Style Counsel

Our weekly design tips showcasing spaces we love and how to get the look.

Tuesday January 31st, 2012

Yawn or Yippee?

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Monday January 23rd, 2012

 Boho Chic

Picture from Lonny Magazine

Eclectic and Boho,  to be sure,  but also sophisticated,  We are intrigued by this space as there is more going on here than meets the eye.

• At first glance I thought …oh the mismatched look, but actually there is a not of matching going on,  the 2 end chairs match but are in different colours, the 2 white chairs and 2 white vases. 
• The symmetrical layout of chairs and formal architecture with symmetrical windows,  adds a dash or formality to really casual furniture…it’s a nice contrast
• Large scale prints like this butterfly should not be just used for large things like bedspreads or drapes.  They look really fresh and modern when put on a smaller chair where you just get bits of the print.
• The high ceilings could make this table setting la bit lonely but the large over scaled pendant lights adds intimacy but it is semi transparent so not too heavy…perfect!
• Don’t know about that red and blue chair skirt… a bit too country kitch?

Sunday January 15th, 2012

Decadent Decor

 

Saturday December 31st, 2011

Wonderful in White

Thursday December 8th, 2011

Very Merry?

 

Is it still Christmas without red or green?  As an expat who grew up with cold (if not white) Christmases in the Northern hemisphere, I have been known to strive for a traditional Christmas.  But being here in Australia, where it is hot and sultry during this silly season, I’ve grown to appreciate that we might need to keep things a bit more fresh and lively.  So what do you think of this jaunty Christmas palette?

• The combination of strong jewel tones, pastels and lots of white is just so crisp and chic.
• I love the modern take on the tabletop Christmas tree decorations, very graphic and hip.
• How good is gold!  The stocking is festive and the gold utensils are to die for...they scream “Come celebrate!”
• Coloured confetti in wine glasses with candles stuck in them...cheap, cheerful and very very clever.
  
   

 

Wednesday November 30th, 2011

Festive Season

Turkey, tinsel and tropical temperatures don’t really make for a comfortable Christmas, which is why the traditional Australian celebration often takes place outdoors and has developed a style all its own.  We really like this celebratory setting, and would love to drop by for a cold wine and a lively chat.  Here’s why we find it so inviting:
 

• It’s outdoors, of course!  There is nothing quite like a meal al fresco, be it a sandwich on a park bench, a picnic on the beach or a family gathering in the garden.
• The colours used are bright and cheerful, but not predictable. The vibrant Suzani throw used as a tablecloth breaks the rules for a formal table setting and makes for fun. The polka dot cushions don’t match but definitely go well.  The orange placemats add zing while the white chairs give a freshness appropriate for eating outdoors.
• The seating just invites you to stay awhile.  Regular dining chairs and gardens don’t really mix, which is why these chairs are just perfect, blending style, comfort and practicality.
• The little ‘break away’ area in the background confirms that this garden has truly been transformed into an outdoor room that will host and entertain from brunch right through to a candlelit supper.  Merry!

Thursday October 20th, 2011

Into It / Over It!

Sometimes it's possible to have just too much of a good thing.  Here's our (entirely personal) list of what's making us yawn and what's making us sit up and take notice right now!

 

Thursday October 20th, 2011

Nice or Nasty? - Yellow Peril

Okay, the jury is out on this one – do we love it, hate it or couldn’t  care less?  There’s no question that some of the elements in this setting are somewhat confronting, and taken out of this context would probably not get house room, but they do seem to work together as a whole. So what have we got here?

• The area rug is gorgeous - fresh, fun and very ‘now’
• The coffee table looks like it belongs in a re-run of “Bonanza”, and even though we love the asymmetric glass top, we find the base rather too rustic for comfort
• The art complements the rug perfectly, but is it just too unsubtle and overly matching to be truly stylish? Should there be something a little more complex and varied in colour there?
• The cushions are so retro it’s almost wilful, yet they do have a certain innocent charm and their formulaic natural pattern plays well off the gnarled root coffee table
• The lamp shades are very unsettling, yet what else would have worked here?  Not white against a white wall, black would be too stark and more yellow would be overkill. Maybe they are just right!?
   

Tuesday October 4th, 2011

Effortless Entertaining

Cool, fun and sophisticated?  A tall order for any outdoor entertainment area, but this setting pulls it off with stylish ease.  We love this ‘room’ because it’s both practical and sexy, managing to bring out the urban nomad in all of us. Here’s why:
 

• Monochromatic - it take s a lot of discipline to avoid colour altogether, but when you do, the result can be uber chic.  This space relies on the greenery outside to provide colour.
• Pair up - we normally say make groupings of 3 or 5, odd numbers like the coffee tables, BUT when it comes to seating, a grouping of two is best...it seems to say couple, intimacy, relationship.
• Create a division without using a wall - the hanging pod chairs crate a sense of division without being solid.  They frame the view and create a complete setting.
   

Wednesday September 21st, 2011

Splendidly Small

When we saw this picture we were immediately smitten.  Bright, textured, stylish and, yes...small.  Who says small rooms can’t be divinely ambitious.  If this room were dog it would be a Chihuahua that thought it was a Great Dane!   Stuck with small room but feeling aspirational?  Here are a few tips:

• Simple colour scheme - if small children are not your intended guests, a palette that consists of 80% white is ALWAYS a winner!  Added to it are cools in the form of turquoise and midnight and warms in the brass accents and some unexpected touches of red.
• Texture - this room is deliciously layered. The idea that small rooms should not be cluttered or they will look smaller is a myth!  The more your eye has to look at the less you notice the walls.   Just do it artfully.
• Play on scale – the oversized cushions on a smaller sofa makes the room feel a bit decadent, as does the very large pattern on the floor rug.  This is smartly mixed with smaller scale patterns in the fabrics
• The eclectic art wall – always a winner and not as expensive as one hero painting.  Just frame up all your little bits...post cards, baby sketches, small posters and voilà!  Not sure, though, about this on BOTH sides of the room as done here... just settle for one wall.
• Focal point - A really strong focal point is a requirement in small room for obvious reasons -you look at it and not the floor plan.  It’s the mirror in this room, of course!

Like it, want it?  Eco Chic's got it!  Our Driftwood mirror would work perfectly in this context, as would the Claudine table lamp.  Try the Parker sofa in a small space - sleek and streamlined.  The Venice rug can make a big impact on a small budget, and the Luanne range works beautifully in so many applications, it's always a winner. Mix the Boxy frames with our horn and burlap options coming soon, and you've got the look.  Sounds Like Home - we can hear 'So Frenchy So Chic 2011' playing in this room...http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/so-frenchy-so-chic-2011/id416476680

 

Tuesday September 13th, 2011

Dinner Date

 

Thursday August 25th, 2011

Well Read

 

Sometimes the simplest things say the most.  “I love you”.  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.  “The dog ate my homework”. “I paid it yesterday”. The written word has a lot of power – even in decorating terms!  That’s why we think this room re-writes the rules...
 

• Even though it looks like there’s a lot going on, this is actually a very minimalist setting.  A good example of letting your hero piece have its way, and keeping the rest pulled back – the hero piece being, of course, the wallpaper, the rest the supporting cast
•  It would be quite a different, almost harsh, look if the chair was a shiny, black sharp-edged piece. The warm, worn brown leather club is the anchor that makes this room work – old chair + old books = nonchalant classic cool 
•  The over-sized angle-poise lamp is a cheeky reference to bookish study, but it’s made fun with the irreverent colour and crazy size – plus, picking up the colour in the hydrangeas adds a clever touch of natural in an otherwise austere setting

If you feel there’s a story like this one to be told in your home, Eco Chic should be on your list!  We have classic club chairs such as the Oxford or Darcy that are perfect in the library or living room.  We can supply this exact wallpaper, just drop us a line info@ecochic.com.au.  Our Spotlight lamp has a sister floor lamp along these lines, just ask.  Fill Charlize urns or Thorn vases with lilacs or lilies for dramatic impact.  And the School Bench would work a treat in such a scholastic setting.

Sounds Like Home?  In this room the music we'd play is 'All Blues' by Miles Davis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui8x9_WEl1g

 

Thursday August 18th, 2011

Kitchen Know How

We don’t often feature kitchens in Style Counsel, but doing a mini reno on ours at home has got us thinking!  Kitchens, as we know, are the new living rooms in the modern home, and need to be more than just a space to store, cook and serve up food.  That’s why we love this kitchen; it works on different levels of functionality and serves as both a working space and a show piece. Let’s look at what’s going on:

• Black walls aren’t often chosen for a kitchen but work beautifully here because the floor is light and therefore the overall look isn’t too heavy. It would be so glum if the floor was made of dark tiles or timber!
• Chalkboard paint is fun and useful – we love our blackboards at home as they help us never forget that bright idea or shopping list item!  If you don’t feel like a whole wall of chalkboard paint, just try a panel propped against the wall to give the idea and the inspiration should follow.
• Open shelving – love!  Practical and pretty as everything is in-sight and on-hand. But – and it’s a bit but - open shelves must be tidy and co-ordinated otherwise you’ll just end up with a cluttered mess. Here, classic white crockery and clear glass is strictly grouped and clustered, giving an ordered look and adding lightness to the tonality of the setting as a whole.
• Pendant lights – love, love! Again, they are practical and pretty and such a visual feature over a dining table. Diffused light is refreshing in a kitchen, especially when the work is done and the dining can begin – pendants are much more intimate and relaxing than overhead strips or downlights.
• Comfy armchair – to die for!  If you have room in your kitchen/dining area for an armchair or sofa, you’d be crazy not to go for it!  How much nicer than perching on a bar stool is it to snuggle in a welcoming armchair, nursing a glass of wine, ready for a chat with the cook. This really makes a statement – home is where the heart is and the heart of a home is the kitchen.

If you’d like your kitchen to look like this (and we definitely would!) then Eco Chic can get you going.  Our Trestle Table is just like this one, and comes with a timber or glass top. The Luanne chairs would look fab around the trestle table, as would the Lachlan or Betty chairs.  Try the Pumpkin, Hobart or Pierre pendant light over your table.  The Santa Barbara bookshelf is ideal in such a setting, having a warm yet industrial look. We have several lovely armchairs that would make your kitchen a haven of comfort – check out the Vintage Kantha, the Kilim, or the Claudia. Finally, our World Clock would be just the ticket in such a setting, or try www.millarandmore.com.au in Bangalow who have a lovely, huge showstopper of a clock on offer that was spotted and coveted just this weekend!

 

Wednesday August 10th, 2011

Inside Out Rooms

There’s a sniff of Spring in the air, and it’s taking our thoughts outdoors, both to rooms that bring the outside in, and to actual rooms created outdoors for lounging and entertaining.  That’s why we like both of these rooms, one has such a breezy outdoorsy feel, and one is actually outdoors feeling the breeze, yet they share similar elements that make them work so well.

• Bright jewel colours, yet still anchored in natural references, are winners for a fresh look that works both indoors and out. Here, aqua brings fun and lightness and adds an edge to more traditional wall colours in our indoors room, whilst the aqua on the outdoor chairs and in the rug is fun and playful and stands out from the greenery around the outdoors room
• The settings are informal and encourage relaxing and conversation, both rooms use ottomans for foot rests and coffee tables, side tables for drinks and books and flowers and foliage to soften the edges
• The colour combinations are unexpected yet successful – aqua teamed with navy and white stripes isn’t your everyday match and emerald green plus yellow and aqua could be a bit ‘sudden’ in certain contexts but works in an outdoor setting where the rules can be relaxed a little, to match the atmosphere
• We like how there is a floor rug outdoors and outdoor style furniture indoors in these rooms – a nice tribute to the Australian way of life that blends casual and formal so effortlessly and makes reference to our easy going way of life

Finding furnishings to give this look is easy with Eco Chic.  Look out for our outdoor rug range, coming soon.  The Bangalow Range is similar to the chairs shown ans soon we will feature a pretzel chair in these gorgeous peacock colours.  Try the Erica Ikat Ottoman for a versatile piece to serve as both table or footstool.  Our Escapade Cushion range is perfect outdoors and comes in blues and aquas.  A Sennia Table looks just great indoors or out, as do the Sami Stools and add a lovely splash of colour into your room – indoors or out – into the bargain!

 

Monday August 1st, 2011

Drama Queen

Wow!  If one was so lucky as to have a bedroom this large, what would you do with it?  We think this is a spectacular use of space and colour.  A mad mix of modern and traditional make this room feel really cutting edge...what are the secret ingredients?

• Turquoise and Mandarin - these are opposites on the colour wheel ,  but a simple orange and blue simply wont due. Fresh clear shades are needed and lots of soft white so it doesn’t feel like a crayola box.  That touch of black anchors it all so it’s not too cute
• Dividing up the space - bigger is not always better and large rooms can feel soulless ...who wants a bedroom that does not invite intimacy?  The curtain and column divide the space up into zones without taking away the grandness.
• Curtains are always associated with theatre so why not add a little drama in the bedroom!
• Mixing periods - the starburst mirror and wall light are character pieces from the 60’s,  but the coffee table and sofa feel a bit Hollywood glamour.  Throw in that modern simple bed and stylised side table and Voila!  You have something totally original.
• Those ottomans - what can we say other than we love love love them...think we will start making them for Eco Chic...soon!
• Clean lines – The architecture is SO simple and the floor a very plain limestone.  They create the perfect backdrop against which to create something bold.  All the furniture has very clean straight lines as well and has not been mucked up with a bunch of clutter.
• Repeating motifs – you know how we love a theme.  The circle motif softens the straight hard lines and can be seen in the mirror, lamp, side table, wall sconce and coffee table base...nice balance.

Archived Interior Design Blog Posts		Design sites we love!
January 15th	October 22nd	Re-Nest
January 9th	October 15th	Cococozy
December 24th	October 8th	Yellowtrace
December 18th	October 1st	Elle Decor
December 11th	September 24	Apartment Therapy
December 4th	September 17	Coco + Kelley
November 26th	September  10	Lonny Mag
November 19th	September 3	Decorpad
November 12th	August 27	Carolina Eclectic
November 5th	August 20	The Design Files
October 29th	August 13	Ish & Chi
		Adore Magazine