Fall Trend Spot: Feeling Foxy!

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There's a new interiors vixen in town and she's shaking things up with each swish of her bushy tail! Yes, joining the nation's much-loved owls and dashing dachshunds at the top of the interiors must-have list is our furry friend, the humble fox. Well, let me tell you, this vixen is going to have to keep her paws firmly on the ground if she's going to stay humble for much longer - she's hit the big time and is in demand across the board in this season's interiors collections. John Lewis are carrying a bright and playful fox motif cushion by Scion that would be perfect for a playroom, or there's more sophisticated takes on the trend by Coral and Tusk and RawXclusive. Plus, you'll find this famous vixen across notecards (and the beautiful brass fox head letter opener for the recipient to open them with!) as well as ceramics and tableware. Mr. Bazaar's pick of the vixens? It has to be the charming and whimsical watercolour fox painting by Alison from Magical Menagerie - adorable, right? Which one do you pick?

John Lewis' Spring/Summer Collection 2012

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Playnation is the first of the three collections for the spring/summer season at John Lewis and details graphic geometric prints and shapes in a variety of bright hues. This feels like a collection that is full of energy and upbeat ideas to use in the home; it's colourful not saccharine, playful not childish. I would use pieces from Playnation to add life and visual interest to a space: a graphic throw cushion on an armchair or a set of coordinating, brightly coloured stationery pieces upon a wooden desk to break up the workspace.

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Modern Utility is a development of the pared-back and sophisticated Refined Puritan autumn/winter collection from the brand. Although it details a natural progression for spring, I like how John Lewis have maintained the tactile and detailed feeling to the collection. This is seen through the use of worn wooden textures, traditional factory lights from Davey lighting and terracotta vases. The reclaimed wooden stool needs to find it's way in Mr. Bazaar's abode quick sharp (along with the yellow terracotta vase, too)!

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Nautical themes are common in many spring/summer collections but they do fit perfectly with the season ahead and, personally, I rarely tire of crisp whites teamed with an array of beautiful blue hues. Think midnight, sky and ultramarine shades, accented with a sunflower yellow and grounded with wicker textures. Maritime offers all of these elements in abundance and at a high quality, too. (I recently invested in their coastal dinnerware set, which has been nothing short of excellent.) I love to see this look in a spare room as it's the perfect scheme for offering guests an escape from their daily lives. Which collection do you like best? How would you use it in your home for spring/summer?

Trend: Kitchen Pastels

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Pastels are experiencing a renaissance of sorts in the world of interiors, with many brands - both High Street and luxury - adding more than a gentle nod to the soft colourful shades in their current collections. As such sorbet hues are no longer tied to children's bedrooms, instead they are claiming a stake across products for living and dining as well. That said, it's the kitchen where the trend is most noticeable this season and, potentially, one of the easiest spaces to work the sweet as sugar shades. You could opt for sky blue walls with dusty pink accent in your tablecloth, or swap out the pink hue for a primrose yellow to take off the feminine edge. Have you decorated with pastel hues? How do you like to decorate with these shades?

{Magazine Review: Living Etc June 2010}

Well, the June issue of Living Etc sure is a goodun'. I've been through and picked out the pages that I found most inspiring, including: a delightfully colourful home tour from South Carolina (2-7); ten ways with tiles(9-11); and the best rooftop garden (12) I've seen in a very long time. What are your thoughts on the flowery trend (8)?

Images: Living Etc

The June issue of Living Etc is avaliable to buy now.