Perfect palette: Teal and mustard yellow

Apologies for the lack of activity, I have had a new distraction in the form of a puppy... meet Albert:

He is all settled in now, and so I can get back to my blogging routine!

Today's post is a short one, I am a big fan of teal in the home; it can be fresh or warm depending on the other hues you mix it with, which means it is a great colour for all seasons. A great colour combination is teal with mustard yellow, these complimentary colours together will brighten up a room. They work particularly well with the warm tone of oak furniture as well as grey upholstery.

glass ceiling pendant - John Lewis / yellow round vase - Bo Concept / everything else - Heals

Until next time!

All about.. Muralto UK

In my post today, I have an interview with Jane Buckley, joint owner of bespoke and production furniture suppliers Muralto UK.

Set up in South Africa by Swiss-born furniture designer Rene Hass (Jane's Uncle), Muralto ZA specialises in contemporary furniture design and manufacture. Husband and wife team Jane and John Buckley have brought this to the UK through Muralto UK. Not only do they provide bespoke design services to architects, interior designers and private clients, they are also extremely active in encouraging new designers through partnerships with the National Design Academy and the British Institute of Interior Design.

I came across Muralto a few weeks ago when I attended a seminar hosted at their London showroom, organised by the National Design Academy. I found the talk, given by John and Jane at the seminar very inspiring, and the furniture and accessories featured in their showroom is stunning.

(Scroll past the photos to read my interview with Jane)

Muralto UK is a fairly new business and a completely new industry for both of you - how did you go about starting a career in a new industry?

• John and I had been looking at improving the production flow process at our family factory in Cape Town last year.  However, my background is in sales and I felt that albeit we could improve the production flow/costings, ultimately we needed a new sales channel to improve revenue and so here we are!

As owners of a fledgling business, what are your top tips for people considering starting their own business?

• Be prepared to work very hard.  However the excitement, passion and belief in your product/service and importantly yourself, will help you find that extra energy!
• Always manage your cash flow and keep on top of it; you will be surprised at how money can disappear so have a good realistic business plan AND keep to your budget where possible - a business can’t continue if it runs out of cash
• Persuasively insist(!) on confirming any verbal negotiations, agreements, plans etc  in writing from suppliers right through to clients
• Think “out of the box” for unique marketing programmes and network, network, network!

The furniture in your showroom is beautiful, how do you choose your stock and who is responsible for the showroom displays?

• I am responsible for choosing pieces for the showroom and displaying them.  As any new business, we have made some early mistakes, but importantly we have taken these on board and actioned ie. a few pieces have been a little too big for the UK market!    Therefore lots and lots of research by continually watching the competition for styles/colours/pricing etc.  This has helped us greatly in moving forward.

What are your current favourite pieces?

• Our Francesco L shape sofa, it is so comfortable, beautifully shaped and timeless.  I have fallen asleep on mine at home so many times, much to my husband’s wrath (only joking!)

What makes Muralto unique from other furniture and home accessories suppliers?

• Simply put, we believe it is in our quality and customer service.  I know that sounds so “blah blah blah”, but I truly believe our products will continually look great and  last longer.  For example, we have had a Francesco sofa returned to our factory after twenty or so years to be reupholstered – “Swiss design for life!”  We also use the best woods with sturdy hardwood frames (hence the reason I’ve been seeing a physio -  lifting this stuff can kill you!).  We also believe the quality of  our seat and back cushions with a combination of down and dense foam helps to  retain their shape extending their life span.  As to customer service, it is crucial that every customer has a truly simple and pleasant experience – remember those places where you’ve had a bad experience, do you ever go back!?  Through mystery shopping, we have experienced some high end furniture/accessory Showrooms can at times, be uninviting and uncomfortable and ultimately a very unfriendly experience.  As a consumer, I would not go back.  It is important to treat others the way you like to be treated!

Finally, tell me more about how you have encouraged young designers...

• In today’s tough economic environment it is so difficult for young designers to be heard and source that first all important break, but here at Muralto, we promote and look for young talent.  Charles Churchman a young designer was introduced to us earlier in the year and within a matter of weeks we had commissioned him to design a daybed under the Muralto brand.  The prototype is now available for sale and can be seen at our showroom.  Muralto have benefited from his fresh inspiration, Charles has gained a great deal of confidence and ultimately the opportunity to earn revenue!
• We also had an award open to young designers through the British Institute of Interior Design earlier in the year. As well as this, we held an event at our showroom for all the distance learning students from the National Design Academy which has led to new friendships and support for students. We plan to hold another such event in the Spring.  Finally, we work closely with the Susan Llewellyn Academy (www.susanllewellynassociates.com ) in London working with new students and looking for opportunities for them.  For example, through Muralto a student has been asked to dress a £4mm apartment in Mayfair using Muralto’s products!

Thanks so much to Jane for her contribution to my blog this week. For more information on Muralto, visit their website - www.muralto.co.uk.

Beautiful Bruges

Last weekend I was whisked off to Bruges (in Belgium) for a romantic weekend. We spent our time eating good food, lots of chocolates and wondering around, taking in the sites.


Bruges is known for its Gothic-style architecture, and it doesn't disappoint, but there were also other quirky elements of this city that I loved, such as the crazy door knobs that were a feature of many of the residential properties, and whilst the traditional Gothic architecture dominates, and much of the interior décor is heavily influenced by the Rococo period, there are also some very modern and stylish touches to both the exteriors and interiors. Here are some of my holiday snaps...

Of all the most beautiful places in Bruges, this has to be my favourite...

...Rozenhoedkaai (Quai of the Rosary), because this is where my boyfriend popped the question!


So not only do I leave Bruges with memories of a place where old meets new in the most stylish way, but I also have a wedding to plan!

White winter anyone?

Winter is fast approaching, the temperature's dropped and the trees have lost their leaves and autumn/winter hues of burgundy, aubergine, terracotta and pine greens make us feel all cozy and warm. But you don't have to surround yourself with dark colours to feel snug, fabrics such as leather, wool and silk allow you to create warmth using cool whites; look at these gorgeous white rooms.

via elyounes.com

via New House of Art

via View Home Trends

via A Touch of Happiness

via modern house deco

Create the white winter look in your home with some accessories such as crisp white sheepskin rug a beautiful grey lambswool throw, white velvet cushions and a cluster of silver windlights.

Rug - Ewe Style, windlight - Lombok, cushion - Laura Ashley, throw - Heals

Have I convinced you?

Flooring obsession: Polished concrete

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I am obsessed with polished concrete flooring. I don't understand why it isn't used in homes more often. From what I have researched so far, it is reasonably priced, durable and available in a variety of colours.

Look how pretty it is....

Via Art School Vets

via House to Home

via Trendir

via ARH Decoration

It can work in all areas of the home and I especially love this inside to out effect...

via White and Reid

What's not to love?!

Window shopping: ABC Carpet & Home

You may have remembered from a couple of posts ago that I went to New York last month. Whilst I was there I visited a few home interior stores (naturally!) and my favourite by far was ABC Carpet & Home.


Located in the Flatiron district, the store is in a beautiful building and has the most amazing and inspiring displays of furniture, accessories and soft furnishings spread over its six floors. There is no set style, they sell modern, retro and antique from shabby chic to minimalist. If you ever visit New York, this is a must for interior design fans. In case you don't get to go any time soon, here are some pics for you to enjoy.

The attention to detail with the presentation was amazing, displaying an eclectic mix of furniture in stunning surroundings that included antique wooden floors, exposed brick and bare plaster.

I can't wait to go back again! In the mean time, I will have to make do with browsing their website.

Until next time x

Getting creative: Home made whiteboard

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From this

To this....

Like this (with some help of some white spray paint)....

Just use a whiteboard marker on the glass and you have yourself a bespoke, attractive, whiteboard!

Jewel tones jewel tones everywhere

It may be the glorious sunshine we have been having in London this autumn, but this week I have noticed a lot of chat around jewel tones, not just interiors chat but clothing retailers too. At a time of year when the darker, more wintery colours start to appear it seems that the fashion and interiors industry knew that we would be having an Indian summer and have come prepared!



The October issue of Elle Decoration is where I first noticed this opulent contrasting palette

These rich brights have come straight out of a jewellery box - sapphire, ruby, amethyst, emerald. Altogether in a room they produce a feeling of luxury, without feeling stuffy or overpowering. In this room below (courtesy of 10 Rooms) the deep blue is complimented and made more vibrant by the contrasting pinks and yellows. The white, along with the reflective surfaces balances out the darkness.

Re-balancing the palette to make the red tones a focus, gives this next room a completely different feel.

via Little Blue Deer

This feels really fresh, I love the turquoise lamp which looks cool and refreshing against the warm reds, purples and pinks. White is used again here to add a lightness to the room.

It is a brave move to go crazy with these colours in your home in such large proportion, but never fear - they will work in small doses too. Some chairs and a lamp brighten up this otherwise fairly rustic room.

via Interiors Porn

And Designer's Guild new Amrapali range brings us bursts of jewel tones, balances with that all important white

Whilst they may be the trend du jour, their richness means they work all year round and so when used thoughtfully, they have the staying power to be more than just a seasonal trend.