home trend spotter

Teal and Turquoise (and/ or numerous other varying shades in between) two of my favourite colours. It evokes a number of things for me.  Maybe it's because I live by the sea?  Or the fact it's such a vivid colour, a colour that can make a really bold statement?  Or is it because I am a child of the 70's -  surrounded by the explosion of colour of the era?  This would lead me on to the possibility that because of this, somehow, maybe, I previously received some subliminal colour preference; absorbing it, as if by osmosis?  Anyway, what ever the reason, I just love it!

The colours teal and turquoise also have some symbolic and therapeutic qualities.  There are two main hues that contribute to making both colours.  They are blue and a touch of yellow.

If you're wanting to brighten up an area of a room, there's no easier solution than adding a floor, table or ceiling light or lamp with a colourful lampshade.  And of course, there's no need for an electrician to wire it in.

I do hope you'll appreciate this selection of my favourite lampshade finds.

Tiles are at the forefront of my mind at the moment as I have been in deep research mode regarding the choice of wall and floor tiles to choose for my soon to be refurbished and finally updated kitchen.  

Thank goodness!  I will no longer have to apologies for the pit of a kitchen I used to have.

If like me you are obsessed with design, you'll maybe appreciate the fact that nothing should be designed for pure functionality.  I believe that everything should have a high aesthetic quality also.  And if like me, you are also a dog lover, the aesthetic should not escape your precious pooches accessories.  And especially, as it will be a long term, on show fixture in the home, your dogs bed.

So, if you've been on the look out for a more stylish and high design option, look no further.

Well it's been a very busy week, yet again, getting all the funding applications submitted for The Arches Printmaking Studio therefore,  I'm only doing the one blog a week.  I feel like I'm being a real slacker, although there's only so much a girl can do and I need to sleep!.

To make things a little easier on myself, this week there's no main topic, order or structure to this post.

Hi there, lovely people.  I feel like I haven't posted anything for weeks and I'm sure it was only a week ago.

I've been a very busy bee filling out funding application forms for... wait for it...The Arches Printmaking Studio CIC (Community Interest Company) which will hopefully be up and running at the beginning of August.

I've covered the living and dining room, now it's time to turn my attentions to the study/ home office/ studio.  Often piled high with filing you've been putting off for months and/ or general creative chaos (mine is anyway) the office come study, should be a place to be inspired and stimulated. Therefore I favour a selection of pieces that combine funky design with style and functionality.

The Dining Room.

So the spring clean has started and the de-cluttering has begun.  And maybe, like me, you use the dining room to hide a lot of unwanted don't-know-where-to-put-it stuff?  Well how about having a clear out and fitting out your dining room with the some stylish furniture to store that undetermined tut?

Furthermore let's start using that room for the purpose for which it was intended.

The Living Room.

When beginning this quest for my um-teen fave storage solutions, the storage that first sprang to mind was that of my G plan sideboard, shelving and bookcase unit a purchased for my living room (through ebay) a couple of years ago.  The choice of types, variations and styles are endless and there are so many pieces I love.  Although you can't beat a bit of 1960's G plan; It's so well made.

Not to state the obvious however, each room in your home has a purpose.  It is important to remember that you can completely change the feel of a room with the type of lighting you choose.  Therefore selecting the right lighting is a major factor to consider when planning the interior design of any room.

There are three main types of light source:

Ambient light - replaces natural day light.