Everything’s Coming Up Roses at Marks & Spencer 6 November, 2009
Posted by Bethany Wrede Peterson in Editors' blog.Tags: antlers, bright, colour, contrast, Cushions, fabrics, feminine, floral, M%S, marks and spencer, monochromatic, pattern, prints, Summer, textures
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think festive florals for your garden parties
We’ve not even closed in on Christmas yet, and already Marks & Spencer are armed and ready for summer 2010! For me, this is a much more highly anticipated time than the holidays (for a better explanation, check out my Spirit of Christmas Fair blog). I love to think of freshly cut grass, fragrant flowers, and plenty of sunshine when the days become gloomier as winter encroaches.
From what we’ve glimpsed at the Spring/Summer launches so far, 2010 will see homes bursting with non-commital colour in accessories, bold patterns and textures, and most ubiquitously: big, beautiful, floral motifs.
the bold and the beautiful – bright cushions for your bed or sofa
I loved these cushions piled up in the corner – like a little love den just waiting to be jumped into! A couple cushions will do the trick to inject a little punch into a dull living area, but don’t be afraid of going overboard this spring. Clashing patterns mixed with harmonious colours keep this arrangement looking eclectic and whimsical, not haphazard or unintentional.
sumptuous textures inspire cosy tactility in your living space
And, while I would never think of placing this crimson pouffe next to this amethyst armchair, M&S prove that taking risks and having fun with your interiors can really prove fruitful in the coming season. The blue undertones in both pieces means the two can co-exist without confusing your cones, while the chartreuse cushion lends a complementary contrast. (Learn more about how to successfully infuse colour into your home here.)
accessories get the girlie nod
Accessories will also see a touch of antiquated and feminine glamour. Think shapely perfume bottles from the wartime era and Old Hollywood Art Deco vases to put those cut flowers into.
get a more subdued look with muted tones
If washes of bubbly pinks and acidic greens seem a bit too much like shock therapy for your home, M&S will also cater to you. While big patterns are still thematic, this collection uses undertones of grey in its fabrics for a calmer, more stately look. And I loved this gorgeous upholstered folding screen so much that I’d have stuffed it in my handbag if it were just a little smaller!
light-reflecting accessories enhance this monochromatic scheme
If you’re the type that prefers a bachelor(ette) pad to the ultrafeminine, expect to find some edgier, monochromatic pieces up for grabs as well. The gazelle’s head is a new statement staple in the M&S collection, and this tone-on-tone patterned chair might easily be found in a sleek New York boutique hotel. The jury’s still out on that iridescent fish scale cushion, but we’re willing to bet you’ll be able to make it work.
While these fine young things won’t hit M&S stores for a while yet, you can be sure mydeco will have a fabulous selection as soon the season approaches. ‘Til it’s once again time to get back to the great outdoors, M&S and mydeco will keep your indoors fashionably stocked.
Deal of the day – over 70% off cushions 18 September, 2009
Posted by eleanorjoslin in Deal of the day.Tags: bargain, Cushions, Deal of the day, discount special offer, wallace sacks
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With plum being the colour of the season, why not snuggle up to this gorgeous striped silk cushion from Wallace Sacks in plum. It’s had a huge reduction of over 70% so now it’s only £10. At such a low price, how can you refuse?
Image credit: Wallace Sacks
Once again mydeco have had their beady bargain-eyes on the look out for yet another top Deal of the day. The lucky winners are these fab cushions which have had a huge £30 knocked off, spotted by our lovely Merchandising Editor, Anna. She has them sitting comfortably on her very own sofa so she can vouch for their luxurious quality and comfort – which isn’t reduced, needless to say!
Grab this great offer on Wallace Sacks’ striped silk cushions in green or orange too.
Browse more great discounts at our special offers page and outlet. In addition to our Deal of the day, check out our top ten deals this week. Happy bargain hunting!
Spending the night in Ben de Lisi’s apartment 10 September, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: bathroom, bedroom, ben de lisi, Ben de Lisi apartment, Ben de Lisi homeware collection, ceramics, Cushions, debenhams, garden, Grosvenor estates, hanging chair, Mayfair apartment, Park Lane apartment, retro
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Last night I was invited to snoop around the plush, Mayfair apartment that Ben de Lisi has re-modelled for Grosvenor estates.
Located just off Park Lane, the three-bedroom, 1,900 sq ft apartment has Ben de Lisi designed bathrooms and his own paintings and ceramics, as well other high-end pieces selected by the man himself. The swanky, champagne-filled launch party was last night, and I was more than happy to be amongst the throng.
Clutching my glass of welcome bubbly I head straight into a smart open plan kitchen. And am a little disappointed. The kitchen is immaculately finished and overlooks a cute private terrace, but the Ben de Lisi touch isn’t immediately apparent.
Sure, there are Tom Dixon pendant lights cutting an elegant silhouette over the table, and some striking ceramics in the acid brights that have characterised de Lisi’s Autumn/Winter collection. But for all the hype, I’d hoped for something more distinctive.
Heading to the living room, my hopes are realised. Glass tulip-shaped lights intertwine seductively on the walls, a Ben de Lisi designed, sleek, glass fireplace flickers quietly and a huge, retro, red leather pouffe invites me to lounge. Best of all is the back wall, which boasts a red and cream tree embroidered onto a chocolate brown backdrop. This is much more like it.
Down the open staircase, past the impressive stone feature wall (also de Lisi’s own design) are three bedrooms with gorgeous en-suite bathrooms – the largest a marvel in grey marble.
Of the three bedrooms, the master (above) is most definitely where de Lisi’s styling comes into its own. A second embroidered statement wall is the centrepiece of a boudoir that is all soft lights, squishy cushions and soothing hues. A hanging wicker egg chair dangles invitingly in one corner and french doors lead onto a private terrace with floor to sky mirrors. Bliss.
The two smaller bedrooms are less striking, although there are some funky cushions and plenty of interesting ceramics. But with the piles of stuff I hoard, I’m not sure that the storage space would quite cut it!
My tour over, I head to the huge shared garden at the rear of the apartment to share my verdict with the other guests as the evening draws in.
And what is my verdict? The apartment is perfect for those who are short of time and fat of wallet. Every room balances high-end with homely, and those where de Lisi’s influence is clear are gorgeous. But I can’t help thinking: with de Lisi’s new homeware collection now in Debenhams, who needs the man himself to recreate the look?
Atelier Abigail Ahern to launch quirky ‘Alice in Wonderland’ inspired range at The Shop at Bluebird 28 August, 2009
Posted by hollybarder in Editors' blog.Tags: art, Atelier Abigail Ahern, candlesticks, Cushions, hooks, vases
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Abigail Ahern has announced the launch of Atelier Abigail Ahern at The Shop at Bluebird on the King’s Road, a treasure trove of gorgeous lifestyle products.
The unusual new collection is a mix of whimsical and wonderful home furnishings very much inspired by Alice in Wonderland. It is set to debut on September 23 so you’ll have to wait until then to see the whole range, but here’s a sneak peek of what to expect.
Image Credit: Atelier Abigail Ahern
From adorable poodle and pelican ornaments to hand hooks (above) which double duty as vases and candlesticks, everything is extraordinaire. Other hard to resist items in the trendy range will include quirky bud vases, hippie to hip cushions and pop art (below).
Image Credit: Atelier Abigail Ahern
“To me home is all about having a space that is comfy but filled with stuff that makes you smile – witty, sophisticated and a little bit tongue in cheek,” Abigail said.
Check out Abigail on mydeco TV in our House Proud videos and learn more about her quirky style.
Let’s go outside 31 July, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: armchair, Cushions, Eco, garden, house prices, Karoo cushions, property, throw
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For despairing home-owners, July has brought a glimmer of hope. Not only is it the third month in a row that house prices have increased, but they are now higher than they were in January. With the increase set to continue, now is the perfect time to add extra value to your home, ready to cash in when you sell. And the best place to start? In your back garden.
Image credit: Roost UK (http://www.roostuk.com)
A new trend of contemporary garden buildings is hitting the UK, led by innovative fledgling company Roost. Inspired by drawings of an elliptical house by Eileen Gray, Roost’s first construction was a streamlined, eco-dream in oak (above). Further ‘roosts’ quickly followed, including a space age, fully insulated, aluminium clad construction, which houses a micro-kitchen, shower, loo and living area with space for a sofa-bed.
These beautifully crafted buildings are the perfect solution for any home-owner wanting to extend their living space without embroiling themselves in a stressful and costly extension. And according to a British study by ARA Research last year, the trend is set to increase by up to 25 per cent over the next three years, taking the market value of garden buildings to an estimated £155 million.
For anybody ahead of the curve and wondering what to include in their new retreat, I’d plump for a look that’s fresh and eco-friendly. Marks & Spencer’s sumptuously squishy Fern Armchairs are made from a combination of eco-materials, including timber sourced from sustainable forests and Fairtrade certified cotton. Team them with Cocomale’s pastel green throw and a generous smattering of Karoo Cushions from Missoni Home and feel the Great Outdoors fill your roost.
Run away to the circus 31 July, 2009
Posted by lucindamydeco in Editors' blog.Tags: Cushions, Dotmaison, earthy, Graham and Green, lantern, romantic
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I’ve never been a big fan of the circus. Dragged along to my first Big Top aged six I was creeped out by the clowns, pitied the lions and found the deafening Master of Ceremonies a little, well, irritating. But I was always fascinated by the ornate, gypsy caravans that the performers piled into post-show. Beautifully carved and painted in sugarplum hues, I always imagined they housed the entrance to a secret, fairytale land.
Image credit: Blaentrothy Cottages (http://www.cottage-holiday-wales.co.uk)
Well, it seems I wasn’t the only one to be enchanted; to my delight, the lowly gypsy wagon is making a comeback. An increasing number of space-poor, stressed out folk are snapping up the colourful contraptions to use as offices, playrooms (lucky kids) or restful hideaways in which to contemplate or create.
If you’re thinking of jumping on the gypsy band wagon, we’ve got plenty of ideas for decking it out. Get the Romany look pitch perfect with earthy Arenas and Guyana Cushions at Dotmaison. And if you and your other half are hiding out until sundown, Graham and Green’s antique brass Cutwork lantern is just the thing to add a little romantic twinkle.
So, whilst I’m a little put out that gypsy caravans don’t house the door to a fairytale world, they’re certainly a great way to escape the trials of this one for a while.
Sienna quits London 18 June, 2009
Posted by Doug in Editors' blog.Tags: boho, celebrity, chairs, Cushions, for sale, London, moroccan, property, Sienna Miller
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Sienna Miller has put her converted Victorian house, located near Marlybone, on the market for £995,000. In the limelight more for her controversial relationships and boho-chic dress sense rather than her questionable acting skills in films such as Alfie, she is blaming the constant throng of press that hound the house as the reason for her move. However, it’s doubtful she’ll be left alone for long wherever she moves to, especially if she carries on dating married men…
The Turkish themed basement of Sienna's London house
When she leaves London she’ll also be leaving a home that is a maze of Moroccan decor and lanterns yet is also quite stark and cluttered beyond the front door. The basement is filled with a colourful Turkish bath surrounded by alcoves of cushions but the rest of the house suggests that her interior style is as erratic as her love life.
The rest of her house is very different to her exotic basement
She has a collection of mismatched chairs and sofa’s and eclectic African art and lanterns, but they are dulled by the relatively bare and boring white walls and intruding ugly dark grey supporting beams. Let’s hope her next property will do her quirky and public boho-style more justice.
To look inside Sienna’s pad further, read a Sneak peek into Sienna Miller’s house, on the mydeco Celebrity page.
Her London pad is modern but can also look stark and uninviting
Heal’s Summer Sale 18 June, 2009
Posted by Doug in Deal of the day.Tags: bed, bed frame, bed linen, bedroom, bedside table, chest, Cushions, dining chairs, dining table, duvet, Heal's, sale, summer sale, wardrobe
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Keep pennies in your pocket by taking advantage of Heal’s fantastic Summer Sale which starts today and lasts until 26 July. Sale madness really is upon us as Heal’s is offering up to 50% off their products both online and in-store. There are even additional offers such as 10% off sale and non-sale items until 25 June if you use the promotions code PD0609 at the online checkout. A brilliant incentive to start bargain buying immediately. And there’s no need to tire out your heels (cringey pun intended!) or heave through the crowd of sale die-hards. Simply peruse their bargains to your heart’s content and from the comfort of your own home with a little help from mydeco:
Heal's Luca walnut dining table is a bargain and looks great with yellow accessories
Spend more money on the food when you save on Heal’s Luca dining table in oak as well as American walnut. Heal’s have surpassed their sale offer as these tables both have a huge discount of 51% and are now £845 and £945, respectively. Complete the set with the Luca dining chairs in walnut with leather seats, now £145. Heal’s Moda range is also in the summer sale. The ultra modern high gloss white Moda dining table is now £895 and the dining chairs in brown leather are £175 each. If you’re looking for sleek and modern bedroom furniture, look no further than the Strip range, such as this four drawer wide chest which has been reduced to £895 from £1,795, or bedside table, half price at £250. The Strip range of furniture is also available in white high gloss lacquer and the Strip white wardrobe is more than half price at £1,195, as is the Strip kingsize bed frame at £895. If you want something more traditional, the Warwick range is made from natural ash wood. The five drawer chest is now £695 and the Warwick wardrobe ash finish is £895. The whole Warwick range has 50-51% off the original price, including the kingsize bed frame in walnut stained ash wood (£695). And you can snuggle up in a colourful Kaleido kingsize bedlinen set for only £90. Equally as colourful are the Christy Island Sea Rimini bath towel (£20) from Heal’s is also available in bright pink and white. Douppion silk cushions (£20) are also available in exotic Cassis, Indigo, bright red, sunset orange and Kingfisher blue as well as others. Why choose just one? With these huge discounts, such brilliant bargains will cushion both your house and your purse.
Happy belated Birthday to the Queen! 16 June, 2009
Posted by cleberry in 3D room design.Tags: bed, bedroom, beige, boutique, british, chair, cream, Cushions, decadent, lamp, queen, royal, rug, sumptuous
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It’s that time of year to say Happy Birthday to the Queen, as Saturday was her official birthday!
To celebrate we ran a 3D rooms competition whereby we asked everyone to design a birthday bedroom for the Queen.
Check out the beautiful winning design by user tugche_1987 below.
We love the subtley decadent touches in the soft, sumptuous shades and shapes which we love and think the Queen would too!
If you would like to enter a competition, then head to the competitions page here.
Cool Britannia 16 June, 2009
Posted by Doug in Editors' blog.Tags: Britain, Cushions, deck chair, fashion, summer trend, throw, Union Jack
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Carry on celebrating the Queen’s ‘official’ birthday, which was on 13 June, by adorning both your boudoir and your body with her Majesty’s flag this summer. Designers and celebrities alike have been parading this patriotic trend since the spring, with Converse, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood making the flag very rock and roll on the catwalk and Pixie Geldof has also been working the British grunge look with knee high tights and Topshop’s cracked Union Jack tunic.
Debenhams Union Jack canvas cushion
As Debenhams is also embracing British patriotism, with their feather-filled Union Jack canvas and chenille cushions and bright Union Jack throw, anyone can praise our country in comfort as well as in style. Make a note of Jane Hornsby’s velvet Union Jack cushions, which are available in multiple colourways from notonthehighstreet.com and Beth Stevens’ black and red Fab Love cushion which is cute yet funky, rocking the trend with the flag appliquéd into the heart shaped ‘o’. You can also take this season’s patriotism outside by relaxing in the comfort of Lost and Found’s Union Jack double deckchair, handmade from fabric as vintage as our very own Queen.
Lost and Found Union Jack double deckchair from Pedlars
