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Pantone colour of the year 2018 is Ultra Violet. When it comes to shades like violets and purples in home decor; you'll either love it or you'll never warm up to them. A reason for this is that violet and its related shades are not quite common and are pretty dramatic, especially in interior design. When designers do use violet, they do so subtly in patterns on fabrics, cushioning, flowing velvet drapes or as single purple chair in a living room. While many may think a deep violet is melancholy, it can also be playful in its references to science and space travel. For example, pair ultra violet with metallic to elicit a whimsical and celestial atmosphere. To show just how versatile and protean ultra violet is, let's take a look at how the color purple and its varying hues has been used to decorate some of the most beautiful rental homes around the world!

1. PARIS, FRANCE - Rue Paul Valéry, Paris

It is true that many of the homes in Paris have retained their centuries old character but even then, the homeowners have found a way to add in colored furniture and sparing touches to add in personality and a modern take for chic living.

2. PARIS -  Boulevard Raspail IV, Quartier Latin, Left Bank –

Modernize your classics by adding a touch of violet in your living space for a trivialize yet elegant and sophisticated touch.

3. PARIS - Rue de Chantilly, Montmartre Sacré-Coeur - South Pigalle, Right Bank 

Ultra violet is not only made to be used in main rooms of the house but also children's rooms! It's a modern trend and trust me when I tell you that your lovely kids will love this shade in their playrooms.

4. ROME, ITALY - Via della Scala, Trastevere-Gianicolo, Rome

As you can see from here, Ultra Violet furnitures can actually make a really huge statement! Especially when you fins a rug that is in a similar shade that will perfectly compliment everything.

5. ROME - Via dei Volsci, Monti-San Lorenzo, Rome

This is a quote by Eleonora Valle who says: 'Italy has produced some of the world's most accomplished creatives, and our homes in this region take care in celebrating the work of artist's past and present. Whether that's in an oil painting or a quirky take on garden steps, in Rome ultra violet is a color medium for artistic expression.'

6. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - Duncan Terrace, Islington, North London

The matching of the plush sofa and the majestic chandelier in differing grades of the colour purple works so perfectly well in this quaint English home.

7. LONDON -  Park Walk IV, Chelsea, London 

The color Ultra Violet is so daringly used here to cover the walls in this narrow dining hall which is beautifully complemented with gold accents for a whole regal look.

8. LONDON -  Priory Road, West Hampstead, London

A bold, velvet couch is the perfect statement piece for a home in the middle of an incredibly social and fashionable city like London where stylish meets comfort.

9. NEW YORK, UNITED STATES -  Park Avenue Mansion, Upper East Side, Manhattan

The quirky color combination of dark green and violet works perfectly in a lounge that is full of character for the bold and audacious! 

10. NEW YORK - Finn Place II, Tribeca, New York

What a better way to stand out than to add a dramatic flare by using unusual colored tiles for your lovely bathroom while also incorporating an intricate design? A bathroom, which in most cases is left stark and white, can be instantly sublimed with a bold tile and color accents!

There’s a lot of talk going on in the flooring industry right now and you and I both know that tile is where it all begins as it has always been a huge part of the interior design world.

There's not only tons of modern, chic tile trends to choose from, but tile itself is trending in a big way. The best way you do it is to choose something well-made and stylish that will stay in style for the lifetime of your floor. Here's just a few of my favorite floor home tile trends that I wanted to share with you all!

Chevron Tiles

The chevron pattern is a fabulous yet bold pattern that has a significant upshot on any room. It is very much like a herringbone pattern which is like a zig-zag of v’s on the floor. The pattern is almost mesmerizing in appearance and gives off a retro vibe too! Even with its bold and daring design, it'll fit right inside the most serene of homes.

And you're probably aware, it is not approved to install wood flooring in wet and warm areas as it can damage the material and ruin your floor. So by using the chevron effect tiles you can be right on trend to imitate or create a wood effect for your interior and sleep easier at night having the knowledge that your floor isn’t going to expand or become warped one day when you wake up!

Matte Tiles

Now you've known about matte colored cars, matte phones and even matte lipsticks but here's the new thing: matte tiles! These tiles shows sophistication, modernism, and keeps the dirt hidden - an all round winner.

Matte tiles also provides great grip and traction and blend in really well with the increasingly popular industrial trend. They’re perfect for bathrooms and wet-rooms and are the perfect combination if you’re looking to create the traditional/rustic infused with a splash of contemporary appearance within a room.

Marble Tiles

The tile nominated for the most classy, timeless, and elegant look award. Natural marble is soft and porous, susceptible to rings and challenging to keep clean. That’s the reason so many homeowners and interior designers choose tile for their floorings instead of natural marble.

Marble tiles have a great way of allowing light to bounce around a room, almost like a mirror effect. This is basically the reason why they’re so customarily used in bathrooms as they make the space seem bigger and lighter than it is!

Patterned Tiles

This is definitely my favorite type of tile and if I ever want to remodel my flooring, you can bet that patterned tiles are gonna be my absolute go-to tile! Patterned tiles have gone from strong to strongest in adding substance and color to the floor in a room. With an endless amount of patterns and designs available you are given total free reign when it comes to making a room your own. But just what is the right way to do it without it being “too much”?

To be honest, I really don't think there is such a thing as "too much" when it comes to patterned floors. Making a statement and showing off your personality with your home decor is all the rage and it definitely shows the real you! One of the best ideas I've ever gotten with utilizing patterned floors is to install them right at the front door area of your house. That way it will surely be the first focal point for your guests and it'll up the wow factor.

So you just got yourself a fresh bouquet of gorgeous flower arrangement from the farmer's market, only to come home and place it in a vase that doesn't do it justice at all! While it's fun to pair, mix and match different types and colors of blooms to suit your taste and liking, the real deal come from the vases and containers that the bouquets will be living in. I've recently read up on how certain blooms pair best with certain vases (safe to say that I've experienced the struggle too) and here's the matches that works best together! So the next time you take home one, you'll know precisely the perfect way to showcase it.

1. SUNFLOWERS

Mason Jars

A mason jar is a simple and quirky way to showcase the bold and cheerful sunflower! Plus you can even decorate your mason jars beforehand for a flair of creativity!

Tall Cylinder

If you're a sunflower lover, you'll know that actual sunflowers are known to grow up to 12 feet tall! So using a tall vase not only shows how stunning they are but also ensures that they won't topple over.

Galvanized Pot

These containers give it the perfect rusty feel which pairs nicely with the carefree, laid back sunflower. If you're looking for farmhouse cottage vibes then this pairing is definitely for you!

2. ROSES

Fit and Flare

The fit and flare is the best vase to stylishly show off a slightly fuller rose bouquet. Works best with different coloured roses!

Trumpet vase

Roses are definitely statement flowers, so pair it with elegant shapes like the trumpet to up the luxe and wow factor.

Vintage Cut

Nothing shows off the timeless grace of roses more than an old fashioned vintage vase that you've uncovered from the basement.

3. CARNATIONS

Bubble Vase

Carnations are perfect for a small bubble bowl for its short and sturdy stems that can be cut to any length without harming them!

Short Cylinder

There's only one lone carnation here but a short vase actually adds more control to a larger bouquet of carnations.

Vintage Patterned Vases

It's a quirky match of the retro carnations with a beautifully patterned vase.

4. LILIES

Square Vase

The square vase is the perfect vase for lilies to blossom into a full bouquet that is sure to intrigued your guests.

Tall Slender Vase

Lilies are known to require fresh water daily and a tall and slender vase allows for easy refills and less spillage.

Bubble Vase

For those of you who prefers or have a smaller bouquet, this vase is perfect and looks super cute for the full blooms!

5. Orchids

Square Vase

A tall square vase will show off the elegant stems of your fresh orchids!

Oval Round Vase

The rounded shape at the bottom of the vase encourages the elegant curve of an orchid stem.

Bud Vase

By placing these stunning flowers inside a small, slim vase, the flowers do all the talking!

New year new…? If your living space is getting dull, there is absolutely no need for a completely new set of furniture or decor in your house. A tip we have for you! Sell the objects you don’t want anymore online or host your very own garage sale, then it wouldn’t be as much of a damage to your wallet when you do get these jaw-droppingly beautiful decorative pieces that would instantly revitalize your humble home.

Nature first! Here we have a selection of vases that would definitely make a statement. We’ll start with this Ceramic Charleston Jug Crackle Vase in Antique White that is so universal, it will go with many themes you might have around your house.

This next one is definitely a game changer! It is a Levitating Air Bonsai Pot by Blok ‘N’ Bolt Space that uses the Maglev Levitation Technology, it is perfect for small indoor bonsai or herbs that you might want to grow, and it gives the modern futuristic feel in your home!

If you don’t feel like crowding up your coffee tables, make use of your ceilings with these Hanging Macrame Terrarium that comes with a set of 5! Bargain! These glass terrariums will give your home the dreamy floating garden!

             

 

There is a quote in the interior design world that says 'Interior design is making the best possible use of the available space.' And with that in mind, I began to reminisce about the days where I used to live in a one bedroom apartment. I've always had a knack for designing spaces, - mostly on a budget.

With the cost of living constantly on the rise, now more than ever, people are living in spaces of a smaller scale. That doesn't mean you have to live with minimal possessions. With the right solutions added to your own space, you can have the world at your fingertips in the most organised possible ways. Here are just a few ideas I think will help you organise your space tremendously. And I'm talking about functionality, aesthetically and emotionally. The solution is pretty simple:

Images from Skona Hem, via French by Design, Nordic Bliss &  La Maison d'Anna G

Wall spaces should never go to waste if you're working with a small space. Wall shelves are the best way for one to maximise space whilst storing and displaying items in the home. These shelves come in all sorts of sizes and colours suited to your preference. They are also affordable. You can use a whole wall or place them on a desk or dresser. 

Images by Ingrid Weir, Annagillar.se & Houzz

All you need is a hammer and a bunch of nails to set the spots. The rest is all up to you. This functionally aesthetic idea is great for all corners of your home: bathrooms, kitchens, bedroom closets and more. Carefully nail the wall for your hooks. Or if you are feeling lazy, there are hooks with built-in tape so you can just seal it to the wall! You can hang many things, starting from your coats, pans, to mugs and bags! If you are feeling a little bit extra, you can always add on container baskets where you can fill and hang many more other miscellaneous objects you have laying around the house!

Image by Felbyen, Decorusa, Alex Carpenter & Tiny House Tiny Foot Print

Watch your head because it is another wall shelf hack! Although this time you make sure that you place it above your head, and closer to the ceiling. This way, it is out of people’s eye-view. Solely for the things that you possibly wish to hide but also at the same time, you can get away with people thinking you have put in the extra mile to make your small space looking tidy!

 These are just three ideas and tips to help you organise your space. No matter the size, there's always room for design! 

Gone are the days where chalkboards are only used in classrooms (though I do believe most schools have upgraded to whiteboards by now). Chalkboards have taken over the decor world. I love how it has such a rustic feel, and throws me back to some fond childhood memories of using it as a canvas while I scribble away with multi-colored chalks. When chalkboards made a come back, I immediately jumped on the bandwagon and began to use them in a number of home decor ideas, parties and even organising methods. Most trends come and go, but my bet is that this one is here to stay!  

CANVAS ARTWORK

Need a fresh look for an empty wall space? Try a canvas artwork. Not only will it add on to the rustic chic look, but you can customise it anytime you want! You can write quotes, or draw some art on it, too. 

LABELS

This super cute way to organise is my favourite of all. I use this for my pantry and also craft supplies as I move the materials to different boxes from time to time. Having a chalkboard label makes it convenient because I can just erase and rewrite whenever I like. I also use it to label wine glasses, mason jars or even mugs when I have a party and guests over by writing their names on it so no one gets confused and loses their drink. For labels, the scotch tape version with a chalkboard surface works great in terms of size and requires minimal effort.  

LIST BOARD 

I have lists for everything I do so having a chalkboard list in the kitchen works great for writing down the groceries I need to get. This also works for any other part of the home, making a list for your work space, daily chores, or even the ‘Specials of The Day’ in the kitchen! Another idea is covering your clipboard with chalkboard paint and using it for your lists. This way you can clip on your receipts, letters and bills too.  

DECOR PIECES  

Revamp old items around the house by giving it a nice coating of chalkboard paint and then creating artwork over them. The matte black of the chalkboard paint is a great canvas for not only using chalk but also for acrylic paint and metallic markers too.  

FEATURE WALL  

Here's a great way to make a plain feature wall functional and fun! Especially if you have kids, this wall could turn into a fun afternoon activity that will encourage creative stimulation as they can doodle on a huge canvas. It also works as a great background and backdrop for pictures. A friend of mine once used it as a backdrop for her wedding photobooth and it was completely adorable as they customised to their theme and it looked fantastic.