The Habitat/Birchbox collaboration

I am still in the process of green-ify'ing my house (I've never before spent quite so much time at the local garden center. LOL) and I am very excited to show you all how lush my living room is looking.

But before I do, I wanted to tell you all about this lavish event I went to on Thursday evening:

So the other night I had the pleasure of attending a 3 course dinner at Habitat's Kings Road, London flagship store in conjunction with the new collaboration Habitat is doing with Birchbox.

This truly was a merge between the world of interiors and the beauty world, as I joined 10 selected bloggers from each industry to be the first to hear about this unusual collaboration!

For those of you that haven't yet heard of birchbox, it is a subscription service where you will Receive five personalized beauty samples every month, tailored to your profile. It is a great way to discover and try cult brands, up-and-coming lines, and everything in between...Then once you've found your favorites, you can purchase them in the birchbox shop.

The collaboration between Habitat and Birchbox takes the theme "Do Try this at home" and is a celebration of the makeover: Whether it's with your beauty regime or your at-home furnishings and decoration.

 "March is the time for renewal, renovation and refreshment across the board"

(Extract from the H/BB press release)

So as we all sat down at the beautifully dressed table (Of course, I did not expect it to be less than amazing), we were given a short presentation as to what form this collaboration would take!

There was a great atmosphere as the beauty and interior worlds collided, and as the interior bloggers gasped at the thought of putting lipstick on the eyelids! (Apparently it doesn't crease, like ever!!), the beauty bloggers were happy to hear that Habitat wants to re-introduce the dressing table into our interiors in their new SS15 collection!

I adore Habitat, as I feel that they are one of the few UK interior retailers that taps into that Scandinavian ,Mid century modern sensibility, that I love, when it comes to their furniture design!

But also because they, after 50 years of making their affordable outstanding designs accessible to all , have  stayed true to their revolutionary, in house design ethos.

And with Habitat announcing their new SS15 collection of dressing tables and beauty storage, their new partnering with Birchbox makes sense:

"We wanted to show fans of Birchbox that as well as feeling good through a fresh new beauty regime, re-imaging your interiors with great design can also create  a sense of rejuvenation"

Holly-Anne Rolfe, Design Manager for Habitat

 The presentation of the collaboration on the night , cleverly introduced 3 different make up looks from birchbox, paired with a habitat dressing table "to match the personality" of the girl:

Birchbox's peachy and romantic look was paired with this elegant, new design classic: The Emil natural birch wood dressingtable:

I loved the simple lines and the blonde wood of this one, and with it's huge round mirror it was pretty much everyone's favorite on the night!

The more affordable Limbo oak dressing table and stool was also a huge success with everyone:

With it's big mirror and pale oak finish, paired with it's compact design makes it ideal for small space living, perfect for a London girl. The Birchbox make up look, a strong, modern smokey eye look reflected this perfectly!

Lastly, and paired with the most populal make up look of the evening:The marsala (Pantone colour of the year), was the Fleur dressing table:

On the night , I was not too enamored with this dressing table, as I got caught up in the twee-ness of the ceramic drawer pulls, but on reflection, I actually love the mid-century-modern nod in the clean lines of this design....I would just change out those knobs...but, hey: That's just me and my taste!!

 It was a great evening with great food and conversation!

And there is something very exciting about being in a shop after closing time....I felt a bit like I was in toy story....only that I was surrounded by fabulous furniture and design instead of toys! LOL! It was a real pleasure to attend, and to get to meet some fellow bloggers and the fantastic people at Habitat!

And I am getting very excited to see what more these sort of unusual collaborations for habitat is going to bring!

Of course we were lucky enough to take home a huge mystery goodie bag:

Which contained the latest birchbox with a nice variety of products:

As well as this gorgeous Grey lacquered habitat Maisie storage box to keep all our beauty bits and jewelry in:

I love it, and it fits perfectly in my bedroom on top of my chest of drawers!

This sleek, functional and modern design with the pops of neon is typical of the home accessories, juxtaposed with the 70's feel ceramics available in the new SS15 collection at Habitat....perfect for creating that Eclectic look I've been harping on about in my last few posts (here and here)!

Make sure you check out Habitats new collection....it really is worth a look!

And don't forget to take advantage of these benefits from the Habitat/Birchbox collaboration:

Get free delivery on your Birchbox order with promo code HBSHIP, just visit Birchbox to redeem it!

 TIP! If you hurry and order the March box, it includes a 20% off voucher on Habitat's new collection OR visit habitat for a chance to win a free 12 month Birchbox subscription!

Lastly, but most importantly: 

Exclusively to us bloggers that took part in the event , I can offer you your first Birchbox for only £5 when you sign up! Just quote BBXHABITAT at the shopping bag page!!

11 inspiring interiors filled with plants

Image from Karine Candice Kong

Can you feel it??

Spring is in the air!

It's getting milder for sure, and you may start finding snow drops and crocus popping up already, but it's still some time until things will turn truly green outside!

So, I have started filling the house with plants, in anticipation, giving me a head start on that spring feeling! I am working on some creative plant display DIY's, in conjunction with the #urbanjunglebloggers, that I will be sharing with you all soon, but for today I thought I'd leave you all with these inspiring images of some truly amazing green spaces:

Image from The Selby

Image via drop dead gorgeous

Image via cokopelia

Image via partment therapy

Image via binti home blog

Image via Little blue deer design

Image via Glamour Paris

Image via sf girl by bay

Image via vt wonen

Image from Karine Candice Kong

I bet you feel it now, right??

There is something that plants add to an interior that is truly magic: All these spaces are beautiful, no doubt, but imagine them without plants....See how the greenery makes these spaces come alive??

Now go forth to your local garden centres in search of some of that magic and inject it into your home....You won't regret it!!

If you are known to kill plants, like me (My husband calls me Doctor Death) don't fret: I have finally (I think, fingers crossed ) sussed it and will be sharing some of my plant endeavours with you all next week and my tips on easy to care for plants as well as some more creative display ideas!

Personal, eclectic, fun and quirky...

...mixing up styles for a fresh spring look for your home

Wow! So we've got to March already, and spring is in the air!

With the days getting longer and the changing light, I always feel an urge to change up my interiors, and this year I'm inspired by ECLECTICISM!

In my last post I was exploring eclectic interiors, and put together a 7 point guide to successfully achieving the look without leaving your home looking like a jumble sale.

And today I am delving further into the concept whilst showcasing some amazing interior finds available right NOW!

Aren't we all after that carefully curated eclectic look? If you, like me, are tired of "catalogue looks" and finding the same style around your friend or neighbours house, you need to consider planning a more personal and eclectic look for your home!

It's the most forgiving style, as all décor is welcome. An eclectic space allows for traditional furniture, accessories and art to mix with modern, or vice versa to create an interior that is truly unique to you!

When The French bedroom company contacted me with a few sneaky peeks of their new collection, I felt inspired. And after browsing their fabulously eclectic range on their website, I jumped at the chance of a collaboration.  

So below I have put together an eclectic and bohemian collage of current products from The French Bedroom Company and around the high street and www. 

Getting that perfectly eclectic look requires a good eye for design, and is perhaps not as random as you may (like to)think) , so below my collage I've explained the reasons for my choices and share some loose guidelines to curating your very own eclectic look:

 

Here's how and why I feel these products work together:
Following my 7 point guide to an eclectic interior;  Let's say my living room is painted white (which it is), creating a neutral backdrop for my eclectic choices of furnishings and décor;
 -Then working from the floor up, I have chosen the gorgeously colourful "costa" cotton and jute rug (Heals). This is my "jewel of the floor" that I will layer with the beautiful Persian cowhide (The French Bedroom company) to get that mixed pattern and shape look to my floors +add some texture to my interior.
 -Add that plush   Retro-look "Berlin" sofa from Loaf in a lovely aqua blue velvet, that picks up the colours from the Heals rug, and will add a touch of luxurious comfy-ness to the space.
 -Next up I am adding that shiny and sleek MCM inspired "Blu-dot-dang"Sideboard (Heals) in a glossy white + some modern white string pocket shelves (Utility) for the walls: Not only are they the perfect antidote to the textures of the rugs and the plushness of the sofa, but also by keeping them white, like my walls, they will become part of the background and help my other eclectic picks stand out!
-Then I've chosen some fantastic statement pieces: Like the Peacock rattan chair (The French Bedroom company), this adds a truly bohemian 70's vibe (Anyone remember the erotic "Emanuelle" films ?) and that fantastic (finally back in production) retro look LÖVBACKEN side table (IKEA) + that contemporary, but with a nod to MCM design , coffee table (Bolia).  And that metallic polygon sideboard or stool (The French Bedroom company) adds a creative surprise element to the look: Like a Gem in a treasure box!
-Of course I would add a plethora of cushions in various designs to casually throw around the place!:  From the traditional Pink tribal Kilim cushion (Etsy) , the modern geometric cushion (Ferm Living), the graphic, monochrome cushion (The gifted few) to the fun and quirky Mr. Cushion (Ferm living)
-I chose the ultra-modern graphic PS black wall light  (IKEA) and the White wooden beaded chandelier to juxtapose not only with each other, but also with my retro-style furniture! The Gold Angled floor lamp is a surprising nod to the 80's with a touch of industrial style!
-I have chosen to add a mix of modern and figurative, but unusual accessories:  Adding in some raw blond wood to the look with the Wooden string bead Candle holder (Heals) and the Wooden artists dummy (IKEA). And the modern Bat light candlestick (Bolia) adds a graphic element to the look and The iconic MCM Eames housebird (Interior addict) picks up the black. The White origami style fluted vase (Bloomingville) is another modern addition juxtaposed by the brightness of  Matador green ceramic decorative Bull Object (Habitat).
-Accessorising with plants makes the interior literally "come alive" and I have picked out this gorgeous Large Phoenix twin faux cactus (Abigail Ahern) that I would put in a Vintage blue plant pot(Etsy) , some ferns that I would display in this uber modern Clear cube planter (Monoqi) and a collection of cactuses (IKEA) that I would keep in these lovely Geometric Bloomingville plant pots on my shelves and in this MCM Vintage blue plant stand (Etsy).
- For the walls I've chosen The organic but geometrical Post modern circular wall mirror (The French Bedroom Company) and contrasted it with the textured  Juju Hat feathered wall decor (Rockett StGeorge) and added some more 70's vibe with a Cotton rope macrame wall hanging (Etsy).
-Last, but not least, I have picked out an eclectic variety of artwork for the walls: The huge Abstract art by Whitney Reinolds-Orr (via decoist) makes a great statement, and pick up the colours from the rugs and the sofa.  And as a contradiction to the impact this would have on the room, I have also picked out a couple of minimalistic posters: The"Age" poster  (Monoqi) brings an organic element and the geometric Maya Poster (Ferm Living), although also abstract, brings a more structured look ...and to flip the look completely, I've added the fabolously opulent, yet modern Defaced Duchess grafitti portrait (The French Bedroom company)
It is this mix of styles, colours, shapes and materials that make the look eclectic. As I mentioned above: This kind of look is very personal, and although my picks may not be to everyone's tastes, hopefully this post, together with my 7 point guide to an Eclectic interior , will give you the confidence to put together a look for your home that is not straight out of a catalogue or too matchy-matchy!

Lastly I wanted to show you a shot from my living room where I've used my new Springbok hide, curtsey of The French bedroom company that I've draped over my Eames RAR rocker chair next to my traditional bookshelf , under my DIY macrame wallhanging, and accessorized with my DIY monochrome geometric cushion etc... Just to show you that eclecticism doesn't need to look busy...it's all about your personal tastes!!

Best of luck with your home refreshments this spring: Make it Personal!!

eclectic interiors

My inspirational 7 point guide to achieving the look!

Image via the design files

 Design styles and rules come and go, but what I’m loving about design trends this year is that there seem to be no set rules! This year, as mentioned here, the emphasis is on interiors with a personal and unique style that reflect the individuals living there.

And the word, and style that sums it up, is ECLECTIC!

We are all eclectic: We like a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and our surroundings should reflect the different aspects of our personalities, and our interiors should sum up our memories and experiences that we've collected throughout our lives.

Eclectic interiors have an effortless "anything goes" feel that comes along with your road to finding YOUR decorating style: Go with what you love and see how your space takes shape! 

There is something magical that happens to an interior that resists the urge to meticulously match its furnishings in ONE design style and the main rule is to do it with confidence!

Eclectic design is by definition a mixture of different decorating styles: A blend of different cultures and time periods: Unexpected elements mixed together: Old is mixed with new, shiny and bright with muted and rustic, bold and graphic with soft and feminine...The possibilities are endless...and completely individual!!

But A successful eclectic design is not just a mish-mash of styles and colours: It should be a deliberate and planned  design scheme that is unified by furnishings that relate to each other through color, shape, texture, finish or scale, so today I am not only sharing some inspirational images from the www featuring some amazing eclectic interiors, but also some tips (NOT rules) on how to make it work!

1

Start with a blank canvas

Image via the design files

Neutral wall colours create a blank canvas to really make your interior treasures pop!

Don't overwhelm your space with too much colour, but equally: don't be afraid to add some bright coloured accents! 

2

Add an awesome Rug (or two...)

Image via bolig magasinet DK

A good place to start is from the floor and up:

Start with a patterned rug, "the jewel of the floor": Colourful tribal or geometric ones pack a punch...Or even try layering rugs in different patterns and shapes: See some tips on how here.

3

Add a plush sofa

Image via klikk.no

Adding an inviting and comfy looking sofa will be a great investment to any interior, but choosing a colourful one in a plush material ,like velvet will really help you achieve that Eclectic look.

Image via oh joy

4

Mix up your furniture styles

Image via home adore

There are unlimited way's to furnish a room for a truly eclectic interior: Make a statement by getting furniture from an era that is in juxtaposition with your home's architecture: Ie: a Mid century modern style in a Victorian house would look fantastic!

Image via home adore

Or mix up the styles of furniture you choose: Vintage with modern, retro and Mid-century Modern with traditional, Industrial with antique....anything goes! Try to not keep to one design style, but really mix it up!

Image from helt enkelt

But think, not only about the Era's your furniture is from, but also the materials, patterns and colours:

worn and weathered with sleek and shiny, an antique chair reupholstered in a modern geometric fabric and soft hues mixed with strong graphic elements..Adding your own "twist" to things will help your interior confidently stand out and reflect your personality, and is the perfect way to decorate an eclectic space..

5

Offset your accessories

Image via Emma's design blog

Opposites attract!

Again: Choosing accessories that is from completely different era's, styles and materials works wonderfully in an eclectic interior!

This goes for soft furnishings as well as decorative objects and lighting...

Image via Mikel Irastorza

6

Add Art

Image via pinterest

As you can see in pretty much all the images in this post, the addition of art is very important!

Art is very personal! What art you choose to display should be a direct expression of who you are!

Nothing makes an eclectic space more than Art!

So use it to it's full potential, and display yours with pride!!

Make a statement with a huge abstract painting (The perfect counterpart to a bold rug and an eye-catching sofa), Or display a collection of "finds" from charity shops on a gallery wall, Or why not blow up family photos on a canvas or choose some great contemporary photography or posters to cheer up your walls! I am planning a series of ART inspired posts in the near future, so if you are feeling less than confident about making a statement with art, please say tuned for that!

7

Make your home come alive with plants

Image via home adore

Filling your home with plants is not only good for the air quality in your home and your  health, but will also make your interiors literally "Come alive"!

They add a certain genuine-ness to the decor! Keeping plants is a commitment and makes your interior seem confident and less contrived!

In my opinion: A MUST for a truly eclectic interior!

If you are anything less than green-fingered, like me, try adding a few easy to keep cactuses, and follow the #urbanjunglebloggers hash-tag on social media for loads of inspiration and tips on keeping plants!

That concludes my "guide" to eclectic interiors for today: I will be back on Saturday to show you all how to shop and put together an eclectic look, with my picks from the coming spring collections!

Have a great week!

#urbanjounglebloggers

DIY geometric hanging planters for air plants

 I'm a little late to the party, but this is my first URBAN JUNGLE BLOGGER post, and February's task was to create some hanging planters.

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series hosted by two bloggers: Igor(of Happy interior blog) and Judith (of Joelix). Every month they and many other bloggers from around the globe share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs, and green tips & tricks on various social media under the hashtag #urbanjounglebloggers. And each month they set bloggers, like me a different creative task to showcase how we can all live with plants and make our life's a little greener.

I've chosen to use Air plants for mine, as I have been fascinated by them for some time now! 

I decided to use some polymer clay to make some small geometric "vessels to keep mine in, and today I am sharing how I made them:

I got my air plants and the silicone glue to attach them to my hanging planters here Then I used some white ovenbake polymer clay A sharp knife Something tubular, like a candle or similar Oven Sandpaper A wooden curtain ring Some brass screw eyes and brass chain You will also need a drill with a 2 mm drill bit  and a pair of pointed pliers MAKING THE GEO-SHAPES:

-Knead your polymer clay until its soft and pliable, then roll into a ball shape

 (I varied the size and shape of the ball to get a variety of different shapes)

-Place your clay ball flat on your work surface, then press your candle (or similar) 1cm or so into the top of the ball.

-Use a sharp knife to cut the clay into geometric and angular shapes...experiment! 

I made 4 different shapes, as I had 4 air plants.

(don't worry if they are not "perfect" at this point)

-remove the candle

Place the clay-shapes on a lined baking tray, and cook in the oven at 150 degrees for 15-25 minutes...

The rule of thumb when cooking polymer clay is 15 minutes per 1 cm thickness...so just keep an eye on them: If you see the edges turning brown they are cooked!

If you are using your normal cooker for the polymer clay, like I did, it is important to cook out any fumes after, before preparing food in it again: Turn up the heat to maximum, and after 10 minutes, turn off the heat and open the oven door to ventilate the cooker. Repeat a couple of times!

Open up your windows, as the fumes can leave you with a sore throat!

-When the clay has cooled down, use some sandpaper to sharpen up the edges of the shapes (and get rid of any brown marks from cooking the clay)

-Then drill a small hole in the top (opposite the cavity created by the candle ) and insert your screw eyes!

-Use your pliers to cut the chain to length and to open up the screw eyes a bit.

-Attach the chain through the screw eyes to one of your geo-shapes, then thread it through the curtain ring, before attaching another shape on the other end of the chain.

Now it's time to attach your air plants:

-Apply the silicone glue into the cavities of your geo-shapes, then gently press the air plants in place.

The glue takes 24 hours to fully cure, so leave everything safely to the side overnight:

The next day, your air plants in their geometric hanging planters are ready to hang!

I was planning on hanging mine in my kitchen windows, but as it is very tricky to photograph against the sunlight, I've hung mine in the hallway for the purposes of taking these pictures....and I think they look so lovely, I may just keep them there!

A little note about air plants: They should be very easy to look after and only needs the occasional mist of water, as they pull all the moisture they need from the air!

I am notorious for having a black thumb, so I will keep you posted as to how they get on....but I have set myself a challenge this year to keep (and NOT kill) more house plants, as it is very beneficial for your home's (and YOUR's) health to keep plants....and it also makes your interior come alive!!

So I am planning on doing one #urbanjungleblogger post every month, where I will of course share with you all any creative ways to keep and display house plants!