I have spoken of my love of grey’s in numerous previous posts and there seems to be no end to the obsession!
These images via the most beautiful blog Sanctuary are magnificently moody. (Although these images are not taken by the blogger (as far as I know) she is an unbelievably inspiring photographer …reading her blog makes me want to whip out my camera and rush around taking photos!! )
While not strictly all grey, this last image is utter perfection with all the warmth and textures going on…this room really and truly looks like a home and not just a styled room.
All images via Sanctuary and originally via Elle Decoration.
I know I been absent for a while……I have been busy trying to finalise a few details for my two big projects I am currently busy with and also all the furniture I mentioned in a previous post!
I have been obsessed with Swedish , Norwegian and German blogs lately…wow, but those chilly countries certainly inspire incredible creativity! I love their style and I am fascinated how most of the decor is predominantly white, accented with dark greys, taupes and black. Very, very stylish and incredibly easy to live with.
image via villa von krogh blog
They also seem to combine a lot of vintage items with good old Ikea furniture…..although I am not a huge fan about most Ikea furniture, I do think that that it is the easiest and most cost effective way to add “trendy” furniture to your home without breaking the bank. (My sofa is from Ikea and I love it…I searched for about 6 months to find something I could just flop into and I finally found it at Ikea of all places….)
image via my home inspiration blog
I am sure it also helps to have loads of markets and fairs to source gorgeous vintage European pieces…something we really lack here in the Middle East! I love all the neutral tones…the key, as always with white rooms and white decor in general, is to layer with textures and tones and these very talented ladies seem to do this beautifully, with different tones of white and off-white.Then there are the natural greys and taupes of cane and wicker , plants and slubby linens….delicious! Add a punch of black or charcoal and you get magic…..perhaps its the light in these Nordic countries that is very white and which just seems to highlight the beautiful combination of these colours……..
image via my shabby chic house blog
Take a look at these gorgeous blogs…they really have some amazing creative ideas and photos!
The hotter it gets in Dubai, the more my thoughts turn to cool interiors….for the next three or four months, most of our living will be done indoors as temperatures soar into the high 40’s and sometimes 50degrees C during the summer months. This year I am going to try to actively plan activities to do indoors like sorting out photos, scrap booking, doing some paintings and making over my portfolio. Anything to stay out of the heat…..with that in mind, I found these images in my digital inspiration folder and thought that I should share them.
image via garbo interiors sweden
To me, nothing looks as cool and welcoming in the heat as linen or cotton sheets….this bed looks gorgeous and exactly what we need in this heat and humidity. I also love the framed prints in the background!
unknown source
Some more linen….this time a skirted table which I think is a really elegant way of creating some extra hidden storage under the skirt! I love the colour of this linen too….so neutral! I am working on a project at the moment for a family home which has a French tone and this is the exact colour linen I am looking for to upholster their sofas in the living room.
I also love the “bar set up on the table….with my favourite gin of course! What is better than sitting back and relaxing with an ice cold G & T with a wedge of lemon…….I can hear the clink of ice cubes!
I found these beautiful images on a new blog called Bright Bazaar …they are part of The White Company‘s Spring/Summer catalogue….I love them….the styling is absolutely gorgeous and the look is simple and fresh ….
image via Bright Bazaar
Can’t you feel the cool breeze in this image……..the smell of the sun on fresh laundry….there is nothing better!
image via Bright Bazaar
I want to rush out and have new curtains made, paint all the walls white and paint all my furniture!Oh well, I suppose that is what inspirational image are for…to make is see things in a different way……
image via beautifulism blogThis gorgeous image is from a lovely blog I found recently called Beautifulism and this fabulous house featured is the home of Spanish interior decorator Eva Martinez….this veranda ticks all the right boxes for me…colour (grey again), texture(note the roof) and pattern(subtle stripes) and as for the image on the far wall…..I could happily move in right away….the other thing I love about this house is that everything has a patina of age and use, and it all blends so beautifully. I sometimes feel that very contemporary homes have no soul because everything is new and shiny and perfect….there is a lot to be said for a bit of peeling paint and things which have been used well.
A Decorator's Notebook 