Violets are blue

Despite the fact that my interior design company is called Blue Mahogany, blue is actually one of my least favourite colours. Just thinking about it, the only time I have ever come up with a blue scheme, it was pretty much unavoidable as the clients' corporate colours were blue and white. The closest I have ever done without prompting is duck egg I believe, and that was only as an accent colour.
Seeing as I am a strong believer that although the interior designer's style will come through to some degree, interior design is really not about what my personal preferences are. So I've set myself a challenge: Design a blue room. I mean, really blue (whatever that is...). To be really strict, I've decided that turquoise doesn't count either! Oh my... let's see how this goes.

The right lick of paint

We recently had the walls in our design studio painted to create visual impact but also to serve as a notice/scribble board for the creative team. We briefly toyed with the idea of hanging up a white board but that just seemed way too boring and predictable. Instead we painted on a black emulsion stripe which now serves as a blackboard that we can scribble on with chalk during meetings and brain storming sessions. Another stripe was painted on using a grey metallic paint which actually contains metal properties that allow magnets to stick directly to the wall once painted! How cool is that?? I think this is definitely my find of the month.

Team fun

Tonight the Blue Mahogany team is clocking off early and heading into town for a nice meal (I've already decided I'm having anything with dodo!) and a chance to just unwind and talk about stuff other than work. I'll upload photos later. Have a great weekend all!!

I'm loving....

...these bamboo pots. I found them yesterday and it was love at first sight. They are so simple and fresh and would work just as well in  a clean contemporary space as in a warm ethnic inspired home. They're hand made using bamboo canes and adorned with jewelled necklaces with glass beads. Fab!

Faking it

If you're going to fake it, make it believable. I absolutely adore fresh cut flowers. They always add something to a room and to one's mood. They add life! That's what it is... life. In the colour, the texture, the scent...
Since moving back to Lagos I've realised that fresh cut flowers are not always an option though. Getting the perfect arrangement without any wilting roses or sad lilies is a bit of a tall order and where you can find it, it costs a lot more than a few bob! When I did the figures and calculated how much my weekly flower fix would cost me in a year I decided to spend it on new shoes instead and the rest on some gorgeous silk roses that look just as real as if I'd flown them in this morning. Sometimes I even make bouquets with a combination or fresh and artificial flowers.
So yes, I do understand why lots of people opt for artificial flowers and plants. What I do not understand or condone is the plastic stuff that looks so fake it wouldn't fool a blind man. What's with the blue plastic roses? Purple lilies? Seriously!

It must be love

I'm currently decorating my new office. It's going pretty slowly. Deliberately so, as I am taking my time to select each piece or design element that goes into it, trying out different configurations, toying with various ideas... When it is done it will be the prettiest, most comfortable, eclectic, unique expression of my inner thoughts, desires, aspirations and pleasures... in an office. I find that I am my most demanding client. Possibly because I have multiple personalities and tastes, but also because I see so many beautiful things and fall in love with lots of different design ideas, that my mind is just one huge kaleidoscope of possibilities which I would love to but could not possibly represent in one space.
So each day I add something new, take something away, move something else around, make a decision, 'un-make' another.... So far I have a desk which I absolutely adore! The one I initially wanted was Italian and would have set me back a couple of thousand Euros. It was stunning. Definitely a show stopper. Quite honestly though, It wasn't me. The desk I ended up going for was one I designed myself. Locally made, bravely executed and eventually perfected. My desk. It says so much about me and that is why I love it so much (aside from the fact that it is pink and shiny!). Simple yet bold, feminine, delicate but strong, striking without being overly flamboyant. I love the fact that it was made by a local carpenter but in such a contemporary design. I love the fact that I picked the perfect shade of pink from my Dulux colour chart. I love the curvy legs and the way the glossy lacquered finish reminds me of raspberry candy. I love the simple glass top that floats delicately on top and I love knowing that although it looks so dainty and fragile it quite easily supports my huge Apple monitor, in tray, pens, books and all the other things I throw on it. I love that I can see my pretty shoes through the glass top. I love that it makes me smile when I look at my desk and I can see a little bit of me in it; and I don’t just mean my reflection in its shiny surfaces!

A journey of a thousand miles...

The first step may be unsure, but it is indeed the most significant. When decorating, starting a new blog, making a life changing career choice or picking out the right gift for a couple you never met... more important than anything else is that you actually take that first step.

So here I am. Slightly unsure, extremely excited and full of hope for what I believe will be an amazing journey for you and I... Here I am making my first of many blog entries.

I am not one for cliches (hmm, that sounded very much like a cliche) but I have a feeling that 2010 is going to be a fantastic year in so many ways. I do hope you join me on this journey as we explore the beauty, experience the excitement and discover the pleasant surprises this year has to offer!