Forget Hygge, we're all Lagomers now

So just as we have all got used to the Danish concept of Hygge, we are now being introduced to the concept of Lagom.  The loose translation of Lagom is 'not too much, not too  little' which neatly explains how you could introduce the idea into your own interior design style.

It's definitely an idea whose time has come as Lagom is all about creating a better, happier, and more balanced everyday life. It's about sustainable living, saving energy and water and creating less waste by recycling more.  And as 22nd April is Mother Earth Day we thought now was a great time to talk about becoming a Lagomer. 

At home instead of throwing out your old things be they clothes or furniture, think if they can be re-used, given away or up-cycled.  When you do buy new products try to find sustainable goods such as bamboo furniture or hemp rugs. 

Our hemp rugs are really popular and feature both hemp and jute which are natural plant fibres. Hemp is particularly eco-friendly as it is a plant that grows quickly with little or no chemical fertilisers.  Jute, a relative of hemp, is one of the most natural fibres around and together these two plant extracts have been used in textiles for many thousands of years.

Both hemp and jute are durable and versatile which makes them a great rug choice.  This collection is particularly suitable for high traffic areas, both indoors and outdoors and is perfect for summer.

The hypoallergenic, natural anti-bacterial and non-irritating quality of these rugs also makes them a popular choice for people suffering from asthma and other allergies.

Spring/summer interior trends 2018

What's hot for your spring/summer interiors in 2018?

Well we say what's hot - perhaps we should be saying what's cool - ice cream cool as Gelato colours are going to be a huge trend this year.  So what's your favourite ice cream, vanilla, mint, pistachio, strawberry?  Now you can surround yourself with the flavours you love.  

Gelato

The ice cream palette doesn't have to be a single colour either, who doesn't love layers of delicious ice cream like a Neapolitan - you 

have it as a feature wall or just combine the colours using some well chosen accessories.

You can find vanilla, mint and strawberry in our plain carved range of rugs - and these plain rugs are perfect for pulling your interior design scheme together.

Gold

In 2017 the metallic trend was all the rage and it's still here but this time the metal of choice of gold.  Gold is softer than silver which makes it easier to use in your home decor.  It's also very 

decadent and so the trick is to use sparingly.  This fabulous gold rug doesn't need too much as it could be overwhelming, perhaps a new gold trimmed mirror, a couple of gold framed windows and a gold lamp base.  

Totally tropical

If you fancy going tropical then the trick is to layer different colours.  So use different coloured throws and cushions, think bright pink, yellow and blue.  Then choose a couple of tropical prints and pair with this fabulous tropical rug.   There really is                    no better way to say goodbye winter and hello summer then creating your own tropical paradise indoors.

Finding the perfect rug for your shabby chic interior

Do you love #shabbychic interior design?  This interior decor style remains popular and finding the perfect home accessory to complement the look can sometimes be difficult.  

FrithRugs recommends its Aubusson rugs as the ideal finishing touch to any shabby chic interior. 

Aubusson rugs are French carpets famous for their intricate and delicate designs.  They are flat woven and have the look of of a needlepoint or tapestry. The history of Aubusson rugs suggest the first looms appeared in Aubusson in the 1300s but their fame is largely associated with the Renaissance period. 

Originally based on Turkish design, in the late 1600s Aubusson rug designs started to replicate the motifs of Savonnerie rugs favoured by the King, however, thanks to the Aubusson weavers, they became available to others in the aristocracy of Europe.

Although Aubusson production stopped around the 1870s, today skilled weavers in China replicate these lovely designs and they retain their quintessential French look which makes them ideal if you are looking for that shabby chic or French farmhouse style look at home.

FrithRugs Aubusson collection feature luxurious designs created in mellow pastels in 100% pure wool and hand stitched in China. Available in a range of sizes, the collection will be appreciated by the discerning home owner who appreciates the finer things in life.

To complete you shabby chic look, look for old furniture that you can upcycle, add in some stunning chandeliers, a large mirror and some pretty floral cushions and voila – you’ve got it! 

Be Brave with Colour

A recent report said that we Brits would love to use more colour at home, but we are afraid of getting it wrong.  So, if that sounds like you  - then why not have a go at colour blocking?

Colour blocking remains an interior design style that doesn’t go out of style.  Essentially, it does what it says on the tin.  Rooms are decorated and dressed using blocks of bright, often primary colours and there isn’t a neutral colour to be seen.  Beige is banned and the result is a very modern, grown up room that dares to use those colours that normally would not be paired together.

FrithRugs has several collections which feature rugs in one colour and we would recommend that you use a rug to pull together and co-ordinate the whole room.

Lime green, shocking pink, turquoise, pillar box red… you name it, you can colour block it.  You can also use the same colours in different hues or shades - the only rule is, don’t follow any rules!

Don’t know where to start - we do!  If you have a brown sofa, opt for a red rug and mustard cushions.  Have a grey sofa, why not buy a pink armchair and then go for a blue rug and green cushions.  Have a black leather suite?   Select red cushions, invest in a purple rug and try white shelving.  We did say forget the usual rules.

Colour blocking means using primary colour where possible and some of the following collections are a great place to find that all important accessory - Gabbeh, Emily, Basketweave and Plain.

Have fun.

How to decorate using the colour wheel

An example of a tonal room

Now that the sun is here your home is looking a bit dull and drab and so you have decided to redecorate your room.   If you just get one thing wrong, it can have an impact on the whole room - so where to start?

The colour wheel is a must in any interior designers tool box and offers a complete guide to the colour spectrum.  Using the colour wheel correctly will help you create a peaceful bedroom, a relaxing bathroom and a vibrant living room.

A colour wheel uses primary colours and then all other shades which come off them and by using this clever wheel you can create your own contrasting, tonal or harmonious colour schemes.

Contrast

A contrasting room means taking colours from the opposite site of the colour wheel such as yellow and purple.  Not colours that most people would put together but the idea is that using these opposite colours each will appear more intense and vivid. You've heard of opposites attract - this is it. 

Tonal

A tonal room is probably the most easiest to achieve and is the best option for those people who are not as brave with colour.  Essentially this means just taking the the varying hues from the same segment of the colour wheel - from pale blue to light blue for example. Beware of red - this will always look dramatic and so it is not recommended for a tonal scheme.

Harmonising

Choose colours that sit next to each other on the wheel, such as blue and green or green and yellow - but use the lighter shades.  These colours have been proven to complement and harmonise with each other and may surprise you.  These colours will be elegant and balanced.

Saturate

Finally, if you want real drama you can saturate your room.  As the name suggests, this means taking one colour from the wheel and using it everywhere in the room - with little discernible difference in the tone.  Avoid using in a small room as it will make it look even smaller.

Get your home ready for summer!

It's time to get your home ready for the new season with some new home accessories.

Whatever your style be that contemporary chic, country cottage or Victorian grandeur, you'll find something for every style in the season's new interior design trends.

Of course, summer time is holiday time whether that's two weeks in the Med, a Caribbean getaway or a week at a British seaside resort - and there is no doubt that at this time of year, it's great to have a hint of our favourite holiday destination at home.

Earthy tones and natural textures are a firm favourite to accompany those longer days and warmer nights.  Blue is also the colour of choice when it comes to injecting coastal hints at home and it's no surprise that Denim Drift is Dulux's colour of the year.  They also suggest indigo and grey for those who want to be bang on trend when it comes to interiors.

In this blog, we've taken our inspiration from around the globe to highlight some of our summer favourites.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside - from Margate to Majorca,  
you just can't beat dipping your toes into the blue sea.  This rug from our Vibrance collection is handmade in India from 100% wool.  It is available in a range of sizes  http://frithrugs.co.uk/product-531/-/-/12188







Jungle fever.  Add a taste of the tropics to your home with this botanical inspired design from our Ella Claire exclusive collection.
Made in India from 100% wool this is the perfect home accessory for those who want to remember far flung exotic destinations.

A taste of India. This Indian Kelim rug is made from wool woven onto cotton and works well in the sitting room, the bedroom and the conservatory.  With its bright, vivid colours it's the perfect home accessory for taking your back to those hot summer nights. frithrugs.co.uk/cat/Kelims/558

Decorating with green

Green is the colour associated with nature and according to colour psychologists it is a great colour have at home.  In this blog we will look at where and how to use green in the home and suggest which colours to use with green.

Psychological benefits of green

This is one of our favourite home decorating colours thanks to its soothing and rejuvenating qualities.  Green is the colour of Mother Nature herself and of fertility and health with many people believing the colour has powerful energies.  It is calming and it makes us feel secure. It is certainly a restful colour and can be a safe colour to use if you are not sure what to go for in your home.

Which rooms suit green?

Any and all rooms in the home will work with green.  In the hall, green is welcoming but use it sparingly as it can be oppressive.  In the sitting room green works well in both modern and traditional styles and can be used in various degrees.  Kitchens that accessorize with lime green are not only modern but will also lift the mood.  If you have a sun room or conservatory accents of green will blend your outside and inside spaces.

Green is great for the bedroom thanks to its soothing and calming qualities and the same applies for the bathroom.  Sea green is associated with holidays by the beach and so it’s a great alternative to blue.

How to use green with other colours

Most interior designers agree that you should always use different shades and tones of green, rather than just one (just as Mother Nature does). If you are not sure which shade of green to use with other colours then  www.colorcombos.com is a fabulous site for combining complementary shades, tones and colours.  One rule of thumb that won’t fail is to use plenty of white with any green scheme and you really won’t go wrong.  

So go green when you want to get back to nature and to put some harmony and relaxation in your life. 

For details on the rug shown, click here.