Brazil Style

One country that we'll be hearing a lot of in the coming weeks will be Brazil. What with the football world cup dominating our television screens, we thought that we'd take a look at a few of the ways to add a bit of Brazilian spice to your home.

This chic and bold dining room humorously plays on Brazil's heritage and gives it a refined twist. The tongue-in-cheek yellow monkey table sits beneath the modernist take on the national flag, whilst the unconventional and striking colours add a playful weight to the high-quality, traditional furniture.

http://freshome.com/2013/12/28/unconventional-furniture-showroom-powerful-brazilian-personality/

Whereas this study room pays a great homage to the more traditional aspects of Brazil's history. The luxurious wooden furniture echoes the Portuguese colonial legacy, whereas the vividly contrasting soft green walls flirt with the burgeoning tropical wonder of the Amazon.

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/tale-of-two-stories?click=main_sr#slide-4

And this living room really gets to grips with a modern take on the more traditional Brazilian concepts. From the stack of bananas crowded on the dark wooden dining table, to the wonderfully evocative patterned rug, to the luxurious mix of gold candlesticks and carved stone figures, it's all about getting elemental with this rich and diverse country.

http://freshome.com/2012/07/04/pure-interior-design-eclecticism-inspired-by-brazilian-culture/

But of course, there is a lighter side to Brazilian design that can get overlooked amidst all of the dark woods and golds. These beautifully softly coloured and simply patterned floor tiles gracefully reflect the simple harmony of rustic life.

http://www.homebunch.com/tag/brazilian-interior-designer/

And no mention of Brazil can last long without referencing the wonderfully Brazilian lust for life. And this patterned fabric is alive with all of the life, colour and energy of the country of rainforests and carnivals!

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/product-idea/picture/themed-fabrics-10-of-the-best/10

City

There has been much made in the world of interiors recently about the need to make the home a place of retreat.

However, we want to look at the ways that we can embrace modern life through images of the city that capture all of the excitement and glamour of urban living.

One of the most iconic images of city life is, of course, the Manhattan skyline. This contemporary room mirrors the feel of New York with its straight lines, brick walls, craftily placed 'STOP' sign, and above all the dominating skyline mural that offers a dramatic focus to what could otherwise be a small and featureless room.

http://themerooms.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/new%20york

Of course, not all city skylines have to be contemporary. This mural wallpaper offers the retro-themed Parisian skyline with the iconic Eiffel Tower as a nostalgic backdrop to give even the most simple room a touch of glamour.

http://www.muralswallpaper.co.uk/retro-paris-wall-mural#.UyS_O1F_tCY

Another design classic that has been adapted to the interior style is the London Underground map. The abstract and colourful forms of the tube map again form a fascinating and modernist backdrop to a simple room and would undoubtably help plan any trip to the nation's capital!

http://houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/map-murals

Another undoubtable feature of city living is the prevalence of neon. This kitchen uses neon lighting in a stark and stylish manner to transform a fairly utilitarian workplace into a bustling and enigmatic space.

http://thesceneinto.com/2013/03/interior-design-trends-from-around-the-world/

Of course, cities don't have to be all about urban intensity. This bathroom uses a beautiful black and white photograph of a European city as a chic shower curtain to evoke feelings of tranquil luxury - perfect for a long soak!

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/bathroom/picture/city-inspired-bathroom

And this child's bedroom really gets down to the basics of what city living is all about. Skyscrapers, cars and trees assembled in a simple layout to give that all-important freewheeling sense of city fun.

http://www.moldse.com/adorable-wall-decals-for-children-room-decoration/city-skyline-wall-decals-in-white-wall-with-blue-bed-kids-bedroom/

Paris

Say the word 'style' to anybody and one of the first things they will think of is 'Paris'. 

So synonymous is the city with all things chic that we thought we'd take a look at a few of the ways that you can give your home a touch of Parisian elegance.

This room exemplifies the stereotypical Parisian interior space. High ceilings, soft neutral colours and an eye-watering amount of ornate decoration on the wall panelling and parquet patterned flooring all come together to communicate a message of urban glamour.

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interiors/modern-home-paris-interiors#slide-6

Whereas this room gives the Parisian archetype a more modern flavour. The gilt-edged coving has been whitewashed to maximise the natural light, and a host of choice artwork now takes the focus, along with the clean lines of the modernist furniture.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-decorate-like-a-parisian-200089

Black and white contrasts have increasingly become a central part of Parisian chic as illustrated by this relaxing and contemplative living room. The stylish black low-level furniture invites you to recline amongst the crisp and airy backdrop of black and white photography, soft white-washed wooden flooring and a striking red floral display to tie the room together.

http://www.home-designing.com/2013/04/scandinavian-parisian-apartments-in-white

And who wouldn't want to indulge themselves in this delightful Paris bathroom. With ornate metal bathtub fittings, marble flooring and an impressive collection of framed butterflies, the room radiates a heady blend of luxury, style and relaxation.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2013-01/jean-louis-deniot-paris-left-bank-apartment-slideshow_slideshow_item8_9

This living room draws upon the rich tradition of Parisian art. With its playful juxtaposition of classical sculpture, traditional leather armchairs, ramshackle book collection and a modernist space-pod chair, it really sets the room up as a place of free-thinking contemplation.

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/decorating-parisian-chic-style.html

And finally, the Parisian home shouldn't have to be all crisp whites and high ceilings. This room takes a more compact and soft approach with its luxurious fabrics and rounded corners all thrown together with an expert touch, and complete with a knowing renaissance-styled portait on the wall!

http://sukio.com/modern-glamour-blog/interiors-jean-louis-deniots-paris-retreat.html

Easter

Although Christmas may get top billing in terms of a festive decorating extravaganza, there is something refreshing and understated about the way that we approach the Easter holidays.

With an absence of consumerism gone wild, and a positive approach to the new season, Easter can be a great way to celebrate the coming of the warmer months through a few simple touches in your home.

This display really sums up the main elements of what the Easter-inspired room design is all about. Soft pastel colours, fresh flowers, a homemade feel and plenty of rabbits and eggs that all come together to rejoice in the return of spring life.

http://www.homebunch.com/easter-decorating-ideas/

This table display again uses the refreshing pastel colours of light blues and greens in conjunction with the striking yellow of the daffodils to bring an airy and cheerful welcome to the new season.

http://www.dailyinteriordesignblog.com/other/bunnies-and-chickens-and-eggs-oh-my-twenty-approaches-to-prepare-your-easter-table/

The homemade ethic is a big part of any Easter-inspired room. This is evident here in the knitted egg-warmers, hand-stiched tablecloth decorations and, above all, the charming rag-doll rabbit!

http://roomenvy.co.uk/tag/homemade-easter-decorations/

Easter is also the time of year where we welcome back the return of nature into our homes after the bleak winter months. This folksy dining room combines fresh whites with soft greens, floral curtains and the omnipresent glass-decorated eggs playfully hanging from the wrought-iron chandelier.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/dining-room/picture/easter-inspired-folk-art-dining-room

And the Easter-inspired room doesn't have to be totally cutesy all of the time. This dining room displays an elegant simplicity with the focal point of bold white tulips being surrounded by fresh herbs, uncluttered yet wholesome furniture and of course, the obligatory little bird's nest with accompanying egg!

http://theinspiredroom.net/2013/03/07/spring-dining-room/

Children's Rooms

If there's one room that you can really use your imagination in, it's the children's bedroom. 

Inventiveness, colour and plenty of fun are all the ingredients you'll need to create somewhere truly memorable for a child to run riot!

This very stylish bedroom uses floral wallpaper and a carefully chosen colour palette to create a chic atmosphere. And although the emphasis is on a pretty combination of patterns and fabrics, there is a handily-placed blackboard at the end of the bed to let the child scribble away to their heart's content!

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/childrens-room/picture/boho-chic-childrens-bedroom

And this bedroom has a great interactive fabric map feature which, along with the classy French comic book wall prints, at least tries to give the impression of a learning environment.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/childrens-room/picture/educational-childrens-room

Of course, the child's bedroom doesn't necessarily have to be crammed full of displays, toys, posters and gadgets. This room focuses on a delightfully colourful bed with sparse, but striking wall flower artwork.

http://sifakaoshi.net/designing-the-childrens-bedroom-simple-and-educative/flower-children-bedroom/

If there's one thing that nearly all children seem to love, it's animals. This room is a veritable jungle of wild beasts competiting for a child's attention. Whether it be the painted elephants walking across the walls, or the toy giraffes poking over the bed, or even the parachuting monkeys suspended from the ceiling, one thing's for sure; there'll never be a dull moment in this room!

http://homeposh.com/kids-bedroom-sets-for-girls-make-your-baby-girls-have-many-imaginations/

And if you really want to reach for the stars with your child's bedroom, take a look at this space-inspired room. A suspended solar system circles a light-fitting 'sun', whilst the the route of comets are mapped above the all-important matching galactic bedspread. So why not let your imagination go to infinity, and beyond!

http://www.marble-mosaics.com/blog/2013/08/27/design-ideas-for-your-kids-room/

Spring

Now that the dark days of winter are finally behind us, it's time to look ahead and embrace the bright, warm colours of springtime. The many pastel shades inspired by daffodils, crocuses and spring meadows are a great inspiration for giving your home a makeover. 

This room positively bursts with a soft pastel colour pallette and forms a welcoming airy atmosphere when combined with natural wood and clean painted doorways. The Bloomsbury trend of large, patterned wallpaper is all about big leaf prints and plenty of colour, which forms a fun and funky backdrop to the hive of activity that inevitably accompanies the arrival of spring.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/room-idea/picture/spring-trends-10-of-the-best-decorating-ideas/1

This wallpaper takes the soft pastel colouring to the next level by using the unusual combination of duck egg blue and splashes of bright pink with a repetitive stylised flower pattern to create a retro homespun feel. 

http://hearthomemag.co.uk/blog/inspired-by-spring-tips-to-bring-your-home-to-life-with-colour/

One great way to invite the springtime into your home is, of course, through the use of flowers. This room not only has lovely yellow patterned birds and leaves wallpaper, but the careful positioning of modest flower arrangements adds a touch of natural life and helps announce that spring is really here!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/interiorsandshopping/9873437/Nature-themed-decor-this-years-biggest-interiors-trend.html

Say the word 'spring' to anyone and one of the first things they will think of is daffodils. So why not be bold and go beyond the obligatory vase of daffodils by going for something outlandish like this massive daffodil patterned wallpaper - complete with a matching modern bright yellow chair!

http://www.muralswallpaper.co.uk/vintage-illustrated-daffodils-wall-mural#.UxZZOPR_tCY

Of course, springtime doesn't necessarily have to be about soft pastels. This room almost symbolises the joy of seeing the first flowers of spring, by contrasting the stark black and white geometric furniture with an eye-catching vase of yellow flowers that explodes with the wonder of colour and nature.

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/spring-fashion-trends-2014-graphic-black-and-white?click=main_sr

And above all, springtime should be about life and fun. And what better way to celebrate the coming of new life than with these luxury sheep stools that are bursting with character and comfort. 

http://www.remodelista.com/products/sam-browns-sheep-stools

Picture Wall

There is something in human nature that gives us the urge to make our dwellings picturesque. From humble cave paintings, we've come a long way, but one thing that persists is the need to fill bare walls with our own choice of pictures that reflect what we find important and inspiring.

Here we're taking a quick look at one trend that has been growing in recent years; the picture frame wall. It's a great way to create a dramatic and personal effect on a budget.

This picture wall shows the basic concept. A gathering of loosely related pictures and photographs in a haphazard arrangement of different frames that creates an interesting and eye-catching collection of images that work together to make a striking impression.

www.iidudu.com

This room illustrates the other approach by using disciplined uniform framing and identical artwork in a grid-like formation that creates a very modern and chic impression.

www.easyliving.co.uk

Of course, it doesn't have to be just frames with pictures in. This picture frame in a bedroom cheekily leaves the pictures out, and instead uses dramatic embossed sleep-themed 'Zzz's that will hopefully conjure up the desired amount of sleep!

www.housetohome.co.uk

And you can of course dispose of the frames altogether like this picture wall. Here, the artwork is stylishly hung from chic hooked wall-hangings in a way that feels care-free and informal.

homemakermagazine.co.uk

And finally, this picture wall goes in the other direction. By bunching together a series of frames and then having a home-made horse collage plastered across it, this feature really shows that although pictures frames may be a great way to frame art, they can never limit your creativity!

www.casasugar.com