The Wallpaper* Apartment

The team at Wallpaper* magazine had quite the weekend, teaming up with The Cadogan Estate to create a jaw dropping pop-up apartment in the newly renovated 155 Sloane Street, London. The invitation promised a space showcasing the ultimate in modern, stylish living and the results did not disappoint - but then would you expect any less from the world's leading design magazine?

The temporary installation featured pieces from both established and up-and-coming designers, all curated by the editors at Wallpaper*. Here are a few of my favourite elements...

 

Thanks for reading,

K

'Console Pipe Show' by Herve van der Straeten

'JZ' tea trolley by Jorge Zalszupin for Etel, featuring 'Sous La Lune' crockery by L'Objet

'Agnes' chandelier by Lindsey Adelman for Roll & Hill

'Bride's Veil' stool by Reza Feiz for Phase Design

Ceramic tiger sculpture, 1970s from Birgit Israel

'Modo' chandelier by Jason Miller for Roll & Hill

'Stiffkey Blue' paint by Farrow & Ball



Spotlight on: Yellow

If I were to ask someone what they thought of when I said 'yellow', the majority of people would say the sun (or, if you're my mum, you reply 'mellow' and starting singing 'I'm just mad about Saffron...' courtesy of Donovan). It's a bright, uplifting, positive colour - so why aren't we more confident about using it in our interiors? Surely a colour that personifies happiness is a colour we should surround ourselves with.

But maybe using yellow in an interior is as tricky as trying to wear yellow. It's all about getting the right tone to suit you, using just the right amount of yellow to capture the eye but not steal the show. Too much of it (and indeed anything) is just too much...

But in moderation it can be inspiring...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personally, I'm a big fan of a grey and yellow palette. The yellow lifts the grey and brings a fun energy into the space, whilst the grey keeps the yellow from being too overbearing and keeps the scheme on the right side of sophisticated.

 

 

 

 

All in all, a little bit of sunshine in our lives can only be a good thing surely!

Thanks for reading,
K

Talking points

Chairs - one of those pieces of furniture you just can't live without. Functional and practical, everyone has them so it's an obvious item to focus on when trying to bring a touch of uniqueness to your interior. Whether you go for a full matching set or mix & match, a chair can say a lot about you.

Victoria Ghost chair by Kartell

Whilst we all love a Kartell (and I really do, I have 3 at home myself), their sleek, modern (and now often replicated) design has become, dare I say, somewhat overused in everyday life. From bars, to hairdressers, to being click & collectable from John Lewis, you can't go far without seeing (most likely) a Victoria or Louis Ghost in your midst. So it's time to branch out - here are some other chair designs to get you talking...

A musical chair - play it like a harp

A chair with some perspective

 

Who wouldn't want a chair that looks like Viennetta!

 

At first glance this looks like a rug has been given a new lease of life

 

Make everyday a mad hatters

 

Just hanging about at a dinner party (eating soup could be tricky)

 

Is it a work of art?

 

Or is it a chair?

 

It's both - now that's art with a twist

 

So this is a cheat option, it's another classic, much used design but I just love the Barcelona chair!

 

Thanks for looking!

K

 

Look no further!

Looking for wallpaper? Then look no further than Rockett St George! This online shop has an abundance of unique and eclectic homewares. You could spend hours pouring over their various wares, but the vast range of wall décor is really where it's at. From tin tiles to wall stickers, through to whimsical and witty papers, you are sure to find something that catches your eye. Here are a few of my favourite finishes.

Cole & Son - Fornasetti II - Procuratie Wallpaper

 

White Panelling by Young & Battaglia

 

Cole & Son - Contemporary Restyled - Palm Jungle Wallpaper

 

White Brick Wallpaper - Koziel

 

Saraille Wallpaper - Cobalt Blue

 

Padded Linen White Wallpaper - Koziel

 

Louise Body Old Blue Tile



& if you are feeling bold...

Studio Job & NLXL Archives Wallpaper Collection - Alt Deutsch

 

Thanks for looking!

K



A trip to Chelsea

Yesterday I did a terrifying thing - I went back to school. Ok, so it was just for a day and it was actually pretty exciting because I wasn't going to any old comprehensive, I was going to KLC School of Design, based in London's Chelsea Harbour. In association with Living Etc, I attended a colour and texture workshop at the world renowned school. A group of 20 or so like-minded interior enthusiasts all gathered, in the sweltering heat, armed with scissors, glue and a combined eagerness to get to grips with colour. The day comprised informal workshops structured around a series of mini lectures delivered throughout the day. Time went quickly, I guess the old adage is true, it really does fly when you're having fun...

klc.co.uk

 

First on the agenda was looking at the effective use of colour and texture in contemporary interiors and colour theory. We explored this further in a practical session, taking a personality 'brief' and creating a colour board to express these traits. The objective here was to investigate the emotional link between colour and people, while learning to appreciate colours according to their weight and tonal value.

Next up was how to use texture and colour to develop a scheme. Building on the previous session, we explored the link between texture and personalities. Once we had sourced fabrics, samples and pictures to depict the textures we thought our chosen personality would enjoy and feel comfortable with, we looked at the textural qualities of our selection and how they worked together. Exploring which balanced each other, which enhanced or detracted from others, we then had to consider how the textures and colours would work with light - would they absorb, reflect or diffuse it?

Lastly, we looked at where to source the various elements of a design scheme and pull together concept and sample boards to present ideas. Throughout the day we studied a plethora of images, some emphasised particular design concepts, some highlighted the impact colour can make, whilst others we used to critique schemes and further our understanding of the relationship between colour and texture. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and fun day. They say every day is a school day, but some are certainly more fun than others!

Thanks for looking!
K

 

Paint it white

The Rolling Stones may not agree, but I believe often the answer to many interior dilemmas is 'paint it white'. Its benefits are threefold:

1. It makes spaces look bigger.
2. It brings an air of (in my opinion) pure, classic elegance to a room.
&
3. It creates the perfect background to frame a stand out piece. Put a blue lamp in a room with patterned walls and purple sofas and the chances are the lamp goes unnoticed but for the eagle eyed. Put it against a white backdrop et voila, the eye is drawn to its bold statement.

The main pitfall (besides the stain demon) of working with white is inadvertently creating a space that is perceived as cold or clinical. Avoid this look (unless that is of course the vibe you are going for) by playing with texture and tone. Drape a white faux fur throw over a sofa, use embossed wallpaper, add ornate detailing to a fire surround, paint the ceiling a slightly darker or lighter shade of white (yes, even white comes with numerous variances), or use its sister colour, cream, to complement your scheme.

 

 

 

 



& if fluff and pomp is your thing...

 

Thanks for looking,
K