Countdown to spring

Only a few days to the official arrival of spring day! Although the cold weather has not quite left the Cape yet - and we're not holding our breath for spring temperatures by next week - we are eager to start preparing for warmer days.

We've taken our cue for today's colour inspiration from  a few early-starter trees who already sport the first showings of the softest green buds.

Nothing like sheer curtains, white flowers and fresh green to say Hello Spring!

greigedesignblogspot.com
 

Pic: 2movehome

Bed: mothbomb - Lampshade: Marimekko  - Throw: brahmsmount

 

Green chaise: kaboodle.com -  Chair: Hans Wegner - Pillow: houzz.com

Fabulously feminine

We celebrated Women's Day earlier this month, and actually like the idea of dedicating the entire month of August to all the fabulous women out there. Is it not amazing that all the opposites you can think of apply in equal measure to most women you know ?  Soft, strong. Gentle, forceful. Demure, Sexy. Calm, passionate. Tolerant. Stubborn. Wilful. Giving. Playful. Kind... endless adjectives.

So what is your idea of a feminine bedroom? Is it soft, romantic drapes? Pure white linen? Crisp cottons or sexy silk? Or lace, frills and flounces? Florals? Girly pink or femme fatale red? Here are just a few examples of what we consider feminine bedrooms!

It hardly gets more girly than this: soft blush pink and oodles of flounces:



Soft pastels and florals against crisp white makes for a fresh, wholesome look.

Laura Ashley

 

Pink and grey silk pillowcases embellished with lace and embroidery are placed on gently "crushed", textured pure linen for an unconventional bed setting:

Bella Notte Linens

Ange ou demon? Demure white pillowcases with cotton crochet border and Victorian embroidery or sexy, sultry red silk!

 llph.co.uk                                                                                     agentprovocateur.com

A lush drapery above the bed, coupled with layers of softly frilled pillows in gentle, winter white, creates a romantic hideaway:

Bedding by Ralph Lauren

Which is your favourite or depicts you best?

 

Scattered beauties

Wow, are we glad to see the sun after two weeks of almost constant rain!  Can't wait for summer and gardens filled with flowers.

Our very clever neighbour, the ever-creative florist Marida of Paradiso Flowers came up with this brilliant idea: if you dislike wrapping gifts in paper because it immediately ends up in the rubbish bin, why not consider flowers instead? A flower wrapping makes a gorgeous presentation and at least lasts a while!

We decided to focus on scatter cushions as a flower-wrapped gift idea. For instance, give a soft cuddly cushion to comfort a sick friend and add a posy that says "I care". Or tie the customary bunch of flowers to a cushion as a hostess gift next time you're invited to dinner. A scatter is also an ideal housewarming gift, if chosen with the recipient's room scheme in mind. A soft pillow as a baby shower gift will be much appreciated by a new mum to prop up herself at feeding time.

Whatever the occasion, this versatile gift will remind them of you and the message of love and care of your flowers long after the flowers have wilted

Silver for seconds

Still inspired by the Olympic Games, here's a look at a few ideas for using silver in your bedroom.

Silver is a really easy colour to add to any interior, as it coordinates easily with just about any other colour. It works particularly well in a very contemporary or minimalist setting, but as you'll see from some of the rooms below, it can be at home in a more traditional room and opulent as well.

Silver leaf headboard with ornate detail:

Source: beingbrazen.com

Source:floatproject.org

Gleaming and minimalistic:

Source:home-decoration-centre-blogspot.com

Add some sparkle with silver bedlinen: over the top shine or the subtle sheen of indulgent silk: 

Source: thestylepaathome.com; exclusiveboutique.co.uk

If you are - like me - not brave enough to go for an all out silver look, just stick to the small details. Pretty and practical!

Mapped out

Just how good is your geography? I always thought I pretty much knew exactly who lived where. But watching the athletes' parade at the Olympic Games - all 204 teams -  made me realise I was wrong. There were several countries I had no clue where to find on a map - and worse, that I never even knew existed! For instance, did you know where Vanuatu was or Guinea Bissau? Have you ever been to Sao Tome and Principe? How about Timor Leste?

Having spent some time on Google Maps to brush up on my knowledge, I decided to look at the use of maps in interior design. Over the centuries, printed and framed maps have frequently featured in decor, particularly in studies and libraries.

Here's how some creative souls have used it in bedrooms:

Boys' bedrooms are the most obvious setting. The bold colours are lively and energising:

Source: swiftsorchids.com

Map wallpaper forms a subtle backdrop to the boldly striped bedlinen:

Source: meggielyn.net

A more sophisticated application of a sepia coloured Paris street map forms an interesting backdrop to this neutral bedroom setting.

Source: bedroomdecoratingideas.blogspot

It does not have to be printed - this one is shaped out of wire in a contemporary setting:

Source: designshuffle

Give furniture the map treatment:



Chest of drawers via Elle Decor. Chair: Design Team

Bring the map theme in in small doses with these cute wall decorations:

Source: imagefave and nordicrooms.net

Not advised for Olympic hopefuls

Mark Twain said: “I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting”.  Mmm - our style too, especially if you do the sleeping and resting on gorgeous linens, with a great book to round off the experience.

Image: Photo taken by Alvin Langdon Coburn, from the Royal Photographic Society