The best styles to embrace the summer season are modern interior design, coastal interior design, Scandinavian interior design, and boho interior design. So how do you incorporate these themes into your home to give that summer vibe?

1. Neutral coastal

Gone are the days of blue and white stripes! Summer is about those neutral and bright shades that soak up the sun rays and reflect the beautiful weather. This style is long lasting and can be adjusted to every season. Think high gloss furniture, princess and verdant blue, smooth metals, cadmium yellow and minimum grain wood. This style is inspired by the natural outdoors, so earthy tones and natural materials are a must. A simple yet effective design would include smooth metal furniture, wood flooring or accessories and glass objects; whether it be a mirror or a glass vase full of flowers. Start by revamping those old wooden photo frames with a DIY bleached timber look or begin your hunt for natural material baskets, accessories and furniture. To save you time, start with our coastal living style board.

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2. Bohemian

Long live this summer design style! Nothing speaks summer nights more than a vibrant pattern flown straight from Morocco. The tip for this style is to create a purposely ‘messy’ look. It’s all about mixing textures and patterns but not matching them, to somehow create a harmonious look. For base colours think china blue, sea pine and baton rouge, then combine these with an abundance of patterns and textures. Layering floor rugs is the best place to start as it is often the largest object in the room. You can then decide on the fabric and colours that you want for your cushions and furniture. Try hand-dyeing fabrics or opt for Ikat patterns. The best way to incorporate different materials and textures is with wall hangings. Find a macrame hanging that includes feathers, canvas, lace, ribbons and patterns or you could try one yourself. Make sure to still include mirrors to reflect the natural light and plenty of greenery whether it be plants or fake pot plants (no one will know). Start with our bohemian collection.

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3. Leather accents

Even though leather isn’t your best friend during hot sweaty weather, details around the home are summery, fresh and long-lasting. Try neutral and light shaded leather to furnish your home and brighten up the living space. When using leather furnishings it’s a good idea to avoid browns in your floor colour, instead opt for creams or paler shades. If you’re worried about your leather furnishings standing out like a sore thumb, lighten up the room with large, green leafed plants. Also add patterns in your cushions and rugs to take the focus away from the leather.

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4. Geometric

Bright and busy patterns are a great way to throw colour into the mix. Try geometric tiles, cushions, wall prints and pendants to revamp your abode into a place too cool for the heat. Become a pro at mixing patterns with the 60/30/10 approach. Stick to 60% of your favourite pattern, 30% of the secondary pattern and 10% of the third, as an accent. Try mixing up the scale of the patterns such as narrow stripes, bold geometric and floral prints, you shouldn’t mix the same scaled patterns in one room. Another top tip is to repeat patterns as a motif, for example an X pattern in the rug can be seen again in an X-base coffee table. Check out our boho sanctuary for more ideas.

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5. Tropic thunder

Lush greenery, rattan and tropical prints is all you need to give your home a summer vibe and keep it coming into the cooler months.  Leafy wallpaper patterns are on trend right now and look great spread across a large wall, whether it’s behind a bed head or across the living room wall. Complement the pattern with real (or fake) plants and natural baskets such as wicker, rattan and seagrass. If using a bold pattern in a large quantity, avoid making the room too busy, by sticking to neutral colours and minimal ornamentation.

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What are you waiting for? Summer is here and now you have all the tools you need to bring some summer vibes into your home.   

The post Styles that embrace Summer appeared first on Designbx.

Each fruit usually offers more than one colour that we can incorporate in interior design. Thanks to mother nature (the design O.G.), we can take our cues from the colour combinations of a fruit’s protective outer skin and the juicy flesh. Let’s not forget the many shades of green that accompany or nourish these fruits in the wild.

For those that are excited about a more literal take on a fruit salad theme, there are breathtaking selections of fruit salad inspired  furnishings that are fun additions to any space.

1. Wallpaper

Not only limited to a kid’s room, fruit-inspired wallpaper is suitable to adding that pop of colour to a neutral-toned room. Following the colour trends seen in Miami-style and retro interior design, this pineapple wallpaper is tangy and stylish to suit everyone’s tastes. Bright, pastel colours work brilliantly when championed with a neutral backdrop.

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2. Linen

It’s hard to say that many kid’s don’t enjoy fruit. Including fruit prints in your kid’s linen will create a timeless look they’ll take a while to outgrow. Feminine looks include strawberry and cherry designs, where as masculine looks can be anything from bananas to oranges. Fruit prints are a great way to complement colour schemes and add a quirky spin on bedroom interior design. 

3. Soft furnishings

Whether you’re styling a themed party or kid’s play room, fruit by design furnishings are a sure fire hit. Multicolours that are beautifully balanced together are fun and vibrant, perfect for a child’s bedroom. Matched with deep and dark greens, fruity coloured tones pair perfectly with the outdoors and darker settings. If you’re seeking a fun twist to an outdoor design, fruit cushions are proof that our love of fruit-inspired palettes doesn’t wane after our childhoods are over. 

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4. Wall Prints

Even though most fruits are bright and bold, when the colours are toned down, they can still be just as beautiful. Mature colours of the fruit rainbow, such as berry reds, apple greens and tangerines, can complement a space perfectly and even add a sense of sophistication!  Try using lemon yellows for that adventurous and energetic burst of colour into a room. 

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As far as we’re concerned, if it’s good enough for nature, it’s good enough for us. If you want a space that feels fresh and vibrant, look no further than the sweetest things growing on our planet. Keep your interiors healthy this season with some lively, fruity patterns and colour trends found on inspirational fruit by design style boards.

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Without lowering ourselves to the use of terms like nudge nudge, wink wink (oh dear, too late), it’s obvious the master bedroom is the setting for decadence whether it be intimate moments, post party lock-ins (drawn curtains and movie marathons) or pure unadulterated laziness (mmm, laziness). As long as the kids don’t invade your lair, you can enjoy some deserved self-indulgence.

After completing your hectic schedule, the bedroom is your ultimate escape. It only needs to be relevant to you and your partner, which gives you the freedom to express who you are and reflect the room’s primary use. We won’t speculate as to goings on in your room (we don’t judge here at Designbx) but we suggest you select colours, pattern and textures that appeal to your senses.

With that in mind, here are some of our fave brands. What tickles your fancy?

Hunting for George is an adaptable choice that suits most styles, with throws and accessories completing the look. Brand Director Lucy Glade-Wright believes the key to the perfect choice of linen is a style that has longevity. “Choose something that you love and will continue to love years later,” Lucy suggests.

The other key factor is colour selection, which is a key consideration for the company’s designers. “Colour is like music. It can trigger an emotional response that prompts memories and ideas. Colour is often the first thing we look towards for inspiration,” says Lucy.

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As for the kids, getting linen selection right can create a captivating world that is comfortable yet stimulating. Be daring, have fun and tap into your child’s imagination. You’re not the only one who should have a haven that expresses your personality.

Top kids’ linen brand, Little Ones, recognises the fact that children are developing their own styles from a young age. The designers specialise in Retro and Modern Eclectic styles with explosive colours and energetic patterns. The wonder of a fair can be enjoyed in the safety of a kid’s hideaway.

Cleverly relevant to both genders, Little Ones delivers escapism while optimistic colours create a reassuring environment. A key to the brand’s success is meticulous attention to the most important details, ensuring materials are of the highest standards of quality and safety, including being Oeko-Tex certified.

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Looking to cut down on shopping time? Kip & Co.’s Boho, Modern Eclectic and Coast styles are designed for everyone in the family. Their bright boutique bedding offers dazzling choices for folks with their eyes on bold choices, and the brand’s styles encourage customers to layer and mix patterns.

“The Stardust collection has something a bit fantastical and magical about it,” says Hayley Pannekoecke, of Kip & Co. “It’s also got a very feminine soft colour palette that works with the season’s stone fruit, soft rose, burnt brandy, grape and silver.”

They even do bassinet sheets, pyjamas and overnight bags, so Kip & Co. can be on the go with you! For adults and kids alike, it’s comforting to connect bedroom styles and adventures in the wide world, especially with beautiful leather or canvas bags. According to Hayley, “They’re the perfect accessory for the memory-making wanderer.”

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Probably the most exciting new arrival to the Kip & Co. range is velvet. Hearing Hayley explain the sensation of sleeping on velvet makes it an easy sell. “Velvet pillows have basically changed my life!” she insists. “There’s something about the depth of colour and texture of velvet. As we move into winter, it’s the ultimate friend to keep you snug at night.”

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A ‘forward-looking approach’ gives the designers an edge, and while they are capable of extravagance and daring colours, customers can also enjoy subtle, muted textures. Experienced globetrotters but proud of their hometown, Aura insists ‘yes, it’s little bit Scandinavian, a little bit Indian, but it’s also a whole lot of Melbourne.’

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Specialising in Coast and Industrial styles, Sheets on the Line probably wins the prize for best brand name. The idea for the business was hatched over a cup of coffee in Steve & Deb Clifford-Ames’ favourite café. Remarkably, by the end of the day, the light bulb moment had expanded to become a grand scale and vision.
Filling a void left by traditional manufacturers’ failure to deliver daring, affordable products, the couple not only provided a vibrant array of alternatives but also provided a more environmentally friendly option.

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Like Designbx, these brave businesses are part of the design revolution that gives every Australian an opportunity to express their personality through design. Whether you’re creating a stylish boudoir or creating a fun world for the kids, there’s no shortage of quality bed linen.

Designbx  |  Between the sheets- choosing the right bed linen  |  designbx.com

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Hosting Christmas this year? Let’s ensure not only a delicious family feast, but a beautiful and colourful one as well! When thinking of Christmas palettes, we typically think of traditional colours like reds and greens, but with Australians embracing their own personal style and reflecting that in their home, why not sing to the same tune for your Christmas theme. Here are five of our favourite colour schemes that will be sure to strike a cord with your own personal style.

All in Grey

 A muted yet fresh feel for Christmas.  Grey has become very popular as it forms a neutral backdrop for any interior style. The tone can range from a soft pale grey to a dark warm charcoal. This would work within an industrial, coastal, scandi and even traditional interior. Stand out elements include; oversized linen ribbon bows on the tree (be bold and opt for a white tree over the traditional green), dark grey linen tablecloths overlaid with hessian table runners, eclectic tableware, bowls and glasses paired with wooden chopping boards as serving plates.  Be sure to play with texture and tone.

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Pastels

A pop of pastel…fresh, fun and stylish.  Pairing soft pinks, corals and creams with a touch of gold gives a feminine and modern feel.  Think modern shapes – diamonds, hexagons or layer square and circles to create contrast.  Play with your finishes using paper pom poms, glittery gold balls, and fine delicate cotton ribbons on the tree.  Pastels also pair beautifully with intricate glass finishes like glass cut decorations, chandeliers as the table centerpiece, Diamante encrusted candle  and napkin holders –  whitewash timber and concrete surface could be perfect to complete this look.  Be adventurous with wrapping paper.  Use hessian fabrics and knot like a sack. Use old book pages and accent with a big pastel bow, or buy plain boxes and cover in glitter for some wow factor!

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What a great way to bring the table to life.  Focus on the ceiling, more space for food!

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Black, White and Gold

Give the table a dose of holiday glam by pairing black and gold together. This is a wow colour combination but equally elegant and festive. Introduce black and white combinations through patterns – stripes, tartan,and polka dots. Mix your shades of gold –  champagne through to rich gold. Black, especially high gloss Christmas ornaments are a fantastic choice for a white Christmas tree.  Introduce natural twine around your wrapping paper to give a more scandi rather than luxe feel. Gold spray painted leaves make a stunning runner down the centre of the table.  For evening ambience add a piece of mirror on top and adorn with tea light candles.

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Dress to impress…

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Burgundy, Green and Gold

Tradition still has its place, and what  better way to bring it to life than with this rich opulent palette. Opt to replace reds with a rich burgundy this season. Burgundy has swooped the design industry this year it’s warm, inviting and intriguing.  This sensual colour will work best with generous amounts of natural foliage or sitting amongst silks, velvets and lace with warm lighting.

A rich burgundy cotton tablecloth layered with the same toned lace cloth will add immediate warmth and texture.  Use an abundance of pine greenery down the centre littered with intimate little gold touches  and candles. Gold cutlery and dark green dinnerware equals perfection! Gifts are all about repetition of these colours.  Wrap in butcher paper and then burgundy cellophane for a wet look wrap.  Layer a thick burgundy silk ribbon around and complete with a sprig of rosemary inside your bow

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The perfect outfit for the day…dapper!

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Let the flowers do the talking

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And for the ladies…

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Mint and Red

This colour combination puts a new spin on the classic red by using a cool shade of mint. Mint and red are contrasting colours that work well together to give a summer feel.  Maintain traditional patterns and motifs like reindeers, gingham, spots and stripes. Pair with white wash or bleached timbers, drift wood and raw linens to give that Scandi look.  Opt for the revival of the metal dinnerware to give the table a more relaxed feel.  Fill a tin red bucket with nude branches from the garden or a local walk.  Tie little cotton mint ribbons on all the branches for a simple yet striking table centerpiece.  

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The post Colour Crush “Christmas colours that sing to your style” appeared first on Designbx.

It is almost impossible to say that we aren’t intrigued to see how the celebrities live and that we don’t want to follow celebrity style.  A celebrities fashion sense often rings true to the style of their home but also not.  Lets take a peek in some homes…

Cameron Diaz

This Manhattan apartment is modern eclectic in every way. This opulent and glamorous oasis was designed by “it” designer Kelly Wearstler, need we say more.

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Julia Roberts

This Greenwich village apartment shares a neutral blend of coastal and traditional chic
elements.  It’s understated colour palette allows the truly amazing views remain the focal point.

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Johna Hill

One of Johna’s many properties, this 1950’s casual beauty in the Hollywood hills is an eclectic blend of coastal, modern eclectic, and vintage overtones. A fun and bright approach.

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Tyra Banks

This Beverley Hills mansion is Traditional Chic perfection.  The soft and neutral palette lends itself to the rustic architectural features.  Airy, fresh, and beautifully detailed.

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What’s your style? Just remember a space should bring happiness, select pieces, colours and finishes that brighten your day.

The post Celebrity Style appeared first on Designbx.

This season’s Colour Crush is pink. With early spring-summer fashions already in stores, its hard to resist pink home decor, which dominate this years seasonal colour palette. From soft pastel blushes to more pale sugary tones – pink is confirmed as the colour of the season. Fashion designers have filled the catwalks for with pink and this unique shade works just as well as in the home. Some of our favourite European furniture brands like Vitra, The Republic of Fritz Hansen, Mutto and more, are releasing their most iconic furniture items in a pastel pink version – demonstrating how far this trend has spread the world over. If youre feeling ready to take the pink plunge, remember that decorating with pink shades can actually make a room appear larger. Pink is great for achieving a soothing, romantic atmosphere.

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Top Furniture Buys in Pink – 2016

1.Eames Chair | Vitra

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2. The Wishbone Chair | Carl Hansen&Son

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3.The Slow Chair | Vitra

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4. Series 7 | Republic of Fritz Hansen

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Top Trends

1. LAYERING VARIOUS PINKS TOGETHER

This year we are going to see how the pastel pink colour pallets are influenced from the fashion world, adopting layers of colour not only within the overall decor but also within each piece of furniture. Besides, this is an excellent way for brightening up a space. The pink tones establish the illusion of light. Layering various pinks together adds up a volume and sense of depth.

2. PAIRING PINK WITH OTHER PASTELS

We love soft pinks, mints, pale lilacs and butter yellows. There are endless ways to pair pastel pink with other pastels. from painting a single wall with a pastel shade to combining different accessories such as throw pillows, vases and or just mix in the dining room different colours of the same dining chair.

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3. COMBINING A SOFT PINK WITH TAN AND ORANGE REDS

Pink and red create a warm glow, vibration and excitement because of their closeness on the colour wheel. This combination creates a dynamic and exciting tension. In 2016 we will mix creams, whites and neutrals into the interior design to give it a tailored freshness and conceptual underline.

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4. EXTREMELY POPULAR IN THE MALE FASHION

Apparently Pink is not just for girls. YES! real men wear pink. As well as being a cheerful, happy shade, it is also an extremely flattering colour for men. The U.S secretary of State John Carry appears to have a penchant for pink ties, and it looks wonderful every time he shows up on T.V. Another classy example which attracts the males attention is found in the car industry. Check out the Aston Martin late special edition. Inspired by the great spirit of James Bond, the car contains a PINK interior. Its called the Q by DB9 Volante. The leather interior is officially referred to as blush pearl. It is extremely trendy especially with its matching luggage set – all in pink.

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5. WOOL AND LEATHER TOP MATERIALS FOR THIS COLOUR

Most of the pastel pink home decor items released this year show that it’s all about the right tailoring. Our home accessories will be inspired by traditional crafts such as wool crochet, knitting and patching, showing up in the form of cushion covers, crocheted throws, patch work rugs and wool knitted stools.

6. PINK WITH FLURO TRIM

When it comes to pink, geometric patterns, mandalas, chevron and fluro trim pillows and curtains are a lovely way to present the colour into the interior. An opportunity for the stylists at heart to freshen the room. No need to remodel the entire room to get the look. Just add a few pillows with neon pink patterns, or with mini pompom trim in neon pink to spice up your home.

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Top Styling Tips

1. BLEND WITH NATURAL TEXTURES AND HUES

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2. MAKE IT SCANDINAVIAN

The Scandinavian appeal is everywhere and the secret trick is to pair pastel pink with greys and a touch of black.

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3. GIVE IT A PROPER BACKGROUND

Invest in a bleached parquet, natural finished wooden furniture and soft carpets.

4. ADD NOSTALGIA

Add a few antiques or shabby chic items in gold as well with periodical oil paintings, old light fixtures, or flower stands to help maintain a nostalgic look.

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