House and garden show at Kensington Olympia

It's been a while since I commented on an interior design show , and I must admit a lot of things are going on in my apartment – so many in fact that I cannot decide if it is better to carry on with the works, or stop, breath in and think about it. 

As of this date I am not aware if somebody is systematically reading my blog – but if so – please raise your hands in the form of a comment. Should it not be the case, I must say that the blog is nonetheless true to the intentions. I definitely need and use this wonderful sounding board to look at my decisions.

So, here I am forcing myself once again to stop and think on the occasion of House and Garden festival.

I had the occasion to visit it a couple of weeks ago and the impressions are still fresh. Hereunder I share with you what I liked about it in particular, what I would see more of, and what I am missing here in Brussels.

1. The wonderful talks! sadly, one cannot dedicate all the time to talks, but those I listen to, were very enriching

Farrow and ball's Charlotte Cosby gave away quite a lot of advice. I admit I haven't thought about making a list of all the items that I want to have painted, or the difference it makes to the architraves when the colour is matched and not plain white. Brilliant, very visual presentation, lots of people interested. Had  a peak in her book and may be buying it, even though I am nearly finished with decoration (or not?). 

Another alleyway to explore for instance is my minuscule entrance hall – which on top of everything is quite dark. So I am really playing with the idea to die the ceiling a beautiful green colour that can be integrated in all 3 rooms colours schemes.

It is of course debatable if a colour can be integrated in different colour schemes – probably subject to a different post. If I could find such a colour (have something in mind) that would be the common thread which will nail it all down.

The talk on bringing ethnicity to one's home. I am so proud of my relatively good record – already have my Nicaraguan coffee table, Japanese tableware and Malaysian ceramic sculpture on display. Agree with the presenter from Kalinko that colour should be leading – if your finds don't match the colour scheme – put them somewhere else. Disagree with her that if we like something, we must absolutely buy it – this in the light of my beautiful sarees whish may not see the light in this particular apartment. Excellent food for thought still

2. Decorated rooms sets. Just what I was sadly missing at Cocoon Brussels where just 4 designers were present and no tangible expression of their work. There were at least 5 room sets – some form designers I follow (2LG) and some from designers I have just discovered and find fascinating!

 Natalia Miyar presented a very brave living room with gorgeous pink walls. I was also impressed by what she said in the subsequent interview : Go big or go home. I suppose this is the massive difference between the interior designer's client who just needs someone to guide him to the utmost expression of his inner world in the form of a designed room. And then, there are hobby designers (such as myself) who'd rather stay in the safe perimeter of IKEA furniture. Nothing embarrassing – just food for thought.

The other interviewed designer – Tiffany Duggan of Studios Duggan also showed an audacious room with brave animal print fitted carpet. So, indeed, would be nice to see more of those sets

3. Products which are not naturally present in Brussels but provide an interesting incentive into interiors – in that case it was a first time for me to see how the paneling works …

And more decorative objects, furniture, lights, art. Strange enough there was a lot of clothing, jewelry and food – a bit unusual – but I'm guessing they know their readers. Can count me as a reader too – for the next year, because they got me subscribed! 

I hope to be able to make it to another fair soon, and not necessarily in Brussels where the identical event looked a bit rough and raw – more the store house than the shop window. Will report back, and especially if and when I integrate and idea into my designs – this way you can trace the origin!

As to yourselves – what is your experience? Do you generally learn useful things, enjoy meeting the industry or deepen your knowledge of brands? Don't be shy, share! Recommend me a next fair to visit!

One two three … testing

Much as I enjoy having found inspiration, time for work, and obviously benefitting from the abundant summer light, I must try to stay cool and not rush – many of my recent ideas must be tested in smaller, palatable steps. That is because I better do the mistakes before they are magnified.

So, follow me with the presentation of those tests, of variable success, but undisputable value to the project!

You remember my tiling quarries and worries, and how I nearly settled for a combination of a plane tile and mosaic-like tile? So, on a beautiful Brussels morning I headed for the shop, hoping to find that perfect combination. For a start, few of tiles exposed were really in stock, and then once you choose and pay and make it to the backroom, they give you a different product.

I knew it when I saw it (the vendor acted surprised), asked the right questions and ended up with a take it or leave it situation. So, I took it and you can see it hereunder… it is good because it is fairly neutral. It is bad because anyone can produce this combination, while the original choice had more of a challenge.

Next – my future master bedroom – code name project 2. At least two big questions right away:

-      The walls colour

-      The curtain rails colour

The walls must tie to the wall paper – Kelly Hoppen’sikat in bleu, which was at the heart of the design. However, it is not a simple bleu – there are at least three different streaks which come together. I’d go for the closest colour – the brand is Perfection, colour is Atlantik 3F.

Luckily, tests exist, and this is what they are for – I am not happy with the result – it is a kind of purple. Isn’t it nice to have this done, before paint for the entire room is purchased?

So, I will move on and do the next test with ShadyPurple A70 from Levis!

As to the curtain rail – after the very successful copper rail in the living room, I like the one in the master bedroom to be silver – so this is the paint chip you see next to the wall paper. Once again two choices: the actual silver is kind of muted, and there is a mirror-quality colour known as chrome – this is going to be another test.

Next – plan layout – the hundred times re-drawn project 1! Two things are to be tested:

-      The volumes – that is the table composition, but the choice of table and seating is naturally going to be very different

-      The elevations – old with the new – given that I already have the “old”, I shall place them where I’ll want to find them before buying the new.

So, for this one, no complaints, second thoughts or whatsoever – the decision is to go and buy those Billy bookcases.

Finally, if you remember from the post – the bookcases need to be tweaked a little – again this beautiful copper colour. Well, before spraying the whole thing, it makes sense to check how the paint meets the surface small scale – here is a single shelf from the bookcase sprayed in copper. I will only know how to proceed after it is dry.

And this is it – only two days in a weekend – so much done and nothing completed. Stay tuned, because most certainly the tests will mature into project results! And don’t forget to leave comments!