Trending in Design: #Mismatched Kitchen Cabinets

When you read as many design blogs as I do, you tend to not only see the same images frequently, but you also get to observe the up and coming trends as they develop.

The first time I saw a "Keep Calm and Carry On" print, I had just moved to London - 5 and a half years ago. The fact that the image is now emblazoned on everything from on tea towels to iphone cases just proves its ubiquity.

My daily diet of design food has inspired me to start this series which I have cleverly coined "Trending in Design", complete with hash tag. Many of these trends will no doubt fizzle out, and some will go on to become "classic".

First of many in this series, the mismatched upper and lower kitchen cabinets.

Photo | The Marion Housebook

This week alone I have noticed 3 or 4 photos featuring kitchens with white cabinets up top and grey/green on bottom. (Black on bottom is also common.) The dark lower cabinetry anchors the kitchen and the white above prevents it from looking top heavy.

Photo | Cutler Design & Construction

I adore this trend, and would definitely do it in my home - with bright white on top and a chalky navy-grey on the bottom. How about you? Would you do it?

Photo | Cottage Living

Photo | BHG

Photo | The Kitchn

Photo | House & Home

Like it?

Then don't forget to "like" the facebook page!



www.facebook.com/designgratis

Marvellously Moody

I've been going back and forth in my head for almost a year now about painting our fireplace wall a moody charcoal grey. I banished the notion from my mind for months, partially because I was apprehensive of going so dark in a rented flat, but mostly because...well..I'm lazy. The thought of removing the 2 million glass bottles and wooden panels of the mantle and wall, then taping off and applying 2 coats of paint just didn't really appeal. Instead, I would sit on the sofa with a cocktail, imagining what it could look like.

But then I kept seeing images like this...

Photo | Lonny

And this

And these

Photos | Apartment Therapy

Finally, about 2 months ago I bit the bullet and went to Leyland to buy the paint. I had pulled my finger out! I was going to DO THIS! Except... Leyland had other ideas. They were closed. And I didn't go back, because...well..I'm lazy.

Oddly enough, it was the image below that ultimately lit a fire up my bottom.

Photo | Design*Sponge

As soon as I saw it, my brain said, *dresser=wood panels; carpet=fireplace surround; cardigan=mantle* (I'm constantly having these equations in my head, it's a gift). This was it! This photo WAS my fireplace wall! And I never looked back.

Here she is before -

And now -

They could be twins no?

There's a common misconception that dark walls will make a room feel smaller, however in this case the charcoal delineates the space, rather than closing it in. It also works because although our lounge is quite small, the high ceiling makes the space feel more generous than it actually is (unfortunately said ceiling currently has a leak - the period flat gods giveth, the period flat gods taketh away).

One more time for the road -

Feels like just yesterday that it looked like THIS.

Oh Baby!

I have been paying a lot more attention to nursery design lately, mostly because I know so many people who are currently pregnant (or have recently given birth), but also because there seems to be a new trend emerging which like to refer to as Baby Glam. Nurseries ain't what they used to be folks:

Photos | Apartment Therapy

Photos | Domino Magazine 

This look is distinctive in its "grown up" feel, and is quite practical in the sense that it is a space a baby can grow with, needing only minor changes to transition into a big girl/big boy room.

Photos | Little Green Notebook

Photo | Heather Elizabeth Designs

Photo | VivaFullHouse

To emulate:

+ Transitional Is Key | Convert a classic dresser into a changing table to help achieve the adult look. This is also practical as you can use it as a dresser again in the future.

+ Colour Outside The Lines | Gone are the days of pink vs blue. Go neutral with gray, or monochromatic with black and white. Use graphic wallpaper with a chair rail and/or wainscoting. Add punches of colour with textiles, accessories or even a painted ceiling if you're bold (a la Jenna Lyons' nursery via Domino, shown above)

+ Let There Be Light | Smart lighting goes a long way and can be the finishing touch to your glam nursery. Use a chandelier as a statement piece.


 1.Grellow Dresser, CB2 $530. 2.Round Mirror, Anthropologie $348. 3.Iron Lamp Base, John Lewis £75. 4.Sanderson Chevron Wallpaper, stocked at John Lewis £39 per roll. 5.Rope Chandelier, West Elm $260. 6.Ribba Frames, Ikea £7.29 - £21. 7.Handmade Felt Mobile, Etsy $78. 8.Cot, Mothercare £199. 9.Ikat Pillow Cover, Etsy $34. 10.Dwell Studio Fabric Pillow Cover, Etsy, $70. 11.Replica Bentwood Rocker, Ebay £95. 12.Flatweave Rug, Woven Ground £155 - £840. 13.Sheepskin, Ikea, £25. 14.Grass Ottoman, Oriental Furniture, $99.

 15. Hemnes Dresser, Ikea £179. 16.Ceramic Table Lamp, Lamps Plus $235.91. 17.Sunburst Mirror, Graham & Green £115. 18.Cole & Son Hummingbirds Wallpaper, stocked at John Lewis £95 per roll. 19.Oak Cot Bed, Mothercare £300. 20.RAR Rocking Chair, The Conran Shop £425 (Replicas start at £59). 21.Pink Check Rug, John Lewis £55-£95.

Cool Britannia

With the Queen's Jubilee celebrations kicking off this weekend, and Euro 2012 as well as the Olympics just around the corner, it's safe to say that the city is buzzing with patriotism and it feels like everywhere I turn there is a Union Jack staring back at me.

Even Chinatown is getting in on the action...

This got me contemplating the colours of the flag and how they relate to interior design. From clean line classic to bold and nautical - here's a collection inspired by the colour scheme for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Image | Lonny Magazine

Images | House & Home

Image | House Beautiful

Images | Rue Magazine

Image | Marili Forastieri

PS. Have you liked the Facebook page yet?  www.facebook.com/designgratis