My Week in Photos: 1

My week in photos is a little behind the scenes introduction to the my design focused life.

Elle x

Jump over to the Facebook page for more design lovin'

Exposed this & exposed that

A standout & highly sort after feature of mine is exposed wooden beams. They express the definition of functional necessity in the most expressive form. How does something so crucial to a build, so heavy and obtrusive still manage to present true elegance in a space?

Architecture in today's world is appreciated more than ever, exposed aggregate, off-form concrete, exposed internal brick walls and of course, exposed structural beams. I find it refreshing and exciting to be able to not only understand the building and construction process, but to be able to see it, both in the progressive stage and the end stage. Adding beauty and architectural interest to any space, try not to shy away from the foundations or support that assists in establishing the place you call home.

Here are 3 great examples of the beauty of the exposed wooden beam;

3.bp.blogspot.com

elv-s.blogspot.fi

ffffound.com

Elle x

Find us on Facebook at Design, Form, Function - just click here!

A little turtle inspiration

Recently I have been exploring different means of inspiration, it is everywhere you look & I enjoy the thought that people find inspiration in very different places to one another. 

After our recent trip to Fiji, I explored finding interior design inspiration in marine creatures. I have always loved turtles I find them relaxed and deeply inquisitive, but by no means do I support harming them in any way. (In fact, please don't, just enjoy looking at them or find imitations).

Where do you find your inspiration from?

Elle x

  

An image from our trip

             

All images via @pinterest

10 perfect bedside tables

I got a little over-excited and ended up with more than 10...

We all know how exciting it is to find a new home for an item that has been in the corner of the room for as long as you can remember. I have been thinking recently of all the different objects I can use as my bedside table (currently its a pile of Belle magazines!)

The bedside table solutions below show you when it comes to the bedroom storage, no rules apply. Be it an old chair or chest of drawers, classic or retro furniture, a bedside table can be a focal point to your bedroom, or rather contribute to an ongoing theme. It is a great way to add a little bit of colour and express your personality and sense of style.

Here are a few images to get you thinking of how you can make your bedside table more exciting..

My choice is a tree stump in all its natural glory!

Grand Drum in Yellow from Matt Blatt

Wooden Nesting Table by Citta Design

Teca 4 Hole Stool by Globe West

Boracay Hourglass Stool by Globe West

Art School Bedside Table in Natural by Freedom

Do you have any other fun ideas of items that could be used as a bedside table?

Enjoy, Elle x

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-bedside-tables-that-arent-r-138033

http://www.homelife.com.au/shopping/galleries/10+of+the+best+bedside+tables+,20689?pos=6#top

Home Styling

"Tina Seidenfaden Busck and Pernille Hornhaver are the founders of ‘The Apartment’ an interior showroom/shop in Christianshavn, Copenhagen. The space is what it sounds and looks like in these photos, an apartment that has been restored by the founding partners to showcase design objects, furniture, antiques and art. The all-white space serves as a blank canvas where innovative modern design meets the unparallelled craft of traditional furniture making. In these photos you will see how the space has been transformed over time as it is dressed with different furniture, objects and art."

One day it would be nice to have a library in my home, but I would happily settle for a wall of books.

Today designers and architects are finding new and exciting ways to utilize space. One form of doing so it to use all available walls. A wall of plants (vertical garden), a wall of books and a wall of photo frames, there are many options. 

This apartment is a combination of warm and cool elements;

Cool: white walls and ceiling, dark grey wooden floors, metal table and furniture legs

Warm: Coloured books, lamp shade, tones of grey, woolen colourful rugs

images via http://www.stylebyyellowbutton.com/p/about.html

Changing a cool room to a warm & cozy space

When you first walk into a room it really shows itself. It ignites feelings, hopefully happy ones. 

However, sometimes when walking into a cool space it doesn't provide the warm, comfort and coziness often sort after.

Here are a few easy solutions which can change a cool space and transform it into a warm space.

1. Painting - By painting the walls a warmer colour, (such as a dark grey, I bet you wouldn't have guessed I was going to suggest a grey!) it will make the walls appear closer together (left & right). Painting the ceiling a darker tone invites the ceiling closer to the floor and the furniture. Although normally I have a strong opinion of keeping ceilings within the white tones I believe this space is screaming for it.

Wallpaper is introduces patterns and texture and is a great way to liven up a space. Be bold!

2. Furniture - Furniture heights are crucial to complimenting a space. In a small space- think smaller but in a large space, with high ceilings - think big(er). 

Tip: When thinking big try finding furniture with legs, instead of having the items sit directly on the floor.

Even a super over-sized floor cushion would be fantastic in this space and encourage people to focus their attention towards one point.

3. Texture - An easy way to incorporate texture into a space is by adding a rug. The sensations people feel when in a space is important to. Walking onto wooden flooring gives a very different feeling to stepping onto a luscious rug. A fabric couch would also work wonders as leather is a cool material selection. (Once again, think a charcoal fabric to match the wall). The ultimate fix in this situation is adding cushions, you can never have too many, think floral or pattered cushions. 

Tip: Rugs should be placed under your furniture and not around them. 

4. Lighting - Lighting is often the place I encourage clients to have a little fun. Find something you love and cannot live without and find a home for it. Just ensure the colours and heights suit the space.

5. Flowers - Embrace flowers and plants and try and include them where possible. In this space, think big and work with varying heights. 

Enjoy & feel free to leave comments

Sticky Business with Wallpaper

One year ago, what would have been your average visit to a hair dresser yesterday became a little bit of interior design education. As I was having my hair washed (nothing better than a mini head massage) I noticed the wallpaper and the way in which it had been formed around the arch (see image below). Have a peek at the zoomed in image of the place with the wallpaper meets the arch and you can see it has been stuck directly to the edge of the wall. 

Although the wallpaper is gorgeous, rich & livens up the space I believe highlighting the archway with paint would have created a cleaner finish (the wallpaper is pealing now). 

Of course, cutting in to the wall and re-creating the arch would be the best option in a perfect picture but this approach is too expensive. 

See the images below for my proposed concept.

Original wallpaper & arch

Detailed image of the arch

Proposed painting of the arch

Looking for a make a wall just a little more beautiful?

Is there a wall at you home or office that is flat, lifeless & not terribly beautiful?

How warm, interesting & creative does this wall feel?

Adding a natural creeper to a wall does take time but is an easy way to bring colour, interest & texture to a space. Besides, there's enough brick in this world, so why not make it a little prettier. (Think of it as a little make up for your wall!)

Elle x

Bedroom on a budget

As requested by one of our first readers, this post is directed towards students who are attempting to design on a budget.

 

What’s the most expensive thing in a bedroom? Right, it’s bed and any furniture you are willing to have there. While you can’t really do it without bed, you sure can without any additional furniture. So let’s start with the essential part of the bedroom, which is bed. It doesn’t have to be expensive or big if you are living alone. Go with smaller modest beds like the one in the picture below. It will save you a bit money for the rest of your decor.



As for other furniture in the room, think about what you really need and what you really don’t need, if you plan to buy some chairs just for the bedroom but do not plan to use them, then what’s the point? A minimalist approach doesn’t take away from the bedroom’s decor if it is done right. Having said that, having a single chair in the corner of a room is a cheap and effective feature for the space.

Use bold colours to brighten up the rooms and artwork with similar colours to create unison. Do not under estimate the power of paint. Repainting your space white will invite more natural light while also providing a blank canvas. 

If your are, however, more into neutral and calm colour schemes go with floral patterned wallpaper in neutral tones. It will not only enrich your bedroom but will also give it a warmer look. Of course, wallpaper is more expensive than certain paints both in terms of price and installation but in the long-run quality wallpaper can serve you for a long period of time.



The pops of colour in this space all work well as they are within the same yellow tones but don't go out a purchase anything that catches your eye. Your space should be built up over time by items you enjoy and have meaning.

Even if you want a calm bedroom be sure to add accents in deeper shades here and there in order to make it look stylish and finished. Get everything out except the most essential parts of the room like bed and a night table or lamp. Thus you can make the smallest room in the house a stylish minimalist room for rest and lounge where nothing will distract you from sleep.



Don't be afraid to try a little DIY. It is cheap, easy and enjoyable to rummage through garage sales and turn old mirrors, frame or wooden pieces into something spectacular.


 

The bed linen you chose should represent who you are as a person. You might think this sounds a little strange but you should not be purchasing something that you don't love. If you aren't quite sure at to what that is at this stage stick with neutral colours. Don't under estimate white linen for starters. But it can always be brought to life with fantastic cushions. See my post on cushions here.

 

Lighting is what finishes a space off, it is a mood changer. Don't be afraid of doing something a little different. See my post on industrial lighting. 

 

Elle x

 

 

 

Don't forget you can now have the posts delivered straight to your email! 

All you have to do is click into the 'subscribe' box on the right & add your email address.

Don't forget you can follow all the blog posts & many more posts throughout the day at the Design, Form, Function Facebook page. (Simply click here)

Images via Interholic

Who am I?

Here I am...

After sharing a room with my sister for many years, the excitement of moving into my own space was almost too much to handle. I remember lying on my bed with my hair hanging over the edge staring endlessly out of the ceiling to floor window. I vividly remember waking up in the middle of the night to rearrange my room. These days nothing has changed, except I now re-design my friends' rooms too.

After aspiring all throughout high school to be a physiotherapist, a last minute decision by my sister landed me in a design degree. (Thank you!) Four years later and now a qualified designer I am still staring out of the same window and still constantly re-designing my room. During my 4 year university degree I directed most of my attention towards textile and graphic design, finding great meaning from both. 
I am currently studying Interior Design while practising design across the board and loving every moment of what I do. 

The passion for my interior design work lies in taking a house and turning it into a home and establishing a space people can call their own. Consulting on projects whether it be a medical suite or the privacy of a couples bedroom brings equal reward.

You have to be comfortable enough in your space to make a mess!

My graphic design skills have progressed over the years with my strength in print design. Creating wedding invitations is a rewarding team effort. Together with the bride and groom I enjoy working to capture both their personalities and bringing together their style and the start of their new lives. 

Establishing a new business is no easy task but finding the perfect logo, slogan and all round business identity should be. I thrive on the task of creating logos, business cards and website layouts for clients ranging from edibles to IT professionals. 

In my down time you can find me with my loved ones or near the water.

When working on projects my clients notice I 'rarely talk without a smile on my face'. I enjoy what I do, and I hope you enjoy it too.

Feel free to contact me for a chat via the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/designformfunction

Our website is on its way!
You can now subscribe to the blog & receive all the posts to your email! Just enter your email address & click 'Subscribe' to the right!

Elle x

Bathroom + Chandelier

I have long admired chandeliers, but always from a far. Sadly, there is no room for one in my bedroom, nor the hallway, entrance or kitchen (yes, I've considered it). So how about in the bathroom?

Let's take a step back for a moment. I had a look in the internet to see what the definition of a chandelier is; "A chandelier is a branched, decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture.Chandeliers are often ornate, using dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass or crystal prisms to illuminate a room with refracted light.

I truly believe, any bathroom can manage to incorporate a chandelier.

What do you think? Would you ever put a chandelier in your bathroom or is the idea more dreamy than reality (like the object) ?

I always like to inject an ounce of whimsy and unexpectedness into decor and styling. My passion for re-purposing vintage items stems from this obsession. An even easier way to add whimsy is to mix-and-match the purpose of furnishings designed for other rooms. For example, put a vintage baker’s cabinet as the armoire in your bedroom, and two side coffee tables in the guest bathroom to hold towels and toiletries.

An easy way to inject some whimsy into your bathroom is by using non-traditional powder room furnishings. For example, a vintage fireplace mantle is perfect for framing your bathtub and creating an instant shelf (genius!). I also ADORE having chandeliers in the bathroom…it makes soaking in a clawfoot tub all the more grand. I can’t wait to find they perfect home so I can move in and install a clawfoot tub and a chandelier in the bathroom. *Sigh*

Captured by Danish photographer Morten Holtum. I love the freestanding tub, the irregular stone floor, and the moody clay walls, but what I find most seductive is the chandelier.

"Oversized, but airy. Detailed, but not ostentatious. It exudes a quiet glamour that makes itself known without undermining the other elements of the room. And it doesn't require an electrician to install. All that's missing is a rustic stool for my towel, a kilim for my feet, and a view of the olive groves. When I find it — or an acceptable alternative — you can bet it will have a place in my dream bathroom. (Though perhaps with a bit more headroom!)" (via apartment therapy)

Below are images I selected to demonstrate that there is a chandelier to suit any bathroom space & theme?