Loft Swagger!

Loft apartments are spacious, stylish,distinctive, sleek, and absolutely stunning; they can be intimidating todecorate. I've always loved lofts and that is why I decided to share a bit ofloft inspiration with you.

The original lofts were warehouses or industrialbuildings converted to residential use and at times the conversions looked prettyunfinished like a set from Dragons Den; wires running everywhere, floorboardsthat creaked and brick walls exposed - but for city denizens squeezed into highrise apartments, loft living became the trend. Areas of London, Lisbon and NewYork were gentrified by turning former industrial facilities into desirable andhighly sought after residences. 

A loft is usually seen as a modern area andso contemporary furnishings tend to be the most suitable, equallya more traditional or rustic style will work. Materialslike wood, stone with glass and stainless steel enhance the solid effect andwill give you a hip, modern and contemporary look.

As a loft is an open space (and hence ablank canvass) deciding what "room" should go where is vital. Beforedecorating it is important you determine the future layout - this will help you not having to move furniture around to see if it’ssuitable for your loft. 

• Walk around your loft in order to find the bestspot for the living area, sleeping space and dining room.
• Your decisions should be based on where thekitchen and bathroom are located and especially how the windows are arranged. 
• What’s the best configuration for entertaining, should the diningarea or the bedroom double as an office space and so on.   
• You can also use a raised platform to set apart the bedroom from therest of the space

The best colour scheme for decorating thewalls of a loft is neutral; i.e. hues of beige, taupe and white throughout.Unlike in traditional homes it is best to use a single colour palette to keepthe space coordinated and eye pleasing.

  Here are my top 10 tips on loft designideas: 

1.  Use rugsto create a separation for themed areas or settings you want to create; theywill improve the ambience and add to the warmth of a room, making it feel cosier.
2. Use screensto divide the room or to hide certain areas; i.e. to create privacy in yourbedroom space. 
3. Uselarge furniture as walls enabling you to break and create boundaries fordifferent living spaces; i.e. armoires, sofas, tables or bookcases. 
4. Usemultipurpose furnishings in order to reduce storage space; coffee tables,ottomans or chests are great because these types of furnishings normally comeswith hidden storage and can be used as extra seating when needed. 
5. Usedecorative artwork; you will define the space as well as adding colour to yourwalls; use a large piece of decorative artwork or various shapes and sizes soit balances your open space while preventing the area to become lost. The highceilings make it the perfect canvass for experimenting so, be adventurous. 
6. Use tallpotted plants especially at the corners of your loft space; it will bring a naturalelement inside the room while visually making it much more pleasant giving it ahomely and warm touch. 
7. Usecushions as additional decoration to your sofa and other furniture; they willprovide the colour and texture you need to create a softer look. 
8.  Accessorisewith bright coloured vases and a variety of decorative items; i.e. applianceslike kettle, blender and coffee machine, displayed on the kitchen counter can doubleas accessories. 
9.  Hangfunky chandeliers, track lighting or pendant lights to highlight specific partsof the loft and meet the lighting challenge of the high ceilings. In addition,add some lower lighting with table, floor lamps and wall fixtures; by layeringyour lighting scheme you will create a softer and more welcoming atmosphere. 
10. Usedarker paint shades to camouflage the ceiling features and create an illusionof reduced height. Lofts ceilings tend to be high and usually feature exposedductwork and metal beams the impact of which you can alter with the rightchoice of paints.  

 

Follow these tips andturn that huge space into a cosy living environment you will enjoy and love. 

www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via BrandonBarre's Loft and Trendland.com     

         

The perfect shot!

While looking for pictures for a blog postI came across Brandon Barré and my oh my was I blown away with his work!

When you look at a magazine and see amazingpictures of interiors remember that yes the designer did a great job but do youknow part of the secret? It’s a good photographer. 

Even the best decorated rooms, need beshown in their best light to really shine and that’s where Brandon Barré comesinto play. So let me tell you a bit more about Brandon.

An early passion for photography (probablydue to his mother since she was the family “photographer”) led to a freelancephotojournalism for the local newspaper at the age of 15. He still has one of hisfavourite cameras, an antique Kodak medium format with expandable bellows.

Today, Brandon Barré is a commercialphotographer based in Toronto, Canada a cosmopolitan city I know and love as Ilived there for nearly 3 years. His clients span from New York to Seattle and all across Canada; his work has been published worldwide. His portfolio with pictures of interiors, people and food is extremely impressive.   

He believes that lighting and state of theart lenses are paramount plus the fact that he is a perfectionist makes theperfect combination to achieve great results and have become his trademark. 

Brandon started in the food field and a lotof his inspiration comes from his heroes in this genre - the great food photographersof Australia, UK, and France (in particular French ELLE food & drink magazine;great photography!). Brandon loves his client's reactions, all the oohing andaahing around the monitor on a food shoot is what inspires him the most. 

Long story cut short he goes from food tointeriors by chance or shall I say with the help of an Interior designer. 

In his quest to achieve great shots, Brandonsays “I've crouched inside fireplaces, squatted in showers, and surely definedsome new Yoga moves shooting room interiors”.

Brandon is becoming one of Canada's mostexciting photographic talents; his style and passion for photography isabsolutely superb. I for one have become a fan and cannot wait to see more ofhis dazzling work. 

Addition to my wish list: have Brandon photographmy home.

 www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via Brandon Barré 

Decorex International 2011 preview

I will be arriving from holiday just before Decorex International 2011 starts and I must say I am not looking forward to coming back to a pile of work & thousands of emails; that’s the worst part of arriving back from holiday…But the quid pro quo is that just a few days after landing I get to go to my 5th event in a row and this year have the added incentive of becoming Decorex’ live blogger. 

In September, London will be buzzing with people from all over the world here to see the latest design trends and collections. Decorex is an unmissible world class event with a number of high-end exhibitors and extremely well attended by interior designers, retail buyers and homeowners looking for style inspiration, all eager to share experiences and insights. The show takes place annually and features the most innovative, inspirational and highest quality products.  

You will not be disappointed; it will be a jaw dropping event that will excite from the minute you walk in; through the vast range of products on show from the Sloane Square Lobby (designed by Nicky Haslam and Colette van den Thillart from NH Design), to the Champagne Bar (designed by Martin Hulbert). Add to that a plethora of amazing seminars with inspiring speakers such as Tara Bernerd, Tim Gosling, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Mark Woodman and Holly Becker to name but a few and you can see why I am eagerly awaiting this year’s event.

It gives me great pleasure to see that Decorex International 2011 is supporting Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to hear from Piers Gough and Nicholas Chandor on Monday 26th September where they will give an insight into the unique design of the new Maggie's Centre in Nottingham, due to open later this year. 

Take a peek of some of the amazing new collections appearing at Decorex 2011:   

From Alex Ramsay’s new contemporary silverware collection combining silver with hand blown glass…So creative and unique (below). 

To the fabulous new wallpaper and fabrics collection by Abbott & Boyd (below).

And how sublime is this handmade wallpaper by Fromental (below). 

I am so enjoying the new collection of furniture and lighting by Pinch. Check out the Brody high back armchair, the Anders lighting and Clyde side table; each piece is a definite classic (below). 

With so much bespoke creativity and innovation under one roof even the most discerning of attendees will find their demand for individual pieces and designs satisfied. To those of you attending Decorex International 2011, enjoy... 

For more information www.decorex.com 

Pictures via Decorex International 2011

East meets West - Trading Boundaries

If you haven't heard of them then you should!

And yes i did think of keeping them to myself, just my little secret!

I decided against it so let me tell you about this hidden gem. Trading Boundaries is Michael Clifford and Tracy Thomson's baby, or rather a grown up 15 year old. Far from resting on their laurels it's been year on year incremental growth and diversification from on a core product of ethnic furniture from India and the Far East.

From what G.M. Kristan Fawcus told me their vision is far reaching and as yet to be fully realised. This is a business (that feels like a big family) that reinvests and involves its staff and clientele in many aspects of decision making. It's become a day/evening out for a large number of Sussex folk.

But let me start from the beginning, Michael's Grandparents were missionaries in India so he visited them quite often and so a love for the country started. Michael tells me that one day seeing two men carrying some tables - which he fell in love immediately - he suddenly had an idea and so that's how it started.

In 1996 Michael ended up sending his first container back to England and started selling furniture sourced in the far east from a converted barn in Dormansland, Surrey where people would buy and carry their purchases home; the furniture had to be small as a result. By then Tracy had joined the business and so a great partnership begins.

In 1998 the business partners saw and fell in love with stunning grade two listed building named the Sheffield Park, near Fletching. They decided it was to be their new base so as the saying goes "they begged, stole and borrowed" and put every penny into transforming the then pub into a unique furniture showroom and I am sure today they feel proud of their achievement.

The building dates back to the 1800's and was originally a busy coaching inn, situated on the main thoroughfare between London and the County Town of Lewes. The outer buildings in the courtyard were used as stables which now have been converted into shops.

Not only had the building been a coaching house, it had also served as a pub, a dairy farm and in the 1970's and 1980's as a very trendy night club.

Little did they know, then, that they hadn't just acquired the property but all that came with it too, and by that I mean the ghosts! The locals have told them that there are two currently residing in the building - albeit they think there are more! But don't worry they are a friendly bunch and the ghosts too.

One of the spirits is believed to be that of "Mary", an old lady who used to be a maid. Now and then they find a small table on top of a bed and other items in strange places. I think Mary does that when she is cleaning the floor and forgets to put it back, that's old age for you; either that or she has got a sense of humour!

So now that you have the buildings history let me tell about what they sell. Due to a plethora of contacts in India, China and Indonesia Michael & Tracy handpick every piece, so the showroom is mostly filled with this ethnic furniture and a smaller quantity of contemporary ranges coming from Europe. Michael & Tracy are trendsetters and cleverly manage to anticipate public tastes.

Because they go straight to the source - be it artisan or factory - they manage to sell their furniture at a fraction of what it would cost you in London. What I like is if you are looking for a particular piece then just tell them what you need and they will do their best to source it.

For me, this came in handy when I was creating a fusion of "east meets west" for a client I managed to get just what the client wanted.

Trading Boundaries is looking to work with other interior designers. If you want a piece for your house or client I'd recommend you go and take a look.

Their Chinese pieces are just wonderful and what I love about them is that the etching on them tells a story, so not only you get an amazing piece of furniture but you get your own piece of history.

There is an exotic feel about it and when you go into Trading Boundaries, is almost like steeping back in time in old Asia. The shop itself combined with the friendliness of the staff transforms your visit into an amazing experience and that is exactly what Michael & Tracy have tried to achieve.

Have you been to Trading Boundaries? Then do let me know what you most liked!

www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via Trading Boundaries and my own.

I am in love with Amsterdam!

A few weeks back I participated in the inaugural European Meet the blogger conference held in Amsterdam. It proved to be a very well attended and successful event with over 100 bloggers from all over Europe. It was great to put faces to virtual names; the start hopefully of long term friendships. I particularly enjoyed hearing the stories of how some bloggers started then expanded, truly inspiring. Lise M. from "Urban Style Vibes" and many others are to be congratulated for making it happen. Guest speakers were Holly Becker from Decor8, Angelie from Lily's cupcakes and Natasha from Flavourites.

Conference over it was then time to explore and Amsterdam is now one of my favourite cities because of its beauty, amazing design and yet, for a major city, areas of solitude. There aren't many cultures as open and blunt as the Dutch which for some can be quite disarming. As someone who has been cast in the same mould I find it amusing and refreshing. The Dutch are very welcoming and always so friendly.

After nearly avoiding certain death from all the cyclists whizzing by one learns how to look both ways twice when crossing the road so not to be taken out by bikes, cars or trams. I do like the fact that they cycle everywhere no matter the weather and the more on a bike the merrier. Its amazing what you can do on a bike...

Did you know there are over 200,000 boat houses and some of them are quite amazing and stylish? I so wish I could have seen them from the inside; talking about inside while walking in Amsterdam so many times I looked through a window thinking it was a stylish shop and I found myself looking into a person's house, not a place to set up a net curtain business it would seem. Apologies to the ones that saw me do it but it shows how beautifully decorated most of them were.

Coming from a country where socializing is part of my DNA I embrace how the Dutch also do it, like it is a part of their work/life balance. I also found it to be more economic to eat out in Amsterdam than London. There are endless possibilities to sample cuisine from around the world; here are some really great choices Hostaria, Bar Italia, Bar Moustache, Portugalia, etc. I would avoid most places in Damrak, the street just ahead of Central Station. The locals rarely eat in this area and that should give you a clear indication.

There are amazing markets; on the Singel canal between the Koningsplein and the muntplein is the Bloemenmarkt ( the only floating flower market in the world); also the market on the Lindengracht where you can get fresh veg, fruit and fish or just go to see what's on offer - its great to take stunning colourful pictures.

I found Jordaan one of the coziest and quirkiest districts with lovely little shops where you can buy nearly anything. The nine streets is also a must, loved wondering around exploring art galleries, jewellers and designer boutiques (may I say I did not succumb to my desire to buy everything). Vondelpark is just stunning, and since it was so hot I welcomed the shade the trees provided and the coolness of the lake sides.

Obviously I had to go to the fashion district ( oh hubby did treat me to a lovely waistcoat ) and ended up finding a furniture shop which I now absolutely love - Riviera Maison has a New England nautical theme; their merchandise is available on line and they will ship overseas plus they do have a representative in Surrey. I was greeted with such helpfulness and buying in Riviera Maison is an experience in itself - their customer service is superb.

I also found another shop, Sissy Boy, a great name instantly memorable and I really like their furniture. The layout was so well done that I just had to take pictures so you knew what i meant ( I have to say I was told off for doing so, shades of my experiences in Hong Kong).

I so enjoyed my trip, it has whetted my appetite to return. If you have been there lately or are going do let me know of your experiences.


www.aguilarinteriors.com

Pictures via Jurriaan Hoefsmit, Riviera Maison and my own.

Extra! Extra! Distressed and decoupage!

At a networking event in Lewes a few weeks ago I met Laura Diez a bright, bubbly young lady who is extremely passionate about what she does. Over a glass of wine Laura ends up telling me her story.

And that is what I want to share with you; the story of a talented young lady who I think will definitely be one to watch.

Working as a school secretary a few years back Laura began to feel there should be more to life than spending a large chunk of her life doing something that didn't make her happy (I for one couldn't agree more).

From an early age her life revolved around  interior decoration and fashion; at the age of 14 she re-decorated her mum's house and Laura realised that's when she was the happiest. After her mum's house she moved on to decorating friends' houses until it became apparent that a life in interiors beckoned and she should follow her dream.

 

In 2009 Laura decided to study Interior Design at the National Design Academy where she graduated top of her class. As Laura says "Making things look pretty and working on a budget have always been my strong points", so using her interior skills to re-vamp vintage and un-loved furniture, soon turned into a business - Lollipop and Pepper was born!

Laura began trading at craft fairs during he school holidays and frantically sourcing, painting, distressing furniture after school and at weekends. In July 2010 the website www.lollipopandpepper.co.uk went live and so Laura began to think that getting a premise to showcase and sell her furniture was probably the next step. December of that year Laura opened a shop in the Needlemakers in Lewes where she sells her furniture and a selection of vintage interior accessories.
 

 

Laura now does what she enjoys everyday, and loves the fact that in a small way she is helping the environment by recycling (or up-cycle as it's become known) old furniture, and encourage others to do the same by offering her Furniture Make-Over Service.

"What comes next is still an exciting avenue that I am looking forward to walking down" says Laura.

So if you want a piece for your house or a client I'd recommend you get in touch.

I find her passion and dedication a breath of fresh air; have no doubt that she will succeed and hope to use her pieces in a future project.

www.aguilarinteriors.com

Picures via www.lollipopandpepper.co.uk