwzYeUjVBjd-yyiyBKFUF6M-Lhf16ZlRVTca-zuxQpAqK2FPZVPFeRVDgVQkYDveQyutmD1HCH2UWWu1D8izrXbHFM-uGJatoBV9h7CQ25KlGmuoeRJLqM5G3t-m2eJr3/s1600/rugs+dining+room+simplified+bee.jpg
via Milk & Honey Home

The decision to layer 2 rugs opened me up to a host of new options, and the next day I ordered the one: a semi-antique Persian.



The rug is mostly made up of faded reds and pink, with touches of blue and green, and an intricate geometric motif in the centre.

And I'm not the only one loving the new addition.



It works well in the space, but is a slightly too narrow for the room. It is also centred to the room, (not the sofa), so feels slightly unbalanced (to me). So in due course, it will be layered on top of this.

In addition to the new addition, I also finally ordered this Ming style coffee table, which I'm hoping turns up this week.

I initially planned for a glass waterfall coffee table, so as not to take up too much visual space, however I felt it was a little to modern for the eclectic look I'm going for. I think the dark wood table not only adds much needed warmth, but also tones down the contrast of the rug and sofa.



 Watch this space.

Sunday 12 January 2014

Burmese Chic


Inspiring design doesn't have to be over the top - sometimes the most pared down spaces pack the biggest punches. La Maison Birmane boutique hotel in Myanmar is testament to this fact.

Tucked away on a small hidden street in Nyaung Shwe, Inle Lake, the hotel was a 2 hour flight (from Yangon), and a further hour of driving on tiny mountain roads, complete with terror inducing drops down the side. We arrived slightly fatigued - but upon walking through the front gate and into the open air reception, my tension melted away.

Warm shadows, cast by low hanging, fishing basket light fixtures, danced on the dark wood facade. These fixtures, (no doubt selected as a nod to the fisherman who have helped to make the lake such a popular destination) created a comforting glow, which perfectly complimented the jazzy, soft, background music. Two mojitos later, and I was sold.

We were shown to our bungalow via a pathway which parted a lush, yet well manicured garden, and as I expected, the rooms were simple, but stylish.



I suspect I will never tire of the combination of white walls, wood floors (and in this case, ceilings) and white textiles. It's simple, clean - it's effective. With it's wall to wall windows, open shower, and huge mosquito net which aided in softening the space, the bungalow was just what one pictures when daydreaming of a tropical getaway.

via La Maison Birmane
via La Maison Birmane
via La Maison Birmane

It wasn't long before I began thinking of ways to replicate this relaxed look, and thought I would share here. Below, all items can be found at Ikea, making this look both inexpensive and accessible.

The only thing missing is the ice cold mojito.

1. Storsele Rattan Armchair   2. Solig Mosquito Net   3. Leran Pendant Lamps   4. Nyvoll Bed   5. Ribba Frames   6. Areca Palm

Sunday 5 January 2014

The Bedroom, Revisited


A holiday, a chest infection, a surprise proposal, and a new kitten - suffice it to say, the last four weeks have been quite eventful. So it feels like it was eons ago that I revealed plans for the new bedroom.





West Elm eventually opened after a couple delays, Christmas and New Years came and went, and now we finally have a new bedside tables!




Perhaps I should back up a little. At the moment, the bedroom still looks like this -




The only source of natural light in the bedroom is through the north facing windows downstairs, and a small the skylight. The effect of this unfortunately, is white walls that look dingy and bland. This is why I knew I had to go dark up here. Embrace the dingyness, if you will.

The only problem is, much like a ping pong ball, I kept going back and forth between F&B Hague Blue, and F&B Studio Green. So after riffling through my art supply stash, I created a large sample by painting an old canvas with my sample pot of Hague Blue. The pillow is just a sample as well - I will be making bigger ones in the same fabric (Olana Bayleaf by Waverley).




I'm probably about 70% sold on Hague Blue, but just to be sure, I have ordered a sample pot of Studio Green.

There is still so much to do - find the perfect lighting, order more fabric, and hire someone to paint, but it does feel like were slowly getting there!

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