Exposed Brick Interiors

The sun is shining, I'm feeling inspired and I wanted to share with you all. And, let me tell you, it feels good to be blogging again! I've been missing in action for a while now.

My inspiration today comes after looking at designs for my own home. After 5 years, the husband and I are finally looking to develop and improve our first home........ with a view to sell in a couple of years! So, you can be assured there will be plenty of posts coming up on my own home and the dilema of improving to sell without blowing a budget.

I have spent some time recently gathering images for mood boards for my home and have noticed that I am very drawn to texture and contrast.

I especially love exposed brick walls, if you follow my pinterest or facebook pages you will see brick popping up everywhere! Teamed with warm wood and leather it's a match made in heaven, I especially love brick against a white wall and combined with metal, It brings so much warmth into a room.

Brick never fails to impress whether being showcased in a masculine environment, industrial or a more feminine room teamed with soft shapes and delicate fabrics, which is my personal favourite, again, it is all about those layers of texture.

Images: Pinterest

You might also like:

• Industrial Design
• Recycle Old Furniture

Colour Psychology - Yellow

Since the past week has been very cold and gloomy you are in for a visual treat today! There is only one colour that can lift your spirits and inject some sunshine into your life on these rainy April days. This month I am going to look at the colour psychology of yellow.

Cheerful yellow is associated with laughter, happiness and the sunshine. A person surrounded by yellow feels optimistic and energetic because the brain actually releases more seratonin when around this color.

Have you noticed a common theme running through these inspiring images yet? Yellow is the most visible color, it is also the most attention-getting color, So although only used in small details and as an accent colour it is still the most eye catching. For this reason it is also advised that you only use yellow as an accent otherwise the room may become overpowering and can increase negative feelings such as anger.

Tip: It is very clear from these images that yellow and grey are a match made in heaven! They yellow seems to jump out of the grey backgrounds but it is a very sophisticated team. I also love yellow combined with a beautiful blue.

Laura. x

Guest Blog!

Today I am guest blogging for Sarah over at Finishing Touch Interiors, I am continuing with my monthly colour psychology series and as the weather has been rather gloomy of late I thought that yellow would be perfect to bring a little sunshine into your day.

So, if you are feeling a little glum, why not pop over to Finishing Touch Interiors and I can guarantee that yellow will put a spring in your step.

And remember to 'smile' It's Friday!
x

Pretty Little Garden

Today's weather forecast, overcast grey skies, slow-moving downpours developing, (scrap that, as I am typing, heavens opened) with hail and thunder possible but........ it's OK because it is Friday and I am thinking forward to those beautiful sunny days with long evenings filled with good food, wine and friends.

That said, I hope the sunny weather comes soon because I have some pretty plans for my garden this year, starting with my shed and I really want to get to work! Mother nature has tested my shed over the years, it is now a bruised and battered shade of brown so I going to paint it a pastel green, maybe blue, I am still deciding, with a pretty curtain and draped in my homemade bunting.

A new patio for dining with friends in those long, dusky evenings with some fairy lights adding a touch of magic is on the cards................ beautiful pots filled with flowers...........(I am going for low maintainance as I do not have alot of time for gardening and I would rather enjoy and relax)............ Our picket fence has also been through hard times, heavy wind, rain and snow so I am going to paint it white, a real white picket fence!

Roll on summer! *sun dance*

I hope these images provide some inspiration for what's to come and brighten your day.

Happy Friday.
x

Images: Pinterest

Mood Board - Luxury Bedroom

Client brief: A bedroom to be designed around a black bed, with a feminine and luxury feel. A feature wall is desired and the space is small.

With a black bed you might think that creating a feminine space is a difficult ask? I have chosen a colour scheme of black, taupe and gold which although is not immediately feminine it is certainly a glamorous and sophisticated colour scheme. I have introduced mirrored furniture and French inspired furniture into the room to create a more feminine feel, and with the introduction of lighting and finishing touches such as flowers and cushions, you can be sure that the room has a more elegant feel. The clever use of mirrored furniture and mirrors behind bedside tables will also give the illusion of space reflecting light around the room.

If you would like to see more inspiring mood boards, please click here and visit my facebook page.

Laura. x

You might also like:

• Mood Board Challenge - Spa
• Mood Board Challenge - Shabby Chic
• Mood Board Challenge - Retro Hotel Room
• Mood Board Challenge - Man Cave

Images: Sophie Paterson Interiors, Pinterest

Colour Psychology - Purple

I have currently been working on a new project for an award winning beauty salon in Suffolk, which has inspired this months colour psychology post. Purple!

Purple is strongly associated with royalty and wealth, symbolising extravagence and richness making it a perfect choice for clients looking for glamour, luxury and sophistication.

Grey and taupe shades compliment this colour beautifully and enhance that feeling of glamour and luxury and the darker the shades the more sultry and mysterious.

Because purple is a symbolic color in religions across many cultures and eras it is also known to portray feelings of spirituality, serenity and thoughtfulness, perfect for bedrooms!

Tip: To avoid overpowering a room with purple, use it as an accent colour.

Wishing you all a happy Monday. x

Images: Pinterest

Colour Psychology - Pink

February - The month of Love.

It seems only right that this month I take a look at the colour psychology of pink.

Feminine and romantic, affectionate and intimate, thoughtful and caring. Is it any wonder why we refer to it as the colour of love.

A fact you may or may not know, pink is a tint of red and interestingly, red is the only colour that has an entirely separate name for its tints. Tints of blue, green, yellow, etc. are simply called light blue, light green and so forth. With this in mind, pink has the power to change how you feel by simply changing the tone of the colour. The deeper the pink, the more passion and power it exhibits but a soft rose calms and reassures our emotional energies. Evokes feelings of nostalgia and innocence.

To ensure you do not create a room which could be portrayed as immature or girlish use tones such as grey and black to create a more sophisticated room.

I hope you have enjoyed this months colour psychology and have found some inspiration.

L. x

Images: Pinterest