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5 Swoon Worthy Designer Chairs

Looking for a new chair to breathe life into your home? We’ve found a handful of designer chairs you’ll be rushing to buy. With spring on the way, these finds are on the colourful side.

Maxime Lounge Chair

Meet the luxurious lounge chair designed by Jonathan Adler. The stylish crisscross back and signature sabots on the legs have timelessly chic appeal. Upholstered in rich velvet fabric, it is the perfect chair for the minimalist home.

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Image source: Jonathan Adler

Drop chair

Renowned designer, Arne Jacobsen designed this beauty in 1958. Produced alongside the Swan and the Egg, it was part of the collection he designed for the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. It is available in six different colours. Add a dose of colour in your home office with this stand out chair.

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Image source: Fritzhansen

Bardi bowl chair

Another favourite of ours is the Bardi bowl chair. It was designed by Italian-Brazilian architect, Lina Bo Bardi in 1951.  Created with function and aesthetics in mind, this chair can be accessorised with seating cushions for maximum comfort.

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Image source: Bardisbowlchair

Knotted chair

Through his ode to handcrafting, Marcel Wanders gained popularity in the design industry with his Knotted chair in 1996. Although it looks like it can’t support much, this lightweight chair has been skilfully designed to have a solid supporting structure. It’s a work of art on its own. We recently featured his interior design at Kameha Grand Zurich.

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Image source: Marcel Wanders

Brigitte lounge chair

Another Jonathan Adler creation, the Brigitte lounge chair is a beauty to behold. The vertical tufting gives it a beautiful scriptural form. The brass legs add a polished look. Go bold and beautiful with this cheerful orange statement piece.

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Image source: Jonathan Adler

Designer chairs can provide more than extra seating, they add that special touch to your home. Which one of our picks is your favourite?

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New Art themed Restaurant by Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst with some help from English chef Mark Hix has recently opened an art-themed restaurant in his new Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall, London.

“Pharmacy 2 combines two of my greatest passions: art and food,” says Hirst of the new project.

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As he did with the previous restaurant, he has fully expressed his love for pharmaceuticals in the design of the restaurant space. The design oozes his reputable creativity and attention to detail.

The multi-millionaire artist, Hirst’s art work decorates the interior walls of the restaurant. The rear wall also houses a large medicine cabinet with real items.

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Large glass stained windows draw the eye in with a colour explosion of red and blue. We like how skilfully the pill motifs are used throughout.  The bar area, the floors, the chairs enjoy a bit of medicinal therapy. A great example of thoughtful design which is not clinical but uniquely tasteful.

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His aim to revive the original Notting Hill restaurant, Pharmacy is incredibly commendable.

Story via Dezeen

Photography: Pudence Cuming Associates

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Easy ways to add texture to your decor

There’s just something about the colder months that makes us want to hibernate at home for months. We don’t have that luxury and need to get out and about to make a living. The least we can do is to make our homes as cosy as possible for those anticipated relaxing days. Adding texture in your décor is one way of doing it. We share three useful tips to get you motivated. They’re super simple.

Create an organic look

It is startling the difference plants and flowers can make to a living space. Perfect for a minimalist or cosy look, you can create a fresh, organic look in your home. Lush greenery teamed with woven textures is a natural combination bound to work. You can even go big and over-sized like this example here. Smaller plants are perfect accents for your coffee table or the top of a chest of drawers.

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Add textiles for an instant update

We can’t talk about texture without mentioning our trusted favourites. Cushions, blankets, throws make it so easy to instantly create texture in your décor. Whether it’s a fluffy cushion or a cosy blanket, you can amp the cosy factor. You can introduce them in any room to give a relaxed look. Neutral coloured textiles work very well with most decorating schemes. For those who want added visual interest in a neutral scheme, use textiles with attention-grabbing designs.

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Keep it simple with accessories  

Thanks to the myriad of options available to us, accessorising our homes is so much easier. Providing function and beauty at the same time, wake up your room with textured pieces. Woven storage baskets for your throws in the lounge or towels in the bathroom. Mug warmers in the kitchen. Distressed wooden candle holders, you name it. Accessories are a sure-fire way to inject much needed texture into your home like a professional.

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What will you do to add texture to your home this week? Share your ideas with us.

Image sources

The Everygirl

Brown Design Inc

The Ultralinx

Live Love in the Home

Keep

Nordic House

Funksjonelt

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Influence of the Week – Denice Bizot’s Creative Reimagining

As featured on mymodernnet , this weeks’ influence is Denice Bizot and her creative reimagining of a long-trusted garden tool – the shovel. Along with Denice, we believe that hidden beauty can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Our recent ‘Secret Music Collection’ was inspired by intricate disused parts of an abandoned musical organ and similarly, Denice has found hidden potential in another neglected object.

She explains that “the idea of reclaiming, deconstructing and transforming ‘so-called junk’ into works of sculpture is fascinating”. Carving detailed designs and silhouettes into discarded shovel heads, the artist manages to breathe new life into objects that would have originally been discarded by many.

 

Denice Bizot: Website | Facebook

Image sources

mymodernnet 

 

 

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Clever ways to repurpose your old furniture

We all have those items in our homes. The ones we’ve had for donkey years. We don’t want to get rid of them but we don’t know what to do with them. Or sometimes it is furniture we’ve salvaged from a recent home renovation project.

Instead of taking them to the skip, why not give them a new lease of life? We’ve handpicked three clever ways to repurpose your old furniture into a new useful addition to your home.

Windows as a Coffee Table

If you’d love to reuse that old window you removed recently but can’t think of how, try this. Make it the top for a new coffee table. Like this one we found, they’ve upcycled a few pallets to create this industrial-style coffee table. Upcycling is sustainable and also rewarding.

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Repurpose an old credenza

Turn your old mid-century credenza into a new statement piece for your home. Although a bit bulky and definitely requiring knowledge of a thing or two on woodwork, you can breathe new life into your old treasure. This salvaged credenza was stripped, sanded, filled, designed and painted. A good amount of work went into it but it is a beauty to behold. The new designs also add the fun factor.

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Step up your décor literally

Not often do you get a ladder take centre stage in the home, talk less of in the bedroom. It can be done with a bit of creativity and vision. Make your bedside more interesting by repurposing an old leaning ladder. This example is perfect for book storage and even holds a spot for the lamp.

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When wanting to repurpose furniture, the options are endless. You can turn old furniture into extra seating, new display units and even wall art.  Inject personality and sustainability into your home by taking on a few new projects, or maybe one to start with.

Fill us in on your upcycling projects. We’d love to see your photos.

Image sources

DIY Network

Apartment 34

Dream Home Style

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Influence of the Week – Bauhaus Inspired Ceramics

It’s early February and we think we’ve just caught the ‘ceramic’ fever. Perfectly timed with the month of love. Just when you think you’ve seen them all, then you stumble on yet another beautiful collection. Maison et Objet 2016 was on last week and has been a fantastic source of inspiration. As always, they showcased a vast array of designers, both upcoming and seasoned veterans.

We made an exciting discovery through Architectural Digest. These beautiful Bauhaus ceramics are the epitome of sophistication. They are influenced by the original works of German artist, Hedwig-Bollhagen Ritz.

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Sometimes it’s the extra details which give a room that extra sense of character. We like the bold and structured use of black and white in the designs. They have a bit of an Art Deco feel to them. Each design seems to work harmoniously with the shape of the vessel.  Whether displayed singly or as a collection, these would look stunning on a coffee table.

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Not sure of how to display ceramics at home? Apartment Therapy has some brilliant ideas. We’ll definitely be looking up more of this designer’s work.

Image sources

Maison Objet

Architectural Digest

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See Different: Discovering the Power of Pattern

Today, we introduce you to Patternity. For something a little bit different, we’re looking at patterns. This is one of the first things you learn as a textile designer. A constant source of inspiration is key for your creations. You’re taught to look at things differently and develop a knack for looking beyond the obvious.

Musical instruments with tremendous detail. Sea creatures in sublime splendour. The galaxy with its hypnotic qualities. Look long enough and distinct patterns start to emerge, colours take a different turn and beauty awakens. The unexpected has a way of fuelling our inspiration.

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Stumbling on Patternity was like a child finding a treasure box of sweets.  Their photo archive is a fantastic source of inspiration. From water, hair to soap bubbles, they show you just how ubiquitous patterns are.

Patternity was founded on the belief that “a shared awareness of pattern has the power to positively shape our world”. Originally known for their extensive online pattern archive, they’ve expanded into research and consultancy and also have a creative studio.

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At Moody Monday, one of our core values is seeing hidden beauty and expressing it. We seek out hidden beauty and take out inspiration from unlikely places. So Patternity is a company after our own heart, they align well with our thinking.

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Our Secret Music collection was inspired by the internal parts of an abandoned organ. A trip to the beach birthed our ‘Gems on the beach’ silk cushion.  Wait till you see our next collection.

Take some time over the next couple of days to look around you for inspiration. You might not want to become a designer but you’ll appreciate your environment just a little better.

All images were sourced from Patternity

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New year, new look: Accessorize with style

Taking on a renovation project to achieve your dream home may not be feasible right now. But going for a simple makeover may be the perfect practical alternative. If you’re looking for some ideas, here are fool-proof ways to instantly update your home.

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Let the photos do the talking

Still have the same old photos on the wall? Unframed or framed, curated photos will instantly create a personalised area you’ll be proud of. Create a gallery wall to display new memories, maybe even those from the Christmas season.

Amp up your furnishings

By all means, inject some colour and texture into your living room with new cushions. Go with interesting designs and patterns to create visual impact.

Add some surprise elements

We often fall into the trap of making our decor too harmonious, there’s no interest. Pick out new unique bar stools or a provocative piece of art that will impress. An unexpected colour on a piece of furniture or vase can also make such a big difference.

Breathe life into furniture  

Give your treasured dresser or bedside cabinet a new lease of life. Don’t be afraid to change its colour or fittings. Swapping those wardrobe handles or cabinet knobs for some new shiny ones can be a big game-changer. Good thing is they’re very easy to replace.

These ideas are simple and easy to achieve. What will you do this week to accessorize your home with style?

Image source: Arkpad

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Snowy mountainside inspires colourful retail store design

Grey skies all around, craving some colourful inspiration is expected at this time of year. The colourful design of this frozen yoghurt store is quite refreshing even for the most neutral design advocate.

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The design is clean with its simple white backdrop allowing the colours to shine through. The attention to detail is commendable. Notice the cone-shaped pendant lamps, white swings and seating. Everything about this store design screams playful and delightful.

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It’s like taking a mental trip to a “Skittles” version of the mountainside if it existed. The use of beautiful secondary colours creates a high contrast scheme. The abstract trees smartly placed around the store also break up the space into distinct areas. A perfect combination of aesthetic and functional roles.

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Designed by TRIAD China, this is one of the new China based stores of the US retail brand, Stone Fresh.

We’ve had our colour dose for the day. Now what colourful addition will you make to your space this week?

For more colourful inspiration, also check out these luxury hotels with some serious colour.

Story via Contemporist

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4 Ways to Create a Healthier Kitchen

When it comes to developing a healthier lifestyle, the kitchen is a great place to start. All it takes is a few simple changes to make healthy living a reality. Use these ideas to make 2016 a healthier one at home.

Keep things organised

You’ve decided on the healthy foods worth stocking up. You’ve made a couple of trips to your local grocer or supermarket. Why not give yourself a better chance of including these foods into your cooking schedule?  Rescue them from the dark cupboards they’ve been hiding in and bring them to the forefront.

Out of sight is out of mind, they say. Put an end to storage woes and make organisation your priority this year. Invest in great shelving for your food items, dinnerware and even appliances.  Open shelves provide a great way to keep them within easy reach. The arrangement also forces you to be organised.  That way, you’ll be motivated to eat healthy.

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Bring the herbs in

Indoor plants continue to be a trend in 2016. Fresh herbs are a definite must have. Give your favourite herbs and spices a home in your kitchen so you can add them easily to your meals. You can even create your very own sunken counter garden like this one.

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Go for a natural clean

First things first, deal with unwanted clutter in your kitchen. Get rid of those expired food containers, unsightly items and unused appliances taking up unnecessary space.

Now give everything a good clean. Kick those unpleasant chemical cleaners and disinfectants out and get some natural products in. A cup of white vinegar in some water is fantastic for a natural, non-toxic clean for kitchen surfaces. Lemon juice, baking soda are also perfect natural cleaning agents.

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A simple makeover

Make the kitchen the heart of your home and you’re on the way to healthier living. The happier you are about your kitchen space, the better your eating and cooking choices are likely to be.

Some simple changes can make all the difference. Maybe all your kitchen units are solid but they just need a little TLC. Why not give them a new lick of paint? A new back splash, counter top or wall colour might be all you need to elevate your kitchen’s look. Check out these ideas for great kitchen colour palettes.

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What new changes will you make to create a healthier kitchen at home?

Image sources 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5