Dining area
11. Consider your options Can’t find what you’re looking for in the shops? Try thinking laterally and repurposing other items. In this quirky kitchen-diner, a garden trellis has been cleverly upcycled as a pot holder. The lack of kitchen space didn’t hinder the design, as the owners have made a feature of the rack in the dining area.
Nevertheless, you’ll see a lot of original designs in Nordic homes that don’t cost as much as that Poul Henningsen lamp. We also pride ourselves on finding future classics early, and design democracy is at the heart of that well-known superstore brand’s business ethos – love it or loathe it. Emerging designers often look to our past designers for inspiration, but part of the charm of Nordic design is that it is constantly reinventing itself.
1. Open Up the Doors A back door onto the deck used to be the norm, but to really blur the boundaries, bi-fold, French doors or wide, sliding doors are the way to go. Opening up the doors on lovely summer days brings in welcome breezes, and will turn your deck into an inviting, natural home extension where you’ll love to spend time. And even when the rain is coming down and it isn’t practical to spend time outside, a wide expanse of glass will ensure a view of the deck, so the space continues to feel part of the interior aesthetic.
And what better way to encourage such a chic habit than by installing your own 1960s-look mini bar. In the style of Mrs K, keep it classy rather than kitsch by going for unfussy lines and introducing monochrome, geometrics – or, as here, both. Steer clear of pineapple or palm tree motifs and novelty glasses and make it dignified enough for a mid-century president too.
12. Keep the drinks trolley stocked No hip New York-style apartment is complete without a space for socialising. The drinks trolley here is the ideal spot to stash a selection of cocktail ingredients, as well as some interesting silver essentials. Keep it tucked away, ready to pull out to a central spot when needed.
Recess time. This works well if you want to experiment with shapes and statement lighting. Make sure your recess stands out by painting it a different shade (take your cue from this image). It’s also a neat idea (literally) to have the shape of your furniture reflect the recess above. Case in point: the circular configuration of this dining table and chairs looks balanced below the matching recess.
Some appliances have stood the test of time for both their function and form, and this is certainly true of the AGA. This iconic cooker was invented in 1922 by Swedish Nobel Prize-winner Gustaf Dalen. The physicist had lost his sight in both eyes 10 years before in an experiment gone wrong, but blindness did nothing to dampen his inventive nature. He set about creating the world’s first heat storage cooker for his wife, to make cooking more efficient.
Warm wood Wood is a well-suited companion to rose gold accents. Look to your wooden furniture or accessories as colours in your palette, rather than textures or finishes, when creating a scheme to surround your rose gold objects. The warm tones of most woods complement the golden and pink tones in rose gold. The organic texture of wood also softens the harder feel of this rosy metal.
White walls As a general rule, white is an excellent backdrop for rose gold, especially when you really want your rose gold to be the star attraction in the room. As is the case with most colour pairings, white doesn’t compete for attention, allowing the warmth of rose gold to shine. The result can be a serene palette with a pop of sunny glam.
Gorgeous grey Next to pink, grey is one of the most popular colours to coordinate with rose gold. This is in large part because the cool character of grey absorbs any garish elements of the rose gold. Next to orange, rose gold might look a bit more brassy and loud. Grey, by contrast, creates an elegant background that allows the subtler aspects of rose gold to shine.
Very large bed head
Next to table
Adorable kitchen eatery
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