Don't fear the sheer - Sheer tending again in 2015

This striking piece of furniture is a "Rib Slipper Chair" by Shiner International. A dramatic piece for any modern styled home. I've paired with this statement black sheer and cut out style gown from the Valentino 2015 Spring collection. An elegant and striking look.
Interior image via allmodern.com
Fashion image via fuckyeahfashioncoture.tumbler.com

Sheer fashion was everywhere in 2014 and with new looks continuing to hit the runways and mainstream fashion chains, signs indicate that its here to stay for 2015. The transparent dresses, skirts and tops are holding strong into the next season, so if you've already invested in this look that's great news, keep rocking those floaty pieces! I believe that a sheer fabric adds some formality, femininity and elegance to a look, and it can allow women to reveal just that little bit more without being garish and tacky. Sheer fashion can create a delightful tension between demure and sexy.

The first thing that will come to mind when you think Sheer + Home Interior = Curtains. So it may be surprising that there is not a sheer curtain example in sight in this post, gasp! I've taken a broader interpretation of the term 'sheer' in this context to mean the act of an interior design element offering interest and beauty through its transparent quality. The act of looking through to create a unique and visually appealing effect. Basically something that you can see through and looks nice.

Interior image via homeedit.com
Fashion image via nytimes.com

This bright, colorful and fun example is a famous home by Javier Senosian called the Nautilus house as it is literally in the shape of a Nautilus shell built in Mexico City. The organic shapes and multicolored stained glass make this feel very naturistic and psychedelic. This lovely Michael Kors sheer floral skirt is perfectly matched with this tailored shirt dress tucked in to offer a unique solution to the need for a slip or lining under a sheer skirt. I believe the contrast in styles work really well with the very feminine skirt complimenting the more masculine and structured shirt.

Interior image via fineartamerica.com
Fashion image via styleandcheek.com

Another colorful and fun example, this modern take on stained glass windows is the Plais Des Congres Montreal; a unique multicoloured glass box convention centre in Montreal, Quebec. This sheer floral dress is from the Blumarine Spring 2015 RTW collection, check out the full collection and you will see a beautiful floral and sheer theme emerge.

Interior image via redesignrevolution.com
Fashion image via sophiazchoice.tumbler.com

The above examples are very structured and tailored, yet the sheer white fabric of this outfit keeps it soft and elegant. We've used this interior image previously in our Peek-a-boo Cutouts post as its such a wonderful wall feature, adding texture and dimension with a lot more interest than your regular wall paper.

Interior image via retaildesignblog.net
Fashion image via style.com

The concrete lace on the left is made from ultra high performance concrete and suspended like ribbon on steel cables. Designed by Doreen Wesphal, this wonderful screen is super strong and yet super delicate at the same time. The black body suit is perfectly paired with this pure white lace skirt, however for the more modest ladies, you may want to go for a bit more coverage with a slip, but hey if you dare to bare, go for it!

Interior image via archinet.com
Fashion image via katesylvester.com

New Zealand fashion designer Kate Sylvester has released a number of wonderful sheer items in recent seasons, including this demure black sheer lace top. These black laser cut wall panels on the left are an intriguing and bold feature as they envelope the corridor from wall to ceiling. 

Interior image via buzzfeed.com
Fashion image via home.emiliopucci.com

A great way to bring more light into a dark entryway and to also surprise and delight your guests with sun streaming through the stained glass door. Seems like such a happy idea, I can imagine wanting to sit in its sunny colorful goodness. This Emilio Pucci dress is part of the Spring Summer 2015 RTW collection and I'm definitely ready to wear all of it! If you like this dress check out the full assortment of floaty and retro pieces in the collection. Looking at these images makes me want to go on holiday to a beach in the 70's.

Interior image via aludean.com
Fashion image via bloginvoga.com

 I know a few people are in the 'yet to be convinced that they're a good idea' camp with culottes, but what about sheer culottes? Madness? What about sheer culottes with a massive silk swing top and a fur scarf? Well somehow this model pulls it off, but its not a look for the faint of heart. If you need more convincing about culottes check here for some examples. This home exterior however is far more attainable. The orange and white furniture is made all the more interesting with the laser cut roof as it casts a lovely shadow and shapely designs across the deck.

Interior image via enroutemagazine.tumbler.com
Fashion image via style.com

Now again with the retro style, this dress and tasseled vest is very 70's hippy chick. Without the vest this sort of style would be a lovely summer, carefree and casual wedding dress choice, again combining those fantastic features of demure with a hint of sexy reveal... but not too much. This interior is a photo taken from a restaurant that had been designed with a retro 60's aesthetic. The wooden patterned screen has a strong 60's reference and creatively acknowledges that era while adding functionality to divide the spaces.

So if you're already on the sheer bandwagon, carry-on. If you're not sure, don't fear the sheer, with enough slips and lining you can do it.

Painted by hand

Olivia Palermo in a handpainted skirt.  Image by habituallychic.com

There is something so unique and striking about handpainted fabrics for the home or the body.  This week we pay homage to this seasons style must-have by selecting a few inspiring garments and homewares that really showcase this trend.

Handpainted Maxi dresses are truly eye catching: above and below - images by ulugustarstyling.net and prettyportobello.blogspot.com

Who doesn't want to stand out in a crowd and in this day and age individuality is very much in-vogue.  As a lover of crafts and DIY I admire any and all things that have a real 'made with love' feel to them.

Bluebelle Gray creates amazing handpainted fabrics and pieces for the home.  How fresh and inviting is the couch covered in handpainted sunflowers! 

Below are just some handpicked and handpainted furnishings for the home that I hope will inspire your creative juices

Midnight Spirographs painting by Sarah Stockstill

Handpainted desk from Pottery Barn

Marimekko handpainted fabrics like Kotona (above) are great stretched over canvas as art or made into soft furnishings like cushions

I love a good feature wall.  No, not the 90s obsession where one wall in every room was a bright colour - yes Mum I remember when you broke out the burgundy!  I actually really love a wallpapered feature wall, what a great talking point.  

These handprinted wallpapers below and above are by one of my fave designers Porter Teleo, such a bold statement!

In fashion, there is a resurgence for hand-dipped/dyed and hand painted designs.  

Emma Stone pulls off a beautiful handpainted dress by Lanvin

Anne Hathaway wore a pink handpainted Valentino wedding dress recently on her wedding day

And just to show you how passionate I am about this handpainted trend I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my recent Sevens costume (remember the Chandeliers), well this year hubby and I did our best interpretation of Gotye and Kimbra which was inspired by their song Somebody That I used to know below 

The real Gotye and Kimbra

The pretend versions: Yours truly and my husband Joe 

By the way this lovely snap was captured by my homebecomesher compadre Mereana!

And there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my post and have been enlightened by the uniqueness and beauty of handpainted fabrics for the home and your wardrobe. If you're feeling creative and were about to throw out a perfectly good purse I have attached this 'totes amazing' tutorial on how to paint your way to a new one.  Enjoy! x  

To make a handpainted purse click here