80's Flashback - Pastels Trend Updated

Pastels Miami Vice Style
Image via passportmiami.com and theredlist.com

Pastels have been trending for a few seasons now, but have recently had another surge in mainstream popularity. Aside from fashion I'm seeing a lot more pastels influencing interior decor with many of the mainstream retailers here in New Zealand like Citta, Country Road and Freedom Furniture jumping on the trend.

Many of us (older generations) may remember the 80's cop TV show Miami Vice, where for me the most outstanding feature of the show was the fashion worn by the cast and in particular their penchant for pastels. It's impressive how Don Johnson can make a lilac tank top and white pant combo look so macho with his over the shoulder "are you checking out my butt" glare. Yes Don we are. Who knew pastels could be so manly! Even the ankle grazing, cropped pants and loafers look is back - check out Tinie Tempah's reinterpretation of this 80's style statement.

Let's start with the official definition:

pastel

ˈpast(ə)l/

adjective

1. 1.

   of a soft and delicate shade of colour.

   "pastel blue curtains"

So we've looked at the 80's version of pastels now lets explore how this trend has been reinvented and refreshed for 2014. Pastels are thought of as a very soft feminine color choice, but as Don Johnson shows, this may not necessarily be so. Let's see how you can safely bring pastels into your wardrobe and home without looking like an 80's throwback or the other risk factor of looking too girly and prissy.

Pastel Pink and Grey

Let's kick thing off with my favorite pastel color combo, soft blush pinks and grey tones from grey marl to charcoals and silvers.

This little girls bedroom is still soft and feminine as a pastel pink can be, but the the addition of the grey makes it more modern and less cutesy. Love this statement pink wool coat and grey marl dress, excellent winter combo.
Interior image via babble.com
Fashion image via glamourdistrict.com

As Don Johnson made us believe, blush pinks are not just for the girls, and can also be HOT on men as this tanned model proves with his grey blazer and pink tee combo. I'm going shopping for a pink tee for my husband tomorrow! I'm also a huge fan of these Tom Dixon lamps, this rose gold color is a fun play on the pastel pink trend but with the metallic chrome finish the pinky tone suddenly becomes more modern and sophisticated.
Interior image via yellows.dk
Fashion image via dailymail.co.uk

Pastel pinks with rose gold chrome is a winning combination. I would never have put these together myself thinking that there wouldn't be enough contrast, too same same and too matchy matchy. Shows what I  know because this look totally works and updates the blush pink pastel with a modern twist as chromes and metallics are very on trend right now too.
Interior image via 101woonideeen.nl
Fashion image via wwd.com

Black, White and Blush

The contrast of monochrome black and white with soft blush pink make a wonderful statement and just as grey and pink make a fabulous combo, so too when you separate the colors that make grey - black and white.

This simple grey marl sofa is accented beautifully with the black, white and pastel pink accessories. The scene is offset by the Scandinavian polished white floors making the furniture shine. Jessica Alba looks elegantly casual in this floating pastel pink skirt combined with delicate black kitten heels and a black cropped sweater. Her styling is flawless - the oversize patent black sunnies and handbag with the Breakfast at Tiffany's hair style, it all works incredibly well. The combo is a bit of a juxtaposition with the strong black contrased with the soft pink. It works particularly well on Jessica because of her tanned skin, this is why pastels usually trend in spring and summer as they're hard shades to pull off in the winter months if you have naturally fair skin.
Interior image via thedesignchaser.com
Fashion image via soullovelyfashion.com

Graphic black and white geometric shaped patterns on the rug and throw are beautifully contrasted with softer pastel shades. Our gorgeous blonde model on the right also has a winning combination with her soft and plush pastel pink jumper offset with the black jeans and Wayfarers. But what makes this look a success is the classic white shirt under the woolen jumper. Without that extra layer, texture and color the look would lack some substance that makes it interesting.
Interior image via normann-copenhagen.com
Fashion image via esther.com.au

This knitted grey throw just invites warmth, comfort and relaxation. Teamed with the pastel blue sofa a subtle coppery pastel is successfully added via the standing lamp and chevron cushion. I couldn't do a pastel post without briefly mentioning the pastel hair coloring trend. This model has a  subtle pink pastel wash through her hair. It started with celebrities like Demi Levato and Kelly Osbourne and has become a lot more common since with people experimenting with the dip dye effect or ombre. I quite like the pastel pink version but if you are bold enough to go brighter do it!
Interior image via sfgirlbybay.com
Fashion image via loft.com

This living room seems simple but there is a lot going on to make it work. Pastels are here in the form of the mint, slightly industrial coffee table and the blush pink cushions. These are contasted by the neutrals of the white walls and beige sofa and then some boldness is introduced via the stripe rug and yellow zebra print cushion. This cushion really stands out given the subdued nature of the rest of the room elements, but works to rescue the room from being too boring and plain. I love the idea of mixing pastel with stripes. This elegant blush pink pencil skirt and white pumps are dressed down with a tucked in white stripe tee. Another elegant yet casual triumphant outfit.
Interior image via missmoss.co.za
Fashion image via hellofashionblog.com

Pastel Pink and Brights

Updating a trend can sometimes be achieved by throwing together unexpected combinations. There are a lot of neon, fluros and bright, vibrant colors on trend at the moment, combining these shades together can give a delightful result.

Citta Design are one of my favorite home decor brands, very creative and unique designs. They've refreshed a pastel pink palette by teaming it with a vibrant orange. A combo that also works wonderfully well on the catwalk. 
Interior image via thestyleindex.com.au
Fashion image via mademoisellerobot.com

Pastel Blues

Pastel blue shades are said to be a fantastic color to use in a bedroom to make a calm and relaxing environment. The wall colour here brings in that soft hue in a gentle and subtle way. Blues are a cool color so be careful to use in a dramatic way in a bedroom, you will need to consider the amount of light the room receives so that it doesn't feel too cold and dark. But pastel blue is a great compromise. I like the way this room is teamed with floral accessories that acknowledge the pastel blue and introduce other complementary shades of pink, darker blues and greens. The Fashion image is a surprising combo, from the Chloe Resort 2014 collection. The monochrome combo works incredibly well with a pastel aqua top temed with a slighly darker pastel blue. Monochromatic means one color for the whole look, and these similar but slightly different pastel hues are a clever and a unique way you can think about how to mix your pastels. Here is a video tutorial from Sydne Summer on how to wear icy pastels and she shares another great mint monochrome example.
Interior image via elskeleenstra.nl
Fashion image via style.com

Colorful Pastel Sorbet

Now to have some pastel fun with these bold, confident and colorful combos that are reminiscent of fruity sorbet or french patisserie macarons. Verging on the edge of cutesy and babyish feminine, these combos are best set aside for kids bedrooms or study. Lululemon have a wide range of athletic wear in soft pastels bringing some playful fun and joy to your workouts.
Interior image via mollymeg.com
Fashion image via lululemon.com

If you're concerned that your fashion venture into the world of pastel will leave you looking more preschool than professional, I found this great post from babble.com to help you wear pastel without looking like a little girl.

Babble.com shows us how to do this

I leave you with this not sure if it's real or been photoshopped to buggery pastel sunset. And hopefully some more confidence with bringing pastels into your life safely. Until next time, thanks for reading!

xxx
Mereana

Image via cutecorruption.tumblr.com

Guest Post: Latest design trends at the world famous Spazio Rossana Orlandi

Rossana Orlandi 

Home Becomes Her is excited to welcome our first guest blogger Amandine Dowle. Amandine is a talented French photographer working in the Italian fashion industry and is keen to share with us her unique point of view on fashion and interior design.

Rossana Orlandi is an international icon since buying an old factory in Milan in 2002 that she then transformed into a huge three floors of gallery space exhibiting the most imaginative emerging worldwide designers like Jaime Hayon, Piet Hein Eek, Nacho Carbonell and many others.

This short woman seems to come out of  an old movie from the sixties. Wearing huge white glasses that practically cover her tiny face, she is a courageous and brave woman with an amazing sense of humor. Starting as a fashion designer, she developed her taste and started to promote limited edition design-art. With a good nose for originality, she is called “one of the design world’s most influential patrons” by the Financial Times How To Spend It magazine.

“WE WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN SELF-PRODUCE. AND I ALWAYS KEEP THE PROTOTYPES – THEY’RE MY FAVOURITES – THEY’RE OFTEN SO BEAUTIFUL. IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE REALLY OPEN TO ALL IDEAS. I AM ALWAYS CURIOUS, ALWAYS LEARNING.”

ROSSANA ORLANDI

Let me guide you to her amazing and unique gallery. Close to the station Porta Venezia in Milan, the Spazio Rossana Orlandi is located in one of the prettiest areas of the city. You get to the gallery by passing by the garden exhibiting itself rare pieces of art: lamps, mirrors, chairs, little objects, and sculptures everywhere. It is like entering to Alice’s world in wonderland!

Then you take the interior staircase that leads you to three different floors. Each floor displays different atmosphere divided in several rooms.

Here is a selection of products that I like:

The “Peacock” chair designed by by Eiri Ota and Irene Gardpoit Chan represents a natural instance as a flower blossoming or a bird’s tail in a ritual courtship. The chair has been made from acrylic composites stretched by hand. The process is involving manipulating a single sheet within minutes. The result is just beautiful!

The sculpture “sugar” designed by the Dutch artist Aldo Bakker. It has impressed me for the unreality of the stainless steel tableware that stays on a thin mountain of brown sugar.

The last ones “Ripple Light” by the London studio Poetic Lab are lamps that are projecting waves of water on walls. It gives you a sensation of relaxation, wellness and serenity.

The spazio Rossana Orlandi is far my favorite gallery that I have seen so far. I highly recommend the visit while visiting Milan to get as many interior design ideas as possible!

By Amandine Dowle

Dotty

Two of my favorite trends at the moment dots and metallic! Loving the decals, fun and easy to do.
Interior image from Lauren Conrad

Polka dots, dots, and spots whatever you may call them they don’t really seem to ever go out of fashion, but rather have resurgences into popularity. In women’s fashion they have a very fun and youthful image, which could be because they were made famous by Minnie Mouse’s red and white dress back in the 1920’s. However dots can also be very sophisticated and fashion forward as some of the examples in this post demonstrate.

Polka-dots go way back in time with this example of Marilyn Munroe in the 50s
Image from Hunting in Heels

Fast forward to the present day and this is one of the most elegant examples of polka dots I could find. By far a monochrome black and white polka dot pattern seems to dominate celebrity fashion. Emma wears Luca Luca Spring 2012.
Image from posh24.com

Just to make a point about just how sophisticated polka dots can be, Kate Middleton wears this simple but fun and pretty Top Shop maternity dress which sold out instantly after this photo was released.
Image from mycelebrityfashion.co.uk

Lauren Conrad has recently gone crazy for dots with so many dotty examples in her clothing range.
Image from laurenconrad.com

Cheryl Cole goes for the double dot combo, if you look closely her top are actually little sweet hearts, a nice wee dot variation. Again the monochrome version is most popular and easy to wear with this already bold pattern.
Image from usmagazine.com

This post was actually inspired by the Kip and Co bed collection as they are no strangers to using bold graphic prints and I’m loving their dotty range of bed linen and towels.

From the Dappled Dreams Collection comes this fun and funky dotty duvet cover set
Image from kipandco.net.au

From the Dappled Dreams Collection you can also get dotty sheets. These covers and colors have a sort of 80s retro feel.
Image from kipandco.net.au

For a more bold option I'm loving this duvet cover set, accompanied by dotty pillow cases.
Image from kipandco.net.au

The dotty theme continues into their towel range.
Image from kipandco.net.au

From beds and towels to walls, these decal dots allow you to get creative in any room. You can also experiment with how to place them in a linear fashion as above or more angled as below. They come in every color on Etsy.
Image from Etsy shop WallsNeedLove

Image from Etsy shop WallsNeedLove

And don’t forget the blokes, dots are not just for her and home but they're also for him. You can see the trend embraced in men’s fashion with shirts, ties and scarves sporting the spots. Below are some of my favorite more daring examples.

Latest season of World  Men's fashion is decidedly bold, dapper and sophisticated. The colorful polka dot suit is definitely for the brave Worldly men out there.
Image from World

Style icon Pharrell Williams wears a Comme Des Garcons play polka dot cardigan, not the most macho clothing item, but he makes it work! His cardi makes me happy.
Image from creativeboysclub.com

So for home, her and him there is always a dotty accessory that is perfectly appropriate for the occasion. Even when it fades from the fashion forefront, don’t be afraid to stand by the trend and stand out.

Image courtesy of getinmyhome

Tui, birds, feathers and fashion

Home becomes Her Tui illustration by Stefan Beconcini

I thought I would share a bit about our header illustration and the ideas behind what inspired it, just in case you were thinking - Why a bird? What sort of bird is that? And I know you were....

This is a Tui, a bird native to New Zealand, its key characteristics are the white tufts of feathers under its throat and its shimmery iridescent blue feathers. We also have Tui beer and Tui girls in New Zealand but I wont go into that too much as that really doesn't fit the theme of our blog.

So to share a bit of our New Zealand uniqueness we chose this beautiful and special native bird. We also liked the bird related theme of nesting and turning your house into a home. So my talented husband Stefan was kind enough to draw a few options for us.

The handsome Tui - Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Birds have had a strong influence on fashion so it wasn't difficult to find a lot of inspirational examples.

Outfit pic - Courtesy of Raindrops of Sapphire
Interior pic - Courtesy of The Decorologist

Birdcages are bold statements as an accessory and make a quirky wall hanging. I must admit I'm not a fan of caged birds so I like this example with plants inside the cages instead of real birds.

I love this feather inspired wallpaper from Modern Furniture. So bold and beautiful.

A New Zealand based designer Bob Steiner has gorgeous unique ceramics - these three flying Tui seemed a perfect modern take on the retro three flying ducks.

Now we couldn’t talk birds without including a bit on feathers in fashion. Beauty and the Green have some great examples of birds influencing fashion. The legendary Alexander McQueen’s 2008 spring collection took on an overt bird twist. However in real life it’s probably best to not go too literal, you don’t want to end up looking like Big Bird.

Alexander McQueen 2008 Spring Collection - image courtesy of RupertandSherlock

Feathers can be a fabulous way to add a chic dimension to your outfit, so get inspired by nature and take on an avian influence. Here are some chicks doing it right...

Rihanna - Image courtesy of Desktoptune

Nikki Reed - Image Courtesy of Posh24

Image courtesy of MKaltenbach

Touch of floral

Outfit pic: By Lindsay Keats - Dress from ASOS, Denim Jacket from Quicksilver, shoes from Lipstick
Interior pic: courtesy of Southern Charm

Tiny and delicate or big and bold, there are so many floral prints out there and so many ways to bring a touch of floral to your style. Floral prints have been a big fashion trend for 2012, with many designers and major retail brands creating virtually any piece of clothing and accessory in some floral form. So my feminine floral dress is pretty safe, and you may want to mix it up with more adventurous mediums such as a floral blazer, jeans or heels. And of course if you remember the 90s you'll know just how great denim and floral print go together – just like Salt-N-Pepa, like Guns N' Roses, like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and DJ Jazzy Jeff - denim and floral are a match made in 90s grunge heaven. Except back then I'd probably wear this same outfit with my steel capped Doc Marten boots as opposed to high-heeled wedges. 90s kids you know what I'm talking about!

Although floral is hot right now in fashion it can be quite timeless in your home decor.  I think floral chairs make fantastic features in any style of home, and they don't have to look grannyish.

Talking about grannies I inherited my grandmother's floral teacup set, which I adore and it actually gets used quite often now that high tea is in vogue. My set looks very similar to the below vintage variety, you can get these sorts of sets from most second hand stores or this particular one via Dad's Teacups on Etsy.

Vintage Royal Albert Teacup from Dad's Teacups

Love these vintage 90s floral blazers, you can buy them new but there's something cool about the old originals, they're usually better quality too. This one is from Oh My Frock

One last thing, floral doesn't have to be restricted to spring and summer, team your floral dress with a chunky sweater and you can rock the floral look all seasons - or for New Zealand summers which can be quite cold anyway.

Outfit pic: Dress from ASOS, Knit Jumper from Lee, shoes from Lipstick, Necklace from Karen Walker  and watch from Marc Jacobs