Totally tribal: why I’m loving Ikat prints

Floral, romantic style will never date, but occasionally a bold, bright trend comes along that makes me want to ditch the neutrals altogether and embrace eye-catching patterns and tribal colours.

Ikat is a tricky print to pull off, but this exotic style is perfect for summer and looks fabulous when used sparingly. Keeping to one colour palette and teaming it with natural looking accessories makes this one hot trend to watch. An easy way to ease into the look would be to start small and work your way up (there are some great ikat tableware ranges emerging) but if you’re feeling bold, an ikat-pattern would look stunning on a feature wall – check out this aqua blue example.

Now, I have to admit that I am NO fan of mustard, especially teamed with blue, but we’ll ignore that – how amazing would that wallpaper look on one wall of a cool blue and white room? Or used to upcycle an old chest of drawers? Love it.

Of course, if you’re not quite brave enought to paper a wall with the stuff, try taking the print outdoors – this garden room look is now firmly on my radar. I love the idea of putting a mirror outside too – it’s so luxurious! With the ferns and bamboo screens I could just about believe I was in a tropical paradise, rather than a tiny garden in South London.

Are you a fan of the ikat look? Let me know in the comments!

Garden ideas – New Victorian

I love Ideal Home‘s garden look of the month, ‘New Victorian’, putting a modern (and ambitiously sunny) spin on elegant Victorian style. Apparently it’s all about decorating your garden as if it was an outdoor room (that’ll be the rain talking again) with outdoor clocks, birdcgae lanterns and embroidered cushions.

Choose ironwork furniture in cream and team with vibrant and colourful accessories in grape, pink and white… then sit back and pray to BBC weather!

roomenvy - Victorian-style garden design

Friday’s fetish: Garden hammocks

Summer may be coming to an end (hence yesterday’s rant) but there are still loads of garden ideas to be had on Housetohome.co.uk.

Best of all, the weather is (apparently) set to clear up for the bank holiday. So, rather than moan (I hang my head in shame), I thought I’d jump straight back on the optimistic saddle and hunt down some sunshine-friendly gardens.

Vintage garden - Housetohome - Roomenvy

Neutral cottons, fresh white fabrics and lots of cushions create a tranquil chill-out area in this garden. The hammock, hung between two trees, is the perfect spot to while away the hours.

Country garden hammock - Housetohome - Roomenvy

Love, love, LOVE this outdoor hammock. Pretty cushions and soft, cosy throws create a luxurious little hideaway for lazy summer afternoons. Complete the look with a large glass of Pimm’s, a heavy dose of sunshine and a good book.

Browse more garden schemes on Housetohome.co.uk and don’t forget to follow out on Twitter for all the latest news!

Leafy shapes and urban attitude

Gone are the days of weedy patios, tired old plants and rickety fences – it’s time to get creative! This season is all about bold statements, geometric shapes and zingy summer colours.

But before you hands dirty, check out Housetohome.co.uk for all the latest style tricks for lack-lustre gardens. Here are a few of my favourites..

Colourful garden walls - Housetohome - Roomenvy

Flamingo pink paint gives this outdoor living area instant curb appeal. Make a sophisticated chill-out zone by painting your own rug onto decking and group living room-esque furniture and accessories around it.

Colourful garden wall - Housetohome - Roomenvy

Create a modern arbour by using an outdoor wall as a canvas for a bold artwork – either your own or an artist’s. This graffiti combines urban attitude with leafy shapes and glorious summer colour to lift a simple seating area out of the ordinary.

Colourful garden walls - Housetohome - Roomenvy

The background in this garden works two big trends – grey and geometric – and gives the green and silver an almost magical glow.

Need more inspiration? Browse hundreds of beautiful garden schemes over on Housetohome.co.uk.

Plan the perfect potting shed

Summer may be on its way out, but there’s never been a better time to organise your garden shed. Take advantage of the long balmy evenings (or cold drizzly nights), grab your wellies and tackle those cobwebs with vigour!

Why not create a snoozy spot with a comfortable leather armchair? Textured throws in a variety of colours will give it instant appeal after a long afternoon in the garden.

Gardner's chair - Country Homes & Interiors - Roomenvy

Love browsing your favourite journals? Use mossed flower pots as bookends. They will add instant country charm and give your shed a cosy, lived-in feel.

Plant pot bookends - Country Homes & Interiors - Roomenvy

Another great little trick is to up-end old apple crates and screw them together to create shelves for storing pots, plants and accessories. Wire baskets are also good for storing bulbs as they allow air to circulate.

Potting shed storage - Country Homes & Interiors - Roomenvy

Need more inspiration? Subscribe to Country Homes & Interiors and get it delivered to your door every month!

Lunchtime lust: tickling a room pink

I love these pretty pink decorating ideas from Homes & Gardens. From delicate coral to punchy cerise, shades of pink are perfect for giving your summer an uplifting feel… something we all need (not mentioning any names Monsieur. RAIN!)

Give your terrace a modern Moroccan feel with spicey pink shades, corner seating and intricately detailed cushions.

roomenvy - vibrant garden terrace

It only takes subtle touches of vibrant colour, like these cute pompoms, to liven up an all-white interior.

roomenvy - relaxed living room

I love this flouncy shower curtain in graded pink shades!

roomenvy - rustic bathroom

Hmmmmmmmm, I’m nervous of the shell trim hitting the tiled floor but like the simple striped bedding.

roomenvy - tranquil bedroom

Garden ideas – something for the weekend!

Anyone seen the July issue of Ideal Home? Ahem, ok, to rephrase, anyone looking to create a STUNNING garden to relax in allllllllll weekend long? Ah ha, now you’ve perked up!!

Here’s how to create this … I’m going to say MAGICAL … outdoor space in just 5 easy steps.

1) Find a quiet corner of the garden and finally put it to use (or in my tiny garden’s case, transform the ENTIRE space).

2) Revamp old furniture with a coat of varnish and pretty cushions. Go for natural linens and cottons in greys, beiges and whites. Team with dark wood furniture for an exotic feel.

3) Make it easy to set up. Nothing says ‘it’s winter again’ like your newly updated garden furniture withering in the rain – choose folding furniture so you can stash it away.

4) Add plenty of shade. I adore this exotic Indian parasol from The White Company… enough to use as a regular umbrella.

5) Grab book, grab cocktail and LAZE!

roomenvy - exotic relaxed garden

Country garden ideas – oh for lazy days!

As much as I’m enjoying being surrounded by Christmas trees and mince pies this week, my eyes are still being kept on the summer garden prize! Check out these country garden ideas. I love the idea of spending an afternoon surrounded by relaxed canopies, floral accessories, and … well … a cupcake doesn’t hurt anyone!

Usher guests to the garden with a welcoming sign…

roomenvy - country garden ideas

Create a homemade sunshade by tying a floral voile to bamboo poles…

roomenvy - country-style canopy

Dress the table with a broderie Anglais cloth, colourful tableware and pretty lanterns…

roomenvy - pretty alfresco dining table

And relax! Sneak off with a good book to a hammock packed with cushions and throws. I want to be there immediately.

roomenvy - blissful garden hammock

Urban garden design ideas

I may have lost my ‘naaaah, I don’t really need to take a jumper to work’ confidence after this morning’s rain surprise, but I sure haven’t lost hope in sunny summer weekends in the gardens. As a city girl, I love these urban garden design ideas from Livingetc‘s latest issue – they’re perfect for adding the wow-factor to even the smallest of spaces.

A river runs through it …

There are plenty of sexy outdoor fabrics on the highstreet at the mo. I love this floral fabric combination, ideal for an exotic lounging area in the garden.

roomenvy - colourful outdoor seating

Flex those green fingers …

Construct a cool living wall of fragrant herbs that’s good enough to eat!

roomenvy - urban herb garden

Banksy, eat your heart out…

Create a modern arbour by using an outdoor wall as a canvas for bold artwork! This urban garden is just PACKED with attitude.

roomenvy - wow walls urban garden

Friday’s fetish: swanky English garden designs

Well this glamorous garden isn’t exactly the average compact outdoor space! I was FLABERGHASTED when I saw this beautiful English country garden from Homes & Gardens magazine. It actually reminds me of my Brownie leader’s garden all those year’s ago (I really should look her up!)

Anyway here are some pics –  marvel, find inspiration, assure your own patio that it doesn’t need to feel intimidated … it’s up to you!

A humungous swimming pool? So far, so good …

roomenvy - garden swimming pool

roomenvy - garden room

I bet this door leads to some sort of castle!

roomenvy - secret garden door

A lake? Now that’s just showing off!

roomenvy - weeping willow lake