Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World Opens June 1st, 2012

31st May 2012
Ferren - 16:07 GMT

Events and Exhibitions, General

Southbank Centre Festival of the WorldI had the privilege of attending the press opening for the Southbank Centre‘s Festival of the World this morning and it’s a very good effort at an engaging arts festival. The large-scale cultural event begins tomorrow, June 1st, and will include a wide range of activities and installations through to it’s conclusion on September 9th.

When I received an invitation to the opening, it was presented to me as an art event, but I was still a bit unclear on exactly what it was about. Though I was a little unclear on the exact purpose of the festival, I gladly accepted the invitation because the Southbank Centre is a highly respected institution and I was eager to find out exactly how the festival would work. Having gone this morning, I know a little better what the festival is meant to achieve, but I still find myself a questioning how well all of the individual events/activities come together.

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Father’s Day: Gifts for Dad

30th May 2012
Ferren - 08:00 GMT

General, Inspiration

Father’s day is coming up… Are you ready? I somehow feel like dads don’t get as much love on their day as moms do. What do we usually give our dads– socks? a tie? I think it’s time to give something a little different, don’t you?

I was speaking with my dad recently and he was telling me about how he’s finished refurbishments in his house and is now starting to think about decorating one of the new rooms– his man cave. If you don’t know, the “man cave” is the guy-zone of the house. For some it includes leftover bits from bachelorhood, but it could also be a sort of office space. It made me think that a really thoughtful gift for him this year could be something to help make his man cave a little cosier.

Vintage sports photography is a classic, masculine addition to this type of area. If your father is into athletics, why not find him a classic photo from his favourite sport? It definitely beats getting a tie!

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Ethnic Patterns for the Bedroom

28th May 2012
Ferren - 08:00 GMT

General, Inspiration

via 1,2

For the most part, I try not to go too far into my personal opinion/tastes on this blog so that I can show a range of looks that, while not always my personal style, can help you along in achieving a look that you may have been considering. Art is an essential part of tying a look together and does wonders for making a room look complete, so I like to explore all sorts of possibilities.

Today is a day, however, where I’m going to gush over a look that I would love to achieve in my own home. I’ve seen a few images lately with these ethnic prints and every time I see one, my love for this look grows! The mix of patterns and fabrics looks so comfortable and inviting, which is exactly what a bedroom should be. The only thing missing from these two rooms is the art (of course), so I took the liberty of pulling a few suggestions together.

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Colour Stories: Blue and White Home Decorating

25th May 2012
Ferren - 08:00 GMT

General, Inspiration

via 1,2,3,4

Blue and white isn’t just for porcelain any more, ladies and gentlemen. This colour story is an update on a classic look, and it’s the perfect way to straddle the line between modern and traditional in your home.

I love the blue and white accents in these rooms because they give the eye a place to focus. I recently purchased a small blue and white vase that I’m excited to throw in the mix of my décor scheme, but my style at home isn’t traditional, so I’ll be adding in a few other blue elements to tie things together. This is easily done with a cushion, a foot rest or an art piece.

If you’re planning to introduce a new colour into your decorating scheme, but sure to add a few pieces in your chosen colour for continuity. This helps to make sure that those accent pieces look like purposeful additions and not like presents you’ve been meaning to re-gift.

I originally selected a mix of blue and white prints for this post, but I came across these prints by Manuel Rebollo (from our Eyes on Walls collection), and thought I would just share these. These are absolutely striking and would work beautifully in a living room.

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Chelsea Flower Show Inspiration: Floral Art Prints

23rd May 2012
Ferren - 08:00 GMT

Events and Exhibitions, General, Inspiration

Yesterday saw the start of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and everyone has flowers on the brain! We even have a floral theme going on over on our Facebook page. The show lasts through Saturday, and in honour of all of the floral-themed shows going on in the coming weeks, I wanted to do a post about incorporating some botanical goodness into your décor.

via 1,2

Having flowers and art in your home are individually known to have positive affects on your mental health, so a combination of the two must be doubly awesome, right? Right? ;) Well, maybe… I think that I would feel very jolly looking at beautiful floral art prints everyday.

There are so many ways to interpret this look. You can go bohemian, Asian, classic, modern or more. This is the perfect theme for art when you’d like to keep things fairly neutral in your home, or if you’re in need of a colour boost.

I’ve chosen to show some fun, colourful prints, but there are always more subtle options like floral photography for a sleeker, more modern look.

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