Summer season is about to make the most of your garden or patio. From rooftop terraces to grand green spaces, there’s always room for improvement, so if your outdoor space needs a refresh, step away from the ordinary and try some innovative ideas. Whether you’re longing for the perfect party setting, or for somewhere to curl up in the shade with a good book, your patio can provide.
You probably think this bright patio is somewhere in the Mediterranean. Actually it’s in London, but the clever use of white concrete planters, grasses and simple paving creates a sunny, ‘holiday at home’ vibe.
This wooden canopy (roof) provides respite from the midday sun and sudden showers alike. Keeping half the area open means friends and family can enjoy the sun and sky, too.
Eclectic Deck by London Architects & Building Designers
images via huzz.co.uk, warwick-avenue.co.uk, paolalenti.it
images via thedesignchaser.com and Tine K Home, andallshallbewell.tumblr
Go tropical
Make a lush, jungle oasis, evergreen gardens, use natural wood and neutral tones, tropical palms are a handsome addition, either potted or planted into borders. And when the sun’s out, it’s easy to convince yourself you’re somewhere on the island…
Even in summer evenings can be a bit chilly, so you could also add a fire pit in the centre of the seating area for partying into the night. Decorate your garden with home-made candle holders for a low-budget lighting solution.
Furniture that isn’t traditionally used outside can add real charm to a patio. By mixing up the seating options, including sofas, sunloungers and dining chairs with piles of cushions for comfort, garden is ready for anything.
According to Real estate and rental marketplace Zillow there is top new patio trends for this summer, one:
Lime Green Accent Colors . Their experts suggest finding subtle ways to incorporate it into your decor, whether it be in throw pillows, chair cushions, or vases.
images via thejungalow, housebeautiful.com, Oficjalny profil Dekoratorni
According to Zillow “outdoor spaces are becoming an extension of indoor living,” “so people will invest in long-lasting furniture that can weather both the seasons and changing fads.”
A year-round, built-in bench means the space is perfect for a coffee on a sunny morning.
Excessive Patterns are probably soon out, but still look nice.
Check out also these garden outdoor furniture mostly on sales now
There are beautiful wallpapers that will completly change the look of your room, modern abstract or nature. Also painting one wall or piece of furniture into a different colour could make a major difference.
Here are some inspiring looks:
Inspiring apartment form @industrieelchique
“Every time you tear a leaf off calendar, you present new place for new ideas” Charles Kattering.
Let’s start with a place of living. New colour of walls does make a huge change, create a mood, sometimes dramatic intimate feel. Some inspirational idaes:
Images source instagram @nicolinebeerkens, @parquet_diem
Images via vtwonen.nl
The other great source for inspiration is the shop for paints an wallpapers littlegreene.eu
There are really great ideas, articles on Ikea blog, hidden somewhere, eg. these cool bedroom styles.
How to create a space for perfect afternoon
Book storage ideas giving your room character
How to use tops of kitchen cabinets
start your day in the right order
Tending houseplants and gardening is a form of self-care, a sort of the antidote to our fast and also that turbulent digital life. The greenery like the nature can bring calm, they literally produce oxygen and look beautiful. The use of houseplants within your working area also can help improve creativity and productivity.
How to decorate with plants and not make it look chaotic and messy. For example: allow your plants to take centre stage e.g fireplaces, welcome them to a work space in the corner of a desk. Use greenery in the bathroom, plants that love wet, hot and not too much sunt like Boston Ferns.
Buy a plant, stand or a vase.
According to research conducted by IKEA, by 2050, 70% of the world population will live in cities, making it obvious that we need to rethink the way we live. the IKEA home of tomorrow published in desigboom.com is the brand’s new urban concept where visitors can learn how to introduce environmentally friendly solutions into their homes. these solutions address future challenges such as excessive amount of waste, exhaustion of natural resources etc.
images via theidealhome.com, decorilla.com, realhomes.com, designboom.com
Here are some interesting inspirational movie and tv-shows apartments.
Two images above from “Just like that”. Just well designed bookshelves with wallpaper and painted shelves, as on the picture below from another movie. I like the trend with 2 curtains in different colours.
Loft is mostly extra space above the main living area with a balcony, but if thre is a permission to build a tarrace, that’s the dream, like a small oasis in the middle of the city especially when filled with plants, cute wooden garden furniture. There are also industrial lofts located in old factories and warehouses, but they ussually have maybe a small balcony.
Eather way there are plenty of of awesome ideas that might help you create an outdoor space that you’ll enjoy spending time in.
images via houzz, apartment therapy, pinterest, architectureartdesigns, blog.scoutandnimble.
This amazing Bila Wabi Sabi apartment located in Kyiv Ukraine (hope it still exist, as many buildings are completely destroyed) was created by Serhii Makhno Architects. Scandinavian style kitchen with statement ceiling lamps- umbrellas.
The character of the home is formed by things. Very unique, handmade, entirely original because plenty of them Serhii Makhno creats by themselves.
Many other very inspiring apartments also designed by Serhii Makhno. Lighting and whole idea of the first one Odesa House remids of some kind of windy desert with incredible unique lamps and accessories.
Images via Design Visual, Makhno Architects website
Unique lighting and accessories
More and more people recognise the opportunity they have to extend the extra space above their living area into loft, create additional bedroom or even entire flat.
How to design a new loft conversion to increase the monetary value of the property? There are so many ideas to choose from: modern country, minimalistic design, seating relaxing space with a tarrace or without.
Some inspirational pics below.
Original wood ceilings, white panels, also dark blue paint.
Build in wall ladder, industrial style
or classic brick.
images via decoholic.org, luxurylifestylema magazine, tigerbuildingservices
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” – Edith Sitwell
The latest woodburning stoves, fireplaces and heaters are as stylish as they are efficcient. They use clean-burning smokeless fuel technology.
Using sheepskins and fairy lights will create a wintery atmosphere with a Scandinavian feel.
Here are the selection of stoves, heaters and candle holders, mostly on sale now.
Beautiful modern contemporary style interiors. Newly built in a village in Camberwell London are inspired by the surroundings, specific vibe, culture of the local area. The industrial loft style, that I especially like, is beautifully created with details in every room, open plan kitchen, bedroom, and place to work with modern furniture and warm color accessories. That kind of modern artistic style, I would love to recreate or add some of it’s features to my new home.
Industrial modern Loft style inspired furniture and accessories
Also beautiful industrial style Soho loft.
Images via wingofcamberwell.co.uk and thenordroom.com.
A triangle-design built, the A-frame was one of the most beloved vacation homes of the past, but thanks to the Instagram they’re experiencing a major come back.
There are already A-frames houses as vacation rentals, tiny A-frame cabins that cost ab £1000 to build. The latest I really like is the kit homes from Estonia-based Avrame.
Avrame offer all the comforts of traditional homes, but cost about half as much. They are currently offering 11 different models, from backyard sheds to family-sized houses, and everything in between.
The motto of the creator is “Your house shouldn’t be a burden on your time or finances. Avrames are for people who value their freedom but still want a place to call home.”
Indrek Kuldkepp, founder and owner of Avrame, first designed his own A-frame as a comfortable, efficient, and affordable home that could be built quickly and easily. After Kuldkepp realized that his A-frame cost about half as much as other homes to build, he decided to start a business selling self-build A-frame kits.
Prices range according to the size of the A-frame, with the largest model—the Trio 120—costing about $35,000.
The largest model, the Trio 120, has 1,300 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Images via avrame.com
Check out also these tiny houses, cabins available to buy on Amazon
£1,409.99
£1,399.99
£2,069.99
£3,800.00
£5,999.99
£2,320.89
Recently watching a lot of HGTV, and favorite series Fixer Upper, unfortunately already ended with season 5. Designer Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip, constructor, took the worst houses in Waco Texas, sometimes completely ruined, that cost even from £10000, and transformed them into clients dream houses.
The final effect was always stunning. They were building fireplaces, opening the kitchens and dining areas, doing the exteriors, new large windows, french doors and much more. Designer Joanna Gaines always added character and charm into every space and house she designed.
Here are inspirational images from the series and from their website Magnolia.com, also a blog by Joanna Gaines.
Another house new exterior design in Season 5.
Beautiful pics that will add a character to any house
When you are at home, you can wear whatever you want, it’s all about feeling comfortable. But at the same time you can be stylish if you choose the clothes wisely. Here are some ideas where you get the great combination of style and comfort.
The standard shorts, tees, and frocks, the comfortable trousers or jeans.
Wear beautiful pyjamas and workout clothes, tracksuits or shorts with a tee in the same fabric. Look like a model Kendall Jenner or Kylie Jenner.
Images via dailymail.co.uk, tresbongout.com and tumblr blogs.
Shop the look:
Another great combination to wear at home: a dress that feels like pyjamas, leggins with cardigan for cold days, wrapped up or more sexy dress, and kimonos, so popular & trendy.
Shop the look:
Anyone looking for an apartment in London, hoping to own a first home, came across the “shared ownership” option. This is a quite new scheme, that allows you to buy a property only for about 25% of it’s value. So they are part-own, part-rent, quite affordable apartments, the mortgage is not as high as usually required for a property. But there could be some limitations, other costs, e.g service charges, which are not always fixed.
Anyway, the apartments are brand new, ready to move in, with sleek modern design. Kitchens and bathrooms are finished to the highest standard.
Create the look:
I researched only a few development projects, housing assosioations, that offer shared ownership. e.g L&Q at Greenwich Peninsula , but ther are plenty others on smartnewhomes.com website
Inspirational images are from these two websites.
These apartments, less or more expensive, are very inspirational, often designed by award-winning architects and interior designers. They offer a new social communal way of living, gym, pool, private inside cinema. And besides that, they are situated in great locations, like Docklands, near the River Thames.
Create the modern similar look with these selection of furniture & accessories:
At the beginning of new year, after a few weeks of lazy January, it is time to do some changes, maybe starting with redesigning your apartment’ walls and creating retro, stylish welcoming vibe.
There is a new amazing trend coming this spring and summer, very ethnic, Africa inspired, but also modern vintage. Just take a look at new Zara campaign Spring-Summer 2018.
Vintage look was and continue to be popular, but takes a delicate turn with very detailed sophisticated patterns.
A few inspirational pics below, from tv shows like “Girlboss” (very funny tv series about the beginning of vintage shop Nasty Gal) or “Dear white people”. Both on Netflix.
“Dear white people” movie apartments were designed by set decorator Shauna Aronson
Vinage style pics of patterned wallpapers and accessories, still from the movie “Dear white people”
Below is the selection of patterned wallpapers, available from many stores, some of them are the newest self-adhesive and removable:
Check out this selection of accessories vintage inspired, also great as gifts for Walentine’s Day:
As Christmas is around the corner, here are some ideas for home decoration and dining tables.
Selection of beautiful winter wallpapers and art wall.
Images via elledecoration,northerndelights and my domaine
Furniture especially for Christmas (click the image to follow a link to the store).
folding dining table £349.95
Dining chairs, single and pairs from ab £45.
Long white table £299
Table £229.99
Table and 4 Chairs and Bench £369.99
The summer season is a great time for paint projects around the house, when you can work with all your windows open. So why not freshen up your home with a different colour palette than white or beige.
Here are the hot colours for summer:
1. Aqua and Blue
As interior designer Orlando Soria said:
“This is a warm minty aqua color that instantly makes you think of swimming pools”
2. Blush light pink
3. Peach and shades of red, also coffee
4. Fresh, never boring: lemon and green
images via hommemaker and mydomaine
How to make them look more spaciousness
Here are simple advices from interior designers:
1. Whiten the ceilings and the walls to brighten the small space, use white marble in the bathroom.
White walls and stripped-back wooden floors gave the illusion of spaciousness. Adding textures velvet sofas, rugs will also add a character to the room.
2. Consider custom-made furniture to fit in the corners, building seating nooks in the corners or window bays.
Top off with the custom upholstery, linen, leather or velvet for glamour look, or Scandinavian simplicity.
3. Zone your space by transforming corner of the living room into the office.
4. Keep the furniture simple to not overwhelm the space. But also create a sense of luxury by combining old and new furniture.
5. When thinking about bookcases, purchase something that is high and will reach the ceilings.
White cabinetry, handleless and gloss in the kitchen reflects light and creates a feeling of spaciousness.
Floor to wall separate wardrobe will also help the space be more uncluttered and more restless.
6. If posiible, build loft extensions for living space or large bathroom.
7. Removing the doors can make the rooom instantly more open and capacious, but sometimes not very practical. Consider instead glass doors or door frames, which will give your space an open-plan feel without losing the ability to shut the areas off.
images via issue.com
Velvet- used to associated with royalty, then with dusty homes and frumpy, old-fashioned art teachers, is going through a major style renaissance. Velvet is the biggest trend in autumn 2016 across both fashion and interiors.
But not only popular once – crushed burgundy, but also raspberry, sunset orange, green and blue.
Velvet adds luxe texture to any room and it isn’t as fragile as some may think.
These light reflecting, beautiful plush fabrics are a lot more accessible today thanks to advanced technology process of making it. Beside expensive silk velvet there is a cotton and synthetic version of the fabric.
images via pinterest, TMagazine, NateBerkus
Where to find: selection of beautiful velvet chairs, sofas and accessories
An in-built desk is a clever use of space.
2. For Pastels and Spring Lovers: mix of soft pink, greyish blue, ivory.
3. Industrial rebel
Raw texture, and utilitarian pieces such as besser-block shelves. Mix with school motives for a fun rebellious look.
4. And last trend to watch: rustic utilitarian.
Images via issue.com, designsponge, dontcrampmystyle.co.uk.
The Danish Girl is visually stunning thanks to Eve Stewart, an Oscar-nominated production designer who has been working in film, television, and theater for 20+ years. Her latest project, film about the story of Lili Elbe, the first trans woman to ever undergo gender confirmation surgery, was a masterpiece.
She designed Gerda’s and Lilly’s apartment in Copenhagen using lots of royal blues and greys, and the Parisian apartment, more feminine, with warm soft colors—golds, saffron yellows and pinks.
Quote from the interview with Eve Stewart “I read and the more I heard stories and anecdotes about Lili, she was a piece of art for her own sake. She became her own creation. The background as a painting was just to support that”.
Copenhagen apartment
Alicia Vikander as Gerda.
Parisian apartment
Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe.
Images via Architectural Digest
Just a couple of beautiful images of winter, Christmas decoration, I found online.
Images via elledecoration and northerndelights
Transform your space at the change of new season by adding new accessories such as cushions and rugs, new shades of lamps in a colour palette that complements the weather. Mix beautiful autumn colours from orange and blue, that go really great together, to yellow, dark red and green.
Deepest inky and blue tones can create a very warm ambience, as seen on image below, room arranged by interior design maestro Abigail Ahern, author of the book “Colour”. Other tips from her book:
Mix up your accessories – avoid everything being super glam or rustic, it can feel a little one-dimensional.
Slubby shades tempered by sensuous materials and textures create peaceful space that feels beautiful and refined.
Some other autumn ideas. Colourful abstract purple-orange-yellow rug, and dark blue duvet set from Urbanoutfitters on the right.
images via issue.com, camelliainteriors.com, aoarchitecture.co.uk, domusnova.com, houzz.com
