Saturday 26 January 2013

The season of simplification - "Love in a Cold Climate"

A crispy cold yet sunny morning, a steaming hot cup of coffee, a vase of daffodils and the most exciting feeling that Spring could soon be on it's way. 

It's at this time of year my thoughts turn to the joy of the coming season, an uplifting feeling of hope. I also think this is a reflection of optimism that the country currently shares, made even more poignant after the further recession news of yesterday. 

Even though our world is currently a challenging one, it is made even more so with our daily modern life.  Full of mobiles and computers, innovation, dialogue and connecting.  And the speed at which we consume information is at times a little fast, even for those of us that can keep up with the pace. 

As humans we need to sometimes switch off from our daily lives and step off life's roller coaster.  Time when it's not just about social media, apps and gadgets but something far more simple like a walk on the beach, time with a loved one to talk and a home where we can shut the door, be ourselves and, if we so wish, silent.  Our minds need time to rest, to be cleared to allow for the next stage of understanding and life needs simplifying.

So with this thought I started to think about interior trends for S/S 2013.  If you look around the trends are a direct reflection of this simplicity we need.  It is a well known fact that whenever a recession hits we crave uncomplicated comfort in our homes and the interior world begins to reflect this in it's products, colours and designs.

Dulux has captured this feeling in one of their 2013 trend colour palettes "Collective Passion" which was my starting point for this simple moodboard "Love in a Cold Climate".  Colours and interior pieces to bring joy and a smile to your face.



1. Snooze Sofa; Graham and Green  2. Greyhound and Pug Table Lamps; Graham and Green  3. Peach Leather Shopper; Folk Clothing  4. Regency Velvet Cushions; Habitat  5. Image courtesy of Miss Pickering  6. Store Room Lilacs image courtesy of heinrick05  7. Part of "Collective Passion"; Dulux


Sunday 20 January 2013

2013 - outward bound

I know most of us start a new year with many resolutions - some achievable, some not so, but this year I have one very clear vision and a resolution I have never set myself before. 

In life when we have a vision there are some of us mere humans that tend to put many obstacles in the way, and it doesn't matter how many of those we overcome, trepidation is normally the fundamental emotional obstacle.  What if I fail....?  Those of you who don't feel this, I'd warn you to stop reading now as I don't know one human being who does not experience this feeling during their life.

I'm not saying you can't overcome this - nothing ventured, nothing gained right?  What I am saying is that you have to come to terms with the fact that during the process of following your dream or vision you are going to experience this challenging emotion from time to time.  I do believe though that once you have come to terms with the fact that this is going to happen, then there is nothing really to stop you.  No more excuses, no more procrastinating, no more standing by while others succeed in their dream and you watch from the sideline, no more loosing yourself in Pinterest dreaming about what could be.

So it is with this thought that I have entered 2013 with a very strong determination to make my vision and dream reality. Yes there will be doubtful days, there will be days when trepidation consumes me and there will be days when I wonder what on earth I am doing - but if I don't try, I will never know.

image courtesy of https://pinterest.com/HelenaRh/ and balidora.tumblr.com