Interior Splendours Certain to Impassion & Rouse

By in Default

We’ve explored interior styles in previous weeks that inspire and enthuse while the list of tremendous trend-setting designs continues this week. If you’ve decided to re-create your entire home or just your living room, you have a load of super exciting décor ideas and styles to choose from as we continue to discover and explore more options.

Steampunk, Industrial Machine-Style Perfect for the Modern & Unique Designer

Steampunk is one of the most creative styles and enables the designer to mix machine style, with industrial to create an elegant interior. This design style composes of raw materials such as bronzes, coppers, dark wood and leather. The furniture style used in Steampunk offers industrial flair and the sofas and chairs are constructed from metals and salvaged woods completed by leather upholstery. Light bulbs are used without decorative objects and often used bare, while the most frequently used to complete the look is old maps that adds a vintage feel to the style.

Perfecting the Steampunk design is exposed concrete walls, materials like pipes, and weathered wood beams all adding to the charm of the design. Steampunk is a magnificent blend of Gothic broodiness and Victorian flamboyance combined with industrial age mechanisation. The design style originated at the turn of the 20th century and is inspired by HG Wells and Jules Vern. The style is extremely popular and often used in films and it continues to be one of the most popular this year.

Gothic, Medieval Castle Charm Mixed with Dramatic

Most identified by pointed arches and windows in iconic shapes, the Gothic interior design style also includes flying reinforcements and vaulted ceilings creating an interior space that is nothing short of striking. One of the most common furniture pieces used in Gothic is box chairs panelled to provide storage space, and you’d be wrong if you thought this interior design is all about black, it includes blues, greens, dark purple and rich reds, used sparingly to accent the use of dark woods. Lasting through the ages from its origin in the 12th century

Gothic is characterised by dramatic and heavy styles. The style is perfect for anyone who loves a dramatised design and colours that simply intensifies, although the look can be based on personal preferences as long as it still offers the feeling that you’ve entered a medieval castle that brings Gothic into the modern age.

While the white-wash technique is used to create Greek styles, wooden items can be painted black and chairs added with side panels can make it easy to transform current items to complement the style. Wooden box chairs in black are often used while regular tables are added to with thick frames, while dark red cushions combined with purple provide a dramatic look that can be further enhanced by bright colour painted ceilings. The style is often thought off as colourless or scary, although in reality it is romantic and characterised by essentials such as candles, medieval tapestries as well as fireplaces.

Interior Panaches Bound to Inspire & Empower

By in Default


Whether you are a huge home décor fanatic or an inspiring designer, you’ll find inspiration from these amazing trend-setting designs. There are so many different design styles that we decided to select some of the most popular ones for this week.

Asian – Excellent Option When You Favour Contemporary Style

Focused on striking shapes, sleek lines and clean designs, Asian interiors often creates a serene, peaceful feel. The Asian décor style is complemented by stone sinks, decorative greenery, pebble backsplashes and mostly contain references to natural items or nature.


The main focus in Asian-inspired homes is serenity, cleanliness and the use of multi-purpose furniture that also offers disguised storage. Most commonly used in this design style are benches and ottomans opening up to offer storage, chairs and sofas adorned with scattered pillows in a variety of colours. Table lamps and light fixtures are as practical as the rest of the furniture and accessories are normally intricately patterned table lamps.
Chippendale – Loved Since 1754

Chippendale – Loved Since 1754


As visually attractive as the Chippendale design style is, so is its history. Inspired by the furniture catalogue published by Thomas Chippendale, the furniture used are strongly influenced by the architectural elements of the Chinese widow patters and roofs as well as Rococo and Gothic finishing’s. Intricately detailed chair backrests are achieved via back legs with designs flowing upwards, while tapered legs are one of the most featured characteristics of the Chippendale styled furniture.

Lacy patterns and club feet are also part of the favoured design, while furnishing is mostly made form easily carved mahogany. Chairs and stool are upholstered with silk or velvet, while the Chippendale interiors are styled with creamy greys and whites as well as neutral tones. Chandeliers are basically a must when it comes to completing this sophisticated style and favoured metallics such as bronze, silver and gold are used throughout the Chippendale styled home.

Danish – Perfected by Contemporary & Modern Influences


Simple, clean and with emphasis on sleek, defined by simplicity and Nordic aesthetics is the best way to describe the Danish interior decorating style. Fabrics, upholstery and patterned scatter cushions are used to introduce bright colours, while stark whites, neutral tones and beige are used throughout the home to provide seamless contrast with bold-coloured accessories. The furniture used is without detail as the focus is clean lines and function takes priority over style.

The focus of each room falls on tables and chairs combined via a few decorative pieces. The Danish style is preferred by many due to its uncluttered, crisp, cool interior style that also uses lamps with sleek basses and white shades placed to illuminate the monochromatic colour palette of this design style.

Whether you favour the Danish, Chippendale or Asian interior design style the focus remains on creating a home that is never cluttered with lots of accessories and each of the styles offers a refreshing, clean and crisp look. Should not one of the above styles be what you’re looking for, do return next week we’ll be exploring a whole range of other design styles.

Interior Flamboyance Bound to Enthuse & Inspire

By in Designer Friend

We continue to explore a range of different design style that is currently part of the fabulous trend-setters. Whether you are simply looking to re-decorate or planning for your new home, one of these might be perfect to create the perfect living space.

Directoire – Sleek, Elegant Style offering a Feel of 18th Century Sophistication

Originating from the 18th century, the Directoire interior design style feature both Roman and Greek styles. The furniture used to perfect this style is elegant and sleek with focus on a feel of sophistication. Directoire is French Revolution inspired due to the fact that less aristocratic buyers invested in the Louis the XVI decorative style and costly furnishings. Cabinet-makers scaled down and eliminated the marquetry and parquetry design in order to appeal create furniture that could appeal to the more proletarian clientele.

Instead of engraving royalty and aristocracy emblems, Directoire furniture is now decorated with Greek caryatids and gryphon’s carvings. The daybed is the most common furniture piece used and is Grecian-style inspired. The end of the daybed is completed by equal height delicately rolled and the seating is Neoclassical, which incorporates the outward carved legs and curved backs reminiscent of Greek klismos-style chairs. An antique feel is offered via the light fixture, wall sconces and table lamps while the chandeliers are most important. Directoire was hugely favoured at the end of the 1700s and continued to be a hit during the 1800s.

Machine Age Interior Design Style Brilliantly Completed via Mid-Century Characteristics

Machine Age is inspired by both industrial and mid-century modern designs, and its theme pervades the aesthetics of precision, reliability, power, speed, impersonality and efficiency of the machine. Mechanical iconography replaces organic motifs, and lighting bolts are decorated via gears. The focus of this design style is on raw materials such as exposed wood and metals, both complementing a feel of clean, sleek and cool interiors. What is most important in the Machine Age feel and design is stone floors, brick walls and stainless-steel countertops, while the style itself has a definite vintage flair.

The design is beautifully completed by train station clocks, old road signs and a mix of blacks, whites, greys and neutral colour palettes as well as metallics including nickel, copper and bronze. The Machine Age design is also inspired by naval vessels and aircraft and used in iconic vintage movies such as Fritz Lang’s Metropolis and Chaplin’s Modern Times.

Palladian – Perfected by Balance, Relying on Symmetry and Influenced by Roman and Greek styles

Natural arch windows are a definite way to recognise the Palladian style that also is mostly completed by curved windows aligned with the roof. Bottom windows have narrow panels that are rectangular on both sides. Creams and whites are used in every room of the house completed by greenish-blue and Palladian blue that offers a subtle contra, while the main focus remains on uncomplicated, clean lines. The focus in furniture is placed on wall décor, sofa chairs and the use of tables and the design style was started by Andrea Palladio an architect also considered the most influential person in the architecture history.

Interior Styles Popular in 2019

By in Default


Vogue released the eight design styles most in fashion for 2019, if one of your new Year’s resolutions are to redecorate your house, these designs could be all you need for inspirations. The new trends for this year include Mid-Century Modern, Nautical, Scandinavian, Bohemian and Industrial.

Scandinavian Interior Designs

The Scandinavian design is a spin-off of the popular mid-century designs and adds a minimalist look that could remain in favor for many years to come. This interior style is favored for its playful accent colors, gentle contours as well as its perfect equilibrium of organic and engineered materials. The Scandinavian furniture designs are contemporary, simple and focuses on functionality. Several of the top Scandinavian designers utilizes the principles of Bauhaus, characterized by object proportions focus, fluid lines with an anti-elitist appeal.

The majority of interiors that specializes in the Scandinavian design uses grey and white tones as foundation colors, while the focus during design is on a versatile aesthetic in the home that offers clean and fresh visuals and optimized living comfort.

Mid-Century Modern

In modern design, the most iconic pieces are still those produced in the mid-1900’s, characterized by minimalist silhouettes, refined lines and natural shapes. The mid-century modern masters include Jacobsen, Eames, Niemeyer, Saarinen and Noguchi and materials includes aluminium, molded plastic and plywood, while all units and designs are versatile enough to complement a variety of different styles. Mid-Century modern enables you to mix elements of different design styles, while the focus is on making your home look fresh. The best way to approach this design is the purist approach blended with minimalist.

Industrial Interior Design

Industrial remains a favorite and has been in fashion since the turn-of-the -century, it emphasis on the liberal use of wooden elements, exposed steel and is best enhanced by exposed brick walls. The more modern version also includes copper-tone accents and the feel have slightly shifted to a more mature and rustic feel. The industrial design ranges in decor from items with cleaner lines to modern rustic and rugged vintage with ornamentation touching elaborate. Depending on your personal taste this design can offer an almost antique look, lighter and chic look depending on accessories and the color blend.

Nautical Home Design

Positive, relaxing and warm are the characteristics that makes Nautical a great design most preferred for cottage style and coastal decor, since if reflects the beach house spirit of New England. The design style is focused on a sand colored and/or white foundation with the primary accent color being blue. Materials most used or incorporated in the nautical decor style is unfinished wooden chairs and tables combined with linen upholstery for sofas and seats. The decorative accents include rowing oars, clear jars, navigational maps, jute ropes and seashells.
Bohemian Style Interior Decorating

Bohemian is all about an avant-garde lifestyle, capturing the adventurous and carefree spirit. The perfect blend of vibrant colors, rich patterns that focuses largely on rich purple and red tones is key to the carefully planned purposefully almost messy look. The warm ambiance is created via layered textiles, which always includes tapestry, rugs, throws and lots of pillows. The Bohemian style looks best when it includes pieces that offers nomadic vibes or ethnic styles such as tribal-inspired designs, boho-chic, Moroccan flair or Southwestern inspiration, perfect for anyone who loves metallic, animal hide, and wood accents.

Declutter Your Home in 2019

By in Designer Friend


Living with less debt, less stress, less cleaning up and less to organizes is what most desire and should you succeed you’d be enjoying life with more energy and more money and a much greater passion for life.

The biggest challenge for anyone desiring to simplify their life is where to start. The whole idea can be overwhelming, and the decluttering journey is everything but an easy one. As a matter of fact, very few sticks to the plan, but if you are committed you could be the one finding out what stress-free living is all about.

To make it easier, decluttering experts have released a list and if you keep to their recipe your success is guaranteed. You need 5 minutes to complete each of the decluttering tasks.

•  Give one item in your home away every day and you’ll 365 things less by next year this time. One less item will hardly be missed and if you repeat it every day you are one full day closer to achieving your goal.

•  Grab a trash bag and see how quickly you can fill it. Make this challenge a time-based one and try to beat it next time.

•  Hang all the close in your cupboard with the hanger facing to the front, every item you wear can be placed back on a hanger facing the back. After 6 months leave only the clothes on hangers facing the back in your cupboard.

• 12 plus 12 plus 12 Challenge: Locate 12 items that you want to throw away, return 12 items to their home (should you have dishes or stuff from your in-laws or parents or even friends) and choose 12 items to throw out – do it all in one day and you have rid of 36 items!

• Challenge 333: Challenge yourself and your partner to only wear 33 items of clothing over the next three months. If you manage to succeed, you’ll know that you can live with so much less.

• Challenge of Four: Get four big boxes and place it in your house, mark one box trash, the next giveaway, the next keep and the last relocate. Now start at one corner of the room and place everything in a box. Once placed the item can’t be moved and you can’t leave any item where it is, every item has to be categorized. Once you finished in the room the giveaway and trash boxes must be closed instantly and removed. You now get to place the items you really want back into the room and the relocate items get transferred to where you wanted to relocate them.

• Take a photo before you start and one after and see for yourself what you have achieved via decluttering each room, and again when a room had its second decluttering session. You’d be amazed at how different and more spacious your home looks in only a few months.
Not Wanting Something is as Good as Possessing it!

Give Your Home the Jungalow Look

By in Default, Designer Friend


When it comes to the super cool boho style, you can find a couple of books written about the new bohemian trend. There is a new term for the love of plants, colors and patterns and it is the new jungalow look that is in.

The main thing is not to be intimidated, as the style created by Blakeney do not include teal as part of the design and the bold colors do not have to overwhelm the space. According to the new design that could be the trend in 2019, cool tones can work as the central focus point in any room, while it is good to balance it with warmer colors such as coral or even terracotta. Warm colors you can use throughout the house can include copper accents, orange hues or warm wood tones.

Intermingling Velvet with Less Luxurious Fabrics

Velvet is considered a luxurious fabric, a major concern is the wear and tear, yet today most of the velvet’s are synthetic and it wears nicely, plus it is really easy to clean. The perfect way to get the jungalow look is by blending velvet with textured linen or cotton, you want to avoid too formal feel. The fabric mix is a great start, yet you need to rethink your walls, what you collected over the years can now become the main art piece, the look requires an earthy vibe.

What is great about the new jungalow look is that you can mix it with modern tables as you don’t want to go too rustic. What you do need to learn is taking risks with different patterns. Striped wood and other patterns can complement each other while a mix of rustic and modern well blended can create harmony.

Bungalow combined with Jungle = New Jungalow Look

The new term jungalow combines bungalow with jungle, so it makes sense to bring a bit of outdoors into the home. Every room should feature some greenery to liven the whole room up. Arched doorways can add to the feel, rounded out it offers a special feel and adds to the flow from one room to the next.

Rustic, Different Patterns & Lots of Greenery

Adding a nook is a great way to utilize space, adding shelves under the bed area creates extra space, and your nook can work as a type of a daybed. Your terrace needs to be a space where you can hang out, where built-in benches offer both seating and storage, while it could also become an outdoors bed. It is about comfort relaxing in a condo kind of feel, an atmosphere completed by vintage rugs and lots of pillows in different fabrics to create a cozy feel. Mix warm and cool colors, use earthy elements, some modern items and bring in lots of greenery such as plants and you on your way to creating the new jungalow look where comfort and cozy collide beautifully.

Royal Christmas Pudding

By in Default, Designer Friend


There is nothing quick about the pudding enjoyed by the royals, it takes about two months to make and then you get to enjoy it for at least a year or should we just state that that is how long it could last.

The royal pudding is not only meant for Christmas, this heavily laced brandy or rum, well actually both, since the pudding can be enjoyed for months, it is a favourite for up to a year later, while it can also be the best hunting treat, frying it up to offer everyone part of the hunt a warm snack.

At the Palace Preparations Start Early

The preparations of the fruity royal pudding actually start once the queen and her staff arrive back from Balmoral. Their visit to the Scotland highlands takes place in October, which leaves the chefs with only two months to create the masterpiece/s. According to inside information the chefs clean out, the sinks to ensure they have enough space to make the mix as so much is requested by the royals and they love it right through the year.

Well Preserved in Beer, Rum & Brandy

Due to all the brandy, beer and rum, the royal pudding is quite well preserved and can be stored in the fridge for just short of a year. The Windsor’s still enjoys the pudding up to September of the next year and love offering it to their guests. The puddings for the royal table are cooked by the chefs in a 2-pound bowl, many of them, since the pudding is served at lunches starting from Christmas right through to New Year, celebrated in Sandringham.

Final Touches to the Royal Pudding

The Queen’s page is responsible for the final touches, he pours brandy over the top of the pudding and then lights it, the royal pudding flames up marvellously. Although the chefs know better and keep huge amounts of the mixtures in large baking trays to remain ready for the demands of any other occasions, which is at such functions named a plum pudding. Slices of 3 inches thick are then fried in unsalted butter and crisped up to offer gooey insides.

A 2-pound bowl of the Royal pudding mixture is enough for around 30 servings and the list of ingredients include: 2 cups dark beer, 5 cups raisins, 3 eggs, 2 cups demerara sugar, 1/2 cup dark rum,3 cups currants, 3 1/2 Tbs mixed spice, 1 1/4 cups flour, 2 cups candied peel, 1/2 cup brandy, 2 1/2 cups beef suet, 6 cups fresh white breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup unsalted butter for greasing bowls and parchment as well as 1/4 cup brandy for pouring.

Lightly grease the sides and bottom of the bowls used for the pudding as well as three pieces large enough to cover bowl tops. Mix all of the ingredients and cover with aluminium foil.

Place a large steamer with water at least 1/2 up the sides. Boil for five hours.
Cool & refrigerate for a minimum of three months reheat in a steamer for about two hours.

New Year’s Resolution – Minimalism

By in Default

Singleness, Clarity, Simplicity, these are the words that are used to describe minimalism in the home, it gives us vividness and power and lots of joy as it is also a sign of great art according to Richard Holloway.

If minimalism is your resolution for the New Year, it would mean you will intentionally try to live with only the things you really need. Minimalism is freedom from the passion to possess lots of things, it is intentional, it is also freedom from the modern mania, even more freedom from duplicity, it is also counter-cultural, and completely achievable.

Intentionality via Minimalism

Minimalism is indicated by purpose, clarity and intentionality, right at the core of it is the intentional promotion of the things we value as well as the removal of all other things that distracts us from what we really value. It is a lifestyle that forces intentionality, and at the same time, it forces improvements across all aspects of our life.

Freedom from The Passion to Possess

Modern day has brought us into the belief that a good life is determined by the amount of stuff we accumulate, the number of things we possess and therefore most continue to accumulate things they never need. People believe that the more things they have the closer the idea of happiness is and at the end happiness can’t be purchased for your local store.

The idea is wrong on so many levels, we all are too hurried, too stressed and too rushed plus we simply too busy, our homes are too busy, which causes a chain reaction of stressing us, and it’s too busy to provide us with a place of relaxing. Working long hours to pay all our bills, although the debt continues to increase, and we all rush from one activity to the next, while everyone is multi-tasking. Yet do we ever get all done? We always busy connecting with others via our mobile phones, while the real or true life-changing relationships escape us.

Minimalism means we rid of all we don’t need, and we don’t ever purchase anything unless it is truly necessary, which actually means you’ll be able to survive with only a third of what you have right now. Sell it, give it away or simply have it removed. Immediately your home environment is less busy or cluttered it already offers a calmer environment. If it is only the essentials you live with you won’t need to purchase much apart from food, your house remains more organised, and you get on top of your bills as they will not increase, and you won’t make purchases.

Living with less means more freedom, especially financially! Living with only what you need, not the stuff that impresses your friends only the things you truly need offers a lifestyle of less clutter, less stress which ultimately equals more freedom, more time to spend relaxing and more time to truly enjoy live!

Exceptional Cocktails to Impress Your Guests This Holiday Season

By in Default


We all know of the pressure during the holiday season, maybe most of it placed on ourselves by ourselves, still, we all strive to be the perfect host to both family and friends. Everyone needs to be entertained, need to be spoiled with great eats and of course you want to place a drink on their hand that is worth commenting on. Every year you try a different eggnog recipe, yet why not make this year, that special year where you ignore all the traditional stuff such as Mulled Wine and Rum & Eggnog and replace it with some of the most sensational alternatives.

Everyone loves an interesting drink, it is often a great conversation starter, but most of the time too difficult to perfect and too time-consuming, so here are the quick and super fun drinks you get to serve this year.

Holiday Twist with Coffee

0.5 oz Coffee
1 oz Martini Rosso
1 oz Star of Bombay Gin
1 oz Campari

Stir in all the ingredients into a mixing glass already filled with ice and then fine-strain it into a chilled glass, while the final touch is the coffee bean and orange wheel.

Grey Goose Espresso Martini

Another great coffee themed surprise to served up some deliciousness this holiday season is the Grey Goose Espresso Martini. It is quick to mix and can be served in a number of great ways.

Only three ingredients:
1 oz Espresso
0.75 oz Premium Coffee Liqueur
1.5 oz Grey Goose Vodka

Pour it all into a cocktail shaker and give quite the shake, then double strain it into a pre-chilled martini glass and decorate with mint leaves or spice it up with nutmeg.

Welcome the Grand with a Bowl of Punch

Why make each cocktail individually when you can ready a bowl of it well in advance, forget the Eggnog and rum, it is time to impress your guests with something truly divine.
2 cups Grand Marnier
2 cups Pineapple Juice
4 cups Ginger Ale
2 bottles of Champagne (chilled)
0.5 cup Black Raspberry Liqueur
2 cups Fresh Raspberries

Its quick and easy, since all you have to do is mix all the ingredients in a large punch bowl.

Paper Plane

Ohh, the Paper Plane is one that should not be kept secret till the holiday season, actually you might look for excuses to make and serve this one!
1.5 oz Bourbon
1.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1.5 oz Amaro
1.5 oz Aperol

The Paper Plane is again one of those so easy to make that you’ll hardly see it as an extra chore just before the big party, you simply combine all delicious ingredients into a shaker and mix it all up together with ice. Well, there is a whole lot of shaking’ going on, since you need to shake it for around 20 seconds, and once that is out of the way you strain it into chilled glasses and enjoy all the compliments form your appreciative guests.

Four Design Styles Simplified

By in Default

When someone asks you what design style you prefer, it’s often hard for the everyday person to explain, so below we going to break down and simplify some of the design styles you may have heard of.

Mediterranean


Some key elements in the Mediterranean design style include the layout of the room and how it is built. High arches, plastered walls and tiled or marbled floors are mostly seen in this type of home. Colours include warm, earthy tones; terracottas, browns, creams and golds, and every now and again, a blue or green will be used as a highlight colour in accessories.

Fabrics include scattered cushions that resemble tapestries, woven fabrics and cotton or silk rugs. In the living rooms, you will see big comfy couches with rounded edges with some exposed wood as well as decorative wooden tables showing off simple yet beautiful carvings. Bedrooms feature high poster beds and luxurious linens. No one can deny that Mediterranean-style designs are luxurious and rich and welcome you with a feeling of warmth.

Contemporary


The contemporary design is one of the favourites among young professionals. Furniture has square edges, creating the three-dimensional feeling of colour blocking. Colouring is normally a neutral colour or two, highlighted with something exciting, giving off the rather cliché but perfectly descriptive “pop” of colour. Black and red, grey and yellow, white and blues are some examples. Another characteristic to take note of is that a contemporary design is rather sparse and minimal, with zero clutter, a coffee table will display a fruit bowl or a candle maybe even a magazine or two, but that’s all, and it will be strategically placed, everything is neat and concise.

Rustic


Rustic designs are the epitome of upcycling. Here you will see unfinished wood everywhere, often whitewashed or painted and sanded down, with handmade nails exposed, and copper tacks along the seams of upholstered furniture. The rougher the wood or metal is, the better. Aged tea boxes are used as accent tables, restored shipping chests are used as coffee tables and pallet wood may even clad the walls. Scatter cushions and woven rugs play tribute to your grandmother’s cross-stitch creations while lampshades are indicative of hessian bags.

Traditional


When you walk into a traditionally styled room, you immediately feel like royalty, you might even find yourself craving tea and scones. This design includes rich, dark wooden floors, soft wall colours, top of the range fabrics and heavy wooden furniture. One of the most important things to consider with this design are the curvy, flowing, regal lines. Overstuffed couches are often full of fringed, plump scatter cushions, while windows are framed with heavy yet highly elegant drapes, that normally hang from the ceiling to the floor. The light-coloured walls display mirrors in bulky gold or silver decorative frames as well as beautifully painted watercolours. This is a wonderful design for the antique lover or someone who has inherited china and silver tea sets as this can all be easily incorporated into the design.

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