Habitat Archives - Style&Minimalism

Wall Decorations

**Desenio** ‘Let The Light In’ Print 50x70cm* | **Desenio** White Passe-Partout 70x100cm* | **Desenio** Black Picture Frame 70x100cm*

**IKEA** Round Metal Mirror | **H&M** Men’s Black Leather Belts

**House Doctor** Everyday 2016 Concrete Wall Clock*

**Desenio** ‘Simple Balance’ Print 30x40cm* | **Desenio** Black Picture Frame 30x40cm* | **Desenio** ‘Hellebore Leaf’ Print 50x70cm* | **Desenio** Black Picture Frame 30x40cm* | **Desenio** ‘White Stroke’ Print 50x70cm* | **Cox & Cox** Oak Display Dome* | **H&M** Metal Candlestick Holder | **India May** Large Nordic Candle Holder*

**Samantha Totty** ‘Circle No.1’ Print 50x70cm | **Desenio** ‘Black Forest’ Print 50x70cm | **Habitat** Dark Birch 50x70cm Frames

A home never feels quite finished without artwork on the walls, like the books on your shelves, there’s something so personal about what you display on your walls, and what it says about you. It’s really important that it’s something you’re going to appreciate whenever you look at it. When it comes to knowing what works where, how high or low to hang it and how to group things I’ve found that it takes a lot of time and consideration. So I don’t end up with hundreds of holes in the walls I use masking tape and greaseproof paper to give me an idea of what size works where. I’ve also found that lots of websites will give you examples of what prints work well together or what frame suits the print. If not, a set of two or three prints in the same series always look great together. Or try playing with proportions mixing prints of different sizes. If you want to mix and match different styles, black and white prints will usually work well together.

I’m not keen on hanging prints on every wall (I prefer to keep things minimal) so I’ve found that decorative hooks, clocks and mirrors are a great way of breaking things up, as well as being functional. The mirror in our living room was inspired by the 1950s designed Gubi Adnet mirror, which has a fairly hefty price tag. My DIY version uses a cheap IKEA mirror and some leather belts from H&M to create a similar look. It wasn’t until our concrete clock from House Doctor was up that I realised just how useful it is. I love the concrete and brass together, and it looks great on a white wall. I’ve also become a bit obsessed with hooks in the house lately, I don’t think I’d appreciated how useful they were before. There are some great designs available from Scandinavian brands like House Doctor, Muuto and HAY.

New Bedroom Textiles

This post was created in collaboration with The White Company.

**The Duvet Store** Hungarian Goose Down Duvet | **Habitat** Duvet Cover* | **The White Company** Square Pillows* | **The White Company** Square Pillowcases* | **The White Company** Standard Pillows* | **The White Company** Standard Pillow Cases (top)* | **Habitat** Standard Pillow Cases (bottom)* | **The White Company** Quilt* | **Wood/Grey** Stripe Cushion* | **Wood/Grey** Blanket*

**West Elm** Souk Wool Rug* | **Mahabis** Classic Slippers in Larvik Grey* (10% off with code ‘IGX-9d5bd925’)

Finding good textiles to use in the bedroom is vital if you want to create an inviting, warm space that you feel comfortable in. I thought I’d share a few of my favourite brands and items, as I begin to share my home with you on Style&Minimalism. From duvets to rugs, pillowcases to blankets, I’ve tried all sorts and have been lucky to discover some really great products.

Without a good night’s sleep I can’t function so finding bedding that works for both me and Dan was really important. We were given our Hungarian goose down duvet as a Christmas present, and have been very happy with it, at 10.5 togs it’s both lightweight and warm. Our pillows are a new addition from The White Company. The large square ones are great for sitting up and reading in bed, and the standard pillows are a special design with three chambers for a better sleeping position. The two outer chambers have more supportive feathers for side sleepers and the central chamber has more soft down ideal for front or back sleepers. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in how my neck feels when I wake up.

Bedlinen can also make a huge difference to how I feel in bed, I prefer cotton sheets as they feel fresh and clean, and usually go for a simple palette of white and pale grey. I’ve experimented a little with linen pillowcases and although I like the look and feel of them they’re not as soft on my face as cotton. The square pillowcases and top standard pillowcases are from The White Company’s Avignon collection. I love the little pom-pom details along the edges, it’s fun but still quite minimal. The bottom standard pillowcases and duvet cover are both from Habitat, part of their Percale collection, a 180 thread count Egyptian cotton that is more soft than crisp; it feels really good to be enveloped in. On top of the duvet we have a gorgeous grey quilt, perfect for keeping our feet warm on cold winter nights, or chillier summer ones when I’ll be pulling it up over a flat sheet. It’s another item from The White Company, a brand as you’ve probably gathered by now I’m quite fond of. The quality is just so much better than most you find on the high street. There’s a coordinating cushion that goes with the quilt but I prefer not to have everything too matchy-matchy, mine’s from Wood/Grey, an incredible little website that sources some really beautiful and unusual designs for the home. They have some great beauty products, too, like Herbivore Botanicals. The herringbone blanket across the bed is also from them.

I think it’s really important to have great textiles on the floor, too. Wandering around the room barefoot you want to feel something soft under your feet. When I first featured this Beni Ourain style rug from West Elm I had no idea that it was going to be so soft! It’s the sort of rug you stop just to wriggle your toes in. I cannot express just how happy I am with it. Downstairs we have floorboards and tiles so I wear slippers most of the time. These Mahabis ones have a soft wool lining, squidgy cushioned inner sole and detachable outer soles which convert them into an outdoor shoe. They’re really warm and comfortable.

I would love to know if you’ve tried any of the products and what you thought of them. Or if you have any great recommendations please let me know in the comments section below.

Could You Live With Less?

This post was created in collaboration with Habitat.

When people talk about ‘less is more’ they’re probably not suggesting you sell all your prized possessions and live in an empty white box. It’s a phrase that was first used in design by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and he explained it as having ‘the greatest effect with the least means’.

1. TALIA White Bench | 2. LYSS Smoked Glass Table Lamp (no longer available) | 3. SUEDA Nude Pink Suede Cushion (no longer available) | 4. MERCO Black & White Ceramic Vase (no longer available) | 5. VIVA Glass Teapot with Infuser (no longer available) | 6. YVES Black Floor Lamp with Black Shade (no longer available) | 7. DEACON Blue Faceted Bowl (no longer available) | 8. VIVA Set of 2 Double Walled Glass Cups (no longer available) | 9. LYLE Charcoal Fabric 3 Seater Sofa

For me, it’s about buying only the things we really need and appreciate, whether that be aesthetically or functionally (or both, whenever possible); and getting rid of those we don’t. We currently live in a society in which we show our wealth with excess and I think it’s about time we took stock and realised that this nonsensical approach might not be the greatest one. It’s not only damaging to the environment but nurtures an anxiety in us to keep proving our success through larger, grander purchases. I’m not suggesting you stop working towards a better future for yourself. Just consider how you spend those well-earned pounds and pennies. Think about whether the next item you buy is going to make you happy today or for years to come. Will you still want to live with it in six months time? I’ve found that spending my money on items I really love and surrounding myself with these things makes me feel good in a way I never expected. You’ll also find that you save money, as you won’t feel the need to replace things so often because you’ll still enjoy both using and seeing them in your home.

Getting to grips with your personal tastes can be beneficial in determining what really brings you joy in your home. Go out and spend time soaking up the atmosphere and decoration in your favourite cafés, restaurants and hotels. Pick up a few interiors magazines next time you’re passing a newsstand or scour your local bookshop for interior design books, and sit with a cup of coffee and savour the pages. Pinterest boards are also an incredible way to build up a picture of what excites you. By discovering and determining the style that you love most you’ll make much better buying decisions. You’ll also find that the things you buy sit well together.

Over the last few years I’ve discovered that I’m drawn to a fairly minimalist aesthetic, functional pieces that have been made with great consideration for material and construction. They are quietly confident pieces that need no fanfare. I’m no longer distracted by what’s trending and know what suits me and my style. When I shop I look for pieces that will have a function in my home and I’ll have a spot in mind for them before I actually make a purchase. If you’re not sure, use the wish list function on your favourite website to curate a collection of items that you think might work. Then come back to them in a week or a fortnight when you’ve really given them some consideration.

It’s quite common to stop noticing the items we decorate our homes with, even the ones we spent hours debating over buying. We get them home, find the perfect place for them and then after a few months become quite used to them, to the point where we stop acknowledging them in the same way we once did. It’s not that you like them any less, they’ve just become part of the furniture (excuse the pun). Every couple of months have a rejig, move plants and prints around the house, change the books on your coffee table, try out a different configuration of your furniture. And if there are pieces in your home that you’ve completely tired of, get rid of them, either by selling them or giving them away to charity.