Are You Following The Mad Men Trend?

This is 1960's retro and vintage home décor inspiration at its best! There is even a pinch of California cool thrown in to the mix for stylish homes and offices. Modern, timeless pieces of furniture and lots of retro prints will help you on your way for this seasons dominating home trend.


Green was a favourite colour in the 60's and rooms became almost mundane and boring! Large table lamps uk where seen in all lounges, along with ready made blinds or ready made curtains as women began to have careers of their own and moved into a faster pace lifestyle rather than stay at home.


Where a lack of brights is the overall picture for home décor in Mad Men, a positive is the choice of clothing for the woman's costume. They bring the punch of brights that the décor is missing - so do use this as inspiration if you want to put in accent brights. Think of peacock blue sofa cushions, a touch of scarlet in the bedroom or a lovely vintage yellow in the kitchen.

Image: Eclectic Interior Design Group Blogspot

Jazz Up Your Living Space With A By-Gone Era

Trying a new design style in your home is a great way of adding a new lease of life to a tired looking interior without having the expense and upheaval of moving home.

Try styles inspired by past eras which fit in with the style of your home and your lifestyle. With so many great ideas around at the moment there is no one style which is deemed better than another. Interior design is all part experimenting and trying new things, mixing and matching if you so wish, just as long as you remember to keep to the basic principles of design.

For Art Deco inspiration we have a very useful guide on how to get the look - but to inspire you further don't hesitate to spend a night in watching old Hollywood films from the late twenties and early thirties.

No interior designer can forget the influence of early Hollywood and jazz - shiny fabrics, low lighting, highly polished wood, cocktail cabinets and mirrors. Ultimately in a time of depression - Art Deco offered a little luxury and opulence to the regular family home; which seems pretty apt for the current economic situation!

Both wall lights, floor lamps and table lamps UK were popular - look for geometric shapes and sandblasted glass. Scour antique shops for female figurine table lamps that were a Hollywood influence.

Image: Decorology

Getting The Shabby Chic Look

The furniture that you will bring into your home will be very important but let's not forget that existing furniture can be played around with to get the desired look. More often than not, wood is the primary material used in furniture but it gets a makeover with several layers of paint - not forgetting the aged look of chips and a little wear and tear. You can create this look yourself by sanding or distressing the top layer of paint to show the wood or other paint layers underneath.

Furniture should be comfortable as it is no good just choosing pieces for the purpose of looking great if they are going to make you feel stiff and rigid when sitting. Shabby chic is very cosy and should invite you to curl up on the sofa with a good book or cup of tea with friends. You can make things even more cosy with lots of plumped up pillows.

Wicker also works well in the shabby chic décor - give wicker items a white coating or if you have more than one piece you can leave one or two in its original condition for contrast. A couple of patchwork throws wouldn't go a miss and a good focal point could be a table with a display of random white ornaments and odd table lamps uk style to create an ambient, diffused lighting effect in the evenings.

Image: Small Place Style

Change Your Accessories To Bring A Room Back To Life

As we all know it's the finishing touches which lifts a room and gives it the 'wow' factor. Yes, of course you have to get the colour scheme right, along with positioning furniture to make the most of the available space within a room, but it's the creature comforts which transform the look of rooms by providing balance and cohesion.

Table lamps contemporary in style are one accessory which no home should be without. They don't have to be matching, if fact table lamps with different base shapes and shades add to the interest of the room as well as being ideal to create the right mood and ambience in a room.

Most homes in the UK have central ceiling lighting and whilst this is okay when you need to illuminate the entire room they can cause a room to look either over illuminated or harsh. Soft and gentle lighting placed strategically around a room offers a much calmer and refined lighting effect which is also conducive to relaxation and provides an informal homely feel.

Look for table lamps with unusual shaped bases, along with shades which coordinate with you colour scheme, turn off the central light and you'll be surprised at the difference within the room.

So rather than re-decorate try adding new accessories, such as table and floor lamps, cushions and rugs to bring a tired looking room back to life.

Remember, Remember The 5th of November!

I have to openly admit that I am a pyrotechnic lover! Yes, I am one of those who 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' every-time the night sky is lit up! Of course today is bonfire night in the UK, a day dedicated to remembering the plot, treason and attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament!

Of course now-a-days fireworks are used to celebrate just about everything and every occasion across the globe. Bringing the vibrancy and magical qualities of the patterns fireworks produce into your home is a great way to inject some zing into your home. Of course you could use photographs of actual exploding fireworks or create your own wall art, alternatively you could look out for fabrics which have been inspired by pyrotechnics and use them as curtains, cushions and duvet sets. Beautifully designed lighting in vases is yet another way of adding wonderful lighting effects in your home which are reminiscent of the trails of light left behind by fireworks!

If you're not into making your own soft furnishings there are some wonderful vibrant patterns and colours on the 'ready made' shelves of many high street and online retailers. The key in creating the illusion of fireworks is to have a black, night sky, back ground with vibrant contrasting patterns. Beaded embellishments will add the glittery sparkle beautifully!

Image: MocoLoco

Using White In Your Home

White and so chic this is the ideal hallway for me! Simplicity really is a matter of less is more in many styles of interior design and this is one of those designs where nothing more is needed, its striking simplicity speaks volumes!

Injections of colour are all in-vogue within the world of interiors, however white continues to be the most favoured of colours. purely because it look stylish on its own and even more stunning when a natural wood table on which a few objects, including plain table lamps, nothing fancy or flashy, are placed. Natural coloured flooring is used as a purely functional necessity and to make this design feel homely.

The great advantage of using white is that it looks good however old or new your home, unless you are trying to replicate a particular period of time, such as the Victorian era or before, then white is an excellent option. (you shouldn’t include brilliant white paint if you want authentic looks in Victorian homes for the simple reason it hadn’t been invented!)

Any room of your home can be predominately white, of course total white is also acceptable but needs to be used carefully and skilfully otherwise it can look very cold…think of snow and ice and you will realise what I mean!

Injections of any colour, pale pastel to vibrant neon will lift the coldness and turn your room into a chic and very stylish place to be!

For great interior design inspiration and image visit Decorology

Hues Of Yellow And Black Provide A Chic Room Style

What a delight to see beautiful pastel yellow colours complimented by black, it gives a rich gold effect without being over the top and ostentatious. The blend of colours brings a warm and very inviting feel to the room.

Even the simple touches such as the black piping on the cushion covers bring a sense of harmony to the room.

I adore the large mirror which is used to bring the illusion of more light and space into the room. Although there are no patterns as such this makes the focal points even more interesting. The modern table lamps with its trendy glass base and more traditional style of shade brings a delightful and impressive touch of chic style to the room. Even the yellow/gold trim on the little black table is so exacting.

Of course there is not a thing out of place, the books under the table add a real homely touch, while the reflection in the mirror enables the gorgeous floor length pale yellow curtains to be seen. This room offers such a peaceful feeling which could easily be replicated and makes a real change from seeing monotone black with white which seems to dominate many of the latest interior design styles.

With the mix and match of old and new one being one of this seasons interior themes; chic style at affordable prices seems to fit the bill perfectly here. Other great examples of gorgeous inspirational rooms can be found at Delight By Design

Clever Uses Of Table Lamps

This is a exquisite use of table lamps to light a piece of wall art. The idea of using two contrasting styles of lamps is a great way to add real interest to the area.

The entire shelf, wall art and objects marry together in a beautiful and visually appealing way. The concept of having personal objects used to create places such as these is a perfect way to draw on the natural beauty of each object and yet bringing them together so gracefully.

The light and shadows cast upon the wall art makes it come alive with the 3D visual effects bringing a sense of intrigue.

The use of white and cream to create wonderful living spaces is my humble opinion one of the easiest interior design concepts to inspire and recreate in your own home. If you can’t bear white you could also inject colour by having a similar arrangement in your favourite colour such as Delft blue porcelain pieces.

Collections of personal objects have been included within interiors for hundreds of years, the key point is to make them focal points which draw the eye with visual appeal and intrigue.

Use ideas such as this to show how to off set one piece against the other so that you don’t end up with a jumble and confusion. The difference in styles and height between the lamps are what make this idea work so beautifully! if they were matching the whole affect would be ruined!

For further inspirational design ideas visit Habitually Chic

New Uses For Aviator Sunglasses - Celebrity Lamp

Anyone have a few pairs of Aviators lying around they don’t want?!

You could take inspiration from Celebrity Lamps and turn them into a stylish shade for your table lamp! This is a great way to recycle the old lenses of your old sunglasses to give you a really hip lamp!

The lamp is made by incorporating forty pairs of Aviator sunglass which have been customised to fit around the circular shade frame. Supported by a slender chrome coloured stand and including a quirky switch made from one arm of the sunglasses, this table lamp makes me smile!- maybe because it reminds me of summer and warmth!

When not illuminated the lenses reflect their surroundings in a similar way to a fly’s eye, in a strange sort of way and when light up casts some wonderful shadows into the room.

I’m a firm believer in having various diffused lighting effects in a room rather than a bright overhead light. The inclusion of stylish table lamps is an essential requirement in all homes irrespective of their interior design style.

How cool would this Celebrity Lamp look in a bachelor’s bedroom, providing really chic style. Like all celebrities who wear Aviators, anyone who has one of these funky lights will not need many excuses to invite people to see and marvel over it!

Imagine the great colours combinations and lighting effects you could create to make a lamp such as these from different styles of sunglasses if you can’t lay your hands on any unwanted Aviators!

For further information on Celebrity Lamp and image source visit Surroundings

'Lull' Light

The concept of this amazing light has 'blossomed' by the Norwegian design group Varmo 1 Kollstad 1 Buene. It works by a motor which has a timer attached. When it is time for sleep the light slowly dims and the petals of the light slowly close. In the morning the bud comes to life by reversing the action-the light comes on and as the bud opens the light becomes brighter. What a wonderfully relaxing and ingenious way to let your body clock know when it is time to sleep and when it is time to get up.

Lull, the apt name of this design, is a great way to get children into a good sleep routine from an early age. No more being afraid of the dark, as the light fades and the flower closes the room will gradually and gently become darker, rather than the usual 'shock' of being plunged into complete darkness. It may also be very useful for anyone who has problems drifting off to sleep or waking up.

In order for Lull to work effectively it would probably be best to use a blackout roller blind to prevent unwanted light coming into the room too early in the morning or when trying to get to sleep-as these would defeat the object of controlling the amount of light in the room.

Lull would be ideal for use all year, most particularly during the long summer evenings and early morning sunshine!

The design group consulted psychologist and specialist on sleep problems Dr. Staalle Pallesen during this wonderful lights conception.

For further information and image source visit yatzer

Susurrus Ceramic Sculpture/Chandelier

As much as I love all of the designs I include in my blog it’s not often that I actually say ‘I want one of those’. Today’s blog is the exception! I just adore this chandelier and have place in my home for at least one!

Susurrus ceramic sculpture/chandelier is made from hundreds of tiny bone china bells. Every bell is unique with its own distinctive shape and acoustic tone. The subtle variations in the sounds and shapes are produced by variations in the organic firing process. Although the bells are unglazed they are surprisingly robust while still retaining a really delicate appearance.



The name Susurrus comes from the Latin whisper or murmur, very apt for the delicate sounds made when the chandelier is gently set in motion.

There are variations available. Susurrus Lux comes complete with integral lighting provide by a 20W bulb skilfully concealed by a porcelain conical shade. The low watt bulb and shade provide the most incredible diffused lighting effects throughout the chandelier.

If you prefer to admire Susrrus just as a sculpture feature it is available without the lighting. What’s even more amazing is that Susrrus can also be used outside and looks stunning suspended from a large tree.

Although the Susrrus chandelier in the above image was made for a 5 star hotel renovation in Ireland, smaller or larger versions up to 5m in height and virtually unlimited width due to its modular construction can be made to order.

For further details and image source visit www.itemhome.co.uk

Pen Lamps

How amazing is this lampshade? My love of recycling everyday objects into interesting and useable objects has been ignited with this ingenious lampshade made from black biro pens.

I love the contemporary and stylish look it provides. It appears the pens are carefully suspended by there covers by thin pieces of metal at equidistant spaces which sway and move gently, similar to a glass or crystal chandelier.

The simplicity of such great design concept is great. Circular shaping offers the opportunity of this shade to fit onto a number of different lamp bases, with possibilities different sizes, including floor lamps. Red and black pens have also been utilised into variations of the lampshade, designed by the Madrid based design studio enPieza.

Yellow Bic pen casings with black lids offer a delightful orange glow and a gentle diffused light effect in both the single and four tied chandelier shades available. I assume pens of any colour could be used just as successfully. Original coordinating coloured end caps add to the overall visual effect beautifully.

This lampshade is stylish and very functional in my opinion. The transparent casing reflects the light beautifully and although these pens to appear to be full of ink I can see no reason why old used pens cannot be successfully substituted, as long as they haven’t been thrown around and scratched or the end caps chewed! Ink at various levels may add an interesting option, a great way to recycle pens in a positive and practical way!

Image source: www.reubenmiller.typepad.com

9-Light Candelabra

Designed by Corin Mellor, son of the infamous 20th century designer David Mellor, this 9-light stainless steel candelabra reminds me of tubular wind chimes with a beautiful modern concept in providing light at both the dinner table or for creating subtle lighting effects with a warm and graceful appeal in the floor standing option.

The candelabra is based on the Advent wreath which he designed for Sheffield Cathedral last year, it consists of 32 stainless steel bars with eight candle holders radiating out from the central stem with the ninth set slightly higher. The black granite base off sets the polished steel with its decorative anodized coloured rings beautifully against the white candles.

Corin designed and created these candelabra exclusively for 20ltd.com. There are only six editions of each size available so anyone wishing to bring a real touch of Christmas into their home will have to order pretty sharply!

The floor size candelabra would provide an intimate atmosphere throughout the year in either traditional or contemporary homes as the use of polished stainless steel has been handcrafted by 380 individual components. The table size is ideal for large dining tables made from surfaces which would further bounce and reflect the light, adding a whole new dimension to the piece each time the candles are lit.

For me there is a magical and almost mystical feel to these candelabra, the delightful warmth and reflection of the flames dancing on the steel bars is mesmerising, very relaxing and extremely peaceful.

Image source: www.davidmellordesign.com

Tom Raffield- Ash Pendant No.1

Tom Raffield, co-founder of Sixisis, has created his own company from which he has used the most beautiful local English Ash to create this unique sculptural light shade.

A piece of true craftsmanship which looks as stunning during the daylight hours when natural light permeates through the coils and woven twists as it does when the energy saving soft glow giant light bulb, which Tom supplies with every commission, is switched on. The visual effects highlight the natural colouring of the wood magnificently while offering a soft, subtle lighting effects.


Tom is renowned for his designs using sustainable woods. To create the light shade he steams green, unseasoned wood to provide him with the flexibility to bend, coil and weave the strips into this fabulous design. His low energy manufacturing methods are truly remarkable, he uses only water and local wood, any wood waste goes to a local smoke house to cure fresh salmon and mackerel.

I really like this piece of practical sculptural art. This particular piece has a 60cm diameter, however, different sizes will be made on request, contact@tomraffield.com

I believe Tom has costed his work at low prices, Ash Pendant No.1 is only £250, making he work very affordable as well as genuinely unique.

As Tom has called this Ash Pendant No.1 I sincerely hope he is going to produce numbers two and three very soon!

Ash pendant No.1 was recently unveiled at Liberty of London and is currently available to see at the Re Design Lighten Up travelling Exhibition which began in September this year.

Image source: www.tomraffield.com