A touch of Luxe

Black and White abstract art (DIY)...

2013-05-24T22:00:00.000+01:00

There's something about black and white abstract art. A black and white painting just goes with everything, in every room - whether it be a black and white room, a colourful room, a modern room or a chic vintage room. A black and white abstract painting will just add that extra oumph to a room and give it a touch of luxe. It totally makes me want to go back to painting again! (I think I even have a couple of my old black and white paintings somewhere). Even if you're not the greatest painter you can have a go and do your own black and white abstract painting - all you need is a canvas, black and white acryllic paint, a couple of brushes or spatulas, time and creativity (abstract painting are not the easiest to paint though they often look like it - a tip is to not think too much about it - just let yourself go).

Just a little creative tip to start off the weekend.

Luxe rooms with Moroccan doorways...

2013-05-24T21:33:00.002+01:00

I'm totally in love with Moroccan interior and details and paired with modern items it's just a perfect combo. I love how a Moroccan doorway can add so much personality and a luxe feel to a room. There's no need to go all Moroccan, just a nice doorway in a more modern room will be perfect.

Love the all white rooms with Moroccan doorways - so chic and so shows that Moroccan can work in modern rooms. I must have a house with some of these someday...

Decor: Books on display...

2013-05-01T16:20:00.001+01:00

Books are not made to be hidden away in cupboards. I know a lot of people don't like their books to be showing, but if you haven't already then now is the time to take them out for display.

Books are really decorative, adds personality to a space and just take a look on the covers of a lot of books - they are often really beautiful and a work of art, so why not display them as art showing the frontside of them on shelves.

You can choose to show the front of your favorite books or ones that are really beautiful and have others only showing the title like you normally would - just like you see in the library.

This way it's easy to change up the decor of your room just by changing the book-covers that you are displaying - you can even open up a book or two and display a favorite picture in the book - just like changing a normal picture you would display on the wall or a shelf.

I totally love this idea and will do this in my livingroom or office, when I hang some shelves or get a new bookcase - books are cool - don't stow them away.

Day Birger et Mikkelsen's Keld Mikkelsen & Marianne Brandi's Copenhagen home...

2013-04-17T22:15:00.001+01:00

Keld Mikkelsen and Marianne Brandi are the Danish design duo behind the internationally loved fashion brand Day Birger et Mikkelsen and also the interior decor line Day Home. Their beautiful home near Copenhagen is a mix of modern design, vintage pieces and ethnic details - their signature style.

In the dining room the floor is painted black. The vintage chair are from Green Square, the chandeliers from Ochre and the modern table from Meridiani. All the huricanes are from Day Home. I'm loving this mix of ethnic, elegant and modern - so my style.

In the hall the floor is black and white marble. The walls are golden silk wallpaper and the chair is from Green Square. Very luxe and modern at the same time.
The livingroom is decorated with a big sofa from Meridiani and a beautiful Moroccan rug that together with the Day Home pillows adds an ethnic touch. The lamps are from Ralph Lauren, while the antique Chinese table is from Green Square.

From the livingroom you can see into the office. The suitcases are a mix of vintage and from Day Home.

I absolutely LOVE this office. This shows that yes, you can paint a small room black. Of course it helps that there's a lot of light coming in from the window, but black walls are hot! - and totally chic. The desk is an antique from Sweden and the zebra rug and lamp from Restoration Hardware add that extra touch of luxe.

The living room is divided into small seating areas and in this part of the room they couple have mixed antiques, modern design and ethnic details. Again they'ce chosen a Moroccan Beni Quani rug, together with vintage chairs and sofa.

The bathroom is very luxurious with marble tile floors, a bathtub and zink from English Drummonds. The lamps in the ceiling and the rug adds the ethnic touch that this couple is known for in their Home collection and in their fashion.

The bedroom is very romantic and white on white, with flowy white curtains, a fireplace and vintage chairs. - calm, peaceful and clean - as a bedroom should be. I totally love this home. It's luxe, cozy and personal all at once.

H&M Home spring collection - white and black...

2013-04-15T21:14:00.000+01:00

Who would have tought that these items are from H&M's Home 2013 spring collection?! I totally love the patterned fabrics and exotic feel of this collection. These pictures makes me want to head over to H&M tomorrow for a home shopping spree.

In the collection you'll find both cushions, tea towels, plates, bowls and wicker baskets in black, white and silver.

These are my must haves from the collection - they will look great with my interior - shows that decorating your home doesn't mean you have to break the bank. You can find the collection HERE

Mother of pearl inlay - pink edition...

2013-04-15T14:00:00.000+01:00

Last week I posted about mother of pearl inlay furniture HERE, but found more inspirational pictures this time in pink painted furniture. I think this is kind of cute, but for my own home I would go with the natural dark wood with mother of pearl inlay.

Real Indian feel with a mother of pearl inlay pink mirror and Indian coffeetable and handmade baskets.

Adding a pink furniture to a room will make it an instant eye catcher and it will look really great with white or shades of grey and decorating it with silver or white decor such as a lamp, a bowl or flowers.

For a girly girl, who likes boho glam this would be perfect.

Real Housewife Yolanda Foster's home...

2013-04-15T10:47:00.003+01:00

One of newest cast of the Real Housewife's of Beverly Hills is Yolanda Foster. Her home is absolute stunning and living at the beach she's designed several small beautiful outside sitting areas.

Beautiful pool with view over looking the ocean.

Rustic outdoor dining area - the entire house is very Mediterranean in it's design and decor - perfect, when living close to the beach.

Yolanda designs houses herself and she's very into interior design. She also loves folwers and also has several lemon trees in her garden.

The closet is my favorite part - it's very organized and I love the built in wardrobe with glass doors. Having everything showing like this means you really have to be organized, which Yolanda is. Love the seating in the middle - very luxe.

Bubblegum pink and gold combo...

2013-04-11T16:34:00.002+01:00

There's nothing like a great colour-combo and I'm loving bubblegum pink with gold - it's luxe and fun. The bubblegum pink sofa and gold pieces such as the decorative elephant, the bamboo-like sidetables and table in gold add that luxe feeling and make the pink looking glamourous.

I'm totally loving this lotus-inspired gold lamp and the side tables together with these bubblegum pink pillows and the sand coloured sofa. The gold is what makes the room - imagine the gold lamp and tables being white for example and it would be a totally other not so luxe look.

Loving this bubblegum pink to add some colour to a room and also in fashion for spring and summer.

Lisa Vanderpump's new Beverly Hills home...

2013-04-11T14:50:00.003+01:00

Are you also following the tv-series of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills you have seen that Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken have moved into a new mansion in the hills. I love this home. So much nicer and more my style than their recent Beverly Hills home, which was very pink and girly. The outdoor space is my absolute favorite part of this home - with 4 different outdoor areas and a eternity pool this is just my dream place.

The view is just amazing from the pattio on the first floor.

Outdoor dining areas are so amazing and this one is just perfect. Palmtrees, white chairs, a black glossy table, vintage chandelliers and an open fireplace - PERFECT.

On the other side of the outdoor dining area is a comfy, chic outdoor living space. This is just so beautiful and luxe.

In the garden they have set up a dining area - very beautiful.

The kitchen area in this new home is both modern and still has touches of Lisa's girly style. Lisa loves flowers and I don't think there's one room without vases with beautiful flowers, especially roses.

This livingroom is very luxe and on the girly side, which is Lisa's signature style. -You can't have a Vanderpump room without any pink...The soft colours of this room match perfectly together - it's both comfy and luxe.

There are a lot of mirrored furniture in the Vanderpump's home. Having some mirrored pieces will add instant glamour to a space.

Another beautiful living room with more masculine elements and colours paired with the girly look. Love the mix of feminine and masculine. Very chic.

A glamourous bathroom with chandelliers in white and light pink.

No Lisa Vanderpump home without an amazing closet - this is huge, all white and totally luxe - I'm in love.

Source: Bravotv.com

Chic ethnic boho living space...

2013-04-10T10:41:00.003+01:00

This year the ethnic boho look is more hot than ever - you see it in fashion and also in interior design. I'm a big fan of the trend, especially if you take a few ethnic items and pair it with modern pieces. I love the Moroccan wedding blanket in this living space. I think Moroccan blankets and rugs like these add just the perfect touch of ethnic and can be used in modern homes as a final touch.

Moroccan trays filled with tealights is an easy way to add some cozyness and an ethnic feel to a room.

I love all the rugs and blanket. They have used Moroccan wedding blankets as a rug, on the sofa and made into seating - big fan of these cute seatings. I would use them with modern pieces as a special touch.

Bedroom in hues of blue and cream...

2013-04-09T20:40:00.000+01:00

Blues are normal cold colours, but in this bedroom it actually looks more warm toned, because it's paired with cream, which is on the warmer side. I love the velvety looking dark blue walls with the cream headboard and bedding and lamps. The turquoise chandellier is the final touch and an unexpected piece in this otherwise very traditional bedroom.

A turquoise glass vase and framed photos with touches od turquoise pulls the room together with the chandellier. Unexpected pieces to a space is often what makes the space - so remember to think out of the box, when you decorate.

Beautiful Outdoor Space #104...

2013-04-09T13:14:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I did a outdoor space post, and since it's raining here in London today (surprise...)I'm dreaming of summer and sunshine. I really like this Mediterranean outdoor space for different reasons; first of all I love outdoor furniture that is comfy and looks like somethimg that could be an indoor livingroom, second of all I love lanterns, third of all I've always love shutters and fourth of all wicker furniture is so beautiful and will always be in style.

Beautiful office space with ethnic details...

2013-04-09T12:27:00.001+01:00

I LOVE this office space. I've always had a thing for window seats and I would love to have one of these in my bedroom or office. The black bulletin board walls are great at pinning adds and magazine rip outs. Great idea to use a whole wall and not just put up a board on the wall.

Orchids are one of my favorite flowers and an easy way to add some luxe and exoticness to a room - the gold plant pots is just perfect for this room. The displays of ethnic boxes and cans in this office are just the final touch. I'm loving the colours of this space - very luxe and ethnic.

A Touch of Luxe with mother of pearl inlay furniture...

2013-04-09T12:11:00.002+01:00

Bringing in ethnic furniture to any home is my interior aesthetics and mother of pearl furniture is such a beautiful way to add some exoticness to your home. I am a big lover of handmade pieces - mother of pearl furniture is just that. It's wooden furniture inlayed with mother of pearl pieces - as it's handmade, each piece is different.

How beautiful is this bedside table together with lilac, white and turquoise? Very luxe and exotic.

Pair a mother of pearl inlay chest of drawers with modern pieces is a great way to mix modern and vintage.

I think my absolute favorite pieces are the bedside tables and sidetables. They go perfectly with most furniture and you can use them in a modern home or a more bohemian feel home. The mother of pearl inlay furniture looks great with natural colours, but also with bright colourful colours.

Beautiful displays...

2013-04-07T13:47:00.000+01:00

It is such a beautiful spring day today here in London - the sun is actually shining and I'm off from work today, so I'll be heading out soon to enjoy the weather and go visit Zara Home for some interior ideas and pick up some fresh cut flowers on the way home - which makes me think about doing new small displays around the flat...

I love little displays around the home - it's these kind of things that makes a home personal and special. Collect your favorite things on small trays or on a shelf or table and add some fresh cut flowers and you have a perfect little display. Do them around the house; in the kitchen, livingroom, bathroom, bedroom and even out doors.

Colourful closet...

2013-04-06T11:38:00.001+01:00

I know this is actually not a closet, but a boutique...but this could easily be a closet. I love the mix of old furniture with colourful pillows - so chic and unexpected.

This space also reminds me that I need more colours in my own closet for summer. Colours are fun - so in with more colours and out with some of the black!

Straight from the runway - Hints of neon...

2013-04-06T11:23:00.000+01:00

Neon is huge in fashion again this spring and summer...and with so many other fashion trends they find their way into interior decorating. You only need a pillow or two, a vase or a throw to bring in a little neon to your home - that way you can easily change it again when you get tired of it.

An all white, grey or black space will look spring-ready with a pillow pr throw.

You can also go all out and invest in colourful furniture and mix and match colours.

I love this space. Really light and bright. Loving the neon lampshade. Fun way to easily change up a lamp - you could even spray paint a white shade a neon colour.

I found all these items on ZARA HOME - you really only need an item or two of neon to bring the colour into your home.

By Malene Birger's Palma home...

2013-04-05T13:15:00.001+01:00

I am the biggest fan of Danish designer Malene Birger's clothing line, but her interior design sense is just as beautiful as her fashion style. These images are from her Palma, Mallorca home, where she lives most of the time. I'm loving the mix of rustic and modern and she stays true to her decoration style using white, black and natural colours.

A chandelier in the amazing ceiling paired with a Morroccan rug, modern chairs and table makes this room really special and modern. I'm all about adding ethnic pieces to a room and Malene Birger is a master of this. Her style is Ethnic, Nordic and old Glamour all mixed into a very beautiful atmosphere.

The carved dark wood doors and windows in this house are just amazing. Adding some African carved figures and Indian embellished pillows adds that something special to the space. The right decor will show your personal style and is very easy to change.

Malene Birger is a pro at doing small displays of her favorite things - here she has a display of modern lamps, a Picasso picture and carved figures.

The rustic kitchen with modern Eames chairs and anthique table lamp is very true to the Mallorcan style, while still being modern.

Beautiful bedroom with a basket of different throws. Love this space.

Malene's work space has her own artwork on the walls, a Morroccan rug, a rustic table and modern chairs - a great mix of modern, rustic and ethnic that is Malene's signature style.

A Touch Of Luxe with bamileke stools...

2013-04-03T10:51:00.000+01:00

I have been MIA for the longest time here on A Touch Of Luxe and I'm feeling really guilty about it. After moving to London I've just been so busy and starting a new job has taken all my time...Now I'm working less, so I'll be posting regularly about my love for interior design.

Today is all about these beautiful Bamileke stools. The Bamileke stolls are king's stools from Cameroon carved from a single tree trunk. They are distinguised by their crisscross pattern and round shape and comes in different sizes.

You can buy the stools in different colours, but I love the natural wood one the most. I'm all about incorporating ethnic pieces to any room and these are just perfect. I would love one or two of these in my living room as side tables.

You can even use them outside as a coffee table or sidetable. Such a great idea to bring these into modern homes and they go with everything as you can get it in the colour you want. I'm a big fan of these!

Get the Perfect Vintage Bathroom look...

2012-11-25T17:12:00.001Z

Today Helen Davies is guest posting on A Touch Of Luxe on how to get the perfect vintage bathroom look. Adding some vintage items to your bathroom will make it so more luxe and special. Here's Helen's look on how to create that vintage look...

For some of us, having the latest bathroom fixtures and fittings isn’t the most important thing in the world. No, for some of us what really matters is timeless vintage style. Now creating this look in your bathroom might require a little more research and hunting than you would put in to creating a generic contemporary look, but the results can be astonishing. Here’s what you need to know to help on your way:

Firstly, don’t be afraid of contemporary products that are designed to have a vintage aesthetic. Modern manufacturing processes have improved so much that contemporary products will be far more efficient, durable and reliable than their predecessors. The key is to find modern products that have been styled for the vintage look. For example, the classic curved-spout, crosshead taps, with enamel detailing, can be now be purchased with the vintage looks that you want, but which also feature ceramic disc technology, for greater temperature and flow control than ever before.

The freestanding roll-top bath has long been the epitome of stylish, luxurious bathing, and if you have the space available, it must really a must when you are trying to create a chic, vintage bathroom look. Modern roll-tops keep all of the charm and charisma of the traditional models, but modern materials such as stone resin and acrylic will provide you with a bath which more stain and scratch resistant, easier to clean and better at retaining heat, ideal for fans of long, relaxing soaks.

bathroom furniture is a key area to get right when attempting to achieve a truly vintage bathroom design, as having your surfaces crammed with various accumulated toiletries, cosmetics and cleaning products will detract from whatever design you are trying to create. A fitted vanity unit will allow you to keep your basin area clear of clutter, whilst keeping all of your daily essentials organised and within easy reach. A glamorous vanity area is a key component of a stylish vintage aesthetic, so making sure your basin area is kept clean and tidy is an important factor.

A few other well chosen cabinets, placed around your bathroom will help to create a uniform and complete design, and meet all of your storage requirements. As far as finish is concerned, there are now more options available than ever before, but for the classic look, it really is difficult to built naturally finished wooden furniture. Whilst lighter coloured words such as oak and pine are popular in modern bathrooms, for the vintage look there really is nothing quite like the rich, solid opulence of darker shades like walnut and wenge.

Do allow yourself to take advantage of modern improvements in bathroom manufacturing and design when creating your vintage bathroom; you can now achieve the exact style and finish you want, but with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your bathroom will still perform to the highest standards. Why not have a click around and start planning your new bathroom toady?

Thank you to Helen Davies, who is a senior content writer for Better Bathrooms, who sell good looking contemporary and traditional bathroom furniture at realistic prices.

Luxe media room...

2012-11-22T21:56:00.000Z

How cool is this home theatre with charcoal velvet Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Dr. Pitt Sectional Sofa and silver vinyl ottomans. The glossy black paint color and metallic wallpaper tray ceiling is just an amazing combo.

The bar with Michael Weiss barstools in teal leather with silver nailhead trim and stone slab bar countertops is so cool.

A gold Moroccan pouf, gold leaf bowls, and faux croc silver tray adds some metallic to the velvet sofa and matte black walls.

White office space with black accents...

2012-11-22T21:47:00.001Z

A black and white combo is always beautiful - especially when it's combined in stripes as well. I love this very Scandinavian office space perfect for a creative person.

The long white wall hanged table top as the desk with white drawer unit from Ikea is such a great idea for an office space.

Black accents in form of frames, vases etc. make the white office space classic and cool.

I love the combo of sitting - modern Eames chair and old vintage stool with black and white striped fabric.

Striped vases and black pencils goes great with the black and white theme. I love me a black and white room any time and you can so easily put in any color if you want to change it up a little.

Bedroom with luxe metallic walls...

2012-11-17T19:37:00.002Z

Metallic walls can really do something to a room! I love the luxe feel it gives and with soft nudes, beiges, whites and greys it just looks perfect and very glam. Would love to do that to my bedroom. I adore this bedroom with the beautiful shiny lamps; suits the walls so nicely.

Navy dining room with a touch of luxe...

2012-11-14T20:57:00.002Z

Navy blue is one of those classic colours that I will always love. Navy blue is so elegant and combined with black, dark wood, grey or white it is just perfect. You can use both silver and gold with navy, but I personally prefer silver as in this picture. Those navy upholstered chairs with silver nail trim are just lovely. - This whole room just say elegant and classic.

Celeb Home Monday - Ivanka Trump

2012-11-12T22:12:00.003Z

This Monday we are visiting Ivanka Trump's modern New York apartment. It's cool, modern and luxe.

The livingroom is designed by Kelly Behun is all in light gray and white with gold accents. The rug is custom-made and by ABC Carpet & Home.

The den is again gray and white, but with blue accents. - gives a very Mediterranean feel.

The glossy blue desk goes very well with the modern Eames chairs covered in leather. Love the idea of a his and her work space at the same desk.

I love this bedroom. Light, white, cozy and with great touches such as the fur throw and the bed lamps.

The wall in the foyer is hand painted by Bob George Studio and Behun has designed the table with the driftwood base. Colors are still kept in grey and white tones.

The dining room is different from the other rooms, with more color, but still modern. The leather chairs are just so cool.

The nursery is white and cute. Very romantic unlike the rest of the apartment.