Happy Friday!

Merry Christmas everyone! What a lovely one it's been (and still is)...We've been busy little bee's with family get togethers, tasty food and (lots of) drink and basically complete over indulgence. Exactly what Christmas is all about!!

I had a call just before Christmas from a dear friend who fancies a bit of an overhaul in her bathroom come 2013. At the moment it's pretty clinical. White walls, white suite, white tiles....which is nice and fresh, but I think a few additions to spruce it up would work well and give it a bit more of a cosy feel. She loves wood and is mad about art...so here you go Helen!...

1. Laundry Basket 2. Towels Mirror 3. Chest of Drawers 4.  Art by Chloe Holt 

5. Old Wooden Stool 6. Roll Top Bath Tub 7. Mirror 

Window Shopping

We're making the vital finishing touches to our client's gorgeous new bedroom this week and we've been pondering over dressing the window. We've gone for a fantastic patterned 'window film' to take the attention from a not-so-lovely view outside and it's now time to focus our attention on some texture around the window....

...it's a beautiful old Victorian sash so not the typical standard dimensions, so made-to-measure blinds and curtains are a must. We're absolutely obsessed with layering - the more variation in texture, the better! With 40 years experience under their belt, Hillarys have a fantastic range of products to match and after browsing their website, we think we've found exactly what we were looking for!

This plain roller blind in Acacia Ice is simple but will sit perfectly against the pattern of the film. It will provide just enough coverage for privacy, but will also let a just the right amount of light in too!

Like what you see? Get your HERE!

We find that a lot of our clients are afraid to mix pattern - but we love to experiment! These beautiful curtains in Brompton Soft Grey also have the option for an extra layer of fabric to block out the light for those of you who like to be plunged in it! The feminine florals and soft tones will work perfectly with the blind and give the entire room that essential finishing touch. When it comes to curtains, it's difficult to get the style right - do you go with contemporary eyelets? Pinch Pleat? Pencil Pleat??..Valance? No Valance? Well it entirely depends on the look you're going for. On this occasion though eyelets teamed with a contemporary brushed silver pole will be just perfect, thank you!

Fancy a pair? Get yours HERE!

What do you think? Would you choose a different combination? Check out the full range at www.hillarys.co.uk. We'd love to hear what you would do with this window!

Tashtastic

As we all know, or at least you should do, the month formerly known as November has been long stripped of its title and reborn as MOVEMBER. The month blokes can parade the streets with heads held high donning their perfectly preened facial masterpiece whilst supporting an excellent cause!

So, giving that we're two 20-something ladies (or Mo Sista's as we like to think) completely incapable of sprouting any form of facial fuzz (jokes welcome), we decided to show our support by doing what we do best - decking out the house with all things muzzy!

Here's a few of our faves - c'mon show your support too!

notonthehighstreet

The Modern Home

Furnish

notonthehighstreet

Rockett St George

The Modern Home

notonthehighstreet

Urban Outfitters

luuux

etsy

....head over to our friends at Hathor and grab yourself a Tash Necklace - the ultimate disguise!

Subscribed...

Now, we're pretty sure most of you out there will be able to relate to this, but somehow we've managed to become subscribed to a million and one newsletters!?? Daily email alerts pop up in our inbox and in all honesty, it's a bit of an anticlimax to discover it's just one of the many 'round robin' emails that basically just sit there unread until you fancy a good old inbox clear out. True??

Now, having said all of this, there are a few special subscriptions out there that we're MORE than happy to receive...and this morning proved just that. Cox and Cox - you emailed us and managed to send a little flutter of wintery joy through our hearts! 

So for that, we salute you!

All images taken from Cox and Cox

Spotlight: Vanessa Bruno

We take a little peek into the home of Parisian model turned singer turned actress turned fabulous fashion designer, Vanessa Bruno....it's safe to say she's got it going onnnnn!

Captured by the brilliant and talented Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Vanessa's home is filled to the brim with character and charm. Her soft pastely palette works perfectly with the original oak beams and wooden flooring and her quirky additions give you a real sense of her warm and playful personality.

Just beautiful!

Taking The Biscuit....

Us Brit’s are known for our cuppa’s and our brew’s. I love nothing more than taking ten minutes out of my day to happily sip on a hot cup of tea showcased with a perfect dunking biccie! Dundee-born cushion designer and lover of all things tea and biscuit-related Nikki McWilliams has gone one step further in creating her very own biscuit inspired products.

Selling in Selfridges, featuring in Vogue, there’s nothing her tasty cushions can’t do! 

I catch up with Nikki and we talk pregnancy cravings, a future in clothing design and how her penchant for sewing started. Now, where did I put my custard creams?...

At which point in your life did you get into sewing and what made you want to develop this interest?

I can't remember when I started sewing- but I think it was as soon as I was old enough to be trusted with a needle and thread! My mum is a super talented seamstress and used to run her own business making baby-wear so I'd see her make things all the time and wanted to join in. I liked helping!

It is clear to see from your designs that you love British culture. What do you love most about it?

For me it's all about familiarity and nostalgia.  Certain things- foods, toys, brands and smells all trigger memories for us so it's easy to be transported back to simpler times!  Tea, and the ritual of drinking cups of tea has been a constant symbol of calm in my life. This is why I feel most comfortable when I'm using it as inspiration!

Why biscuits?

I love them.  My mum told me that when she was pregnant with me, she'd crave an entire packet of Chocolate Digestives everyday.  I think I must have loved biscuits before I even knew what they were! 

How would you describe your style in three words?

Bright, fun and familiar. 

Where and how do you find your inspiration?

Almost anywhere! Inspiration can come (and go!) in a flash so I always try to carry a sketchbook to doodle down ideas when they come!

Give us a day in the life of Nikki McWilliams...

Every now and again I write A Day In The Life post over at my blog - my last post was here and the rest are here. These posts vary quite a bit but so does my daily routine!

You make each cushion yourself, I imagine they take time, how long do you spend on each one?

Each cushion involves different amounts of work, so it can vary!  We've been super busy this year- and I'm lucky enough to have the help of a small team. We take the time to make sure every cushion's perfect before it goes off to its new home! 

You sell iPhone cases, cushions, prints and brooches...What other products would you like to make in the future?

We trialled some T-shirts earlier this year and they got a great response...I'd love to make clothes one day! 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Hopefully making my cushions every day, being happy, and living with cats. 

QUICKFIRE!

Your favourite food?

All Greek food is delicious. 

Place to go to unwind?

Anywhere hot and sunny! 

Pick one celebrity you would most like to meet?

Ooh, that's a tough one! Do Charles and Ray Eames count as celebrities?

Autumn Leaves

After nipping out this morning for a few breakfast supplies, I couldn't help but be struck by the amazing autumnal colours. The hundreds of beautiful crunchy golden, orange, red and yellow leaves reminded me how much I love Autumn! So, as you do, I thought I'd create an Autumnal inspired kitchen wish-list to really bring the outside in...

1.Mugs  2.Napkin  3.Pitcher  4.Serving Bowl 5.Toaster 6.Bottle  7.Teatowel  8.Artisan Mixer

Sneaky Peek!

We've been working with our clients - a lovely couple - over the past couple of months helping to transform their beautiful barn into an super-duper beautiful barn! They're having heaps of building work done in order to completely extend the kitchen, widen doorways, replace smaller windows for gorgeous light-flooding french doors. They want to open it up and give the whole building a new lease of life...and we're here to help them along the way!

Here's a very little sneaky peek at the moodboard we created for them for the area that will be a bit of a comfy spot within the kitchen area.

Watch this space...there's plenty more to come!

www.styleinside.co.uk

Interview; Anna Ryder Richardson for Magnet

Wow.....she is one happy lady! I was greeted with an almighty 'Helllllllloooooooo' which certainly broke the ice and kicked off our telephone interview rather nicely.

Anna Ryder Richardson, fellow Interior Designer and TV presenter, happily chatted about her current projects with Magnet, interior styles and hot trends for 2013. 

You’ve been working with Magnet for over a year now - can you tell us a little bit about what you’ve been focusing on recently?

Our main focus has been dressing kitchens on a budget and helping people to express their individuality by combining styles. Magnet are all about excellent quality. They’ve just launched their fantastic Somerton range into their Uniquely Collection. Gorgeous solid oaks, dark greens, a beautiful soft sage – a fantastic alternative to magnolia and fantastic 

tones for Autumn.

Magnet Somerton Range

What would dream kitchen look like – or do you already have it!?

Well, now I've seen the Somerton range, I'm a little swayed. I used Magnet’s My Kitchen Scrapbook to play around with some styles – I went for a mix of traditional meets London club…..I think I thought I was Audrey Hepburn! Styled with a few tub chairs and a chandelier - now that would look fab!

Any other exciting things on the horizon?

We had our new Rhino’s delivered at the [Manor House Wildlife] Park. Zamba is the first test tube rhino in UK, and only the 2^nd in world, and Jambo.

Being Northern yourself, do you have a favourite northern designer?

John Amablie. He’s agreat friend of mine. He has an amazing design company – he’s a workaholic and just fantastic at what he does!

Hot trends or advice for the home for 2013?

Grey is the new white! I have a very, very soft shade of grey in my home, but it’s a great base to add colour to. Colour is important though – even just a hint.  Think nature and energy when adding textures and fabrics.

Any recent interior purchases you'd care to share?

A fabulous pair of pendants from Heal’s for my new kitchen diner! They’re called Jeeves and Wooster, and I love them!

...and finally, do you have any advice for fellow budding interior designers and bloggers out there!

Moodboards! Ripping out inspirational pages of mags, pinterest, visting showrooms and really knowing your stuff. Just go for it, believe in your style and don’t chicken out!

Quickfire!

Favourite colour?

Green –dark green!

Favourite holiday destination?

Borneo! Or anywhere where there’s beautiful, exotic animal roaming.

Favourite room in your home?

Kitchen Diner. We have not long moved into a new place and I have no doubt this will be my favourite place to be.

Your style in 3 words

Vintage, Eclectic, Fun

How do you chill out?

With my animals!

Thanks Anna!