Guest Post. Zig Zags

It's always great to hear from others, creating a great point of discussion and learning new ideas from a fresh perspective. So on that note I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Jessica from Arcadian Lighting and her thoughts about using fabulous 'Zig Zags' within Interior Design.

Hello! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, which is a wonderful blog and website featuring beautiful and affordable "Light Fixtures" in all styles and sizes. Every day I get to look for the latest interior design trends and then share them with lovely bloggers, like Jo. I'm delighted to be here today because I'd like to share a collection of inspiring interiors that feature zig zag patterns. There's something about zig zags that instantly spells energy and fun. I hope you find these rooms as inspiring as I do!

Zig Zag

I love the pale, feminine color palette in this modern living room. The pink and white zig zag rug is especially sweet and charming.

Zig Zag

This vintage kitchen illustration shows how everything old is new again. The pink and tan zig zag patterned floor fits in perfectly with the cool, casual California style of this home.

Zig Zag

Zig zag patterns don't have to be limited to textiles. This industrial zig zag floor lamp is definitely an eye-catching accent.

Zig Zag

The combination of colors in this zig zag rug are so calming and cozy, while the pattern adds a playful touch. I love the small modern bookshelf in this living room.






Angular zig zag patterns can be found throughout this kitchen dining room. Even the white pendant light features zig zag lines and folds.

Zig Zag

The matching pencil thin zig zag patterns on the blinds and arm chair have a more subtle effect than larger lines. The blue and white color combination is cool and relaxing.

Zig Zag

Zig Zag

This simple gray and white painting is a great DIY project to add a bit of energy to a room. The pale wall art helps keep the room from becoming too overwhelmed with different patterns.

Zig Zag

The zig zag accent wall in this chic, neutral living room draws creates a definite focal point. The dark floorboards and ceiling beams give the room a subtle frame.


Which of these zig zags is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by at Arcadian Lighting for all your light fixture needs!

 

Are you Pinterested?

After being introduced to Pinterest by my lovely friend, I have literally not been able to get anything done! 

If, like me you have already been seduced by the wonderful world of Pinterest you will have discovered the huge variety of images people have 'pinned' relating to all types of topics from fashion, food, home decor, crafts, even cute little kittens wearing hats!

If you haven't yet heard of it, well I am sorry I may have just ruined any productivity you had!

But seriously it's a great quick way to pick up inspiration and clever ideas to replicate throughout your life. 

When it comes to ideas which inspire me I tend to go with my gut instinct, if in the first 3 seconds of seeing something and I like it, then simply I like it, even love it!

I try not to over analyse things too much and always work with what you love and enjoy rather then what someone or magazines tell me to do. This goes for most aspects in my life not just with interiors! 

So, from my many hours of trawling pinterest I have selected my favorite interiors and craft projects which just instantly sang to me!

Hope they inspire you too, and don't forget to check out pinterest, don't say I didn't warn you!

Which image inspires you most?

New finds, new friends.

Don't you just love it when you stumble across a fantastic new website. The kind which you know you will want to continually visit, which there are a couple on my list.

Welcome to Caroline McGrath. You can see from the off set that Caroline has assembled a fantastic collection of products which really inspires her. Carefully selecting retro inspired products ranging from delicate glassware,  design icon wallpapers too even stylish bird feeders!

Showing off the best designers on the market such as the British Bold & Noble, Scandinavian Isak, and one of the most inspirational company at the moment Normann Copenhagen.

So here are some of my favorite sweet, fun, cheeky yet functional products all available from 

Caroline McGrath.

Enjoy shopping!

Hang on Coat rack, available in 4 colours.

Green Houses Cushion

Mademoiselle under the Rain by Blanca Gomez

Blossom and Bill Tray

Birdball Peanut Feeder

High flying.

Quick post today. But I am so excited about my fab new friend, I have to mention him on my blog, well again. I have already mentioned him previously on my 'Animal Lamps' post.

I have admired these pigeon lights by Ed Carpenter for a couple of years now, and has always graced a place on my 'wish' list. Now, as of this weekend i officially have a fantastic orange pigeon perching in my living room!
It's simple iconic shape molded from vacuum-formed acrylic in a selection of electric colours. Combined with the practicality of yet another iconic piece of the wooden clothes peg which neatly clips it onto a slim service as if it had just flown in, lighting up any dull shelf.

Pigeon Light available at theo online store

Why so serious?

Let's face it, life can get quite tough, with rising bills, longer work hours, stretched relationships and constantly trying to do better. *sigh*

So why do so many of us approach our living environments with such a serious and fixed manner?
With the obsession of magnolia and the patterned feature wall. TV as the focal point with all surrounding furniture matching, having being bought all at the same time during a manic over haul change of style, which won't change until the next total redecoration job.
OK, rant over, but I have a point.

I only say this because I recently over heard a lady saying how she has done all her finished decorating so that's that's, nothing else needed!
I find this attitude quite frustrating because I don't believe you ever need to draw a line under a room and say it's done. The constant alterations and reinvention is what keeps day to day life interesting. So why not apply this to your home?
A whole paint job can be exhausting and expensive, but just by altering the little details keep things fresh. Whether this is a change of lamp, cushions/reupholster, art work, or painting some worn furniture.

However I think we need to encourage having fun with interiors, playing with colour, pattern and form, injecting a bit of tounge in cheek into our worlds.

Don't just think 'fun' style is for kids play rooms but enjoy the benefits into the more grown up rooms. And why not! Life is too short to be conventional so take a look at my inspired interiors to show that taking a risk whilst decoration can bring some style and a smile to your home.

Add a Little colour to your Blue Monday.

The third Monday of January is officially named 'Blue Monday' deemed the most depressing day of the year. Due to the Christmas spirit is finally over and supposedly by now we have all given up on our resolutions. How very positive indeed!

So ignoring that I am supposed to be depressed today and continuing with this 'new year, new start' theory I have chosen a selection of some favorite organised areas from another fantastic colourful blog @Bight.Bazaar.
Mr Bazaar provides a personal point of view from beautiful photography, latest products and interiors, all worthy of being so colourful and fresh, stating the slogan '...because beige is boring'
I salute you Mr Bazaar!

These designs are so inspiring to me because it's breaks away from the norm, utilising space for storage without a straight shelved oak bookcase in sight!

 Painting these low positioned wall-length shelves in the same colour as the walls, proudly displaying all your personal possessions, from collections to books and magazines, all these objects write a description of you and the things you love.

Here we have a fun example of how to utilise awkward spaces to maximum effect. Reaching high to the ceiling the shelves are lost within the abundance of colourful spines of (I'm sure inspiring) books and gorgeous boxes. It gives the impression they all defy gravity piled high on top of each other.

This is my ideal organised place! I do a lot of sewing and making things and this screams at me as the perfect place to tidy up at the end of the day. Meeting perfectly with my organised side with my fun colourful side, providing each element with a little cubby hole so you know exactly where everything is. Along with the stunning blue door and white walls I could work for hours in this room!

For a simpler idea, adapt a table bench into a handy hideaway for all your papers. Could it even make filing fun?! Hmm... maybe not quite.
How about using colourful boxes instead to store away easy to reach items.
P.S loving the mixture of dining chairs!

I hope these colourful storage solutions inspire you to get a little organised!
Check out Bright.Bazaar for a unique London look at all things colourful.

Add a Little colour to your Blue Monday!

New Year. New Start.

Well it's one week into the New Year and all my resolutions and promises to myself have only started with just the one run and finally booking a dentist appointment.

However my main resolution was to get back started with my blog! It's so easy for time to run away with us, especially during the holidays, that even the tasks we enjoy never seem to get accomplished!

So as I start again providing my thoughts and new ideas of the wonderful world of interiors.
This year I will be attending a handful of trade shows which I will report on all the new and exciting products and designers, which I am very excited about.

January always gives the excuse for everyone, including myself to get organised! Until we get to week 2 and forget all about our neatly laid out diaries and excel files making sure we note EVERYTHING we bought everyday keeping track of the finances... well except those shoes, and that dinner out, they don't really count! Then we end up forgetting as we clear out our purse filled to the brim of receipts we're always told we are meant to keep hold of.

So instead of kidding myself I'll start this year with interior inspiration of organised space! So even if I don't organise myself at least we can still look at lovely interiors!

An organised symmetrical bookshelf creates not only storage but I have always thought bookshelfs are so romantic as they can create intellectual art work, colour and texture to any interior.

There is nothing worse then trying to find your planned outfit in the a bundle of clothes pushed into wardrobes and draws, this new year I am trying to organise my wardrobe!

Organised doesn't mean boring! This fantastic colourful workspace would help me get up in the morning for work! The bright pink and blue bookshelf on casters makes organisation easier and fun. Using different sized shelves provides space for all objects getting away from a regimented look.

So I hope everyone has had a fantastic start to a New Year! And whether you continue with your resolutions or not, it's a start to recognise them and at least by keeping them in the back of your mind one day we can all achieve our goals!

And besides I always seem to get motivated when spring turns!