The student life: how to make that space your own

Its so exciting, a proper life milestone event you’ve been waiting for, having your first space to yourself away from home.
It surely has been a different couple of years for University students, navigating the pandemic with remote learning, but the future is bright and this autumn spells back to on compass learning with lots of Universities open up again.

While of course an exciting time, and the culmination of a lot of hard work, investment and sacrifice on the student’s behalf there is no doubt it has the potential to be daunting, a real pivotal moment. A welcoming environment will be of paramount importance, the positive effect on wellbeing not to be underestimated. A safe space to thrive. A bedroom but so much more. It doubles up as study area, sometimes quiet space to dine, a space to unwind, often a space to entertain friends. If you’ve chosen University halls often that space is in a very confined 4 walled space.

As you know we are big believers here at Signaturize that your surroundings can have a huge effect on your overall health and your contentment levels. We believe it is one part of the pursuit for holistic wellbeing. Perhaps a few well-chosen decor delights or cosy comforts from home could start you off strong and settled. Starting strong is often the key to success.

Let’s not beat around the bush student accommodation generally can be very much hit or miss, it can range from the most basic of boxy rooms with a bed, desk and storage to something much more sophisticated and elaborate. Back in the day my first room in halls was the former rather than the latter, it had all 3 of the aforementioned pieces of furniture built into one, while ingenuitively multipurpose I won’t lie it was a little claustrophobic. Even my second year in a lovely newly refurbished townhouse, shared with friends I picked the short straw with the smallest room at the back of the house. The truth is whatever hand you are dealt in terms of size and quality of accommodation as soon as you make a room that bit more personal you will benefit from that effort you have made to make it feel like your own. It is a small investment but it will without a doubt give back.

It stands to reason that in shared accommodation the bedroom will be the one place that is truly your own, so with that in mind focus on sanctity and rest here. Make the bed as cosy and comfortable as you can. Don’t skimp on throws, cushions, extra pillows. For me the bed doubled as my textbook reading sanctum, my late night girlfriend catch up zone and my laptop dvd marathon nights (there was no ability to stream Netflix back in my day!). The best bit about this, upgrading the cosiness of your bed space, is you can pick up the loveliest bed extras and accessories for such unbelievable value, so its a no brainer that this would be a super, easy investment, choosing them in your favourite colour scheme will quickly make you feel the space is truly yours to live in.

Another easy addition is to treat yourself to new bed linen. I recently invested in some new bed sheets and duvet cover from the Dusk sale I am beyond impressed, lovely selection, great value, super quick delivery and the quality seemed just great. We have no student aged kiddos just yet but it even felt like a mummy treat to me in the midst of the back to school chaos and subconsciously it probably was a physical comfort in the midst of the unsettling effect that new beginnings bring at this time of year. Its a time of year I truly love and relish but there is no denying it is super busy if you have a family and the changes sure do zap a lot of my energy. As I sip my second strong coffee typing away in work this morning…Getting a good night sleep is key to success no matter what stage of life you are in, not least at Uni. If choosing your bed or mattress isn’t an option then do think about getting yourself a mattress protector, it can refresh a bed and with even options available in memory foam they can make a real difference to your comfort levels.

The next question you can ask about personalising your new space is, is there anything I can do to improve the walls, can I add some artwork? Of course when renting or in short term contracts it can be tricky if the landlord has stipulated not to damage walls but one tip the best interior stylists will give you is to create impact by propping artwork against the wall, or on top of items of furniture. Super easy trick and can look so homely and bohemian. Wire or clipped pin boards are also fun, and a lovely way to display photos and momentos, seeking to break up a clinical space with colour and personality.

Have a think about lighting. While you won’t want to be, or likely wouldn’t be allowed to play about with fixed lighting features in a short term space picking out a new shade can transform a dull pendant light into a fun feature. Also investing into a feature table or floor lamp can add that extra wow factor. Again there are some amazing value lamps on the market, which would reflect real intentionality and design flare for your new space. What do you think of these? As you well know adding in lamps can create a much calmer, more restful mood than the harshness of an overhead bulb lighting the whole room. With so many fairy and festoon style lights on the market too there are endless possibilities to create some lighting magic.

I almost forgot about the main reason that you are there, as a student, to study. Had you forgotten as well? Easily done. So do you have a comfortable space to work? All the best interior advice for studying or WFH will say if you can place a desk near a window you are on to a winner. The reason being all that natural light and fresh air you can soak up, is good for everything; for your mood, for your concentration, for your eyes…or if you are like my dear old friend in a global pandemic working a stressful city job and trying to keep up with the demands of that remotely you will make friends with a stray cat, by you looking out your window. We used to get daily updates from her, the cat eventually would jump through the window for playdates, a lovely new buddy to keep her sane in the midst of work stress. The daily anecdotes got lots of us through our own stresses via the communal messaging groups when navigating lockdown life. So yes a view out to nature and the world around can be an added bonus if you’re feeling lonely. To make that happen think of comfy chairs, extension cables and storage to hide the mess…Its not rocket science just a little diligent prep and you’ll be laughing all the way to the end of term exam hall. Well maybe not but you will have a comfortable space to while the hours until you get to that point. If you are anything like me the real exciting bit is making that important choice, aesthetically pleasing stationery. So tidy space, tidy mind or whatever that phrase is. Don’t do what I do and literally spend hours tidying so you don’t have any time left to study, but big boxes like this are useful to throw everything into at the end of the day.

You’ve heard the experts eulogise about a good chair for studying at the right working height. It does make such a difference. I bought this one from Amazon a few months ago, I love it, it is super comfy and it makes me smile that is isn’t the usual black, shiny leather swivel version that is usually the only option for office furniture. Its feminine and functional. It really ticks the box for me. Amazon have some amazing office furniture options, I got this corner desk. It is super value and a functional large working space, for the corner of my office that gets the brightest light. You can find me here getting my brightest Signaturize ideas on a frequent basis. I won’t lie the flat pack challenged me slightly, as it always does, but I got there in the end.

So with all my suggestions if we’ve haven’t already blown the non-existent student budget an absolute final thought to leave you with is what about investing in a houseplant to complete that new room look. Yes I know what you are thinking, I will be doing well to keep myself fed and watered and subject to a little daytime light sporadically never mind an inanimate object. Just bear with me, consider it a new living being to brighten up your space. That now overused phrase a way to bring the outdoors in, and all that. They also just look pretty and can be inexpensive. Start with a succulent or two, they literally need zero TLC and are a genuinely visual delight. Here are some cute plant pots to get you inspired.

All that is left to say is have fun, make memories and pinch yourself daily that life doesn’t get much more carefree than this. As cliched as it sounds believe me it is 100% true…although I haven’t experienced retirement yet…

Being sensible and choosing longevity when it comes to Kids Interiors; or go mad and indulge in the fad?

Age old interiors dilemma type question today on the blog; how do you invest in your child’s bedroom decor knowing it will stand the test of time? As in, how can you be smart with your style choices on your child’s behalf so that they won’t outgrow the space you have created for or with them…

I don’t have all the answers and actually I will admit I am struggling to start with all 3 of my kids’ bedrooms (I have 4 little ones but the twin girls share a room). I am really thinking through what will be the investment pieces of furniture and what will be the bits that are easier to change up over the coming years to keep in with their whims and fads. I have a couple of furniture choices in mind that I will let you in on and I hope to actually make some decisions and see some progress this autumn, I make it sound simple don’t I? We could still be pontificating this time next year I won’t lie….

When I saw this from Loaf a few months ago I fell in love with it. It appeals to me on so many levels, the scale, the robust classical shape but its the cheeky wink of my favourite shade of coral pink inside the tips it. The girls were spoilt with gorgeous matching outfits when they were born, it turns out (in Ireland especially) people adore the thought of dressing two little girls the same so 2.5 years later we are still working through some of those beautiful pieces, and i have adoring grannies on both sides who actually take any excuse to buy their little cherubs a new something. Be it Easter, one of their brothers’ birthdays, it being the second Thursday in June (I’m jesting but honestly I have a mum and mother in law who express their love through gifts, it is a wonderful problem to have. But yes a good big wardrobe would be a good idea for the girls as currently they are making do with a small mobile rail designed for a few bits of fancy dress and I’m not sure how much longer we have. So as much as I love this (The Grand Pimpernel from Loaf), at £1345 it really is an investment. I haven’t asked our graphic designers to make a 3D model of this product yet but I also have an inkling it may be a little big for the specific corner of the girls’ room I am thinking of. The Lola Wardrobe from The Oak Furniture Superstore and the Chantilly Double Wardrobe from the Cotswold Co are currently a very strong contender for an investment piece for the girls’ bedroom; and coming in at £1079 and £750 respectively they make the eyes sting a little less in terms of price point. Gentlemen if you are reading this from our Creative Hub team this is a spoiler ahead of the next product request list…

Finding your Favourite Flavour

Tell me this, are you like me, do you find it hard to define your interior style? If someone were to ask me on the spot I would really struggle. Not because I don’t know what I like but because your interpretation of a word or phrase may be different to mine. “Transitional” may cover it, “eclectic” even might work, they seem “catch all” enough, vague enough to pass myself with an answer.

Let me chat to you about what I don’t like and that might help you understand what I do like; how perfectly, perversely Irish of me to arrive at my destination in this roundabout way. So when I say “Contemporary” interior design I assume you think like me, clean lines, maybe some glass, metal, marble even, shiny and generally cold to touch materials used. There would probably be a quite contrasting, stark colour palette involved if not incredibly minimalistic with only monochromatic shades on offer. That is how I see a space that is described as contemporary. Hands up, I have to admit “clean lines” contemporary interior design is not my absolute “go-to” choice, there of lots of it I admire but it isn’t generally my favourite in a room full of things.

Logic would follow that to dive into the opposite of that would be to think of traditional interior design. But this is where it gets tricky for me? Because if you wanted an either/or answer; do you prefer contemporary or traditional styles of interior design? I would struggle to say traditional in case that the traditional you mean when you say traditional is not the traditional that I like. Traditional can so easily and so often mean the overly embellished ornate details, lots of patterns, old fashioned rich colours, lots of damask, tassels, fringing, velvets and heavy fabrics. That may be your automatic mental picture of a space designed in traditional and that is not my thing. So what do I like about more traditional interior design? I do like warmth, I like the use of textures and fabrics, I like the odd curve and squishiness to my furniture. I found Décor Aid’s overview of traditional style super helpful in shaping some of my understanding on this.

Mirrors

Something new for the Signaturize design challenge this week, another one that everyone can get involved with, and it centres around choosing just the right mirror for your dream space. The challenge this week asks you to channel every tasteful, neutral modern farmhouse vibe you can muster up.

When we think of who does chic modern farmhouse better than no other we think of the exquisite Shea McGee of Studio McGee fame. The lovely folk at Studio McGee have already done some of the hard work for us on our blog share this week.

Click here to check out this piece from the Studio McGee blog all about how to choose the perfect mirror for your space,

Like I say they have done lots of the hard work for us with their informative piece on finding just the right mirror. So remember, think size, think finish, take into consideration the other furniture set ups within your room and as always have fun with your choices. Life is serious enough these are the fun, frivolous decisions that we should just get to enjoy!

Are you a fan of Boucle?

You hear the term Bouclé? What do you think? Me, I see Jackie O in her Chanel fitted, textured tweed jacket, looking (in Craig Revel Horwood style mimicking rhetoric) fab-u-lous. Many have tried to recreate the look since but it is hers to own originally, she nailed it and etched the sophistication of the fabric in our minds forever. So yes for me Bouclé is synonymous with Jackie O levels of sophistication, and stand out chic. In interior design then you can see then why bouclé is a mark of luxury when used in furniture upholstery.

This past while I have loved seeing so many naturally textured fabrics, from heavy wools, to shearling, fluffy mohair to today’s blog star of the show bouclé in magazines and social media feeds. Often these types of high octane texture are pulled out for show only in the winter or for festive novelty on the high street when our hygge appetites are high but after plenty of time indoors this past while, and a self confessed desire for comfort and reassurance in our surroundings it looks like these fabrics may be set to become commonplace staples and part of the fabric of our room set-ups, quite literally. It stands without too much explanation that we live in a time when comfort and that feeling of cacooning safety are paramount to us. It is arguably part of that essential well-being, need for self care, mental health priority that you don’t have to go far before you are reminded is vitally important to us all.

What is lovely about bouclé of course is that it is a natural material. We have chatted about before here at SIgnaturize about our love of bringing the outdoors into our homes, in small and big ways, and natural fabrics and fibres are such a great way to do this. Its subtle, its tactile and its visually incredibly impactful to contrast textures within your home. When you stick to a narrow colour palette, that contrast of textures it what sets your space apart and avoids the space looking flat and “samey” and two dimensional.

So what actually is bouclé? What does it mean? It is time for the outcome of my bouclé fact-finding mission, my favourite geeky bit of the proceedings. Bouclé is a French term used for how the wool (sometimes finer fabrics like silk) is manipulated by being looped and curled, it literally means “looped”. It became a hit in the interior design world in the 1940s; the story goes that Florence Knoll (as in Parker Knoll) requested that Eero Saarinen designed a chair that “is like a basket full of cushions to curl up and read a book in”. She got what she asked for and the Saarinen’s Womb Chair in Knoll’s Classic Bouclé was born as was the world’s interest in a truly unique look for the home.

For me the standouts pieces upholstered in bouclé are those striking curved, voluptuous armchairs you see a lot of at the moment. I think they speak of femininity and softness just beautifully. It is no coincidence that you see bouclé used in rounded furniture a lot because I found out in my research that the way the fabric is made means it has a malleability that lends itself so well to curved and rounded furniture edges. It makes sense that the springiness of the wool and the slight “imperfections” of the looped bumps of the bouclé would hug the curves of the furniture much like the classy femininity of that infamous Chanel Skirt Suit. There is a richness and enveloping nature to this whole look and the properties of the material really work hard to serve their purpose.

So why do so many go mad for bouclé? Why is it so popular? For me, the “chic-ness” (if you will allow me to fudge that as a word) comes from how French bouclé can look. No one more sophisticated that the French when it comes to fashion, interiors, curating a “look”. A classic piece of pale cream or white bouclé sofa is go to look in modern Parisian interiors. To not sound contrary on this it also has the ability to bring the simplicity of the coveted scandi look into our homes with ease, in the very same breath.

When incorporating bouclé into a sacred space in your home I love that as a material it has a Mid-century vibe, so it can counter looking too cutesy or girly girly by bringing in a bit more of a edgy and positively retro feel. For me it’s the material of contrasts, it achieves a precarious balance of being enduring and substantial in its heaviness yet soft and delicate, it seems durable and reliable yet totally luxurious and indulgent, it seamlessly blends in but is striking and stands out too no wonder it really is having a moment in the interiors world. It has a cacooning quality. In short it is especially adept at covering organic shaped pieces, it has a lot of give to allow for the curves. I think it is this organic quality that speaks to us and means it adds to how we relax in a room. There is no doubt it adds warmth and character to a space.

To continue on with the theme of material properties it has great acoustic absorption. I haven’t yet experimented with much bouclé in my home but I intend to as with plenty of tiling and a focus on glazing throughout we are in need of more of this softening from a sound perspective, and general enjoyment of a space. It is also great for small design details, even from my high level scouring of images and articles the cookies have already led me down a path of bouclé decorative knots avenue with me distractedly comparing sizes and colourways from Etsy sellers. Don’t tell the boss.

Joking aside I am inspired to experiment more as it can be costly, I am not going straight out to reupholster my beloved wedding present curved sofa in boucle any time soon. It can be a costly design choice, so to start there are much more achievable ways to include this all-rounder textile look in your home. You won’t need to go far on the high street or scouring online to find bouclé cushions and textured throws, on a really palatable range of budgets. One suggestion I did see as a suggestion from an online retailer of how to include Boucle into your home was bedsheets, I have to say I draw the line here. I am naturally warm blooded and the thought makes me clammy and uncomfortable as I type. Saying that all that I read says how the natural materials used are breathable but, I am happy to some day stand corrected, give me Egyptian cotton in whatever thread count you’ve got for a cool, crisp sleep of legends. Like I say happy to be corrected if you’ve contrary advice for me.

So to close off because we are big proponents of originality here, of keeping things fresh, personal and fully on trend to the one person that actually matters most, you, so how might you style up bouclé in your own home? We think it contrasts brilliantly with no-nonsense unashamed wooden furniture like straight edged tables this would help to neutralise it becoming overly glam if that isn’t your thing. Dark sultry walls colours can also be the perfect backdrop and stop the look from becoming too safe. Want to go even more daring on the contrasts think about clean lines of quartz, marble or concrete style furniture and see what happens with paired with boucle. Or final inspirations for you, how about some vintage style leather vibes to contrast the soft fluffiness of your bouclé? Play about with what works for you, you will see from the images included of the model above how clear the textures of the 3D renders are and that gives you a real sense of how the fabric would work in your space. Go and have some fun and see if this look is for you. See what your space can be.

Reimagining your home as the creative nucleus for your life.

Dear friends, bear with me on the trite questions coming your way…do you want to make your house a home? Would you like your home to tell a story, to tell YOUR story? Do you want your home to truly reflect you? Doing what we do here at Signaturize we know first hand that most people will, and do, answer yes. Of course I want to live in a home, not a sterile house. Of course I want to live in a home that truly reflects me (us) and tells my (our) story, and truly reflects my (our) personality. So for me the answer is straightforwardly simple it is the question that has started to infuriate me slightly. The problem for me with all of the above is that I want to scream I’ve heard it all before. It all sounds really stale and really over used by now, is it just me or has the house to home terminology become like over played buzzwords by this stage of the game? It is almost like just a given. Of course we want to make our house a home, the real burning question is the how behind it all? How do you best make your house a home? I am learning we actually navigate this “how” in very distinct ways.

I hate to categorise but again bear with me on this one. Again doing what we do here, these are the questions we are constantly trying to ask ourselves and weigh up and see how we can be even more relevant in our sphere. What we have noticed is often folks fall into one of two categories. Some people relish this “house to home” task, the challenge of how to tell a story with their given space. They not only relish it, it just comes so naturally to them. They instinctively can match colours in their head. Disclaimer, even using the term match is actually probably slightly controversial and inaccurate, colours don’t even have to match, lets say colour mix. But these people, lets call them home décor enthusiasts for ease of reference, these home décor enthusiasts aren’t afraid of colour. That isn’t to say that they only like bright colours, no they may indeed be staunch neutral lovers, or monochrome fanatics. Its not the actual colour preferences that matter here, the mixing or the matching, it’s the idea that they aren’t intimidated by the task of choosing their colours. So tick box number one generally, home décor enthusiasts embrace the challenge of colour, they also enjoy the pursuit of finding THE right items for their home.

These home décor enthusiasts are the friends of mine who describe that it is genuinely like a past time to them, that when they get their kids to bed at night, they aren’t really interested in sitting down to watch TV instead they fire up the iPad and they spend hours scouring home retailers, Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, bargains and any house-y procurement they may need at any given time. In a nutshell they are the TK Maxx home department lovers. The H&M Home aficionados. They are partial to being suckered into a glossy interior magazine at the supermarket checkout. Generally they carry a lot of their favourite colour palette, textures and spatial fit of things in their head and from there and with some give and take, some trial and error and a good sprinkling of time their home evolves. It evolves beautifully as a little reflection of them, an evolving piece of them because it supernaturally comes from within them.

Decorating is a journey, one which the home décor enthusiasts enjoy as much as the actual destination of the bespoke, oh so pleasing to their own eyes finished space they end up with. They are generally self-taught (many go on to be professionals because they relish it that much) and they really enjoy their gifts and confidence as home enthusiasts as being a part of who they are. Much like someone naturally sporty and co-ordinated relishes a game of tennis. It is a true past time and not a chore, thank the good Lord for home décor enthusiasts who make it look easy, who inspire us with their beautifully effortless spaces and bring lots of fun and ease to the whole process of home décor. They are often the friends you will text for (this one or this one type) advice or bring along to the bathroom tile showroom with you for solidarity in making that final decision. They often embrace the collaborative aspect of designing interior spaces and appreciate it can be a fun journey to go on with your friends and family.

Great so that is a home décor enthusiast covered in my over generalised stereotype style description. Next up what we are finding is that there is another person at the other side of the continuum and for want of a better description they are the “home décor phobe”, as negative as that sounds that is the best we can do for now, open to all naming suggestions should you have anything better. Generally we have found it isn’t that this person doesn’t care what their home looks and feels like, or that they don’t have great ideas, actually the opposite is often true. Instead the home décor phobe just has real difficulty with all the decisions and parts of the puzzle that need to slot together to get to their dream space.

Colour is often the first stumbling block for the home décor phobe, visually they struggle to piece their favourite colours together or for them the challenge is simply too intimidating. The risks are too high and often you will hear people say, “I just can’t visualise how it will all piece together”. They want to see it all before they commit, the journey for them is fraught with indecision and conversely there can be way too much choice. The allure that there is always the potential that there is something else out there or just the plain simple fact that they do not have spare time with whatever they are juggling in life for home décor choices to be a priority or one of their strong, innate skills. There is no judgement it is just how it is. Much like how I described above if you physically struggle to hit a tennis ball you really wouldn’t choose to go play as a relaxing past time. I now risk getting very gender stereotype specific, and appreciate lots of females out there aren’t like this but hands up I have no interest, knowledge or factual basis to go out today and buy a car. If I spent hours reading reviews, test driving them and quizzing sales people I would be able to eventually make a decision BUT I can tell you right now I would have very little enjoyment in any element of that process and there is a strong possibility despite my preparations I may well buy a dud. I would be intimated, I would be internally nervously questioning my financial investment and hands up I just can think of lots of other ways I would rather spend my time. Yes, as selfish as it sounds, I want the fully functioning, safe, comfortable, shiny car to drive at the end but for me personally the process involved to get to that point is far from enjoyable or my innate skill. Can you relate? This analogy of the car buying is how I imagine a home décor phobe may feel about the home decorating and design process.

Of course these rigid boxes I have conjured up probably don’t even exactly work for any of us, as stereotypes rarely do. What I have learnt in my 12 years of marriage and sharing various homes with my husband is that we naturally fall on both sides of this spectrum and then there is a little anomaly overlap in the middle too like those Venn diagrams you used to draw at school. I would say I am a home décor enthusiast by and large. When given the chance I relish the challenge to transform a space into my own as best I can, my one bit I struggle with is the mental visualisation and planning element of the shape and form of a space. So I need a bit of help with the spatial side of furniture layouts and what will actually fit. On the other hand my husband does not enjoy the finding, research process, he would say himself he lacks confidence with colour selection but he is an engineer by background so his sweet spot is how things will fit and interrogating how they are made. In short colour, texture, look and ambience are really important to me and I would say it can feel like a relaxing whiling away of time for me too (sometimes I reach my limit of the time involved in the process). I imagine that my partner in crime cares about the functionality much more than he would enjoy piecing together the colour and visual elements. While not a true home décor phobe he certainly wants to get to the dream space destination more than he would truly enjoy the journey to get there.

So where does that leave us. We don’t believe you actually should feel pigeon holed or boxed or denigrated in any way, quite the opposite. If by nature you are more of a home décor phobe then you might just want to find some tools, great resources (which there are many about) and a few kindly friends (or professionals) who are home design enthusiasts to help you out. To help you get to your definition of great home design, to help you resonate with a space so that you feel like you’ve arrived “home”, to get what looks like home to you from your head and your heart and have that creatively reflected in your space. You may just need a little hand holding so that your space becomes a real self expression of who you are, so that you feel empowered to reveal that self expression even if you naturally don’t find the process particularly easy. There should be no question of following any rules, or whether something works or doesn’t work, if it works for you then it works in your space, you are allowed to mix and match. It’s your home so we will let you in to a secret you are allowed to do exactly whatever you want. As cheesy as this sounds it should be an extension of who you are. The really clever skill, and at the risk of bursting any idealistic bubbles before we have even got is getting to the point where all the users of the space are on the same wavelength, that is a tricky but (believe us) achievable challenge but one we will have to pick up and come back to at another point in the blog.

You will have heard us coin our own phrase around here, life promoting spaces. We believe this is the process of designing spaces with how you live your life in mind and consciously thinking how could I make this space better, we believe everyone has the ability to create a space that you arrive at and actually feel limitless potential to be all you were made to be. It sounds lofty we know but we have seen first hand, how even small changes to your home environment can have such a gainful impact. We leave you with one question if you were given permission to make your home the creative nucleus of your life what would it look like?

Japandi – The imperfectly perfect home

Today we are going from Japandi to Wabi Sabi to acceptance of the imperfect reality, the aspirational dreams of what your idea of perfection may look like in your home space and a really nice chair that maybe encapsulates all of the above. Are you ready? Hold on to your coffee cups.

Hands up I had NO idea what Japandi and Wabi Sabi were but when I do what we all do when we don’t know the answer to something, and googled both, the pictures that came up showed imagery that was not at all new to me.

First I will take it a step back we have being seeing Scandi in interiors for years now, it is everywhere and I don’t say that to be disparaging even one teeny bit. I love it, and obviously we all do because it is a staple look and such a trusted go to style. With the fundamental pillars of Scandinavian design being functionality, great craftsmanship, unashamed simplicity and no compromise when it comes to beauty what is not to love? Stereotypically in design Scandinavians prioritise maximising natural light and there is usually subtly brilliant well thought through multi-functionality at play too.

My admirably adventure spirited parents took us on a family trip to Sweden when I was in my early teens. We had friends who had family connections there so we were introduced into rustic Swedish homes and welcoming sprawling summer parties on beautiful holiday-going islands which I can no longer remember the name of. Without divulging my age decades later I can still clearly see the muted palettes, the welcoming vibes, the restrained delectable fabrics, the exquisite sophistication of everything in sight. I don’t say that lightly, it stood out all those years ago that the Swedes just nailed it when it came to tasteful interiors.

But what then is Japandi? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to decode the hybrid terminology for this evolved trend. I will admit archetypal Japanese home design isn’t a vibe I am just as au fait with. My natural assumption of Japanese home design is the elevating of minimalism, the prominence of natural wood and my mental view features furniture being low laying.

I have warned you before about me getting my interiors research geek on. Have you ever heard of “Fusuma”? Well no I hadn’t either, before you completely write me off for this being a blog where you find out how much I don’t know I will unpack that one as all. Fusuma are sliding wall panels used in the construction of houses in Japan, typically made out of wooden frames with paper or cloth fabric on both sides. The screens are secured by discreet rails in the floor or ceiling and can slide to move easily out of the way. The idea is that you can partition off parts of your living space depending on the needs, so that you can go from cosy, intimate times to space for larger gatherings when you are hosting loved ones. This concept blow my mind, I had never heard of this before but if that is not an ingenious example of life promoting spaces I am not sure what is. You will have heard us banging on about life promoting spaces (if you want to refresh check out our blog on _ to understand this lens by which we do what we do here at Signaturize).

Sound travel and privacy would be the first obstacles to incorporating Fusuma walls into my lifestyle anytime soon, but it is a concept that truly is fascinating to me and makes so much sense in terms of versatility of living arrangements and to meet that demand of changing needs of your lifestyle as your life evolves, even seemingly from one week to the next.

So back to this concept of Japandi well it’s a look that has evolved, bringing the best of both the modern wholeheartedness of Scandinavian design and the classic elegance of a Japanese interior aesthetic. At Signaturize we have weekly rhythms of new product selections where we decide what new models were are going to get our amazing team of designers to make for our app. Sometimes we come together and they are differing opinions on what is a priority and what should go straight to the “ridiculous ideas bin” (that doesn’t actually exist but if it did. This product was the opposite, there was no debate, it was proposed and loved by all and the reason I share it is because to me this chair is the whole “Japandi” vibe in a single chair and at [£ ] the amazing price point was another added bonus. It is simple and stand out all in one and for me it showcased this simplicity and elegance that I think we have really embraced when it comes to Japandi. Its popularity it seems is derived from its ability to be minimalistic, wholly functional, cosy and welcoming; with touches of beautiful imperfection which leads us on to this notion of Wabi– Sabi.

What really strikes me from Koren’s description is how Wabi-Sabi encourages the avoidance of the trap of monumentalising our homes, this really stopped me in my tracks when I think about how I need to accept the transience of our home. It makes me think of when we first started seriously thinking of building our family home. My eldest son was 2 when we bought the site for the self build and I even think we may have completed on the purchase the day my second son was born, funnily enough I can’t quite remember the exact details on that. But our children were very small and we probably had it in the very back of our heads that we may even be blessed with more little ones some day. Least did we know 2 years later we would double the troops. My reason for sharing that is I remember my (meticulous) husband panicking one day were we being totally ridiculous should we not wait 10 years until the kids were more sensible and wouldn’t totally wreck a lovely brand new house. I got his reluctant because let’s face it children can be animal like in their mess, crumbs, smears, chips and tears but we both knew it was part of the territory of family life and the opportunity for the space and the building of memories has to outweigh the risk of the damage and the mess. My husband’s reservations sound ridiculous when you rationalise them but how often do we do it when we keep things (I’m thinking handbags or certain clothes) just for good? Surely every day is a good enough excuse, a year in loungewear proves that point perfectly.

I’m struck by this subversive notion that the walls can move, that a home environment needs to change as the parameters of life change, that you would consciously embrace that process, that the objects inside of the home are allowed to be used, enjoyed and there will be an aging and decaying in that process, much like you would never resent a wise, older member of your family aging and slowing down. Just like there is with nature, there are visual changes to the seasons and to me our souls really thrive on that cyclical process, the changing of colours the muted colours of the death and decay and then the bright expectation of the new life. Wabi-Sabi is appreciating beautiful things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, much like we see in nature. Just wow, the art of appreciating the beauty in the naturally imperfect world, there is something quite “breath of fresh air” like to me about this the more I unpack it.

At the risk of over simplifying a sacred principle Wabi-Sabi is known to originate from Zen Buddhism, I think the visuals of this are helpful. Research suggests this important part of Japanese culture originated from a tea ceremony performed in Buddhism, in this ritual of purity and simplicity prized bowls that were handmade and irregularly shaped, with uneven glaze; the incongrous beauty of these particular bowls are celebrated for their deliberate imperfection. So rather than begrudge the inability to maintain the pristine, this ancient ritual actually elevates the acceptance, and celebrates the beauty of the naturally imperfect. Made in Design are a trusted retailer we love working with, they sell these amazing Kintsugi tableware illustrating this ancient craft.

So let me leave you with this thought you won’t find Wabi-Sabi in any perfectly co-ordinatinated magazine shoots, you won’t find it in airbrushed stylized pictures, you won’t find it in that unachievable filter picture perfect instagram life, and you certainly won’t find it in Botox sheened foreheads either, or indeed in any of our subtle but tireless quests for self-improvement. Instead it’s the embracing of the beauty and simplicity that is accentuated through the daily work of living. It is about cultivating the sustaining beauty of what’s natural. It is the counter cultural, radically simple choice to accept the process of change and the rolling on of the seasons of life. Perhaps when we can find the freedom that comes with being more accepting of the imperfections of the world, and surrender ourselves to the transience. This abandoning of the “perfect”, boy I think this philosophy has the potential to simplify every aspect of the way we live. I’m in.

Far from Arcane: The Exoteric Relationship we have with Wicker in our Homes.

You will have noticed cane is having a moment when it comes to furniture. It has been for a while; I can just be slightly slow on the uptake when it comes to this kind of trend. I will let you into a secret I am always a little reluctant about interior trends if I’m being totally honest. I ignore them at the start as I like to see if they will pass quickly but if I keep seeing things and I keep liking them then I will start to consider whether they are something that truly deserves my attention. I won’t lie there is probably a little arrogance on my part at play, that I don’t necessarily want to like what everyone else does. What that psychologically says about me I don’t want to know. So often by the stage I truly notice a trend they are probably viewed as passé, I’m not too bothered, nothing worse than committing too soon and then regretting it. So what is so great about cane, and rattan for that matter?

Well I like the idea that it is an alternative way to bring those soothing natural wooden tones in your home. On a practical note it is lightweight, hardwearing and relatively less costly alternatives than investing into solid wooden furniture

More than anything I love how it is a fun, an easy on the eye way to bring texture into your home. The neutral palette that is endemic to cane and rattan also helps it slip into the background in a very easy-going way. So I will start by saying I have had to mentally unlearn the memories of the slightly nasty wicker furniture with garish fabric coverings that your granny may have had in her conservatory circa 1971. No that is not what we are talking about here, we are talking tasteful, discreet, fine textures, nothing garish and no orangey aged pine tones, no thank you very much.

Even if I am slow to the (rattan) table on this one as a trend it shows no signs of retreating. It is no longer compartmentalised to just outdoor furniture, rattan has earned its rightful place in our hearts and throughout our homes not just our conservatories. From headboards, to lampshades, to the ever-practical baskets, the options are truly endless. For me it is the tactile element of rattan (and cane) that brings texture and intrigue to any room. For me its major appeal lies in its uncomplicated design, and brings a casual breath of fresh air no matter what the style of your home.

So I will admit when I start to look into these kind of topics for the blog I geek out slightly (major understatement) and cast the net pretty (far too) wide. In general I have to admit this character trait both engenders my husband’s (mild) admiration but mainly his absolute despair. You know that phrase “Go hard or go home”, with all things research or simply being asked an opinion anything I go very wide before I can meander my way slowly home to a committed opinion. I like to be fully informed, I think I’ve my legal background to blame for that one, but anyone of a similar ilk can perhaps empathise it can be a frustratingly slow path for us wide net casters. I digress, so when I started to look into this topic I was interested to find out that cane and rattan both come from the rattan palm plant, grown in South East Asia. When it is deconstructed, the thin inner reed is removed and used as cane and the outer thick husk is what is known as rattan. Closing off on my geek out do you know what wicker is? Well hands up I didn’t, it is the collective term for both, it describes the process of how cane and rattan are made.

This got me thinking if both parts of the plant are used, this must mean reduced amounts of waste, which in and of itself flicks our switch as it indicates it is fairly environmentally friendly when it comes to the production side of things. The more I researched on this I found that indeed wicker is a very sustainable material given the plants fast growing nature. In terms of material properties it is extremely malleable which is how the curvaceous silhouettes can be achieved so magnificently.

Stemming from my fear of growing tired of a “look” I think personally I would be reluctant to invest in a major piece of furniture in rattan, although there are some stunning headboard and sideboard options out there there is no doubt. In terms of a great value for money piece this Chest of Drawers made by Fernleaf available to buy at Wayfair ticks all the boxes. It would add a great piece to storage to any room and is so inoffensive in its look. I don’t say that to berate this dear piece by any means, when talking about a person inoffensive can signal weakness, here I genuinely mean this doesn’t offend the eye a definite tick box for furniture shopping. It is clean lines simplicity mixed with soft, calming textures and tasteful drawer pulls. We loved this Fernleaf piece so much we have 3D models made up to represent this piece so that you can see whether it works in your dream space too, you can thank us later. This piece in question is particularly super value coming in at only £277, however I have spied Cane pieces recently, I assume because of the workmanship involved, that would make the eyes water slightly. Being the hub of amazingly creative, resourceful people that it is I have loved finding instagrammers who have taken to upcycles and ikea hacks of otherwise ordinary pieces of modern furniture to add cane webbing panels, totally full of ingenuity and the kind of thing I could loose hours watching videos and critiquing. We especially love these efforts below from The House That Black Built (shared with permission) we love that you can’t get more personal, unique and individual than making it yourself.

So to wrap up this rattan love fest let me leave you with one of my favourite visual cane and rattan inspirations recently from Elle Decoration. Handelsmann & Khaw Interior Design Studio in Watsons Bay, Sydney, home designed this exquisite mid century beach-front home, the wicker details throughout bring such a distinctive feminine and eclectic quality. I love how cane and rattan are used in different ways throughout the home, from the cane webbing in the kitchen to the curved rattan chair in the living rooms. Subtle, authentic and really fun, we don’t think cane or rattan are going anywhere as a design staple in our homes. As always love it or loathe it please let us know your thoughts, we love to hear them.

Is Mid Century Style your thing?

While I’ve painted a picture of carefree excess, that was just a little fun to set the visual scene, conversely the rationale behind the interior style of the mid-century era is that of paired back minimalism. The idea being that all the smallest details of functionality were so important, because you see all the detail, it is not hidden, and the thought is that if it is made well the item will last forever. Of course we at Signaturize LOVE that. You have heard us harp on about investment pieces for your home, about buying once and buying well so yes no surprises we are lovers of mid century style.

We have spoken about before check out our blog post on this earlier this year that throwaway culture of furniture is (fingers crossed) changing, and certainly we hope that the world is wakening up to the impact that the brands we buy can have. Hopefully this leads to folks being keen to buy timeless items that they won’t tire of. So let’s dig a little deeper why is mid-century style just so popular, and set to stay as a staple in our interiors wish lists. In short it seems many of us love the understated, unobtrusive vibes, it is arguably a timeless look and fits really well within our modern homes.

Interestingly when we were researching Mid Century furniture we learned that the Eames chair was one of the only iconic furniture items that never went out of production since it was first produced in 1956. If you look at the detail on an Eames chair is exquisite, with the beautifully carved wooden casing the comfy leather sumptuous seating. It was ahead of its time ergonomics wise and its totally timeless style is what sets it apart.

So can you indulge me in a little personal critique?

I will admit I have a little bit of a love hate relationship with mid century style. There are elements that I love and bits that do jar with my natural style preferences. Confession, I actually love unnecessary detail (print, textures, curves, yada yada…) so for me the restraint of the mid century style has the potential to feel a little too claustrophobic, a little too perfect, just that bit too neat. It is actually quite funny as me, and Mr Signaturize, lovingly (as we both probably want to throttle each other) describe that we are each other’s ying and yang. That restraint, those clean lines are his ultimate interiors happy place. He is an engineer by background so it does make sense. I am quite content and feel at home with a little ruffled up chaos in my midst, it adds to the drama of my life if you will. I can totally appreciate the craftsmanship of exquisite mid century style; I understand the theory that the clean lines act as a resting point for the eyes in a busy room. I get that it is a concept perfect for lovers of minimalism, that the quiet beauty of the furniture style means that each piece will hold its own in a room. It can just feel a little masculine and exact for this wannabe hippy at heart.

Rightly or wrongly I see the clean lines and my automatic reaction is that I like furniture to be more comfortable, more squidgy and more of the squish into kind. To me the streamlined aesthetics of the mid century sofas and chairs with cushions give the perception of rigidity and discomfort. While I’m there I can find the prominence of Teak overwhelming and a little oppressive. Saying that this is where the yang to my ying really does deserve the credit where it is due. He is also the king of the investment piece mentality (buys things and then never throws them out, literally one new pair of jeans each year until then fall apart). He certainly buys once and buys well, it’s a quality I totally admire and have learnt a lot from as I have veered to more is more and wanting it yesterday in the past but am slowly unlearning this mind set.

Never known to be one to rest in any negativity, what do I like, as I have indicated already I really respect the workmanship involved. The Eames chair that my husband invested in for his study is probably the comfiest, calmest space in our house to read and meditate. It is totally designed for this purpose and hits the mark spot on. I do appreciate the simple silhouettes and the tapered legs in mid century design generally and these are the elements I like to replicate and appreciate in my design, I’m just not an all-in mid century lover. After all, it is totally personal, we cited this point precisely in our design tips this week. You shouldn’t have to talk yourself into an interiors purchase, often you will have a gut reaction and that is good, roll with it. I have had to compromise slightly and I am glad that my eyes have been opened to parts of the mid century style that I too quickly may have overlooked previously.

We look hearing from you. Is mid century interiors style your thing?