Cushions for the kids

I may be 26 but just adore these cute cushions by Simon Seabright!  Unfortunately I don’t have any children yet, so I have no real justification for buying them!!

Simon uses bright colours and bold imagery to create these handcrafted cushions through the use of freehand machine embroidery.  They’re by no means cheap at £45 each, but for the high-quality craftmanship and the time that has gone into making each one, I’d say it’s worth it!  

It may be wise to make sure the kids keep their sticky fingers off them, though!

posted by Emily

The Personal Touch- Cushions

When styling a room, it is amazing what a difference a few scatter cushions can make and what a simple way to reflect the theme of the room without adding unnecessary clutter.

With so many designs out there and with a price range to suit everyone, you are sure to find the perfect style for your home. And with some rising above the £100 mark, you might want to make sure they are for display purposes only!

Below are a few of my favourites…

City Slicker

Charlene Mulen Skyline cushion, £145

Countryside

Silk Madallion Cushions, £20.63

Art Deco

Astoria cream cushion, by Kylie Minogue, £15.26

Celebrity designed/endorsed products tend to get the thumbs down from me as often it is just a name-dropping money making scheme. Kylie has proved me wrong this time, however, with her range of luscious designs!

Oriental

China White cushion by Catherine Hammerton

‘digitally printed onto silk viscose each cushion is embellished with antique lace and crystal. Finished with patch worked cotton velvet and printed floral on the reverse, each and every cushion varies slightly… but every one of them special’.

At £110 a pop so it should be!

Contemporary

Turn the cushion over for a completely new look at no extra cost!  Digitally printed on linen. £55, Ashley Thomas

Attention-grabbing interiors

Isn’t it amazing what a difference the little details can make? Even the smallest accessory in your home can have a massive impact on the image you project. With this in mind, here is a selection of a few pieces that can liven up even the most basic and classic of interiors.

Let’s start small, with this pretty reindeer-shaped candle holder. Definitely cute, it would look great on any dining table before, after and even during (if you’re careful!) Christmas dinner.

reindeer candle holder, thisnext.com

I’m actually quite taken with this next interesting vase / candle holder. I love the whole idea of this dual-purpose accessory designed by Harry Allen. It’s cast from his own arm, and can be used to display flowers to dramatic effect…

Harry Allen Bestow vase/ candle holder $75, at designpublic.com

Or to support a candle in a slightly creepy way…

Seriously, can you imagine having only this to light your home during a black-out? That’s got to be scary!

For a more friendly, fairytale-like approach to the old vase, check out this sweet little offering by Jamie Hayon…

I love how the flowers make the horses look like unicorns. And I think it’s so refreshing to see vases that are able to get attention for their own design rather than be overshadowed by the beauty of their flowers. 

Moving on to soft furnishings, this horse head cushion from Kropserkel, is sure to make a statement! Send as a gift-with-a-hidden-meaning to make a point, or better yet an offer they can’t refuse (sorry, I couldn’t resist!) or just pop it into your guest’s bed for some old school Godfather scares!

And finally, for those of us who just want to get back to nature, these cushions, designed by the immensely talented Ronel Jordaan, are just what the doctor ordered…

Horse head pillow $45, kropserkel.com

And finally, for those of us who just want to get back to nature, these cushions, designed by the immensely talented Ronel Jordaan, are just what the doctor ordered…

Stone cushions, at conceptrends.com

The shapes look so clean and earthy, while the material (100% merino wool) makes them a rather luxurious choice.

The stuff of romance

Well it’s here again, the most romantic day of the year is just a day away. And in the spirit of the day, we’re having a look at some beautiful and romantic settings.

First up, the fabulously decadent Mayfair Hotel in London…

Talk about co-ordinating… Even the shoes match the cushions! I have to say, I think the colour is just amazing. A paler pink would make it all very sugary. The darkness of this however adds a touch of sophistication.

Speaking of sophistication, I think I might be a little bit in love with the spa in the Watermark Hotel…

It just looks like the perfect place to relax with your partner. The muted colours, the plants, the candles… On second thought, it looks like the perfect place to relax on your own! And while we’re on the topic of bathing away the stresses of the day, check out the bathroom in The Bale hotel in Bali..

Now that is pure indulgence! Once again, it’s all about the candles and the flowers. Is there anything those little things can’t improve?! And fortunately, this little talk of candles brings us seamlessly (ahem…) to this little picture of paradise, courtesy of the Bucuti beach resort in Aruba…

I realise of course that this is not really interior design, but I just couldn’t help myself. This for me, is just the essence of romance. But I should probably stop staring at it and just post this!