The prospect of refurbishing this chair has been looming over me for so long. When furlough came along via lockdown, I promised myself that I’d use the time to finally tackle it and start ordering the paint and fabric samples that I’ve been threatening to do for years.
Collecting art, prints and generally anything that can be flaunted on your walls is an ongoing hobby for those of us who love it. I truly believe there’s no hard stop to the amount of art that you should display in your home.
You might be wondering how this article relates to interior design, styling or colour, but if you read this account about my dad Paul La Gambina, you’ll understand how and why I am the person I am today. It’s something that I’ really want to share.
‘Damn Cool’ will be a features board where you can check out the extra cool pieces that really jump out at me, the ones that I feel the need that you MUST see, and if nothing else, to impart what’s in my brain and give the magazine features editor within me an excuse to play!
The fact that we’re still partly in lockdown and unable to travel at the moment has got a lot of us thinking about places we’ve been, and places we long to visit. I’ve been thinking about the word ‘wanderlust’, isn’t it pretty? Meaning; a strong desire to travel, and I think a lot of us feeling that desire quite strongly right now.
With a background and upbringing in fashion and design, my interiors and styling methods are inevitably influenced by the fashion industry, particularly in terms of colour palettes and texture. I often resonate with the photography used in the fashion adverts within the front few pages of magazines, for the stunning use of colour and pattern in the clothing, and environment they’re shot in.
What is ‘good taste’ and who decides it? Generally speaking, magazines, influencers and the media inform us what’s on the catwalk, therefore what’s in, or coming to the shops so we’re fairly dictated to by trends whether we know it or not, quite simply because that’s what’s currently available to buy.
What is more satisfying than curling up in a sumptuous armchair with a hot drink and good book at the weekend, or at the end of a long day? We all have our favourite spots for these deserving moments don’t we? and the best chairs are those that hug us back and feel great to touch, as well as fabulous to look at.
I’m sure, like me, being indoors for the past 4 weeks has got you dreaming about sunshine and escapism, am I right? As we all know, staying home and staying safe is of paramount importance right now and it’s got me thinking yet again of importance of our homes.
When I lived in this 2 bedroom terraced house in Sale (Manchester) from 2008 to 2013, I was a first time owner, so the excitement around the prospect of decorating was at its absolute peak, as you can imagine.
Comfortable and cosy for family nights in, as well as chic and cool for entertaining and cocktail making - this was the brief for the living room of the charming cottage in Knutsford, Cheshire.
It’s one of the most anticipated and exciting times of the year for me; the unveiling of the Pantone colour that will inspire product and design trends for the coming year.
Deck the halls with pink Christmas trees, neon wrapping and disco balls – this year I’m feeling a 90’s Christmas knees-up and it’s time to get the party started!
Manchester’s home interior stores are sadly not what they once were. It still pains me to think of Heals and Habitat. Once inspiring interior leaders, the stores closed in 2010 and 2011 respectively when Heals was said to be under performing and Habitat went into administration.
You can imagine my absolute delight when I learned that the Living Etc House Tours were taking place for a second time this year. The October tour was located in the area of Highbury & Islington, where we were welcomed into six more fantastic homes full of charm and character.
