Bookmarked: Pale & Interesting

Sometimes it's nice to treat yourself a little and so I treated myself to this really inspiring interiors book "Pale & Interesting" by Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote. It's not only packed with stunning pictures of gorgeous interiors, but it's actually the summary of their design philosophy and the thoughts behind it make it even more interesting in my opinion. So I wanted to share some impressions from the book with you!

Atlanta is a stylist and Dave is a designer, they are a married couple and are based in Kent in the UK. No surprise you can expect some creativity from a couple like that! They didn't have the same style when they met - Dave's style is rugged and quite masculine where Atlanta's is more feminine and predominantly white (I've also got her lovely "At home with white" book). However, their approach to interior design has evolved over the 15 years that they've spent living and working together. They were both looking for a simpler and more laid-back style and they shared a passion for anything old and antiques, so that's become the leading thread. 

The book is divided up in chapters that represent the steps in their design philosophy. I liked straight away their first one, 'Keep it Simple', in which they basically plead for decluttering by saying 'Only retain what is useful or beautiful'. I MUST remember that one. Somehow we all collect too many things over the years, don't we?!? 

I won't go into too much detail on the other chapters, but here are some of my favourite spreads:

Atlanta and Dave's cooperation created some chemistry and they subsequently opened up their gorgeous online shop 'Pale & Interesting', making their style available to a wider audience and as if that wasn't keeping them busy enough, they also run a photographic locations agency called The Beach Studios and Locations. (certainly worth a browse too if you're looking for some more inspiration!) 

I hope you enjoyed this little preview and would love to hear if you can recommend any other 'must-reads'!

Lots of love,
Trinske x

Paulina Arcklin, Finnish Stylist and Photographer

I am really excited. Paulina Arcklin is a Finnish, Amsterdam based multi-talented lady. (One of those people you can get that teeny-weeny bit jealous of....) She is a superb photographer but does not only take the most stunning pictures, she orchestrates the entire setting from concept to production and does the story telling too. So in sum, Paulina is a Stylist, Photographer, as well as an Interior and Decorator Writer and has worked with numerous international magazines such as Elle Decoration UK, Dutch VTwonen and 101 Woonideeën, Elle Korea and Glorian Koti in Finland. Sounds pretty impressive, right?!?

So, ready to get inspired? Have a look at some examples of her work below and dream away:

Isn't that gorgeous? It is so beautifully light, powdery soft, yet with a strong sense of design. I think anyone would feel calmer and better spirited in those spaces. Paulina certainly has a love for white (her own home is all white!) However, she is also great in creating different settings as some of the work shows she has already done for HKliving in their showroom or the recent pictures she's taken at Formex 2013 in Sweden: 

So, why I am really excited is, is because Paulina will be working with HKliving again to put a Spring brochure together. Now, that raises the expectations, doesn't it? Obviously I'm slightly biased when it comes to HKliving being the UK agent, but I do think that the result will be amazing with someone like Paulina involved. The brochure will be coming out in a couple of weeks, so keep tuned! I have no idea what it will look like, but I'm sure it will be an eye-catcher and I will certainly share it when it is released. 

Lots of love,

Trinske x

All images are by Paulina Arcklin

A Girly Room for a Little Girl

With both of my pregnancies we didn't find out whether we were having a boy or girl and I like a calming environment for a baby anyway, so I chose to decorate the nursery in neutral colours (there really are more exciting options than the standard green or yellow!). For the birth of our second daughter Ilse, I chose to paint one wall in Shaded White from Farrow & Ball and created a tree from cheap, brown textured wall paper from B&Q adorned with leaves cut out of (free!) samples of gorgeous hand-pressed wallpapers from - again - Farrow & Ball. I was pleased with the result if I may say so myself, but time moves fast. Ilse will be turning 2 in March and the nursery is still the same.... So it's about time to add a bit of a girly touch to it, isn't it?!?

I don't really want to get rid of the tree completely yet, so I was thinking of adding touches of pinks to the soft grey and neutral scheme and here are some pictures that inspired me:

Image source by Welke.nl and Interiors Originals Blog

I absolutely LOVE the idea of paper flowers and add some 'blossom' to the tree and I think I'm just going to work with nice cushions to inject pinks. I am making a crochet soft grey blanket with pink and purple roses on it, so some pink cushions will go nicely with that. 

Image source by Poppytalk blog, Kidskamers.nl and La Camille boutique

The cutest idea I find is the display of wall boxes with gorgeous wall-papered backs for on one of the other walls. I also love the picture with the built in bed (if we had bigger bedrooms!), but it's actually the chandelier that I'm thinking of. I already have a similar one for our eldest daughter with shades covered in Pip Studio fabrics, but for Ilse's room it will be nice to have one with more muted colours and perhaps a baby pink polka dot or gingham. The mobile will be a nice DIY project. 

You'll have to bear with me, but I'll share some of the results later!

Lots of love,

Trinske x