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Add a Bit of British Cool to Your Home or Apartment on this Side of the Pond!

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We love keeping in touch with and learning what’s going on globally with design, be it interiors, architecture, or products. This week’s guest blog brings a bit of the UK to our shores. So much is great design is happening over there now, so why not brighten up a living room, or a bedroom or even your kitchen with some great British inspired, British made products!

The hype around the Royal Wedding last year, the continuing popularity of Downtown Abbey, the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics later this year means that once again it is cool to be British and this has been reflected in this years’ hottest interior design trends.

Interior design in 2012 will see a return to traditional British design. We’ve already seen it on the fashion runway with the popularity of Jonathan Saunders and now interior furnishings are favoring British designs with iconic prints, pastel color blocks, floral designs and gingham fabrics being used to complement the clean and sleek furniture trends from 2011.

To achieve this look with the furnishing you already have, add some British flair with oversized pillows in floral prints and pastels or floor length curtains in bold, iconic prints. Liberty offers some great home accessories, like the Edenham Liberty print silk and velvet cushion, as well as some new season fabrics that have been inspired by English nostalgia as well as the upcoming Olympics. The best thing about this trend is that adding a bit of traditional British elegance is as easy as pulling out the sewing machine (think pillowcases!).

British patriotism is also a hot trend continuing on from 2011 with everything from Union Jack pillows to wall decor. The Shoreditch Union Jack Ottoman from The French Bedroom  makes a great statement piece. The ottoman, in vibrant colors, makes a great coffee table with the added benefit of offering a storage space. Alternatively British furniture designer Jennifer Cooper’s Jack Upholstered Storage Box in muted tones is a great British made storage solution at a fraction of the cost.

If lavishing your home in Union Jack’s isn’t your thing try Graham and Brown’s Crown and Coronets wallpaper for a more subtle approach to cool Britannia. Crown and Coronets wallpaper can also be decorated with jewels, perfect for your very own little princess. Recreate the definitive British with Keep Calm and Carry On wall art; variations on the saying can be found everywhere, from Camden market to numerous online outlets.

For something with a bit of an edge have a look at Tobyboo’s range of tea towels and cushions with iconic images of London in bright yellows and oranges. Or if you’re on a budget, add a splash of Olympic Blue (also known as Pantone 19-4056) against some clean contemporary lines to get into the Olympic fever.

Roomservice By CORT is a company that specializes in furniture rentals, furniture packages, and has a passion for all things interior design.

About Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID
Suzanne Lasky, Allied ASID, is the owner and founder of S Interior Design, the exclusive provider of Pawprint Design Services™. Suzanne works with her clients to develop a winning combination of design elements that result in warm, comfortable and functional spaces that reflect each client’s personal style. Suzanne and her team specialize in residential, contract and hospitality interior design, from simple color selections, to office build outs, to restaurant, spa and hotel designs. Suzanne shares her years of expertise through the power of social media. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and at this blog. To speak to Suzanne about your interior design needs, please call 480-220-4659 or visit her website at www.sinteriordesign.com.

5 Easy Ways to Create A Bedroom Oasis

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We spend between 7-10 hours in our bedroom sleeping, or attempting to sleep.  We also spend time in our bedrooms, getting dressed, reading, ‘relating’ to our partners and sometimes watching TV.  I have found that the master bedroom is often last on the list in terms of interior design attention.

You don’t need to necessarily do a major make over, but you can make it a more inviting space by implementing these

  5 Easy Ideas
 

1. Warm it Up! Add some new texture to your bedding by incorporating a new throw for the end of the bed, or a few accent pillows. West Elm has some great options to choose from.
Cozy PillowHand Knit Throw

 

You can also add an area rug in front of your bed or on each side of the bed to provide a comfy treat for your feet in the morning.

 

2. Add a Scent- Much research has been done on the ability of aromatherapy and its’ value on allowing the mind and body to relax.  We recommend lavender.  You can light a candle, or use scented oil with reeds for a set it and forget it solution.

Lavender Reed Diffuser

 

3. Adjust your lighting- You may have a ceiling fan with a light kit and/or bedside table lamps.  Regardless, you need to have your lighting on dimmer switches.  Harsh task lighting needs to be reserved for reading and soothing, soft lighting should be available for everything else in your bedroom.  Pink light bulbs are a good option.  This article from ELLE Decor offers additional details to consider for bedroom lighting.

bedroom lighting

4. Add Soothing Sound-Music has been said to ‘soothe the savage beast’.  Do you prefer soft classical music, or prefer the soft trickle of water flowing in a nearby fountain?  Create an ambiance in your room with music that relaxes as well as rejuvenates. Meditation is becoming popular in bedrooms, and relaxing nature sounds can help you refocus and get centered.  Depending on your style of music bring soothing sounds into your bedroom and transport yourself into another state of well-being. (credit to Fresh Home)

5. Get new sheets and pillowcases-When choosing bedding, the saying is ‘you get what you pay for’.  Purchase the highest thread count sheets you can afford! Sheets will make the difference in your sleeping experience.  Luxury hotel beds feel heavenly because of their wonderful bedding.  Fluffy comforters, pillows your head sink into, and sheets that feel luxurious will make your bedroom feel the same way.

Some inspirational web sites to check out are HOUZZ, Traditional Home, House Beautiful and of course HGTV.

 

Timeless Design and Animal Prints

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If you are interested in making a change to a room consider adding an ANIMAL.  This is the type of animal you don’t need to feed or walk. Animal prints of all kinds continue to be everywhere in the world of interior design; upholstery fabrics, area rugs, artwork, wall coverings, and accessories.  I interviewed several managers at the Arizona Design Center and they all independently said the same thing

” Animal prints are TIMELESS “

You may have heard the phrase that “every room can look a little more interesting with a touch of animal in it.” Animal prints can travel the full design spectrum from traditional to ultra contemporary with ease.

Read on to get some ideas about how you can add a bit of animal to your decor!

Take a look at some examples of animal print fabrics found at Kravet Design . [Read more…]

Confused About Color Mixing?

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Figuring out what colors to combine in your interior design can be challenging.  From paint colors to fabrics knowing which colors will complement one another is crucial to ending up with a pleasing to the eye end result.  You can get out the color wheel, or hire a professional to assist you  (we like that option...S Interior Design).

Another option that should not be overlooked is

TAKING COLOR CUES FROM NATURE [Read more…]