Posts Tagged ‘Iron Bedstead’

Romantic French Country bedrooms

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Hankering for a touch of French Country romance to add a splash of Gallic nostalgia to the bedroom?

It’s an increasingly popular look and it’s certainly not difficult to find plenty of inspiration on the internet and within magazines to set the ball rolling.

And indeed, as with most decorative projects, there are only a few simple elements that form the basis of great results that are sure to captivate!

Firstly we need to look at colour and style. The majority of French Country decorative designs are set against a background of gently whitewashed woodwork and accordingly are able to harmonise with a wide palette of colours.

In a bedroom setting, toile and flower patterns can be used to great effect and wherever possible choosing materials that are luxurious to the touch will set the tone. Consider also adding some traditional French lace to the room design or even some traditional brocade for a truly vintage feel. For those fond of a splash of colour, it might be nice to consider a light sky blue or light leaf green wall treatment or even that soft gold colour, so quintessentially French. The trick is to make the colour palette look a little faded and sun bleached, although not tatty.

Match the colours in the walls with accent colours in the rugs, bed linens, curtains and accessories to ensure a common thread that holds the theme together. Including some antique painted wooden furniture and accessories in the room, that appear well loved and worn or even a little chipped will evoke an authentic look of rural French living that is hard not to adore.

The days when genuine old French furniture pieces could be picked up for a song, is long gone, although a trip to France might unearth some old treasures for the truly committed, and closer to home there are still the odd bargains to be found.

Alternatively why not achieve the look with a little artistic flair a pot of paint and a paintbrush? Many a tatty old piece of English furniture can be distressed with ease in a somewhat Shabby Chic fashion to achieve the French country look. Or for the less adventurous, replicas abound!

And of course, please don’t overlook the bedstead. Again, genuine French original metal beds are hard to come by and anyway were often oddly sized.

Better to opt for a romantic reproduction with graceful lines and lovely detailing that would look totally at home in any French Country themed bedroom and form a charming centrepiece from which to take inspiration for the soft furnishings, linens and accessories.

Take your pick from a host of different traditional designs.

As an expression of our tastes and personality, a French design inspired bedstead is sure to do just that.  Inspire…..!

Coming next: More French Country bedroom romance…

More Cottage comforts…

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Another nice touch (when space permits) is to angle your Iron Bed at 45 degrees to a corner of the room.

It might sound like an odd idea, but in practice in a cottage styled environment, it works particularly well, adding visual interest and introducing an air of inviting informality. Reduce any boxy-ness further still with complementary furniture that has smooth organic curves and gentle detailing.

Once again, it doesn’t all have to match and flavour of Shabby Chic is to be welcomed, as long as there is a central design or colour theme that ties it all together.

If you have a vanity or dressing table, try personalising with antique white table dressings and Victorian vintage lace. Other nice touches would be a collection of clear or coloured glass antique scent bottles or a little cluster of monochrome family photos in silver frames. Cut glass vases filled with roses will never look out of place and a small ornamental jewellery box might just provide the perfect finishing touch for true vintage style.

Straw hats, boaters, leather riding boots and an old silver topped walking cane are other great accessories that will work well within our cottage themed bedroom. A hat stand or corner table makes a great resting place for these type of accessories for a multi-dimensional grouping.

Mixed together with some delft type china and an old floral patterned teapot filled with summer blooms, the look is sure to appeal.

As always it’s the little details that make all the difference and a few whimsical flourishes will go a long way.

Bunches of lavender tied to the headboard of your romantic iron beds are a nice touch and might even help to induce slumber! Or how about a collection of floral and striped hat boxes perched on top of the wardrobe?

Bringing in architectural and garden pieces from days gone by can introduce a truly enticing look such as a an antiquated wrought iron garden gate, perched against a wall as a display point for those aforementioned accessories, or maybe an old wooden bird cage as a focal point on a corner table or to keep the hat boxes company atop the wardrobe?

A large garden urn transformed into a bedside table is another great example of forming that link with the outside and an old birdbath similarly treated is sure to please or might be the perfect display stand for a lush green Aspidistra.

Even simple smaller items such as some moss covered antique terracotta garden pots can be given a new lease of life as candle holders or as a holder for scented potpourri.

Quietly romantic and maybe a little quirky, the Cottage Garden bedroom presents a timeless decorative solution with  a unique and undeniably inviting charm.

As the perfect canvass for self expression and a little British eccentricity, there is surely very little that compares!

Romantic Bedroom must-haves

Thursday, September 9th, 2010
Alva Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Alva Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

Even in today’s helter skelter world, there’s surely time for a little romance, however frenetic the rest of our lives may be?

In the home, and across the centuries, the bedroom has provided the perfect oasis for romantic encounters and a sea of calm away from the pressures of the world.

And yet many of us still treat the bedroom as somewhere to crash at the end of the day, with little attention paid to decor, style or ambiance, when with a little extra imagination it might be possible to spice things up with a come-hither look to please the eye and senses!

A few simple essentials is all it takes to transform “boring” into “boudoir” and no surprise then to discover  that  colour is the fundamental start point.

So ditch the magnolia look and dress the room in a sensual colour palette that evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation. Some of your favourite darker hues might be at home here with perhaps even some moody crimson,olive or purple hues for a particularly strong theme.

This isn’t the living room. It’s the ONE room in the house where you can afford to be daring. Choose colours that spark passion and emotion and use them. It’s a sure-fire way to set the tone for an environment that will cocoon and inspire.

Likewise, lush fabrics are an essential addition for any glamorous bedroom theme. And once again it’s the one room in the house where it’s perfectly ok to go over the top with rich fabrics. Plush bedding makes a great start, but for a truly “wow” look, it’s important to think beyond the pillows and bolsters and choose rich, heavily textured fabrics for the bedthrow, curtains and upholstered furniture also. Or how about a faux fur bedspread for a real touch of decadence?

Add invitingly soft accent rugs for bare feet and indulge the senses with soft squashy pillows scattered on the bed and dotted about the room.  A tasselled throw would be another great addition to hang over chairs or for end of bed benches to catch the eye and create a feeling of inviting warmth and cosiness.

Of course, it goes without saying that the biggest player in the bedroom has to be the bed. Big and bold or ornately appealing; the choice is yours.

Start with the best mattress that you can afford and team it up with a bedstead that stirs the emotions. Solid antique brass beds are always a winner in the bedroom. The absolute essence of romance. Or how about a beautiful cast iron bedstead full of intricate detailing and intrique?

Moody satin blacks, gentler glossy ivories, or rich hand painted patina colour finishes. All are sure to promise a timeless appeal that that will form the focal point of any romantic room setting.

Set the bed high and furnish it with those pillows, cushions, bolsters and fabulous fabrics for a wonderful effect, or for extra impact add a canopy or sheer screens for a touch of exotica and a real flavour of uncompromised romantic style…!

Coming next: “More Romantic bedroom essentials”

Simple tips for tranquil bedroom style.

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Iron Beds from OBC.

Iron Beds from OBC.

Effective bedroom makeovers needn’t be complicated or challenging.

Indeed, often the most effective decorative solutions are the simplest to execute, and no more so than those basic guidelines to follow for a tranquil bedroom theme. Let’s face it, the majority of us want such a space where we can relax, recharge and dream.

There are huge reams of information out there, within the pages of this blog, in Interiors magazines and elsewhere on the internet as inspiration for achieving that perfect haven of tranquility.

In fact, so much so that it’s pretty easy to become perplexed by the vast array of advice on offer.

And yet actually, as with much in life, the basic building blocks are all just good common sense and like all decorative styles rely on sympathetic colour, textures and furniture choice for great results that wont break the bank or dent the decorative ego!

Colour is the backdrop that establishes the mood in any tranquil bedroom scheme, and here the choice is really between neutrals such as black, white and grey tones or natural earthy colours. Blues to represent water shades are also important as are soothing greens.

You could actually get away with using a combination of the above colour palettes, although for best effect it might be wise to use as few colour combinations as possible and keep patterns in wallpaper and soft furnishings and linens to a minimum. Too much visual clutter is hardly conducive with a tranquil room mood and for the same reason, the contrast between light and dark colours should be minimised. Within the most effective tranquil decorative themes, there are no overly dark colour values.

Darker colours in the floor coverings and soft furnishings, should at most be mid-tones with few if any, white highlights.

In this instance use the carpet to ground any other bolder tones to be found within the room. Keeping patterns totally out of the carpet is the best option and the same applies to accent rugs.

Natural sisal floor coverings work well in this regard and harmonise well with light colour walls and ceilings for a light airy feel.

A simple traditional iron bed design would introduce a great focal point to any tranquil bedroom setting. Opting for a gentle style with perhaps a floral overtone might be just perfect.

Lighter colours such as glossy or textured ivory would set the mood and provide inspiration for the room décor and any little accessories that establish the personality of the space as a whole.

These might include a cluster of monochromatic family photos or some wall paintings or prints that help to soothe the mind.

Landscapes and seascapes are particularly beneficial in this regard, as are any abstract pieces that have special appeal or poignancy. As always it’s the sum of the parts as well as the finer details that make the difference between good results and simply fabulous outcomes.

With an eye for colour and by following a few simple guidelines a haven of restfulness can be wonderfully easy to achieve.

Headboard heaven

Monday, August 16th, 2010

WHILST THE MAJORITY of bedroom style updates might involve a new paint job, some enticing new window dressings and soft furnishings, new accessories and perhaps even the expense of updated furniture, there is a simpler way to give the bedroom a fresh new look.

The humble headboard has been an integral part of bedroom design throughout recent history, performing a functional and aesthetic task. But for those homeowners who do not want or perhaps have the space for an iron bedstead or wooden bedstead in their bedroom, the headboard option is the usual alternative. Within most bedroom settings the bed itself becomes the focal point, and accordingly the headboard is bound to draw the eye.

For many, the obvious choice when looking for a theme change might be to opt for a traditional headboard or contemporary headboard design in metal or brass or a combination of the two, and we would of course be the first to endorse such a wise decision!

For others, looking for a slightly wacky alternative or something unique that can be changed on a whim, there are several inexpensive solutions that might just fit the bill.

In fact for some designs, you may just have everything that you need already to hand whilst for others, a little ingenuity and artistic flair can realise some great results that are sure to please. So, why not consider a few of the following as just a few quick suggestions to whet the appetite and get the creative ball rolling..?

Make your own – the simplest upholstered headboards are just that. Simple! With some elementary carpentry skills, some fire retardant foam and some enticing fabric of your choice, it’s dead easy to create a headboard that’s totally unique.

Better still, just take a tired old headboard and have it recovered. Easy!

Wall hangings – offer a great alternative solution that can work well in most room settings. Throw out that old headboard and replace it with a hand crafted quilt, woven rug or a tapestry. Framed, hung or draped, you can be sure of an innovative and cosy effect.

Garden headboard – wood or iron picket fencing hung at the head of the bed is not as odd an alternative as it might first sound.

If you’re looking for comfort it might not be the obvious choice, but with a little flair and perhaps some interwoven ivy or floral detailing such as stencilled vines, a truly appealing look is possible.

Shelves and bookcases – are a great solution when space is at a premium. A bookshelf behind the bed can solve all sorts of storage problems or consider installing a shelf above the bed to display books, family photographs or accent accessories.

Added appeal can be achieved with in-built soft lighting and floral displays for a welcoming touch. For teenage rooms, a surfboard hung at the head of the bed might be a really trendy headboard solution and what about creating a tiled headboard using ceramic or terracotta wall or floor tiles?

Either glued straight to the wall behind the bed or attached to a length of free-standing plywood, all sorts of gregarious or more subtle designs are possible.

In fact, the only limitation when it comes to bespoke headboard design, is the scope of our imagination. These suggestions or a variation of them are just the tip of the iceberg.

With a bit of experimentation all sorts of inspired creations are undoubtedly possible!

Focal point room inspiration

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Lerwick Nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Lerwick Nickel bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Whatever the architectural or decorative style, it’s a well known fact within design circles, that a room will become a more comfortable space to spend time, if we choose a focal point or feature and arrange our furniture and accessories around this point to create a feeling of balance and harmony.

Sometimes a focal point will be an architectural feature such as a large fireplace. At other times it might be a captivating picture, dramatic mirror or an inspired piece of furniture.

Whatever the situation, the focal point is easy to create or identify to exploit the full potential of any room setting. A good start point is to look around the room to determine the dominant feature, which in turn is likely to become your focal point.

In an older traditional setting this is likely to be a fireplace, a picture window, or a built in bookcase whilst in more contemporary rooms it might be a large ornament or modern abstract painting.

A focal point should always be something with interesting visual appeal or colourful or textural interest, otherwise it will not fill the brief as a “focal point”. It should be the first thing that you see when entering a room and it’s possible to create a focal point by concentrating on artwork, paint colour accents or large floral arrangements.

If the room has no distinguishing architectural features, another assured way to create focus is by using feature pieces of furniture.

In the bedroom, the bed is very often the focal point in terms of purpose and positioning, dictating the character of the room and influencing the decorative and accessory theme.

Traditional iron beds and contemporary iron beds styles are particularly appealing in this regard, as are French or English influenced wooden bedstead designs.

In traditionally themed bedroom settings a romantic brass bedstead might just fit the bill, whilst for more ascetic modern rooms a nickel or chrome bedstead is a compelling focal point choice.

Should an outdoor view be the focal point, it’s worth experimenting with the furniture positioning to take advantage of the window areas, and likewise a wall can be painted a different colour than the others and accessorised with wall ornamentation, artwork or display shelves. Lighting to accentuate and bring out the full character of your chosen point is a great idea and if you’ve identified a mantle as the focal point, consider using specimen plants and accessories to add interest.

In all instances it’s particularly effective when contrasting colours are used to allow the focal point to stand out.

Choosing the focal point that gives us visual pleasure is always a recipe for success and by making that “point” the first thing that strikes us it will ensure that others enjoy the same experience.

Summer thoughts

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

WITH SUMMER seemingly upon us, at last (!), Wimbledon fortnight in full swing, and strawberries cramming the shelves of the supermarkets, it’s a great feeling to be able to spend some time in the garden and dust off the barbecue for some balmy evenings with friends.

It’s probably then, not the most obvious of times to be launching into a spate of interior decorating at a time when most of us would rather be outdoors. But that’s exactly what a friend of mine is doing as he throws himself with great gusto into a pretty radical home makeover and a disproportionate amount of time spent pouring over home interior magazines and paint colour charts…

He’s decided to make a start with his young daughter’s bedroom.

Quite why, I am not sure. Maybe he feels that she’s the one least likely to complain if he gets it wrong!

I’m not so sure about that, but he’s adamant that this is where the project will begin so who are we to argue?

Perhaps inspired by the pleasant seasonal weather they’ve decided to go for a bright and airy summery theme with some pretty pastel colours of faded blue and soft cream with some gently patterned curtains and window dressings to add accent and lend the room a feminine flavour. The old carpet is going to the tip and will be replaced by some practical sisal flooring with a couple of plain soft rugs to add comfort and an extra splash of colour. It all sounds pretty good so far, although the room is on the smallish side, so they will need to be careful to create a feeling of space and avoid the temptation to over-clutter.

Daughter, Amelia will doubtless do a good enough job of that herself…!

The centre point of the bedroom is going to be a brand new metal bed to replace the tired old pine affair that has seen better days. Being always happy to advise in this regard, I couldn’t help but think that a gently styled single bedstead in either satin white or glossy ivory would fit the bill perfectly and would tie in nicely with the airy summer decorative theme whilst having inviting girl appeal. That was the easy part.

More difficult then perhaps to choose a design that will appeal to the senses but remains practical, sturdy and ultimately, supremely comfortable?

Carrick, Clare, Paris, Tulsk, Calais, Timolin, Virginia, Marseille, Lyon or perhaps a Thorpe ? All are traditionally styled iron beds with undoubted glamour, anyone of which might have been an enticing choice for little Amelias new bedroom. In actual fact, after a bit of feuding, it was none of the above, but rather the very pretty Windsor bedstead in deep glossy ivory finish that won the day.

And I’m rather glad that it did, as it’s also one of our favourite designs and looks simply great in a 3ft single size.

We’re all rather hoping that Amelia is going to be delighted with her bedroom theme, but if the bedstead choice is anything to go by, our busy neighbour is certainly off to a flying start, whilst for the rest of us sun-starved outdoor types, a little more summer and plenty more Pimms would be a definite bonus!

More Shabby Chic ideas

Friday, June 25th, 2010

SHABBY CHIC is such a versatile decorative style.

Casual and welcoming, there’s room for a little Shabby Chic-ness in every home. Bring this warm traditional look into your life with the minimum of effort for a cosy effect that you’re sure to love.

Upholstered furniture.

For a truly inviting look, overstuffed and oversized upholstery is a great place to start. Comfortable and wrinkled, sofas are long and squashy and chairs are almost large enough to seat two. Purpose made “love seats” look fabulous in a Shabby Chic room and delicate prints cover soft throw pillows.

Old drab furniture can be revitalised with soft slipcovers in pale cream shades or faded prints or use a throw to achieve the look you desire. Whether custom made or bought from a fabric specialist, the effect is instant, for a super look without the expense of new furniture. And because it’s a cover, how about a seasonal change with cool whites during the summer months and a warm stripe or floral theme for cooler times of the year?

Rumpled.

And wrinkled. That’s the look.

Give the iron a holiday and aim for that lived-in, well loved style that’s neat but not too much so. Upholstered furniture looks all the better if it’s a bit saggy. Not by accident have many specialist upholstery manufacturers been making their furniture this way for years!

Whimsy and intrigue.

Anything old, interesting and beautiful will have a place in the Shabby Chic style. Choosing old architectural details or garden statuary with a story to tell will impart instant interest and aesthetic charm. Pillars, an old mantle, glass knobs and chandeliers, or anything iron and a bit rusty will all add texture and intrigue to the room. The list of possibilities is endless, but if it looks right and at home, then it probably is right. Intuition is the interior designers very best friend when it comes to the perfect Shabby Chic look.

Bedroom themes.

Use Shabby Chic liberally in the bedroom for a beautifully cosy feel.

This is where the look really comes into it’s own. Pretty throwovers, pale patterned curtains, soft squashy cushions and pillows will all give the bedroom that quintessentially English cottage Shabby Chic style. And why not complete the look with an inviting iron bedstead to really captivate the senses?

Something traditionally timeless with delicate cast metal detailing should fit the bill. The Original Bedstead Company Arigna in glossy ivory or satin black, might just be our choice, but any traditional beds style is sure to lend a captivating tone to any Shabby Chic bedroom theme.

Revitalising “old”.

With Shabby Chic, even the oldest broken down or rickety furniture pieces can be given new life. If it’s broken, fix it, clean it up and give it a new identity and charming look with a coat of distressed white paint.

Something a bit rusty? Perfect. Clean it up, but not too much, and give it a new home. Furniture or accessories with chipped paint? Even better.

And mirrors with scratched glass or imperfect silvering as a result of age, are Shabby Chic personified. And of course, half the fun is to be had, trawling through the antique markets and junk shops to find these treasures.

Shabby Chic on a shoestring!

The finishing touch.

No Shabby Chic room is complete without the wonderful glow and fragrance of scented candles. And bunches of fresh flowers, scattered liberally in ornate glass jars or pretty painted vases will look and smell wonderful. Likewise, anything with a floral theme has a part to play in a Shabby Chic home. Books on wild flowers, antique floral prints in faded guilded frames, and soft floral fabrics add accent and colour and calm.

Charming and comfortable, Shabby Chic is the perfect way to add a lived-in, fondly loved quality to any home whilst having great fun along the way, throwing it all together!

Elements of surprise…

Friday, June 18th, 2010
Iron Daybed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Iron Daybed from The Original Bedstead Company.

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES.

Some of them wonderful. Some not so great.

But when it comes to home design it is often the element of surprise that simply “makes” a room. Something out of context…

An invited guest that somehow shouldn’t fit in… and yet does. It can be the same with people. Improbable matches that everyone thought would stumble, yet that actually stood the test of time when everyone else was spending money on a divorce lawyer.

Sometimes on the surface things can appear to be so perfect that we suspect something is wrong. We can have the same intuitive feeling when we walk into a room that is perfectly decorated with not an accessory or colour out of place.

To the last detail a room worthy of a magazine feature, ticking all the right style boxes. But then maybe sometimes that “too perfect” feeling invades our senses.

Perhaps we suspect that a little jolt is required to break the spell and add that element of surprise. Something that doesn’t really belong, yet just might. An accent or item that adds a touch of rebellious whimsy and a flavour of intrigue.

And whenever this is the case, the perfect time to consider the unexpected has arrived.

So for your perfectly traditional styled room with matching sofas, tables, chairs, accessories and lighting, why not break the monotony with something ultra modern?

A contemporary painting, minimalist chair or table, or ascetic sculpture could be just what is needed to shock the senses and add a different dimension to the room. It doesn’t need to be anything loud or brash or imposing.

Just a design element that challenges the status quo. Likewise in an ultra contemporary interior with stark white walls, black satin furniture and sleek surfaces, add style contrast for instant effect.

Genuinely old dark wood antique furniture, with sympathetic lighting and careful placement, can look simply fabulous in ascetic environments. Just as an unmistakably traditional Iron beds might prove to be the perfect counterpoint in a modern bedroom setting or a traditional Day bed in a contemporary guest room or hallway.

Even smaller accessories or fabrics will provide a style challenge. Textured floor rugs in bold colours, wildly patterned pillows on a chair, or a pair of antique silver candlesticks on a modern dining room table.

The list is endless and constrained only by imagination. There’s no doubt that anything little or small can have a devastating effect on a design theme that hints at tedium, however well intentioned. It may not work in all instances and sometimes a little trial and error is required, but why not try it and see?

You might just rather like it, even if we’re perfectly honest, we don’t always know quite why.

But then maybe, that’s half the fun!

Summertime makeovers

Friday, June 4th, 2010

At time of writing there is something of a tropical feel to the weather throughout much of Great Britain.

If our unpredictable temperate climate is anything to go by, it’s easy to adopt the usual stoic British resolve and assume that it’s just a passing pleasure although after the miseries of a long and gloomy winter it’s a great feeling to be able to throw open the windows and let the warm airs flow into our homes!

And, whilst we’re at it, why not consider bringing the fresh feel of summer indoors with some quick and easy changes of colour, style, furniture and accessories to really lift the mood and lend a new perspective. After all, it need not be only the garden that enjoys all the attention as soon as the sun comes out.

Our homes deserve a little makeover too that doesn’t need to be extensive (or expensive!) and there are lots of ways in which we can lighten up and revive our décor for a wonderful summer seasonal change. It’s amazing what a difference can be achieved with just what a few simple tweaks and updates and a little imagination…..

Repaint.

These days working with modern paints and painting methods, applying a fresh coat is a breeze. Summery yellows, blues and apple greens can transform a hallway or drab room with uplifting results.

Revive.

Form a link to the garden with fresh new indoor plants and summer flowers. Be brutal and toss out old leggy houseplants well past their prime!

Lighten up.

Remove any dark accessories like heavy throws, velvet pillows and dark leather furniture. Replace with lighter fresher fabrics and linens and light wood furniture. This is a great and easy way to transform a bedroom or living room.

Be creative.

Try making some simple slipover covers for the back or seat of your dining room chairs. This simple change will soften the look of an all wood chair and can freshen up darker upholstery

Use white.

Be generous with fresh flowers in your guest room or bedroom. Continue the theme with cheery, summery bed linens and crisp, cool white cottons. Nothing brightens up a room like white. For instant summer use it wherever you like.

Light curtains, puffy pillows and white trims will all create a summery mood or how about painting white and distressing an old piece of furniture for instant French country chic appeal?

Go wild.

And treat yourself to a new bedstead. We spend an eighth of our lives there so why not?

A fresh simply traditional design in glossy ivory will bring an instant uplift to any bedroom theme. Two of our favourites for perfect summertime charm are the Cara iron bed and Arigna iron bed with enchanting fluid styling and floral inspired detailing. With an undoubted romantic appeal, with these emotive iron beds, summertime style is assured.

Add.

Track down some simple botanical prints or landscapes and frame them up to sit on a bookshelf, mantelpiece or bedside table. Or consider hanging a series of summery flower prints to lift a dark hallway.

Go casual.

Nothing shouts summer like “casual”. Use wicker, rustic wood, iron or painted white garden furniture in place of heavy upholstered or dark wood pieces. Add colourful pillows and cushions for a splash of summer verve.

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