SCANDINAVIAN WITH A MOROCCAN TWIST

dar amina

Don't you love when a dish comes together? Adding that pinch of herbs or spices makes all the difference to a somehow plain dish but the key is when all the flavours work in harmony.

In the home, ethnic and colourful pieces infuse the right amount of spice to wake up your visual senses, and when I think of spices what immediately comes to mind is Morocco. 

Perhaps the fact that I grew up surrounded by ethnic pieces that my parents brought back to Spain after a few years living in Casablanca, or maybe the fact that going on holidays to the South of Spain for twenty years where the arabic influence is clearly present in the architecture I always felt a special attraction and love for Moroccan Style; but not Moroccan style on itself but Scandinavian with a Moroccan twist, that pinch that when added will spice up your home.

 Srta Pepis

I always loved the bohemian edge in a quirky, contemporary tribal-chic style of moroccan poufs and the stunning colours and intricate graphic patterns of the Beni Ouran and Boucherouite rugs (see my post about 'Tips to find the right rug' here for amazing examples), not to mention the silver teapots and moroccan trays among other treasures. 

When you team up two opposite aesthetics, originated from two geographically opposing regions, Scandinavia and Morocco,  the results translate into beautiful, balanced,versatile, functional, styled interiors.

dar amina

The epitome of this style comes from a spanish couple, Salima (with moroccan roots) and Jose Eduardo, better known in the Interiors circles as Dar Amina who named this mix of styles NORETNIC (nordic + ethnic) for an exhibition at the Spanish trade fair Giftrend a couple of years ago.

dar amina

Dar amina has a shop online with amazing pieces. Salima explained that all their products are made by highly skilled artisans in Morocco some of whom are formed by women' cooperatives who mainly work with textiles.

I asked Dar Amina if they ever had to choose only one piece from their shop what would it be and why? - they specially love pouffs because of their versatility: they can serve as small tables, additional seating or footrest.

Live creating yourself

puro deco

the green eyed girl

Oh, I'd just adore a rug like this one in my sitting room (sigh)!

Do you like this style?, What would be your most loved moroccan piece?

I can't wait to hear your comments, -;).

With love,

Margarita xo

BEAUTIFUL AND COLOURFUL MELBOURNE APARTMENT

Hello lovelies,

today the sun is shinning and life is good. 

I wanted to share with you this beautiful apartment belonging to Melbourne visual artist Miranda Skoczek.

Miranda's beautiful artwork can be seen reflected all around her home, and you'll notice it straight away for her use of colour ; as vitra magazine describes Miranda's home: "a carnival of colour, with splashes of green, pink and blue."

"Artwork The Verner Panton ‘S’ chair, a gift from her brother, matches the tones of the artwork by Kirra Jamison above." 

I love the sorbet colours in contrast with the dark wooden floors. 

The artwork above the sofa is from Rhys Lee

Splashes of candy colours from the painting repeat throughout the room creating harmony.

All about this home gives a sense of welcoming, relaxing and happy feeling.

A bit of drama is introduced with black in the original kitchen tiles 

In the living room Miranda has styled her books with colour in mind conferring an order to the space where a mix of patterns, textures and colours blend together creating a bohemian look that I love.

” On top of the bookcase are Polish religious artworks she found while travelling, a Noguchi lamp, an Andrew McKenzie perspex box from Hut 13 and an old papier mâché skull from Fenton & Fenton"

One of Miranda’s own works features over the blue bed from Scout House, dressed in Hay ‘Minimal’ bedlinen. The patchwork kilim rug is from Loom Rugs.

Miranda's paintings are, in her own words: 'an exploration of unrestrained fantasy, they create a space to enjoy beauty, the exotic and escape from the harsh realities we are bombarded with daily' and as you can see it here, her home is a clear reflection as well.

STYLING - Jason Grant

PHOTOGRAPHY - Lauren Bamford

SOURCES - homelife | FVF

GREY, THE NEW TREND?

Irresistible, Daring, Thrilling, Individual, Magical, Dramatic......these are just some of the attributes I've found myself fetching recently when looking for Interiors with a WOW factor.

GREY (and darker shades) is certainly having a moment.

I haven't the faintest idea why I am lately so drawn to dark, grey and moody interiors. 

But look at this room, ceiling, walls and floor have been painted in different shades of black creating immediately a feel of intimacy that wouldn't be achieved as easily with white. How does it work? you may ask: High ceilings, plenty of natural light, game of textures, velvet upholstery, faux fur on the bamboo chair, unexpected groupings on the fireplace, the glass accent from the chandelier, make this room just a perfect cocoon. For more photographs check Milk Magazine.

OH! I am enamoured of this bedroom, (sigh....) The wall in grey is the perfect background for this room where brick, natural wood, fur, and metal table combine to create this restful and glamorous in its simplicity with a masculine touch.  

The more interiors I look at in grey, the more I am convinced I want to do it in my home. This taste for dark and moody has been developing for a while. About a year ago I blogged about keys to decorate on a budget and guess what, yes, some of the striking interior ideas I found were based on grey/dark walls.

This is love, sorry not, envy! I wanna a bedroom like this one with the steel-framed doors (better known as Crittall windows), the wooden floors and those rugs!!!!

Blackboard paint

Ok, I couldn't help it! I just LOVE shoes (my other passion after interiors, -;)!

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DO YOU DARE TO DECORATE YOUR WALLS IN GREY (OR BLACK)?

love,

Margarita x

A TOUCH OF PINK

In my blogging endeavour I constantly discover new sides of myself. For example, I recently took this photographs of things I had around the house in the attempt to learn and put into practise my newly few acquired photography skills. 

Three things I've discovered as a result of these pictures: 

ONE: I love the styling process of putting props together to tell a story

photograph by me

TWO: I love taking photographs of still life

photograph by me

THREE: I've come across beautiful interiors where pink can be used in a pretty, successful way without being too overly sweet.

photograph by me

photograph courtesy of Sabrina Rothe - styling Anne Beckwilm

photograph courtesy of Sabrina Rothe

Pink is a colour I would not generally use much in my interior decor, I even refused to paint my girls' bedroom walls in this colour, nevertheless used sparingly against muted greys, whites, blues, greens, works marvels. 

source vtwonen - photography Louis Lemaire - styling Cleo Scheulderman 

Isn't it amazing that wall photograph? I love the way vintage, modern and contemporary are mixed together to create this full of character room.

source vtwonen - photography Louis Lemaire - styling Cleo Scheulderman 

Interior by Abigail Ahern

                               Interior Designers & Decorators Increation

Do you use pink when decorating your home? 

Love,

Margarita

INDUSTRIAL STYLE / ESTILO INDUSTRIAL

HELLO,

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Open plan, ceiling beams, aged brick walls, window panes with no fancy textiles, concrete floors, metal elements (rose-hued copper, chrome, brass).

Pinterest

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Mix all or some of these together and what do you get? Typically INDUSTRIAL STYLE.

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Although not my type of style in its pure form, which can be too cold for my like, I love some of its elements such as the usage of salvaged/recycled furnitures, the Crittal windows and the mix of metals with wooden surfaces.

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In many ways, the industrial style pulls from both contemporary and vintage styles to create its unique look. Vintage elements can add a great deal of warmth to an otherwise harsh look. 

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I love this reclaimed Scaffolding Boards and Galvanised Steel Pipe Long Low Bench or Console Table - Its salvaged vintage industrial design works perfectly in a sophisticated, casual living space. For more details you can click the link below.

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Hard floors made out of hardwood, concrete or stone are preferable because they create a smooth, clean look reminiscent of industrial spaces but not without rugs to add a little warmth underfoot.

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Do you like INDUSTRIAL STYLE for your home?

Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Margarita