Pre-Winter time

From the Cummersdale Design Collection

In Amsterdam we are enjoying a warm and beautiful autumn weather; people are still sitting outside and grasping each sun beam they can get. This is quite in contrast with the winter warm displays in the stores. In the beginning of December we celebrate the arrival of Sinterklaas (the Dutch version of Santa Claus) and with his arrival comes the merchandise in hot chocolate, Marsepein, Pepernoten and Tai Tai (there are no translations for these typical dutch sweets). Although the brave man Sinterklaas will arrive in the rather windy mid November, the sweets are already for sale. Though, until the sun is shining we will enjoy our outside summer lifestyle with Rosé, tapas, baguettes and large sunglasses.

In order to relate to this paradox I’ve been looking for a suitable styling solution and came up with a frugal idea to spice up the livings in this transitional period between sunny autumn and windy wet winter. The inspiration came from the extensive Cummersdale Design Collection in Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. With the help of John Lewis, one of the biggest retailers in the UK, an archive of more than 25.000 prints has been preserved and displayed in a room that is to visit by appointment. The designers of manufacturers like Colefax & Fowler, Nina Campbell, Liberty and Osborne & Little have access to this treasure and use the old prints for new inspiration.

When I browsed through them, I recognized some prints and those made me think to re-use old fabrics. Since I left the Fashion Academy I’ve had a soft spot for soft fabrics and spicy prints. Unfortunately I’m not the person that will dress herself in prints, so I display my likes in my interiors why I can play with them in different mix-match adventures.

If you are insecure in the mix and match of fabrics in your home, you could start applying these skills with your choice in decorative cushions. My tip is to start looking for printed or coloured fabrics in your wardrobe. Did you store an old favorite dress in satin, or do you cherish a silk scarf from your grandmother? Is a large leather tote still lingering in your walk in closet?

These items can be used to drape some cushions to live up a seat in a window sill, a wooden bench in the hall or the rather large sofa in your living. Before your tear up your precious dresses, scarves, duvet covers or throws, please fold them around some cushions and arrange them until the ultimate mix matches. Probably this idea will lead to clearing your storages and will result in a cost saving but creative restyling of your home. If you are in need of colour advice for the right mix and match venture, send me a request via e-mail and I will give you a helping hand.

From the Cummersdale Design Collection

From the Cummerdale Design Collection