Have you been watching Kelly Hoppen on Channel 5..?

I stumbled upon this series quite by accident...whilst online....and I don't normally go in for 'reality' programmes, but I'm hooked...!
Each episode breaks down the design process into crucial factors...how to best use the available space, lighting, client needs, colour and texture...and Kelly comes across as incredibly patient as she deals with some pretty demanding clients...!
Anyone watching this series will quickly realise that being an interior designer is about much, much more than picking out a few accessories and paint colours...!!
Watch it here....Superior Interiors...but hurry, 'cos there's a time limit.

And here are just a few wonderful Kelly Hoppen interiors...

Kid's room decor...Rugs.

The clocks go back tonight...a sure sign that Winter is here, and a time for 'cosying-up' at home.
With this in mind, now's the time to consider adding warmth and comfort to a child's room with a decorative rug....be inspired by these beauties...!

apartment therapy

Stripes are always a stylish answer for kid's room flooring...and will compliment future room designs as the little ones get older.

danish by design

danish by design

designers guild

Kids are happy lounging or playing on the floor so consider an 'activity' rug that stimulates imaginative play.

Being an interior designer I love the 'floorplan' doll's house rug above....how smart is that...!

minimoderns

Retro graphic images look fresh and timeless...

 the rug company

...Or animals with a modern design feel...

linus dean

Look for design trends that suit your interior style...

trend hunter

Quirky shapes appeal to little minds...

rug store

I've always loved the Union Jack as a design feature...with the Queen celebrating her Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics coming to London next year this design is set to be a favourite for some time to come...

Jim Banks, the president of American carpet store KidCarpet.com suggests the following when buying rugs for a child's room...

Firstly, go for a fairly flat pile, it's easier to keep clean, is more durable and is easier to play on.

Secondly, consider whether synthetic or natural fibres are more appropriate for your needs...synthetics are more stain-resistant while natural fibres are more comfortable.



Mustard yellow interiors to inspire...

As with every Autumn, the trees are putting on a display of riotous colour...this year I seemed drawn to the yellows...and in particular warming mustard tones.
Here's a few ideas on how to use the colour at home....

LivingEtc

Style Files

Future Home Designs

Pinterest

Style Files

House to Home

10 Rooms

LivingEtc



Halloween is fast approaching...

...and I'm spending the weekend turning my demure little doggie...Deebo...

a six-year-old Staffie who, thankfully, just accepts his mummy's strange ways, into....

...Dracular Dog....!

For his first Halloween party...It's the first time, and the only time, I will be dressing Deebo up in this manner...a dog has his pride you know...although he does have a Winter coat and Christmas jumper!

I imagine there will be many 'Mummies' across the country putting together home-made costumes this half term week for their little ones...mainly human, I hope...ready for the eerie event. Good luck.

For some great ideas and instructions try Martha Stewart's website...

Here's a few of my faves...

Future postings may well involve Deebo modelling his finished costume...if I can get him to wear it that is!



'Kitsch' is back in vogue again...

Whilst not a new interior style...some might say 'anti-style'...'kitsch' has made a welcome return for the Winter months. Of German origin, the term describes replicated or mass-produced art that's considered a bit ostentatious...! Pippa Jameson, the popular interior stylist has described the trend as 'fun, bright, decorative and comical' and Wayne Hemingway of Red or Dead fame loves the style enough to have penned a pocket guide on the subject....!
But before you go racing out to your local car boot or pour over Ebay for 'everything tacky'...this season is all about moderation...a few quirky additions to add a touch of humour without going OTT!

The collection of Vladimir Tretchikoff paintings, dubbed the 'king of kitsch', on the wall of this elegant, mid-century living area add just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek humour required...

Look out for child subjects in a similar painting style for a kid's room...

Retro, 1970's inspired wallpaper prints work well when used sparingly in a pared-down interior...

There's no need to cover the entire room anymore...it's more about a statement piece this time round.

All those 'bad-taste' items you thought would never see the light of day again are back...! With a twist though...

A line of flying ducks in a minimalist interior, for maximum impact....for instance.

Or an iconic pink flamingo...as a simple wall mural....

Animal print fabrics, lava lamps and retro ornaments are all fair game, in small amounts!!

It's about creating a sense of quality with a little bit of your own personality thrown in rather than filling your home with cheap nic-nacs.

What's your favourite 'bad-taste' item of years gone by that you'd show off in your home today...?





Create a Donna Wilson inspired entrance for your home.

Much has been said about the Donna Wilson/Ercol collaboration since showing at London Design Festival last month...and all of it good, rightly so!
Here at Dreams and Wishes, we are particularly taken with the basket weave love seat...

Does it not make you think of a chair in it's very own winter jumper...?

We think it would look lovely in a white-washed Scandi-style entrance....like this....

apartment therapy

With a wallpapered feature wall from Cole & Son....like this...

muzic world

Add a collection of Donna Wilson 'animal' cushions....

And somewhere to hang coats....

swedese

rockett st george

An easy-to-clean dhurri rug on the floor....

And some storage, like these large baskets, for all the 'nic-nacs' that seem to gather by the front door....

Finsh off with a vintage French hall lantern....

And there you have it....what do you think?
Fun, quirky English design from Donna Wilson meets classic Winter style from Scandinavia....

An inspiration for my business... Jan Eleni.

I'm being interviewed tomorrow for a local children's events magazine.
It got me thinking....about my business...designing children's rooms, my inspirations and role models and my goals for the future.

Certainly, in the Summer of 2006 when I was contemplating a return to the world of design, the chance reading of a Cookie Magazine article on Jan Eleni, the New York based children's interior designer, persuaded me that my musings on a similar vein were not as fanciful as I'd first thought....an opportunity to start my own design business followed within weeks...and I jumped at the chance!
Dreams and Wishes, children's interiors was launched...

Jan Eleni told Decor8's Holly Becker that she started her business to break away from typical 'cookie cutter' style room designs and involve the kid's in the design process to best achieve a result that everyone would be happy with....both these aspects have strongly influenced my own motivations for my business too.

I continue to be a great admirer of Jan's work and visit her website on occasions to catch up on new projects... see for yourself her unique style and flair.....while I go away and prepare my interview notes...!