Bold Statements

 

Black and white is a combination that always makes a bold, dramatic statement. Not for the faint at heart, it's a colour palette that requires a bit of expertise in getting it right. Note how striking and cleverly put together these four examples are. Not only are the colours total contrasts but so are the furniture pieces - shiny black leather chairs with matt cotton slip covered sofas, period architecture mixed back with modern furniture and classic crystal chandeliers happily sitting alongside modern, designer statement pieces. What they all have in common though is an air of sophistication and style.

 

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4 

Modern Brights

In the world of residential interior design - my client briefs usually sound like like this 'modern with clean lines in a timeless palette of neutral colours'. If only a client would change the brief to 'give me wow, give me colour, give me something creative' - how much brighter my day would be be and how I would truly test my design skills. So you can see why I love the spaces created by the uber-talented Los Angeles designer Alexandra Angle. Her designs are bold and confident, full of unexpected colour and unusual twists. They are always cheerful, comfortable, youthful and whimsical. For me they are like a breath of fresh air!

Melissah xox

Images via Alexandra Angle

Cafe Noir

 

Loving this chic European styling which has inspired me to do a little bit of shopping of my own. With the party season underway and the social calendar slowly starting to fill up it's time to hit the shops for a few party numbers. Last years frocks have had their fair share of outings and they've all done the rounds of the special occasions so it's time for a few newies to dazzle the social scene!!! It's time to replace a couple of Nine West faves, a black evening bag and a pair of satin and diamente slingbacks with more upmarket versions. Chanel seems to be sadly out of my league but if I save my pennies Louis Vuitton is in with a chance. I have had my eye on an elegant LV clutch in black so we shall see! Enjoy your weekend!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7     

A Class of Her Own

Things I'm loving today :-

- Understated style and beautifully cut clothes from the likes of

Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Max Mara

- Statement Handbags

- Elegant heels from Manolo and Jimmy

- Beautiful Table Settings

- Pretty Dressing Tables

- White Roses and Peonies

- Floral Fragrances

- Heavenly Bathrooms

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Coffee and Cake

 

 

 

I have just organised a catch up with my girlfriends - it will be just a quick catch up for coffee and cake on Saturday before everybody has to race off to other commitments. Long gone are the Friday night drinks to the wee houses of the morning, the afternoon shopping sprees and the long leisurely lunches with hours of relaxed conversation catching up on the most trivial of details. Parties are rare and finish up early to rush home to babysitters and long telephone conversations are infrequent. But we still all make the effort to catch up, even though it's short and sweet and there's always lots of laughter and plenty of reminiscing!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10   

Beauty Sleep

What a heavenly night's sleep you would have in any one of these luxurious bedrooms! They look so elegant and inviting in classically subdued colours such as pale grey, white and beige. I always find in hard to get past good quality white cotton bedlinen and curtains always look so chic and stylish in a bedroom. These rooms capture the imagination because they all have an unexpected twist to them whether it be a zebra skin rug, an oversized mirror, a feature bedhead or some dramatic artwork. Is this the key to a fabulous decorating scheme - an element of surprise!

 

Melissah xox

Images via 1-3, 4, 5, 6, 7