Curiosity Chic

A history lesson or a trip down memory lane?  Neither, it’s an elegant space showcasing refined taste combined with a collector’s eye. 

Gathering together a collection is one thing, but displaying disparate items in attractive and cohesive style is a different challenge altogether.

We see shells, coral, fish and compasses. Lots of books.  Antique busts. The home of an intrepid explorer, an avid sailor or perhaps just an armchair traveller?

This corner is full of stuff, there’s plenty going on, but it actually comes across as a serene place to take a moment and savour life.  That’s because the varied elements share essential features that blend and complement each other, thus creating a pleasing, yet stimulating, experience for the eye.

The soft grey of the panelled walls provides a pleasingly neutral back drop. The pale parquet floor has detail but does not distract.  The strong black lines of the cabinet are repeated in the upholstery of the armchair, adding depth and structure.

Pale and interesting, the objects on display differ in size and scale – a very important feature. The shells wouldn’t be half as effective if they were half the size!  Slight shots of colour prevent things from becoming too bland; coral and lilac are always good options for adding uplift.

The romance of good old fashioned books will never be replaced by a Kindle, and their ability to add instant gravitas to a space can’t be underestimated.  Keep your books, gather more and most of all – read them!

Try Dulux Nolita for this shade of grey paint; our Polo armchair would work well in this space; check out our Caesar busts; try the Santa Barbara bookshelf for curiosity storage with style.

Woodland Wonder

 

 

Everyone loves this picture!  It simply expresses a feeling of freedom and spontaneity without artifice or design, something we all seek. 

The outdoor setting, the twinkling fairy lights, the casual table arrangement all speak of a happy event and a pressure free celebration.  This setting works so well because natural elements have been respected yet enhanced with more luxe elements – it wouldn’t be so chic if the plates were paper and the table cloth plastic.

To recreate this charming look try a clean, crisp white sheet for a table cloth, or select from our Crellini linens.  We have Lumberjack stump stools and tables which look fabulous for casual dining. The Cape Cod dining chair is wonderful in wicker.  Our Spice Trail throws and cushions will add a dash of colour. And as an alternative to fairly lights you could try a chandelier featuring battery operated real wax Flameless candles which will add magical illumination without blowing out at the slightest breath of wind.

Shelf Life

 

There's little in the world of storage that is as useful as shelving.  Perfect for books, ornaments, filing, music, nik naks, the addition of a few baskets or boxes practically turns shelves into cupboards.  Shelves are not too easy to put up though, even for seasoned handy men, what with getting angles and alignments straight etc., so we liked these ideas from housetohome.co.uk for making the most of shelving that comes in the form of book cases or shelf units. 

 

Place three open shelf units flush to the wall to create the look of built-in storage that doesn't dominate the room - and requires no DIY.

 

How to choose the right unit

 

* Allow 3cm to 5cm space above books so you can easily pull them out.

* For accessibility, go for units no higher than 21cm, with the top shelf at 180cm.

* Shelves should be 30cm wide to fit larger books and 20cm for paperbacks, CDs and DVDs. Leave 25cm to 30cm between each shelf.

* Hardback books are heavy, so need sturdy shelves. Slim shelves are only suitable for lighter paperbacks and ornaments.

Stylist's tip

 

Keep the wall colour light to contrast with dark shelving and provide a backdrop for ornaments.

 

Eco Chic's shelving is intended to be used as feature shelving, thus not ideal for this kind of treatment.  We do, however, have some lovely baskets and boxes that can add storage and individuality to any shelf or unit. 

 

 



Manly Swagger

 

 

What a great room!  A big show off of a room, but nonetheless a very successful boast.  It is instant Hollywood courtesy of Mr. Redford of course, but the other elements in the setting are equally as 'A' list.

 

We love the combination of tan leather with indigo blue and polished nickel - if the sofa had been black leather the overall look would have been quite different, sombre, downbeat almost. 

 

There's just enough symmetry in the room to create a pleasing effect but not so much as would make it rigid. 

 

And the carefully wrought balances are offset by irregularities such as accent chairs upholstered in denim; the shiny surfaces are juxtaposed with rustic textures like the driftwood item on the coffee table.

 

You can't go wrong with a dark wall coupled with a pale floor - and here the use of an enormous, pale area rug adds extra luxury.

 

Our Broadway sofa can be made in any leather, including tan.  Try the Manhattan coffee and side tables for a shiny statement pieces.  Two Istanbul table lamps would pack a punch in this room.  And you can always buy a pair of Aviator sunglasses and talk your favourite human into posing for the camera.....

 

 

Natural Zing

 

 

 

Take a look at this room, then cover up the yellow chairs. Quite different without them, isn’t it? The inspired addition of two snappy yellow armchairs takes this not so remarkable lounging area from naturally neutral to eye catching and individual. 

 

A clever design trick and one which doesn’t require too much commitment – after all, if you get tired of the yellow chairs, simply change them for another pair altogether and the room takes on a new look!

Effortlessly, this room allows us the impression it belongs to a well read, well travelled, eclectic collector with an artistic eye.

We love the case of coral, the bookshelves, the mounted display, the oriental references mixed with nautical and rustic and the lived in feel. Easy to imagine flopping into the sofa and flicking through a magazine.

We have some suggestions to help you recreate this room. Our Artique chairs come in vibrant yellow, the Voyager coffee table is classic trunk style, the Nest rug a sturdy all rounder, the Penthouse sofa is extra comfy and the Manor pendant light is like this one.

Ralph Lauren's Dining Room

 

 

 

An eye catching area to be sure, Ralph's dining room (as seen in Elle Decor) has plenty of space and style to recommend it and a good measure of manly swagger too boot.

 

We love the pendant light fixtures which look like they are on loan from the Fox Studios lot and are very unusual, but can't help wondering just how much light they would throw on an intimate dinner!?  Meals by searchlight wouldn't be too comfortable - bring on the candles!

 

The dining chairs look roomy and comfortable and it is interesting to see they match the dining table - we rarely like a matched set but here it does look entirely appropriate.

 

The zebra edging to the mirror echoes the leather of the seats giving a slightly safari edge to matters, intentional surely!  We like the artwork propped up against the mirror, too, as it gives a casual touch to the arrangement.

 

Without the bowls of flowers on the table the  style factor in the room would plunge - they are very important here to soften the setting and invite us in as well as breaking up the linearity with their organic shape and contrast colour.

 

Do you like this room? Whilst we would love to dine at Ralph's, there is something a little formal and cold about this room which doesn't suggest to us relaxed and convivial meal times.  The symmetry is rather too rigorous and there is a lack of warmth - an area rug would work wonders here as well as the aforementioned candles.

 

For dining inspiration, check out our dining tables and chairs; we have some wonderful pendant lights to offer; there are exotic framed mirrors to select from and unusual vases and bowls just waiting for your floral finishes.

 

 

 

 



Style in Spades!

New York designer Kate Spade's guest bathroom is a pleasure to behold and would certainly set us off on the right foot first thing in the morning.  The fresh feel and unusual combinations work together to make a relatively small space big on impact.
 

• You can't go wrong with classic white tiles in brick formation - timeless, practical and light enhancing.  Notice how the floors and wall are continuous.
• Crisp black and white – the perenial combination is simply marvellous here in the shower curtains - we love the tiered effect and are frantically looking for the same ourselves!  Who knows, maybe we will introduce these to Eco Chic soon....
• Playful elements mixed with period pieces - the fun wallpaper is kept from overbalancing into cute by the solid elegance of the claw foot bath and pedestal sink. 

 

Like the look?  Whilst Eco Chic can't help you with your bathroom hadrware, we do have mirrors, accessories and towels to personalise your home spa space.  And we'll keep looking for those must-have shower curtains....