Vancouver Island Getaway | Rue

I managed to find some time yesterday to read the latest Rue magazine. If you have time this lunch hour or over the weekend, curl up with a cuppa and get inspired.

My favourite part of the magazine was this beautiful bed & breakfast on Vancouver Island, with it's light, airy, relaxed style. Owners, Harold and Marianne, achieved this with the help of their interior designer daughter, Angela Robinson.

Time spent in Norway inspired Angela - she borrowed their natural colour palette and layers of texture, working with quality materials to ensure that comfort wasn't spared despite the minimalist look.

Because the setting of 'Inn the Estuary' is so beautiful, it was important to Angela to have a seamless transition from indoors to out. Bright whites, warm wood, and accents of blue and green reflect the natural surroundings. I'd be very happy to stay here, wouldn't you?

Read more about this home and lots more in the April/May edition of Rue.

Spain meets Scandinavia

I have a beautiful home to share with you today - the home of interior designer, Merixtel Riba, located in the Spanish district, Barcelona L'Eixample. I was inspired by it's design, and I know you will be too. It boasts a lovely, clean Scandinavian aesthetic, paired with delicious accents of Spanish colour and pattern.

Merixtel allotted a third of the 400 square meter home to her office and showroom, and the other two thirds is the family home.

The neutral backdrop of white walls and wooden floors, and the uncluttered styling is distinctly Scandinavian.

This room, with it's many doors and windows, could've been tricky to furnish, but having all the furniture in the middle anchored by the large round rug is genius.

The original handcrafted Catalan brick roof, which was uncovered during the renovation, was left exposed as a feature in the kitchen. Beautiful Moroccan tiles on the floor bring more warmth to the room. Hard lines and industrial touches define the kitchen area, while the dining area alongside consists of softer materials and lots of curves.

The striking simplicity and clean lines continue in the bedroom and bathroom. The dark walls in the bathroom contrast the lighter walls throughout the rest of the home.

source: Rum Hemma | photography: Mauricio Fuertes

A gorgeous home, don't you agree?! Clean and uncluttered, while still being warm and welcoming.

Dark Walls | Three Ways

Domino.com is a favourite source of inspiration for me, and now, with their newly introduced image gallery, it's become even easier to browse their brilliance. You can narrow your search by room or colour, and that was fantastic when I was recently looking for inspiration on black walls. Here are three examples, all quite different, but all sensational.

Your entranceway is the perfect place to create a statement in your home, as it greets people, and gives them a hint of what's to come. Style writer and interior designer, Rita Konig, has nailed her entranceway with this beautiful black wallpaper adorned with birds and flowers. It's beautiful against the blue tiled floor, and looking back from the room beyond, the stark contrast to the white walls is stunning. The hints of pink and green in the entrance are echoed in the foreground room, giving a sense of cohesion.

If you want to be wowed with a gorgeous home check out this one belonging to architect and interior designer, Will Meyer and his family. A super modern country house it combines slick design with comfort and functionality. I love the contrast between the dark wood panelling in the bedroom and the crisp white. It creates a refreshingly unique Scandinavian feel.

A lot of people would balk at the idea of black walls in a child's bedroom, but I love it juxtaposed with bright, vibrant colour. This bedroom is deliciously adventurous with it's yellow and white striped ceiling which could be achieved with wallpaper or paint.

What do you think of these rooms? Do you have a favourite?