Today I plan to walk you through my dream homes with a tour of my latest Pinterest finds. For as long as I can remember I’ve been swooning over both city and country houses alike. I find the cottages with their thatched roofing, pastel colour ways and picket fences oh so quaint and charming. The styling is modern, fresh, minimal, follows a neutral palette and does a great job of inviting the outdoors in through natural textures and an abundance of greenery. Lots of cream, baby blue, olive green. Cottage style has a comfortable, homey lived in look and is characterised by painted or decorated furniture with graceful lines, weathered or whitewashed finishes, textural elements like baskets, shiplap, natural fibre rugs and the like. Vases of flowers and complimenting foliage add warmth and a little touch of spring. Tulips and hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous.
Cottage style is great for those decorating on a budget as half its charm is found in the casual nature and shabby appeal of the decor. Think wood in warm or grey tones, wrought iron and wicker furniture. Pair these hard furnishings with plush cushions and linen slipcovers. The perfect cosy setting to settle in with a cuppa tea and a good read. Update a simple chair with new upholstering and outline studding. Stripes, checks, subdued florals, vintage yardage and plaid are all suitable for soft furnishings like printed cushions, throws. Alternatively, you could go for a large weave or chunky knit to make a statement. Don’t forget to add trimming and fringe as finishing details. Rumpled cotton, linen and bamboo fabrics are perfect as curtains. They are breezy and allow lots of light in.
In contrast, the terraces lining bustling Sydney streets are bold, bashful and very on trend. I firmly believe there is a little bit of hippie in all of us when we put aside being conservative and allow ourselves to have fun. I saw a restored camper van at my local lake the other day and couldn’t stop thinking about how fabulous it would be to drive off into the sunset. Ironically, there are no overly zesty or attention grabbing shades in this particular colour story. Coastal bohemian design is pared back and influenced by Scandinavian interiors. Overall, there is lots of white space. A crisp, bright shade is best as it helps colour to really pop. Gentle colours like mint and decorative features such as dried or green palm fronds add to this overall vibe. Shells, feathers, linen, raffia, jute, leather, rattan and raw timbers are ideal.
Your aim should be to conjure up a mood or feeling instead of leaning on cliches or being unsubtle in your design. No beach motifs here. Macrame wall hangings, particularly more elaborate versions, can be highly eclectic and provide all the wall art you need. This is a relaxed, globally inspired aesthetic that loves to bend the rules in order to create a layered, personalised look. Add in a moroccan pouffe, a geometric rug or cushions, chic chandeliers or lanterns and so on. Find a way to weave in your core or feature colours. Jewel tones and metallics like bronze or brushed gold work well.
This is all done in the interest of creating a home that is full of life, culture and adventure. Forget modern sensibilities and embrace all that is unique and unusual. Bohemian designed was pioneered by those who choose to lead unconventional lives. Constant travellers, actors, writers. You name it. Above all, there should be a sense of flow to your home. Your furniture should look as if it’s been collected over time. Second hand and vintage items are your best friend. Explore local charity stores and choose your pieces individually. Find their hidden charms, intricacies and quirks!
Coastal Bohemian City Terrace
The Outside
The Foyer
The Study
The Living Room
The Bedroom
The Bathroom
The Kitchen
The Backyard
Rustic Farmhouse Cottage
The Outside
The Foyer
The Study
The Living Room
The Bedroom
The Bathroom
The Kitchen
The Backyard
Oh my goodness these are gorgeous – so dreamy! You have such a wonderful taste for design .xx
Thank you gorgeous, I’m so glad you think so! That makes me smile x
oh this is so gorgeous, i love it!!!
Thank you friend! Big hugs xo
I’ve never shown much interest in architecture but I love the way that you describe it – it makes me fall in love with the cream-coloured walls and Australian terraces that you described. Your language really brings them to life. I love how many plants there are in the house pictures – the wall hanging ones look really pretty. I also like the wall decor, as a graphic designer, I can appreciate their visual hierarchy and colour coordination. My favourite bed was the third picture of the bedroom. Oh, and I’d love to have a house with a swimming pool in the future too.
That is the highest compliment, thank you! I have such a love for architecture and design. It really is my happy place and brings me lots of peace. The idea of turning a house into a home really appeals to me. It’s a journey and an adventure like any other. So many ways to imbue warmth and joy into an empty space. It’s always felt like an intentional process to me. I’ll add things in slowly, take them out slowly. It’s never completely done, never really finished. I’ll always have some ideas that I plan to take to the drawing board, even in the back of my mind. Oh, you’re a graphic designer? That’s brilliant. What’s your area of focus? x