Horne Style

Horne was founded on juxtaposed backgrounds. Alissa, born and raised in the Bad Lands of Texas (Yep, Friday Night Lights style) with wild brambles, thorny flora and biting fauna, brings a free spirited connection with nature to her style. Ryan, an academic at heart, brings a European chic and educated minimalism to the boutiques selections. You know, opposites attract and all that jazz.

Now, we can't go just throwing any Ying and Yang against a wall and hope they'll stick. The beauty of differences is often the ability to find the underlying commonalities. Themes underplay our differences like notes in a symphony.

Beyond waxing poetic, these differences can spice up your style as well. Take a concept, throw a bit of rustic with a dash of modern chic and marvel at the results.

As temperatures start dropping in the states and Fall's fingers work their way through the trees, I've really been into the idea of laying next to a fire and enjoying a good book. This cow-hide rug by Yerra is truly a unique piece. Each one will come with different accents and characteristics from it's homeland in Argentina. Adding both visual and physical warmth to the room, it's a great way of lightening up a modern loft or home.

Accompany this rug with any number of our modern fireplaces. From table top flames to unique fireplace accessories, a true autumn retreat is warm an waiting like mom's apple pie. Hit that sweet spot of old-school hunting lodge and sleek modern flat to add character and flare.

It's the Little Things

Detail is the heart of style. A man's cufflinks set apart his suit as much as a bracelet will set off a woman's night dress. If style is a message, it should be stick out to the receiver. Spam filters set to high.

In an age of mass-texts, chain emails and skype, the hand-written letter marks the sender as a stylish, thoughtful individual. It adds layers to the depth of ones image - beyond the realm of clothing and wall pieces.

Kamal kicks up the meaning of the letter and it's style-message with these gorgeous peacock designed note-cards. Entirely devoid of any sense of excess, these minimalistic designs are aesthetically beautiful and leave room for the words to truly take center stage.

On Kama's site she declares her own love for the pen-and-paper world:

"Even in the Age of Tweet, they remain the most intimate medium of expression."

Which is echoed in the detailed craftsmanship of these stunning letters.

While the style of the written letter might be an art in it's swan song, the meaning has increased. Show your loved ones you care while making a personal statement.

Icons: The French Bistro

Iconic images define style. Echoing ancient civilizations like the rebirth of the columns or your Roman reclining couch or looking to the future with sleek, futuristic styling, we're seeking to provide an anchor for our own image.

Culture specific links have been, still are and ever shall be, a staple of style. A culture attain a certain reputation that we try to mimic with our design. Cuba has cigars, Ireland's got stouts, France has wonderful cafes.

Check out these French Bistro style chairs and tables, for instance. Oh, to be sitting in the streets of Paris with a fine cheese and glass of wine. They impart the feel of the avenues and boulevards while providing an instantly recognizable icon to your decor. When everyone on your block has a pair after seeing yours, you'll feel just as Parisian as you can get. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.

Of course you'll need something to set your espresso down on. Matching tables provide the perfect place for either indoor patios or outdoor seating areas.

The Horne team itself is off to France, while we're on business, you should treat yourself to all the wine and cheese you can manage.

Formed and Functioning

Clocks have been relegated to formless function for far too long. The Grandfather clock was an imposing fella who'd shout the time and loom over your room. Recently, though, clocks have made a more subtle statement, blending in to the room's decor rather than imposing itself on your senses.

Keeping in time with modern sensibilities, the bright Bloom Clock by Schmitt stands out on it's own with a environmentally friendly bamboo frame and light color, but will blend in with a delicately balanced room. Schmitt's design is intentionally symmetrical to reflect nature's tendency for radial designs.

Schmitt's a fan of keeping things eco-friendly and highlights that in this minimalist's-dream clock. The sweeping limbs of the Samara Wall Clock are comforting, echoing the movement of wind-mills. The bold red of the arm distinguishes the whole piece.

Clocks can sometimes become symbols of the day-to-day stresses of life. These clocks combine the natural comforts of natural forms to make a clock something to look forward to, not something to be dreaded.

Design in the DIY Age

DIY and style mesh in this unique Floral Pendant by David Trubridge. Shipped in a flat pack, they also save on shipping costs.

What's most tantalizing here is the reward of putting the whole thing together yourself. As ever, style and story are stuck together like this pendant. Walking under the pendant in your living room or foyer, it'll serve as a memoir to handicraft. Plus, who isn’t impressed by something hand made?

Blending a splendid sight of nature, sustainability, and style, Trubridge based this off of a flower native to western Australia.

DIY is gaining in popularity for all of the same reasons our modern home décor is: it stands out. Ikea and other mass-market make bland statements. Sad phrasing for a boring sentence. Style is in the unique details which set one room apart from another. Here’s yours.

We love it's quirky flower pattern and it’s eco-friendly shipping and bamboo structure. You’ll love it just the same in a light-hued room.

Red Dot Design Award (best of the best)

Thousands and thousands of products are judged every year as part of the red dot design award. The international jury selects outstanding achievements, gives direction and uncovers trends. One of the most prestigious awards is the "Best of the Best" category. We, at HORNE, are proud to be offering this year's recipient of the Best of the Best for the highest design quality: Pure Black by Stelton. Designed by duo known as HolmbäckNordentoft, these stunning knives have a matte black finish for a sturdy grip and an easy clean-up. Made from one solid piece of steel, the blades of these knives morph seamlessly into the handles allowing for extremely accurate cutting. The set includes a large chef's knife, small chef's knife, a bread knife and a beautifully simplistic white magnetic strip for hanging the knives. When purchased as a set HORNE is happy to offer a 10% discount. Also make sure to check out HolmbäckNordentoft's Fuego Bioethanol Firelight (seen below).

New from Design House Stockholm

We are excited to announce that we have just released Catharina Kippel’s Cobalt series by Design House Stockholm. Cobalt-based blue pigments have been used since ancient times for jewelry and paints, and to impart a distinctive blue tint to glass and ceramics. During the 19th century and early 20th century, china from Ostindiska kompaniet, Kunglig Dansk, Gustavsberg and Rörstrand gained global reputation for its quality and design. Kippel’s Cobalt collection is made in the same tradition, with the cobalt blue designs hand-painted in three layers on slightly transparent bone china. Like all true high-quality products it will only become more beautiful with time when used. Also from Design House Stockholm are the new Timo & Timo Termo glasses. Intended for both hot and cold liquids, the Timo is a clear glass with a thicker waist to help protect your hands from burning and the Timo Termo goes one step further as the glass is equipped with an outer spiral layer of silicon. Both are sold in sets of 4 glasses (in branded gift box) and are very reasonably priced - what a lovely present for mother's day!