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Our Top Twelve Sofa Picks from The Furniture... | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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When you’re ready to update the look of your living room, it makes sense to start with your sofa. It’s probably the largest single item in the room, and sets the tone for everything that follows. Choosing a sofa that reflects your personal style brings the entire room together in a way that’s warm and inviting.

We’ve sourced 12 outstanding sofas that address comfort and style in unique ways, all at outstanding Summer Sale prices. Take a look to find the sofa that calls out to you personally.

1. Gorgeous from the back, Too

Iconic mid-century styling is showcased beautifully in the steam-bent, solid ash arms of the Ercol Marino sofa, with their bold, confident fluidity. Duck feathers topped foam core seat cushions and duck feather back cushions surround you in comfort, while you’ll feel spoilt for choice by the wide range of upholstery colours. £1525 in sale.

2. Surprise! Put your feet up in style

Your guests will admire the sleek lines of this ultra-modern Natuzzi Livorno sofa, but their admiration will turn to envy when you show them the smooth, gliding power recliners. The drop down headrests mean this sofa keeps its stylish low profile, and as the ultra-comfortable foam-filled cushions retain their shape for longer, your living room will stay looking cool and contemporary. This exclusive Italian sofa is available in luxuriously soft leathers and other fabrics. £4195 in sale

3. Soft, luxurious, and inviting

Clean lines pair with deliciously luxurious leather in the handcrafted Fulham Broadway sofa from Halo. The deeply cushioned seats invite you to relax, and the handcrafted, hand-finished quality is evident in every detail of this compact two-seater sofa. £1499 in sale

4. Compact and cool

The compact design of the City Loft corner sofa makes it ideal for relaxing and enjoying the company of friends, turning even a smaller flat into a hospitable home. The angled, tapered legs and high, shaped arms bring elegant mid-century flair to your living room, while it’s a pleasure to sink into deep seats and rest against rich, velvety fabrics . £1095 in sale

5. So luxurious it’s downright decadent

Just one glance at the Puglia sofa from Natuzzi Editions tells you that you’re in for comfort. Wide, cushioned arms invite you to lounge, while the soft leather or velvet upholstery feels luxurious. Make life perfect when you activate the power recliner to put your feet up and relax in style. £1895 in sale

6. Comfort with a side of retro

Top-quality craftsmanship pairs with more than just a touch of Scandinavian flair in the handsome Cosenza sofa from Ercol with its retro splayed legs and buttoned back. Choose from a wide range of gorgeous colours and fabrics, and relax knowing that the cushions are reversible to extend their long life. £1215 in sale

7. Iconic style with contemporary flair

The Halo Kingston Mews sofa, a reinvention of the classic Chesterfield, features the iconic buttons and scrolled arms of the original while wrapping it in soft yet durable leather that makes you want to lean back and relax rather than sit up straight. Antique or weathered oak ball feet strike just the right vintage note to pay homage to the past, and this time-travelling sofa fits beautifully into both classic and modern décor. £2195 in sale

8. Fabulous flair

If you love the low-rise Chesterfield style but want a more contemporary look for your living room, check out this Aruba sofa. The on-trend print that adds a splash of bold botanic flair to your home. This sofa makes a creative statement with an undeniable dedication to comfort. £1295 in sale

9. Mid-century stunner

Add extra seating to your living room or foyer with the classic mid-century look of this solid elm and beech Ercol Originals love seat. The contoured seat is comfortable even without a cushion, and the intricate spindles bring a sense of iconic delicacy to any room. £629 in sale

10. Soft against your skin

Relax into the deep cushions and wonderful lumbar support of this striking contemporary World of Leather Salvador chaise. Soft-touch leather feels incredible against your skin, and a wide range of available colours lets you choose a bold style to make a statement or a calmer neutral to keep your whole living room relaxed. £1995 in sale

11. The best of both worlds

From the High Street Collection, this classic Bond Street sofa calls to those who like a more traditional look in their homes but still live a modern life. Elegant design pairs with contemporary piping, curved arms, and artfully tapered wood feet to tie together a room filled with antiques while providing a modern sense of comfort. £699 in sale

12. Go Scandi for comfort and style

Scandinavian simplicity combines perfectly with inviting comfort in this Copenhagen corner sofa. Its compact footprint makes it ideal to anchor a smaller living room, while its stylish tapered legs add a sense of lightness. Enjoy the soft, neutral upholstery and elegant finishing touches as you relax in style. £995 in sale

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The Art of Open Plan Shelving | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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Open plan shelves are everywhere. From kitchens to bedrooms, bathrooms to living rooms, open plan shelving is a simple and easy way to achieve a personal and eclectic feel within your home. Space is often at a premium but this style of shelving offers a practical and contemporary solution that can also tell your story. Here’s a handy guide on how to create sophisticated shelves with the items you love.

Planning

As tempting as it may be to start putting things on shelves, a bit of planning and preparation at this stage will really pay off. Take a look at all the objects you have collected over the years and pick out the items you particularly love. Curating your collection will create a cohesive look and reinforce your style.

The Shelves Themselves

It’s not just what you put on the shelves that counts, adding colour or pattern to the shelves can enhance the collection. Painting the shelves the same colour as the wall is a great way to draw attention to your objects as is using wallpaper as a backdrop.

Items

Arranging items into groups is really effective and creating a balanced look is the key here. It’s like you are creating a mini gallery or museum of you so be inventive. Perhaps group your objects by colour or interest and remember that groups of books can be stacked either horizontally or vertically (or both). Try a few arrangements, stand back each time, and see what works to your eye.

Spacing

When looking at open plan shelving photos on websites and magazines it is rarely over cluttered. In fact most items are given their own space to ‘breathe’ and be seen. Think of galleries and museums that allow objects and artwork to be viewed with out interruption from other items. You can apply the same principles to your collection. This is also a great opportunity to recycle or donate any unwanted items whilst remembering the golden rule of less is more.

Heights

To create impact and balance make sure the heights of your items are varied throughout the shelving. Tall objects are a good place to start and don’t be afraid to try different combinations and layouts to find the best places for your objects. Art and photos can also be displayed on shelving for a relaxed and layered look that is really effective.

Colours and Textures

If your items are bright and colourful try adding a few neutral colours to make it each item stand out. Using all neutral colours creates a calming and timeless look too, as does monochrome. Varying textures and materials adds interest too such as woods and metallics.

Greenery

Plants on shelves helps to adds a breath of fresh air (quite literally) and the splashes of vivid greenery will bring a natural element to your display.

Change it Up

Don’t be afraid to change things around as and when you feel like it. This could be moving items into different places or swapping objects that might coincide with changes in the year or different celebrations. Remember, there are no ‘rules’. You are the curator, you are in charge.

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A Brilliant Bayswater Townhouse Reinvention | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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There’s something to be said about reinvention. Edgy, raw and pragmatic, it exudes confidence in both the perfection and robustness of one’s artistic vision, as well as a bareknuckle grit to see it through to its fruition. Remapped, reconfigured, reinvented, these spaces have a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’; whether it’s the story, or the home’s resilience in having refused to bite the dust, reinvented homes bristle with a charisma like no other. Few homes express these ideas better than ‘The Cloisters’. This Bayswater home was completely gutted and transformed by the London-based Architecture Practice Studio Verve, whose design-driven philosophy and method formed a poetic and youthful new space for the young couple who call the bespoke maisonette home. Follow us as we walk through ‘The Cloisters’, observing Studio Verve’s signature penchant for bold, playful forms and unapologetic lines that has given the Bayswater home its much deserved second life.

New Cartographies

In its former form, ‘The Cloisters’ was a three-bedroom maisonette. Poorly designed floor-plans meant that the home’s spaces were closed off, failing to satisfy the owners’ desire for an open, modern living space. The interiors were tired and out of touch and were overdue a complete reworking. To map the house’s new spaces, Studio Verve partially gutted the ground floor so as to create the space for an open-planned kitchen whilst also maintaining a split-level lounge.

On the upper decks, the three bedrooms were converted into one master bedroom that features a generous walk-in closet, and two separate studies.

The first floor was also gutted to create higher pitched ceilings to give the home’s spaces greater height and lift. To make the most of this added height, Studio Verve also incorporated a mezzanine level which houses one of the studies.

Set dead in the centre is the home’s new showstopping heart. Clad in a lattice of weathered timber, the central column both visually and structurally binds together the various levels of the bespoke, triplex apartment. It unites a textural level also, with same finish being found on the mezzanine and basement areas of the home.

Studio Verve wrapped the staircase around this central feature column, meaning that the punky, rough ‘round the edges’ contrast it provides to the home endures as a constant, stylistic motif throughout the property.

A series of skylights, installed above the column, drastically increase its sense of drama, pairing the light ash tones of the wood against deep, shadowy blacks; it displays the column in its full splendour, allowing the onlooker to gaze at it in its entire, mesmerising complexity.

High Contrast, High Rewards

Enter ‘The Cloisters’ and it won’t be terribly long before you encounter its lounge and adjoining open planned kitchen and dining areas.

Studio Verve’s construction of these spaces’ interiors is nothing short of a pure masterclass in high contrast. Dark timber flooring paired with the steely, urban matt blue of the walls makes for a gorgeous play between tradition and a notably London brand of modernity.

Paired with angular, contemporary lighting, the confident use of strong, statement tones and forms develops an astounding complexity to the space, yet still maintaining a youthful and boyish charm all at the same time. Studio Verve’s use of these dark complex tones also makes for the perfect backdrop to the owners’ eclectic art collection.

The brilliance and robustness of the interiors that Studio Verve compose can be seen in the way they marry a variety of different styled furniture; from late Colonial accents, urban pop-culture prints, Art Deco inspired forms to the mid-century modern angles, the spaces are masterfully composed, never once feeling congested.

This same mantra is carried into the home’s corridors and landings also, though Studio Verve shifts gears towards more texturally-inclined contrasts so as to maintain a lightness in these areas.

Punky, rough-sawn timber accents clash against the muted, matt patina of off white walls, which themselves are set against a series of grey-browns that develop both a depth to these spaces. Studio Verve similarly ornaments these spaces with an array of differently toned woods that match the hues found on the feature centre wall, neatly tying the entire space together.

Moving Up

The Cloisters’ master bedroom and bathroom break from the trends seen in the home’s lower decks; these spaces both boast a character and ambience all of their own. We’re particularly in love with the bedroom.

An array of off whites, creams, shell pinks and light, ashen brown notes play heavily to the narratives of relaxation and luxury. Paired with the vintage-inspired textures, such as the arc print wallpaper and the ornamentation of the old-world, classical frills on the covers, the room exudes prominent Scandinavian, classical and mid-century styles, which the space gracefully blends together.

The room’s notably vintage flavour is further developed through Studio Verve’s eclectic choice of lighting. The ceiling light shade again plays to a distinctively mid-century sense of symmetry and exploration into form.

Similarly on the walls, Studio Verve’s own inquiry into geometry with light can be observed as an art form all of its own. Created by diffusing the light against the walls, the triangular, cone forms heighten the room’s sense of drama, whilst also allowing for the wallpaper’s subtle grain to further pop. Studio Verve’s attention to detail in ensuring that the room is bathed in soft, diffused lighting gives the space a golden glow, adding to the space’s opulent and soothing feel.

With regard to its composition, the home’s main bathroom is both a blend of metropolitan and eastern influences. Clad uniformly in a rectangular, gloss tile, the walls of The Cloisters’ bathroom add a distinctive city edge to the space, evocative of the Underground.

Studio Verve’s focus on both uncomplicated forms and tones with the bath, mirrors and silks are similarly reflective of a very London rationality and straightforwardness. Nevertheless, the tiles’ muted, olive green colour projects an atmosphere beyond the scope of the city. Paired with the ornate tiles that the floor is clad with, the cumulative effect of these two elements introduces a somewhat Middle Eastern tinge and dynamism to the space, developing a complexity and character to the space whilst also providing a refreshing and invigorating quality.

Taking Notes from ‘The Cloisters’

If Studio Verve’s renovation of ‘The Cloisters’ had one take-home message it would simply be confidence. A tasteful blending of colours, styles and textures is the backbone of the Bayswater home’s huge personality.

Classically influenced yet still irreverent, muted, understated yet brimming with textural and tonal accents, the home is a masterclass in stamping one’s identity on a space. The home takes this attitude or to a structural level also, physically transforming the space to the requirements of the owner.

In the spirit of renovation, ‘The Cloisters’ is a superlative example and indeed one with the capacity to inspire with its authenticity, in both design-based and architectural senses.

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Autumn Colours: Warm Browns for Cosy Living | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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Autumn is right around the corner and that means it’s time to add some warm, autumnal colours to your home design plans. One of the most versatile of these is brown, the colour of leaves, wood, the woodland ground and flowers at the end of their summer reign. Brown, with its earthiness and warmth, can add a cozy charm to any living space, whether you use it as an accent colour or opt to decorate the entire room in brown hues.

Autumn Design Plans: Use a rich deep brown

Brown comes in a wide range of hues, from tan to deep chocolate, with an entire palette of shades in between. Consider mocha, taupe, charcoal and sienna when selecting the browns you want to use in your home. In fact, there are more than 40 different shades of brown from which to choose.

Below are a few ideas to help you add brown to your autumnal design motif. Layer different shades of brown in a single room for a complex, yet rich and comfortable look.

The Quintessential Brown Sofa

This New England leather sofa from Furniture Village is the quintessential brown piece for your autumn colour motif and can be softened with pillows or throws as the seasons change. Available in a variety of brown hues, this three-seater sofa will last a lifetime with decent care. £ 1695

Modern Rug

This patterned, hand-woven, graphic rug from Heal’s will add a variety of brown hues to your room while adding interest and helping to define your living spaces. It’s available in a variety of sizes and would be perfect atop a parquet or wooden floor. £ 450

Warm Elegance

Adding brown to your rooms doesn’t have to just mean updating your furniture. Accessories, like this plaid, Douglas wool throw can be useful in layering the brown hues in your living space and helping to evoke the richness of an autumn evening, no matter the season. £ 95

Luxury Lighting

Good light is essential to any good design plan. Traditional design wisdom says that you need a minimum of three points of light in any given space. This walnut-stained modern table lamp from Habitat makes a good reading or accent lamp, while adding another layer of brown to your room. £ 70

Quirky Wall Art

Artwork, too, can add depth and complexity to your Autumn Colours room. It can also help accent your own individual taste and individuality. This print in sepia and brown tones of the rooftops of Oxford University by Claire Halifax from Art Republic can add interest to any room, while highlighting your quirky style and eclectic taste. £ 300

Display Your Best

This four-tiered California display unit not only adds warm brown tones to your room, but gives you an elegant place to display your collections, dinnerware, books or other collectables. £ 699

Be Bold and Bookish

Books are a great addition to an Autumn Colours theme. After all, what else is there to do on a cold, autumn night? This light-brown wooden bookcase from Feather & Black gives you a place to store those tomes while adding to your room’s overall look. £ 275

One of a Kind Accessory

If you’re looking for an accent piece that will tie your room together without resorting to the same tired ideas you’ve seen at your friends houses, then this small warp bowl is the perfect addition. It’s modern, stylish and sure to intrigue your friends. And it’s got the curious patina of a chestnut, which brings back memories of games of conkers in the playground. £ 65

Incorporating the colour brown into your home decor not only adds warmth and a natural charm, but can take your rooms from autumn through the rest of the year. With a little time and effort, your Autumn Colours look can give your home that rich, effortless British country house or Long Island estate look, no matter where in the world you live.

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Mid-Century Coffee Tables – Our Top 10 | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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You’ve painstakingly styled the perfect retro living room but there’s one piece left to buy that will create the ideal focal point to pull your look together, the keystone of the room: a mid-century coffee table.

Both practical and beautiful, a stylish coffee table will act as the perfect perch for your TV remote, magazines and of course, coffee. With styles that feature clean lines and a sleek silhouette to tables with hidden storage for all your living room paraphernalia, there’s a lot of choices out there so we’ve compiled our top 10.

1. Habitables Coffee Table

Unique, handcrafted and incredibly well made – the Habitables coffee table was designed by Manuel Barrera, having been inspired by the Bahaus movement. Made from solid walnut featuring an iron frame and slender shelf that’s just large enough to stash magazines and your remote – this is a stylish table that would make for a chic addition to any home – £560.00

2. Belgrave Coffee Table

The Belgrave is a great example of a modern coffee table with a mid-century look. The oval shape, dark stain and bevelled edged detailing come together to create a sophisticated coffee table that’s too good to be thought of as a resting place for your remote – £249.00

3. Fifties Coffee Table

Reminiscent of the iconic 1950s kidney-shaped table, this smooth and sophisticated number will bring style and flair into your living room. The slim, tapered oak legs combined with the mineral green table top works together to offer a truly retro feel – £705.00

4. Metro Coffee Table

The Metro coffee table is a simple piece of design, crafted from natural rubber wood and featuring a pair of hairpin legs for a clean and contemporary take on mid-century style. The loop shape offers ample storage space for all your living room paraphernalia as well as a great look – £315.00

5. Sato Coffee Table

The Sato coffee table has been crafted from gorgeous rosewood and features a lovely seamless silhouette that’s perfectly placed in the centre of a mid-century space. Imagine styled with coffee table books and plant pots for a modern and contemporary update to your living room – £249.00

6. Joyce Large Acacia Coffee Table

The Joyce acacia coffee table is a great value piece packed full of style. The distinctive shape, asymmetric spindle legs and deep walnut finish come together to create a beautiful chic coffee table that’s timeless and on-trend. Try teaming with the smaller version for a nest of tables to covet – £130.00

7. Herzen Coffee Table

The Herzen coffee table from Swoon Editions is a brilliant example of a modern take on mid-century design. Boasting clean lines and a slick silhouette whilst featuring ample storage space and an on-trend geometric drawer, this is mid-century style with panache – £279.00

8. West Elm Mid-century Pop-Up Storage Coffee Table

A brilliant way to maximise on minimal space, the west elm mid-century coffee table is a piece of furniture that works hard to deliver brilliantly on both form and function. Featuring a hidden storage and a gorgeous marble shelf, the distinctive design has been heavily influenced by 1950s and 1960s shapes and will bring a timeless and vintage feel to your living room interior – £699.00

9. Hooper Coffee Table

The Hooper coffee table from MADE has a bold and uncomplicated form that screams retro chic. The solid and striking shape is so on-trend and the hoop creates an ideal space for storage to keep your living room completely clutter-free – £169.00

10. Spring Scandinavian White Coffee Table

The Spring Scandinavian coffee table is a retro inspired masterpiece – a modern take on a vintage shape. The functional design features ample room for magazines, coffee table books or whatever takes your fancy – £91.99

When choosing the perfect coffee table, think about proportions, materials and shape. This piece of furniture will normally sit centrally in your space, so it needs to stand out for all the right reasons.

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Get the Look – Marble Interiors: How to Work the... | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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Marble has had a huge revival over the past couple of years, traditionally confined to bathroom interiors, the marble renaissance has had a modern reboot with stylists, designers and the high street offering attainable looks that are stylish, chic and contemporary.

Whether it’s in a Scandinavian interior to add a touch of luxe, or in an urban home with industrial features, marble interiors have been re-defined. The trend shows no signs of fading so take a peek at our top tips on how to create the look in a modern home:

Accessories

Accessories are a simple and pocket-friendly way to get the look and with a huge array out there from clocks to candle holders there’s a lot to choose from. In 2017-2018 designers are favouring dark marbles over the traditional Carrera white, but whatever you prefer you’ll still be bang on trend. Try adding a marble clock to your space, this one from MADE simultaneously nails the copper and marble trend in one piece. Retailing at £49 it’s a steal too.

Try adding a lamp with a marble base. The warm glow of a lamp works beautifully against the cool and elegant stone. Try this marble lamp again from MADE, in two colours and teamed with a brass stem it’s a seamless way to work the trend! £79

Marble Furniture

Once you have your accessories, you’re likely to have marble mania and be willing to experiment further. Now’s the time to go all in and play with larger furniture pieces in your space. This side table found on FindDesign has a shapely base crafted from blonde wood crowned with a beautiful marble disc – sheer perfection!

A coffee table is another great investment. Try this one again found on FindDesign, the pebble shape top harks back to mid-century design but in marble and gold has a glamorous feel to it – the perfect statement for a chic living room.

Indulge in the Trend

You can go two ways when styling marble and some people prefer to fully indulge and go glam. Think luxe, so try pairing marble with velvets and brass for an interior scheme to covet, very art-deco. In terms of wall colours, verdant greens and indigo pair well with marble, so go deep with your hues.

Golds and velvet work to warm the coolness of the stone, but remember when mixing bold materials like golds, marble and velvet it’s best to use them sparingly as accents so’s not to overpower a room.

Strip it Back

If you prefer a Scandinavian style then it’s a great idea to keep things simple and use marble topped metal and wooden tables to create a minimalist look over shiny brass and gold.

Marble Walls

Marble wallpaper is not only a great way to bring a feature wall into a room, but can also work to break up a space and create defined areas. Wallpaper is a contemporary twist on traditional marble tiles that’s great value too. Thinkimprint offer a great range in different wallpapers, try a great base to create a cool and calming atmosphere that’s perfect for a serene bedroom.

Bold whilst simultaneously timeless, marbling your walls is a worthwhile investment and an ideal way of introducing luxury into your home on a budget.

Keep up Tradition

Sometimes classic is best, there’s a reason marble features in so many kitchens and bathrooms. Clean, durable and fresh the material is the perfect employed for a splashback, kitchen counter or bathroom sink.

For a modern twist pair white marble with statement gun metal hardware, black and white is classic colour combo and is guaranteed to look good. Perfect if your home style is more industrial and you prefer to toughen up your interiors.

Mix Up Your Materials

Pair marble with concrete for a truly contemporary look that will get people talking about your home for all the right reasons. Try employing this in your bathroom for a for a tough-luxe vibe to lust after.

Marble is having its moment and don’t be fooled into thinking it’s cold and inaccessible. Whether you work the trend with accents or dive into the deep end there are easy ways to bring marble into the modern home. Just remember to stick to one central theme, be that glamorous or minimalist and be consistent.

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A Beautiful Cottage Kitchen | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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When Sarah and Andrew were first shown the house they went on to buy in Datchworth, they realised that all the other viewers were missing a trick. A large cottage with a decent sized kitchen opposite some woods and a village pub in a leafy historic Hertfordshire village, with cricket on the green? Illustrious neighbours and an easy commute to London? Plenty space for the boys to play out and grow up in an idyllic setting? Why hadn’t the house been snapped up?

They soon came to realise that the only things wrong with the place were the aesthetics. Painted a tired mustard yellow and with a kitchen that had seen better days, they realised that with a bit of serious work, they could turn the cottage into something really special.

IDEALIST: What attracted you to the area?

Sarah: We loved the countryside, good pubs, great school and friends and proximity to London.

IDEALIST: Was it love at first sight?

Sarah: I wouldn’t say love at first sight but potential at first sight! The location was spot on as was the layout of the house it was all cosmetic and knew that could all be changed and adapted to our taste/style.

IDEALIST: When did you realise you were seeing the house differently from other viewers?

Sarah: The Estate Agent mentioned that a lot of people had been put off by the colour of the outside of the house and the dark/dated interior but it’s amazing what a lick of paint can achieve!!

IDEALIST: What did you decide to do first?

Sarah: We planned a 2 month renovation for the get go as we knew we only wanted to proceed with the purchase if we could make the changes so we ripped out the kitchen and put a new one in, put engineered oak floorboards throughout on the ground floor and put seagrass upstairs throughout. We painted all the window and door frames and doors and changed the door furniture. Every room was painted and the whole house was lightened up. We choose Bert and May tiles for the kitchen and in the fireplace in the sitting room.

IDEALIST: How did you choose DeVol for the kitchen?

Sarah: We loved the DeVOL kitchens from the start and it was love at first sight!

IDEALIST: How would you describe your style?

Sarah: I would describe our style as eclectic, quirky and warm with a hint of our travels in France and Morocco. Luckily we pretty much agree on both things, I would say my style is a bit more eclectic than Andrew’s but he reigns me in if he’s not happy or comfortable with something and usually he’s right so I really value his opinion.

IDEALIST: What did you do in detail?

We spent a lot of time choosing the paint colours as they’re subtly different through-out, I wanted the house to flow and nothing to jar but to have subtle colours flowing throughout the house and to provide a backdrop for all our things as we’re not minimalists!

IDEALIST: The look throughout feels very established – quirky and historical, but very tasteful — how has that come about?

I think my taste has evolved over time, I’m a great fan of Rita Konig, Anna Spiro and Kit Kemp and find their styles hugely inspiring. We always try and buy interesting things when we’re on holiday and I’m always going to antiques fairs and bric a brac shops. It’s always nice when your home tells a story about you and your family and to be a warm and inviting place to live and share with friends and family.

IDEALIST: How do you love the house now?

We love the house and are excited about it continuing to evolve, we need more furniture, curtain and paintings and things to properly fill the house but that will happen over the course of time so it’s exciting to think about what it will look like when we’ve reached that stage. Although I’m always collecting and moving things around so nothing stays the same forever!

IDEALIST: What’s next for you?

I think the next thing is to do a bit more in the sitting room to get it a bit more ready for Christmas. A log burner, a pair of armchairs, a console table and some fab lamps would be a start.

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Light Up Your Summer | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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With the summer season well and truly upon us, many of you will be making the most of any outdoor space you have. Each night you want to dine al fresco, sip on a perfectly pale dry rosé and bask in the shadow of the summer sunset. However, most of us in the UK are never prepared for outdoor living in the summer as our weather can be unpredictable at times – but it is important to make it as practical as possible. One of the easiest aspects to overlook is lighting. We enjoy the heat of the evening, when we suddenly become aware that the sun has gone down and there is virtually no visibility left. To ensure your outdoor evenings can last a little longer invest in good outdoor lighting options.

Here are some ideas to help you enjoy summer to the utmost!

Light Up Your Path

For those who have the luxury of a covered outdoor area this pendant is a fantastic option for you. Its beautifully minimalistic, industrial design adds a chic ambience to the setting. It also is well suited as a porch light, or if you have an outdoor dining area it makes the perfect overhead table light. It can be found at John Lewis for £160.00.

Light Up Your Outdoor Space

This tea light holder is a great way to add a natural composition to your outdoor space. The combination of Eucalyptus wood and glass brings a subtle Mediterranean sensation and is a clever approach to bringing a summer holiday feeling into the home. It is finished with a touch of fresh white around the bottom adding a brightness to the area. Find it for £91.88 at Maisons Du Monde.

This acrylic table lamp by designer Fatboy is available in a range of colours and is an innovative way of lighting up your garden. Wireless and chargeable, it is extremely practical and can also look great indoors, making it a versatile option for you.

The beautiful grey tone will complement many colour schemes easily. It is available from Amara for £89.95.

String Lights

The Foscarini UTO light is a cosmic inspired design which adds a playful and ‘interstellar’ touch to the area. It is suitable for both indoors and outdoors and can be set up as a pendant, a floor lamp or hung freely as a hook lamp. Try hanging it from a tree to add ambience and character; as it is encased in silicon rubber, it’s perfect for outdoor weather conditions. Nest.co.uk stock the design at £353.00.

String Lights are always a great addition to your summer outdoor lighting collection. They are perfect to drape from a balcony, on the underside of a parasol or into your foliage, creating the ultimate setting for your garden dining. These wicker lights from John Lewis are a charming option to continue the organic theme that the outdoor setting already provides. With the benefit of solar powered LED bulbs, they will add a stunningly soft glow, perfect for your garden parties and summer BBQ’s. They are reasonably priced at £20.00 for a 3.8m cable length.

Outdoor Lighting

Citronella candles are always a good option for lighting outside, as they not only add to the atmosphere but they also keep any flies or mosquitos at bay. This candle from The White Company is an enchanting design and comes in a handmade, stone-coloured pot. The candle has 49 hours of burning time, meaning it will provide plenty of light for many summer evenings. It is available for £35.00.

For those wanting to create a focal point in the garden, this giant outdoor Anglepoise 1227 floor lamp is perfect. Originally designed over three decades ago this lamp is a triple-scale version and stands over 2.3m tall. Available in a range of colours it will make a statement whilst adding class to your garden setting. Houseology stock the lamp at £3750.00.

The Globe light by Skyline Design is a contemporary design and will help turn your garden into a stylish and modern venue to enjoy throughout the summer. With various lighting settings and colourways, it adds different dimensions and will create a nice touch when dining outside. It can be found at Naken Interiors for £81.00.

Lighting is important in any location, as it sets the tone and creates a serene atmosphere. If you do have the luxury of an outdoor area, make the most of it: be sure to add charm and elegance whilst keeping it practical for use on a regular basis. Make sure it is perfect not only for guests whilst entertaining, but ultimately for you.

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Shopping the New Habitat Autumn/Winter Collection | Spencer Thorpe Blog

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One of the UK’s favourite high street home decor retailers, Habitat was founded in 1964 by Sir Terence Conran. Today the brand is recognised internationally and spreads the Conran gospel of affordable good design with a number of bricks and mortar showrooms in the UK and a booming on-line sales presence. Habitat’s on trend products are distinguished by fine craftsmanship and their seasonal collections of newly released items hotly anticipated twice a year.

Habitat has just unveiled its Autumn/Winter Collection just as thoughts are beginning to turn towards the end of summer and the cooler, shorter days just ahead. It’s an ideal time to contemplate an interior design refresh for your home. Most of us will be spending more time indoors in the months to come and now presents good opportunities to refresh your living spaces with comfort and style for increased use. Whether you’re looking to invest in a complete new look with state of the art furniture pieces and fashionable accessories, or simply to replace a few key items and refresh your existing living space, chances are you’ll find what you need at Habitat.

One trend we love is mixing mid-century profiles with warm-toned metals such as copper, bronze and gold. It’s a less bling-y approach to luxury with subtle finishes that offer a warm glow rather than polished shine. Copper is especially right on trend and Habitat has a number of metal pieces that mix well with the clean lines of mid-century style for a vintage yet fresh feel. Warm metals also play off more monochromatic colour schemes – all white and black or shades of grey, which is still very popular for sophisticated living rooms and lofts.

Kickstart your new living area with a really great sofa. This saffron coloured three-seater is exclusive to Habitat. Curvy and deeply padded, the Saskia sofa straddles vintage and contemporary sensibilities and lends itself well to creative accessorizing. £695.00

We also love the shape of this Townsend sage grey sofa in velvet. The fabric is on trend yet timeless, creating a perfect base for layering brighter hues and rougher textures. £1600

Pair it with a similar profile but woven fabric armchair for contrast with clashing. £895

This orange and ash coffee table echoes the profile of these sofa options and really amps up the mid century vibe beautifully. Bonus: the top is a removable tray. £195

But you could just as easily start your warm metal tribute here with a circular hammered brass and aluminium side table. Iridescent and more lightweight than it looks, the Orrico side table is exclusive to Habitat and comes available in two sizes. £130

Continue the theme with this good looking copper ceiling fixture. The geometry is pure mid-century modern and we also love the unique shadows this hanging lamp casts around the room. The Zelie ceiling shade also comes in a black and gold option. £35

Also new and exclusive to Habitat for fall is this copper task light. Warm, sleek and adjustable, it’s provides a perfect pop of copper and casts a rosy light. £150

Add more warmth and glow with even the smallest accessories such as this Italian-made Kupari picture frame, in multiples for maximum impact on your walls. £38

And even dark metal can contribute to the overall scheme. This clean-lined black jug would look great filled with fiery coloured blooms, or something like whites roses to continue a black and white theme. £25

And, finally, Habitat is known for the gorgeous textiles it carries. A large wool rug such as this one from the Fall/Winter Collection can pull all of the discrete shades and tones together is a single grounding element that is soft underfoot. Geometric, so it’s carries the mid-century modern theme, the Forma rug also contains cooler hues such as teal and mint green. £450

Mimicking tiled flooring, this black and white wool rug and matching runner will warm up a monochromatic scheme, as would this larger shaggy pile Kotsu grey, red and white wool rug. £150/£350

Or go for broke with this striking multi-coloured flat weave rug. £400 Sometimes a busy pattern can act as an anchor for your main colour palette, offering the eye a platform from which to take a journey around the room from element to element.

Habitat is a design institution for a reason. If you’re looking for a living room refresh to make the pain of summer’s end a bit less stinging, check out their new Fall/Winter Collection for great ideas and products to purchase now.

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Modern Danish Hero: Jonas Krger of Brdr. Krger | Spencer Thorpe Bloghttps://spencerthorpe.tumblr.com/post/163938983384/modern-danish-hero-jonas-krC3BCger-of-brdr-krC3BCger_=_ As longtime Idealist readers will know were fans of all things Scandi so when we got the chance to interview Jonas Krger of Brdr. Krger we jumped at it. Imagine inheriting a family business that has been at the heart of the Danish design and furniture industry for over 130 years. How do you keep the flame alive and nurture the craftsmanship and commitment to quality thats the hallmark of all things Scandi and yet innovate enough to keep things modern and attractive in todays global market? Were a company that comes from the workshop culture. Hans Blling designs from Brdr. Krger Thats the challenge that Jonas faces but he approaches it with a huge passion a great eye for detail and the ambition to grow the business. We caught up with Jonas to learn more about the business its storied history and his vision for the future. Once Upon A Time Back in 1886 Theodor and Ferdinand Krger opened a woodturning workshop which over the last 100 years has produced beautifully understated pieces for a great many big names in Danish design including Hans Blling Kay Bojesen (the iconic wooden monkey you see in high end design stores) and more recently OEO Studio. All Krger pieces share a commitment to well-thought out design and quality beautiful wood and classic mid-century Danish modern design values. Recent work such as with Wallpaper and Rasmus Bkkel Fex adds a contemporary twist to the work but still upholds their core DNA. Today Working with OEO Studio theyve now opened a beautiful workshop and showroom: the first public showroom in the family companys 130-year history. Integrated with the firms production facilities visitors can follow the entire making process from raw materials to factory floor manufacturing through to the finished design piece and knowing Danish hospitality can probably sit down and eat lunch with the owners and the workers on Krger chairs. Jonas Krger of Brdr. Krger Jonas takes up the story: Jonas: Well we actually we moved our production facility last year because we were running out of space. We bought a bigger place and there was room available for a showroom and it made sense for the first time in 130 years we actually got a leading role. Were a company that comes from the workshop culture. So its a whole new level for us to actually show our products like this talk about it and approach the world with our story. The showroom is where production is and youll be able to see the wood turning and everything. You can see a video of the new workshop and showroom here. We worked with OEO Studio on a couple of products and theyve now done our showroom. We have a standing collaboration with them they are really almost part of the family now. Theyre really nice people and real good at what they do. Weve also launched an update of a Hans Blling glass-topped table originally from 1958. We launched three variations of the table but its based on his design from 1958. He designed it as a coffee table. At the time it was the standard height but today its too high so we talked with him and he actually designed the lower version and a dining version. So its kind of an old design but its also a new design. It had a wooden table top in his first prototype so it was my idea to put the glass top on it. The glass is fixed by magnets: you have the little glass part that is fixed to the glass itself and a dowel goes into a socket in the leg where there is a magnet. The magnet is stronger than the weight of the legs so you can lift it up shake it and it doesnt fall off. Thats pretty clever. Working Closely with Product Design Idealist: So how did that come about? How closely are you involved in the product design? Monkey by Kay Bojesen crafted by Brdr. Krger for Rosendahl Design Group Jonas: Im very much involved. Hans is 85 years old now but he is very hands on too. He designed this very iconic tray table we have from 63 and hes just coming in and out of the workshop all the time and hes also part of the family. He actually started working with my grandfather when they met each other so Im the third generation of continuous collaboration that hes doing. So I was looking into new designs and I was discussing with him if he had any ideas and he said: Hey hang on I think I have something. And he took this thing out of his shed and its been standing there for 50 years. It was a really crude prototype but he had the original sketches and everything so we just started using those and gave it a nice finish and nice curves. Everything is true to the original dimension but we just gave it that finish it needed to really come alive. The glass top the metal solutions and he was deeply involved in every stage. Thoughts on Danish amp; Scandi Styles Idealist: Why do you think Danish and Scandi midcentury styles are still so popular? Jonas: Well I think for Denmark I think it is their functionalism and the fact its very much based on some human need but it also has a poetry to it. Its not only minimalism and clean-cut there is something organic going on that I think makes it usable but also human and its a very very fine balance between a minimalist expression and some poetic expression that just stands the test of time. The materials are critical too. We only work with the best materials both in terms of craftsmanship and it has to be durable has to last. Family Business Expectations I think every generation should bring some new perspective and it shouldnt be a revolution but a natural evolution. Idealist: Was it always expected that youd stay with the family business? Jonas: No actually not. My father didnt really have a choice but that was a different generation. They never pressured me to go into it nor my sister neither and weve been out doing our own thing. I felt like now coming back (from a career in motion graphics) Ive experienced other work Ive learned something different which I feel I can contribute to the company now. I actually said no several times I wouldnt go into the business but somehow within the last four/five years I came back and I feel like now my contribution is to evolve it in another way. I think every generation should bring some new perspective and it shouldnt be a revolution but a natural evolution. I think our contribution is to bring it into our contemporary time with some new ideas and new perspectives. Idealist: If youre able to go back in time and take your latest collection back to the founders what do you think they would say? Jonas: Well they would definitely love the wood turning from a craftsmans point of view. It is well done and I believe that they would be pleased. I think also in a way they were also explorers they came from Germany and they went on an unknown path to Denmark to try to create a new company there. I think they werent afraid of adventures and trying out new things and I think they would be pleased with our little adventure that were doing now. The Krger DNA Idealist: Would you say is there a recognizable thread through your products where if you sit your current range alongside 20 years ago 50 years ago in addition to the craftsmanship are they recognizably similar somehow? Jonas: Obviously there is the turned wood signature but I think there is some kind of playfulness to it and some kind of adaptability. I think that playfulness or adaptability is hidden somewhere throughout our work. And a craftsmanship and respect for materials. Everything is very tactile. We have an appreciation of the material and the process that it doesnt have to be shiny and fantastic you can appreciate the round curve of something and its a basic human instinct somehow. We want other people to appreciate the effort and the quality of our work and create a wider range. Future Aspirations Idealist: So what are your ambitions for the company? Jonas: We want to enter into the global scene but maintain our integrity.. and that is also a little bit what I meant about the adventure. We want other people to appreciate the effort and the quality of our work and create a wider range. We have the classic challenge of scaling and maintaining authenticity that were very aware of in terms of staff and the culture. Were lucky that were able to look each other in the eye every day. There is no difference between us and the workforce in the company. Its a very strong family culture. We eat lunch together at a long table. Its very flat and democratic in that sense. Our showroom will be the same if I invited you tomorrow you would see the furniture being styled and right next to it see the staff eating lunch. Everything is melding together so in that sense its a very living showroom its not a museum and we have a very democratic culture. Journey of a Product Idealist: So how long does the journey take for a new product or a new collection from inception through to delivery? Jonas:Were quite fast actually. Weve just launched a new dining chair to coincide with the recent opening of our new showroom. I think in total weve spent around six months on the F Chair from initial ideas and going back and forth and then at some point when wed got the general idea we went in full steam ahead. It helps that the designer is also a trained woodworker so he would come to our workshop and instead of doing CAD drawings we actually can be physically there and build a prototype. We have seven prototypes mixed with each other of different proportions and when were done with a chair were pleased with well make it ready for production while developing it so were very fast. To find out more about Brdr. Krger visit their website. Idealist readers with wanderlust can visit the newBrdr. Krgershowroom headquarters and production facilities which are combined in a holistic space open to the public and just a short drive away from central Copenhagen: Brdr. KrgerWalgerholm 203500 VrlseDenmark In the UK Skandium carries a range of Brdr. Krger productsand they are also available direct online You May Also Like Modern Hero: Cornish fabric designer Helen Baker Modern Heroes: Lozi Designs Modern Heroes: Pluck Kitchens All images are courtesy of photographer Filippo Bamberghi or Brdr Krger. The post Modern Danish Hero: Jonas Krger of Brdr. Krger appeared first on The Idealist. from The Idealist https://www.theidealist.com/modern-hero-jonas-kruger/ from The Idealist Magazine https://theidealistmagazine.tumblr.com/post/163938832123