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This furniture trend is the ultimate trick for small spaces

  • October 21, 2023

The Y2K revival trend continues to reign over all facets of lifestyle as new (or should that be old?) micro trends of the era keep popping up. One of the noughties interior styles that we’re most excited about having a resurgence is the transparent furniture trend. Which as it happens is a great small living room idea to maximise on a small-scale living space.

It might be a retro trend, but it still manages to look super modern. Plus the use of clear glass, acrylic or perspex in this trend is a surefire way for making a small living room look bigger.

See-through furniture isn’t the easiest trend to style – things can get tacky real fast with these Y2K trends. However, we’ve spoken to design experts to find out how to get the look just right, and the best pieces to snap up now to nail the look at home.

Transparent furniture trend

Umbra Magino Side Table

(Image credit: Wayfair)

The noughties-inspired trend was made popular in the early 2000s with the release of the Kartell Louis Ghost Armchair, sold at Heal’s for £294, which is now considered a design classic.

‘Whilst transparent acrylic furniture has been around since the 1960 and 70s, it was Phillipe Starck’s Louis Ghost Chair that really propelled the trend into people’s homes in the early noughties,’ says Lucy Mather, design expert from Arighi Bianchi.

Sabina Miller, buying director at Heal’s, agrees, ‘Some of the most iconic furniture designers of the last century have paid homage to this trend, from the iconic Noguchi coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1944, to the iconic Louis Ghost chair designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell in 2002.’

Kartell Louis Ghost Armchair

(Image credit: Heal’s)

And it’s not just the current noughties obsession that’s fuelling this latest home decor design trend. It’s influencers like

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Rustic bedroom ideas – 10 ways to do rugged country style for a relaxing cocoon

  • July 13, 2022

Rustic bedroom ideas conjure up thoughts of sleeping in a cosy cocoon and who wouldn’t want that? 

Nature is good for the soul. Country folk have always known this but research now backs it up. Colours of nature and natural materials help soothe our (often frazzled) minds. So where rest and relaxation are concerned, rustic style is ideal when you’re on the hunt for bedroom ideas. 

‘There’s just something about the rustic, shaggy and raw paired with the sleek, clean and polished which creates a sweet spot for interesting, stylish and cosy interiors,’ says Noemie Deed, founder, Cosy Coco (opens in new tab). ‘Charming rustic designs transform contemporary pads into cosy homesteads.’  

10 rustic bedroom ideas

Rustic style tends to let nature’s natural beauty shine through, so rugged materials such as reclaimed wood, chunky wool and wicker feature heavily. Mixed with leafy greens, sky blues and earthy tones these create a nature-inspired sleep haven, perfect for large sleep zones or small bedroom ideas. 

1. Whitewash timber-clad walls

white bedroom with white wall panelling and soft blue accents

(Image credit: Future / Dominic Blackmore)

To create a cabin-in-the-woods style rustic bedroom decor, clad your walls with timber and give a section of it a whitewash for a fresh modern feel. 

Against this backdrop, include Shaker style wooden furniture, a chunky oatmeal rug and botanical prints on your bed linen to wake up with nature wherever you live.

2. Add stable doors for shutters

Wood clad bedroom with distressed walls, woven bed and faux fur throw

(Image credit: Future / Polly Eltes)

Barn conversions are popular renovation projects in rural locations for good reason and many incorporate charming ideas influenced by their surroundings. We love  these salvaged stable doors being used as shutters and old floorboards for wall cladding.

Whether you live in a barn, cottage, flat or house, scour salvage yards and junk shops to see what treasures you can repurpose for

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Why contemporary may be Dubai’s star interior style

  • July 9, 2022

Ever had that feeling that a certain kind of style was ‘too much’ – too cold and minimal, too bright or bold, too ruffled and that you wanted something in-between, something more balanced? In the design world, contemporary style formed a sort of answer to that issue.

How? Originating in the 1970s, Contemporary has also been called a ‘style chameleon’ – because it actually draws inspiration from various interior styles prominent from the decade onwards, but with a fundamental base. That base is a sleek, sculptural and clean look with an emphasis on open spaces, and a subtle sophistication.

However, the rest was flexible, and changed with the times. The variety of styles it can take inspiration from includes Modern – stark lines of concrete, glass and steel; Mid-Century Modern – minimal, sleek geometric furniture of moulded plastic, steel and glass originating in the 1950s; Art Deco – early 1900s decorative arts movement including streamlined, geometric and embellished designs; Futurism – think the clear-cut bold curves and non-patterned sculptural furniture inside a movie space hotel; Deconstructivism – shapes that are a bit dislodged from each other; Bohemian – a rustic, snug style.

Earlier, people used to very clearly identify what Indian architecture looked like or what the British architectural style looked like or Parisian, the Nordic style, or the Japanese style here. Now, we’re having a very Dubai style, and it’s becoming much more defined. One of the definitions is contemporary.

– Rincey Philip, founder of Rincey Philip interiors, Dubai-based interior decorating firm

Moreover, it is not a static style – it constantly changes and evolves, thus remaining ‘contemporary’. This means the contemporary 2000 style is vintage in comparison to Contemporary version 2022. In short, it is the ‘now’ of interiors.

Rincey Philip, founder of Rincey Philip interiors, Dubai-based interior

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Small living room styling mistakes you should always avoid

  • July 6, 2022

When decorating a smaller space it’s just as important to learn what not to do as what you should be doing. Knowing what small living room styling mistakes you need to avoid will save you from wasting money, time and energy.

One of the great things about small living room ideas is that many of the design tips are applicable whether you live in an ultra-modern townhouse or quaint country cottage. 

From colourways and pattern choices to lighting and storage, there are plenty of things you should be aware of before you start styling your space. In addition to all of these are, of course, the bigger pieces which help define a living room.

‘When furnishing a small room, it’s important to consider what purpose each piece provides and what you truly need to create a cosy, stylish, and functional room,’ advises Jenna Choate, Co-Founder, Interior Fox (opens in new tab).

With this in mind, let’s discover what’s not worth having or adding to these little lounges.

Small living room styling mistakes

From opting for bulky furniture to choosing the wrong side of rug, discover the small living room styling mistakes which we’re helping you avoid.

1. Not planning the furniture out

Pink living room with low cream sofa, wall shelving and large artwork

(Image credit: Interior Fox)

‘To achieve the best layout and design for a small living room, planning is key,’ advises Mariana Ugarte, Co-Founder, Interior Fox. ‘Maximise space in a compact living room by first considering the key pieces of furniture.’

‘Purchasing furniture without considering shape, size and function can be a costly mistake,’ continues Mariana. ‘Before investing in furniture like sofa ideas for small living rooms, measure and measure again. Consider where you will place it and how it will sit alongside other key pieces in the room’

When it comes to what should go where in

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Maya Vander reveals the most important room to remodel if you’re on a budget

  • June 21, 2022

If you’re in the world of home renovation then you’ll be fully aware that it’s a little… Addictive. And despite a rise in house prices and renovation costs generally, people’s taste for house flipping and reno projects really isn’t going away any time soon. Whether you’re renovating your forever home or planning to sell and make a profit, knowing which are the most important rooms in a house to focus on can be key to success.

In an exclusive interview with Real Homes, luxury real-estate agent, and an Oppenheim Group original of Netflix’s Selling Sunset, Maya Vander (opens in new tab) shares her knowledge on which rooms are the most impactful when it comes to staging and giving potential buyers a great first impression.

Maya Vander

(Image credit: Lindy Lin)

After all, even if you have a lot of cash to play around with, you still need to manage your budget accordingly for a successful project.

Which room is most impactful when showing potential buyers?

The kitchen is often argued as the heart of the home, and Vander says it’s worth perfecting this space as a priority, especially if you plan to redo your entire house, but don’t necessarily have the budget to do it all in one go.

‘I think generally speaking kitchens are very important in a house, especially if the kitchen is open, because

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