Category: 2018
Apricots x
The barmy temperatures of 29 degrees from last week have been swallowed whole by dark, rain sodden clouds and whipping winds. Todays predicted temp for London is a glove grabbing six degrees – it’s no wonder we crave straight forward, simple, understandable normalities that we can always rely on like apricot is an interior design colour to avoid.
(All pics Pinterest)
Damn.
Laters, Kate x
Soap.Co x
Just when you think capitalism and the need for profit at any cost has snaked it’s way into every aspect of our lives a company comes along that blows your handcrafted socks off: Soap Co. is one such beauty.
It goes without saying they only use natural botanicals, nourishing vitamins and pure-essential oils.
It’s also interesting that their eco credentials impressively stack up: Their bottles are made from old milk bottles, their plastic film is made from reusable wood pulp, their sticky labels can be composted, their paper is both recycled and recyclable and their glue is non-toxic and biodegradable.
But taking the social responsible crown by a storming majority: Their products are handcrafted in the UK by people who are blind (hence the braille), disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.
This is a social enterprise that proves there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between award winning design, product, eco awareness and social purpose – this really is the best of the best.
(All pics Soap Co.)
And I for one won’t be buying my rose oil from anywhere else.
Laters, Kate x
Inspiration x
The zeitgeist of a moment when simple things are greater than the sum of their parts.
(All pics pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Summer vibes x
Freedom x
It’s pictures like these that blow conventional interior design out of the water, standing proud as the complete antithesis to pulled together design, complimentary colours and agonised decisions.
Maybe because they all have something that many modern rooms lack: Soul.
At Last!
And as if from nowhere the weather in London has changed to summer – 27 degrees predicted for today which proves we are a nation of extremes: No time to wear-in sandals or pack away winter woollies before the clouds clear and brilliant sunshine pours down which means discovering where the best summer dresses are hiding is a no-brainer.
First port of call for me is always Freepeople because they manage hit a particular sweet spot and offer a high summer aesthetic that still looks good in a City or on a beach.
Their boho ranges from just thrown on hand embroidered artisan creations to the more structured you-could-even-wear-this-as-a-wedding-dress gorgeous offerings.
(All pics Freepeople, all links Pinterest)
Just pass me the sunscreen and a credit card…
Laters, Kate x
Light it up x
In the back of my mind I’ve been thinking about these lights ever since my sister-in-law Sue said they had a problem with the lights over their kitchen table because there’s no way to put a pendant in. Their attraction is multilayered: Many are fixed to the wall rather than a ceiling, there’s the brooding statement wow factor, the multidirectional angles plus playful shadows and that cunning ability to move the arms at whim.
(All pics Pinterest)
Add in a dimmer switch and I’m sold.
Laters, Kate x
Bright White Light x
There was this article I read last week that on initial skimming was talking my artisanal language – it’s message was make sure it’s the stuff you hold and use every day are your investment pieces because this is where quality and appreciation will sing. Except that’s when I had a lightbulb moment because it’s so not true – in fact, the real truth is the very opposite: We need the stuff we use every day to be simple and replaceable because their constant use means the chances of them being broken wracks up and who wants to shed tears on a daily basis? I know we have a white mismatched dinner service that I’m sure started off as a two bogoffs from Tesco. It’s been added to over the years, but it’s core has remained the same: mismatched but matched simplicity with a lack of drama when a piece inevitably breaks.
(From Argos £7.99 for 12 piece set)
I’ve been noticing this boomerang effect a lot lately, where you think one thing leads to a certain consequence when in fact, the opposite happens: Take the row over Facebook…the premise is we’re all connected. But in truth is it segregation with the tribes who share our views leading to intolerance, division and stress? It’s food for thought.
(From Argos £58 for a 18 piece set)
(From Habitat reduced from £60 to £30 for a 12 piece set)
Maybe we need to be more careful where real value lies, but what I do know is taking a walk on the cheap side of the tracks means there’s so much more left in the kitty for the real stars to shine: The ones that get used every day but have no danger of being dropped..
Laters, Kate x
Tara x
Tara Button and her website Buymeonce are a blast of fresh, spring air.
Tara’s concept is simple – our lives have been stuffed full of things we’re told we need that lets us down so she has been on a mission to track down the best quality and investment pieces that every house actually needs.
This resonates so much it almost hurts: I too am tired of this modern life that believes it can tell me who I am through the purchase of a skin cream, what I need: permanent upgrades and who I should be: spending lots of money, constantly implying that the real me isn’t good enough.
Just open your eyes to the insistent message of the season: Spring clean your wardrobes/house/family/life – it’s time to refresh!…The underlying, insidious message being that we will make you insecure to make you buy more.
(All pics Buymeonce)
Is it norm corm in the extreme? I don’t know. But what I do know is that we can’t spend our way to happiness and something needs to change. This seems a very good place to start.
Laters, Kate x
Easter Project x
So the big plan this Easter is to start putting Bella’s room renovation into action and our proposed make are floor-sofa cushions: How hard can it be??
Except the last time I took out my sewing machine, there was a definite smell of burning..
Wish us luck.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 