William Yeoward     is my new seaside love.

Here's why - 

 

I've always loved the interiors WY puts together so artlessly.These collections are from earlier this year I know but at the end of the Summer it is lovely to revisit them. 

They are so liveable and equally gorgeous in a winter seaside pad as in a summer one.

I flipped through the books at work today and immediately imagined walking into my seaside holiday getaway. 

Yes I live by the sea but as you know my house is as yet still stuck in a 60s time capsule.  

These fabrics are all about creating a relaxed layered beachy feel ready to collapse into at the end of a day at the seaside or a brisk walk along the coast.

This Polperro fabric would look fabulous as a bed throw 

And I'd like a chair or chairs in the corner of the living room covered in this:

     but in Navy

And the stripes are to die for - on gorgeous textural fabrics that you long to make into cushions to hug:   

          

This is how my bedroom will look - a place for staying in bed on a Sunday morning with a tray of coffee and croissant or on a windy rainy afternoon with hot toast and butter & a pot of tea.......

........love it, love it, love it

Look at all these and more at 

www.designersguild.com/fabric-and.../william-yeoward/

www.williamyeoward.com/

Window Treatment for a Master Bedroom

This is a window treatment I designed at work for a beautiful flat in central London. The brief was to create a design for two windows from 3 old pairs of curtains, which afforded some privacy and provided an elegant window dressing for a restful space with neutral colouring in a room with grandiose proportions & delightful period detailing:

THOUGH THE 8MM CORD LOOKS MORE 'YELLOW-GOLD' WHEN SET AGAINST THE REST OF THE WINDOW TREATMENT, THIS IS REQUIRED TO GIVEN THE DETAILING THE LIFT IT NEEDS TO DEFINE IT. THE HOLDBACK SHOWN ON THE RIGHT IS FROM BYRON &BYRON (NOT YET IN THE PICTURE BELOW). I HAVE ALSO ADDED A LITTLE NOBILIS FABRIC SAMPLE (LOWER LEFT) WITH A DOUBLE PIPING TRIM WHICH COULD BE USED FOR SCATTER CUSHIONS ON THE BED

A CLOSE-UP REVEALS THE FIGURE-OF-EIGHT DETAILING BETWEEN THE GOBLETS, CREATED USING AN 8MM 'ROPE' TRIM. A BEAUTIFUL TURNELL & GIGON GALON PLAT IN 'SABLE' FROM THEIR 'NATUREL' TRIMMINGS COLLECTION HAS BEEN USED TO TRIM THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CURTAIN VALANCES & THE LEADING EDGES OF THE CURTAINS

IN THIS FIRST PHOTO YOU CAN SEE THE EFFECT OF THE CURTAINS & SHAPED VALANCE, WHICH, WITH THE GOBLET HEADING, SCALE BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE GENEROUS PROPORTIONS OF THE ROOM

HERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE THE VOILES BEHIND -
MORE OF A 'MUSLIN' WHICH, WITH A PINCH PLEAT HEADING, PROVIDE A SOFT SCREEN

HOLIDAYING WITH ELANBACH

I've been thinking about holidays recently. What is perhaps not surprising, given the weather we've been having, is that what most appeals to me right this minute is cosying up in some gorgeous welcoming country house hotel with all creature comforts to hand and lovely things to look at.

Though I'm usually a real fresh air freak, at present the sitting inside and looking out appeals to me more than the outside looking in. I'm at the end of a busy week, feeling a little tired and in need of recharging my batteries. If the weather doesn't change for the warmer, this might become an ongoing theme.  

So look at what I read just a minute ago and see if you agree that what's below TOTALLY fits the brief:

"The offices and production units for Elanbach are based in the grounds of Llangoed Hall, a country house hotel renovated by the late Sir Bernard Ashley. The hotel is situated on the banks of the river Wye in Mid Wales with views over the Black Mountains.

... The hotel is also a showcase for Elanbach fabrics. Both the public rooms and the bedrooms are individually decorated with antique furniture and artwork. Elanbach designs are chosen to complement the decor and are coordinated in the Elanbach style".

I already love Elanbach, especially ever since I was offered a Welsh Cake (homemade and delicious) and a cup of tea in their Chelsea Harbour Showroom about a year ago.  So this is definitely shaping up to be my perfect break.

Looking at their website again and leafing through their beautifully put together catalogue, I remember why I first got excited when I first visited their showroom (apart from the Welsh Cake!):


What do I love about Elanbach?

• each design can be printed on bleached linen, natural linen, cotton satin or fine cotton, therefore giving each design different looks & a different feel

• digital printing is used which enables production to stay UK based whilst also meaning that fabrics can be printed and delivered to customers within 14 days

• design inspiration is often sourced from historical archives, which makes many designs timeless and comfortable to live with, whilst also fresh and new - a perfect balance

• Elanbach have made a green commitment:

i.e.: technology used minimises waste from the printing process; there is no left-over colour owing to the use of digital printing; water & energy is saved owing to use of pigment that doesn't need the usual 'wash-off' after printing; there is no waste fabric as printing starts and stops instantly & last, but definitely not least, most of Elanbach's fabrics are woven in the UK - all good stuff

• Elanbach offer a 'bespoke' colouring service which means that for an extra £30.00 any design can be printed in a colourway chosen from a 'colour blanket' or for £50.00 a colour of your own choice. An extra £5 per metre is also charged but what you are getting at the end of it all is a bespoke fabric for under £45.00/metre - not bad eh?

DESIGN:

There are too many wonderful collections for me to show them all here but I will cherry pick the ones that resonate with me this weekend:

Vintage Florals

Seaside Inspiration

   

Now though, these designs are so breezy that I'm thinking of outside - perhaps whilst there I could visit a nearby beach for a quick stroll before diving back inside again!

Paris

I have to include the 'Paris' collection as I adore Rachel Khoo's cookery programme filmed in her tiny Parisien flat. I think that is why I love the Elanbach fabrics so much - they are emotive (the historical aspect again?) - looking at this collection brings to mind days spent wandering round Paris; croissant or pain au chocolat for breakfast dipped into earthy fragrant coffee about as strong as you can take it; eating lunch in an out-of-the-way bistro with a prix fixe menu, with everything included you'd have wanted to eat if you could have chosen; dipping into a small flea market and finding something extraordinary..... 

     

   

Spa Stripes

Porthcurno

Others

There are plenty of other individual designs that I love from various collections, including some useable geometrics:

     

Patty 2, Teresa 3 & Pascale 1 from the new 'Olivia' collection 

                              

Bagheera Blue from the 'Bagheera' collection & Dancing Ledge Yellow/Blue from the 'Rose' Collection

 

Toile Lattice Cream/Blue
from the 'Toile' Collection

And this sweet design from the
new 'Ragtime' collection

So, what will I find when I check in at Llangoed Hall? I've already visited a few countries in my journey through the Elanbach Design Gallery - there are references not only to the UK, France (including the 'BA collection' with its bright angular designs; Italy in 'Florence'; America ('Ragtime'). Also to Africa in the 'African' collection; India in 'Simla' and so on. (Do have a look - each collection is strong in design and concept).

I have already draped (figuratively speaking) my favourite designs over chairs and up against windows in my yet to be transformed home.

As you know from previous posts and may have guessed from this one - I am predisposed towards Blue so this room appeals

But I think, on reflection that this is my favourite:

Now where did I put my suitcase?

PS. Elanbach also make WALLPAPER in every one of their designs  

S c i o n

Last month, or was it the beginning of this?! - 

I flagged up the new homebrand fresh from the Harlequin Group 

which I'd spotted at 

Grand Designs.

Now seems a good time to come back to it.

It's been windy and there's been far too much rain this month, 

with brief sunshine days rather few and far between.

It's time to think warm. 

It's time to think fresh air & sunny, breezy days. 

Despite the weather to date, I remain hopeful.

And that's where Scion comes in: 

Just thinking about their promo pics brings those 

sunny days back again. 

Shots of tea towels in Scion's 

signature fabrics fluttering in a gentle breeze 

.... lovely:

breathe in and out; picnic under the trees; soft earth underfoot; spot the sky through the branches....heaven

And I adore the fresh vibe of these seaside fabrics -

one look and you can smell the ozone

what do I love most about their fabrics & wallcoverings?

the fact that all are manufactured in good old Blighty, 

with a commitment to the environment & sustainability. 

Even better.

Savoir Beds Grand Prix Prize 2012

Savoir Beds Grand Prix Prize 2012

This is a competition open to design students to design a Headboard for the luxury bed brand 'Savoir Beds'.

The theme for this year is 'ORGANIC'.

I have entered a design made from a Designers Guild cotton fabric which is made from 100% recycled threads.

I would love you to vote for me on the Savoir Beds Grand Prix Facebook page.
Every vote really does count as the winner of the most 'likes' goes through to the next stage of voting.

So you know which design to vote for you can click on the link below to see mine:

http://www.borntalentedhq.com/uploads/files/photo_entry_14775.pdf

Then vote @ Savoir Design Grand Prix on facebook

I very much appreciate your support  -  thank you !

Part Two Of Grand Designs 2012 - Then That's It I Promise

....I need to mention the Dulux room sets which drew inspiration from the new range of 'Scion' fabrics & wallpapers:

  

The room sets were fresh and up to date with retro touches like the Smeg fridge-freezer, which has become the stalwart of every kitchen as a style icon worth investing in. 


The red pops against the green bringing life to what would have otherwise been a dark corner. Wood has been set against wood so the look seems thrown together and not too design-led. 


In the middle picture a dwell bar stool can just be seen in the foreground, with fluid-shaped design classic Panton Chairs in white to lift the scheme.

My favourite room set was this scandi-feel living room. I adored the seating area by a cosy fire with fireside seating area too just in case you needed to get even closer. 
An arc floor lamp was leaning temptingly over just the spot to sit and read. 


Wharfside furniture provided an aspirational coffee & dining table & chairs. 









Just enough depth to the tables and chairs; really top dollar thought given to their design.












But my favourite piece of furniture? 


This sofa which I actually bought at the show (whoops)for a healthy discount - just exactly what I was looking for. 


I tried it out, just to make sure.

Sadly the totally lush shoes didn't come with it, though I'm sure they would have fitted me.


So looking forward to many hours relaxing. 


I couldn't afford to buy the rest of the set though I happily would have if I could have.


I will have to start 
saving my pennies.

Clever bolsters are positioned to slide down behind the back cushions for a more upright seating experience for those of short leggage. 

Fabulous company called Love Your Home For Less


Why would I buy a sofa for an extension that's not yet built? Because I've had my eye on this for some time and I bagged a bargain.

On my post-show wish list I have another item.. the list is growing ever longer. 

But honestly check out this chair; it ticks every design box - good looking and practical; comfy and fresh. 

I can guarantee its comfiness having also tried it out at the show.(Seating opportunities in a day-long ramble are not to be underestimated).

This beautiful chair is the brainchild of Tortie Hoare who has used boiled leather as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic or resin to make this piece. It has, not surprisingly, been snapped up by made.com already, which you will probably know by now is a favourite haunt of mine as a promotor of new designers, and should be retailing at around £200 to £300. Let it be mine!

So, almost done now but I can't leave without adding this adorable cooker to my list:

A zingy colour splash for a grey & white kitchen. Wish I could add this to my kitchen wish list but the truth is it is a high end Bertazzoni in all of its Italian sublimity: 

the stuff that dreams are made of. Audrey Hepburn would have cooked on one of these in 'Roman Holiday' I'm sure. 

So, that's me done with Grand Designs 2012. 

Despite my initial whinging, I saw some truly inspirational things and I guess that's the point of it - something for everybody....

IN THE WORDS OF KEVIN MACLEOD:

“Awesome is loud but awe is quiet.” 

SO NOW I WILL BE - QUIET - 

UNTIL NEXT TIME