Design inspirations

Boutique hotels point the way to decorating in the dark. Decorating in the dark Why stay somewhere ordinary, when remarkable quirkiness you can talk about for years afterwards can be yours for those special nights on the town? Domestic decorators are rarely prepared to go for a darker spin of the colour wheel, but for … Read more

Jeff Koon’s cat is a blooming riot of colour Bilbao flower tower The North coast of Spain (24 hours away on the ferry from Portsmouth – dolphins, swimming pool, posh cabins…) is a heady mix of wild shoreline and concealed sandy coves dotted with quirky medieval towns and riotous basque culture. San Sebastian and Bilbao … Read more

The shock of handing over £6.50 each is quickly receding as we recline and soak up the sun from the super kitsch candy stripes of our rented seaside deck chairs. Towels, windbreaks, Jean Paul Gautier style sailor shirts, sticks of rock… stripes are everywhere. How can the most regular and regimented pattern be so relaxed … Read more

Our GPS system decided to pack up on us the other day, just before we have to find a secluded holiday cottage in Devon which will be our retreat for the next week. So you can imagine my horror when my other half produced the road atlas for me to navigate by. Our GPS system … Read more

Can you resist the call of the sea? Splash! It’s boiling. So it’s straight to Eastbourne beach with the kids after school. No need for swimming kit. Come on mum, jump in! …and of course if the beach isn’t an option, you can always try one of ours! More like this…

Juicy sunshine shades to get you in the mood for holiday Holiday colour Work weary? Weather dreary? Kids desperate to end an interminable term? Get your head ready for holiday with a splash of hot climate colour – courtesy of mimosa, bougainvillea, lemon and all the gorgeous flowers that will illuminate your little piece of … Read more

Could this be the boldest splash of colour in your scheme? Delightful doors The wonderful thing about front doors is you can paint them any colour you like. A pop of bold colour on your door gives your guests a glimpse of the warm welcome awaiting them on the other side. It’s only a small … Read more

Keith from Mini Moderns tells us more about his company and design influences. Mini Moderns Keith from Mini Moderns tells us more about his fantastic company and their design influences. How do you come up with your designs? We tend to work by collection rather than on individual designs. Each collection starts with a general … Read more

Power to powdery pastel pinks and dusky roses! Summer sorbets Pretty pale pastels are enjoying a little time in the sun this season. Not the sugary sweet kind but colours that are chalky, soft and sophisticated. A pale nude dusky pink paint paired with a bold and striking painterly floral wallpaper come together easily to … Read more

Piecing together perfection with mood boards Thinking out loud. No matter how many apps promise interior revolution on your tiny screen, mood boards made from scraps of tactile wonder remain the designers favourite tool to explore and communicate all their best ideas. There’s no better way to focus your thoughts on colour and texture and … Read more

Super bold & beautiful: Happy birthday Marimekko Unikko Marimekko’s iconic poppy print celebrates its 50th birthday this year. This boldest, most vibrant of prints looks as fresh and distinctive as it did in 1964. Designer Maija Isola’s original red design was soon rolled out in more colourways, and today Marimekko’s unmistakable style graces a huge … Read more

Post-war decor… Post war decor These delightful Ideal Home covers from 1948 caught my eye. I love the painterly illustrations of the homes instead of photographs. Only the covers were printed in colour (Austerity Britain – was printing ink rationed?). Much more emphasis on words over pictures inside, but the amazing interiors from the houses … Read more