Mad about mid-century

If you’re an interior design junkie like me, you’ll know that the mid-century trend has been kicking around for a while now, and shows no signs of abating. The uber-swanky set and styling of ‘Mad Men’ has surely added fuel to the mid-century fire. Get the scoop on all the mid-century design classics in Don Draper’s office from this article on The Mid-Century Modernist. Swoon!

Don's dreamy office

Mid-century pieces seem to be popping up in interior design mags and blogs all the time. If you want an education in what to be looking for, you could do worse than checking out The Brick House, where blogger Morgan documents her home renovation projects and obsession with all things mid-century.

Mix it up to avoid living in a time warp

If you’re keen to try the trend, don’t think you need to do top-to-bottom mid-century like Don Draper’s office (you do want to live in the 21st Century, right?). Try introducing a few mid-century design classics teamed with more contemporary pieces for sophisticated style. The image above is from this Sneak Peak on Design*Sponge, illustrating the mix-it-up approach perfectly.

Tuesday blues

It’s Tuesday, it’s the day after Valentine’s Day, it’s raining and miserable and I’ve got a touch of the blues. Handy, then that I came across this blue little number earlier on whilst looking for ideas on how to spruce up my pathetic excuse for an ‘office‘ area in my bedroom.

And I'm feeling blue....

I love how saturated with colour this space is, from the subtle tree pattern wallpaper (I admit it, I’m hooked – see previous post) to the co-ordinating magazine holders, desk and even the blue pencils in the blue pencil pot. The sculptural lamp and bin plus the clean lines everywhere else stop the look from being overly focused on the colour. Blue maybe, miserable – never.

Lunchtime lust: Bird wallpaper

Tweet tweet! Looks like the trend for featuring birds on absolutely everything home-related during 2010 isn’t going anywhere soon if these gorgeous avian wallpaper designs are anything to go by. I have to admit, I am partial to a bird-related design, and I’m especially loving this patriotic sparrow and Union Jack design that was featured on housetohome.co.uk this week. Perfect for adding a touch of cool Britannica to a home office perhaps?

Birds of a Feather wallpaper from B&Q

Best of all, it’s a bargainous £19.98 per roll from B&Q . Amazing. I love the way it sets off the darker wood accents in this cosy country farm-style living room….

Love the way this tweet-tacular wallpaper's been used here...

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional you don’t have to discount this trend altogether – as demonstrated by this timeless Laura Ashley design. Country floral? Check. Classic Eau de Nil shade? Check. Super – subtle bird design? Check.

Summer Palace wallpaper from Laura Ashley, £17.64 a roll.

Obviously a whole room in this design may be a little too OTT (and an entire room in this design may be akin to being trapped in a Wedgwood-esque nightmare) but in a country-style kitchen I think it would work well. What a hoot!

Friday’s Fetish: Breaking the rules!

If like me, you’re already fed up with new year resolutions and good intentions, then a little chic rule breaking is in order…

I can’t be bothered to detox – I don’t like the headaches – and forget all that clearing out the clutter, this year, I’m embracing it! You see, chucking out the rulebook and going against the grain is liberating. Which is why I HAVE to share with you these little gems of inspiration I saw in the January edition of Livingetc.

Never clash bright colours? No-way!

Bring on the brights! Sunshine shades of yellow, orange and fuchsia sings when used in blocks – not patterned – and is calmed with pale grey flooring, the odd black accent and natural wood and stone accessories.

Brilliant blue and gorgeous green

Hmm, blue and green should never be seen, goes the maxim, but check out this picture! Drama, style and the perfect mix of contemporary traditional accessories make this dining room so inviting – anyone for a cuppa?

Line drawing

Who says a fireplace defines a room? It doesn’t have to be the focal point – so passé! And zoning doesn’t have to be ordered either. I love the way this room is broken up with an off-centre charcoal grey – to define a work zone – and a totally contrasting bold Toile print for relaxing.

And what’s more, all this rule breaking is soooo on-trend for S/S 2011: bright blues and greens on eyes were all over the catwalk and clashing colour-block patterns and designs were also a major feature of all the big runway shows.

Lunchtime Lust: Made in Britain

Ah, well a bit of patriotism never goes amiss! I love these quirky buys, they’re a great way to add some British ‘umph’ to an other wise neutral scheme…

Shipping Forecast merino and cashmere blanket from Roam. Team with a striking black bed frame and crisp white linen.

roomenvy - British boudoir

No Parking sign from Adams of Rye. A cute little personal touch for an inspiring home office.

roomenvy - patriotic home office

Cottage needlepoint cushion from RE. Mix and match quirky cushions for a lively living room you’ll love!

roomenvy - British living room

Create a country-style home office

I love this new country decorating idea from Country Homes & Interiors. An office should be organised, relaxed and inspiring with inviting personal touches. These ideas would be enough to sway me to work overtime!

Place a trestle table next to a window so you can admire the scenery, plus, it can be stowed away if you need the space. Use recycled glass containers and plant pots for storage.

roomenvy - home office decorating idea

Pretty painted and rattan letter racks are perfect for storing cards and stationary.

roomenvy - home office stationary

Keep notes and personal mementoes organised with wire and mini pegs. Simply attach craft wire to nails and then peg on your favourite pictures and postcards for a personal touch.

roomenvy - keepsake feature wall

A striking green filing cabinet can be customised with rustic baskets and handmade signs held in place with magnets.

roomenvy - home office storage

Use blossom and bird stickers to add a personal touch to an oak cupboard – a storage space large enough to hide away the shredder.

roomenvy - home office sideboard

Acceptable in the 80s

Check out the latest modern decorating trend – hits of the 80s. According to the modern style gurus at Livingetc, ‘the decade that gave us mobile phones, mineral water and Madonna is being reinvented.’ Now that’s what I call power dressing!

Layers of grey and light-diffusing blinds make for a moody, sensual room. And after two decades of neutral schemes, pops of vibrant colour are back.

roomenvy - modern bedroom design

Eighties design loved huge in a big way, but today’s loft living requires a slouchy sofa – in blue velvet, of course.

roomenvy - eighties-inspired bedroom

Hip to be square. ‘Look at me’ demanded the most iconic furniture from the Eighties, and those confident shapes are back. This time, though, the angles are bolder and shots of graphic colour add modern edge.

roomenvy - quirky dining room

Industrial materials were all over Eighties furniture, but 21st century utility plays with scale, like an unexpected mix of castors on this table.

roomenvy - retro home office

Take THAT household admin!

Ever feel your renegade bank statements are more eye-catching than your new wallpaper? I do! That’s why I love this new video by Livingetc‘s Style Director Harriet Paterson.

She talks you through how to sort your all your home office essentials, from paperwork to cables!

Friday’s Fetish: leafy greens

I’m green with Roomenvy this morning (sorry!) Sure, lush tropical foliage doesn’t often appear in central London, but that’s no reason not to be inspired by it in your decorating schemes. These intense greens will make your room burst with energy and freshness… oooh do you think it would work the same way for me if I coat myself in pea-coloured paint??

What do you think?

A bold block of colour is a great way of defining ‘zones’ in an open place.

roomenvy - pea green home office

roomenvy - green living room

This green and white bedroom has to be my favourite. I think it’s all about accents of green for me, and I love the wall stickers behind the bed.

roomenvy - tropical bedroom

roomenvy - hallway wallpaper

Stylish storage solutions (neat and tidy)

Phew! Storage is back – and it’s better than ever. This season is all about fantastic plastics, fabulous new angles and teenage kicks. So get rid of that gloomy old side table, grab the latest issue of Livingetc, and feast your eyes on these little beauties…

Stylish storage - Livingetc - Roomenvy

Display your current page-turners in this fabulous Porcupine storage unit. Team with white-washed floors and lime green furniture for the ultimate in contemporary chic. And don’t forget to add in a couple of cool-covered retro reads to impress your pals…

Wall-hanging desk - Livingetc - Roomenvy

Home office anyone? This wall-hanging desk is fab for a teen’s bedroom.

Stylish storage - Livingetc - Roomenvy

A visit to the beauty salon is always a treat… For more fabulous storage ideas check out Livingetc.com and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter!