Fill Your Home With Hearty Love
Wednesday 6th February 2008 by Elizabeth Richards
With Valentine’s Day drawing closer and thoughts turning to matters of the heart, let a little love into your life with romantic accents and a sensual makeover for your home; an iconic motif is one that never fails to bring comfort and the heart is certainly one of our most loved and most versatile designs.
 Timeless and simple, it’s as at home in the bathroom and bedroom as it is in the dining room, living spaces and kitchen. In neatly ordered rows or scattered haphazardly, as an oversized block of colour or a tiny repeated pattern, the heart can add a modern statement or a homely touch.
Introducing love-inspired colours – reds, pinks, pure whites, soft greys – will bring a stylish intimacy to living spaces without being sickeningly cute. Natural materials give the right impression so for the bigger picture choose soft furnishings in natural cotton, linen, felt and silk, furniture in wood and soft wool carpeting.
 Cushions are essential for a relaxed air and as it's the little details that matter, look for interesting stitching, ruffles, plump bows and velvet bands.
We’ve fallen for the beautiful scarlet-embroidered Love Cushion  from Jan Constantine (pictured right) that makes a cosy corner of any sofa or armchair as well as being a gorgeous gift idea for newlyweds.
 Upgrade everyday basics so that even breakfast time feels romantic with heart-print teacups from Emma Bridgewater .
And make a ritual of tea and coffee time with sweet little heart-shaped Sugar Lumps from Cox and Cox (pictured left). Their Valentines collection is irresistible so while you’re there stock up on dipping bowls, cupid cookie cutters and tiny gold-dusted sparklers.
 Boxwood is a must-shop stop for all things heart-themed so if food is his passion, cook your way to his affections with their Terracotta Baking Dishes in pretty blue, cream or yellow (pictured right).
Whilst you’re at it, spell out your feelings with oversized letters which make the perfect focal piece on a mantle or shelf. French Interiors is the place to go and they’ll even hand paint them any colour you like.
 But if you prefer something a little more discreet, build up a collection of dinky hanging hearts for slinging over door knobs, cupboard handles and bathroom hooks. In simple painted wood they have a homespun familiarity so we’re investing in these cotton-tied spotty designs from Country Cream (pictured left).
For the bedroom, soft padded hearts in silk or floral-print cotton may be more appropriate. Otherwise, add twinkly interest with a silver style from Brissi (pictured top).
So whether you’re going for a big bold declaration or nothing more than the merest of hints, with just a few little touches you can be sure of a home that’s full or hearty love.
|
