Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Sarah Richardson - Master of Neutrals








All images are via Sarah Richardson Design

How do you use a neutral pallet and still create interest?  Let's take a look at how the master of neutral, Sarah Richardson, achieves such stunning rooms with muted colours.  I think that there is a misconception amongst many that neutral means beige or brown only.  Sarah uses beiges, whites and browns but she combines them with other neutrals such as grey, blue, rose and green.  She layers her rooms with pattern and texture to achieve a neutral scheme with interest.  I love how neutral schemes will stay relevant over the years whereas choosing an "in colour" such as bright yellow will date a house.  I still recommend playing with colours, but if you want to do it, keep your base very neutral - say white and grey and then inject bright yellow highlights that can easily be updated when the trend passes (or when you get sick of it!).  I think where Sarah excels is her attention to the details.  She creates interest through a creative tile pattern, a mixture of fabric patterns, beautiful lighting fixtures and mirrors which look like artwork.  Whatever she touches exudes sheer luxury - yes please! She's been around for a long time and there is a reason why Sarah reigns supreme - the girl knows her stuff.  I definitely have a design crush on her.  I would join the stampede of people who would love to work with her.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Lovely Lamps

From top left:
Minerva, Robert Abbey; Seagrass Giclee Kiss, Lamps Plus; Euro Design Asymmetry, Possini;
Reena Blue Glass, Uttermost; Lucy, Robert Abbey

Work has been exciting and hectic with the start of June clearance today, so I have had to multi task to get things done, hence I'm doing a post about lamps in my lighting class tonight!  I have been so looking forward to this subject as lighting is a subject very close to my heart.  I have said it before, and I'll say it again - lighting can make or break a room.  It affects the colour, the ambiance and the mood.  It can make a design statement or be inconspicuous.  These are some lamps that caught my eye whilst cruising the net tonight.  Enjoy!