Instagram Inspiration: November

November 29, 2019November 29, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

feature image: Niki Brantmark of My Scandinavian Home via Instagram

by Marica Fick

Most mornings, while enjoying our first cup of coffee and checking our emails, we also take some time to browse through Pinterest and Instagram. It is part of our studio routine and, I would say, one of the key perks off being in the interior design and decorating trade. Seriously, we get paid to look at beautiful images – let’s just call it “Research & Development” shall we.

Every week we spot these amazing, inspirational, drop-dead gorgeous and down-right desirable images on Instagram. From beautiful interiors, furniture, and fabrics to lovely eateries and spaces, delicious-looking food and oh-so-fashionable apparel.

We would love to share this visual inspiration with you. Each month we will post a roundup of our favourite Instagram finds – anything that made us go “wow” or weak at the knees. The instant-likes that turned into #instalove.

Let’s kick off with the lovely feature image above.

This lovely wall light… (feature image above)

Blogger, Niki Brantmark of My Scandinavian Home, shared this inspirational image of a lovely little corner in her home. If you browse through her Instagram feed you will notice that this living room nook in her apartment in Sweden has changed and morphed multiple times over the years. I love the current configuration though!

The feature that first drew me was the gorgeous dove grey and brass long-arm wall light. The ever-evolving collection of framed art and prints on the gallery wall above her sofa further adds to the lovely Scandi feel.

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A post shared by Amber Lewis (@amberinteriors) on Aug 6, 2019 at 6:05pm PDT

This very chic-looking bunk bed…

Now isn’t this the most elegantly put together kids room you have ever seen? Designed by Amber Lewis of LA-based Amber Interior Design Studio, this space is all kinds of beautiful. From the sleek fitted bunk beds with wooden ladder and trim to the built-in book niches at the head of each bed. Not to mention the floating shelf storage unit at the foot of the beds and the stunning brass wall light fittings. The bright white and lovely rusty pink / coral colour scheme is so pretty to boot.

It’s clean, it’s contemporary, and it’s chic, yet playful and feminine enough for a little girl’s bedroom.Read More »

Decorating Dictionary: Define Barley Twist | via thedesigntabloid.com

Decorating Dictionary: Barley Twist

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

An early 20th Century Oak side table with barley twist legs joined by barley twist stretchers for added strength. | source: 1stdibs

Keegan Robinson, of Lemon Drops Reclaimed, chose a sleek black paint finish for this vintage barley twist occasional table which gives it a striking contemporary edge. | source: Lemon Drops Reclaimed via Instagram

What is the definition of Barley Twist?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “Barley Twist“, “Barley Sugar Twist“, or “Barley Twist legs” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Barley Twist for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Barley Twist: is a turned furniture feature resembling a spiral corkscrew-like form named after “barley sugar twists”, a type of traditional sweet / candy. Hugely popular in the 17th century, the barley twist was often a favoured choice for furniture legs, struts and decorative furniture trims. This turned furniture feature was inspired by the ancient Solomonic column, a twist-fluted column frequently used in Eastern and Byzantine architecture of the Late Antiquity period. Another variation of this design feature is called an “open barley twist”, which has two intertwining twists and a hollow centre, similar in shape to that of a double helix.

[Image Sources: 1, 2, 3]

Currently Coveting: ZCafe Rope Dining Chair

November 6, 2019November 5, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica Fick

I recently fell in love.

Who, you might ask, has captured my heart? Well, my dear readers, it is not a who but rather a WHAT. You see, I have fallen in design-love. My eyes have been a-wandering and my heart has been a-coveting.

Last month I was doing a little bit of online research and sourcing for our blog article, 10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets for Your Home. The search for some locally-designed bar cabinets led me to Egg Designs where I not only found their eye-catching Parquet Cabinet (featured in our post), but also a gorgeous chair that had me crushing hard.

The ZCafe Rope Chair is a gorgeous dining chair with a funky, contemporary African-chic feel. The chair has an almost tub chair-like design with a steel frame that features a woven two-tone rope back and a brown leather seat. I found the various colour combinations especially beautiful. The copper frame with turquoise and orange nylon rope detail must be my personal favourite… although the black, burgundy and yellow combination is just as lovely.Read More »

10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets | via The Design Tabloid

10 Sleek & Chic Bar Cabinets for Your Home

October 23, 2019October 22, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

feature image: PepperJack Interiors via Elle Decor

by Marica Fick

Last month, inspired by a post we spotted on Emily Henderson’s blog, we wrote an article about the current trend of using armoires, traditionally meant for the bedroom, as feature pieces in the rest of the home.

We accompanied the post with a lovely roundup of locally-found contemporary storage cabinets that could serve as statement display units in every room of your home.

Now, while I was prepping the article and curating our “8 Contemporary Storage Cabinets for Your Home” shopping list, I was quite astonished by the number of striking bar cabinets I came across during my search. Not only were these drinks cabinets absolutely gorgeous, they were also all local available – the majority being exclusive pieces designed and manufactured by South African designers. Elite to say the least!

I immediately bookmarked a few designs and made a mental note to follow-up our contemporary storage unit article with one about bar cabinets.

Where previously the open display of alcohol in the home might have been deemed a tad vulgar and Mid-century kitsch, the ever-growing popularity of boutique and craft spirits and liquors has resulted in a home bar revival. I mean, what is the point of owning beautifully designed bottles filled delicious, locally-stilled, limited-edition drinks and then not being able to show it off?! I bit hipster, I know, but I can’t help it!

Simonsberg Silos: Unique Cottage Break-Away

September 19, 2019September 18, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica Fick

If you are looking for rather unusual and whimsical weekend getaway accommodation, we might just have found the place!

Positioned on the shadowy lower slopes of the beautiful and majestic Simonsberg Mountains just outside Stellenbosch you will find two unique self-catering cottages. Used as grain storage and then stables in a previous life, the dilapidated old silos were lovingly restored by farm owners Alex and Sumari Milner into something all-together different.

The Simonsberg Silos are located on the leafy and historic farm, Natte Valleij, in the Klapmuts winelands district. The farm and manor house overflows with rustic charm. Seeped in history, the Cape Dutch homestead, old wine cellars, brandy stills, magnificent mature gardens with ancient trees, pergolas and ponds are all surrounded by whitewashed walls.

Decorating Quick Tip | Picture Frame Turned Chalkboard

Quick Tip #57: Old Picture Frame Turned Chalkboard

September 3, 2019September 2, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

With a fresh lick of paint, this ornate vintage picture frame becomes the perfect Shabby Chic decor accessory. | Source: HallstromHome via Etsy

The gorgeous classroom-green of the chalkboard paint compliments this vintage gold frame beautifully. | Source: Miss Mustard Seed via Instagram

Let’s get on with the next instalment of our “cool stuff to do with old picture frames” Decor Quick Tip miniseries. As previously mentioned, we dug up a ton of clever and curious picture frame DIY ideas. These inspirational tips are super quirky and playful – perfect weekend projects! In case you missed the first two posts in this miniseries, be sure to check out the previous picture frame tips, “Old Picture Frame Turned Jewellery Organizer” and “Old Picture Frames Turned Terrarium“. Today’s tip actually reminds me of a previous Quick Tip we shared some years ago where a chalkboard was created from an old door.

#57 Have some old or unwanted picture frames gathering dust somewhere? Think twice before you throw it out! Rather repurpose that vintage frame into a fun and functional chalkboard for your home. It takes minimal effort and supplies and would be a quick and easy weekend DIY project. All you need are a couple of unused picture frames, a backing-board, and your choice of chalkboard paint. Your frame can be an ornate vintage thrift store find or something cheap and contemporary from the local bargain shop – paint it, distress it, or leave it natural – whatever suits your decorative style best. Now all you have to do is replace the glass pane from the picture frame with a similar-sized board painted with chalkboard paint. Et voila – a lovely upcycled chalkboard for your daily to-do list, recipes, grocery store needs, or just for some pretty decorative scribbles.

Images Sources: 1 | 2 | 3