The Van Life is for sure a trend, particularly in these times of pandemics during which people feel trapped and constrained. However, the Van life is not for everybody but it could be the perfect summer getaway!
I have been considering the nomadic life for a while now as a solution to cut the cost of living and avoid daily commuting. After careful consideration, I decided that this lifestyle is not for me… I have never even camped in my life! In any case, I find the Van life such a fascinating way of living, and I am sure that plenty of people would agree with me…
There are quite a few influencers now that swear by this lifestyle as it gives freedom and, I must say, some of the spaces are awesome!
It may not be the right living arrangement for you in the long run, but it may give you some of the best and cheapest vacations of your life… The contact with nature, the whole outdoor experience, the interior/exterior lifestyle is perfect for the warm sunny days.
Hopefully, the above testimonies from Instagram have convinced you that the van life is perfect for a summer getaway. But, if you still think that this is a bit of a constrained life with none of the comfort of modern life I may be able to change your mind… So, let’s have a look at some of the best interior designs for vans…
The best van design for your getaway – van life interiors
I don’t know about you, but I think that this is the quintessential summer van. Colourful, bright, easy… It is definitely the kind of space that I would like to be in during my summer weekends on the coast…
This is definitely an example of clever van design. Less cosy in its appearance, but possibly one with many contemporary features packed in a very small space.
Contemporary design, elegant, clean lines, cool interiors featuring the whole of the amenities of modern living. This is really for the people that want to experience the Van life for a getaway in the summer but cannot let go of their comforts.
These designs are so neat, relaxing, bright… quintessential getaway. I can easily imagine myself with a cup of coffee to the edge of a lake on a sunny summer morning… A dream come true!
Hammock guys!! The van in itself features a truly nice space, very lovely layout, nice stove, very comfortable… But the hammock… this is a whole other level!
What about a more rustic style? These look really like small mountain cabins. They scream nature and outdoor. They smell of forest and mountains. A few candles, a small patio, a cosy blanket… the perfect romantic summer getaway.
For more inspiration, have a look at this IG profile…
If you liked this article, why do not discover more of the best interior design tips and trends.
Calling all the purists out there! You are probably thinking that this is a total disaster. OMG, it is like living in Hello Kitty’s world or in the mind of a 12-year-old girl… But trust me, it is not as bad as it may sound.
Shall we look at some example first? (You really don’t believe me, do you?)
See? It is actually incredibly cool, don’t you agree?
It is because of the use of a very pale tone of pink, which removes the ‘Barbie Girl’ effect and rather donates softness and warmth to the room. Indeed the biggest mistake is to muster all the pinks under one big preconception. Pastel pinks are normally not as invasive and can be cold or warm, depending on the tones, which will result in diametrally opposite outcomes. Some of the shades will be simply perfect with the blues, and others are going to marry splendidly with reds and yellows.
Which means that we can have completely different accessories and combinations within a room simply changing the colour of the wall.
But let’s stay focus on the topic of this post: the monochrome pink design!
Mood Board
Monochrome Pastel Pink: Mood Board
This is probably the most extreme design of the entire series but it is definitely the most effective if you like pink! The monochrome pink design is warm and bright at the same time. It is probably more appropriate to girls but I personally think that an entire pink house is extremely interesting. The use of pale pinks and blush pinks are definitely helping to lose the ‘Barbie effect’ and create a cosy and warm, refined environment.
Let’s have a look at some examples that I put together for you, a living room and a bedroom.
LIVING ROOM
LIVING ROOM – monochrome pink
Sofa: ‘Moby’ two-seater by Made (£599 @ Made) accent armchair: ‘Moby’ by Made (£349 @ Made) rug: ‘Hayden’ by Made (£279 @ Made) rug: ‘Helgar’ by Made (£199 @ Made) side table: ‘Coffe table’ by & Klevering (£112 @ Made in Design) cat bed: ‘Moby’ pet sofa by Made (£129 @ Made) wall mirror: ‘Circum’ by AYTM (£127 @ Made in Design) curtains: ‘Julius’ by Made (£59 @ Made) vase: ‘Vase’ by Bloomingville (£9.92 @ Made in Design) cushion: ‘Knot Cushion’ by Design House Stockholm (£91 @ Made in Design) storage table: ‘Componibili Bio Storage’ by Kartell (£163 @ Made in Design) pendant light: FlowerPot by &Tradition (£149 @ Made in Design) wall painting: ‘Sorbet’ mixing silk finish (£16.42 @ Dulux)
BEDROOM
BEDROOM – monochrome pink
bed: ‘Margot’ by Made (£649 @ Made) pouf: ‘Circus’ by Normann Copenhagen (£376 @ Made in Design) pillow: ‘Lorna’ by Made (£18 @ Made) cushion: ‘Brisa’ by Made (£20 @ Made) bedside table: ‘Elona’ by Made (£129 @ Made) rug: ‘Mateo’ by Made (£199 @ Made) illuminated mirror: ‘All Saints” by Kartell (£320 @ Made in Design) chest of drawers: ‘Elona’ by Made (£399 @ Made) long mirror: ‘Angui’ by AYTM (£101 @ Made in Design) wall lamp: ‘Blush LED’ by Northern (£219 @ Made in Design) table lamp: ‘Albert’ by Made (£39 @ Made) baskets: ‘Toro’ by Made (£25 @ Made) vase: ‘Lief’ by Made (£16 @ Made) bedspread: ‘Julius’ by Made (£99 @ Made) wall painting: ‘Ballerina dance’ mixing soft sheen (£16.42 @ Dulux) carpet: Axminster Devonia by Confetti (£42 @ John Lewis)
I would be delighted to hear your opinions and comments. If you want, just leave a comment below.
If you want to discover more on the topic of this series, click here to be redirected to the ‘pastel pink design’ main post.
Do you need ideas to renovate the kitchen? This is the post for you! This post aims to share with you a few ideas to take inspiration from if you are going through the redecoration of your kitchen.
Below you can find a showcase of different styles, different finishes, different colours… Some of them are easier to achieve, others require more effort/money. But there is really for all tastes. Let’s have a look together to some ideas to renovate the kitchen
I would love to listen from you! Leave a comment or get in contact, if you want to have a chat or want some advice or simply more ideas to renovate the kitchen!
N1. Contemporary full-on
Let’s start with this amazing all-round design. Contemporary interiors are often oriented towards a consistent look thoughout the house. The kitchen is often a fluid space connected to the living area, an extension of the living itself. Open plan and large spaces. The neat lines and the contrasts of materials are a must.
This minimal space with modern lines is the perfecr solution for the contemporary living. Spacious cooking with the central island. The dining space is in the kitchen, open plan and spacious storage. The whole is made interesting by the contrast of the two materials: light timber for the kitchen, basalt for the wall/store.
There is nothing that says ‘luxury’ better than marble… what do you think of this kitchen? Marble island and splashback contrasting with black laminate. A few brass/golden details make embellish the design for a real gorgeous space, suitable for both contemporary and classic-style homes.
The richness of textures in this design is simply astonishing. The glazed white tiles and the terracotta floor brighten up the dark coloured furniture and the green walls. The long wooden table with the benches gives a sense of community and big family. While the chandelier elevates the room to the condition of noble space.
This mono colour space is so soothing and relaxing. The subtle rustic vibes speaks a language common to summer holidays in the Mediterranean Sea… the clean lines and simple design are functional. The perfect space for a chilled dinner.
Wide island to have the space for proper culinary art (don’t you feel like you want to try to make your own bread?). Plenty of storage in this bright and refined kitchen. The contrast between the dark wood of the island and the white cupboards and marble provides the room with interest. Please to notice the details of the ceiling… what’s not to love?
The contrast between the dark wood and the white walls produces and interesting space. The big windows and the rooflights bring the light inside. The details in different materials (brass, marble, textiles, different woods) create texture and depth to the design.
N8. Edwardian-style kitchen
I am absolutely in love with this kitchen! Spacious, elegant, full of incredible details. The wooden island is original looking and incredibly interesting. The fin-de-sigle metallic hood gives richness to the overall design. The skylight is not for All, but the design is complete already without it.
N9. Minimal colourful
Super playful, contemporary, minimal. Perfect fit for a minimal house, for an industrial space, even for a vintage space (reminds of a certain 60’s design). The simple lines are evergreen. The pastel pink is simply so trendy. Perfect for the house of a young creative.
A kitchen that seems straight out of an experimental design advert of the 60’s. All steel, contemporary looking, compact. Ideal for open spaces, provides the space with an industrial-chic vibe.
I love marble, I have previously stated that for me marble is synonym of elegance. This is the perfect example. In a design otherwise extremely minimal, the marble creates interest and gives texture to the room. The juxtaposition of steel, black laminate, timber and marble is well balanced and thought through.
Let’s start saying that this is not for everybody. Although very professional-looking and probably extremely functional, this is not everybody piece of cake. Personally, I quite like the idea of a shiny steel kitchen, especially if enriched by different textures of the materials.
Well, as I am from the South of Italy, I cannot avoid to introduce a bit of Mediterranean freshness in the mix. Blu patterns created with the use of ceramic tiles typical of the area of Amalfi, white walls, small ceramic art pieces, jugs and bowls, create the perfect combination for a bright and rich space.
Simple but effective, this pastel colour kitchen is such a nice and bright and relaxed space. You can really see that someone put this design together with love. I would definitely love to live there. Easy space for an easy life.
Take a few classic pieces, paint them bright pink, cover the walls in green glazed bricks, and here it is, you have obtained an accomplished design! The details in copper are essential to pull everything together and enrich the palette of materials. But don’t be fooled, it is not an easy design. Avoiding the kitsch is a task for a savvy designer.
I generally have a fascination for ceramic tiles. I always keep a lot of samples with me, simply cannot get rid of them. It is because the tiles are like magic wands. With the right tile, laid in the right way, you can make all the difference in a room. Look at this kitchen, for example. The vertical pattern is adorable and playful, and together with the dark blu clean lines of the furniture, creates one of the easiest and most accomplished looks I have seen. (Without the tiles it wouldn’t be the same).
Mediterranean style, yes, but this time we move a bit north, towards the Cote d’Azure. Mediterranean Sea is about white walls, decorated ceramic, tones of blue… This kitchen is the perfect example. Elegant, simple, fresh, extremely clean. Perfect as it is.
French design is a bit like their food: Complicated but sublime in its execution. Extremely elegant and classy, this kitchen combines elements of the rustic style with an extremely bright mix of classic pieces. The result is stunning.
I have a thing for pastel colours interiors lately – if you follow my Pinterest profile you can easily figure it out. This kitchen is not as extreme as others that I liked, but still, very fresh and bright and pastel-y. A wise choice of elements creates a well balance interior, with hints of colours without over-doing it.
This is the kind of interior that even men can like. Rustic elements (timber beams, the fireplace…) along with contemporary lines and design. The contrast between new and old wood gives so much richness to this room that it is impossible to dislike it.
Hope that you found something that you like. Get in contact if you need more ideas to renovate the kitchen or any advice on how to renovate your house.
What are the more appropriate lights for elegant interiors?
Have you ever dreamed of living in a sophisticated house, that screams luxury and good taste in every room? Don’t worry, your goal is perfectly achievable! First and foremost, light is one of the main factors when comes to define the tone and ambient in a space. Indeed lighting design is something to consider when you aim to make the difference.
Sometimes all you need is to select lights that can attract the attention. Definitely picking the right colours and the right furniture is essential, but I want to show you how simple can be to decorate a room simply with a good piece of design, just a single lamp. To reinforce the idea of how simple it can be, let’s have a look at the room down here. It is an empty room, a window on one side, completely blank canvas. Now let’s try to insert a nice lamp. What about this famous piece, Allegro by Foscarini?
As you can see the room does not look empty anymore, and it is suddenly colourful and warm, reflects of gold are painting the walls. We only added a single light, and done nothing more than that. If you are not quite convinced yet, have a look at these lamps by Curiosa & Curiosa, and imagine one of them in our empty space. Nice and colourful, right?
Select your lighting strategy
But, before even picking the piece you prefer, the first thing to do is to decide what is the right strategy to achieve the desired effect. In fact, the room can change completely based solely on your light design. What are the perfect lights for elegant interiors?
Do you want to give focus to a specific area or create a dramatic effect at the centre of your room? A big ceiling lamp or a chandelier can do the trick.
Diffuse light is particularly suitable for the spaces designated to relax. Table lamps and floor lamps, in particular, are appropriate for bedrooms and living rooms.
If you need more light in a specific area or want to create interest, spotlights and small pendants will do the trick! Perhaps it is too dark to crop the carrots, or to work at your desk. No problem, there are lamps for any taste.
Your ceiling is too low and you want to have a feeling of space. Directional lights and uplights are perfect to provide vertical emphasis and lift the space.
What materials should you use?
Once you have decided on what strategy to enact and what light effect you want to achieve, you can select the materials that suit your furniture better. In fact, the lamps should compliment the design and work together with the furniture to shape the room.
We want to create an interior which reflects elegance so brass, gold, copper, aluminium, marble and glass are all materials that give that luxury and sophisticated feeling we re looking for.
Personally, I love glass pendants and have a special passion for translucent marble and alabaster. Particularly, the latter, can be difficult to insert within a space without creating an overachieving and heavy design. But if correctly used, they are a big win and difficult to forget. Glass is easy to insert in any design, with an exception for extremely colourful ones. Metals like brass, copper and aluminium (gold or silver coated) are not very difficult, but they require a bit more of effort to match the rest of the room. The metal lamps come in so many styles and shapes that you need to pick the right fixture to bring the design together.
My favourite lights to create the perfect refined space
This is my personal selection of 10 lights for elegant interiors. Please, enjoy scrolling through!
Materials : Mouthblown glass – porcelain (ceiling rose and bulb holder) and fabric cord. Available in different colours (clear glass, silver glass and gold glass). This very elegant lamp is perfect for the living room or over your dining table. I can guarantee a very tasteful effect if applied in a row over the kitchen island.
Materials : Blown glass opal diffuser. Available in brushed brass or chrome steel. With a deco feeling, this lamp is perfect in corridors. It will give a nice soft and clear light which contrasts with the brass of the arm, for a refined space.
Materials : white painted aluminium structure and plastic material diffuser. The circular diffuser is available in different sizes with led strips along its entire length. The simple geometry of this piece is simply irresistible. On its own can create patterns and shape a space. Suitable for hall and living spaces, will go better on clean and wide walls.
Materials : Marble and Brass with brass ceiling rose. I mentioned my love for marble? Well, needless to say that I love this lamp. It is perfect to create a chic corner. The diffuse light will give a soft accent to any wall.
Materials : Blown dark glass and lacquered metal. Available in white too. The elegant design of this lamp, together with its geometry, will create the nicer contrast against pastel walls. Perfect as a feature piece, will go very well with furniture with simple lines.
Materials : Mouth-blown and hand-assembled glass bulb with brass ceiling pendant. The filaments inside are inspired by the Fibonacci sequence. How cool is that? The golden light they emanate screams luxury.
Materials : Opal and glass with a concrete base and brass details. This table lamp is perfect for a side table. Whether in the bedroom or next to a nice armchair, its luxurious design will always be a discreet touch of elegance in anybody’s life.
Materials : Hyper-polished pressed steel. Available in copper and steel. This is probably not suitable for every space, but it will be simply stunning accompanying furniture with a simple line and a minimal design. Love the incredible reflects and the mirror effect.
Materials : Blown glass opal diffuser and brushed brass. A perfect feature piece for side tables or bedside table, the spherical bulb is floating against the simple brass lines, for the most magic effect.
Materials : Polycarbonate globe and aluminium. Available in different shapes and finishes. The futuristic design reminds of the pure white of the interiors of the sci-fi movies from the ’60s. Inspired by a space helmet, it looks like something ready to land on the Moon. Ideal for minimal spaces, It can give the right touch to industrial interiors.
Hope that now you have a better idea and know the correct lights for elegant interiors.
If you liked this list, have a look at some of the other lists I prepared in my ‘Products’ category.
Pastel pink interior design is all the rage at the moment. Well, generally pastel interiors, but the pink is the ever-present actor on the scene and the binding agent that pull everything together, most of the time.
There are so many examples and the colour is used in so many variations that it is not easy giving an overview. I have so decided to use this post as an index for a series of posts. The posts that will follow during the next weeks will show the pastel pink in all its declinations.
I will be updating this post every time a new post is published, so stay tuned!
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