Colour Block Inspiration: Red, Yellow & Blue

I loved this recent shopping story in Livingetc where the team grouped together some of the latest homeware buys by their colour. Want to know a not-so-secret secret? 'Warm Yellow' has to be my favourite! Well, given I own a number of the items in the shoot, including the limited edition yellow Billy bookcase (which I snapped up after writing about here) and the dipped yellow terracotta pot seen upon it, it couldn't really not come in at my number one spot. That said, Inky Blue and Hot Scarlet are also fighting for Mr. Bazaar's affections. The Oka rugs in the former are striking statement pieces that wouldn't need to fight their way into my home, and the 'J' print from Liberty is flirting with my typographical side. As for the little red stool, well that's also super cute! Which look is for you, friends - Warm Yellow, Inky Blue or Hot Scarlet?
// Livingetc, May 2012 | Photography by Chris Everard & Simon Bevan | Styling by Milly Goodwin; assisted by Holly Sneezum & Eloise James

Livingetc, August 2011: Best Issue of 2011!

Livingetc

The August issue of Livingetc is my favourite issue out of all of 2011's offerings to date. It quickly won my affections with it's mix of summer homes, hot hues and bold patterns. My favourite features included the 'Decorating with Stripes' and the '40 Fabulous Rooms' stories, but it was the home tours that shone through. Inside this issue you will find an exclusive tour of Bobbi Brown's coastal home, who launched a worldwide make up brand in her name. Her home is a lesson in how to make a nautical palette of blue and white work without looking cliched. There's also a bright and airy north London home that features bold primary colours, but Sibella Court's new Sydney home is the standout space - her creativity is hugely inspiring. What do you like about this issue?

SNEAK PEEK: Livingetc, July 2011

Livingetc

So the lovely folks at Livingetc pulled out a corker of an issue, guys! It's funny because when I first read the issue (yep - I'm the loser who reads each issue at least twice!) I didn't feel as inspired as I normally do. Maybe it was the chap next to me on the Tube with his oversized, greasy hot dog stinking the place out. Thinking about it, that whole situ kinda killed my moment of the month with Livingetc (I've been having my Livingetc moments since I was twelve, which is weird looking back on it!). Anyhow, I digress because a few days later I was in bed reading the issue for a second time, when it occurred to me the sheets were covered in torn pages. And, well, here they are: My favourite tear sheets from July issue. Some pretty colourful and lovely summer decorating ideas, don't you think? My top pick is the living room with the sofa made out of old palettes, finished with block colour bunting. Which is yours?

Livingetc, June 2011 - My Scrapbook Highlights

Livingetc

Given my penchant for colour, it's no surprise that the team's decorating with a soft palette was by far my favourite decorating story from the June issue of Livingetc. Claudia Bryant's seemingly effortless styling has been captured in an almost dream-like state through the lens of Emma Lee; the soft, airy feel to the photographs making the delicate hues all the more appealing. I also enjoyed the botanicals feature (those Apothecary jars are divine) and the Hollywood Hills Sixties home of Derek Mattison caught my eye with its striking mid century-meets-folksy living room (I kinda loved his simple yet ever-so stylish outfit, too). However, the standout tour is the home of Dee Koppany and her partner, Dermot O'Leary - check out that bathroom, folks! An inspiration gallery of outdoor spaces rounded off this lovely summer issue.

Magazine Sneak Peek - Livingetc, May 2011

Susanne Imre is back at the helm of Livingetc after returning from maternity leave, and I love how she references brights in her first editor's letter back! In fact, much of the May issue centers around bright, summary hues. First up - my favourite story from the issue - Gelato Colours, which reinvents pieces with ice cream shades. As well as the preppy brights, there's also great inspiration for darker, more masculine colour schemes - just check out that black feature wall in the living room, and how seductive is the black space teamed with the dramatic vertical garden - I love it! With product round ups for fruit bowls and coffee tables, and great ideas for your walls and bathrooms there's something to inspire for all. They even managed to squeeze in some cracking recipes from Donna Hay - with knockout food styling to boot. Bravo, guys! P.S. Be sure to check out their limited edition plate auction in aid of Shelter, as there are exclusive designs from the likes of Jonathan Adler, Lee Broom, Donna Wilson and many more.

Livingetc

Livingetc, April 2011

Where do I start? Honestly, this really is an great, great issue from the Livingetc team. Product round ups on teapots, magazine holders, beds, egg cups and more sit alongside inspiring home tours, all packed full of seasonal ideas as we head into spring. Their indigo story - beautifully styled by Harriet Paterson and shot by Adrian Briscoe - was my favourite, closely followed by April's Shop & Style feature, Cooking, which detailed bright and cheery essentials for the kitchen. The master bedroom of artist Alice Instone caught my eye for its dramatic use of colour, whilst their inspiration gallery on storage ideas left me brimming with ideas to introduce at home. Dive on in and tell me what you're loving.

Livingetc