Bathing Beauty

We are wallpaper fans at Eco Chic, as it’s a very effective way of transforming a room without structural changes. Just think of the dramatic results achieved by wallpapers offering such things as faux brick finishes, library shelves and scenic vistas. 

Alternatively, more subtle changes can be brought about with an unusual wallpaper creatively used, as shown in this bathroom from House Beautiful. 

Such a dominant wallpaper isn’t an obvious choice for a small space, but one of the golden rules of decorating is to use large scale features in small rooms as it opens them up and lends an air of grandeur.  The sprawling botanic design of this paper is beautifully complemented by the dark tone of the ornate mirror and flattered by the charming floral arrangement displayed in a mercury glass vessel. 

The neutrality of the marble vanity works well with the duck egg blue tones of the wallpaper, providing contrast as well as crispness.  And of course the white touches in the lampshades and towels provide a bit of light relief. 

What do you think of this Cole & Son Orchid wallpaper – bravely botanical or boldly brash? Does it make the room and break the mould or is it not to your taste?  Do tell!

Did you know?  Eco Chic can source and supply wallpaper for you?  Seen something you love and want - just e mail us and we will assist!



Take a Leaf

Flowers are considered luxuries but perhaps should be viewed as essentials.  They are so uplifting and add such a fresh dimension to a room that, really, life should include flowers.

However, this time of year they aren’t so easy to pick from the garden and are expensive from the florist.  What about alternative solutions?  Here at Eco Chic we have always loved working with what’s at hand, and we have such lush tropical foliage here in Australia, why not use it to its best advantage?  Cut a few fronds from the garden or beg / borrow / steal some from a friend, artfully arrange in a big glass vase or funky vessel and you can add a whole new dimension to your living space!  Here are a few rooms we love that are doing just that – do you love too?

Keeping It Clean

A crisp and deceptively simple living room – is it clean and classic or cold and calculated?

·    Without the bold art and even bolder mantelpiece arrangement, this room would be almost unremarkable.  Further proof that Drama is in the Details

·    Blocks of solid tone anchor the room and prevent it from becoming too washed out; without the dark armchair and coffee table it would be a very blank space indeed

·    Pendant lights are always scene stealers and this one is no exception, stylish and simple it adds sparkle to the space

·    We love a fireplace and this one is a beauty – but how much nicer would this room be with a fire blazing away?!  A fire would light up the room, warm up the space and take this living area from sophisticated to stunning!

Like this look?  We have suggestions... Paloma stool is along these lines, ethnic and exciting.  The Lily sofa is gorgeous in pale linen. A large Isla coffee table would look great on a big, pale rug. Try the Parker lounge chair in charcoal velvet if you like the studded look. Our yellow Thorn Glass Vases look fabulous clustered along a mantle.  Finally, the Christina pendant is clear glass and eye catching or ask about our Custom Pendants.

Must-Have Mustard

Whether it be in your skirt, in your hotdog, or in your home, mustard is swoon-worthy. It gives yellow an edge that breathes new life, new possibilities and new combinations!

Contrasting it with gorgeous hues of raspberry and watermelon, a bland space is instantly revitalised.

•  A feature wall such as this is great without any art or wall accessories. But make sure you liven up the ceiling with a funky light pendant.
• When keeping the rest of the palette neutral, feel free to go a little wild with patterns and textures. See how the leopard print cushions blend beautifully with the zebra stripe mattress and cowhide rug. Creative, crafty and clever!
• Check out Dulux Softsun for a punchy tone of mustard, or have a custom colour mixed from a favourite scarf, photo or fabric for an extra personal touch.

 

Want the look with Eco Chic? Why don't you try some feature cushions in mustard, such as

Jandals Yellow or the Poppy Cushion. Team it with a gorgeous sofa like the Coco, add a hint of watermelon with the Bamileke Painted Table and ta-dah! Just beautiful!



Mid-Century Sophistication

 

Unusual, masculine and encompassing a natural and rustic style, this room looks lived in yet smart and casual at the same time.  So why is it that this room works so well?

• Don’t be scared of leather. While an entire room in leather may be a bit much, a splash here and there adds a touch of luxe.
• Nowhere to put floor to ceiling curtains? It doesn’t matter, do it anyway! We love how clever these curtains are, hanging them high has given the room a lofty feel, and keeping them minimalist in terms of tone and style adds sophistication.
• Add some plants to your living area. Not only do they create carbon dioxide which is good for your health, but they brighten the space with their intense colour.

To get the look with Ecochic, try our Serengeti Weave Rug. For an eye-catching coffee table, you cant go wrong with the Carillo, which is Australian designed and made. 

Oriental Persuasion

Oriental is a style that can be beautiful if done right and this room uses slight hints throughout, resulting in a flow of these gorgeous eclectic pieces.

• White couches are a perfect foil to colourful accents, such as this green coffee table trunk. The vintage style of the trunk adds so much character to the room, while its colour freshens up the space. What a perfect item!
• Don’t be scared to mismatch chairs or mismatch styles. An accent chair is supposed to do just that – accent. Make sure the colours are in the right scheme - these ones are perfect as you can’t go past purple and green together!
• Birdcages – the flavour of the year! In order for these to succeed, perhaps try a fresh way that’s not the norm – in this case they are grouped to add drama to the cupboards. Do you have birdcages? How do you use yours?

Want to re-create? Add some colour  with our gorgeous Erica Armchair. If you want to try the oriental twist, check out our Fiona Cupboard made from hand-carved bone panels. Stunning!

Best Exotic Indian Dining Room

We love the film Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and we love this dining room, too! The vibrancy of the colours and the individuality of interpretation are very eye catching – do you agree?

 

• The yellow mirror frames and the red chair frames would normally be a match made at McDonalds, but here they work in tandem to give a fresh, bright tone to the room.
• The delightful pendant light pulls the disparate elements in the room together, and anchors the theme.
• The heaviness of the table is off-set by the crispness of the chairs, and we appreciate that the chair fabric is not ethnic in reference, as that would have been overkill.
• The elephant art could have tipped the room over into kitsch, but the careful balance of the flowers on the console and the lightness of the dining setting keep it all in the realms of good taste. 

So what do you think – love it or hate it? Tastefully different or over the top? A tribute to India or a testimony to trashy? We’d love to hear from you!