Wood is good

I love a touch of wood in a scheme – there’s just something so ultimately tactile and natural about it. For me, it makes a room feel cosy, warm and lived-in – and there’s so many ways of  using it too.

In a kitchen, teamed with white and stainless steel…

The Zeluso kitchen from Crown Imperial

In the bedroom, with reclaimed boards as a feature wall…

In the dining room, where panelled walls add an air of grandeur…

As a floorcovering in the bathroom…

Whichever way you choose to use it, and whatever room you use it in, have fun exploring the many different grains and textures.

Laurie

Drifting away…

Working on 25 Beautiful Homes means I’m constantly surrounded by stunning interiors, so it’s unusual for me to be stopped in my tracks by something that I just HAVE to share with you here and now. However, Pamela Makin and Reginald Byrne’s Australian house – set to appear in the August issue, out on 5th July (don’t miss it!) –  has truly taken my breath away.

It’s not just the amazing views over the ocean that made my jaw drop – this simply styled house is fabulous throughout, but you’ll have to check out the August issue if you want to see more! I love the large tree in the centre of the room, the driftwood furniture and the uninterrupted views of the Pacific. Sigh.

Photography by Michele Biancucci

Laurie

Would you dare to bare?

I’m talking floorboards, of course. If you’re doing a spring revamp of a downstairs room, this is the time of year when it seems to make sense to pull up your Axminster and go au naturel.  Yes carpets are cosy and provide flexible colour choices, but floorboards add character, are easier to clean (so better for allergies) and apparently add value to a property. Ok, so you probably need a rug to warm up the room, but check out these schemes from 25BH and see what you think.

Seán O

Big...

Bold...

...and beautiful

Passing through

 

Hallways can be boring. There’s no doubt about it, it’s a hard room to make attractive – more often than not it’s simply used as a dumping ground for coats and shoes. However, this picture, from a former Georgian vicarage in Hampshire, makes achieving an elegant hallway look easy. It’s elegant yet cosy, and I love the warm wood mixed with limestone floor tiles and a cool pale-blue backdrop (and of course a dog curled up on a rug – who can resist?).

The fact you can see right through to the back of the house adds an element of light to the room, and the chunky wood console table is the ideal place for storing keys and post, with a mirror for last-minute appearance checks before you head out the door. See more pictures of this home by clicking on this link.

What do you think of this room? We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve decorated your own hallways.

Laurie

Retro dining

This is definitely one of my favourite dining rooms I’ve seen. I’m a big fan of retro anyway and this room scheme does it so well. The teal cushions really make an impact, while the furniture has plenty of classic retro shapes.

Retro dining room

Rustic french kitchen

It’s got to be tricky to keep this kitchen clean. However, if you love the rustic look this room is to die for!

Rustic Kitchen