Happy Weekend: Making Chores Fun!

I couldn't be happier to see the weekend as this week has been beyond busy; with so many exciting projects going on I've been beavering away at my desk late into the night all week. Certainly no complaints but I'm looking forward to some time this weekend to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, take in the weekend paper supplements, catch a movie and crash out on the couch with a stack of November issues. Of course, Mr.B will be keeping it real with a healthy dose of chores, too; after a week of solid work the flat is ready for a date with the hoover. If anyone pops around on Saturday afternoon you'll find me rocking out with that very hoover, 'singing' along to some questionable music choices and cleaning like a Mad Man! No kidding... cheesy music gets me through the chores, for sure! Anyhow, after four weekends on the trot of being out and about, I'm looking forward to spending a few days at home without being padlocked to my desk. What are your weekend plans, friends? Happy Thanksgiving to any Canadian readers! Save some turkey and wine for Mr. Bazaar, won't you? 

// All products in lifestyles from John Lewis

Introducing the... Mr. Bright Chair!

I've waxed lyrical about the gold leaf colourway of the Mr. Bright chair before, so imagine my delight when I discovered that John Lewis had added a further nine cracking colour options to the chair collection. I love the aubergine option, but I'd love to know which colour gets your vote?

// Animation by Will Taylor

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?

John Lewis: Key Trends A/W 2011

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The folks over at John Lewis have curated two key contemporary trends for the 2011 autumn/winter season: Refined Puritan and Retro Reborn. The puritan trend has a pared back feel, detailing a muted colour palette with a utilitarian feel. Tactile, natural elements are mixed in with understated checks and stripes for pattern. The second main trend, Retro Reborn, is a more light-hearted and graphic assortment of products. The urban chic range contains plenty of block colour which gives the pieces a clean and retro feel. Of course, I do love the Reborn range, especially those numeric canisters and the retro tea towels. Which of these two John Lewis homeware trends do you like best?

John Lewis Edition: Coastal Vibes

Edition by John Lewis | Styled by Suzanne Stankus | Photography by Adrian Briscoe

The wood textures and rustic jute textiles in this shoot show to introduce a subtle summertime look into your home. The navy-washed wooden boards add drama and the reclaimed glass bottles come alive with flickering candle light come dusk. Add in a pared back summer tabletop that details simple dinnerware and nods to the seaside with shells and water-inspired graphics and you're good to go! What do you like about this coastal shoot?

{John Lewis Bedding}

John Lewis have really gone places with their latest bedding collection - fresh, summery and laid back, all with a hint of fabulousness. There are patterns like the PiP Studio collection (1) that pack a punch of bold flavour or you catch forty winks in serious style under patterns from Designer's Guild (2, 6, 7, 8). I'm a bit of a stripe addict, so my faves have to be 3 (Sherbet Stripe - love this product name) and 9 for it's interesting colourways. Which covers do you like?

PiP Studio Chinese Rose

Designer's Guild Elenora

Cath Kidson Sherbet Stripe

Maisie

Clarissa Hulse Coffee Beans

Designer's Guild Mulberry Walk

Designer's Guild Watelet

Designer's Guild Darly

Maranon