Sunday 30 January 2011

The Retro Decorator - 80s Swimming Pool

I had been hoping to do a "then and now" for this Retro Decorator, but a search did not bring up Newcroft Pool Enclosure today. I can therefore only assume that the company that placed this ad in the February 1989 edition of House & Garden sadly no longer exists.

In many ways I have been tempted to keep this behind - it would make a great caption competition, don't you think? Look at the expression on the guy's face. I wonder what he's saying...

I'm too sexy for this pool

Thursday 27 January 2011

I Can See Clearly Now

I think I've said before that one of the things I struggle with is working out a personal style when it comes to my home. I can love a bit of shabby chic one day, and a mid of mid-century modern the next - it all depends on my mood.
However, if it really came down to it, and money was absolutely no object, I would love to start completely from scratch and build my own house. Something interesting, something different, something new, and something that was completely "me".

Something like this, maybe...

I tweeted about this house when I first saw it on freshome over a week ago, and for some reason I still get drawn back to it. Maybe it's the ocean views and the light (imagine waking up in that bedroom every morning?!), maybe it's the space (would need a bit more furniture I think), or maybe I  just love the idea of my own Bond villain's hideout, but if I had a spare $32 million, I think I'd at least arrange a viewing...



via

Monday 24 January 2011

Forget It's Monday...

The combination of working full time and two small children does not often mean much time for relaxation. Weekends tend to be all go. This weekend, however, felt different - and to be perfectly honest I don't really know why.

So, to hold onto that feeling for a bit, I thought I'd fantasise about curling up with a good book for just a little bit longer...


Niki Jones


Marie Claire Maison


Happy Monday!

Friday 21 January 2011

The Retro Decorator - 1950s Kitchen & Retro Renovation

source

My recent Retro Decorator posts have stayed pretty much firmly in the last 20 years or so - most of my source material is old books and magazines from my mum that only go back as far as this. It's therefore nice every now and then to go a bit further back and peruse some other blogs that are specialised in certain areas. One of these that I have come across recently is Retro Renovation - a great source for everything mid-century, including some original inspiration (like the 1950s kitchen above) and getting that look today if you live in a mid-century home.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Catwalk to Home, Part 3


Ah, the humble fruit bowl. Seems both Prada and Stella McCartney were staring into it rather deeply when concocting their Spring collections.

Harper's Bazaar

Hang some oranges on your wall, and Bob's your Uncle when it comes to this trend, surely?! But wait - let's challenge ourselves a little bit...


:
700 Palms Residence modern patio




Criterion Tiles

interiordesign.com

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Strange how I am doing blue two days in a row - yesterday's blue Monday has given way to some very welcome blue skies around here today. I really shouldn't browse Etsy when I'm in an optimistic mood - it makes me want to throw things out and start afresh!

source

Friday 14 January 2011

The Retro Decorator - 70s cabin today

If, like me, you are a child of the 70s, and you have ever fancied reliving those childhood days, then check out this holiday cottage in Wales that I accidentally came across and thought would make a perfect Retro Decorator post. It's that little bit different and has definite retro chic.




Check out the website http://www.cabancasita.co.uk/ for more images!

Thursday 13 January 2011

Stylish Blogger Award


The lovely Careen at Inspire My House Pretty has nominated me for a Stylish Blogger Award! I am thrilled, as this is the first award for my Fantasy Decorator blog. Thank you so much C!

The rules are as Follows:
1}  Select 10 blogs and pass along the award
2}  Share 7 random FAQ's about yourself


Wow - 10 blogs? I'll be honest, there are so many great ones out there, but I think Careen has already chosen some great ones, so I'm going to limit myself to a few favourites:

Lydia at Pudel-Design
Heather at Concrete Jungle
Lou over at Lou, Boos and shoes
Leah at The Way We Are
Shannon at What's Up Whimsy

So, now to the 7 random facts about myself. As I like to keep the words for my other blog, I'm going to cheat slightly and give you 7 little random glimpses of my home instead - this is a blog about homes, after all ;) Can you spot me hiding?





Monday 10 January 2011

Ordered Chaos

My house is a mess. I daren't even look in the childrens' bedroom and playroom. Sometimes it's best just to close the door and pretend life is a little more organised:

Ideal Home


Freunde von Freunden
Rose & Grey

Spring Greens

..or 2011 catwalk trends, part two.

Again, the inspiration from Harper's Bazaar:



...and how it might look in your home:

Osborne & Little

Living Etc
Maybe you aren't brave enough for all green schemes? A few green accessories won't go amiss:

Homebase

Saturday 8 January 2011

The Retro Decorator - 90s Dining Room

This room intrigues me. At first glance you could be forgiven for thinking it is from a stately home - it's got all the hallmarks of a grand house. The family portraits, the hint of an antique, that amazing doorway...

And yet, look at the chairs around the dining table:

Homes & Gardens, 1994

Thursday 6 January 2011

Pleats, Please

OK, I know I am way behind in the trend stakes when it comes to this post (after all, all design houses and buyers are probably thinking about spring 2012 by now, or, um, something...), but I thought I would pretend to be a proper trend-spotting blogger for a change and see what I might think about in my own house for this year.

Of course, interiors trends have their own inspirations and cycles, but I have always been interested in how the catwalk can inspire the home. This is therefore the first of three posts that will look at what a specific catwalk trend might look like translated into interiors.

Alright, when you have stopped sniggering, we'll start with trend number one - pleats. This, according to Harper's Bazaar, is what they look like on the catwalk:



This is a nice easy one, as it translates nicely into soft furnishings in the home. Accessories are always a good start - maybe a cushion:

Heal's
...or a lightshade?
Monsoon
...some bedding?

John Lewis

...but if all that is too safe for you, and you really fancy making a statement with pleats, how about this Cabbage Chair by Japanese Designers Nendo?:

via Chair Blog

Simples, no?

(P.S. If you want to see a take on how this trendspotting business is really done - pop over to Ewelina's blog to see her take on 2011 trends!)

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Happy New Year!

Firstly, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year if you were celebrating...

I've never been a big one for New Year's resolutions, but if I had to pick anything it would be to be a little more adventurous - both in life in general, and in my interior design. OK, I'll never have a bedroom like this Brazilian beauty, but it doesn't stop me loving the strong colours and bold patterns!

Elle Decor

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