Decorating Dictionary: Hygge

April 18, 2018 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

What is the definition of Hygge?

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

Hygge: (pronounced “hoo-ga”) is a Danish term, or rather philosophy, that refers to a sense of cosiness, comfort, hospitality, and a general feeling of contentment, happiness, and well-being. Hygge, which can be used as both a noun and a verb, is a cultural ideal and can be closely linked to social togetherness. The term is also widely used in Norwegian and is fast becoming a global expression. In view of its unique and relatable meaning, the interiors industry has latched onto Hygge as it personifies the subtle comfort and cosiness of certain spaces.

Watch this video on Hygge…

[Image Sources: 1, 2, 3]

Trend Alert: Bold & Moody Interiors

April 11, 2018April 11, 2018 Design Monarchy1 Comment

by Marica Fick

You don’t have to pour over every single one of our blog posts to know that Marica loves loads of colour in a bright, white space. The white-on-white interior trend, inspired by those lovely bright Scandinavian spaces, has long been an industry darling. While a white backdrop will always be a popular go-to choice, the past year we have seen the winds changing.

People are starting to yearn for something a bit more substantial … darker, moody. If there was one home trend that seemed to eclipse the others this past year, it was the gradual shift towards dark and rich tones.

Trend Alert: Bold & Moody Interiors | via thedesigntabloid.com — source: Adore Magazine

Even I, lover of white, have succumbed to the inky siren’s call. Maybe it is the approaching cold of winter that has me longing for a dark and cosy nest.

I think, however, the element that finally convinced me to move to the “dark side” was the deep jewel tones often paired with these inky interiors. The only thing I love more than a white backdrop is an array of bold jewel colours.

In fact, that is one thing that most trend predictors agreed on last year – the insurgence of vibrant jewel tones. The beauty of these gemstone colours is that they are bold, loud and impossible to ignore in a room. It instantly fills the room in with warmth and drama.Read More »

Decorating Quick Tip | Old Drawer Turned Table

Quick Tip #52: Old Drawer Turned Table

March 13, 2018 Design Monarchy1 Comment

source: Decor Viva!

source: Happy Together

Last year we concluded 2017’s Decor Quick Tips on a high note. For those who can recall, it was the very fun idea of transforming old dresser drawers into quirky under-bed storage units. I have since stumbled upon so many clever DIY ideas on things to do with old dresser drawers – enough to keep us knee-deep in interesting tips for a good few months! So, without further ado, here is the latest playful tip in our “awesome stuff to do with old drawers” Decor Quick Tip miniseries…

#52 Have any old and unwanted dresser drawers gathering dust in the shed? Hold a sec before you toss it! Why not repurpose that old drawer into a quirky side table. All you have to do is attach some salvaged legs to the bottom of your drawer (even the folding legs of a TV tray would work). The style of your upcycled table will take cue from the drawer and legs you choose to use. Attach some tapering wooden cone legs for a Mid-century feel or use metal filing drawers for a more Industrial look. Give your drawer a fresh coat of paint or leave it natural or distressed if that is your chosen style. Choose a knob or handle that will complement your chosen table legs.

Images Sources: The Driftwood Home, Decor Viva! & Happy Together.

Decorating Dictionary: Define Zebrano / Zebrawood

Decorating Dictionary: Zebrano

February 27, 2018February 26, 2018 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

source: rare woods SA

source: reidwood

What is the definition of a Zebrano or Zebrawood?

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

Zebrano or Zebrawood: is an exotic wood of the Microberlinia tree found predominantly in central Africa. The wood, which is golden brown in colour with pronounced dark brown streaks, got its name from its resemblance to a zebra’s stripes. Because of its decorative appeal, Zebrano is often used for veneers or inlays as well as custom furniture and accessories.

[Image Sources: 1, 2, 3]

Pinterest Picks: Lovely Living Rooms

February 20, 2018February 18, 2018 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Rose and I were pretty excited to get stuck into our first Pinterest Picks blog post of 2018. For those keeping tally, this is our fifth post in the series, having previously selected our favourite bedrooms, nooks & niches, workspaces and bathrooms.

Now, I have the word “were” emphasised above for a reason. Turns out, this was our most challenging Pinterest Pick post yet! In fact, we reached a point of such frustration that Rose remarked that she was “getting very disillusioned with Pinterest” – gasp! Why was this so difficult? I don’t know. Maybe it is because we both have such a specific picture in mind for our ideal living room that the beautiful lounges on our board were just not cutting it this time. Nevertheless, we soldiered on!

Just to quick refresh on this series and its criteria: we are in essence playing a little game of “I wish“, as in “I wish I had that interior” – be it lounge, bedroom, kitchen or anything in between. After spending some time scouring our various Pinterest boards, we each select our favourite interior image – the space we most desire to have as our own. We then explain exactly why we coveted that particular space and if there is anything we would like to change.

Naturally, we ended up choosing two “runner-up” interiors… because deciding on just one room is just too difficult!

For this instalment, we decided to select our favourite images for our “Living Rooms” Pinterest board. The board is a collection of Design Monarchy‘s favourite and most beautiful lounge/living room finds.

After much, MUCH deliberation, here are our top 3 nominations for the loveliest, most desirable living rooms…
Read More »

The Shades of Love

February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

by Marica Fick

While I am not a huge fan of ole St Valentine’s Day (far too many corny clipart and cheesy soft toys for my liking), we could not let the day of romance slip by without sharing some kind of love-tinted content.

Previous years we have shared a few no-cheese Valentine’s Day ideas including a post on Galentine’s Day (in my opinion a far superior celebration), a stylish Valentine’s Day picnic, and of course our very punny V-Day printable gift tags. The gift tags are still available to download if you are looking for a cute something to round off your loved one’s gift.

This year, we thought it might be a good idea to put an interiors spin on our Valentine’s Day post. A side note – do yourself a favour… DO NOT google “romantic interior“. The search results looked like a cream lace bomb exploded all over a powder-pink french boudoir – not my idea of romantic… or a tasteful interior for that matter.Read More »