How To Lay The Perfect Christmas Table

If there’s one thing which will help make your Christmas Day extra special, it’s a beautifully laid table. But putting together a stylish arrangement is an art – one which can be easily finessed with a few helpful pointers. With that in mind, we went to the tablescaping experts for their advice.

Consider The Event As A Whole 

“It’s good to start with the number of guests, the size of the table and then move on to flowers, fragrance, decoration, linen and napkins,” says florist Nikki Tibbles from Wild At Heart. “The ambience of the room is so important, too – you want it to feel cosy and relaxed.” 

Once you know how many people are coming, think about how many courses you're going to serve. “That way you know what you need to lay out, with regards to the crockery, cutlery and glasses etc,” says Alice Naylor-Leyland. “Then, decide on the theme and the flowers, as these are what will make the table feel Christmassy. Arrange them once the linens are down so you know how much space there is left to play with. The key element has to be the decorations, though,” she adds. “There aren’t many other times when you can get away with having nutcrackers, reindeer, trees and glitter all in the same place.”

Work Out Your Linens

“Start with the base, which is table linens,” says tablescaping expert Fiona Leahy. “That is the canvas and the start for everything else. This year, I’m going for a burgundy hand stamped Italian linen tablecloth, which will inform everything else.”

It’s also worth investing in seasonal linens which you can enjoy year after year. “I have really lovely linen and napkins that match, designed by Karen Nicol. They are hand embroidered with holly and mistletoe,” says Fiona. “They are beautiful and always make an appearance at Christmas.” 

Seb Bishop of Summerill & Bishop suggests preparing the tablecloth well in advance. “Lay the tablecloth the night before if you can, so it settles. Give it a gentle mist of water to help any creases and folds fall away, too. That way, when you wake up the next day, there’s a ready-made canvas waiting for you to embellish. Part of the fun is to keep adding to the table as the day progresses.”

Make Space For Flowers 

Before it becomes necessary to make room for the vast array of serving dishes, decorate your table with fresh flowers and foliage. Nikki uses lots of winter foliage, including pinecones, holly and mistletoe. “Try adding petite Christmas trees to the table, which can be decorated or left as they are to add a festive feel. Then add beautiful pale green hellebores and white parrot tulips and anemones in small vases.” 

For Christmas, Alice mixes white berries and eucalyptus. “White ranunculus are beautiful as well as white parrot tulips, if you can find them. Arrange them in a selection of bud vases and maybe one or two larger vases. You can also place flowers around the room using oasis and planters, as it helps them stay in place.” 

Small vases are very useful to add floral touches without overpowering the table, and they can be easily moved around when it comes to serving lunch. “Bouquets that are as natural as possible, say powder colours or monochrome, are my preference” says Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, co-founder of The Invisible Collection. “Bouquets in mini vases are where you can really let your imagination run wild.” Seb also suggests scattering gypsophilia stems: “Scatter them along the tabletop in delicate little bud vases – it’s like having snow on the table.”

Add Magic With Candles

“For me, candlelight is the most important element to encourage that Christmassy feeling,” says Fiona. “Go for burgundy or forest green tapers and many, many of them. Lots of tea lights also look magical – I like the mix of tall and lower – that is the art of tablescaping, the mix of higher and lower elements.”

“Gold candle holders and taper candles in pale and dark green are my favourite,” say Nikki. “Tealights also look wonderful when they’re carefully placed on the table. Candlelight is so flattering and creates the perfect atmosphere, too.” 

You can also use candles to highlight elements of your table decoration. Anna Zaoui, Isabelle’s co-founder, explains: “Place little candles close to the flowers to create a more dramatic ambiance, and then have some more generously scattered across the table, all at varied heights to add interest.”

Don’t Forget Place Names

Even if you’re hosting a smaller crowd than usual, don’t scrimp on the final touches, say the experts. “Handwrite the place settings, even if it’s just the two of you – these are the little things which make all the difference” says Seb. “Paper cards will do, or think on your feet and use dried leaves from the garden – trust me, these can look beautiful. Or, if you have any little helpers, ask them to write the place settings – when everyone contributes to the table, it feels warmer.”

If you’re worried your table may be getting overcrowded, try incorporating names into the elements you are already using. “You can use the crackers – place your guests initials on the bows or if you have time, embroider them,” says Fiona. “If you have room, you can use snow globes for place cards and write your guest names inside using calligraphy.” You can also use your decorations, which is a fun way to combine the two. “Try incorporating the person's name with a little animal. This Christmas, I have the sweetest glitter reindeer which I plan on using,” says Alice. But if you’re really tight on space, use the crockery – “Sometimes I simply write names on the plates in gold,” says Nikki. 

Source: https://sheerluxe.com/2020/12/14/how-lay-perfect-christmas-table

Giant of British design Sir Terence Conran passes away at 88

Sir Terence Conran, the British designer who founded Habitat and later helped found London’s Design Museum, died on Saturday (12 September) at the age of 88.

Tributes have poured in from all corners of the design industry, celebrating his impressive design career and legacy.

Deyan Sudjic, now director emeritus of the Design Museum, said in a statement: “No one has done more to create modern Britain than Terence Conran. He spent his whole career looking for ways to make life better for everyone.”

Born in 1931, Sir Terence studied textile design at London’s Central School of Art before he set up a workshop with his tutor, the artist and print-maker Eduardo Paolozzi. Here, he concentrated on furniture design, ceramics and fabrics. Then, in the early 1950s, he worked on the Festival of Britain alongside architect Dennis Lennon.

However, Sir Terence really became a household name in the 1960s when he founded Habitat. Conran popularised Scandinavian style and changed the face of retail in Britain. The Habitat chain was the beginning of a shopping empire which included Mothercare, Heals, Richards Shops and British Home Stores.

Sir Terence was also at the forefront of professionalising design in Britain throughout his life. Founded over 60 years ago, The Conran Design Group demonstrated the best of design in Britain, specialising in interiors, hotel and restaurant design, graphics, products and homeware. He would also go on to establish an architectural practice with Fred Lloyd Roche called Conran Roche that eventually became Conran and Partners.

Alongside design, food was also one of Terence’s great passions and he became a renowned restaurateur. His first restaurant, with Ivan Storey, The Soup Kitchen, opened in London in 1953 and he went on to open many more including Pont de la Tour, Bibendum, Orrery, Quaglino’s and Mezzo.

In a statement, Sir Terence’s family wrote: “He was a visionary who enjoyed an extraordinary life and career that revolutionised the way we live in Britain… It gives us great comfort to know that many of you will mourn with us, but we ask that you celebrate Terence’s extraordinary legacy and contribution to the country he loved so dearly.”

Source: https://www.itsnicethat.com/news/sir-terence-conran-obituary-furniture-product-design-140920

How to prevent the seasonal winter depression with the correct lighting concept

Many people nowadays suffer from a seasonal winter depression, which we do know is strongly linked to the lack of light we are receiving in the short winter days. Mayo Clinic defined this symptom as a sub-type of depression that is linked to the change in season. We do call this  symptom SAD, which means “seasonal affective disorder”. If we receive less hours of sunlight, our hypothalamus cannot perform correctly. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain, which controls the circadian rhythm and if the circadian rhythm is disturbed our melatonin and serotonin hormones, which affect our sleep and our mood are out of balance. 

This means in winter, when we have to less light, our body overproduces the sleeping hormone melatonin and therefore causes sleepiness. The disturbed circadian cycle can then lead the serotonin, which plays an important role in our mood, to quickly be removed from the space between neurons. This is caused by an overload of transporter proteins and causes the chemical to be shifted back into the presynaptic neuron, which then can lead to depression. But not only with the lack of light in winter but also by us “consuming” too much of the “wrong light”, especially at the “wrong time” can disturb our circadian cycle. Blue Light is a very good example of this and is especially found in TVs, Screens and Phones. It has a very high amount of LUX (Intensity of Light) which can significantly disturb our melatonin level in the evening and makes it harder for us to fall asleep. 

If we want to find a way to improve our wellbeing and mood, with the correct lighting, then we first need to know the two measures of light, which influence our body. On the one side there is the just mentioned Intensity of Light (LUX) and on the other side, the color temperature of the light, which is measured in Kelvin. Warm light will make us feel more relaxed and creates a very welcoming atmosphere, whilst cool light in contrary increases our productivity level and makes us feel more focused. In fact we can control our workflow or mood of feeling relaxed and cozy with the correct light setting.

But how can we help ourselves in winter, when our body literally “lacks of light”? 

What scientists advise on is to try on simulating natural daylight cycles with artificial lights. Brighter and stronger light is recommended for the morning and during the day, while dimmable light is suggested for the night. Besides one of the most effective ways to treat SAD is using a “light therapy box”, which is also known as phototherapy. It is based on the idea, that if the lack of sunlight contributes to SAD than an adequate dose of light can reverse the symptoms. Important is that the light box produces a very high number of LUX - recommended are 10.000 LUX, which is about 20 times brighter than the usual indoor lighting. The best is to perform light therapy every day at the same time, preferably in the morning. By sitting in front of the lightbox for 30-minutes, the photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the eye will start stimulating and activate the hypothalamus. The daily activation of the hypothalamus at a certain time controls the release of hormones and restores a normal circadian rhythm, which then will eliminate the seasonal symptoms. 

It might sound a little bit strange for us that sitting in front of a lightbox might help us through the seasonal winter depression but there is a study, which has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, that shows, that lamps with a dose of 10.000 LUX can effectively treat SAD after only one week of use. 

Another approach, which researches are currently studying, is the idea of simulating the dawn. This can be done by a lamp, which is controlled by a computerized timer, that gradually increases the light intensity from 0 to 300 lux. This way we can simulate the natural sunrise and allow our body to slowly wake up, the same as we do naturally in summer. 

The importance of office design

It’s no secret that office design can either enhance or deepen your companies culture. We spend a third of our life at work. While at the office, you’re expected to be productive, creative, and social. Therefore, the design of your office greatly affects how you feel and think. Ultimately, the best design for your office is the one that reflects your values and meets your company’s and your employees’ needs.

Whether you’re an employer or employee, you can make positive changes to your office space and help everyone feel happier to be there. Here are three ideas for decorating your office to make it a pleasant place to be.

Take advantage of windows and plants:

Naturally, we wanted to be outside and found ourselves drawing windows looking out to beautiful landscapes. Bringing nature to you by having a plant nearby can help you to recover demanding activities and lower stress levels. 

Pay attention to colour, lightning and shape:

Different colours have different effects on how we perform. Blue and green help us with our creativity while red seems to help us pay attention to detail. Lighting is also an important factor. Dimmer lights promote freedom and therefore creativity, while brighter atmospheres help induce analytical and evaluative thinking.

Own your space:

Bring in some picture frames, plants, decorative cup holders, or even a lamp. Having ownership of what your workspace looks like will have you feeling more committed to your team and increase your productivity. 

8 Home Organisation Ideas for a Tidier Space

Organisation at home can be quite a challenging task. Think of these home organisation ideas as (hopefully) helpful tips in getting the most out of your home, no matter how small your space might be. 

Stagger your shelves 

Staggered shelving units are not only aesthetically pleasing but also allow the owner to play with height which will provide more storage space for smaller items. 

Decant Everything 

There’s nothing like opening your cabinet to see all of your grains, spices and more decanted in mason jars. 

Try a Fold-up Desk 

The small surface of a fold-up desk will motivate its user to stay organised and not let too much work pile up. 

Consider a Storage Bench 

Whether it is built in or freestanding, a bench with storage at the base could be just what any home needs. 

Use your bookcase for more than just books

Adding jars and trays to various shelves for maximum organisation doesn’t only help you to keep being organised but also looks fantastic. 

Store Clothing in your Media Stand 

For those having a little too much clothing and way too little closet space, this is a great organisation hack. 

Organise Clutter with Large Trays 

Being back with the beloved trays. This time, the suggestion is to place a bigger tray atop a coffee table or console to house a variety of home goods. 

Some of the most Iconic Hotels of the last Century:

The evolution of the hotel over the last century is profound, with design schemes portraying and reflecting movements like Art Deco and midcentury modern as well as the power animated boutique and lifestyle focused properties. We chose 4 of the most iconic hotels that showcase a true combination of enduring beauty and soul.

Fairmont Royal York, Toronto:

The Royal York Hotel was opened in 1929 by the Canadian Pacific Railway in order to complement Union Station. After starting the project, the Group was tasked with redesigning the public spaces of this Beaux-Arts building for the hotel’s 90th anniversary. The firm decided to reference a golden age of rail travel. For instance, anchoring the lobby atrium, a blend of navy and copper hues, geometric Art Deco patterns, and Pullman car–style seating is a double-height, double-sided clock tower.

Le Bristol, Paris: 

Hippolyte Jammet founded Le Bristol in 1925, within a Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré mansion that during World War II held a secret air-raid shelter. Its natural light-filled guest rooms are fresh but opulent: a mélange of crystal, velvet, taffeta, and silk. In the daytime, a rooftop pool and garden spa, both Parisian rarities, compete with sightseeing; in the evenings, attention turns to the cocktails sipped on one of the sofas in the Pierre-Yves Rochon–designed bar.

The Siam, Bangkok: 

Bangkok can be a very energising and chaotic city, as for this, staying at the Siam can be seen as a delightful and reenergising experience. Private, pool-dotted courtyards can be seen as a relaxing departure from the city stress. Designed by Bill Bensley, the property arrived on the scene in 2012 and quickly received a lot of attention die to its unique Art Deco spirit. Antiques fill the suites, which are done up in palettes of black, white, and cream and fittingly accentuated by natural materials including wood, leather, and stone.

Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles: 

Originally opened in 1929, a tony Loire Valley château inspired this unique celebrity hangout as the first earthquake-proof apartment building in Los Angeles . In 1990s André Balazs took over the Chateau, thankfully preserving its romantic luster through elements like Gothic arched windows, wooden ceiling beams, and damask. All of the airy rooms, suites, cottages, and bungalows, as well as the dimly lit public spaces, evoke a hard-to-find Old Hollywood.

Zaha Hadid Architects Set to design Shanghai´s greenest building:

Zaha Hadid Architects has already designed some of the most innovative buildings in China, like Galaxy SOHO and the Guangzhou Opera House, and now the firm is building Shanghai’s greenest building. The project which has a strong focus on renewable energy will incorporate sustainability into the construction process and each element of its structure. 

The towers will house CECEP’s headquarters as well as a number of other innovative companies. A public park links all the elements of the campus and connects it to the city beyond. The landscaping will be irrigated using rainwater harvesting, which is just one of the sustainable features of the design. Moreover, the façade and roof will be outfitted with photovoltaics, which will connect to a micro grid and battery storage.

The planned design, which was chosen from an international design competition, is set to achieve more than 90 credits in China’s Three Star Green Building Rating system. This would be the highest score ever achieved in Shanghai. The construction would take around three years to complete and is expected to begin at the end of the year.

Lastly, here’s what Michele Pasca di Magliano, ZHA project director, states about the project:

“The client brief asked for Shanghai’s greenest building and we have responded to it by putting sustainability as the foundation of our proposal. We have developed some in-house tools to study the best massing and orientation of the buildings to ensure that the passive design is extremely efficient, minimizing solar heat gain and the façade-to-floor ratios. We have also worked very carefully on a shading solution that allows views towards the river while cutting out direct solar radiation. The project’s massing has a distinct character with a series of interlocking rings which make the project identifiable from the river and the bridge. At the same time these rings allow to break down the scale of the project and bring the public realm within the elevations of the buildings with a series of sky lobbies connecting the interior and exterior spaces.”

Design Dream - Judged by our CEO Theresa Obermoser

Our CEO and founder, Theresa Obermoser, was guest and professional interior design judge in Austrias Design Dream TV show !

The second season of “Design Dream” started on April the 15th in corporation with IKEA Austria on ProSieben Austria. In this upcoming season, 4 Austrian interior designers have to face various interior design challenges. The challenges are being judged by a different expert in each episode as well as the Head of Design IKEA Austria. 

In the first episode the participants challenge was to redesign a 45 square meter apartment as a team! Starting from the design proposal to the execution, everything was in their hands. Working as a team in a very short period of time (2 days) was a particular challenge for them as they all have different design backgrounds as well as tastes, The challenge was being judged by our CEO and founder, Theresa Obermoser, in corporation with the Head of Design from IKEA, Nicole Zangl. Theresa suggested them to sit together as a team and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each individual, as it is highly important to divide the roles accordingly in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. 

Over half a million people watched the first season of Design Dream and viewers were already patiently waiting for the second season. Moreover, Ikea Austria is particularly enjoying the cooperation as they can position themselves as interior design experts and inspire the viewer with various ideas. As for this, we are particularly proud of our founder and CEO to participate in the show and share her knowledge, opinion and outstanding taste. 

Tips for making your space while you’re homebound

Here are some inspirational tips to upgrade your home without going to a shop. As we take shelter, and spend more time than ever in our houses, we look at the best ways to stretch the space you have for your new trends. Turning your home into a warm and cosy sanctuary can significantly help you to make the upcoming weeks way more bearable. As the days stretch, it is time to think about comfort and sustainability. 

• Not making the bed 

Making your bed every day in the morning will make your entire place feel more pulled together.  People often forget to fluff the cushions – the cushions are functional, yes, but once you’ve curled up into them, bring them back to life with a good thump. A well-plumped cushion is a wonderful thing.

• Rearrange the future

Rearrange what you’ve got. Use everything you’ve got but shift it around and see how uplifting it can be to enter what feels like a new room. Move paintings, tables and furniture arrangements and never forget that shopping at home can be your most inexpensive resource.

• Think Comfort 

Your home has to be a sanctuary; as soon as you walk through the door your spirits should lift. If it feels that way to you, everyone who lives there will be affected. Style endures because it works. Quality’s ultimate value is the serenity that comes with style.

• Remember the sense of smell 

While the things you see and touch get the most attention in our homes, scent can also play a very important role. It is wonderful to find a room scent that you love. 

How Coronavirus will change our homes in the next decade - Melissa Penfold

The author, journalist and style expert Melissa Penfold spoke exclusively about how Coronavirus will change our homes in the next decade. 

Experts are predicting that the coronavirus epidemic will lead to “a global recession of a magnitude that has not been experienced before” and will eventually allow humanity to reset its values. Find out how we will slow down, get back to basics, and change the way we live, consume, entertain, decorate and travel, in ways we never imagined. 

COVID-19 may well drive many people back into their homes and speed of the modern world is over, allowing us a moment of contemplation and respite from the hectic daily rountine. Here are some of the points that Melissa Penfold highlighted on how our homes will change in the years ahead. 

• A quarantine of consumption 

We’ll be using what we have. Shopping our own house for things. Rejecting the commercial volcano of consumption to enjoy more humble aspirations. Trend forecaster Li Edelkoort says that “We’ll be trying old things in new ways at home and repurpose things in creative ways to simplify our lives.”

• Anti-excess consumerism 

As awareness of environmental damage rises, we will consciously be stepping back from the ledge of excess consumer culture.

• Slowing down 

The impact of the virus outbreak will force us to slow down the pace, work from home, entertain among close friends or family, learn to become increasingly self-sufficient and mindful. To keep the planet going we will make changes to the way we live, travel, consume and entertain.

• Improvisation 

Improvisation skills and creativity will become the highest assets. We already know that the design processes for fall/winter products are not happening as they should. Skype helps but we will have a lot of mediocre goods coming our way, just relying on former success formulas. 

• Comfort comes first

Our homes will increasingly become places that encourage mindfulness and foster wellbeing. People will want more from their spaces and strive to make it feel like a place of respite and relaxation.

• Back to the basics 

With wellbeing and sustainability on the rise, the biggest trend will be the use of natural materials and textures. Humble materials like hemp, rattan, cane, and jute can add a huge impact to a space without feeling trend-driven or overdone. More and more consumers well seek pieces that help them feel like they are saving the planet by being conscious of materials. 

• A place to unplug 

Renovators will be installing fewer electrical outlets in the bedroom, so they can’t be surrounded by plugged-in devices where they sleep. This intentional move cuts down on temptation and makes the bedroom a peaceful oasis. TVs will be removed from bedrooms as we invest in beautiful bedding, window treatments, and moody, soft lighting. The new trend will be for the bed to sit in the centre of the room or at least away from the wall so that you can move around it. 

5 of the worlds hottest hotels, according to Millennials:

From Palm Springs to Istanbul, Sydney to New Orleans, millennials are jetting around the globe at any time of the year. We found 5 hotspots that are especially praised and admired by the travellers of today. 

1. El Fenn - Marrakesh:

   One of our favourites is El Fenn. The boutique hotel is located in the heart of Marrakesh and consists of 28 colourful rooms. It is known and loved for its unique charm and style. 

2. San Giorgio Hotel - Mykonos 

   The party island is being praised by todays youth. San Giorgio hotel is known for its classic mykonian style and spirit. It portrays a collection of white-washed organic suite structures that open right out onto views of the sea.

3. Soho House - Istanbul 

   The hotel as such is already reason enough to travel to Istanbul. Set in a 19th-century palace, the architecture and interior of Soho House is absolutely mind-blowing.

4. Hotel Zeppelin - San Francisco 

   The hotel in San Francisco is known to be a millennial´s delight. This hideaway has a real rockstar feel, perfect for a millennial looking to escape daily routines. The place is located in the heart of San Francisco, with easy access to the cities best restaurants and shops. 

5. Boro Hotel - New York

   The beautiful boutique hotel offers a stunning view over manhattans skyline. Design lovers will fall in love with its decor as it creates a unique, urban and sophisticated atmosphere. 

Top Interior Design Trends for 2020

A new year means a fresh start and this portrays the perfect time to revamp your home. Here are a few trends that will help you to redesign your home:

Neutrals 

Neutral colours will stay in trend this year. What can we say? Neutrals come in pretty classic and serene shades, and most importantly, they’re not super busy. The prediction for 2020 sees warm neutrals making their way in, while cool tones slightly fade away. 

Black & White Interiors 

Black and white are the beginning and end of the colour spectrum. There literally couldn’t be a stronger contrast between colours. There are millions of ways to incorporate this yin and yang trend into your home decor. Black chairs and sofas, white throw pillows, chevron print & black and white marble.

Geometric Patterns 

Geometric patterns have been on an upward trend for years now. You can literally find them anywhere at anytime. It’s easy to overdo it, but don’t expect geometric designs to be going away anytime soon. That’s why 2020 is all about geometric balance. You can still make a statement with bold and vibrant geometric patterns.

#Viennacontemporary | Interview with Theresa Obermoser

This year the VIP Lounge from Vienna Contemporary was designed by our founder and CEO Theresa Obermoser. Vienna Contemporary talked to her about her unique influences and asked for some go to tips for Design Lovers.

Let’s start from the beginning. What was your path to becoming an interior designer?
It sounds so cheesy, but already as a child I loved re-arranging the furniture in my room weekly. I could never image I’d actually make a living doing that! So I’ve worked as a ski instructor, helped out in our hotel, studied business and even worked as a flight attendant on a private jet… This was until  I decided to followed my heat and take the risk of moving to London and diving into the interior design world.

You grew up in Kitzbühel. How did nature and mountains influence your taste?
I think as a nature girl, I am most creative when in the mountains. Also, I mostly work with sustainable brands and materials and always try to combine rustic elements with sophisticated elegant materials.

What are your go-to’s when you are in Austria? Top designer hotels/spas and restaurants?
Forsthofgut in Leogang for Spa. Skopik and Lohn restaurant changed their interior and added super cool wallpapers which I like very much. And, of course, our family’s hotel Tiefenbrunner in beautiful Kitzbühel.

What are the Austrian designers one should look out for?
Why only Austria? I admire Kelly Wearstler, Patricia Urquiola and as a big contrast I am a big fan of Peter Morino as well.

Now everything becomes more and more global, are there still trends in design which are regional? what does Austria bring to the scene internationally?
I think regional trends are exactly what makes Austria so charming. This little country has so many different cultures. Going to a restaurant in Vienna will give you a completely different experience than spending time in a mountain restaurant in the alps. What I think Austrians are really good at is enhancing the charms of history of a room or a building and mix it up with modern elements.

What are your core design principles?
Symmetry, functionality and comfort.

What are the most basic core elements one needs to make a beautiful space?
A comfy sofa, your favorite plant and good lighting on three levels (floor lights, wall lights and ceiling lights) .

If I gave you a living room and a budget of 2000 euros, what would you do to that space?
Buying the IKEA Frihiten sofa in dark grey and going to my favourite flea market to catch some bargains like a special photography, a couch table, a beautiful table book and invest in a fancy lamp design piece.

What advice would you give someone who is starting out with the decoration of his or her own home?
Starting with a pinterest moodpboard, setting a budget and a timeframe. Then start exploring the interior universe of the world wide web.

How should one shop for art on the walls?
I love to mix prints and real art. Mirrors and special objects from flea markets also bring uniqueness in your home. To me, it is very important that the frames work together.

What is your advice on matching everything?
It really heels to create a collage with all the items you already own and items you are planning to buy, this helps to really make sure all textures and colours will work together. If you like it, go buy them!

Vans launches exhibition space in Covent Garden boutique store

This year the first Vans Boutique store was launched in Europe. The idea behind the space downstairs is to create a community platform amongst residencies in London. The company is collaborating with creative partners that come in and take over the space while making it their own. 

Only two weeks ago, they were launching the first residency with KK Outlet, a much loved community in London which is really synonymous with creativity and supporting upcoming artists. The creative partner at KK Outlet, Dave Bell, explained how this precise exhibition space in Vans´ London store is used as a platform for emerging artists. The collaboration shows different exhibitions every month, beginning with one titled Everyday Play. Here, eleven artists were asked to use everyday objects to create pieces of art. 

With the creation of this community platforms, Vans provides a showcase to artists that you would never find in this area in London. 

The newest autumn 2019 interior trends for your home!

With leaves falling from trees and temperatures that decrease steadily, its time to cozy up!

As for this, we want to give you some tips and tricks regarding the latest interior design trends. This season, the focus is on Colour and creating a cozy atmosphere. Berry tones, peacock blues and black furniture are only some examples to make your home as comfy as possible.

House Beautiful Magazine has compiled 10 trends that will show you how to create exiting trends in your home this season.

1. Peacock Blue: The blue can easily be teamed with lighter colours such as light pink in order to prevent the blue from having a too strong influence on the overall space.

2. Black Furniture: According to Pip Prinsloo the Little Black Chair is predicted to be the style icon of the dining room.

3. Comforting Layers: The best way to bring charm and familiarity to your home is to layer up your accessories using a lot of textures and warming tones of navy and amber.

4. All the neutrals: For those who prefer a not so colourful space, using a mixture of oatmeal tones is the percent solution to create an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.

5. Blush and Green: The combination of these works very well together, as we have seen on multiple wallpapers.

6. All that glitters: Using metal in interior has been a tradition since a long time. We adore the warmth and subtlety that copper and silver can transmit.

7. Purple Reigns: The tone manages to create a dramatic but yet very comfortable mood at home.

8. Retro Graphics: The current obsession with all things old is stronger than ever and this can also be seen in interior trends this season.

9. Old Masters studio: Using pigment as the basis of paints has been used since decades and is becoming more and more trendy today.

10. Black Kitchens: Black adds sophistication and depth to your home and goes along perfectly with various wood tones in order to lift the overall look of the space.

Nudes designs Cardboard Cafe in Mumbai

Mumbai based Architecture studio Nudes, recently pulled off the first cardboard inspired cafe. Elements such as the walls, furniture and lampshades, were all precision cut from the biodegradable material. Several layers of this material were cut to produce curved, flowing shapes that extend from the walls. The tables were impregnated with a wax treatment to protect it from spillages and make them easier to clean. A technique of stacking cut pieces of cardboard, increases the strength of the material, which was used when designing the chairs. 

This is such an innovative and creative design, that has found a way to make use of a sustainable material in an amazing way. We all know how cardboard can be, so it was inevitable that they ran into some complications "Building with cardboard meant constant exploration and inquiry into material performance," however they have definitely pulled it off.

Founder of Nudes- Nuru Karim, wanted to showcase how versatile cardboard can be and is hoping for this project to start a dialogue on design’s role in a sustainable future.

Designing a Tropical Surfer’s Paradise

For it’s sixth season, we collaborated with Coppa Club to design and curate the transformation of their Tower Bridge terrace. This year we decided to go for a Surfer’s Paradise theme to warm the Summer months. One of the most noticeable additions is the Vintage VW Camper van bar from Beetle Juice, that sits in place of the front two igloos. This was a perfect fit to the theme and terrace, providing customers with amazing drinks and surfer’s vibes.

The pods also got a makeover by the wonderful team at Cameron Gardens. They dressed the pods with tonnes of leafy foliage and cute little hanging pineapples. We paired this with tropical plants supplied by Patch, that work together to create a lush paradise.

It wouldn't be a surfer’s theme without some surfboards. We gave them a splash of pastel colour and placed them around the terrace and entrance. We also used one of the surfboards to display the Bar Menu which leans casually against the camper van.

Another great aspect of this year’s terrace, is the ‘epic swing’. A bespoke surfboard swing that sits in the corner of the terrace, perfectly framing Tower Bridge- one of the many curated photo ops! A stainless steel ‘Surfer’s Paradise’ sign completes this little corner, along with tropical plants and rocks.

If you haven’t already, we highly suggest going down and enjoying a cocktail this Summer. Hurry, they're booking up fast!

New Bloom's at Kew Gardens

Creative glass genius, Dale Chihuly, has revealed his sculptures for Kew Gardens. His work consists of beautiful organic shapes, with multiple individual pieces of glass. The organic elements mimic the magical landscapes and vegetation of it’s surroundings.

The exhibition displays 32 artworks with ‘reflections of nature’ over 13 different locations. The main part of this exhibition is the 9m long pendant named ‘Temperate House Persians’. Flourished with intricate blue-green flowers, cascading from the ceiling.

‘Reflections on Nature is not just about glass displayed in greenery however – it is also a thoughtful display of Chihuly’s oeuvre that reveals how he works on a number of different scales. In the gardens’ Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, a series of drawings, earlier and smaller works and a long film do much to explain how Chihuly is inspired by nature and ‘how objects look in a space’ and creatively motivated by the notion of pushing glass to the ‘edge of its technical abilities’, until it ‘is so hot it is almost collapsing’.

This is definitely on our ’To See’ list!

How to make the most of the Easter Weekend

4 days off from work? Thinking about what on earth to do? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Today’s blog brings you tips on how to explore this Easter weekend.

First on the list is a pretty obvious one.. Visit one of London’s many beautiful Cathedrals such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. Whether you're celebrating or not, the details in the Architecture of these grand places are something to be admired by all. The weather forecast promises lots of sunshine, so make a day of it, get some culture in and enjoy the sites!

From exploring Architecture to hunting for Easter eggs. National Trust properties lend their generous grounds for you to rummage through for chocolate goodies. Cadbury’s biggest Easter egg hunt takes place over many locations and you can find your nearest one by typing in your postcode.

Lastly, it isn’t Easter if you haven’t eaten your body weight in chocolate. We suggest visiting one of the many Easter themed afternoon teas. Le Meridien in Piccadilly has a Peter Rabbit theme and set in beautiful glass atrium. ‘Served in the bright and airy Terrace On Piccadilly boasting a Victorian glass atrium with floor to ceiling windows and balcony overlooking Piccadilly, and decked out with an array of foliage, the setting perfectly matches Peter's tale. If the weather is good you can choose to take your Afternoon Tea on the grand balcony area outside, overlooking the bustling West End.’ 

Indulge in some delicious treats and make the most of your time off, before it all starts again on Tuesday!

Gucci's Pop Up Decor Apartment

One of the main events in the design calendar has come and gone with a bang. From nature inspired kitchens designed by Tom Dixon, to an 8ft sculpture of the Maesta Sofferente sat infront of Duomo di Milano. There were heaps of quirky, creative and inspiring installations with many great suppliers showcasing their designs at Milan Design Week.

Amongst the weird and wonderful, Gucci opened a pop-up apartment to house their latest houseware collection. The apartment itself can be described as Gucci overload, with maximalist decor covered in the brand’s signature patterns and prints.

The actual homeware collection is displayed in real life scenarios, depicting how they would be utilised. Gucci created lovely vintage scenes with such luxury and sophistication poured into them. Velvets, bold prints and a huge marble fireplace, help make this space feel majestic.

For anyone who missed it, the store will remain open till June.