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Trendwatch: Mismatched Chairs

The idea of mis-matching your dining chairs to your dining table is nothing groundbreaking. In fact, this eclectic look has become so de rigeur in recent years that it’s almost impossible to come across a matched set in a magazine or on a design blog. Rustic wooden table? Use sleek white chairs. Industrial steel table? Break out the mahogany Victorian chairs. It’s been happening for so long that our eyes just accept and enjoy this look now.

But what about taking it a step further, and mis-matching your chairs, too? It’s a bit trickier as there’s more to get right, but I’ve been loving this look lately. The galleries at Living etc can show us how it’s done:

Gorgeous, right? Having said that, I’m wondering how long this whole “mismatched” trend will last. When we come this far in one direction, it’s inevitable that the pendulum will eventually swing the other way, and we’ll all be craving sleek dining sets before too long. My sister has just invested in this stunning oak one, and I admit that it looks fresh and new in her home. For now though, I’m batting for team mismatched.

What do you think? Are you still loving mismatched dining furniture, or are you ready to embrace consistency again?

The tiled wall: two looks

One current trend I particularly love for kitchens is the tiled wall. Not a tiled backsplash, not a recessed nook, but a whole tiled wall. Depending on the tile you choose, the look can be bold and impactful or subtle.

These decorative tiles make for an elegant and retro take on the trend, via Apartment Therapy:

The tiled wall: two looks

For an austere and timeless look, white subway tiles were used in this kitchen from Living etc:

The tiled wall: two looks

Which do you prefer?

Flickr finds: green kitchens

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my favourite colour is green, and that a green-and-white kitchen with wooden countertops and stainless steel appliances is my heart’s desire. Check out these inspirational images of gorgeous green kitchens.

A vision of modernity in lime and stainless steel, from sarahleeab

green one

Rustic and atmospheric, from George

green two

From lyrabellacqua, a bright and cheery paint job: 

green three

Bringing the outdoors in, an Australian kitchen from Amit

green four

By limonada, a super-bright shade in a super-organized kitchen: 

green five

The accents do the work in this bright space, from ooh_food

green six

From the same source, this modern space is the closest thing to my dream kitchen: 

green seven

Kitchen trend: wallpaper

When my family moved into our current house, the kitchen was papered in the most grotesque yellow/orange/red wallpaper from the 50′s. Looking back, it was actually kind of cool, but my Mum hated it. One day, she let my sister and me rip it off the wall to our hearts’ content. (Wonderful way to keep a 7- and 4-year-old entertained, I imagine.) These papers, though, I would definitely not be ripping off my kitchen wall. 

A colourful, sophisticated print works surprisingly well in a small kitchen, from The Kitchen Designer

sophisticated wallpaper

Via Apartment Therapy, this wallpaper was hand-painted , based on a vintage sample from a book: 

painted wallpaper 1

painted wallpaper 2

I love this loft kitchen from Canadian House and Home. Unusually, the wallpaper is on the ceiling: 

green wallpaper

A modern-country look from House to Home (I love the colours here):

spotty wallpaper

This red-and-cream look, from Design*Sponge, might just be my favourite: 

red and cream wallpaper

Kitchen trend: vintage aqua jars

These vintage Mason jars look great on a sunny windowsill… no wonder they’re popping up all over Flickr.

From lucyellen06:

3jars

From twelve22:

jarsmantel

From *Piney*:  

jarivy