Winter Bedroom

I know for a great number of you, you are in the throes of summer (lucky you!!! ♥♥♥), but hey someone has to be in winter at that time, so it's our turn in the southern hemisphere....   Winter to me is about a different kinda sumptuousness, about layers, thick textured fabrics, monchrome tones with the added texture or splash of colour to liven things up.   These are from a feature on Homelife - don't you just love the woooly textures, layering and simplicity of this bedroom?!?! 

Images from Homelife

Pastel Guest Bedroom

Just perfect for Spring (or any other season for that matter) a perfect space for guests ... light, bright with added pattern and texture and hints of colour ....

Images from Home Life Gallery

iew more Blue Monday posts here

Gena

Glorious Bedrooms

I adore bedrooms ... possibly because its the one place where you can make the space yours - truly yours - you can go over the top, or as simple as you wish .....

These images are also great examples of what makes a neutral scheme work - the use of texture and contrast ...

All Images for Living etc.

View more White Wedneday posts here 

Gena

French Friday: More French Glamour

fantastic schemes depicting French styled rooms....

note the neutral palette, the textures, the shapes, the simple, understated

elegance and glamour ....

Images:  from Home Life (Aus)

Want to see more? click here to view previous French Friday posts.

Have a asplendid weekend....

and remember we still have Flower Market

and

Sunday's Table coming up this weekend .....

Gena

Some Red Inspiration

those who visit more often will know by now that I adore neutral schemes in all styles - well, aside from neutrals, red is and has always been one of my favorite colours ... I always enjoy a simple, understated room enlivened with touches of red ... these exampler are perfect - they show you how to ring the changes; how to enhance your space with bits of red fabrics and other small objects....

have a great Ruby Tuesday and click here to see more wonderful Ruby posts

Images from: Sarie magazine

Gena

French Friday: A study in texture

a lovely, lovely blend of textures, from the wood panelling, the wall paper, the wrought iron, the velvet upholstery and on and on and on .....

Image: Home Life Aus

Playing with contrasts

This picture was scanned in from and old edition of Vogue Living (Australia). It really appealed to my senses in that the mix of items works so well. First off we have a mix of old and new, traditional and modern, so to speak as well as industrial and luxurious, hard and soft, curved and straight lines...

The plain concrete walls and floors and modern coffee table are offset against the animal hide rug with a modern twist, the other pieces are mostly traditional and display a sense of the tried and tested as well as luxury - note the chaise longue/ day bed, the style and shape of it as well as the striking fabric used to upholster it. The pink flowers (in vase) look great against the hard surface of the cement wall, and contrast well against the colours and textures. To me, this a truly interesting room. I would just love to know what the rest of this house looks like.

Picture Credit: Scanned in from an old issue of Vogue Living magazine

Entrance Hall Makeover

In my endevour to show you how easy it is to make quick and simple changes that create great impact, I'll to use this example of an entrance hall makeover we did recently. Effectively using what was already in place, we simply brought in colour and texture and created a unified, vibrant look.

Before

A beautiful retro server in the entrance hall, was brought to life with a textural runner, fresh flowers, a simple lamp and glass container, filled with natural objects (feathers, stones, seed pods, etc.). This are is now warm and inviting both during the day and in the evening, when the lamp creates soft lighting in this area.

After

A glass container with a collection of seed pods, quills, feathers .... simple, yet effective

Pictures: Gena D Photography, taken on location

Adding warmth to a room

There are numerous ways in which to add warmth (whether in colour or texture) to a space. This concept really ties into 'seasonal decor" - see article below - In the the same as you would use lighter, fresher colours, fabrics and textures in warmer weather, in autumn and winter the easiest way to convert a space into something warm and sumptuous is to add warm accessories - things such as scatters in velvet, velour, thick cottons, warm rich colours such as reds, burgundy, burnt orange, browns and even purples and rich pinks will work well.

Other accessories such as rugs, baskets, vessels and containers, in wood or woven materials, a basket of logs by the fire, lampshades in warm colours and of course, not least, candles.

The other day whilst sitting in our lounge I was amazed at how candles, especially when surrounded by other rich colours and reflective materials, can easily create a warm look and feel.

In this instance the candles themselves are contained in burnt orange glass vessels, and close by was a deep red ceramic bowl filled with objects. Note the reflective qualities .....

As always have fun, and take care when using candles.

Want to read more inspiring articles on how to transform your home and garde, click on link below. http://www.gardenhomedesign.co.za/blog/?cat=3

Pictures: Gena D Photography

Making Seasonal changes in the home

I’ve always loved the concept of ringing the changes in the home in line with the seasons. As the cooler months come in, we tend to cocoon and need to feel the comfort of textures and warm colours. So by making a few changes or adjustments you can create a whole new look.

Take a throw or two, scatters, a rug maybe, some candles, preferably in rich tones of reds, browns, burgundy, burnt oranges or even olive or sage greens or the current trend – purple! You then add in seasonally appropriate flowers or grasses and you’re set. I’m a grat advocate for using what you have, so look through you cupboards first. I you need to purchase items ,then shop around, there are some really good items at the less expensive home stores, and most importantly, buy only what you love – that way you will re-use the item. If you are adept with a sewing machine, with a small piece of fabric you can stitch up scatters, a throw or even a runner. The major benefit of sewing up scatters yourself (or having them made) is that you can re-use the inners of your current scatters, so in the warmer months, you only need to worry about packing away a small piece of fabric.

So let’s start…….if you are able to, move the room around – for example : if you couch faces the garden in summer, let it face the fireplace in winter. If you floor is naked, which is very appealing in summer, now is the time to put down a wonderful rug, be it an inexpensive one, a Persian, a nguni hide, anything! Remove all your bright summery coloured scatters and other things, and start playing with layers of warmer colour and interesting textures. A rich burgundy or brown chenille thrown over the side or back of a couch of chair, a number of scatters is varying tones and textures (see pic) .i.e. they don’t all need to be the same or a perfect match. Add some candles in rich colours and if scented in vanilla, ginger, coffee or one of those wonderful aromas, all the better (provided you can tolerate or enjoy rich scents of course). Add interesting vases or containers with bunches of roses (they last so much better in winter anyway), or proteas, dried grasses or even dried flowers, such as hydrangea heads (see pic)….. anything that adds interest, colour or texture.



Immediately you room is transformed into a haven of warmth and comfort, where you can relax, read, watch telly (if you do), light a fire, and entertain friends.

Have fun – winter is short in South Africa, so all the more reason to play around and enjoy the moment!

Picture: Gena D Photography