Copenhagen Design Week

At the start of this month the Copenhagen Design Week took place - a whole week of talks and presentation featuring mostly Scandinavian design.

As a big fan of Scandinavian furniture design, I was extremely dissapointed that I couldn't go - and geography kept us apart. But luckily some feedback from the events gave me the chance to learn about some great new designers - and I got some great ideas for my living room, which I am currently redorating (when am I not). Here are some of the things I wish I'd managed to get too.

Four Design - clean lines at their best, this event showcased the work of Christina Strand and Niels Hvass, personal favourites of mine.

Interstuhl - Are you passionate about chairs? I am - and so are the people behind interstuhl, which means a passion for chairs. The designers behind these chairs drew inspiration for the chairs from international trips, and that's exactly what I love about design: it's functional art in everyday life.

We:Do:Wood - Scandinavian design largely revolves around the use of high quality wood, so I think this event would have been at the top of my list, with the up and coming Danish furniture designers behind the event discussing to mix functionality with beauty and susainability.

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Return To Your Childhood!

The Den Bed

Do you remember the time as a youngster when you used to build a den in the bedroom with the covers so no one could find you? Well don't worry adults because heres your very on to take you back to your childhood days!

Let me know what you think of this fantastic looking bed and wither you would ever stick this in your room? Probably more of a guys bed since guys are known to be big kids anyway, or maybe you just like the style of it?

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Makeover

Sometimes you don't have to go overboard when making over your living room, you just need a bit of thought. I don't mean a fresh coat of paint nor do I mean shifting the existing furniture. But there are lots of other things that you can do besides.

Candles in alcoves set off the contrast between the furniture and the wall spaces in a way that gets you part of the way there. But there are other things....

Stenciling - This is an easy way to decorate a rather bland background, but you have to be sure that the few designs you make are what you want, otherwise you might as well try.....

Grafitto - given a bad name by it's modern counterpart Grafitti, grafitto comes from the Italian word for scratched, and it involves painting a wall twice, then removing some of the upper layer in order to show the contrast between the tones. This is a good bit more difficult but it is far more pleasing upon the eye if done well.

Lastly, think about the curtains, I do prefer to have blinds, in the midwinter they can be completely closed, yet I seem to think they let in more sun in summer. Perhaps it's just in my mind.

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Bespoke Living Room Design

Some designers would have it that you buy their ideas for your living room. They believe that because they had a theme in their heads, and because they are paid to design, you should accept their theme.

But isn't the way you feel in your own living room far more important the holistic dreams of some person with their head in the clouds. That is why sometimes it is better to pick the individual peices of furniture on their own merits and put them together the way you like it, even if it is just to enjoy the deliberate juxtaposition.

And besides if you by the entire designer range, it would probably cost a fortune, when you could trawl your way round the furniture shops built out of town, of course you could just buy your furniture online.

In order to keep your mind free I have decided to omit my usual collection of images.

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New Table And Chairs Set For The Summer

Roll On The Summer



Recently when I was out shopping I decided it was time to get some garden furniture in place for the summer. You make think it’s a bit early but there are some good deals on right now and it saves going back up in the summer when the shops are packed and more than likely sold out of the tables and chairs set that you’re after.

You can’t beat a warm summers day sitting out the back door and add a tables and chairs set to that and you’re on to a winner. Prices weren’t too bad with most starting from about £50 upwards for a decent set. After a half a day or so I decided to go with a fantastic wooden set which I got for around £60 (pictured left).



If you have a spare 5 minutes and have had any experience with this kind of tables and chairs I would be interested on what you think of it or if you know of a better bargain out there worth discussing. So feel free to leave a comment or two.

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Modern Black & White : Light with Dark

This is the new decade so we ought not go back to the old days, but that doesn't mean we can't learn from the past.

Contrast can have a striking effect in your living room. But it doesn't have to be as stark a contrast as Black/White. Why not try a dark brown against several shades of cream.

Lately there has been a 'thing' for metallic effect in furniture design, but it is certainly not for everyone. And to go down a more natural look to your furniture doesn't mean a move away from straight edges. Modern finishing on even the most natural wooden tables gives the effect of a contemporary living space.

Remember, these are just ideas, for your own living space you can always think 'outside the box.'

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Welcome

This is my new blog where follow all the trends coming up in this new decade for furniture design, and concepts in layout for your living spaces.

We look at everything from retakes on classical design, to everything that is modern and forward thinking. We also know that these days modern living spaces are no longer as "one-size-fits-all" as it once was. Nowadays we settle back in converted loft areas, in studio apartments, we have even seen renovated churches turned into residences.

Therefore we need furniture design to complement the spaces we choose to entertain friends and family. From corner-sofas in place of the classical long sofa for the bijou apartment, to dining tables which with a few small adjustments can accommodate any extra dinner guest you might choose to invite.

Remember to bookmark this site as we will be regularly updating this site, to keep YOU informed on all the new ideas in the world of design.

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