WOODLAND

Get back to nature and be inspired by your favourite woodland creatures

Summer’s in the air, the weather’s been very good for a pleasant change and everyone wants to get outdoors and back to nature, and it looks like the interiors world is following suit with this year’s biggest trend, woodland.

Yes that’s right our favourite forest dwelling creatures are the inspiration behind this year’s interior design trend.

Birds have been in vogue for a while, now the focus is on owls.  In terms of animals – foxes, rabbits and badgers are the key animals that epitomise this woodland theme.

So bring a bit of the wilderness indoors to help you get back to nature and keep up to date with the latest trends:

Pet Sounds by Mini Moderns – €49 a roll at Garrendenny Lane.  It features a woodland cacophony of music making creatures. Badgers have never been so cool, or so musical!We will soon have it in stock in the tea towels and cushions too.

Mini Modern’s Owl Rug €560 and Pet Sounds Wallpaper €49 a roll

The Moo wallpaper features farm animals but there are some rabbits there too – go on, see if you can spot them!

And we couldn’t get much more woodland than the gorgeous fabric wall stickers by Love Mae

These stickers will be arriving to Garrendenny Lane Online within a couple of weeks.

Decorating Ideas for a Nautical Bedroom 

Kids Bedrooms

Nautical fabrics by Voyage

The nautical look is great for boys’ bedrooms – blue being the ‘boy’ colour and of course, navy blue is one of the main colours associated with nautical style. Antique white and rust red are the other two essential components. Which colour goes on the walls will depend on the size of the bedroom but I would suggest either the white or a paler blue for the walls – adding the red and navy as the accent colours in order not to be overwhelming.

Accessories can vary from themed pictures and lamps to putting an oar on the wall or having a boat-shaped bookcase – it all depends on the age of the child and their enthusiasm for all things seafaring. Striped cushions make a great addition to the room too.

Adult Bedrooms

The nautical look can be great for guest bedrooms in particular as it looks so fresh and inviting. Keep it elegant.  Simple striped fabrics and cushions will look simple and fits the theme perfectly. The key is not to overdo it, particularly not overdoing the number of nautical accessories.

Stay away from little cute lighthouse figurines that will just look like clutter. These are often too literal and will look cheap. Instead, try hanging a large faux anchor or oar on one wall instead of the obligatory painting. This will become the focal point and statement of the room while still keeping things sleek and modern. It will be able to work with your existing design style.

Living Areas

 I think a nautical look for a living room that is used all year round might not be so popular during the winter months but it can be great for conservatories as it looks so fresh and crisp.

The main things to pay attention to are the colours and materials used. Use natural materials associated with boat building as much as possible – wood and linens for example. Rush or simple wooden chairs, striped fabric, tongue and groove panelling painted white, plenty of cushions and you won’t go wrong.

Beachcomber fabric by Parkertex

The main thing is not to over do it and remember it is possible to create a more aged look to the theme in areas such as studies by simply putting old maps on the wall, placing a globe on a desk or bookshelf, using heavy silvered desk lamps or even wallpapering with designs such as Zoffany’s Trade routes wallpaper. Items such as an old trunk for a coffee table will also add to the theme without being overbearing.

Outdoor areas

We work so hard to bring the garden indoors by building on sunrooms and conservatories so that we can be nearer to our gardens during our inclement weathers here in our Emerald Isle. Why not bring the indoor outside especially as we may actually be lucky enough to get a good summer this year? If you wish to create a nautical theme in your garden or even within the seating area in your garden – here’s some ideas.

Opt for decking rather than a patio. Landscape with tropical or tropical-looking plants. Alternatively a gravel area with some large pieces of driftwood with grasses will look spectacular as well as being easy to maintain and creating all year round interest.  (I bought 3 large and interestingly shaped pieces of driftwood for €50 about 2 years ago and I have to admit they are still just sitting there on the gravel waiting to be turned  into a feature but it will happen!)

How about installing a sturdy rope hammock? It will add to the theme as will create a lovely area to lie and relax with a book. If using an umbrella, choose a crisp white or a dark navy.

Again, don’t go overboard with the accessories. Simple floor cushions in a striped fabric, as well as crisp blue and white cushions on your rush or wooden seating will create the look perfectly. Some simple Cornish ware or spotted jugs for your Pimms will complete the look.

Greengate items

5 Key Tips

1. Remember the main colours for a nautical theme: Red, white and navy

2. Don’t overdo it with the whimsical accessories such as too many lighthouses

3. Having 2 or 3 key accessories will create the theme so choose them carefully

4. Use natural materials as much as possible

5. Consider the function of the room and decorate accordingly

Designers Guild launched 5 new furniture ranges this season

There’s Julep, described by DG as An evocation of a vintage chair that has grown into a small collection of pieces with slim, curved, float buttoned backs. The two chairs and individual bench sofa are all designed to be perfect for use in those areas of the home where space may be a little restricted.

Soho: This contemporary design achieves an architectural presence and provides maximum comfort with the latest filling techniques and internal steel frame. The show-metal underframe is available in a variety of different finishes which gives graphic line detail to both long and short sofas.
Gibson: This design was inspired by a simple twentieth century chair and developed into a unique range of furniture. The convex shaped front line detail is seen on all the chairs, daybeds and continues through to the oxbow shaped stool.
Brooklyn An informal and timeless design offering extreme comfort through an internal steel frame and the latest in high technology fillings. This sofa with its individual seat detail is available in two sizes and is finished with fully removable covers.

Cosmopolitan: Inspired by the classic chairs of the nineteen fifties, this small chair and sofa with geometrically buttoned backs is perfect for a variety of locations.

Which chair/sofa are you? I would like to see myself as the small Cosmopolitan chair with sleek buttoned back – in fact, I expect to see that in the mirror but unfortunately what looks back is more like an overstuffed Victorian Queen Anne armchair!

According to the experts, blues and turqoises are the colours for 2010 so we’ve selected some fab wallpapers and fabrics in that colour range – from aquas to peacock blues!

Designers Guild’s Monteverdi Teal -Flock wallpaper

Designers Guild – Trianan Turquoise wallpaper

Designers Guild – Rocaille Azure wallpaper

Designers Guild – Watelet Turquoise

Designers Guild – Rheinsberg Turquoise

Sanderson’s Options: Dandelion Clocks

Mysterious by Carlucci

Yukari Sweeney: Manor House Damask – Winter

Chivasso di Carlucci

Lorient: Fumiko wallpaper

GP & J Baker: Emperor’s Garden

Designers Guild: Hayward sofa

Now, I could go on and on but that’s probably enough blue eye candy for one day. All of the fabrics and wallpapers above can be ordered from Garrendenny Lane   Have you got a favourite? I think my favourites are Watelet and Manor House Damask.

This blog usually contains posts about interiors and today, I am going to write about how something that is positioned on the exterior can really affect your interior – Solar!
We have considered getting solar panels or tubes ourselves and at the moment, are investigating wind turbines. We definitely need some system of generating electricity, partly to become more ‘green’ and partly to save money as our electricity bill is €1000 every 2 months because of having a dairy farm.
Having solar is a no brainer in so many ways – using heat from the sun to heat your water. Money aside, how often do you leave the immersion on by mistake during the summer? how often do you think it is on only to test the water before you jump into the shower and find it is still cold?
I had a great chat with Matt of MP Solar recently, a true gent who works hard, really believes in his product and is convinced it is the best on the market. He estimates that solar tubes can pay for themselves in seven years yet should last for between 15-25 years.

Do check out the MP Solar website for lots more information. Matt also advises that people should apply for the grant (just in case the government abolishes it although it is unlikely) which can be worth over €1000.