You can Colour on the Wallpaper!

In need of a therapeutic wind down and relaxation? Why not make use of your hidden artistic talents and spend the winter evenings colouring in your own wallpaper!

I just adore the thinking behind this colour in wall paper. Initially I thought great for keeping the kids occupied and to stop them drawing on the walls ‘accidentally’, now I’m thinking hang on a mo I like to do that too!

It may take a lot of dedication and patience to complete an entire wall but the end result would provide a true sense of achievement. The great thing about this wallpaper is that there are no set colour patterns, unlike the ‘paint by numbers’ picture sets you can buy which dictate where each colour should go. With this you can please yourself, and chose whatever colour mood you are in!

Something initially told me it would look great with just two tones, but on reflection I think random colouring is the best approach. This also reminds me of colouring Mandala used to help prayer and healing, although Mandala are circular the concept of using the wallpaper as a form of relaxation and mind balancing therapy definitely appeals to me, as does the childhood urge to colour the wallpaper without being told off!
I’m not sure I would want this wallpaper in a main room, but I definitely feel it would look great in a child’s bedroom or playroom. Family bonding opportunities here I think!

The wallpaper is designed by Jon Bergerman.

Image source:www.notempire.com

Barnacle

From Sea-Urchins to Barnacles! My love of natural and reclaimed materials is captured in this chair, leaning post beautifully.

The chair is made from sustainable ash and reclaimed industrial felt, designed by Ania Wagner who likes to ‘work with local materials the designed to create minimal material waste’.

The chair has two functions, the felt lined bucket style seat which can simply be flipped over to provide a great leaning space! Ideal for chilling out in a variety of ways. The beauty of the light ash with its ‘fringed’ style end adds a touch of visual impact in an understated way. The colour of the reclaimed felt is pleasantly neutral which makes a real change from bright vibrant colours or garish patterns.

There is no right or wrong way up for this piece of contemporary furniture, simply flip it or move it, sit back and relax. I can image this piece being a firm favourite with young people, from toddlers to teenagers. A real piece of ‘me’ furniture when you need to be left alone or a great communal sharing space. I also think young children would find a lot of other role play purposes for this chair, a great boat, or space ship!

Chill out and watch TV with a bucket of popcorn by your side, a book and a mug of cocoa the choices are endless! I think this chair would fit perfectly in a lounge or bedroom and makes a stylish change from the ‘classical’ beanbag for resting on, far more neat and tidy in my opinion!

Image source: www.yankodesign.com

Sea-Urchin Chair

I just love this amazing suspended Sea-Urchin lounge chair! This brings back memories of the large circular suspended chairs of the 60s with a real modern and trendy twist which is not only fun to look at but actually looks very comfortable to use. I can image sitting and contemplating new designs ideas or simply wiling away the time reading in my own space, gently swaying to and fro, free from floor clutter without interruption, what bliss!

The chair is made with a RVS-frame which has been covered with some 8000 black cable ties! The chair is part of a collection of handmade products by Studio OOOMS run by Guido Ooms and Karin van Lieshout, who not only design but also give lectures and workshops around the world to inspire students or employees on different creative themes. Guido and Karin describe themselves as ‘working as designers as well as inventors, not minding to get their hands dirty‘.

The relative simplicity of the finished design is an innovative and effective way to use an everyday object successfully. I assume that any colour of cable tie could be used to create different effects, however, the black is perfect for me, looking great with any colour scheme in a room and ideal for a minimalist look.
The aptly named Sea-Urchin lounge chair really does resemble a sea urchin with its spiny outer shell and soft interior, oceanic blue/green walls would also do justice to this delightful piece of furniture in a contemporary home.

Image source:www.oooms.nl

Tank Collection

Designed by Peter Petersen, the mastermind behind the Swedish design company Signalement, these shelves offer a crisp clean appearance which would enhance any contemporary home or office space effectively. The Tank Collection comprises of a series of different pieces of furniture all made from MDF or fibreglass.

I particularly like the shelves for their simplicity and practicality. The open frame and deep shelves provide an airy and spatial feel which are just crying out to have beautiful objects displayed on them. The high lustre varnish finish captures the light wonderfully on the colour variations, although I personally prefer the white version the black is equally elegant and the yellow is really funky.

Petersen’s main focus is designing brochure and information stands, however, the Tank Collection shows his abilities to use simplistic forms and transform them into very useable furniture. The Collection also includes an open garment stand which is available in white MDF with a high lustre finish, ideal for hanging jackets and coats in an office area. A white height adjustable desk with three slim line drawers, each with a cool yellow interior. The coffee table made from fibreglass would make an impressive statement in an office foyer or private space, as well as looking very striking within a trendy home environment. All of the pieces have the same beautiful soft curvaceous lines and elegant style, providing a smooth look which is extremely pleasing to the eye.

Sales in the UK can be made via Scandia at www.scandia.co.uk.
Image source: www.notempire.com

Blooming Marvellous

Korean designer Jin-Young Lee has created this stylish and very practical piece of contemporary furniture Da-Bloom. The concept of the design is based on a blooming flower, hence the name I assume, which can be easily customised to individual needs and preferences with a few simple twists and turns of the ‘petals’.

Made from plywood and plastic this modern design is a great spacer saver, with adults or children sitting on one ‘petal’ and using the next slightly higher ‘petal’ as a table. By filling the conical shaped base with water stability is provided, the next ‘petal’ and spacers lock onto each other to build a table with integral seating and work space for three or more children. The top of the central cone is hollowed, providing a space for pencils and writing implements. Da-Bloom also offers easy storage when not in use, the ‘petals’ simply all twist round to fit underneath each other.

I think this piece of furniture would work extremely well in children’s nurseries or schools, providing informal seating as well as a great place to let children’s imaginations run wild turning it into dens, buses and other role play themes, great for encouraging participation for singing and music, the options are endless in my opinion! Alternatively waiting rooms in doctors and dentists would look great with this style of modern furniture. At home this practical furniture would make a super informal eating area!

If white and natural coloured plywood is not to your liking Da-Bloom can be custom made in a variety of different colours to suit interior design colour schemes.

Image source: www.yankodesign.com