Desert Style Inspiration | Cacti & Sand Dunes

My aunt just donated some lovely desert roses for our (rather sparse) garden, and so they are now flourishing in our succulent bed, with all the other cacti-related plants! I love desert-inspiration, whether it’s gardens or interiors. I think it’s because my love of the Karoo and the wide open spaces match my love for a country like Namibia – the desert scenery is just something so spectacular and awe-inspiring.

Here are a few ideas on how to incorporate a desert theme decor into your home, party or garden – it’s pretty easy actually and can be achieved with minimal effort. Enjoy!

Desert Vase & Cactus | source The Collection Agency

Velvet Couches & Desert Skulls | source Pinterest

A Cactus from Mexico | source fab.com

Desert Rose in a Can | source Jill Thomas Photography

Tea Party in the Desert | source Ruffledblog.com

Classic Desert Retreat | source Cabbage Rose Blog

Cactus Garden | source Pinterest

Into the Karoo | Style Inspiration Moodboard

I’m off to my favourite Western Cape reserve this weekend – Sanbona Private Game Reserve – for a MUCH-ANTICIPATED time of being with good friends, eating great food, drinking red wine and hanging out under the Karoo stars – my favourite.

What I love about being out in the Karoo is the incredible sense of space; the sky is bigger here (I can imagine Montana similarly), and the horizons blur out in the distance. The quaint farmhouses dot the desert scrub and herds of sheep skitter along the slopes; it’s farmland out here, and it’s so peaceful.

I’ve always loved visiting Karoo farmhouses or side-of-the-road farmstalls, as there’s always something to look at, buy or get interested in, as well as fascinating people to talk to. One of the things I enjoy the most is the style of a farmhouse; I always say I want a Karoo kitchen, and hopefully one day I can make that happen!

From white-washed walls to simple ceramics, wooden floors and textured  pieces of furniture, the style is always unique and custom-made. I’ve put together a Karoo moodboard today – just for a little bit of inspiration on an entire style of living… for more great Karoo pics, check out this great Pinterest board.

Chocolate Inspired Decor | GUEST POST – arcadian lighting

Today I’m introducing Guest Blogger* Joanna from Arcadian Lighting – “a place where interior designers, home enthusiasts or other design professionals can come to get inspiration on lighting fixtures or interior decorating ideas”. She has delivered a seriously gorgeous post on Chocolate Inspired Decor, my mouth is watering at these amazing images! Be inspired Good Girls!

Hi there! I’m Joanna, a guest blogger for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful source for lighting fixtures of all sorts.  My passion for interior design led me to work in the field as a writer.

Most days I can be found on my computer searching the web for wonderful design ideas and images.I love to share them in guest posts like this one. Today, I bring you chocolate inspired rooms. I hope you enjoy. Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite is!

This yummy modern eat-in kitchen would be so much fun to cook in and enjoy a casual dinner with family or friends. The contrast between the dark chocolaty cabinets and the white walls and floor makes the white surfaces look so pristine.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Bedrooms | source Pinterest

This tiny living room looks like the perfect place to curl up with a good book or have a long visit with a friend. The chocolate walls make the space seem even cozier.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Living Rooms | source Mark D Sikes

The textures of this chocolate space come from the velvet sofa, cowhide rug and mottled wall treatment. The little light fixture at the side of the painting is an interesting touch.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Lounge | source Electric Revisited

Stamped leather in alligator covers the wall behind a lovely collection of found objects all in brown.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Home Decor | source Electric Revisited

This luxuriously appointed bed is quite inviting with its soft chocolate bed linens, brown textured walls and divine fur.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Bedrooms | source Home to Life

The first element in this dining room to catch my eye was the amazing branch-like light fixture above the table. The chocolate floors and furniture look quite delicious!

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Dining Rooms | source Decor Pad

While I wouldn’t expect so much brown in a small space to be captivating, this bathroom is gorgeous. I love the pop of color on the tufted yellow chair.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Bathrooms | source Barn Furniture

The contrast of crisp white with the brown on walls, floor and accents is quite elegant in this stately guest room.

Chocolate Inspired Decor – Guest Rooms | source My Home Ideas

Which image was your favorite? Be sure to check out all that Arcadian Lighting has to offer with fantastic lighting to suit your decor!

* I love guest posts! If you would like to share your knowledge or expertise on any design, decor, fashion or style trends, please email me on theggguide[at]gmail.com. All posts and included links undergo a review before publishing.

In the Kitchen This Year – Some 2012 @Home Design Ideas

Hey all 🙂 Having a chilled weekend as my hubby is off in East London and racing the 70.3 Ironman event tomorrow, but have gotten down to some good clearing, cleaning and tidying, and just made me appreciate a clean and tidy kitchen! Oh boy, sparkling, pretty and new is all I need in a kitchen.

Maybe this year’s decor/design ideas need to go domestic, ie: stop recovering your lounge suite or painting your bedroom walls – maybe it’s adding a few awesome touches to your kitchen to make it become a place you actually LIKE to be, because whether we like it or not, we all spend a fair amount of time there!

And so without further ado, here are my Kitchen Design ideas and DIY tips for 2012:

Update Your Window Space | source here.

Add A Pop of Colour | source here.

Turn Your Kitchen into a Cafe | source here.

Go Glamourous with a Lighting Fixture | source here.

Add a Quirky Touch to a Modern Space | source here.

Add a New Door to Your Pantry | source here.

Bring Out the Wrapping Paper! | source here.

Save Space & Add Removable Shelves | source here.