Interior Design Algebra: Pattern + Colour + Plant

Algebra is not as boring as it seems. It just depends on what kind of arithmetic items you choose. In my case I like to add, substract, multiply or divide with interior design and decoration elements. Today's equation is a very simple yet effective one: Add one unit of patterns to a nice unit of colour and add another item from the plant section and the result will be visual splendor. 

As simple as it gets, right? What is your personal interior design and decoration formula?

Photography via The Citizenry

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Here we are, back to my Tuesday series with a title I love because it is like a statement and question in one. So why did this room catch my eye? Probably because it looks so relaxed and expels a sort of quietude that I am looking for after action loaded days. Probably because it looks like a perfect place to unwind, distract your mind and let your thoughts flow freely? Might be. All of that. But here are just three immediate eye-catchers that made me linger over this room:

• Kilim Rug: A classic for my ethnic pattern loving eye. Show me a kilim and you got my attention. I like how it functions as a visual counterpart to the more classic room style and contemporary furniture.
• Clean Lines: The clean lines of this room are also juxtaposed by the kilim rug and lead the eye in a visually calming way. The lines of the fireplace, the settee, the book shelves, the window, the art - everything is clean and simple.
• Rocking Chair: I sort of feel like I could go for this rocking chair right now. With my favorite book and a cushion - you got me there! Grandpa style while I am still (sort of) young!

What catches your eye in this room? By the way, this is the home of London based designer, hotelier, D.J., artist and creative director Robert McKinley.

Oh and for more interior inspiration please check out my latest posts for my Roombeez column HERE (for green inspiration), HERE (for sideboard styling) and HERE (for cushion inspiration). 

Photography by Nicole Franzen via T Magazine

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Happy Interior Blog Recommends...

Yesterday's room on my blog inspired me for a little colorful restyling in my home - with ethnic accents. As much as I love clean and cool Scandinavian looks, I can't escape my Balkan roots and I love ethnic elements - colours, patterns, think of kilims and patterned throws. It's something I was surrounded with as a kid.

Every summer I would travel with my parents to the far south of what then was Yugoslavia to stay with my grandparents. They lived in a rather oriental area so it was a common rule that my grandparents had hardly any chairs. They only had a set of chairs that was only used for special occasions and feasts. For the daily life, we sat on the floor, leaned on special, long cushions called 'minderluk', we would eat sitting around a very low, round wooden table called 'sofra' sitting on low, mostly handmade wooden stools. The floors were covered with kilims and the evenings were spent sitting together and telling old stories. Wonderful memories. 

Well, I was a bit inspired by this walk down memory lane and here are a few products to add an ethnic vibe to your home:

1. Framed black sea fan by Hannah Brown Interiors
2. Moroccan kilim cushion by Babasouk
3. Nicaraguan vase by Roads Well Traveled
4. Acapulco Multi Lounge Chair by CB2
5. Yellow kilim carpet by Babsouk

Happy hump day!

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Today's post is a great example to showcase that it doesn't take loads of furniture, numerous design pieces and an impeccably styled interior to catch my eye - and hopefully your eye too. The latest house tour over on Apartment Therapy is a couple's home in Portland, Oregon, and it stands out because it is full with character: with the owner's obvious love for nature and greens and a liking of mid-century design and a easy-going interior style.

I've consciously picked a shot of their home that is rather unspectacular in the sense that it doesn't clearly show a specific room - it is just a peek-through through a door into a room which seems to be the bedroom. And yet it captures my attention with a few simple elements:

• House Plants: The selection of robust, easy-to-care house plants like the monstera deliciosa and the rubber plant is a great way to add visual interest to a room. They look very sculptural and cause the least plant care. Plus they are smartly places - one to the left-hand side leading the eye to the rear of the room with the wild monstera cascading down from a closet.
• Kilim Rug: You must admit - a colorful kilim rug always catches the eye's attention. Place a long, rectangular vintage kilim rug as seen here to give visual guidance and invite the eye into the room.
• Wooden Floor: This 'basic' is a safe eye-catcher - wooden floors always get my attention as they create an instant homey and warm feeling. After many years in an apartment with real wooden parquet, I can not imagine myself in a home with laminate or other synthetic flooring. I just can't. 

Are you the 'simple interior' kind of person or do you prefer a more styled home? I am curious!

Photography by Jaclyn Campanaro via Apartment Therapy

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Why This Room Caught My Eye

Now this is a happy room, right? The colours, the patterns, the personal touches - this room tells the story of its owner. I imagine the owner to be a creative, cheerful person, always with a smile on and a healthy sense of humour. It is actually the living room of Danish artist and illustrator Anne Bundgaard. And if you have a look at Anne's work, you will confirm my first room-character-analysis. She must be a darn happy person! Apart from having a happy home this example comes in handy this week as I am off to Copenhagen, Denmark, right today! But more about my Danish adventures tomorrow. Let's now have a closer look on what caught my eye in this room:

• Personal Collection: Nothing speaks more of a home owner than a personal collection united in a gallery wall. This personal collection seems to include the owner's own works with other illustrations and screams: Happy!
• Quirky Vase: The fun and quirky vase by Meyer Lavigne (I blogged about them HERE) is also a statement piece for cheerful people with a witty personality. It perfectly accessorizes this room.
• Kilim Rug: On the first glance I thought this is my room as I have almost exactly the same kilim rug in my bedroom (just a bit smaller in size). The colours and the pattern are such a happy highlight and strong eye-catcher. I love it so much!

How do you like this happy room? Anything that caught your eye in particular?

Happy Tuesday!

Photography via Bolig Magasinet

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