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All together now
This post is about a little bit of this and a little bit more of this as opposed to that. I’m not talking about lay-it-on-thick maximalism, but rather about extending elements through spaces to achieve a more cohesive look. The trend is to take one aspect – a pattern, a shade, a texture – and repeat it here and there.
I can’t think of anything less exciting than wall-to-wall and room-to-room repetition. This is definitely one trend where less is more. It’s about building a unified look. Creating the impression that the home has been planned holistically rather than on an ad-hoc basis as décor budget becomes available.Eliminating the schizophrenic effect of each room being diametrically different.
Make your home office work for you
Right all you work-from-homers, let’s get down to business. No more excuses for the sorry state of our offices!
I’ve just spent two hours trawling sites like Makro and Game to find solutions for us. Not only are there some nifty – and nice-looking – items out there, most of them are a lot less expensive than you’d think. Take this set of shelves for example … While probably meant to house a stereo, it’s perfect for office-need-haves like printers and scanners, external hard drives and hubs, modems, chargers and other devices. If you can’t afford a custom built-in cupboard for these gadgets (and I know I certainly can’t), consider something similar. Imagine freeing up all that space on your desk.
Working on making working from home more pleasant
A few days ago, I posted this link on my Facebook page. The home office décor tips were meant to inspire my work-from-home connections. I envisioned them leaving me messages of gratitude.
The actual feedback I received was a little different …
Essential small-space advice
What started off being a follow-up to my “bling up your rented space” post morphed, without me even being aware of it, into tips for decorating and utilising small spaces. Some of today’s décor advice entails painting and banging nails into walls. So if you’re renting but like what you see, now’s a good time to start wooing your landlord …
I can’t take credit for most of these nifty ideas and so you’ll see I’ve included the decorators’ names – a quick google search will yield many more tips for which this blog simply (sadly) doesn’t have space. An excellent case of life imitating art, I’d say!
Kitchen bling
Once upon a time, the kitchen was the most utilitarian room in the house. Used by cooks, maids and servants, it was a dark, poky place to which no attention was paid in terms of either ergonomics or décor. Nowadays, the kitchen is where we live and entertain – and the thinking that goes into designing a kitchen is entirely different.
Function, of course, is still important. But these days, designer touches don’t stop at the kitchen door and chandeliers aren’t just for dining rooms.
“Own” your rented white walls
Your favourite trend stalker has been dallying in a field loosely aligned to décor – that of property. Specifically, collating and writing advice for everyone who has anything to do with property. Whether you are buying or selling a home, whether you are staying put in a home that you own, or whether you rent your home from a landlord (or even rent a property to a tenant) Private Property’s online advice centre talks to you.
Sold on the idea of a wine cellar
Today, a very pressing matter: wine. Or rather, the lack of it. My so-called wine cellar is depressingly empty – and depressing, full stop. The blame for the empty part can probably be apportioned directly to me. The depressing part is the sheer dreariness and make-do-ness of the empty space.
An odd blog about decor and doggy doodoo – and yoga
Since the beginning of February, I’ve been a “biggest loser” contestant in a challenge between a group of friends who all rather fondly remember being a lot slimmer. The eating healthy part is easy. The exercise, not so much. I’ve tried zumba (the classes were at inconvenient times – really), kettlebells (the pain!), power walking (yawn) and even contemplated a few kick-boxing sessions (emphasis on “contemplated”).
Long story short, the best I’ve managed is a few early-morning yoga-Pilates-body conditioning sessions in the comfort of my PJs, on my enclosed patio. And trust me, there’s nothing quite like dragging yourself from under your duvet at 4am only to find your face centimetres away from a steaming pile of puppy poop as you grimace into that first downward dog … Oh for a dedicated yoga space!
In love with Gnomeo
As far as designers go, I’ve always been fond of Philippe Starck’s innovative, streamlined styles. I lust after one of his Ghost chairs for my walk-in wardrobe (which I also stand little chance of ever actually having).
Puppies: making houses messy since forever
I’m writing this with a lapful of sleepy puppy. It’s 2:25 in the morning and this is the quietest she’s been all night. My precious spaniel baby, Riley Jagger, is eight weeks old and a precocious bundle of energy. I’m besotted. I can almost forgive her for allowing me just an hour of sleep so far tonight. The fact that it’s taken her just three days to trash my home … well OK, also forgiven. One look from those droopy brown eyes, one bat of those absurdly long lashes, one wag of that overactive tail, one whiff of that puppy-breath … how could I hold anything against her?
(This isn’t a photo of Riley – she doesn’t hold still long enough for the camera to focus. It’s just to give you an idea of the cute-factor I’m dealing with.)
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