Ken Howard & Friends – The Auction

In both the circles of artists and laymen, Ken Howard requires no introduction. The artist and painter’s penchant for poetic composition, and ability to capture spaces with an endearing and candid sincerity has made him one of the country’s most respected and beloved artists. Beside Howard’s OBE, which he received during the 2010 Birthday Celebrations, he has been elected a both an Associate and Academician of the Royal Academy and is also a former President of the New English Art Society- to mark just four highlights in his long and decorated career.

Along with the work of personal friends, many of whom are fellow former and current Presidents and of some of the world’s most prestigious art societies, Ken Howard’s work will be featuring at ‘Ken Howard & Friends- The Auction’ on Thursday 26^th October at Chelsea’s John Bly Gallery.

The fifty-fifty auction is organised in close conjunction with Kids for Kids, an initiative that provides much needed help to the critically forgotten children of Darfur, Sudan. Kids for Kids’ work is simply remarkable. By offering goat loans and the creation of sustainable development programmes, Kids for Kids greatly aid communities living in near inhospitable regions, often ravaged by drought.

Inspired by this noble cause, the auction will bring together oil paintings and watercolour works composed by Howard and fellow Royal Academians, members of Royal Watercolour Society and the New English Art Society.

For art buffs, ‘Ken Butler & Friends – The Auction’ serves as a great opportunity to study, and potentially own, the works of some the nation’s finest artists. The auction will feature work by the likes of Ken Howard, Richard Pikesley, Francis Bowyer, Alan Cotton, Maurice Sheppard, Bob Brown, Salliann Putman, Diana Armfield, Andrew Macara, Sir Quentin Blake, Toby Ward, Melissa Scott-Miller, Susan Ryder, William Bowyer, David Parfitt, Mary Jackson, Tom Coates, Michael Sandle, Patrick Cullen, Ann Le Bas, Fred Cuming and Charles Bone.

As Kids for Kids founder Patricia Parker MBE observes: “This is a rare opportunity to see works by our leading artists from the highest echelons of the art world, paintings in different mediums, shown together… It is a real honour, and very touching, that such famous artists want to help the forgotten children of Darfur.”

The collection will be available to view from the 19^th October up to the evening of the auction on the 26^th during the opening hours of the John Bly Gallery (Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Private Viewings can also be arranged on either Thursday 19^th and Tuesday 24^th of October; one would be required to apply for a ticket so as to avoid disappointment.

We’ve shortlisted a few pieces of our favourites from the auction. For those unable to visit, the entire ‘Ken Howard & Friends – The Auction’s collection can also be viewed online.

Drawing for Kids for Kids

by Michael Sandle RA

From the Bacinni, Venice

by Ken Howard OBE RA

Udairpur Sunset overlooking the lake

by Patrick Cullen NEAC

Alternative Drawing for the façade of Angers University Hospital Maternity Unit

by Sir Quentin Blake CBI RDI

Summer Flowers

by Melissa Scott-Miller NEAC RP

The Auction itself will take place at 6:30 for 7:00 p.m. at The John Bly Gallery 1st floor 533 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW10 0TZ. Celebrity auctioneer, John Bly, will conduct the auction.

On account of limited space, the event will be ticketed. These can be attained by contacting them. Although there is no charge for entry, donations are graciously accepted. More information, can be found at ‘Ken Howard & Friends- The Auction’.

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All photos courtesy of Ken Howard & Friends.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/ken-howard-friends-auction/

Teenage Kicks – Tips for Teenage Bedrooms

A teenage bedroom has to meet the needs of the busy and demanding stage between childhood and adulthood. Gone are the days of giant boxes of toys and shelves of cuddly teddies (apart form the extra special ones). Now the room has to fulfil many different purposes such as studying, sleeping and relaxing. Here’s some tips on how to create a cool teenage bedroom that they’ll actually want to spend time in.

Joining forces

It is crucial that any decision making about a teenager’s bedroom should be done together. Don’t forget they’re evolving into adults with their own opinions and views with ideas of how they want to express themselves. So talk about room layout, which furniture you have and where it will go with them, consider colour schemes and maybe create a digital or physical mood-board try to understand each other’s needs and ideas.

Zoned areas

It can be useful to create different areas for different purposes and using different colours is a great way of doing this. A light and bright study area should ideally be near a window as natural light is best and an interesting view will help too, whereas a relaxing area can take strong and darker colours.

Feature element

Having a bold focal point will give the room interest and is an ideal opportunity for self expression. This could be a wall mounted bike/surfboard/skateboard, a gallery wall of photos, wall stickers or a giant map. It’s good to go with the interests of the teenager for this as it will reflect their personality. Alternative ways to make a feature space could be through wallpaper, cladding a wall in chipboard or painting an area in a bold colour.

The fifth wall

The ceiling. Here’s where you can let your/their imagination run wild as ceilings are often overlooked spaces. Posters, art, large stickers or taking the chance of painting the ceiling in a different colour can all work well in a teenager’s bedroom.

Storage

Wall mounted storage works great in teenage bedrooms as it maximises the floor space. An open clothes rail instead of a wardrobe is an effective space saver and adding shelves in less conventional places such as the space above the door works well too. Good storage and organisation of a study area will make it more appealing to use and wall planners and shelving are practical for books and stationery and can look good too.

Freestanding furniture

Flexible furniture that can be moved around when necessary is great in a teenager’s bedroom. A roll out bed stored under an existing bed is perfect for when friends stay over and it also prevents the under-the-bed-black-hole where items can easily be lost. Day beds that also work as sofas as a place to relax are ideal for creating an area to switch off and relax after studying.

Paint it black

Adding a few touches of black within a room adds a sense of maturity, clearly identifying the room as having moved on from a child’s room. Black out blinds are also great for encouraging a good night’s sleep. The only drawback might be getting them to leave their room…

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Images Copyright: bialasiewicz, skdesign on 123RF Stock Photo.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/teenage-kicks-tips-teenage-bedrooms/

Idealist City Guide: Cardiff

As a city, it’s difficult to not observe Cardiff as a Janus-like entity. Like the mythological figure whose two facades face opposite directions, one looking forward and the other looking back, Cardiff too, is poised with a likewise dichotomy: it looks to the future in much the same way it looks to its past, all at the same time. Having become the official Welsh capital as late as 1955, Cardiff has jumped into its role as a notably modern, progressive city on both the European and global stages.

The city’s architecture certainly reflects this, seen through the bold and daring silhouettes of the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre. And still, interspersed in tiny pockets and urban crevices are echoes of its ancient past: Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, the Bute building and the Coal Exchange paint Cardiff as a historical space- a city with a many-chaptered story to tell. And I suppose it’s precisely this, which gives Cardiff its charm.

Cardiff’s many boutiques, galleries and restaurants pack this charm and energy in spades, making the city a fantastic option when the weary drone of London bustle grows a touch too monotonous.

Shopping

If you consider yourself a lover of contemporary furniture, it is vital you visit Monument during your time in the city. Over the past thirteen years, the family-run company has been working closely with leading European manufacturers to ensure the highest quality at the best value for the client. For lighting and furniture that sports a Midcentury, Scandi, Modern Industrial or even Boho touch, few places in Cardiff come better qualified than Monument. Their varied and international clientele, including interior designers and architects, can attest to the company’s passion for distinctly modern furniture and lighting.

If retro style is more your thing, we’re confident you’ll fall in love with Jacob’s. Its three-storey, converted warehouse store means that it is a cathedral to all things vintage; from bespoke lighting, furniture, vinyl, vintage clothing, army surplus and even comic books- all things old-school can be found within its walls. With more than thirty stalls, many of which work closely with to the television and film industries, it won’t be long until you find that retro-inspired accent piece and mojo-packed conversation starter to inject new life into your home.

Art buffs will simply adore the Martin Tinney Gallery. Since opening its doors in 1992, the gallery is now considered to be Wales’ premier private commercial art gallery. The Martin Tinney Gallery specialises in showcasing the best Welsh talent. Since moving to a renovated townhouse with a purpose built extension, the art can be enjoyed over three, gorgeously-lit floors. The gallery stock Wales’ greatest living artists, including Harry Holland, Sally Moore, Shani Rhys James and Kevin Sinnott, whilst also boasting a stock of influential 20^th century works from the likes of Gwen John, Augustus John, Ceri Richards, David Jones, Sir Cedric Morris, John Piper and Graham Sutherland- to name a few. With an international clientele that include The Tate Gallery and The National Museum of Wales, the Martin Tinney Gallery can similarly assist you whether it is an individual purchase you are making, or an investment into a collection of premier Welsh art.

If contemporary is more your flavour, you simply cannot afford to miss the BayArt gallery. Situated amongst the busy streets of Cardiff Bay, BayArt is a defiantly artist-led institution. Butetown Artists, many of whom have won international accolades and prizes in the contemporary art field, occupy sixteen studios above the gallery. BayArt also offer interpretation of the art that adorns its exhibition halls, hosting seminars and workshops to develop and enrich admirers’ understandings of modern contemporary art.

Let’s Eat

Cardiff is a truly international and multicultural city- and certainly, the diversity of the culinary delights offered by its many restaurants certainly attests to this observation. Whether you’re after a lunch from a modern gastro pub, continental cuisine or far eastern flavours, all can be found here.

Working under the mantra of ‘we love cooking, eating & gin’, The Potted Pig is a restaurant that is passionate about modern British cuisine. The restaurant does not restrict itself to a single concept or culinary philosophy. Rather, they pride themselves on dishing up tasty, seasonal cuisine with ingredient sourced from local suppliers, who they work closely with. Their gin menu is certainly not lacking either. With over thirty different varieties behind the bar, you’d be sure to find a new favourite tipple here.

Yakitori #1 offers up modern Japanese cuisine from only the freshest and sustainably sourced ingredients. Their extensive menu sports delicious sushi, grilled meats, rice and noodle dishes in traditional Japanese styles and others that you may not have experienced before. Whether it is a light bite or a several course meal, dishes are designed to be shared at the table. An open kitchen allows for diners to watch the chefs as they cook, adding to the theatre and spectacle of the experience.

In their own words, Madeira Restaurante is all about ‘authentic and passionate Portuguese food served in the heart of Cardiff.’  Since opening its doors in 1998, the family run restaurant have been offering an extensive menu of freshly prepared, Portuguese dishes that boast a variety of meat, fish, poultry and vegetarian options. Its stone-clad walls and rustic interior beams with an Iberian charm and is the perfect setting for dinners. One would have to book to avoid disappointment.

In Shaam Nights’ own words, the restaurant is ‘a rather elegant dining experience and sets itself apart from the rest both inside and out.’ Illuminated by the dim, ambient glow of lanterns, and sporting gorgeous stained glass wall features and tiled flooring, Shaam Nights boasts a truly authentic Syrian dining experience. The restaurant’s masterfully put together menu is influenced by the diffusion of cultures and civilisations that called Syria home over time; consequently, Arabic, Persian and Ottoman influences can be found on the menu. Featuring dishes that were historically served to Caliphs and Sultans on special occasions, Shaam Nights delivers a truly opulent Middle-Eastern dining experience.

Getting Here & Place to Stay

We Londoners are spoiled by the many connections we have to the UK’s other metropolitan hubs. Cardiff is no exception. If you do not feel like getting behind the wheel, services are easily caught from Paddington Station- a mere three hours later and you’re there. However, to make the most of what the city has to offer, it is imperative you look beyond the day trip. We’ve shortlisted three of the best hotels in the city that beam with a character and energy all of their own.

Cathedral 73 are, in their own words, ‘a dignified Victorian townhouse with funky, fashionable 21st-century accommodation’  – certainly, its many spaces live up to that identity. Cathedral 73 offers nothing but the highest levels of service, including proper afternoon tea, a trendy night time piano bar and the being driven around in the hotel’s very own and iconic classic yellow Rolls Royce. Rooms feature all the trimmings, including: King-sized beds, bed linen from Linea, custom-made curtains walk-in showers, deluxe Conran bath and body toiletries and Smart TV and Wi-Fi access. With both room and suite options available, rooms are styled in a airy, uncluttered yet classically inspired style making Cathedral 73 a youthful and luxurious option for your stay in Cardiff.

The New House Country Hotel is situated on the rolling hills away from Cardiff’s city centre. Boasting a gorgeous period exterior, complete with fountain and creeper-clad walls, the New House Country Hotel is a superlative luxurious country getaway.  The hotel boasts an array of rooms to suite a variety of arrangements running anything from a standard double to a bridal suite. Within, playful yet classically styled spaces create a relaxing, airy ambience. The rooms feature an ensuite bathroom, Mydffai toiletries, television, Wi-Fi and Tea and Coffee and hair dryers, to ensure all your bases are covered. The Sequoias Restaurant offers a dazzling array of lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, private dining and wine and drinks options.

If it’s a traditional bed and breakfast experience you’re after, The Lincoln is a fantastic option. The hotel prides itself on its premier B&B service, always ensuring the clients are looked after when food is required in the evening. The hotel’s central location means that most of Cardiff, and even South Wales, is all within easy reach. Likewise, The Lincoln have an arrangement with local restaurants that means you can enjoy the eclectic range of cuisines on offer and be billed directly to the hotel. If you would prefer to stay in, a take away service and bar ensures all the your needs are covered. All rooms are tastefully decorated by Victorian design and feature a double bed, an ensuite, complementary Wi-Fi, television, radio, a telephone and tea and coffee facilities.

Cardiff, certainly when compared to London, is a city still blooming, bristling with tabula rasa-like energy that excitedly waits for the chapters of its future to be written. In quite the same way, it’s a city with a lengthy history, and has wears sophistication and complexity attached through its period buildings and ancient streets. Cardiff is a tremendously exciting and eclectic place, and certainly when looking to recharge both the home and batteries of the mind, is a fantastic option that is just a mere stone’s throw away.

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All photos courtesy of respective locations. Feature image (c) travelwitness 123RF Stock Photo

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/idealist-city-guide-cardiff/

Indoor plants to enhance your home

Indoor plants have moved on from the lonely spider plant neglected in a corner of a room: they are now a fully integral part of interior decor. With plants ranging from collections of small succulents to big and bold plants making a statement, any interior photo from the last few years will confirm this growing trend.

Benefits

Plants literally breathe life into a room by filtering out pollutants and releasing oxygen and photochemicals which suppress mould spoors and bacteria. This makes them ideal for homes, especially bathrooms and bedrooms where clean air is essential. They also add humidity which helps to counter dry air caused by central heating which can be a problem of modern living. Adding green life to a home shows that the property is cared for enough to keep another growing plant alive and is particularly important if you don’t have any green space outside.

Plant suitability

Looking at a plant’s origins helps to determine the suitability of a plant to a specific area. Plants that come from hotter tropics prefer to be in warm rooms with moisture in the air so bathrooms are perfect. Succulents and cacti originate from dry and arid climates so sunny window sills and very little watering is best. Some ferns on the other extreme are very thirsty and need frequent watering. It’s always best to look at care labels when buying plants to find the optimum location and level of care needed for your plants to thrive.

Which plant should I buy?

In addition to finding out how much water and light a plant needs, it’s worth bearing in mind the plant’s size and shape. Is it fast growing? Will it need repotting soon? What is the leaf shape, size and colour? Thinking about these questions will ensure you select the right plant for the right space. Popular and easy to maintain indoor plants include palms, peace lilies, Chinese evergreens, succulents, fiddle leaf fig trees and air plants.

How to arrange plants within the home

Take inspiration from website and magazine photos that contain plants. Grouping different plants together adds impact to a room, as does a collection of similar plants. Think about the height of a plant, as large leaf plants such as palms work well in large containers or baskets on the floor whereas others suit plant holders that maximise space and give added height. I often use stools for plant holders that double up as extra seating or side tables when needed. Arranging plants in odd numbers works best so think in threes and fives, perhaps using similar materials and colours in the pots. Terracotta is a classic material for plant containers that never goes out of style.

Bringing the outside in

Having greenery within the home provides a link with nature and being outside. Indoor plants help to achieve this by allowing the eye to connect plants inside and outside. This feels even more necessary now that the nights are drawing in and we don’t spend as much time outdoors, a perfect excuse to bring some plant life into our lives.

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Images Copyright: bialasiewicz, skdesign on 123RF Stock Photo and Clare Murthy Photography at Fiona Brass Interiors.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/indoor-plants-enhance-homes/

An Heirloom Colour Scheme: Georgian Green

Just as heirloom tomatoes and carrots are appreciated by today’s gourmands, heritage hues from iconic eras in European history are all the rage in interior design. One legacy hue that seems especially fresh and new for fall is Georgian green.

Much loved in drawing and dining rooms in the Georgian period (1714-1830), the original yellowish-green colour has broadened into a tonal palette that includes seafoam and blue green variations. This palette of greens and blues is fairly neutral, and also calm and soothing. If you’re lucky enough to have space for a formal dining room, here are a few ideas for dressing it up with a Georgian green-inspired palette.

Set the Backdrop

The walls are a great place to start. The most familiar scheme will be one with a version of Georgian green matt paint on the walls, perhaps interspersed with white trim. Little Greene Paint & Paper has been making wall treatments since Georgian times – they have a wide range of historic greens all available at John Lewis. Their Boxington matt emulsion is just one of many that could anchor a Georgian green scheme.

Wallpaper can also work really well to introduce all the main notes of the palette without committing to a solitary hue. This allows you a lot of flexibility to choose and use furniture pieces and accessories that pick up or echo the colours in the intensity you prefer. Check out this gorgeous Sanderson wallpaper design for inspiration. £65

Design the Dining Area

For dining tables, you can certainly pair monochromatic or wallpapered walls with paler woods for a light and airy neoclassical Scandinavian vibe. But magical Georgian green can also hold its own against darker woods like walnut and mahogany for a more Georgian or Colonial feel.

This dark ash black lacquered dining table from Lombok would look terrific against a gentle green backdrop. £495 Adding not quite matching bistro chairs completes a look that can skew retro, Asian or very contemporary depending on how you accessorise. £165

Adding Finer Touches

Another bonus to basing your design strategy around a colour like Georgian green is the fact that it mixes particularly well with copper or gold-toned accessories, another popular trend these past few seasons.

Imagine this copper chandelier gently glowing over a dining table against serene green walls. £240 Or this elegant copper bar trolley standing by loaded with drinks paraphanalia. £249 You could also gild the lily by setting your table with gold finish cutlery. £95

Whatever your style (and, more to the point, whatever the style of your existing furniture ), Georgian green can elevate your decor game in the dining room by adding a touch of history, glamour and serenity.

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All photos courtesy of respective brands.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/heirloom-colour-scheme-georgian-green/

Meet the Maker : Ana Kerin of KANA London

A Rich, Bohemian Colour Scheme: Aubergine

Aubergine (or eggplant as it’s known in some parts of the world) is a sexy rich colour – especially as we slide out of summer into fall. We find its darkness a touch Bohemian, perfect for creating unique interiors with tons of personality. Used sparingly as part of a mixed palette, including soft or bright pinks and browns, it works with more conservative design schemes equally well.

The term aubergine actually refers to a range of colours from nearly black plum to much lighter soft purples. Layering intensities and providing relief in the forms of strongly contrasting colours will give you a cosy but lively room in which to ride out winter’s cold and wet weather. For that reason we love it in a study, library or person-cave, or in a bedroom. But it could also make for an offbeat and dramatic main living area. The colour works extremely well in velvet solids or as as a dominant colour in over-the-top prints.

Here are just a few wall treatments and furniture pieces we’ve recently discovered to provide inspiration

Set the Tone

Aubergine on the walls is a great way to set the tone for your Bohemian library, study or den. If you’re feeling confident, go dark with this matte eggplant emulsion paint from Sanderson (from £19.50); or use this French lilac(from £25) as a colour base with stronger aubergine accents elsewhere in the room if you wanted a less contained look.

You could also opt for a wallpaper print (on select feature walls if not all four)in which aubergine is a strong component. We love this dramatic floral from Designers Guild. £71 Use it to set the colour palette (note the chocolate brown and lighter pinks) for furniture and accessories.

Build Your Theme

You could, for example, then go for a rich brown or aubergine velvet sofa. This chaise longue, from Maisons du Monde, is perfect for curling up with a good book.

Add Quirky Vibes

Accent it with cushions in autumnal colours, an elegant sidetable (this one takes your room in a quirky direction but you could just as readily reinforce the Victorian vibe set by the chaise longue with a different style), and an adjustable reading light, and you’ve got the beginnings of a real Bohemian oasis. £135/£110.50/£859

 

Build an entire room around the theme or just commandeer a discreet corner if space is tight.

Design the Bedroom

Another way to use aubergine to great effect is in the bedroom. We love this upholstered bedstead and headboard in aubergine, light pink or brown velvet from Feather & Black. £1099 

Add Layers of Comfort

Add textured cushions and throws and perhaps place a matching bench in a contrasting colour, or black (if you want to take things in a Gothic direction), at its foot. £35/£225/£287.50

Aubergine is a colour that aims to please. Use it a little, use it a lot. Use it with Industrial Chic, Victorian, Mid-century Modern or Contemporary decor schemes and it will adapt. It can stand on its own or serve as one layer in a textured and dimensional palette that’s easy to live with.

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All photos courtesy of respective brands.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/rich-bohemian-colour-scheme-aubergine/

Cultured Colour Scheme: Wedgwood Blue

Throughout the history of interior design certain colours have captured mainstream imaginations by evoking neo-classical glamour, luxury or the deceptive simplicity of true refinement. Such a colour is the pale grey blue named for Josiah Wedgwood whose Jasperware china was all the rage in the 1770s. Wedgwood blue is clear yet soft; cool yet also quite strongly feminine.

On walls it’s a brilliantly blank canvas that can support a range of secondary colours without being insipid. Josiah Wedgwood himself paired this blue most often with white in the form of relief decorations. There’s nothing more gently clean than Wedgwood blue with white or cream in painted stripes or blocks, or on wallpaper or textiles. But it also blends well with other blues – navy, China blue or the stronger blue of Delftware, or with pale greens and other pastels.

Furnishing the Bedroom

This soft blue is perfect for a child’s room, an elegant grownup bedroom or in a sophisticated kitchen/dining area. Here’s a bedroom scenario that has us gushing:

For a bedroom that is feminine without being girl-y, (perfect for a young teen or new adult, but really it could work for anyone) start with a really great statement bed. This upholstered linen number by Loaf suggests other era comfort and luxe.

And while the blue is not precisely Wedgwood, it is well within range. £1395 Dress it with blue and white striped sheets and a downy duvet. £32

Drop in a Chair

Add casual seating to the room (at a desk, or simply for throwing clothes onto) with this vintage style Mauricette chair. It’s Scandinavian pale wood vibe is also a great fit with Wedgwood blue. £83.99

Spread a Rug

Style the space with billowing white or cream draperies, rugs and cushions. Then add some deeper blue or pale green accessories as colourful accents. We especially love this ornate rug made by none other than Wedgwood, still on the cutting edge of design after more than three centuries. £850

Glamourise it with Art

For another type of homage to the Wedgwood aesthetic, check out this twisted limited edition giclée print by Magnus Gjoen; it’s called Pompei Grenade – Blue. £235

Shed Some Light

Finally, although they are anything but Georgian, these lighting treatments reference the relief decorations of Jasperware with their cut work shades.

This striking drum shade would work best over a desk or dressing table. This ambiant table lamp works best perched to cast reflections in dark corners away from the main action. And this laser cut Wedgwood blue linen and ash table lamp could work just about anywhere. All from John Lewis £45/40/45.

In addition to this sample approach to using what is a heavenly colour palette, there are any number of other ways to go with Wedgwood blue. It only looks delicate – this hue can stand up to just about any contemporary or traditional decor scheme with style. The historic colour devised by porcelain master Josiah Wedgwood all those years ago has come to not only suggest arts and crafts values, but all that is most elegant and refined about the Georgian era.

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All photos courtesy of respective brands.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/cultured-colour-scheme-wedgwood-blue/

How to Achieve the Scandi Style in Small Spaces

Scandinavian style is all about simplicity mixed with functionality – the perfect look in a home where space is a precious commodity. It’s about paring back on unnecessary pieces and investing in well-designed furniture and accessories that will enhance your home. In terms of colour palette, keep things light and bright to create a look that’s airy and open for a Scandinavian home that you’ll love.

Take a look at our top tips on how to achieve modern Scandinavian style in the smallest spots.

Clever Storage

It may seem obvious, but clever storage de-clutters a space and keeps things clean and minimal. When thinking about a small space, it’s a good idea to go vertical – utilise your walls to free up important floor space. Ladder shelves are a great space-saving example that also work to display your prized possessions. These simple ladder shelves found on FindDesign are a great example of Scandi simplicity – £369.90.

Keep Things Bright

Light is the most important part of an interior scheme, completely dictating the look and feel of the rooms in your home. In a small space tricks with light quickly become completely invaluable in giving the illusion of openness. When choosing lighting in a small space it’s great to invest in pendant lights – these offer a softer glow than traditional ceiling lights are great for task lighting too (when you need to illuminate a specific area like a desk or kitchen counter).

Floor lamps will take up some space, but lighting is so important that it’s worth it. Try something with a slim profile like the Ira floor lamp, with a concrete base you’ll nail two trends in one piece – £89.

The Bricolla lamp features a little shelf that’s the perfect size for your coffee mug and with simple scandi looks combined with a little practicality, it’s ideal for creating a stylish scandi room without being too imposing – £315.

Try adding a mirror to your room, light reflects off the surface giving the illusion of more space. The chic mirror is a great choice – it features a shelf too so you can handily store items for easy access in the morning.

Furniture That Moonlights

Think furniture on wheels, ottomans, benches and table nests – multi purpose pieces that will work hard when you have minimal space. The block table is perfect for small spaces, used as a bedside table or as a drinks trolley, with so many functions this is a great investment piece.

 

A beautiful ottoman is chic, stylish and functional. Used as an extra seat for when unexpected visitors pop by or as a makeshift coffee table, an ottoman has a trove of uses. This one includes extra storage space too. The simple tapered oak legs and tranquil teal upholstery are perfect for Scandi spaces.

A nest of tables tucks neatly away and provides the perfect surface for when guests come over. This stylish set is ideal for your Scandi-style living room and adds a pop of accent colour to your space. Mustard yellow is a popular colour going into 2018 so you’ll be on trend too with this set too.

Be Selective

When trying to maximise the space you have, it’s a great idea to curate your collections, choosing pieces that you really love. Art works and accessories are great for adding character and style into your space. This black geometric print has a minimalist vibe and would work beautifully in a Scandinavian styled home.

It may be worth buying a roomy two seater sofa and having an extra armchair so you can be flexible in your space. This sofa is perfect in style and won’t dominate your living room.

A small space always seems daunting, but embodying a simple Scandi-chic look and vibe will help to declutter and maximise on what you’ve got. Remember to focus on light, hardworking furniture and choosing the pieces you love the most.

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All photos courtesy of respective brands.

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from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/achieve-scandi-style-small-spaces/