inspiration for decor

While {virtually} flipping through the pages of the June/July issue of Adore Home magazine I came across a fantastic spread that really called out to me. An interesting mix of bohemian, antique, contemporary, ethnic, pieces are accentuated by bold splashes of colour in pillows, art, and accessories.  Designed by Lucy Fenton of the Australian based retail shop Fenton & Fenton, this is actually a model suite for an apartment complex in Melbourne, Australia.  I’m sold!

I truly love this eclectic design. However, the element that really caught my attention was how versatile these rooms are.  Yes, the yellow bar stools are very cool, the bold stripes, ikat, and florals of the accent pillows are to die for, and the modern art is brilliant, but I can totally picture this apartment swathed in neutrals. Swap out the bold colours and patterns for some tone-on-tone blacks, greys, whites, and beiges and you’d have a very different but still beautiful look.  The versatility can be attributed to the strong design bones of the furniture: a mix of neutral and classic pieces that will stand the test of time.

If you have a few more minutes to browse, I highly recommend the following reads:

1. June/July issue of Adore Home magazine
2. In depth article with Lucy Fenton over on The Design Files
3. Browse the Fenton & Fenton website and online shop (if you love Anthropologie, you’ll love this store!)

(images: fenton & fenton)

The iconic Eames rocker is a must-have for the chic modern nursery. Whether you’re going for a mid-century vibe, a clean streamlined look, or a bold geometric aesthetic, this classic rocking chair is the way to go.

Available in a wide range of colours, this chair can be incorporated into just about any chromatic scheme. Bright and vibrant (above), or neutral and calm (below).

Designed in 1948, this style of chair is also known as the RAR (rocker height, armchair shell, rocking base) was out of production for 30 years but is back now and more popular than ever.  Originally made with fiberglass-reinforced plastic, these chairs are now composed of more eco-friendly polypropylene.

The original colours were ‘Aqua Sky’ and ‘Wafer’ (similar to those shown above) but as I mentioned, it is now available in a wide spectrum of colours.  A licensed original will set you back almost $500USD but a good looking knock-off can be found at many retailers.

Now let me be straight with you Moms-to-be: this chair is all about style and not necessarily about function.  At least not in the short-run.  A nursing chair this is not!  That said, as a chair that adds a whole lotta style to the nursery, a chair that your toddler will love to climb in, and a chair you can eventually move to another room in your home, I do think you’ll get a lot of use out of it in the long-run.

(images: 1-apartment therapy,  2-decor pad, 3-alexander van berge, 4-flickr, 5-decor pad, 6-project nursery, 7-decor pad, 8-le blog)

I have had my eye on a certain round marble top coffee table for some time now.  And after seeing these two images in the latest copy of Lonny Mag, I can’t seem to get this style of table off my mind:

Now, if money was not a factor, Design Within Reach offers up two iconic tables that would definitely be welcome in my home.  On the left, the Rubik and on the right the Saarinen (starting at $900USD and $2,100 USD respectively).

Ouch, indeed!

But have no fear. There is glimmer of hope for those of us who don’t want to break the bank to achieve the same modern look – CB2 to the rescue!  For a mere $349CAD (yes, they ship to Canada!) I could own this beauty:

Sadly, my living room simply isn’t wide enough to accommodate this coffee table between our sofa and the media unit.  Rats to a narrow condo!   I’ll have to keep this one in the inspiration files until we get our house.

(images: 1&2-lonny mag)

The sun is shining and it’s heating up outside (finally!), so I couldn’t help but be drawn to this image – - white, bright, and lovely.  A wonderful mix of modern and vintage.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

(image: petra bindel)