Live Breathe Decor

Feb 20

Blues and pretty things

Posted in beach style, beautiful blue, mix it up, pink, Uncategorized

Over the weekend I spent a good portion of my down time looking at properties for sale on Domain and thinking about how I’d decorate them if they were mine. In an ideal world I’d have a few different houses in various locations that would suit the different colours and styles I love (country house, beach house, mountain chalet, modern city pad etc.) I do like to dream! I’m quite taken with the very dark blue (or is it black?) walls and door above for an entryway, especially mixed with the interesting shapes and collections in this Serena & Lily ad.

Again, it’s all about contrasting styles and shapes (and blues) in this room. The lack of symmetry in the furniture layout, the off-centre rug and the small central table shouldn’t work, but they do combine to make this room more relaxed and ‘young’. The fiddle leaf figs trees and pink flowers are the stars here though.

Relaxed, rustic, casual, textured: all perfect for my beach house (above)..

There’s a lot going on here (above), but it’s a fun space and I like the white and neutral base with the colours added through cushions.

The soft greys, blues and pinks here would be perfect for a reading corner in my country cottage, or perhaps a ladies’ guest room?

Have a great Monday!

Naomi xx

comments: 2 » tags: beach house, blue and white, blue ikat, country decorating, elle decor, pink and blue rooms, serena & lily

Jan 11

A little project in zig zag

Posted in beautiful blue, fabrics, projects/ my work

So, remember these two stools I bought ages ago?

I scrapped my original plan for them and they are off to the upholsterer’s next week to be covered in this:

Zig zag by Alan Campbell for Quadrille (and yes, continuing in my navy theme from yesterday!).

christina murphy

I figure that not only will they go with all the other blue and white in my house at the moment, but they will also look ‘fabulous’ (my seven year old’s current favourite word) with the old sofa I’m getting recovered in a bright pink velvet (but that’s another story…). Blue and pink go so great together, don’t you think? Here’s an example using the same zig zag fabric my stools are getting:

This next pic is from a spread in Traditional Home a few years ago that I LOVED (still have it in a folder- for a long time this room was my vision for the perfect kitchen/family room extension- I picture the breakfast nook being around the left corner by the kitchen), again using the navy zig zag fabric for cushions:

Finally, I’m loving this dining area in blue and white. The room itself is great, with its gorgeous window, wall mouldings and shallow shelving, but I also love the pieces used: ikat wallpaper, lantern, french chairs with zig zag fabric, madeline weinrib rug. (As it happens I looked at this very lantern today when I was searching for lighting for two clients!).

jill unger

I have to paint my stools before they head to be re-covered- that’s a project for the weekend that I’ll keep you posted on!

Naomi xx

comments: 3 » tags: alan campbell, china seas, ikat wallpaper, lantern light, madeline weinrib rug, navy and white, quadrille fabric, zig zag fabric

Jan 10

Loving Navy

Posted in beautiful blue, my home, Uncategorized

It’s always been a favourite colour of mine, but lately I’ve been really loving and needing navy around me. Because in our living room I have to work with our large brown classic-style leather sofa, simple but strong navy and white combinations are a good fit. Think stud detailing and quite masculine. I loved that sofa when we bought it 9 years ago and I love it almost as much still. It’s just not as versatile as a white sofa! I do love this classic, slightly nautical look.

I had a whole bunch of navy/white/natural linen cushions made up just before Christmas in Ralph Lauren and Kravet fabrics, which help the brown leather sofa, linen dining chairs and curtains, white daybed, sisal rug and blue and white ceramics all tie together. The day bed at the moment is a veritable feast of blues!

I’m just loving a mix of navy and white fabrics with blue and white Chinese ceramics, some interesting antique pieces and lots of books and art. This room is my favourite at the moment:

It’s got that relaxed country house vibe while still feeling elegant, which I love. Here’s another favourite from UK Homes & Gardens mag from years ago (below). This is the sort of colour I want to paint our bedroom:

Here’s another moody navy room; love the pairing of navy with warm camel in the sofa and curtains and the navy trim. I like this sort of feeling for my country weekender!

And here’s my navy blue front door:

I love this eclectic mix of pieces and how great white, navy and wood tones look together:

I’ve posted it before, probably more than once (sorry), but here’s my favourite navy blue library by Nate Berkus – I think I can get away with posting it again as it’s a different shot to the one from Elle Decor..

Naomi xx

comments: 4 » tags: blue and white rooms, blue library, blue rooms, nate berkus, navy, navy rooms, ralph lauren

Oct 4

I’m back! and with blues for Spring

Posted in bathrooms, beautiful blue, bedrooms, french style

Hello! After what has been a lovely break from sitting at my computer (I can’t remember when I last blogged!) I’ve decided I should probably start doing some work again, and also start getting some of all the thoughts in my head down ‘onto paper’. We have had a lovely week at the beach, and as usual (I mean I feel like this every school holiday) I am reminded that there really is nothing better than just being with family, enjoying meals together, walks on the beach and little miracles like lost teeth and bedtime stories without the pressure of early starts the next morning. Holidays are Heaven! Of course being on holidays means that I’ve had some extra time to develop my plans for a house in the country, though that’s for another day…The sun in shining and it’s hard to escape the fact that Spring has arrived, and in that frame of mind I’m thinking of pale blues with lots of fresh white..

I’m obsessed with barn-like rooms at the moment! I don’t think I ever want to live under a flat ceiling ever again! Well, at least not a low one..And I love the big blue doors that look like they slide open to reveal another room (above).

This is the classic style that I can never get sick of (above). Soft white wall panelling, wide, raw-looking bare floorboards, big windows and shutters. Love the blue buttoned chair too!