Style Counsel

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

It’s is always hard to create a space that will look good for years to come...how do you avoid trendiness without ending up with a room that looks boring and old fashioned?  We think Serena and Lily nailed it.  Let’s break down the elements of design.

• Classic colour - there are not many colours that never really go out of style, but blue is one of them.  The mixture of navy with royal keeps it from feeling too matchy-matchy
• Classic shapes - tthis style sofa with the rolled arms and a button ottoman are fantastic pieces...good to look at and comfy too.  A light coloured linen on the sofa is ALWAYS a winner.
• Modern touches – the rug could be from 1985, but it works, and the mod sculptural side table keep this space very eclectic and now. 
• Contrast – don't be tempted by beige...contrast is the key to keeping it sharp and hip.  Look at that dark charcoal wall with the white curtains...will never date.
• Great Art – cannot emphasize enough how some well selected pieces can lift a whole room and say “I'm sophisticated”.  Go for original art if possible. 

To get the look with Eco Chic, check out our Lewis Ottoman available in any fabric.  We also have a great art section with originals and prints to add a splash of colour and sophistication.  Our Lily sofa is almost a perfect match to this one...try it in Linen Pebble.  We have also just added a fantastic collection of new chandeliers!



 
Who doesn’t love watermelon! Even if pink isn’t your favourite, this red/pink colour will add vibrancy to any area, especially with white as a backdrop, as shown in this picture from Home Beautiful.
 
·         Fresh, light colours go perfectly with ones of similar density. Notice how the green lends itself to the pink and watermelon scheme while also reinforcing the ‘outdoors’ space.
 
·         Try to keep in mind to incorporate most colours that the area already has. By choosing this colour scheme, the floor, which might have turned towards the brown side, has been lifted and given new life.
 
WANT THE LOOK WITH ECO CHIC? Try our gorgeous Bangalow lounge chairs which can be used in any fresh outdoor covered space. Add a few cushions from our Escapade outdoor range, a beautiful ice bucket like the Lodge or Thorn, and you will be sitting pretty too!
 

Good Morning Sunshine!

Blue and yellow is certainly a very cheerful combination, but can be a bit kindergarten if the tones and textures are not quite right.  We love this grown up bedroom from Decorpad as it hits the mark without becoming too playful nor taking itself too seriously.

 

• The tones of yellow and blue are sophisticated and edgy thus avoiding the primary school trap.  Solid blocks of acid yellow and ink blue work beautifully together and are used in moderation.
• Crisp black and white – the timeless combination is made modern with the use of a modern geometric print for the upholstered headboard and set off by the vibrant yellow and profound blue.  Add block colour to black and white to bring it bang up to the moment.
• Keep it simple – with scene stealing lamps such as these beauties and a statement piece bed head, nothing else is needed.  Clean, classic, contemporary yet comfortably inviting – all that’s needed for a stylish night’s sleep!

Like the look?  Eco Chic has some suggestions:  whilst not as zany as these lamps, the Quasar lamp packs a bright yellow punch; our Gracie upholstered headboard can be made in a black and white geometric fabric of your choice; try the Durante Comforter or a Bluebird Mohair Throw for a splash of blue on your bed.

Coming Up in 2013

Hollywood Noir – luxe, opulence, over the top lavishness.  Pattern, padding, layers and colour but with decadent overtones – think Black Dahlia rather than Days of Wine and Roses.

 

Emerald Sighs

All interior décor buffs will be aware that ‘Pantone’s Color of the Year’ is Emerald Green.  This year’s colour really seems to have captured the collective imagination of the creatively inclined and has really hit the mark.  We certainly like it much more than some of the previous year’s difficult or insipid offerings – naturally, as we’ve always admired emerald!

How easy is this colour to use in the home?  Not easy, but used judiciously, cleverly or sparingly it can truly sparkle.  Take these examples – emerald elevates the space without overpowering, but the trick is to use it with white and naturals and add shots of other colours to add to the overall jewel-like effect.

• The first room can carry off such a confronting expanse of emerald because of the extra high ceilings and the clever additions of clashing colours, quirky artifacts and eclectic furnishings prevent the whole being too sombre and serious.
• The crafty chevrons on the drawers are cool without being self conscious and the fun additions of the hat, vase and flowers throw in other colour references making for a vibrant vignette.
• Emerald paired with royal blue, aqua and turquoise and off-set against bright white will always work well, especially for rooms wishing to present as fresh yet sophisticated.

Like some of these looks?  For paint, try Resene Moxie or Dulux Pharoah’s Gem.  We have a fuschia bamileke feather headdress and the Aloha chair is along the same lines.  The Esmeralda bed head comes in – you guessed it – emerald green, and check out our Boheme fabrics for some luscious patterns in emerald and a host of colours to mix and match.

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Wednesday 15th November 2012

Sleeping Beauty 

 

 

Okay, we can’t help it, we’re getting rather festive here at Eco Chic, but as we are still in November, we don’t want to peak too soon!  That’s why we like the subtle Christmas wishes conveyed by this bedroom.
This room is not too over the top in its seasonal décor, but is certainly luxe enough for us to have high hopes for what might be left under the tree Christmas morning! 

 

• Especially captivating is the bed - who wouldn’t want to wake up in this lavish creation!  The decorative detail of the bedstead is allowed to shine against the pure white bed linen and complemented by the glorious Prussian blue velvet counterpane.  It’s a clever touch to add sumptuous dark blue on the bed as it saves the overall effect from being too dark and sombre and allows for the blue tone to be echoed in other furnishing items – most notably with the black desk and blue Perspex Eros chair.
• The shot of shocking pink in the cute yet cool hot water bottle lifts the setting and adds depth and a focal point to the room, and we love the fact that it’s a hot water bottle – the good old fashioned eco way to keep warm!
• Finally, how restrained and tasteful are these yuletide decorations?  The simple star hung over the bed, the bowl of baubles on the desk and fairy lights around the window add enough of a sense of anticipation to the room without going into garish plus the oh, so casual strand of perfectly placed tinsel over the end of the bed adds that touch of whimsy no Christmas should be without. 

Santa take note – this bedroom is on our wish list and we’ve been ever so good this year!
 

Saturday 29th September 2012

Tales of the Unexpected

• Teal leather for the wing chair – unusual, lighter in look, perhaps more feminine than its classic tan leather counterpart.
•  Faceted gunmetal ceramic side table – more modern than the obvious asian style ceramic stool choice. 
• Silver blue tones in the rug – selecting blues for an oriental rug rather than traditional reds takes this floor rug into the realms of contemporary glamour and gives it a summery lift.
• Circular coffee table – round and with a marble top is much less predictable than a rectangular wooden coffee table and deftly injects a cool crispness into the grouping.

Feel like something cool, crisp yet classic?  Eco Chic can help.  We can upholster the Yarra armchair in teal leather; the Facet stool has a silvery faceted style; the slate Maroc rug has silver blue tones in an exotic pattern or search on line for Turkish rugs; the Palermo accent table comes with a white marble top and can be custom ordered round.    

Bathing Beauty

Why We Love Autumn!

STEP OUTSIDE THE DRAB GREYS AND BLACKS OF WINTER AND GET INTO THIS SEASONS MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN.
 

• A feature wall such as this is great without any art or wall accessories. But make sure you liven up the ceiling with a funky light pendant.
• Keeping the rest of the palette neutral, feel free to go a little wild with patterns and textures. See how the leopard print cushions blend beautifully with the zebra stripe mattress and cowhide rug. Creative, crafty and clever!  

Best Exotic Indian Dining Room

• The yellow mirror frames and the red chair frames would normally be a match made at McDonalds, but here they work in tandem to give a fresh, bright tone to the room.
• The delightful pendant light pulls the disparate elements in the room together, and anchors the theme.
• The heaviness of the table is off-set by the crispness of the chairs, and we appreciate that the chair fabric is not ethnic in reference, as that would have been overkill.
• The elephant art could have tipped the room over into kitsch, but the careful balance of the flowers on the console and the lightness of the dining setting keep it all in the realms of good taste.

Oriental Persuasion

Oriental is a style that can be beautiful if done right and this room uses slight hints throughout, resulting in a flow of these gorgeous eclectic pieces.

• White couches are a perfect foil to colourful accents, such as this green coffee table trunk. The vintage style of the trunk adds so much character to the room, while its colour freshens up the space. What a perfect item!
• Don’t be scared to mismatch chairs or mismatch styles. An accent chair is supposed to do just that – accent. Make sure the colours are in the right scheme - these ones are perfect as you can’t go past purple and green together!
• Birdcages – the flavour of the year! In order for these to succeed, perhaps try a fresh way that’s not the norm – in this case they are grouped to add drama to the cupboards. Do you have birdcages? How do you use yours?

Mid Century Sophistication

Unusual, masculine and encompassing a natural and rustic style, this room looks lived in yet smart and casual at the same time.  So why is it that this room works so well?

• Don’t be scared of leather. While an entire room in leather may be a bit much, a splash here and there adds a touch of luxe.
• Nowhere to put floor to ceiling curtains? It doesn’t matter, do it anyway! We love how clever these curtains are, hanging them high has given the room a lofty feel, and keeping them minimalist in terms of tone and style adds sophistication.
• Add some plants to your living area. Not only do they create carbon dioxide which is good for your health, but they brighten the space with their intense colour.

Perils of Purple

 

Purple tones can be tricky to get right, but the clever combinations and lush textures in this room work to provide an opulent sleeping haven, whilst the quirky additions give an air of relaxed chic – here’s why:

• The feature wall– black keeps the room from looking too girly while the addition of the white mural adds life to the wall and softens all the rectangular shapes below.
• Mixed textures always look stylish and avoid an over matched hotel room effect.  But don’t overdo it. Two or three, maybe four textures work, but five or more? Do not attempt!
•  Embrace headboards. Different colours and materials not only add extra 'oomph' to the room, but are so comfy to lean against while you read! Used in the correct way, headboards can make an ordinary space extraordinary.
• Add a dash of contrasting colour and don’t be afraid to make it bold – here the yellow trim on the bolster pillow echoes the yellow lacquer side table and lifts the purple tones. 
• Natural touches keep the room tasteful and avoid a ‘teen retreat’ effect.  The contrast stripe on the blanket picks up the linen lampshade and neutral toned headboard revealing sophisticated restraint at work – extra colour in these areas would have taken things over the top!

Add natural texture at the head of your bed, with our fabulous Matilda Headboard.  Or, we can custom make a headboard just like the one shown above, just drop us an e mail with your specifications and we will build your heart's desire to your own design. Crellini bedlinens are tastefully luxe and tone with most colour palettes.  The Coco cushion comes in a glorious purple velvet, and the Jericho table lamp would shine in such a setting.

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Tuesday January 31st, 2012

Yawn or Yippee?

 

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

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

Purple tones can be tricky to get right, but the clever combinations and lush textures in this room work to provide an opulent sleeping haven, whilst the quirky additions give an air of relaxed chic – here’s why: