Air of Romance

With each new year we all make resolutions that we swear to see through. There's always that thing we want to do or that thing we want to get or something we want to change. We make promises to eat healthier, sign up for that gym membership, quit smoking, get our lives organised...the list is endless. This year I realized that life needs, well, more life! More laughter, inspiration, spontaneity, purity, sensuality and last but not least more romance. 

Romance I fear has been somewhat lost to our generation, only to be found in books that hardly anyone reads. Furthermore, romance has become associated to many teenagers' delight with fictional characters in Vampire movies and series. Anyway, that's besides the point. Whatever your idea of romance is, pursue it... Consequently, In my pursuit, I have compiled some images of inspiration of the 'air of romance'.

romantic style bedroom in soft cream

The key to a romantic setting is light. Soft light seeping through light and sheer curtains that billow in the slight breeze.

gold gilded dining room

The second key to romance is in the details and embellishments. Hand-carved, hand-painted, hand-stitched and hand-drawn artifacts give the impression of time and care put into them. Additionally, they imply that each one of them is unique to its owner, its time and place. 

embellished bedroom

Sometimes romance is simplistic.

white and silver bedroom

Other times elaborate. 

fairy tale inspired cradle by Giusti Portos

Romantic bathroom designed by Servio Firmino

Other times mysterious.

romantic canopy bed

Sometimes innocent and playful.

countryside romance

softly draped yellow curtains

There's so much more to romance than we can possibly imagine or put together. Our idea of it varies from one person to the other. I hope however that we all seek it... after all, what harm could come of it? Thus with these few words I bid you all good wishes for the new year and a year full of romance.

Disclaimer: I do not own these images and I have not referenced some because I collected them a while back. I have referenced those I could. 

TREND: NEUTRAL

 neutral colour scheme living room

There's something very calm and serene about neutral schemes in a home. They create a classic and ageless style. They often give off a clean, natural and airy feel to a space. Varying hues, tones and textures makes it easy to increase or decrease the warmth of a neutral palette.

It's much more than beige walls and pale white furniture. Its really about natural and subtle tones working together to form an overall image. All one has to do is look at nature for inspiration to get up to date with the neutral trend.

Neutral living room  

"Our growing concern for the environment and its woodlands is reflected in this palette with colours which are reminiscent of cut timber, bark and cork- warm, gentle shades that are easy to live with and relaxing. 

Clay and earth tones express both the natural environment and the natural materials of sustainable craft work for communities across different cultures.

 

Pales and soft off-whites create feelings of light, warmth and serenity but with character. This array of off-whites and greys can be used together to create a layered look that will add depth, dimension and interest.

  

Understated greys allow for maximum combination possibilities with a wide variety of tones from other palettes- try with mustard yellows, corals or teals for a high fashion look.

Deeper shades like clay and slate grey are architectural colours that put over a mood of contemporary chic. They offset warmer and brighter shades beautifully and give depth and definition to pale warm neutrals. "

                                                                                                                                        - Dulux

classic 60's art deco, neutral colour scheme living room

I came across this chart of earth tones and thought this is the direction for a neutral colour scheme. Very subtle hues and very serene colours. 

Earth tones

 If you're looking for neutral, find inspiration from nature and layer all these qualities together for a fresh, light and serene space. So don't think boring, think classic and don't think beige either, think timeless. Go for it.

xx christina xx

S.C.U.L.P.T.U.R.E

         

abstract, african and sport sculptures

Sculptures are to homes as accessories are to outfits; very necessary. These home accents can adorn your home and give it character and style. Decorative busts and wooden sculpture accents can blend in perfectly with both traditional and modern home furniture. Poly-stone and resin sculptures provide great options for both indoor and outdoor decor.

eclectic mix sculptures

Don't be afraid to mix and match styles,materials, shapes and sizes. What I really like about the image above is the eclectic feel it gives. Modern meets traditional. For those who have no clue what style they would like in sculpture,  mixing the styles could help you compare and contrast what suits you better. I think it would be absolutely stunning to have that roman bust on a pedestal in a foyer. The gold lamp sconce would be a great bold statement but the leopard print chair sculpture could be an acquired taste to design 'newbies'.

figure sculpture on pedestal

 

table sculptures

 

Urn sculpture

 Here are some outdoor sculpture ideas. Figure statues often give an air of romance and fantasy to a garden. They compliment traditional gardens and the more they age, the more beautiful they become. For those looking for a better fit for their modern garden, abstract stone or metallic sculptures would create the perfect accent.

 slave girl sculpture, lady in garden, fairy sculpture

abstract garden sculpture

I would recommend looking at the 'Art Gallery Buy Sculpture'. It's a site that makes it easy to visualise the sculptures in the space. So if your looking for an accesory to match your fabulous home, look no further. There are sculptures of all shapes, sizes, colours and materials. Bring the romance and fantasy to both your indoor and outdoor spaces with one or more stunning pieces. Happy shopping everybody!

xx christina xx

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS CREATIVE

This blog is dedicated to the appreciation of Art, Architecture and Interiors… this is the beginning of a great adventure based on CREATIVITY and the constant search for Knowledge, Beauty and Innovation…

I am interested in sharing my ideas as well as discovering new and interesting works of creativity and design…

Being an Interior architect and an Artist, I started out my projects mostly from a drawing board or a sketch book (as most artists do anyway) , waiting for the BURST OF AN IDEA to spill onto my paper. And as most artists can tell you INSPIRATION does not come from nowhere. It’s a spark that is ignited by various elements like senses, words, feelings, memories, situations, accidents (the list is endless)… So this blog gives me a chance to ignite my creative spark and perhaps to share it with others.

My search for INSPIRATION begins…