Category: 2015
Fur coat..
There comes a point in every house renovation when Ikea becomes a must not a want. It’s that line in the concrete dust between Pinterest dreams and harsh reality. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with Ikea – a huge percentage of what they do verges on the genius. It’s just that, chances are, everything you like will be replicated a hundred times over in millions of homes around the globe, even in your next door neighbours, which as an individual, never sits comfortably. But that’s where Ikea hacks kick in – the idea of taking the basic Ikea form and transforming it into something with Icarus-like wings. A concept the company Superfront has taken a whole leap further..
They design and manufacture fronts, handles, legs, sides and tops that fit Ikea’s most common cabinets.
And they do it with style and panache.
What’s not to love?
Except there’s a mental leap to get over..you’re buying Ikea because it’s cheap..and then you’re going to spend lots of money on it to make it special? Why not cut the middle man out and buy something expensive in the first place?
Or let these designs stand on their own two feet and cut out the Ikea bit? Except then they’d be unhitching from the global gravy train…
Hey ho. At least what they do opens up the opportunity to follow suit and nick pay homage to all their ideas too..and so the dog eat dog world of design continues…
Laters, Kate x
Man-spiration..
There’s no way to select life with silver tongs – no matter how much you want something, it doesn’t always happen. But you can always react to it. For instance, the Husband’s work has been a turdstool since forever, with it being even more ridiculous in the last few months and no sign of change. I did suggest we saw this as an opportunity to throw life on it’s head and middle-class caution to the wind and head off in a camper van to the deep, dark unknown.
He said, ‘Seriously Kate…’
And I said,’Yes, seriously..the window of opportunity to take the kids out of school is closing and if we don’t do it soon, we might never be able to..’
‘No, I meant, seriously Kate, who’s mid-life crisis is this?’
So I haven’t got the keys to the camper van just yet, but that hasn’t stopped the constant thoughts of simplicity providing a goldfish loop of white noise in my brain space, whether it’s interiors, clothes, people or life.
Maybe that’s why these outfits are so appealing – they’re not big, brash and laden with special effects.
(All pictures from Pinterest and Browns)
Just clear and present. Simple.
Laters, Kate x
Kitchen heaven!
The kitchen light’s are coming! The kitchen light’s are coming!…and I have no real idea what they will look like or whether they will actually work, except that in my head they are totally brilliant.
I needed three pendants to hang over the new island unit but didn’t want to go down the industrial look, not because I don’t like it..I just wanted something very different.
Also, I’ve realised over the years that I have a passion for folk art..an art form we don’t take seriously enough here in the UK. All the images here are typical examples of British canal art – the traditional means of decorating canal boats and barges. I think it is stunning, ingenious and totally covetable.
So I’ve commissioned three milk churns to be painted just for me by my favourite canal art painter…and they’re finished!!
Seriously. Can’t. Wait. More details when they’re here.
Laters, Kate x
Crystal Balls….
There’s a change in the wind..can you smell it? It’s something I didn’t think I’d sense again, but it’s there and getting stronger. Like the White Witch of Narnia, the power of the White-Company-scandi-minimalist-Christmas is finally waning and being replaced with bright, retro, seventies glam. This year on my tables, all the candles will be warm…and red…
Fairy lights will be multicoloured and loud.
And the tree will be smothered in tinsel and those funny silver threads once again.
It’s time to embrace the kitsch and the vulgar..
Out with the bland and in with the true!
Laters, Kate x
These boots were made for walking..
If less is more and more is less, then a pair of Docs has to be a must for winter.
The do-anything-go-anywhere-shoe that can actually take a pounding and, like the best things in life, get better with age.
That’s one part of the winter uniform ticked off then..
Laters, Kate x
Fireworks x
It’s a fun time of year in the UK..halloween rolls into bonfire night which this year marks the 410 year anniversary since Guy Fawkes and his gang tried to blow up the houses of Parliament. Excited children, mulled wine, glowsticks and big bangs set to music..Uptown Funk withv synchronised explosions anyone?
What’s not to love?
Laters, Kate x
Building Update x
We’re still fairly chaotic in the back sitting room with now 4 sofas, three tables, a piano, footstool, fridge, freezer and 10 chairs (including one just visible on top of the two sofas..) which lists like a modern day carol.
My kitchen is still a cunning arrangement of two bookcases salvaged from the cellar on a console table. The ‘oven’ (on the table to the left of the chairs) is a one ring hob..that only works with a le creuset pan. How middle class? The sink is in the shed..the washing up is the bathroom upstairs. Oh joy.
But no pain, no gain and the huge steels are in and walls are down.
All two storey of them..from the cellar to the ground floor..to the ceiling above.
The middle has changed from this..
To this, with the pocket sliding doors elegantly in place.
The floor has been levelled, electrics changed, gas, water all re-routed.
And secret storage added.
Extra jobs like a leak in the roof have been fixed, plasterboard is going up..it is happening..and I am LOVING the space..
Laters, Kate x
Back-splash x
There’s still a long way to go, but I’ve learnt in this house renovation game to always be ahead of the curve in the decision making – there’s nothing worse than the pressure of time forcing a choice, so the current obsession is kitchen splashbacks.
Question: Did you choose your favourite based on the actual splashback…or which kitchen you preferred? (casing point, the pic above..nice tiles, shame about the curtains…)
Laters, Kate x
Vingil x
It’s spotlight time for Xenia Kigaeva from Russia and her label Vingil. Think stratospheric cosy knit factor, deep depth of richness and texture and a visceral resonance with the season.
She graduated in costume design. Does it show?
They are the pinnacle of defence against the dark arts of winter. Just accessorise with wellies and a large dog.
Laters, Kate x
Pretty in Pink x
The perfect pick for the party season? These sparkling whimsical wonders from Miu Miu are singing a siren song with their golden glitter and bubble gum buttons.
Pointy toes and block heels..they make you hungry for cocktails and painting the town in Christmas colours.
A clever girl knows never to run for a bus , but for these girls I’m prepared for an aggressive power walk.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 