Have you always been creative and can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming an artist?

I always wanted to be an artist but my ‘sensible’ head always told me that is impossible to make into a paying career, so once I left school I went straight into retail and kept my artwork as a hobby. It wasn’t until I started my Instagram account @bland_design and posted photos of my home and decor that found my audience and it gave me the confidence to try and turn it into a business.

Why did you decide to specialise in gilding?

I ended up specialising in gilding by accident really. I was desperate to give my kitchen a face lift but couldn’t afford a new one, so working with what I had already I decided to use gold leaf and resin to create the brass worktops I’d been swooning over. When I posted about it online I started getting inquiries about bespoke worktops and tables which was amazing because I hadn’t planned for it to be a product I’d sell.

Your murals are such grand and striking pieces of art, do you ever feel daunted by the challenge when you start a project?

I’m always nervous when designing a new mural, it’s only once I actually start painting that I finally relax and get into it. I work with a rage of different artistic styles and designs which is really challenging, I end up doing dozens of rough sketches that go in the bin before I start to feel happy with my designs. Some of my work is freehand drawing as well, which has its own challenges when working on a large scale, having to keep stepping back to check it all looks right!

Your work was debuted on the final of Interior Design Masters, where you were commissioned by Siobhan Murphy to create a gorgeous, gilded crane mural. Can you tell us a bit more about that experience?

Siobhan has become a great friend of mine and I was honoured to be asked to paint a mural for the final of the show. It came totally out of the blue because they only get a week to plan their schemes so I had to reshuffle some of my work to be able to do it but I’m so glad I did. It was easily the most terrifying thing I’ve done in my career so far, I’m used to filming my work for Instagram but that’s just me and my camera… Not an entire production team! We only had 3 days to complete the project which was tough, not only did I paint the mural but I also gilded the vaulted ceiling in the hallway of the villa. Since then Siobhan and I have worked on a bunch of other projects in her home, and plenty more to come!

It’s incredible to think that Daniel’s journey began with a kitchen tabletop, some gold leaf, a pot of resin and a large dose of creativity! We’re delighted to hear he has more work in the pipeline with Siobhan. We can’t wait to see the results from this fabulous duo!

If you would like to find out more about Daniel’s stunning work (and seriously impressive plant collection!) You can find him on Instagram,  or contact him via his website, Bland Design.

Image Credit: Daniel Bland

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Palm Tree Floor Lamp | Feather Juju Hat Wall Décor  | Marilyn Velvet Armchair

1.  Drama! Create drama with full-on gold luxe vibe in a dramatic with a statement piece as in a palm tree floor lamp.  I love it when traditional interior accessories get jazzed up and they don’t get more jazzed up than a standard lamp in the shape of a gold palm tree, do they?  Dramatic pieces need dramatic contrast to bring out the richness.  Hang a feather Juju hat on the wall for the perfect complement.

Wise Monkey Statue

2.  Wild! Go wild and embrace your inner sassiness with a wise monkey statue. With his size and commanding presence, he makes a statement piece that can be played lots of ways. Keep him calm and regal on a plinth for a touch of gold, or surround him with greenery (faux or real) for wild jungle moves.

Mongolian Fur Chair

3.  Luxe! The Mongolian Fur Chair is a new take on a director’s chair with chutzpah. The juxtaposition of a super shiny gold frame and white Mongolian fur brings it into the realm of super luxe. The epitome of new gold for a new season that’s fun, playful and shouts look at me. Keep the lightness of touch by adding small accessories in a super shiny finish that are modern and cool. Luxury fabrics like velvet and fur are a great contrast for the luxe look.

Gold ‘Rock On!’ Hand

4.  Subtle! What’s a subtle way, you might ask? Well, gold spindly legs on an armchair or coffee table instead of heavy wood, a gold mesh chair instead of wicker, gold cutlery instead of stainless steel – these are all ways to bring gold, and brass for that matter, into your home in a subtle understated way. Nothing brassy about any of that and think of the lovely contrast, whether you have dark or light walls it’s going to look good. Again, layer up with textural elements to soften the look and add warmth. Accessories are a great way to add subtle touches of gold to your interior. The ‘rock on’ hand is trendy and fun for a discreet touch of gold, but equally at home with full on bling.

Brass Flamingo Table Lamp- Ombre Shade

5.  Quirky! The brass flamingo table lamp has it all – fun, quirky and definitely a scene stealer. Adds that touch of exotic gold even on a traditional wooden table, or accentuate the bling -partnered with a gold table and lots of gold accessories.

Are you going gold any time soon? Or maybe you’re already there and just want to freshen it up and put some character into your décor, with a touch of opulence, and a touch of luxuriousness. If you’re new to the gold vibe there are lots of ways to play it, from full on gold with dramatic shiny gold home accessories. Or you could go the subtle way for a simpler more pared back look, with delicate gold legged furniture and discreet gold accessories The choice is endless with lighting, vases, and mirrors, gold splashed wallpaper and rugs, all juxtaposed with fabulous textural elements such as Mongolian fur, velvets, feathers, marble and wood for a richly layered home. Whichever way you play it though have fun and experiment, the age of opulence is here to stay.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks

We asked Jess a few questions about herself and her living room makeover:

Hello! My name’s Jess. I’m a former showbiz journalist and I have an interiors blog called Gold Is A Neutral which I launched in April this year. The blog covers all aspects of interiors, from my own journey renovating our Victorian terrace in South East London, to trends, house tours, expert advice and a bit of stylish travel as well. I’m loving it and am excited for what the future holds. I’m married to David and have two children Rafferty, 5, and Nellie, 1. They are both full of beans, stubborn as hell (like their mama) and are the reason I gave up the 9-5 and never looked back. I’m proud to be a working mum, though sometimes the juggle is a struggle.

What is your favourite piece in the room?

It’s a close call, but my favourite thing would have to be the gold Drip wallpaper from Jonathan Adler. It took months to arrive from New York and was a nightmare to hang but it makes me so happy and I’ve never seen it in anyone else’s home. Which could just mean I have terrible taste of course!?!

The room now looks unrecognisable, what was the most challenging part about the whole process?

There was so much to get rid of!  The existing shelves and cupboards had a false wall behind them which was chockablock with wires from the very dated built in sound system and CCTV network which had been installed right across the house. I have no idea what on earth the CCTV was for but I do know it was a pain in the bum to get rid of. It all needed unravelling and deciphering to locate the few wires we actually needed to keep.

It was also a big challenge trying to find someone to hang the wallpaper. It arrived with a blank border on either side and every decorator I asked to come and look at it turned up, shook their heads and said they didn’t know what to do with it. Either that or they started furiously trying to google online instructions about how to hang it which didn’t exactly fill me with confidence. But after many rejections we eventually found our man and it was so exciting to see it finally go up!

What was the best?

Getting rid of the hideously ugly floating gas fireplace and replacing it with a reclaimed Victorian cast iron fireplace that I found on Ebay. It instantly changed the face of the room and gave it the focal point it desperately needed. Another high point was when the white walls were painted the inky navy (Basalt by Little Greene). It actually made the room feel bigger and so sophisticated. I still absolutely love the colour and how cosy it is in the evenings.

How long did the renovating process (on this room) take from start to finish?

Ages. We effectively gutted the whole room (except the floors, they are next on the list) and started again. I was heavily pregnant when we started and I was a bit too optimistic in hoping to get it all done and dusted before Nellie arrived. All in all, I would say it took about two months to do all the joinery, filling, plastering, priming, painting and electrics. Then a few weeks on top of that to find someone who could do the wallpaper. It was a labour of love but was worth it in the end.

Get the Look

Pineapple Candle Holder | Gold Rock on Hand | Artificial Areca Palm | Boho Rug | Gold Bar Cart | Gold Champagne Saucers

A stunning living room makeover that’s finished, but not finished, as in Jess still wants to replace the flooring and the PVCu windows, but you don’t even notice them, too busy absorbing the glorious colours, glam accessories, and that wallpaper.  Hollie has deep seated envy for that wallpaper and dreams about it haha!  The shutters work wonderfully for letting in light but blocking out nosey passers-by, I have them in my front rooms for the same reason, and they are great for small rooms where curtains would take up too much room.

What do you think to this before and after then?  Any favourite pieces?  Gold is a Neutral has been shortlisted in the top 5 for the Amara Interior Blog Awards ‘Best Newcomer’ category, and Jess is also a contributing interiors editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, which has to be good credentials, so if you want some more interiors inspiration you can follow Jess on Instagram: @gold_is_a_neutral and also pop over to her blog Gold is a Neutral.

Jacqui x

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Image Credits: Gold Is A Neutral

These little gold desk dishes are fab and tie in so well with our blog on covering lever arch files in marble effect sticky back plastic. Why have a boring, uninteresting desk when, for very little effort and money, you can have a glamorous and inspiring desk that actually gives pleasure, plus it’s so satisfying to have done it yourself. I love to transform something that is essentially a utilitarian object into a thing of beauty to be admired instead of hidden away.

Do take a look at Amy’s blog and be inspired to have a go yourself. Amy makes it sound easy, and it actually is, as long as you follow her instructions. Before you know it your desk will be feeling the gold and marble love!

Jacqui x

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Images from Homey Oh My!

“We’re loving Audenza’s seriously sexy new gold kitchen utensils” Livingetc

Suffice to say, as soon as we saw this new range of gold kitchenware, we just knew you’d love them as much as us. Often practicality has to come at the price of beauty, but not anymore! You know it’s our mission to banish ugly, functional objects from the home… a mission you guys have told us you wholeheartedly agree with and these kitchen utensils hit the nail on the functional head. They’re already attracting a fair bit of press too. Livingetc, The Sunday Express, The Sunday Times Style Magazine and Swoon Worthy blog have all been rather taken by the new range. ST Style shared this on Instagram:

January diet a little bit dull? Your kitchen doesn’t have to be with these brilliant brass utensils, from£19 at @miafleur_home ✨✨✨ #interiors #kitchen #brass #utensils

A photo posted by TheSTStyle (@theststyle) on Jan 13, 2016 at 7:10am PST

Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to bake, cook, sieve, and grate with these and they look amazing mixed up with copper and brass for a real hit of trendy warm metals.

“Gold serving spoons, whisks, sieves, ladles and slotted spatulas – the things my kitchen dreams are made of.” Kimberly Duran, Swoon Worthy Blog

Now I’m not much of a cook, bar casseroles and soups, in fact anything that goes into one pot and doesn’t want constant attention is fine by me but if I’m going to be chained to the kitchen for any length of time I want everything to be visually appealing and, with the trend for warm metals in everything in dining ware from glasses to table mats to cutlery, these gold utensils are perfect for giving your dining table and kitchen a glamorous edge.

As Livingetc says “These utensils are far too good to stash away in a drawer – hang them up above the cooker or dot them around your kitchen counters for a warming hit of glitz.”

The sieves are so beautiful that Kimberly from Swoon Worthy has hung hers up on the wall as decorative items in their own right and I think that’s a fab idea for us non bakers. Read Kimberly’s blog post here and while you are there check out her neat little note pad block that she has covered in marble and gold sticky back paper, another fab idea!

Amelia is the baker in our family and she loves using her sieves but I gave up baking when the kids were old enough to bake their own cakes and even The Great British Bake Off can’t persuade me to attempt that again – I prefer to just eat the proceeds!

We’re also running a competition with Eating Covent Garden blog, to win a set of three utensils. Find out more info here.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks