All posts tagged: scandi

A successful trip to Ikea… and a tiny intro to ‘Scale’ in interiors

Published by Karen Knox

One of the things I try and do at home is to buy furniture that’s in keeping with the period of the property. Our 3 bed, semi is 1960’s, so late mid-century. I’m in no way trying to recreate a 1960’s home, that’s not me, I prefer to mix up design styles and eras as they tend to create the most interesting spaces…. BUT I do think post war houses (generally with lower ceilings and no period features of note) look best with mid-century or Scandinavian style furniture. It’s clean, un-fussy, uses lots of natural materials and the size and scale of that furniture works with the 2.4m ceilings and smaller room sizes of that era… and those that followed. This kind of touches on a whole post i’m still in the process of writing all about ‘Scale’ in interiors. Because some people get it a bit wrong and then wonder why their room feels “off”. It’s very subtle, but a room with the wrong size and scale furniture in just doesn’t work as it …

The Loft Bedroom – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

We did it! We have our new loft bedroom, all done and ready to rock. Four months after we started our build, i’m finally able to share the final reveal photos with you. I’m going to warn you right now, this post is PIC HEAVY. Initially I took about 70 photos. I know. That’s ridiculous. I’ve managed to whittle it down to about 30. Still far too many, but ya know what, just scroll along if any aren’t floating your boat. Here’s where we were back in September 2016: And here was my plan for the bedroom: Ok. So here we go. Do come in… The view from the landing into the bedroom. Gets me every time. Chooch the cat, can not get enough of this room. Mainly because she’s got a load of new rugs and blankets to paw at and ruin. We had to be clever with space here as we were limited with how much width we had with the two chimney stacks bookending each side of the bed. The Factorylux Maria Banjo wall …

To ply or not to ply – A floor quandary

Published by Karen Knox

We’ve uhmmed and ahhed about what to do with the loft bedroom flooring for ages now. As i’m going all out Scandinavian for the bedroom design, a blonde wood floor seemed the obvious choice. But then, to save some money and get this room finished in time for Christmas, we played around with the idea of simply painting the chipboard subfloor black (to which the builder just sighed and shook his head). After going around in circles for several weeks, mentally noting the pros and cons of both options, we finally decided on floor boards. Done. Having an actual floor laid meant I finally got to work with my fave joiners again, Bare Joinery. Which is always a pleasure, as they’re always up for a challenge and happy(ish) to experiment with materials, the design, the process, and most importantly, they don’t sigh and shake their heads at my less than conventional ideas. Not within view anyway. Our plan to lay floorboards sounds pretty standard, apart from the fact I didn’t want them to be actual floorboards, as …

#Stairporn in da house – The Loft Extension Wk 13/14

Published by Karen Knox

Anyone who knows me or has bumped into me for the past week will know that they have not been allowed to mention the ‘S’ word. Anyone who has dared, has been given this face: I think it’s fair to say, at this point, the builder and I have no secrets about not enjoying working together. I’m not really that bothered by this. I’m not here to make friends, i’m here to get this build done and finished at some point in my lifetime. As you all know, the one piece of the puzzle we’ve been waiting for it the ‘S’ word. Maria Prästgårdsgata 43 – Styling: Thomas Lingsell, Photography: Andy Liffner I wrote a post months ago full of inspiration for our soon to be staircase. We loved the idea of a simple white stringer with blonde timber tread. Specifically birch plywood. If you like a bit of #Stairporn like me, I’d highly recommend a read of the post here. There are some beautiful flights of fancy to ogle. Geddit? Back to our slightly less glamorous interior: What should have taken 2-3 …

The elusive black tap

Published by Karen Knox

As you may have twigged by now, we’re currently in the middle of our loft conversion. The design of the two new spaces are a mix of Scandinavian and industrial design. Simple, raw materials, paired back with mainly a monochrome scheme. It was easy to add black to the bedroom. Sliding timber doors, furniture, window frames, bedsides… but it was more difficult to add it to the bathroom. Bathrooms by their very nature have a lot white in, what with 99% of ceramic sinks, loos, shower trays and baths being white (why is that?). Pair that with the chrome finish of nearly all taps, bottle traps, wastes, showers etc. and you’ve got a pretty restrictive palette to work around. I knew I wanted a black bathroom tap, but man, they’re not an easy find. And the more difficult it was for me to find one, it just made me want one more. I WILL FIND A BLACK TAP (and waste, and bottle trap). Around the same time as I was on Tap Hunt, one of my …

My Ikea picks for A/W 2016

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve been busy perusing my Ikea catalogue since it popped through our letterbox last week. I can’t lie. I’ve earmarked about fives pieces that I simply must have, touch, use in a project. Ikea have released some killer pieces that are totally on trend, in fact a little ahead of the game. Let me show you what made my tummy smile. There were two that caught my eye from the VIKTIGT range: VIKTIGT Chair “The seat is woven of paper cords, which is both sturdy and comfortable to sit on. Each piece of furniture is unique as it is handmade.” Ethnic interiors have shot off like a rocket this year. Since Ikea released the SINNERLIG collection by Ilse Crawford last year, softer and natural materials like, bamboo, rattan and wicker have been everywhere. With this mix of materials and clean Scandinavian lines, Ikea make it a doddle to add these pieces to your existing decor. This is such a stand out piece and for £40 they won’t be in stock for long. I tell thee. VIKTIGT Hanging Planter The #UrbanJungleBlogger’s favourite. Ran out …

An Eclectic Living Room – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Ages ago, back in April, I introduced you to some of the projects I was working on. I can’t always feature every project on the blog. Not because I don’t want to, but time doesn’t always allow me to. Well, that…. and an angry dog that didn’t really like me being in the room I needed to work in. This is the room, on my first visit: It had a great log burner, original chimney breast and stripped floorboards, big bay window and some lovely pieces of furniture. The homeowner’s love of white, vintage finds and Scandi design (baskets) was more than apparent. But she just wasn’t feeling this space at all and couldn’t quite work out why. It’s a north facing room, so doesn’t get the best light. Flat white and grey weren’t doing this space any favours. Their plan was to keep it minimal. But it kinda just felt a bit cold and unfinished. The two seating areas felt disconnected and the L shaped sofa was awkward in the space. So how did I make …

The Office Refit – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

Remember the office refit I was working on? Here’s a lil recap: “I’m working with Visibilis, an Integrated Digital Marketing Agency. It’s my first dip into working in a commercial premises, but it’s good and am enjoying the experience of scaling up! The team of staff has reached capacity at their current office space prompting the move to a new, larger purpose-built office space in a swanky part of Leeds City Centre.” Before And here it was in March. A huge empty space, ready and waiting for its lovely, new residents. A month later, the layout had been solved, colour scheme decided upon, furniture had been ordered… You can read more about the project brief, colour scheme, layout and shopping list here if you’d like to check out the finer details. But to catch you up quickly i’ll post a few pics to give you the low down. Lots of paint + A load of brushes…. …. + Frogtape… + A design from inside my busy mind = Turned out pretty good. If I do say so myself. **performs frilly bow** At …

The addiction is real…

Published by Karen Knox

…But at least this addiction is affordable. Ish. I’ve been spreading the love about Netto, for a few months now over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The Danish discount food store might not be the first place you might think of when it comes to design, interiors or home decor, but after flicking through my Instagram feed i’ve realised just how many amazing finds i’ve had from there. Some for work and some for home, either way, it seems i’ve found a lot of lovely pieces. I’m lucky enough to have a Netto about a mile away, so I pop in every week for a hunt. They have new pieces come in store each week. Once they’ve sold out, that’s it. If they’ve not sold that week they’re discounted by 50%. So you can get some ridiculously good prices if you drop in at the right time. Let’s have a peep. Instagram pics first: Scandi framed alphabet picture £2.50 (I got a couple of different designs). It’s currently in the “Holding Area“, Destined for a project. …

The Office Refit

Published by Karen Knox

Remember me introducing you to the office refit project i’m working on? Yes, that’s the one. Well things are moving forward rather nicely now. And i’ve got stuff to show you. I’m working with Visibilis, an Integrated Digital Marketing Agency. It’s my first dip into working in a commercial premises, but it’s good and am enjoying the experience of scaling up! The team of staff has reached capacity at their current office space prompting the move to a new, larger purpose-built office space in a swanky part of Leeds City Centre. So swanky in fact, you need a small bank loan to be able to afford the parking outside. Anyway, enough about me and my parking issues… My brief: Personalise the space. Solve layout. Plan an office that can hold 12 desk spaces. Use two existing Ikea desks and office chairs Include space for wall monitor. Add colour. But something light. Scandinavian style seemed to be ticking the boxes. Source affordable lighting that didn’t take up desk space or need wiring in. Add a break out …