The Best Bits of This Month's Interiors Mags (May 2016)

May - Perfect Pattern!

It seems strange writing about May's magazines whilst we're still in March so I thought I'd wait until April before posting a review of the latest avalanche of magazines to drop through my letterbox (that's my excuse anyway!).

Homes & Gardens this month is packed full of pattern! They have dedicated a large part of their May edition to pattern and have a useful guide in their article called "Playing with Pattern" which starts on page 140.  The article gives examples of using different patterns within the same colour palette, using bold pattern and colour to create statement walls and using small scale pattern to create receding walls, against which you can use bolder patterns for the window treatment for instance. In addition to the article on using pattern, the homes featured show how some of their readers have successfully used patterns to great effect.

Homes & Gardens, May 2016 (page 140)

Homes & Gardens have asked a number of interior designers to share their favourite patterned fabrics and wallpapers.

"The Chosen Ones", Homes & Gardens, May 2016 (pages 56 & 57)

Amongst their favourite fabrics are:

* Beldi - a relaxed embroidered linen by William Yeoward (available through Designers Guild)

http://www.designersguild.com/uk/fabric/william-yeoward/beldi-bleu-fabric/p14165

* Foreal - a stunning 18th century French print designed by textile designer Phillipe de la Salle and produced by Edmond Petit at Turnell & Gigon

* Gaya - a beautiful print by Brunschwig & Fils (available through GP&J Baker)

http://search.brunschwig.com/Brunschwig-and-Fils-Print-Beige/BR-79625.015-1328/ItemInformation.aspx

* Aurora - a lovely big blousey print by Paulo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam

http://www.nicholashaslam.com/en/product.php?product=591

I will own up to having been afraid of pattern in the past, often admiring it in other people's houses and in magazines but afraid to use it myself.  Since working in the interiors industry though, I have learnt to love it and love the effects of mixing different patterns - I do it with my clothes (a flowery scarf with a stripy top for instance) so why not in my home?  And it's certainly an effective way to add character to a room.  I will post an update on my sitting room later but here's a sneak peak showing how I've recently used pattern in my own home (also see my earlier posts about our guest bedroom and second bedroom).

If you love pattern, check out the Shropshire home featured on pages 104 to 107 in 25 Beautiful Homes this month .  

 "Fitting Tribute", 25 Beautiful Homes,
May 2016 (pages 104-107)

Not to be outdone, Ideal Home also has a feature starting on page 48 called "Pick the Perfect Pattern" in which they give advice on choosing and using archive fabric and wallpaper prints.

"Pick the Perfect Pattern", Ideal Home May 2016 (page 48)

As usual, they feature their chosen Top 10 Wallpapers and this month have delved into the archives and come up with a selection of modern papers which have their roots firmly in the past.

News, 25 Beautiful Homes, May 2016 (page 12)

In their regular News item, 25 Beautiful Homes has chosen to feature all things "Moroccan Blue" and has a gorgeous selection of Middle-Eastern inspired accessories from very accessible sources.  For further ideas and inspiration along these lines, have a look at the following websites:

Maroque:  http://www.maroque.co.uk/

Maroccan Bazaar: http://www.moroccanbazaar.co.uk/

Culture Vulture: http://www.culturevulturedirect.co.uk/morocco-deptmorocco/

Rose & Grey: http://www.roseandgrey.co.uk/news/a-hint-of-spice/

Homes & Gardens (in their regular H&G Edit / Shopping) have chosen to feature all things yellow in their article called "Squeeze of Lemon" on page 23.

"Squeeze of Lemon",
Homes & Gardens May 2016 (page 23)

In 25 Beautiful Homes there's a house in Belgium which features some fantastic vintage floor tiles - check out pages 20 to 24.  If you like patterned tiles, see the selection on page 37 of Homes & Gardens.

"Rescue Remedy"25 Beautiful Homes May 2016
(Pages 20 to 24)

"Patterned Tiles" Homes & Gardens
May 2016 (page 37)

My favourite house featured in Homes & Gardens this month is an extended bungalow in Sussex -  "Height of Good Taste" starts on page 70.  I particularly like the collections of different styles of mirrors shown on page 77 - and the main bedroom has a room to die for!

"Height of Good Taste" Homes & Gardens May 2016
(pages 70 to 79

If you struggle with how to display pictures, Ideal Home has a 6 page feature on displaying artwork, photos and momentos, whilst 25 Beautiful Homes has an article  which looks at "Creative Displays That Make an Impact".

That's it for this month, hard to believe the next magazines to drop through our letter box will be the June editions - let's hope the weather's more like it should be for June by then!