COURTYARD COZINESS

The Lake Norman Group. homesoflkn.com

Space is at the top of most peoples' wish list when it comes to homes. I'm lucky to have a period house with a large yard, but lately I'm yearning the intimacy and coziness of a courtyard. One enveloped by greenery and lots of pots. A little outdoor sanctuary where I can drink my morning coffee and soak up the afternoon sun. Oh, who am I kidding? I just want to sit out there and drink Rose'. If you're lucky enough to have one, don't  dismiss it as a small, useless space. Have some fun with it and inject a little personality. Perhaps try a hanging chair or bench sitting with lots and lots of plants. Always lots of plants! Try different sized and shaped pots, both hanging and sitting on the ground, and there's always room for a gorgeous climber. Some string lights would also be great and perhaps some scattered oversized cushions to laze around. Think of it as an outdoor room - make it as comfy and inviting or as funky and cool as your indoor space.

lonnymag.com

Townhouse, New York City, Rees Roberts + Partners. remodelista.com

The garden of Siki de Somalie, Provence, France. Image by Country Houses of France by Barbara & Rene' Stoeltie

designsponge.com

housebeautiful.com

housebeautiful.com 

All images are credited where possible. Please feel free to share information on any where a source could not be located.

Inside Scoop. Interior Design Blog.

MACRAME MADNESS

You may have noticed a craze that's tying the design world into knots. Macrame' - the art of knotting string in patterns to make decorative items - is taking over the universe! In its most popular forms, the wall hangings and pot holders are popping up everywhere. And when used with cool materials such as rope, jute, leather and wool, they can look quite spectacular. I particularly like them in unexpected forms, such as light fittings, screens and chairs. There are lots of workshops popping up for people keen to learn the craft. You can also find simple tutorials on youtube. Have a go and see what you can create.

Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan's Shelter Island Vacation Home

Macrame lighting installation by Alexa Hotz. Image: remodelista.com

Handmade OOAK macrame retro style hanging Woodstock Hippie Elf Fairy Swing from etsy. Image via Pinterest.

Sally England wall hanging

Image via Hand of Fatima Henna Art

Macrame' wall hanging by Tamara Maynes. Image styled by Heather Nette King and Bree Leech for the United By Style collaboration between Dulux Australia and Gorman Clothing for Melbourne Fashion Week.

Lamp by Rennes (Pinterest: julia/rennes)

"Eternity" macrame door hanging by EdenEve Macrame (@edeneve_macrame)

Macrame Wall Hanging by Sally England, Portland, Oregon. Image: remodelista.com

Geometric concrete succulent cacti planer vase collection from etsy. Image via Pinterest.

Images via Pinterest. All images are credited where possible. Please feel free to share information on any where a source could not be located.

Inside Scoop. Interior Design Blog. 

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

Whenever I suggest the use of indoor plants, I'm surprised at how many people respond with a "Hell No!!!" I'm a huge fan so it confuses me as to why they have such a bad rep. I think people have awful childhood memories of their mums watering limp and browning happy plants. Remember those? But indoor plants are such a cool and simple way to complete the look and feel of a room. They have made somewhat of a resurgence with the amazing vertical gardens that are taking over the universe at the moment. But there are other options. Think about using one large sculptural plant in a killer pot or cluster varying species with different shapes and heights. Don't even get me started on hanging ferns!! However you choose to use them, start thinking of indoor plants in the same way as you would a rug, artwork or soft furnishings. They can be the key ingredient to finishing a room.

Images via Pinterest. All images are credited where possible. Please feel free to share information on any where a source could not be located.

Inside Scoop.