Category

Interiors

Category
Accessories

GIRLBOSSES OF GREAT BRITAIN: THE ONE WITH NO FRIDGE MAGNETS IN SIGHT

House of Coco caught up with Alice Mayor, the lady responsible for kicking our London souvenirs into shape with the innovative We Built This City. Be gone snow globes and magnets and hello limited edition prints and, er, pigeons!

.

HOC: Hello Alice! Welcome to GBOGB – our series about ladies doing it for themselves. Something we’ve loved about our interviews so far is how so many of our GirlBosses are queens of reinvention – where you are in life or what you do for a living now doesn’t define you! How did you come to setting up We Built This City?

AM: I started life in PR and marketing for an agency with Arts clients. After being in the Arts industry I decided that I wanted to get more of a hands on feel for business. I felt there was a distance between being in an agency and actually in a business and I wanted to get involved in a start up. So, after 4 years of working in an agency I went to work for an online art and design retailer. It involved taking a pay cut but it was a lot of fun. I met a lot of artists and heard them all telling me how tough it was to be an artist. They had to do tonnes of admin and trade shows which meant they didn’t have time to get on and do what they did best!

I’m really passionate about creativity and felt sad that art wasn’t getting to a wider audience. It soon became my mission to help artists and designers with their careers through opening up and democratising art and design – so that artists could find new audiences and customers could find new products in a different way.

.

HOC: What was it about souvenirs that attracted you?

AM: Post the Olympics, London was in ascendency as a city. I remember reading an article that we were the most visited city in the world. Suddenly it didn’t seem right that people visiting London would always stick to the central tourist areas and rarely see the cooler sections. At the same time, London-related pieces were selling very well at the online retailer I was working for. I think that people feel very emotional about London; they come on holiday here, fall in love here, live here – there’s something for everyone in this city.

Typical souvenirs are so outdated and there’s a huge gap between what you can buy in a traditional souvenir shop and what the city represents. Typical souvenirs also tend to be cliched, generally not made locally and don’t represent an experience of contemporary London. There’s a lot more to London; you don’t even need to a be tourist to want a souvenir; many Londoners are very tribal about their areas!

It was surprising to me that this idea hadn’t been done in this way before. Of course, you can find good London inspired products in museum & gallery gift shops and places like Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason. However, no-one was doing it with a proper design-led approach. I realised that so many of the artists and designers, being based in London, had pieces inspired by the city. And even better, they were quality products and artworks with an affordable price tag, so perfect for a diverse customer in central London.

.

HOC: Your store couldn’t be more central in London (on Carnaby Street); how on earth did you get that to happen?

AM: Finding the right space was definitely the toughest thing. I literally walked around for 6 months banging my head on the walls looking for property! I couldn’t end up in Shoreditch, I knew I needed to be in central London for the shop to work. There were plenty of people who said that it wouldn’t work in a traditional retail environment as rents are so high.

In my 6 months of looking for the perfect space, I lurked around London; lots of lingering outside traditional souvenir stores, ringing estate agents, pop up managers etc. I finally found a contact who dealt with leasing around Carnaby Street and Soho; two areas where I thought the shop could work really well. The area has such heritage but you also get a lot of fashion and design in the area.

I pitched with a keynote presentation with the name ‘We Built This City’ and some example products. The team loved it but had a caveat – we would have to open in the next 3 weeks in a 3,000 sq ft space on Carnaby Street. It was crazy and utterly exhilarating and we opened on the 21st November for 8 weeks, it was really popular, so much so we were invited back in time for Summer 2015 and we’ve just moved to a new space right in the middle of Carnaby. We’re not really a pop-up anymore, I call us a ‘stay-up’!

.

HOC: Wow, it happened so fast. How did you manage the transition from working full time for someone else to working for yourself?

AM: During the time I was lurking around London I left my job at the online retailer – the business was being sold to new owners, so it was the right time. I then did some freelance work with Pip Jamieson – she’s a massive inspiration and a great female entrepreneur. I worked with her to launch The Dots but the day after the launch party I had an emotional reaction that, after helping another business, told me this was my time. It was a real guttural instinct that pushed me on to get the meetings that led to the launch of We Built This City.

.

HOC: And who makes up ‘We Built This City’ now?

AM: The ‘we’ of ‘We Built This City’ has been important from day one for me. When we first opened I already had a retail analyst friend of mine on board; she had been working for 10 years and wanted to do something else. She’s been instrumental to our success; she has been incredible at setting up the store and all of the finance side of things. I never dreamt of having a 3,000 ft shop at Christmas and I honestly don’t think I could have done that without her!

In fact, as everything moved so fast with the first opening – almost everyone in my life has been involved with We Built This City in some way. I had been trying to get a start up loan from the government but that takes around 6 weeks and I only had 3, so I did a big ring round my friends and family telling them I’d pay them back at some point in the future!

For the first opening I was in the shop every day for 8 weeks and I had a team of 5 people who also did shifts. It was like having a baby; I just couldn’t leave the shop; I had the key and was in first and out last. It got to a point that, in order for the business to have a future, I needed to come out of being full-time in the shop. Now we have a great team in place: Olivia runs the Carnaby store and does all the product buying, Katy takes care of all the artist liaison and art buying – they both have great commercial eyes and are instrumental to our success at making sure there’s something for every taste and budget. We are also now very lucky to have Adam who has 10 years experience in creative marketing and PR – support in that area is vital in the early days to build a strong community and brand. We also have a really talented shop team. Above anything else, the most important thing for me is our customer relations with our shop customers and the creative community. From my time working with Pip at The Dots I was very aware of what it takes to make a business run and that’s why I’ve taken the decision to build a solid team across the board early on. My advice to anyone starting out is to be very honest as early as possible about your strengths and what you can offer the business. Then plug the gaps and build a really strong team around you to share the weight.

.

HOC: Is it all about London, then or would you consider other locations?

AM: London was the starting point for me. In fact, a friend of mine came up with the name ‘We Built This City’ over a pint – I didn’t want London in the name as I didn’t want to be restricted! Tatty souvenirs are a problem the world over. There’s great homegrown craft out there but there’s always the standard souvenir store. I’m sure there is still a place for a snow globe souvenir but we can do more!

We are really ambitious to grow outside of London, whether that’s around the UK or beyond, will have to be seen. We’re still learning so much from our experience on Carnaby and need to spend some more time consolidating our offer here first. It is though very important to me that We Built This City is not just about London and we take this opportunity to more creatives around the world.

.

HOC: Our series is in part inspired by #GirlBoss movement and something they celebrate are Girl Boss Moments – do you have a recent experience that made you feel like a real Girl Boss?

AM: I’ve been asked to do a lot of talks recently. When you are invited to speak about your experience it really makes you realise that you’ve nailed something! It’s also a great opportunity to stop and reflect on what you’ve actually achieved, as well as what’s working and what’s not. I was first asked to speak at the Pulse trade show and was inundated with questions – it’s then that I also realised that I can now share my story and help others in the process. I was quite humbled by it all! More recently, I’ve spoken at Guardian Masterclasses and SohoCreate festival.

.

HOC: So what’s new for this new phase of We Built This City?

AM: We’re launching our online store later this summer.

We also have loads going on in our new space at 46 Carnaby Street; events and workshops that bring our designers into the store. For me, it’s so important that the store is about more than the transaction; we recently invited an artist called Rugman to design our third storefront which is a bold & colourful geometric design with a vinyl of the Queen as the centrepiece.

.

HOC: Sounds awesome, Alice! Thanks for sharing your story with us and we can’t wait to pop down for a workshop soon. Make sure you check out We Built This City, now at 46 Carnaby Street. They represent over 250 London artists and so far have supported over 600.

Do your part and support local artists and their creativity when you travel. We hate to break it to you but no one really wants an ‘I’m with Stupid’ t-shirt from your next city break!

by
Keep Reading
Arts

#WomenWorldwide: Creativity from the heart of Lagos with Oeuvre Designs

For our #WomenWorldwide series, we’ve gone out on the road to find the most innovative and inspiring entrepreneurs we can from every corner of the globe. Today’s interviewee, Zainab Akingbehin, is an interior designer at Oeuvre Designs, based in the heart of the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria.

HOC: Great to meet you Zainab! Let’s start with the tricky stuff! What’s your elevator pitch for Oeuvre Designs?
Zainab: Oeuvre Designs is an interior design studio based in Lagos Nigeria, we specialise in bespoke designs with the client’s personality and functionality being key to our designs.

HOC: Your work is beautiful! Tell us about your journey to running this business?

Zainab: Oeuvre designs started in 2016 with as little as nothing! It’s been quite an interesting journey though, of course there have been some learnings also on this journey, and hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but the determination has been strong.
When we launched the first question was, where do we get clients from and how? But we came up with our first furniture design “Hexa Stool” and everything went from there and brought us to into limelight. I guess that’s how we started!

HOC: You are based in Lagos which is known globally for being a hub of design, what’s it like running your business there?

Zainab: Trust me, Lagos is one of those tough places to get anything done on a daily basis. The hustle and bustle is real and the design process isn’t a smooth one here, getting things done in time is quite challenging and there are limitations too as we
almost never have the right places to source for things. But, hey, we are strong people here and the passion drives us so we never get tired of the challenges!

HOC: How do you balance these varying demands on your time-being creative and running the business side of things?

Zainab: As a creative designer and a business owner in today’s industry you often have to wear multiple hats. It’s a juggling act and not always easy to get the balance right. I don’t think there is ever a perfect balance though because there is a guilt either way.

I’m a perfectionist and the reality of being a creative designer and a business owner is that something always have to give which doesn’t sit well with me. But with the support I get from my team at work allows me to shuffle both.

HOC: Who would be your ideal client?

Zainab: Definitely clients that love good finish and clean lines; clients that have creative personality and also the support co-creation process.

HOC: Why, in your opinion, is good design so important?

Zainab: Good design is important due to the aesthetic value it possess in a given space. The fact is having an interior design that looks nice and beautiful will make you like your home even more. Also, good design means functionality because it
affects your quality of life. In your home, people live in such a way that they interact with their environment on a daily basis. Trust me, if a design does not work for you it’s most likely to frustrate you more than making you happy!

HOC: For our creative readers, what advice would you have for them to grow their artist practices and get their work seen?

Zainab: Firstly, self-confidence is very important. For instance, a stranger asks what do you do, and your response is not portraying any aura of confidence, then you are not doing a good job being a creative artist and selling yourself. No matter how
amazing your work is, if you are not confident enough in your work then it’s going to take series of miracle for anyone to see and appreciate your work!

Secondly know your value. One man’s paint splatter is another man’s masterpiece. So when you are trying to decide how much to charge for your work you need to take a lot of things into account like the time and cost of your supplies.

Thirdly consider the factors in the intangibles of your work that gives it value.

HOC: What piece that you’ve created means the most to you and why?

Zainab: Definitely my “Hexa Stool” : it was the start of my furniture design and it brought me into limelight so it means the most to me.

HOC: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Zainab: I get inspiration everywhere, from nature, my environment, architecture, sometimes in books and design blogs. Also by surrounding myself with positive minded people.

HOC: If you ever have a creative block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Zainab: Most times I just take 2 days off work and it helps a lot. I always have in mind the idea of finishing what you’ve started because the creative part is in seeing it through to the end and turning that dream into reality! I can also be spontaneous in nature; some of our designs are done lastminute and that is the fun part of being a designer.

Check out Zainab’s work at Oeuvre Designs at OeuvreDesigns.co

Follow along at @Oeuvre_Designs

by
Keep Reading
Afternoon Tea

#TeamCocopup: A doggy staycation at The Egerton House Hotel

After months of searching, TeamCocopup Charlie and I have finally found London’s best dog-friendly hotel, and it’s the perfect place for a luxury doggy staycation.

Located in a quiet tree-lined street in Knightsbridge, just a quick walk away from the busy shoppers at Harrods’ and the lush greenery of Hyde Park, The Egerton House Hotel is classic luxury at its finest. The hotel was originally built in 1843 and overlooking perfectly manicured private gardens; a luxurious sanctuary in the heart of vibrant Knightsbridge. The Egerton House Hotel has all the signatures of a Red Carnation Hotel; from its beautiful and timeless interiors, to its warm and truly impeccable staff, and everything else in between.

The exceptional service at The Egerton House is felt from the moment you step foot in the door; and the staff pull out all the stops when rolling out the red carpet for your four legged friend. Every room at the Egerton House is pet-friendly, which is hardly the case with other London hotels. We checked into our beautiful studio suite. ‘Studio’ is an understatement, because these rooms are as spacious ad they are indulgent. A muted colour palette is contrasted with a stunning vaulted ceiling,a cosy sitting area, a king sized bed with 200 thread count Belgian linen, and two glasses of bubbles patiently waiting our arrival.

Don’t fret – TeamCocopup Charlie also got the works, with his own luxury dog bed, two bowls full of treats, doggy matts, towels, and his choice of breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea – with his very own doggy menu. The doggy afternoon tea is held in The Egerton House’s beautiful Ivory hued Drawing Room and is definitely worth mentioning. The hotels afternoon tea celebrates the great British tradition with panache.From traditional loose leaf teas, to minimal asian flavours, and even some show-stopping herbal infusions; the Egerton House Hotel has something for even the most discerning tea connoisseur. While I enjoyed a glass of champagne with my afternoon tea, Charlie enjoyed a three course doggy menu of his own — also served in doggie-themed three-tiered tea stand. This very special doggy menu comprises of home made chicken and beef meatloaf, freshly baked dog biscuits, and some pure fruit doggie ice cream, not to mention some pup-friendly PAW-secco too — now that’s VIP (Very important Pet) treatment.

As House of Coco’s official doggie journalist, Team Coco pup Charlie has explored plenty of dog-friendly places in London, but nowhere reaches the same level of puppy-pampering as the Egerton House Hotel. The Egerton House Hotel exudes all of the essential charms of a luxury British hotel, balanced with the warm familiarity of a family run establishment.

WWW.EGERTONHOUSEHOTEL.COM

by
Keep Reading
Interiors

#CocoInteriors : The Ultimate Home Decoration Guide

If you are moving to a new house or you are still in the old one but want to decorate it from scratch, then do not worry because we are here for your help. It is not at all an easy task to decorate your home, especially the one that was never decorated properly ever before. But, a little effort can help you do it yourself without hiring an interior decorator who will probably charge you a lot of money.

In this article, we are going to share with you the complete guideline that can lead you to the path of home decoration. These simple guiding steps will turn out amazing for your home, and you will feel the clear difference as you will follow every step; that way it is being shared in this article. So, without any further due or delay, let’s get started with this journey.

Selection of Furniture

Furniture makes a big part of the home decoration items. It includes the beds, tables, and the sofa. You have to very carefully decide the designs and colors of wood or steel for these items and them their placement I respective rooms. Usually, if you like to have light and simple decoration of your home, then you must go with black or dark brown furniture color, while if you like colors, then make it colorful and in combination with other decoration item colors. You can find great stylish and durable storage products like acacia wood furniture and ideas at HomeGenerosity

Another thing to keep in mind s that the furniture must be warm, cozy and comfortable for you. You can check out https://www.bodymouldmattresses.co.uk/memory-foam-mattress-toppers/, and here you will find a very good variety of nice mattresses for your bed. Moreover, you can also visit https://aftermattress.com, where you can find many more cozy mattresses. Apart from the bed, your sofa must also be very comfortable. You should choose that also with care.

Wall Paint Colors and Combinations

Wall paints are another important aspect of home decoration that people need guide about. It is not something that we can do just according to what we like and what we want to see around. For the selection of colors, we have to first see the size of the room. If it is small, then we must use as many light colors as possible, and if possible only white. It will make the room look bigger and spacious. While the room is already large enough and spacious, then we can use dark color combination so that it may look composed.

Other than this, one must keep in mind the color scheme of bedsheets and curtains so that the colors for the wall paints may go completely with the color of the accessories. Otherwise, it will look very odd if the colors won’t be contrasting with each other.

Indoor Plantation

This is another guiding step that many people neglect. It is important that a home is incomplete without proper plantation in it. It is essential to have it because it makes the home feel very refreshing. So, whatever the plants or flowers you like, you can put them in your house to complete its overall look.

Well, after reading the above article, you must be very confident about your home decoration. You will get nice compliments from people who will visit your home, and that will help you do more for your home. For that, you will learn more, and that is the only path of getting better in it. So, try every step as it is supposed to be followed and done. Also, share this with other people to help them in this matter.

by
Keep Reading
Afternoon Tea

#TeamCocopup: A luxury Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough

There are very few hotels in London that are as classically stunning as The Lanesborough. Last weekend, TeamCocopup Charlie made his way to the Lanesborough, for a doggy afternoon tea at one of London’s most prestigious addresses.

As a member of the esteemed Oetker Collection, The Lanesborough Hotel is the absolute embodiment of London luxury. Cross the street and you’re immediately within the green expanses of Hyde Park. A quick hop skip and jump away and you’ll be in Knightsbridge, the world’s most exclusive shopping district. Perusing the carefully curated shop windows at Harrods, and Harvey Nichols. Charlie and I learned that a quick game of fetch in Hyde Park is the best way to calm the doggy nerves before afternoon tea at The Lanesborough.

Designed by Alberto Pinto, this grand luxury mansion features 93 beautiful luxury suites and bedrooms. After being greeted by the hotel’s chivalrous doormen, we were led to the Lanesborough’s beautiful Withdrawing Room – where we would settle in for our afternoon tea. Sumptuously decorated with gold details, luxurious velvet trim, hand-painted trompe l’oeil marbling and shimmering chandeliers; The Withdrawing Rooms looks exactly like how you’d imagine the Queen’s Royal drawing room to be –and here, both mums and pups get the royal treatment. We sat down in a prime spot right beside the fireplace, and Charlie was given to his own little doggie bed too.

Afternoon Tea is such a quintessentially British pastime, and it doesn’t get more British than at the Lanesborough. Every afternoon tea begins with the perfect brew, and The Lanesborough has one of the widest tea selections in London. With over 40 choices of tea to choose from, The Lanesborough’s afternoon tea menu is as exhaustive as it is indulgent and includes black, green, and aromatic herbal infusions. Our lovely waiter Luca took us through their expansive menu, and soon our stunning three tiered afternoon tea stand arrives. A mix of perfect cut finger sandwiches, wonderfully rich clotted cream, fresh fruit preserves, and freshly baked scones, and scattering of delightfully flavoured pastries and cakes. Our instant favourite were the incredibly light blackberry cheesecakes which sat on the top tier of our cake stand. Kudos to head pastry chef Fabio Bardi, because not a single pastry was too sweet or soggy, with even the most subtle of flavours brought to life. Charlie got some treats of his own, care of Bob and Lush at The Lanesborough. Bob & Lush is completely natural and is made of 100% freshly prepared meat, and are basicallyirresistible for any hungry pup. These treats are free from any artificial preservatives or colorants which means they are perfect for any sensitive puppy tummies. Safe to say — it was almost impossible to keep Charlie away.

Throughout the years, the Lanesborough has gained the reputation of being one of the best luxury afternoon teas in London – and for good reason! Incredible service, sumptuous surroundings, and an utterly delicious afternoon tea mean that the Lanesborough is really where the magic happens. The Lanesborough is a definite must-visit for tea and cake loving mums and pups the world over, especially for those looking for a very special way to spend a doggy afternoon.

www.oetkercollection.com
by
Keep Reading
Interiors

#CocoInteriors : Tips on Giving Your Bedroom a Makeover

Did you realise you spend as much as a third of your life in your bedroom? Admittedly, most of that is spent with your eyes closed, but what about the time when you’re awake? Next time you’re lying on your bed just dozing, take a look around the room and you might realise it needs a bit of a TLC. How much you spend depends on your budget, but you could get away with spending the smallest amount. The end result could still have the wow factor you’d get from spending hundreds of pounds. If you’re looking for ideas, here are some tips you might want to follow.

Pick a New Colour Scheme

Are you the kind of person who finds interior decorating a little bit daunting? The best place to start is choosing a colour scheme and in your bedroom, you need to pick colours that are soothing. Think about shades of lavender, light blue and grey. For a pop of colour add accents in bright orange and green. Repainting the walls won’t break the bank and you’ll have money left over to buy some interesting bedroom pieces.

Lavish Some Attention on Your Floors

If you’ve already got wall-to-wall carpeting or wooden flooring, replacing these might prove to be expensive. Show your flooring how much you care by adding a colour-coordinated rug. Pick something warm and comforting to place next to your bed. Alternatively, choose a mixture of textures and patterns depending on the rest of your décor. A rug is a great way of tying different elements in your room together. Pick the right size and you’ll be able to make your room look bigger or smaller.

Add Some Interesting Accessories

This is a great way to spice up the plainest of rooms. Adding throws, cushions and covers in a range of different colours and textures will bring your room alive. Why not swap out your bedding for something new? Or change for a duvet or comforter. These small additions can create a whole new look in your room. You might want it to be more girly, modern, classic, graphic, pastel or primary. If you want to splash out a little, consider investing in wall art to adorn your bedroom walls. Some bigger renovation projects might require a little more time, effort and money, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sort your dream bedroom. Crediful.com will be able to help if you need to think about the financing of such a project.

Choose Green Additions

If you want to have an expensive looking bedroom, without spending the cash, add some plants to the room. Pick a pretty vase and bring in some cut flowers. Pot up lush green plants in ceramic or metal containers. Pick plants that will help purify the air and make you sleep better, as well as improve the look of your room.

More Suggestions That Won’t Break the Bank

  • Choose stylish hanging lights rather than ceiling fixtures
  • A beautiful tray for your dresser top
  • Get rid of the clutter
  • Raise your curtains up high
  • Change the window treatments
  • Add some mirrors

Changing the look and feel of a room doesn’t have to cost hundreds, although there’s nothing wrong with spending the money if you want to. It doesn’t have to be a big change either as several small things can have just as big an impact.

by
Keep Reading
Interiors

Three ways to make your home more vintage

The décor of a house matters a lot since the appearance of a home can easily influence the mood. A messy or a cluttered place can immediately dampen the mood and make you irritable. Your surroundings should be comfortable and appealing to lift the inner aura. Nowadays, with almost everything within reach, there are many different styles of décor being incorporated. You can find all types of furniture of all styles and decorate houses with any style.

One of the styles that has never gone out of fashion is the vintage style. Vintage and antique décor are popular as they can be incorporated in any kind of house. Vintage furniture can be used for all kind of rooms to make them more sophisticated. Vintage furniture is used to give a high-quality and unique look. Vintage is always in trend because it is different, and it is not something that can easily be created. Making your home look vintage can be a difficult task, but here are three ways you can make your home décor as vintage as possible.

Adding Vintage Furniture

Adding vintage furniture to your home will add a distinct vintage character to your house. Vintage décor does not demand a full range of vintage furniture. One piece of vintage furniture is enough to add character to a room. Placing vintage sofas in your living room or drawing room will give a more refined look. You can also add vintage desks to your house for a vintage character. Vintage furniture generally stands out more than any other type. For your bedroom, you can invest in a vintage vanity. Old chairs and stools are also a good idea to easily make your rooms look more vintage.

Choose a Vintage Palette

When it comes to vintage home décor, using an old colour palette can go a long way. The vintage colour palette comprises of warm and dark colours. Since the Vintage furniture mostly used is made of dark coloured wood, it is best coupled with warm tones. Vintage sofas are also mostly made of leather using warm colours which create a warm palette a necessity. Adding wooden frames to your window is an easy and effective way for more vintage sense.

Vintage Décor Pieces

Vintage décor pieces are a great addition to enhance the old character of your house. You do not need to go hunting for actual vintage and antique pieces. You can easily add a vintage touch to your home décor with the help of vintage photo frames or use pitchers instead of vases for fresh flowers. Hanging plates are a definitive addition for vintage home décor. For a chic and charming vibe, you can add them to your hallways or decorate a room in your living room with an eclectic mix of photograph frames and hanging plates. You can use wires from Balingwiredirect.com to hang decorations. You can also find embroidered throws and doilies to cover furniture. These will definitely bring a vintage aesthetic to your home.

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

Top 5 interior bloggers to watch for inspiration

We’re all working women. We spend a lot of time in our offices and we love a good holiday or two, but the place we spend our down time is just as important.

In the quest to create a relaxing sanctuary of a home and find interiors which really scream you, it can be difficult to know where to start. Instagram and Pinterest are up there for sure, but our favourite form of inspiration? The interior blogger. To the Queen of cushions and sumptuous soft furnishings: we salute you. You make our lives a damn sight easier and let us look like the interior designers we really never were.

Here are our top picks of #interiorbloggers you should be following if it’s time to give your home a touch of TLC.

A Beautiful Mess

A long-time favourite here at House of Coco: the Instagram and blog (and book line and course and all round brand powerhouse) which is run by two sisters called Elsie and Emma Chapman. The whole shabang is a bit of an interiors/craft mash up, but the results are incredible. They share everything from how to toddler proof your house to shopping for brass light fightings. There isn’t a corner which goes untouched. In short, the girls pride themselves on creating happiness through a homemade lifestyle.

If you’re one for splashing rainbow brights through every room in your house and love all the textured decor, then ABM will leave you reeling with interior inspo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BleABNugnRS/?hl=en&taken-by=abeautifulmess

Little Big Bell

The blog that’ll leave you wanting to buy prints in abundance and never stop. It is run by Geraldine from London, and just like ABM, LBB is all about the rainbow colours.

Her style is just a little less DIY and more clean cut than the previous. Follow on Instagram for daily bouts of list worthy interiors, and head to the blog for renovation tips aplenty.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlKZdeNHcBk/?hl=en&taken-by=littlebigbell

My Scandinavian Home

If you like to take a leaf from the Scandi style book and keep your home looking minimalist, then this is the blog for you. Run by Niki Brantmark, author of The Scandinavian Home, it is a beautiful ode to white walls, copper hardware and geometric prints. We love.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlRAV3nFXM6/?hl=en&taken-by=myscandinavianhome

Old Brand New

A swoon-worthy blog this time run by a gentleman: American dweller Dabito who brings a breath of fresh air to home remodelling.

He’s a lover of vintage, so if you’re wanting to know how to marry antiques with the latest trend pieces, Dabito is your man.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGddtDlANZ/?hl=en&taken-by=dabito

Mad About The House

This blog was born from a wealth of experience; creator, Kate Watson-Smith has years of knowledge under her belt after writing about interior design for the likes of the Guardian, Independent and Financial Times.

Her blog is an exclusive sneak peak inside the four walls she calls home. She shares tips on getting started with renovation plus insider trend tips to keep your style savvy. A serious bible.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlSCPtAAgri/?taken-by=mad_about_the_house

Where do you get your interior inspiration from? Comment below to let us know.

by
Keep Reading
Food & Drink

The Radisson Blu Nice: A stylish stay in the French Riviera

If you’re looking to live out your best impression of a Slim Aarons’ photograph, then hop on a plane to the south of France and check-in to the Radisson Blu Nice. Located on the picturesque thoroughfare of the Promenade des Anglais; the Radisson Blu Nice is an icon of hospitality in the French Riviera, combining contemporary interiors, impeccable service, and all without breaking the bank. Team Coco explores the Radisson Blu Nice’s new look and discovers all the colours and flavours of the Mediterranean.

After completing a 12 million euro refurbishment, the Radisson Blu Nice is unlike any other hotel in the south of France. Utilising the calming hues of the Mediterranean sea, the hotel is painted in shades of sleet, blue, and sea-foam, highlighted with warm tones of burnt sienna and ochre. Decorated by the acclaimed Spanish Interior designer, Jaime Beriestain, the Radisson Blu Nice takes Maritime inspirations and local motifs to create a space that is both functional and sophisticated. Native yellow Mimosas inspire the lighting fixtures in the lobby, while oxidised nautical metalwork appears in clever design elements all throughout the space. The serene design aesthetic also extends into 331 generously spaced guest rooms. Azure sea views, a subtle balance of textures, beautifully tiled bathrooms, and floor-length sliding doors make the Radisson Blu Nice’s guest rooms the perfect retreat to cool-off from the heat of the Mediterranean sun.

Not only does the Radisson Blu Nice have the best rooftop pool in all of Nice, it also has the only private beach club. The Regence Plage is just a short 2 minute walk away from the hotel and is the best place to catch the sun on the beach. Guests can rent beach beds, take in the sun, and enjoy a delectable lunch menu. Try the Salade Nicoise (with no potatoes of course, according to the locals), and enjoy an Aperol Spritz by the beach. If you prefer rooftop views to the sea, then check out the hotel’s stunning rooftop restaurant – Calade. With chef Maxime Bernard at the helm, Calade combines locally sourced ingredients with haute cuisine. Try the Bruschetta to start, and then the Prawns Risotto, and top it all off with the Galet Niçoise and a glass of pale pink Rosé. We can assure you, there is no better place in the south of France to watch the sunset and enjoy breathtaking views of the Baie des Anges; and there is no place better for your next stylish stay in the Mediterranean than the Radisson Blu Nice.

Radisson Blu Nice offers accommodation on a B&B basis from €284/£248 per room per night.

by
Keep Reading
Cocktails

Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence with JW Marriott Grosvenor House

Last week, TeamCoco attended the glitzy new relaunch of JW Marriott Grosvenor House in celebration of its 90th anniversary.

Originally opening its doors in 1929, JW Marriott Grosvenor House has become emblematic of timeless Mayfair London luxury. Over the years, its esteemed guests have included the likes of dignitaries, celebrities, and even royalty. The hotel has even hosted countless iconic events such as the Royal Caledonian Ball, The Russian Television Ball, and the BAFTA After Party.

Rubbing shoulders with a-list celebrities and socialites alike, we made our way to the entrance of Grovesnor House, which was transformed into Royal Hyde Park. The Park Street entrance was decorated with a flurry of foliage, and even featured Yellow Rose Frame, especially created by Indoor Garden Design for the event. We were treated to an unlimited flow of champagne, and embarked on a culinary journey with Executive Chef Paul Bates, who created hors d’oeuvres based on the hotels’ most popular menu items. Our personal favourite was the simply delicious Dorset Raspberry’s tart.

Inside, there were plenty of things to discover, as the JW Marriott Grosvenor House was transformed into an immersive experience for the senses, as each area offering up something new and exciting. We began in Corrigan’s, where we indulged in oysters and Dickie’s Black Velvet cocktails. We then ventured into the hotel’s newest restaurant, Ruya, which served delectable Anatolian bites in the Grosvenor House’s handsome library. Finally, we made our way to JW Steakhouse, where we tucked in to some prime USDA cuts paired with some fine wine and bourbon tasting options.

Beyond the incredible food and drink on offer, the evening’s entertainment is also worth mentioning. There were contemporary ballet pop-ups from Elmshurt Ballet School, which harked back to the infamous days when Dame Margot Fonteyn herself was a resident at the hotel. There was also music from String Infusion and Super Stokes. And if you found yourself a bit overwhelmed by everything that was going on, there was also a team of experts from Aromatherapy Associates on to help guests find a minute of mindfulness. The evening concluded with a fabulous performance by the London Community Gospel Choir, which was the perfect ending to an evening of whimsy, luxury, and discovery — all by the ever impeccable JW Marriott Grosvenor House.

“Throughout the 90 years of its legacy, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London has played a role, whether large or small, in the history of this well-beloved city. This year, following significant transformations, our truly iconic hotel begins an exciting new chapter. We look forward to welcoming our guests as we head into the next decade feeling inspired and fulfilled.”

– General Manager Stuart Bowery

www.marriott.co.uk

by
Keep Reading