Pretty tempting

This time of year is all about predictions and resolutions, especiially when it comes to decor. If you ask me I predict lovely slightly worn out ice-creamy colours will be hot, and I resolve to keep my decor as interesting and as vintage-filled as possible. Talking of predictions, Sico did a lovely job with their colour palettes for 2011, making the three looks they picked very tempting indeed. My fave is Inviting, that's the first one (LOVE the idea of a big patch of colour on the wall), followed closely by the second palette there called Dazzling, just for the sheer colourful hell of it. And finally, a look called Authentic, which - while it's perhaps the least 'me' - has a relaxed time-worn vibe and a great handsome feel to it. Which do you like, and are you feeling inspired to paint?

Spring has sprung

Right now I'm sitting in Vancouver, amazed at all the blossoms on the cherry trees, stunned by gorgeous tulips in full bloom and gobsmacked by a rather warm breeze that doesn't have any clue what 'wind chill' is. Yep, it'll be short lived, since I'm only here for a day on the last stop of a whirlwind tour for Graham & Brown wallpaper (I was in Calgary yesterday, and Edmonton the day before). A major shout out to all the great folks I've met along the way, including everyone at Breakfast Television and Shaw TV !

Spring is definitely springing, and not just in balmy Vancouver. These gorgeous snaps of what HomeSense is offering up this coming Spring and Summer are a lovely taste of warmer days to come and have a bright and fresh vibe to them, oh, and they were shot by my talented mate, photographer Angus Fergusson. I'm totally loving those antiqued metal chairs and the knit ottoman (they're definite hot picks), as well as the smashing shadow box framed butterflies!

Spring awakening

Funnily enough my sister posted about Spring 2010 this morning over on the her fashion reporting blog, Blink London, and I'm loving all the vintage chintz and mod florals she's been seeing. So, yep, here's a taste of Spring from me. In fact, to be exact, it's a taste of April, which is when Ikea's outdoor lines hit the floor (and sell out in minutes as usual, lol). The shot shows a sneak peek of a collection called Blanko, and the mix of bright white, cherry red and a lovely turquoise-y blue - the key colours for Ikea's Spring/Summer look - is totally whetting my appetite for warmer weather.

F&B's 4 takes on '10

Here we go, a bit of a look forward (hopefully past lots of nasty wintry weather) into the gorgeousness that will be 2010 from Farrow & Ball, since the nice folks there have come up with 4 key colour trends for next year that all sound - and look - simply lovely.

From the top, Industrial: A strong but fragile fusion of colour which slides tradition up against modernity and is inspired by industrial architecture. Next on the block is Aquatic: A soft, watery palette inspired by the elements which is a palette that starts out with an inky blue then softens to something more tranquil. Then we move into a stronger, more fashion-forward and graphic direction in dramatic plums and greys for Urban Decay: A vibrant scheme with an unpredictable twist. Finally, on the more opulent tip of things you'll find Glitz & Glamour: A decadent look that celebrates excess with lots of gold and hints of Middle Eastern influences.    

     

   

A little sketchy

In a case of oh, that reminds me of... here's a recycled cardboard play house by Magis (btw, since I'm a Brit I'd call it a Wendy house) and a slipcovered sofa by Established & Sons. The Villa Julia play house, designed by Javier Mariscal, is made for your little sprogs to have a go at with markers and crayons; though it does look awfully nice in pristine black and white. That sofa, aptly named Brick & Mortar by designers Richard Woods and Sebastian Wrong, looks fab in a high-contrast b&w brick pattern, though for purists it's also available in red brick too (though I am a fan of white painted brick, lol). What do you think - Will we be seeing more products that have a sketchy black-lined colouring book feel?