Category: 2016
Dodo Bar Or
In London we’re still breathing clear blue skies and warm rays. It’s so nice to be able to still look at light, cotton clothes without thinking goosebumps. This label – Dodo Bar Or, headed by actress turned fashion designer Dorit ‘Dodo’ Bar Or is one that unashamedly flaunts all things summer and features on my wish list radar.
Sigh. There’s what I’m doing in my present. What I want to do in the future. And all the dreams inbetween.
Laters, Kate x
Floored..
I was clicking through Architectural Digest (as you do) when I alighted on this photo of Jessica Chastain’s New York apartment. It wasn’t so much the design that caught my eye or the pretty cornflower blue – or even the impressive array of copper in the cupboards, but the cork floor tiles.
A fallen high achiever, cork tiles now equate with seventies bad taste and sticky beer after raucous student parties. And yet there’s something about them – a warmth and sense of forgiveness blended with a subtle hint of nostalgia..
This Blogger had a kitchen laid with them last year and she’s written a follow up post on how she’s feels about them a year on. It makes interesting reading.
Maybe, as with all things seventies, it’s time for a revival..
Laters, Kate x
Fast and Furious
What represents a classic is a nebulous subject given to much prowling and column inches. But the timeless biker jacket has to be up there enthroned in a glowing light – just the heat it lets off is thrilling.
It plays like a whisper on your shoulders – something casually flung over a light as a butterfly silk dress..
Or worn with nonchalant macho power and high voltage control.
It’s a well oiled machine and I’m surprised I haven’t got one.
…Doesn’t mean I’m not looking..
Laters, Kate x
September..
The school term has begun which should be heralded with joy and relief except for me there’s always an element of wormwood and ashes: The early mornings, the sense of cramming round pegs into square holes, all the boxes to tick plus the tiredness, the flagging stamina interestingly mixed up with hockey socks, mouth guards, rugby boots, new shoes and never knowing exactly where to pick the kids up from each day. The start was also a deadline for me..and I’m sort of there – I wanted the house to be running as smoothly as possible to give me free reign on another creative project – generally if I hand over my head to creative challenges the house collapses under the strain of chaos and constant trip-ups..this time I’m trying to learn the lesson and do my best to pre-empt them..hoho.
It’s not finished (when is a house ever??) but the study is sorted and everything filed away, there is now a runner made of kilims on the main stair, which I fitted in the same way as the cellar stairs here. Plus a bright newly painted yellow mirror right at the top of the stairs.
The sitting room is almost back to normal, painted a very chilled green (a few bits of skirting and one small bit of wall to go)
And the vintage media unit is hung..it just needs a few books and bits to bring it to life, but because it hangs rather than hogs, it really works.
The footstool went pink..it said pale pink on the packet..hmmmmmm..more like taramasalata..I’m thinking how to turn it down – maybe put it back in the washing machine with a packet of colour run??
And so it starts..
Laters, Kate x
Frankly it’s fringe..
Some would say it’s an affliction, others a disease…all I know is I’m in love with everything fringe.
Particularly the type you find at the bottom of an inviting sofa: There’s an echo of the past, a touch of glamour..a sense of time standing still. A cat at play..
(All pictures from Pinterest)
The painting in the sitting room is finished. All it needs now are a few finishing touches. Where’s my needle..
Laters, Kate x
Charlie boy..
It was two years ago I wrote this post about my Charlie. To briefly re-cap it was to honour his sense of self and lack of inhibitions, particularly when it came to clothes..but I wondered how long it would last – there’s a big difference between 5 and 7. However I believe the photo above: Charlie holding a shell he found himself on an exploration round a rocky headland whilst illustrating his love of a fine sarong proves that nothing has yet changed..
He’ll happily have flowers in his hair..
Or braids. (When the girls had their hair braided..so did Charlie..)
When we did a wander around Covent Garden and Soho, to both find the BFG dream jars..and do a sneaky vintage shop trawl. All Charlie wanted was his own bow tie!
We did another shop, getting ready for the new term…he chose and black felt cap with ears (which he then wore to the Oval for the England v Pakistan test match)
A bag with pink tassels, a polka dot shirt and a sheepskin lined embroidered jacket..
All from Zara girl! (far better colours than the boys section I was told)
I think he’s going to be OK – they haven’t subverted him yet!
Long may it last!
Laters, Kate x
Summer Time..
Still painting. And boy it’s hot in London today. Wish I was wafting about the garden in a summer dress, bare feet in the paddling pool.
Laters, Kate x
The Sitting Room: The Return
It started with an itch when I saw this picture in the summer edition of Elle Decoration magazine. A room bathed in a magical greeny grey that shouted both chic and warmth.
The itch had to be scratched when I found these Poul Cadovius shelves on Ebay to house the TV…if I wanted to change the colour of the sitting room, it had to be done before they went up. But why change it? The white worked – except it was an easy decision made at the end of building works when ‘easy’ was the best solution…it didn’t mean it was the best choice.
I’ve gone for it….here I am again, working on one corner each day (the maximum limit with the kids at home, otherwise blood (theirs) would be spilt)
What I was after was a colour I could paint the ceilings in as well..and Pale Powder from Farrow & Ball seems to be it…warm, enclosing..but not dark and oppressive.
It’s the final proof that I am mad and have lost the plot!
Laters, Kate x
Precious..
There’s a moment in every parents life when you wonder if the make-believe still holds the magic: Do they still believe in Father Christmas? Does the Tooth Fairy still have power? And will Jack Frost still be a person? You don’t want to be the one to break the spell, but as they get older there’s the feeling that you’re possibly the one that’s being duped rather than the other way around. And yet…how to broach the subject, and how to say OK – it’s us, but now it’s your turn to hold the secret for others? – I know from horrible experience there is nothing worse than another child proudly telling all when yours still believe. (Note for the future: If this does happen and they’re still young say yes, sometimes parents do have to deliver Christmas stockings but that’s only when a child no longer believes so won’t get a stocking unless the parents step in)
We had a precious moment in Greece when Charlie lost a tooth. He came into breakfast with a big smile saying ‘I got my 2 euros and a letter!’.
The husband and I looked at each other with open eyes and raised eyebrows…neither of us had written fairy letter…maybe this was proof at last they did exist!
Except of course, it was Bella who had written it. She got a special cuddle afterwards and the promise of a silver locket..a prize to mark knowing the secret, but also to represent holding the secret.
My beautiful daughter is growing up fast. Maybe faster than I’m ready for.
Laters, Kate x
In celebration..
Of GB olympic success (whooo hoooo!), particularly in the cycling which finished last night (sob), I give you Jack Whitehall who manages to sum up both the brilliance of the athletes and illustrate everything we Brits hold dear in the most stupid way which is just so effing clever.
You want more?? How about Jack meets the boxing team..
And possibly my favourite…Jack, the rowing team and Sir Steve Redgrave. Enjoy!
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 