For the Love of Fur (Faux)

Fur is one of the biggest trends this season for your wardrobe and for your home too.  There is something so luxurious, warm and wintery about this trend, whether it be faux or if you don't mind sporting the real deal, it is time to snuggle up! 

 

I love a fur style throw or rug thrown over a sofa or chair. 

 

Buy the below faux styles from Butterfly Lane.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely looks stunning in her fur gilet, and you can buy exactly the same one from Butterfly Lane.  Available in four gorgeous shades.

We also have some fabulous fashion accessories with a nod to this snuggly winter trend.  Here is a sample below...

Shop here:

Favourite Looks For: Living Rooms

We have just finished decorating our living room at Beech House, so we are left with a shell to fill with personality, which in my opinion is by far the best bit. 

We have kept the colour scheme neutral so it flows with the rest of the house, we landed on Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball, as it lends itself well to grey and taupier tones, so it keeps things open for when we start deciding on soft furnishings and accessories.

So, this got me thinking about what direction to move in to and below are a few of my favourite styles for some added inspiration.  

You'll start to see a theme with my living room layout which comprises of:  a sofa, a chair (maybe two), and two plush stools, arranged around a low lying coffee table - it's just how I like to do things.  It adds interest by using different shapes and fabrics, and also lends itself well to the different seating requirements you may have.
 

Two Stools

 

Two Chairs

A gorgeous plush sofa and coffee table

Artwork, lighting and mirrors are my favourite of favourite things when designing a room.  I love the art piece lent up against the wall in this grey room below, the mirror adds extra light and creates the feeling of space, and the chandelier, well, it just sparkles with decadence!

The room below showcases perfectly how different seating shapes and fabrics create a stylish looking room.

Country chic...

Again, I love how the different styles of seating are organised around the coffee table. 

Same again, and don't you think the blush pink looks gorgeous against the grey?

Stools, sofas and chairs...love!

I'll be sure to do a photo session at Beech House soon for the living room 'reveal'.

What is your living room style?

Beautiful Lighting

Lighting is all about balance and creating a 'feel good' factor for your setting.  It's about creating pools of light to highlight certain pieces, whether it be your dining table, a piece of art or a certain space.  Making an area 'pop' but also blend within the same space is something of trail and error, by using different styles from uplighting, hidden lights in shelving or stairs, to chandeliers and lamps, you can make a wonderfully warm and welcoming environment. 

Stairway lighting looks fabulous!

Get rid of reading lights and have your bedside lighting hung elegantly (and dramatically) from the ceiling.  A favourite style at Butterfly Lane.

By using chandeliers and lamps, they not only throw out the desired light but also create a design statement too.  Here are some of my favourite statement lights...

Chandeliers look fabulous in pairs over a dining table for a jaw-dropping effect.

A decadent bathroom lighting effect...

Clean and simple...

Lighting Majestic is the online destination for all aspects of lighting, and their prices are unbelievable too!  Whether you want practical spotlight (lets face everyone does) or fabulous statement pieces, head here for some stylish and affordable lighting options.  In fact I just received this fabulous lamp and shade from them....

 Visit their online store here:  http://www.lightingmajestic.co.uk/ 

This post was sponsored by Lighting Majestic.

A Perfect Space For Little One's

Children clearly change the dynamic of a home, not only in noise levels and the scattering of toys (they have so much stuff!), but also with the styling and organisation of your space.   I'm talking about storage!  It's obviously not possible to confine toys and general kiddy stuff to a playroom or bedroom, so in my most recent project I've been thinking about how to make a home family friendly, whilst still being stylish, elegant and organised.

I love this image to the left.  The stylish dining room still screams 'adult', but the little chairs and desk is an ideal space for colouring and craft time and an area for homework.  By using simple storage boxes for pens and papers the children's desk still has a grown up feel.  Love the chalkboard too for family lists!  

The below image is so stylish, clean and simple, and is also a great space saver and storage area for your little ones vast amount of stuff.  I think every child would love a bedroom like this.  Who doesn't love a ladder right?  

Don't get me wrong, I love an all out baby wonderland for a nursery.  I cannot get enough of soft cuddly toys, pastel shades and mobiles.  But these nursery's are so chic and understated, and I have fallen in love with them.  The grey and white in the below image is so subtle and calming.

Simple and elegant, this bunk bed filled room is just gorgeous!  The subtle taupes with the pale pinks is stunning.  The chandelier and porthole style mirrors give it a grown up charm.  

The sugary tones in this room are beautiful against the white back drop.  The sparkling chandelier gives that grown up influence once again. 

Children should have a stylish space too!

Our Little Butterflies department will be launching in 2013 and if you are interested in our design service please email us on info@butterflylane.co.uk. 

Autumn Shades

Autumn is truly in full swing with Virginia Creepers turning sumptuous shades of burnt orange and deep warming reds, and the streets (and my back garden for that matter) are beginning to fill with crunchy leaves.  It is a time of year that triggers the hibernation button in my brain and makes me want to fill my days with baking, pickling and making jam!  

Oh I know I'm going on, but I do just love this time of year, not only because we all can start to light a cosy fire and snuggly up in our finest cashmere knits, but also because the colour palette is just so dreamy!  Think deep autumnal shades of oranges and deep purples, and the introduction of texture and heavy textiles in to a room that just scream 'let's stay in'.

In homage to the symbol of autumn 'the pumpkin', orange can look spectacular in any room.  However, orange is a scary colour to work with, but if done right, with the right shade and the right complimenting accessories, it can look great!

Orange Room

Orange Hallway

Orange Sitting Room

Orange Accessories

Purple tones can look super cosy for this time of year and along with the Butterfly Lane pre-requisite of design...sparkling glass and shimmering home accessories, it can look elegant to boot.

Luxurious purple sitting room

What's your favourite Autumn shade?

Going For Gold

Wow, what a weekend of sport!  As London 2012 reaches its final week there have been gold medals presented here, there and everywhere for Team GB and here at Butterfly Lane we are almost bursting with pride.  

The Olympics have got me thinking about Gold.  As I am by no means an athlete (an hour spin class has me on the verge of collapse!), I will not be getting my gold bling my competing in Rio 2016!  But we all don't have to be in peak physical fitness and be an Olympic athlete to desire this colour.  

Gold accessories against a dark backdrop

In this very blog I rave on about timeless and classic interiors, but I have a hidden secret...I am a closeted glamourzon!  I just love the right hint of glitz and glamour, especially in my home...and in my jewellery collection!  Gold epitomises glamour to me, and here are a few inspirational images that showcases how gold can look effortlessly chic and not in the slightest way tacky.  

Warm Gold Accessories

Gold Accents 

Use gold mirrors to add some glitz to a room... 

This desk looks so stylish with hints of gold, and the red gives it and opulent and regal feel.  

Remember, there are lots of different shades of gold, from duller tones to more champagne shades, so you can find the right shade that works for you, and they all can work fabulously against a neutral background.  

Gold Inspired Mood Board

  

Just add the odd gold accessory along with lashings of sparkling glass and you'll create a glamourous and decadent space to be proud of. 

Let the interior design games commence...good luck!   

We Love Helen Turkington: Interview

I recently discovered a wonderful interior designer, her style is sophisticated, liveable and oh so elegant.  Her name?  Helen Turkington.  Helen's style instantly grabbed me, her use of neutral tones and classic pieces is everything that Butterfly Lane represents, so I had to share my discovery with you.  

Helen is one of the UK and Ireland's most influential designers, so I feel like I am slightly behind the times with my so called 'find', but better late than never!  I just love her effortless style and here are some gorgeous examples of her work...

Helen very kindly agreed to an interview with Butterfly Lane.  I hope her answers inspire you to create beautiful interiors, I know she inspired me...

How would you describe your style?

Contemporary classic, combined with understated elegance.  Because a lot of our clients have town houses and country houses I tend to give them a comfortable yet elegant city home and a more laid back accessible country look.  

We really believe in carefully building our colour palettes with neutrals being the core of the look, and accents of colour to bring it to life.  

I love to mix old with new and make something look effortlessly stylish.  It's all about mixing it up but knowing your particular style, I am not a slave to trends and know when a room has just enough detailing to make it unique.  

What is your inspiration?

Lots of things, from different colours in nature, travelling to different countries sourcing fabrics always inspires new ideas.  I love classic old houses with beautiful features, old textiles, sourcing artwork for clients always makes you see things differently.  

I love getting new interior magazines from Europe and the States to see what they are doing.  There is inspiration everywhere.  

What is on your current wish list for your home?

A garden room and a new study so I can work from home in my own creative space.  I am always on the move between our various shops and my iPad is my portable office.  I would love to have my own creative space away from kids, cooking, dogs and daily life.  

How do you unwind after a stressful day at the office?

I go home to my children which is a different challenge and makes you instantly forget about work, until their bedtime.  I usually spend my evening mulling over the day just gone by and making notes for the next one.  I love to watch a good film or read a book.  

How would you spend the perfect weekend?

No phones or emails, a lazy morning with kids and out to a party or dinner with friends in the evening.  And Sunday is all about family time and a walk on the beach.  

Do you favour country living or city chic?

City chic because I love the buzz of the city, especially London.  It's such an inspiring town with great restaurants, galleries and a never ending choice of amazing specialist shops.  

What is the favourite part of your job?

When you see a project finished exactly as you and the client wanted, a happy client!  So satisfying and makes it all worth while.  

What are you top three tips on creating the perfect Helen Turkington home?

Keep it simple, get your paint colours right for the house and the key element in finishing the look is to accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!  

Thank you Helen!  

View Helen's website here, and follow her on Facebook.