Author Archives: Design_Soda_Ruthie

About Design_Soda_Ruthie

I write Design Soda, a design blog with a focus on interiors. My blog aims to be an unpretentious, stimulating, fun and naturally curious delve into inspirational design and Londoncentric culture. I describe my style as boho-eclectic and am open to most design which doesn’t look too serious or composed. As a design geek with a love of vintage and upcycling, I am passionate about my home and love blogging ideas and looks that I find inspirational. Since the time when my teenage bedroom was an Aladdins cave of upcycled furniture, Cecil Beaton photography and Situationist slogans I have been interested in the way the home environment can make you feel and inspire your inner life. As a new mummy, trying to negotiate my passions with my lovely new baby's schedule can be difficult, but in my spare time you will often find me snapping the things that catch my eye in my wonderful home city London. Or, reading, upcycling, spending longer on Pinterest than I should, baking and watching old movies. I have a lifelong passion for French New Wave cinema.

Interiors: Study Makeover Reveal

February 13, 2017

Image: Design Soda

As I sit typing this, it is the very first time I have had a completed study to write in. We have allocated a room for books and writing each time we’ve moved, but they have always existed somewhere between dream space and student hovel if I’m entirely honest. Whether it be hideous inherited blue carpets thought about but never replaced due to sound proofing issues for the flat downstairs or plans for organisation and tranquility that quickly turned to dumping ground for all the things we couldn’t think where to home, this my friends, finally, is my dream office space. A few weeks ago we sanded and sealed the floors. This has got to be our most hated d.i.y task, Dan because it’s such back breaking work, me because I’m more than a little scared of the machine you use to sand the floors with! But, it’s also one of the most rewarding and transformative tasks. We used a dark oak stain varnish from Ronseal which I really love, though I wasn’t sure it was dark enough after the first coat and was very heartened to find Swoonworthy’s beautiful floor in the same finish during a Google search halfway through.

bohemian modern mid century vintage farrow downpipe modernist study home office styling ideas and inspiration, vintage stationary, crossley record player, drinks trolley record storage ranarp lamp

Cabinet detail with Ikea Ranarp lamp re-positioned from it’s home in the bedroom whilst I decide where it truly belongs.

Styling: Creating a Gallery Wall on a Budget with Scandinavian Prints

February 6, 2017

Image: Design Soda

I think wall art has got to be one of the hardest things to get right in a home, it’s a constant dilemma for me, Read More

Lifestyle: Design Inspiration over Brunch: 5 Prettiest Places in London

February 3, 2017

Chiswick fire station decor pink red velvet cactus wood

Blush tones and velvet in abundance here alongside giant desert style cacti, all on trend and en pointe.

Image: Design soda

Phew, we’ve got to February already, not sure I’m going to want to see a lot of news this month, groan of helpless despair! But on a positive note, time has been flying by here Read More

labeled : Design Favourites: Sourcing & Inspiration - London Sights | 1 COMMENT

Trends – Best of the Terrazzo Interiors Trend

January 31, 2017

Image: Cafe Kitsune by Anne Van Assche

So this trend has been slowly building for over a year now, quietly sitting and biding it’s time as the counterpoint to marble, and I reckon it’s going to be everywhere come summer so today I thought I’d turn my attention to beautiful terrazzo. The current trend seemed to start with Max Lamb creating a showcase of the material for interior use and it’s slowly being used for pattern in homewares that are accessible to you and I. There were elements of terrazzo in Normann, Copenhagen’s Daily Fiction range of accessible design products last year and Danish powerhouse of style Ferm Living are just about to launch some terrazzo pattern in their kids range this month, and you know that if the stylish Scandi’s are bringing it, it’s going to be a thing soon. Hell, even even The Wall Street Journal are calling it for Terrazzo this year, it’s coming folks, mark my (amongst others) words. I love everything about terrazzo and have been waiting for enough products on the market to share with you, this runs the gamut from £4.59 to £800 so there’s something for every budget but most are in the highly accessible price bracket. Some of the examples I list are a cross over between splatter patterns (in abstract) and true terrazzo, some use a modern method of dried paint over precious stone (actually I’m thinking of making a d.i.y item using this method so watch this space for the practicalities!) but what all of these items have in common is a chaotic and very beautiful sensibility. Enjoy!

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Pictures: Through the Aperture: January

January 24, 2017

Image: Design Soda

What a cold and dark start this month has been, I’ve got lots to keep my mind occupied this month but still these dark cold days are starting to grind. So, as the Christmas lights have faded all around, I thought January the perfect time for appreciating pops of neon. Today’s aperture includes some of my favourite punches of neon (and even a carousel) to lift us out of the doldrums. First up is this very cool gas station in Shoreditch (above) spotted on my London wanderings, perfect seventies fun flair, enjoy. What are you doing to beat the January blues?

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labeled : London Sights | 2 COMMENTS