Kitchen Dining Combo

This space is a very interesting combination of minimalist modern, eclectic bohemian and colourful monotone!  A seemingly disparate selection is made to work quite effortlessly – but how?

·         Colour – the cabinets and floor are a very neutral tone which allows the colours in the room prominence.  Whilst striking, the colours are not strident and all share the same soft palette.  Finally, each block of colour in the room is echoed in the patterned floral of the sofa upholstery which brings the separate elements together.

·          Levels – there are four distinct levels visible in this room (benchtop, table, seating, sofa) which could look either clinical or messy, but here the addition of large, curved pendant lights, dining benches with coloured seat cushions and the very unusual couch arrangement makes for a cohesive whole which invites us in.

·         Texture – we have timber laminate, leather, 2-pac, corduroy, flowers, fruit and floral upholstery all of which add interest and contrast.  Imagine how dull this space would be if everything was in shades of brown and the sofa matched the bench cushions which matched the pendants?!  Boring... 

Texture, colour and variety bring warmth and interest to a space and make a home.  Eco Chic has some suggestions to get you started... Try our Atelier Bench or Loft Dining Bench for alternative kitchen / dining seating and we can make custom cushions for you.  Check out our Custom Pendants for a truly personal lighting interpretation.  If you’d like a very eclectic, personal sofa, we can upholster any of our sofas in your selection, just check out Custom Upholstery section.

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

 

 

Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue! 

It’s is always hard to create  space that will look good for years to come...how do you avoid trendiness without ending up with a room that looks boring and old fashioned?  We think Serena and Lily nailed it.  Let’s break down the elements of design.

·         Classic colour - There are not many colours that never really go out of style, but blue is one of them.  The mixture of navy with royal keeps it from feeling too matchy-matchy

·         Classic shapes - This style of sofa with the rolled arms and a button ottoman are fantastic pieces... good to look at and comfy too.  A light coloured linen on the sofa is ALWAYS a winner.

·         Modern touches – The carpet could be from 1985, but it works, and the mod sculptural side table keep this space very eclectic and now. 

·         Contrast – Don't be tempted by beige...Contrast is the key to keeping it sharp and hip.  Look at that dark charcoal wall with the white curtains...will never date.

·         Great Art – Cannot emphasize enough how some well selected pieces can lift a whole room and say “I'm sophisticated”.  Go for original art if possible. 

To get the look with Eco Chic, check out our Lewis Ottoman available in any fabric.  We also have a great art section with originals and prints to add a splash of colour and sophistication.  Our Lily sofa is almost a perfect match to this one...try it in Linen Pebble.  We have also just added a fantastic collection of new chandeliers!

(photo by Serena and Lily)



Breakfast Club



Sometimes it's nice just to look at a space that makes us feel happy. There's nothing overly designer about this luminous dining space, and the components are certainly not high end, but the whole just invites us to pull up a stool, put on the kettle (or get out the corkscrew!) and linger for a while. A clever achievement in what is actually quite a small space.

• The mismatched and haphazard seating enhances the informal tone and certainly adds charm and colour.
• White walls and floors - give it a go! It's not as scary as it sounds and white floors dramatically increase light in a room space. Make sure to anchor the overall whiteness with naturals and colour splashes otherwise it can all get a little 'hospital corners'.
• Pendant lights over a dining table helps define a space, add workspace and meal time lighting of course but also direct our gaze upwards increasing the sense of loftiness in a room.
• Don't be afraid to re-purpose and re-home. Try using garden chairs inside, a log basket for storage, a garden pot for utensils, potting trays for shelving and why not look out for some vintage crochet blankets or tea towels to make dining seat cushions.
• Add the unexpected and give your space the edge. Here, a wall mounted deer head makes a talking point and adds an extra dimension.

Want to recreate? Eco Chic has some suggestions: check out our Hobart and Industrial Cage pendants for dining style; our Lightwood dining table would look fab in such a space; try the Roadie storage unit has this lived-in look; El Toro rattan bull's head is the eco way to add edge to your living quarters; we have some great Baskets to chose from; our vintage Mason Jars are the perfect accessory for this style of decorating and our Betty dining chairs will add a splash of red to your room.

 

Lust Have

What we wouldn’t do for a home like this!  It manages to be all things good:  modern but warm, unique but not “try hard”, sophisticated but fun AND we could imagine actually living in this apace...it feels real.  Let‘s tick the boxes as to why it’s so great.

• White plus timber – a classic combination of cool and warm tones, this is how and why the room manages to be crisp but still inviting 
• Texture – notice the fabulous sculpture above the traditional fireplace - totally unexpected and cool.  Cracked timber table, sisal rug and aged leather complete the story
• High Ceilings  - something this daring and strong would not work with low ceilings
•  Geometry – everything about this space seems to be about the lines and shapes: sculptural chairs and stools, round mirror, square windows.  The lines of the ceiling and ladder complete the drawing...a masterpiece!  

Eco Chic can furnish a few goodies if this is the look you are going for.  Check out our SantaBarbara Coffee Table, Oxford Aged Leather Club Chairs and Lightwood DiningTable.  For the finishing touch we have lots of textured natural weave rugs like the Nest Hemp Rug and loads of accent cushions with tropical themes to select from.

Sitting Pretty

WANT A FRESH LOOK THIS SUMMER? 

WHY NOT STEP IT UP WITH WATERMELON HUES!

·         Who doesn’t love watermelon! Even if pink isn’t your favourite, this red/pink colour will add vibrancy to any area, especially with white as a backdrop, as shown in this picture from Home Beautiful.

·         Fresh, light colours go perfectly with ones of similar density. Notice how the green lends itself to the pink and watermelon scheme while also reinforcing the ‘outdoors’ space.

·         Try to keep in mind to incorporate most colours that the area already has. By choosing this colour scheme, the floor, which might have turned towards the brown side, has been lifted and given new life.

WANT THE LOOK WITH ECO CHIC? Try our gorgeous Bangalow lounge chairs which can be used in any fresh outdoor covered space. Add a few cushions from our Escapade outdoor range, a beautiful ice bucket like the Lodge or Thorn, and you will be sitting pretty too!

Good Morning Sunshine!

Blue and yellow is certainly a very cheerful combination, but can be a bit kindergarten if the tones and textures are not quite right.  We love this grown up bedroom from Decorpad as it hits the mark without becoming too playful nor taking itself too seriously.

The tones of yellow and blue are sophisticated and edgy thus avoiding the primary school trap.  Solid blocks of acid yellow and ink blue work beautifully together and are used in moderation.

Crisp black and white – the timeless combination is made modern with the use of a contemporary geometric print for the upholstered headboard and set off by the vibrant yellow and profound blue.  Add block colour to black and white to bring it bang up to the moment.

Keep it simple – with scene stealing lamps such as these beauties and a statement piece bed head, nothing else is needed.  Clean, classic, contemporary yet comfortably inviting – all that’s needed for a stylish night’s sleep!

Like the look?  Eco Chic has some suggestions:  whilst not as zany as these lamps, the Quasar lamp packs a bright yellow punch; our Gracie upholstered headboard can be made in a black and white geometric fabric of your choice; try the Durante Comforter or a Bluebird MohairThrow for a splash of blue on your bed.

 

Coming Up in 2013

Will ’13 bring terrible trends in décor, break new ground or will we have just more of the same?  Here’s what we’re predicting will be big or emerging in this new year, let us know if you like / agree!

Manly Swagger – we have seen a lot of fondant shades, delicate touches and feminine finishes over the last three years, so it’s not surprising the pendulum is swinging in favour of the men in our lives who probably prefer leather to lace.  Expect pin stripes on walls and on fabric, dark leather making a return, and a Gentlemen’s Club flavour emerging for lounge rooms and libraries.

Golden Sunshine – yellow and gold will be prominent tones, used especially for accents and accessories, sometimes even for large items such as sofas.  Gilding on wallpaper and for details on pictures and mirrors will be especially popular.

Feathered Friends – animals, birds and feathers will still feature prominently and we can’t believe how long the bird trend has lasted!  This year it’s hello to gaudy parrots and peacocks and goodbye to owls and ostriches. Feather details are tipped for the top and elephants forecast to be big!

 Suzani Fabrics – we’ve always loved these and are delighted their time is now.

Hollywood Noir – luxe, opulence, over the top lavishness.  Pattern, padding, layers and colour but with decadent overtones – think Black Dahlia rather than Days of Wine and Roses.