Maria Barros
Maria's fresh, pretty Colour Palette
I am loving the work of Portuguese interior designer Maria Barros. Maria has captured the imagination of the blogging world with her fresh, colourful and creative design approach. Her work is constantly being featured on blogs and Pinterest all over the world. I too, am totally enamoured with the gorgeous spaces she creates. The confident colour combinations are new and exciting and her mix of patterns and prints is clever and confident. She says her design is a reflection of her "HAPPY" self.
I can see how that is true, I feel happy just looking at her photos!
 |
| Leibowitz and Mclachlan |
I fell in love with the work of this designing duo after coming across one of their projects on the pages of 'Inside Out'. Their style although referenced from across the globe is quintessentially Australian. An eclectic mix of antiques, distressed paint finishes, neutral colours and natural materials. They are obviously passionate about what they do and I look forward to being inspired by more of their projects.
Carolyn Quartermaine
 |
The designer Carolyn Quartermaine |
I bought Carolyn Quartermaine's first book unwrapped when I lived in London in my twenties. She is a London based textile designer and stylist and I instantly fell in love with her prints and the beautiful colours of the fabrics she uses - mainly silks and floaty chiffons.
 |
| Carolyn Quartermaine |
She mixes her fabrics back with vintage pieces and antique furniture in a palette of vibrant pastels and gold. She is truly an original and innovative designer who has kept reinventing her style over the years. She has appeared in magazines all over the world including the cover of Vogue Living.
Scandinavian Design
 |
| The Style Files |
I love the crisp, clean lines of Scandinavian design. Their minimal approach using bleached timbers, distressed furniture, lots of white on white and accents in warm timber tones is a clever mix of sophisticated European styling and the Hamptons design approach. The result is never hard edged or too sharp because of the combination of new with old. Antiques, recyled timber, vintage pieces and second hand market finds add warmth, character and personality. The layering of whites and neutral tones with minimal colour, results in a crisp, modern look that has been adopted by fans all over the globe.
Think Pink
As an interior designer I rarely get to decorate with pink. I unashamedly have an absolute passion for pink in every shade and I particularly love it when it is pared back with white. I adore the palest shell pinks and baby pinks but equally love fuchsia and shocking pink. So here is my homage to the colour pink.
Ana Cordeiro
I love the bright, confident interiors put together by Portuguese designer, Ana Cordeiro. Whether her designs are modern or classic, elegant or casual, she never fails to create beautiful spaces that are chic and stylish but with an unexpected twist. Her bold mix of colours and patterns is always fresh and inspiring. Here is a great example of her work in an inspiring palette of aqua and purple.
Images via Gild and Grace via VT Interiors
Shabby Chic
The beauty of imperfections, the allure of well loved time-worn objects, and the appeal of simple practical living are the cornerstones of the 'Shabby Chic' brand. Flea market finds, vintage pieces, hand painted furniture, faded velvets, lace and mismatched floral china - things one might find in grandma's attic, are all synonymous with the Shabby Chic label. Designer Rachel Ashwell founded Shabby Chic in 1989 on the philosophy of beauty, comfort, and function. She set up her first store in California and has since gone on to write a series of books and open up lifestyle stores throughout the world.
Having followed Rachel from the beginning, she has had a huge influence on me as a designer. Although my design work is now more modern and stream lined I still love the prettiness, femininity and rustic charm that is associated with the shabby chic label.
{Images via Shabby Chic}
