All posts filed under: Trends

How to live with Living Coral – Pantone’s choice for 2019

Published by Karen Knox

Living Coral!? Well that was a nice turn up for the books wasn’t it? After the disastrous announcement of Ultra Violet for 2018, (so bad I didn’t even write about it) and Greenery back in 2017 (which I did write about, mainly because it meant I could add a picture of Kermit to my blog), Pantone have finally relented and given us something we can get our teeth in to for 2019. It’s a real pop. And not one for the faint of heart. But actually, Coral is one of the easiest colours to add into your interiors. Don’t believe me? Well, come and see how some of my brilliant colleagues from the Interior Design Collective have worked their magic with Pantone’s chosen hue for 2019. GREAT WITH BLUE Given the UK’s love of blue, partly because of the ease it fits our UK rooms (we have very blue, light here), coral is the perfect accent colour with blue as they sit opposite one another on the colour wheel, otherwise known as complementary colours. Now, …

Ted Baker & British Ceramic Tile – New Designs Definitely Worth a Look

Published by Karen Knox

It’s not the first time British Ceramic Tile have featured on these pages. I worked with them back in winter 2016 on our loft conversion. I was lucky enough to use their Marble and Black Hex tiles in our loft bathroom. Chooch on the loo in our Loft Bathroom… The beautiful Marble Hex tiles were used again the Trumpet Family Bathroom (because the homeowners fell in love with them from seeing them in my own bathroom). Well, British Ceramic Tile, are releasing some rather exciting new designs by long time collaborator, Ted Baker. There are three designs that I think you lovely lot, need to see, because they’re ace. And normal people can afford them – hoorah! Indigo Blocks – £39 m2 These ceramic tiles give some of the mega expensive handmade, cement tiles a serious run for their money. The indigo blue with soft off-white provides a classic colour scheme to any wall or floor. Each pack of nine tiles contains an assortment of four different designs, so the end result is completely up to …

Cork is for life, not just for coasters

Published by Karen Knox

Hello hello, how are you all this week? I have a couple of public announcements to make before I get stuck into this week’s blog post, so please bear with me… 1. Sorry for missing last week’s post everyone. I had the lurgi and tonsillitis so I spent most of last week moaning and watching Netflix. I’m just about back on it now, so i’ve got a lot of catching up to do! 2. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! To those that voted for me in this year’s Amara Interior Blog Awards, you did it. You got me shortlisted for Best Interior Designer Blog, so i’m off to the awards ceremony later this month. Eeeek! I can’t tell you how happy I was. Thank you so much once again! You guys are total legends 🙂 So onto today’s post. It’s about cork. Admittedly it might not sound that exciting, but you’d be wrong. I love cork and not just because it normally comes with wine or fizz. The use of cork in interiors is …

Would you go nude? – The interior trend that’s barely there – Nude Walls

Published by Karen Knox

So yeah, a bit of a click-baity title I admit. No bums, boobs or body parts to see here people. It’s all about the nude walls today. Monument, New Black, and Temple Maybe it’s all this gorgeous weather we’re having that’s got me focussing on just how pale my pins are (like, really!) but since writing the Paint and Paper Library post where this picture above featured, i’ve been busy researching the best fleshy toned, nude paint colours out there. Because if you don’t already know, pink or “blush” aint going anywhere for a while… it is however, getting a little darker than those candy sweet pinks we’ve seen over the past four years or so. Think flesh tones, American tan tights, foundation samples, a touch more terracotta, peach… or dare I say it, “beige”. Yes, neutrals are on their way baby, but not in a boring way. Oh bloody hell no siree. Check out some of the best nude shades i’ve found and note how these barely there, neutrals can really pack a punch. …

SPÄNST collection – Ikea Collaborates with Chris Stamp

Published by Karen Knox

Ikea have released some rather impressive collaborations so far this year, with the SPANST collection due to land this May. So not long to wait. It’s a capsule collection of “lifestyle” influenced furniture, lighting and decor, where the fashion conscious are very much in mind. In collaboration with fashion designer, Chris Stamp, the founder of ‘Stampd‘ a brand known for its meticulous attention to detail with designs that embody modern youth culture. The Stampd brand focuses on quality and the minimal, urban aesthetic. Its flagship store based in the heart of LosAngeles, sells its line of clothes and accessories all over the world. A number of items from the collection were also designed by Maja Ganszyniec, a frequent IKEA collaborator since 2014. Together they explored the changes and needs of young homes today, with a special focus on active, urban lifestyles. Maja has collaborated on several Ikea designs, including the HJÄRTELIG collection which was released last month. Chris and Maja met for the first time in New York to find alot of their design ideas were …

Matalan, you dark horse, you!

Published by Karen Knox

So there I was, hunting for some home decor and accessories to style a couple of bedrooms i’m working on. Budget is tight which obviously limits where I can look. Matalan isn’t somewhere that’s really on my radar, i’ve never really had that much luck there and never ordered online from there either. But I randomly ended up on their site on Friday night (rock n’ roll) and was pleasantly surprised. Matalan are upping their game, so much so I had to write a post all about ’em. Here are some pieces that I think you guys might like… Nomad Textured Cushion – £12 Could easily be by House Doctor (with the House Doctor price tag) or one of the other delicious Scandi brands, but it’s Matalan as part of their Nomad range, which you will see more of as you scroll down. Nomad Textured Cushion – £12 Great for those bohemian lovers out there and for £12 a pop you can’t go wrong. Double Sided Mongolian Cushion – various colours and sizes – £10-15 Absolutely brilliant …

ABC in the Bathroom (Anything But Chrome)

Published by Karen Knox

If you’re currently planning a bathroom refit and looking to break with convention and not go down the easy route of chrome brassware… you’ll soon experience what I refer to as The ABC Nightmare. Anything But Chrome. Black and Brass are currently the choix du jour and has been for a while but the market is taking some time to catch up. As you already know our loft bathroom was graced with a black tap, bottle trap and waste from Olif. The Minimo Matt Black Tap is still available on their website, which they’ve recently revamped, so definitely worth a look. They also do gold, copper, bronze and anthracite taps… basically, Anything. But. Chrome. So sourcing a black tap for our loft shower room wasn’t too bad… but could I for the life of me find a shower or a shower screen with black fittings (that wasn’t a million ££’s)? No. No I couldn’t. But guess what? They’re finally trickling down onto the market, so I thought i’d save you a month’s painful search and pop ’em all here for …

Abigail Ahern x Wayfair

Published by Karen Knox

Pretty exciting news today peeps, i’m super chuffed to play a small part in the launch of Abigail Ahern’s very own curation for Wayfair. **does little dance** Ms Ahern has personally selected a small selection of gems from Wayfair so you can create her iconic look at home. Image – Abigail Ahern x Wayfair Designer Abigail Ahern has been hailed as one of the most trend-setting names in interiors – a style disruptor with a fearless approach to home design. In her collaboration with Wayfair, Abigail’s signature moody palette is given an earthy twist, with slick urban furniture meeting raw and rustic elements, eclectic accents and statement lighting, for a look that’s packed full of character yet surprisingly affordable. I’ve worked with Wayfair a couple of times already, which included curating my own selection in January 2016. They offer a mammoth selection of affordable homeware, all with free shipping, so perfect for an impulse purchase. Just some of the items that made it into the Abigail Ahern x Wayfair Collaboration As part of the launch, …

Anaglypta – It’s back in a big way

Published by Karen Knox

For those of you in the know, you won’t need any convincing about Anaglypta. Yes, that wallpaper we were all moaning about having to strip off our walls back in the 80’s. Well it’s back. In a big way. But for those of you that might need a little arm twisting, here I am, happy to get physical and twist away. Check out these images. Maybe they’ll make you see Anaglypta in a whole new light. Derby Now, this is probably how you remember it best. Normally white or off white. But here, paired with a concrete floor, industrial furniture, warm wood and metallics, it couldn’t look much different to the days of your nan’s front room. Imagine your nan having this light. And styling up the writing bureau… Egon Anaglypta was developed by Thomas Palmer over 130 years ago. The name being taken from the Greek, for ‘raised cameo’. Lincolnshire Brick It’s the perfect compromise between pattered/multicolour wallpaper and painted, plastered walls. Anaglypta gives your room some dimension and depth plus the option to …

My six picks from La Redoute

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve not done a round up post for a while, so I thought i’d pop a cheeky one together conclude this week’s blog offerings. This time it’s pieces from La Redoute (you know how I love that place). Up first is the Orbiana Table. Orbiana Table Desk With it’s tapered, mid-century line, the Orbiana sits up to eight people. But it also has a little extra up its sleeve. The Orbiana table desk. An ingenious large dining room table with contemporary lines for up to 8 guests. Its fold-down leaves provide 2 workspaces. Simply fold back one or two of the leaves held in place by antique brass hinges and you’ve got a work space you can tidy away in about 30 seconds. Worth looking at if you’re on the hunt for a living/dining/work space solution. £899 Next up are cushion covers. Busby Cushion Cover Admittedly, they’re not going to change the world, but they come in cool colours and have Pom Poms on, something i’m a bit obsessed with at the moment. In fact, I made …