Exotic Wallpapers

Really Loving Exotic Wallpaper at the moment, adding an injection of colour into a space is sometimes exactly what the doctor ordered, Especially when we are so used to looking at grey skies here in the lovely Emerald Isle! The following Wallpaper patterns are some of our top picks to make you drift away and feel like you are on your very own private Island.

Not feeling brave enough to have these bold pattern everywhere in the house??  

That's OK these would be perfect in a downstairs Loo or Boot room.

All Wallpapers available on www.fabicport.com - Not quite sure how many rolls you need?

Don't panic we have a handy Wallpaper Calculator on the fabric port website  to do it for you, just simply add in your room measurements and it does it for you!!

Choosing The Right Paint Colours.

Finding it hard to make final decision of picking paint colours for your house?

Here is a guide that will guide you on the right path of your desired colour choice.

Start with the biggest room in the house.

The most centrally located room like the Kitchen or Living Room where most of the family spend most of the time is a good place to start, working on your whole house colour palette.

Build the palette with the same hues.

Once you have your first room painted start moving into adjacent rooms with the same hues but maybe going lighter/darker to give it that contract as you move room to room. That way you can rest assured that the colours work well together.

Connecting Spaces.

It probably best to keep the spaces between rooms neutral colours like white, beige, grey for the hall, stairs & landing. Or if you have chosen softer, neutral colours in your rooms you could make a statement on the space and go for bolder, richer hue to make a statement.

Separation.

You can easily keep true separation between downstairs an upstairs creating a different mood and focusing on one floor at a time to avoid confusion and make it more manageable.

Tile Inspiration

Cement your interior Style.

Patterned tiles are a great way to inject colour and texture into a space. Here are some images of projects using tiles that have inspired us this week. We sell a large selection of moroccan cement times in bright and bold colours, as well as monochromatic or muted patterns.
To see a selection of the tiles we have to offer, click here.

Idyllic Converted Stables in County Wicklow

We recently assisted the gorgeous renovation of an old stable building in Co. Wicklow. Here is the just-renovated house- before the arrival of familiar possessions and artwork. As it becomes more lived-in, the beauty of this home can only grow. Do you like what we have done? Tell us what you think in the comment below. 

Bones of Beauty: Inlaid Bone Furniture

The History

Bone Inlay is a technique that involves fixing intricate, hand-carved pieces of camel bone and/or mother-of-pearl into a wooden frame, which is then filled with a (sometimes colored) resin. It derives from the ancient craft of intarsia, which the Egyptians used to decorate wood as far back as 3000 years ago. The tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamon is filled with objects adorned with intarsia. This ancient craft can also be found among Ancient Mayan artifacts, and was found across the Orient (Persia, China, Japan, India), until finally arriving in Europe during the 16th Century. In the past, bone and mother-of-pearl inlay was an artisan craft, afforded only by the wealthy. Today, advances in manufacturing have meant that bone inlay furniture is much easier to make, and therefore can be affordable. However, hand-made bone-inlay antiques and artisan pieces are still popular, and can cost tens of thousands of euro at auction. 

The inspiration

Inlay furniture has long been a staple of eclectic-bohemian decor. Ornate, eye-catching inlaid furniture can give a taste of the East and add a nice amount of detail to a room. However, the beauty of bone-inlay  isn't just for those with boho tastes. More neutral or monochrome pieces can also be used  achieve a more clean and streamlined look. See the gallery below for inspiration.

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The pieces

Below are some of our favourite bone inlay pieces, ranging from affordable bedside lockers to masterpieces (that are unaffordable to most!).
 

Mahogany and Bone Inlay Corner Seat

€420 from Ryle and Company.

Fish Scale Bedside Table, Fenton & Fenton

$1090

Fenton & Fenton Commode

$ 3500 (AU)

Scrolled Bone Inlay Table

Attributed to Karl Springer. €7.016,78

Anthropologie Bone Inlay Bed

£3300

1970's Black Lacquer Cabinet with Bone Inlay

€8.124,69

17th Century Indo-Portuguese Cabinet

€19,600

"Anais" Bedside Cabinet

$1109

"Antonia" Chest of Drawers in Emerald

£1,295.00

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Too much to buy? DIY.

As you may have noticed, these sophisticated specipens come at quite a price. If you would like to upcycle an ordinary piece of furniture to look like an eclectic, inlaid masterpiece, you can buy stenicils and paint on the design. The image below is a great example. You can make your own stencil, or buy one here. 

We hope we have inspired and informed you about Inlay furniture!

Happy Decorating,

The Ryle Team x

Design Inspiration: The 1960's

When we think back to interior design the 1960's, many of us will have visions of an Austin Power's set with orange shag rugs, heart-shaped beds and oversized floral-patterned wallpaper. Indeed, the rebellious zeitgeist of the sixties brought with it some bold and brave design experiments that, in hindsight, were not so practical. However, today mid-century furniture and design elements have become very popular. To highlight this, we have compiled an image gallery of 60's interior design projects. Can you spot the furniture styles, colour schemes and other design elements that have stood the test of time? 
 

Love 60's patterns? We have a number of retro Liberty London fabric books in store. Visit our showroom and have a look, or see their fabric and wallpaper at www.liberty.co.uk. Just call us to place an order (+353 1 2819166).

Bringing The Outside In

Spring has sprung...

Not only is it potting and planting season, but greenery seems to have become a huge inspiration for designers of late. Ferns. florals and banana-leaves have become popular motifs for wallpapers and fabrics in recent years.  It isn’t just interior designers that love plant patterns either; fashion houses and graphic designers have also hopped on the botany bandwagon.

The more tropical interior styles might seem laughable in an Irish climate, but bringing themes of nature into your home can be a great way to create a fresh and vibrant atmosphere in your home.  Even if you aren’t interested in leafy design trends, bringing a bit of greenery into your abode with actual houseplants can look great, improve air quality AND lift your mood.  This week we hope to inspire you to bring the beauty of mother nature into your home!

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Natural vibes to suit all styles

Whether your mode of design is Victorian, Moroccan, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Shabby Chic or Modern-Eclectic, plant-life is adaptable to almost any space. Our gallery below demonstrates just this.  However, if in doubt, our main tip when incorporating plant life into the decor of a space is to use plants with monochromatic schemes, or around natural materials and colour palettes. As you can see from these images, bright whites contrast really well with green plant life. 

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What plants, and why?

Aesthetic purposes aside, plants are great for purifying the air in your home, and we aren't just talking about increasing oxygen levels. NASA have been researching how plants clean the air around us for decades, and have provided a list of plants that are the best at air filtration, and also white kinds of toxins they remove for example: benzenes, formaldehyde and even ammonia. For a comprehensive list of what plants filter what click here.  To see NASA's top ten best plants for air filtration, click here.

We also got in touch with a local botanist and indoor plant enthusiast, Eoin Murphy to see what advice he could give us on plants that are easy to keep and look great. According to Eoin, 70's house plants, have made a major comeback in recent years, and are generally indestructible.  For example, the Monstera Deliciosa (what a name!) pictured below with an classic Eames chair is Retro perfection! 

Eoin also has a passion for carnivorous plants and air plants (that grow without soil, absorbing moisture from the environment!). Check out his adventurous spooky air plant skull below:

OUR FAVOURITES

• The Areca Palm is the best plant for air filtration according to NASA. It is the best air humidifier you can get, is easy to keep, and widely available. Most importantly, it looks especially great if you are going for a tropical aesthetic. 
• The Rubber Plant has also been given the thumbs up by NASA for air purification. Its also a great plant for darker spaces and is easy to grow. A word of caution: the leaves of the rubber plant are toxic, so beware of growing it around small animals or children. 
• The Fiddle Leaf Fig has become immensely popular with interior designers in recent years. 
• Alocasia  have nice big leaves if you're going for a jungle effect. In particular, the macrorrhiza variety are HUGE if thats what you are looking for.
• Snake Plants are just plain pretty and easy to care for. Check them out in those cute little copper pots!
• Citrus Trees give a beautiful Mediterranean feel to any room. Best place in a conservatory, or somewhere with lots of light and warmth.
  
  Other plants you may be interested in are: the Asparagus Fern, Bonzais (if you are prepared to take care of them), Parlour Palm, Bamboo Palm. 

Rubber Plant

Large Rubber Plant

The Areca Palm

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Figs

In a conservatory

Alocasia

Snake Plant

Mini Citrus Trees

Gorgeous pots!

For lots more plant inspiration, visit our Pinterest board "Bringing The Outisde In" by clicking here.

Most of the plants we have discussed are available at the Johnstown Garden Centre in Dublin. See whats available on their website: http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/. 

Soothingly Smooth: Our New Luxury Alpaca Throws

its time to get downy.

View fullsize

We have just begun to stock luxuriously soft, 100% Alpaca throws in store. Our stockist, the Alpaca Accessories Company is a new Irish-owned business, and we are really excited about this gorgeous product. The throws are perfect for brightening up a bedroom, or for snuggling on the couch.

These throws are the perfect wedding gift, a great birthday present for the person who has everything, and would be a great addition to any new home. They are 2.3m long x 1.7 m wide and cost €175 each.

We will be selling a limited batch online soon. In the meantime, have a look at the images below, or call in to our showroom in Kilmacanogue and experience the fluffiness for yourself! 

Fleur might just run away with all the fluffy blankets...

Why Neutrals Aren't Boring

In the 21st Century the decor of our abodes have become important outlets of self expression and personality. Affordable brands like IKEA have meant that we can inject bright and bold personality for much less than ever before. Being vibrant has become popular and the word "magnolia" has simultaneously become the least fashionable word in a designers vocabulary. 

However, even though some people may shrug off neutral colour schemes as boring and predictable, your interior designer will tell you that they are highly valuable, if not essential, when decorating. 

Why?

• Longevity: Neutrals ensure you get long-lasting benefits when you decorate your home. Natural tones don't date as quickly as bright colours or wallpapers, and you won't get sick of them as fast either.
• Versatility: A neutral palette for the walls and floor can work with most styles: be it contemporary, eclectic, French etc. 
• Neutral surroundings are great for letting textures (woodwork etc) and beautiful furniture shine. White is especially good for showing off clean lines and art pieces.

Staff Tip:

Our in-store interior designer Ciara Eloise advises:

"When creating a natural, neutral palette, I would recommend to either choose between grey and off-white/white tones or cream and ivory tones.  Choosing the two pallets together can look off if not applied correctly. If there is a particular 'must have' fabric you like, you can begin by choosing paint colours that work with that. On the other hand, if there is a specific grey tinted or cream tinted paint you simply must have you can opt to base the furnishing scheme  and window dressings around that. 

Another factor to consider is which tints and shades of your neutral base to apply- look first at which way your room is facing and how light affects the colour of your walls. For example, a North-facing will need a warmer. earthier grey as a cool grey will make it appear and feel colder. 


 

Paint Schemes

Farrow & Ball give great advice when choosing a neutral paint scheme. We have provided a gallery of some of their ideas below, and you can find more on their page here.

For more neutral inspiration, check out our pinterest board: 
https://www.pinterest.com/ryleandcompany/neutral/

Wallpaper: Staff Favourites

Wallpaper is a brilliant way to add personality to your home. However, wallpapering a whole room can be too fussy for some tastes, as well as being expensive. If you aren't ready to take the plunge with wallpaper, we encourage to dip your toe:

• Create a  feature wall with wallpaper. Good places for small amounts of paper are fireplaces, in alcoves or behind the bed.
• Wallpaper a small loo. A toilet that is wallpapered with bright and bold wallpaper can delight everyone who uses it, especially guests. However, avoid rooms with showers or baths because your beloved wall art will peel (!).
• If you really want to be bold, you can use wallpaper to decorate your staircase (see images below).

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Staff picks

We have a large range of wallpaper books in-store, which we can order in for our customers. For more information and prices, please contact our shop via phone or email.. Here are some of our staff's favourite wallpapers right now:

Manuel Canovas: Trellis Range:
The Manuel Canovas trellis wallpapers come in a range of patterns and bright shades. While some wallpaper can be too ornamental and fussy, we find these popular patterns can give a room a fresh, modern feel.

Baker Lifestyle: "Latika" paisley wallpaper: 
When used in a muted tone, such as "ivory-silver"(first image) or "dove-charcoal", this paper can give a neutral room a subtle bohemian touch. However, the brighter versions of this wallpaper (see "festival" colour in image three), are also great if you want to make a bolder statement. 

Zoffany: Peacock Garden
This eclectic wallpaper is more like a mural. It comes in a range of shades, and is perfect for a feature wall in an old or a new home, if styled correctly.

Cole & Son: Florencecourt:
In recent times, banana leaf and fern wallpapers have become quite fashionable. However, this elegant leafy alternative is sure to please for years to come. It comes in a range of shades, from minty green to moss green. 

Cole & Son w/ Fornasetti: Mediterranea and Malachite
Excellent wallpaper meets exclusive design! Cole & Son teamed up with Italian design house Fornasetti to create some truly beautiful art for your walls. Our favourites right now are Mediterranea: depicting a monochromatic pattern of terracotta houses,  and Malachite: a hypnotic pattern inspired by the copper mineral.

We hope you are inspired to take on your own wallpaper project! Feel free to contact us for more information, or to call into our shop in Kilmacanogue to browse the rest of our vast wallpaper library.

All the best,

The Ryle & Co Team

Chevron Floor Paint: The Result!

The results are in!

 Yesterday our painter was just finishing painting with our bespoke chevron stencil.. What do you think of the result? We are delighted. It fits in really well with the retro, art-deco style we are trying to achieve with this space. Now we just need to add the furniture!
Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Floor Paint: Let Your "Fifth Wall" Flourish.

Floors -what some designers call the "fifth wall"- are an integral part of a room. However, floors often don't get the attention they deserve.  

Here at Ryle and Co we are always looking for new and interesting  ways to decorate floorspace. Right now, we love the patterned floor trend! Tiles are one great way to enhance a floor, especially in a bathroom or hallway. However, tiles aren’t suitable for every room in a house, and can stretch a budget. Another way to brighten up a floor without breaking the bank is floor paint. Be it geometric patterns, monochrome stripes or bright and bold colours, floor paint is a great way to liven up wooden or concrete floors.  In this post, we are going to take you through some floor paint inspiration,  give you some advice on how best to paint your floor AND give you a *FREE* chevron floor stencil!
 

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Be Inspired

 

When it comes to floor paint, the possibilities are *almost* endless (tile painting is not recommended- it peels!).

•  Stripes can elongate, or widen a room.
• Monochrome patterns can add a refined touch.
• You can use paint to accentuate or accent a staircase. You can use muted contrasting tones for a classic look, or turn your staircase into a feature with bright and bold colours.
• Plain white painted floor achieves an easy, rustic look. Or you can go dark and glossy to make a simple Scandinavian statement.
• If you're really creative, you can try doing your own hand-drawn piece with masking tape. Farrow & Ball give great tips on achieving this here.
• Bold patterns can give a room a fresh, modern twist. Try a chevron pattern (like the one we provide at the bottom of this article!), or a diamond pattern in an interesting colour palette. 
  
  We have provided a little bit of inspiration below. For more, you can visit our pinterest here.

Ideas Gallery

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How To

Farrow & Ball do an excellent floor paint that is suitable for both wood and concrete*.  Here are their tips for how to use their floor paint:

1. Thoroughly clean the area of floor you wish to paint your rug.
2. Apply a coat of Farrow & Ball Wood Floor Primer & Undercoat.
3.  a) If you are ding a pattern Draw the pattern onto your floor with a pencil. Then mask the areas required for your first colour and paint two coats of your chosen colour with a paint brush. (When you have finished, allow the paint to dry before removing the tape)
   b) If you are using a stencil: Tape down the stencil, beginning in the corner of the room.
4. In every case, including painting in a single colour, make sure to give all areas two coats of paint.

*Concrete floors can be a little bit more complex. For advice on painting concrete floors, check out Apartment Therapy's excellent advice here.

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Our Chevron Floor Paint Project

Fleur with our new stencil (not cut out yet!)

While working on a current project, Sharon got inspired by monochrome chevron floor designs. Instead of splashing out on a chevron tile, she commissioned Fleur to design a chevron floor paint stencil instead. After design, we had the piece printed in A0 size on vinyl (this is much better for painting than paper!). The black parts of the pattern are to be cut out to create the stencil. This project is a work-in-progress, so watch this space to see how we get on!

If you would like to try this chevron floor stencil, we are giving away our bespoke stencil template for free! You can download it by clicking, here. You can print this stencil in any size you like (A1, A2, A3, A4 etc...). We are doing ours in black and white, but you can get creative and try all sorts of colours! Farrow & Ball give great advice on colour schemes and other floor inspiration at eu.farrow-ball.com.
Our store in Kilmacanogue can order in any Farrow & Ball floor paint you like (we place our orders every Friday). 

We hope you are full of inspiration and bright ideas after reading this post!
Wishing you the best of luck in all your interior design endeavors,

The Ryle and Co Team

Welcome to our new site!

Dear friends,

Welcome to the new Ryle + Co website! 

What do you think of our new look? 2015 is going to be an exciting year for us! Not only have we a new website and a new blog, but an online shop too. Join our mailing list to keep up to date with new stock, design ideas, and what we are getting up to in-store.

We hope you enjoy our site and that it brings you lots of interiors inspiration!

From,

The Ryle Team