Category: architecture
Light Up x
I often wonder, do people like Champagne because of the taste, or the associations? It raises that question of how much of life do we see through filters of branding and subliminal messages? Step away from what you’re supposed to want and a whole other world can open up. For instance, this lighting is from Homeof, a relatively new brand formed by Helen White and Michael Jones, ex-BHS lighting designers who decided to go it alone. Remember BHS lighting? How brilliant it was? A high street wonder…the ethos here is very similar, but oh so much slicker…
(All pics Homeof and Pinterest)
This is designer looks, because they’re designed by exceptional designers, with the experience to know what the high street wants, and the eye to push boundaries for the perfect product, at a price point that’s genuinely affordable.
I, for one, am sold.
Laters, Kate x
Angelic x
Top guilty pleasure: watching Escape to the Chateau. An intoxicating mix of laughter, love, creativity and embracing with full hearted wholesomeness all the best things in life, with a happy two fingers to convention. For those new to this rare delight, the programme follows a couple – Dick and Angel Strawbridge – and their transformation of a 45 room chateau into a business and a place of beauty. For those already under it’s spell, did you know Angel has started producing her own wallpaper, fabric and cushions commercially? All based on either old wallpapers found in the Chateau or her own design….
Heaven, sliced up and presented on a gorgeous vintage plate, garnished with love.
Laters, Kate x
Mind the gap x
A fan of the quirky and like a genuine re-cycle? For present inspiration, look no further than the London Transport Museum shop. and their vintage shop.
There’s a whole section dedicated to first edition posters at unframed, present friendly prices.
As well as refurbished luggage racks, large and small. And for the real aficionados…push plates…
And even a jubilee line telephone….
(All pics London Transport Museum)
Choices, Choices.
Laters, Kate x
Wild x
Instead of buying velvet, maybe I should bite the bullet and buy a van and convert it into an escape-mobile. Or just pass over some wonga and get someone else to do it for me….Confession: the site Wildvan is my new go-to porn. That and the ‘cabin in the wood’ equivalent.
(All pics Wildvan and Pinterest)
Freedom. It’s a strong pull.
Laters, Kate x
Cubit x
We’ve been looking at getting a new corner sofa in the sitting room. If money were dreams and conveniently grew on trees and my sitting room were double the size, I would seriously be considering a Cubit sofa: Sustainable, architectural and totally flexible…all the things I desire to be…
(All pics Pinterest and Cubit)
I think it’s the freedom that’s at the root of their appeal: There’s something so nostalgic about re-arranging the cushions and chairs to make something just for you, it’s like adult lego for nest builders.
Laters, Kate x
Paper World x
A little slice of heaven: I’ve found the most brilliant, thrilling, wallpaper site: Mind the gap. Like the jewels on a crown, or dew drops on a spider’s web, it’s a cornucopia of treasures..and from the most unusual source: Romania. All ideas of ever starting a wallpaper company have been banished, because if I did, this would be it..
(All pics Mind the Gap and Pinterest)
Price wise it’s £150 for three rolls, which means it’s a consistent splash…but not selling off organs silly.
Not that that would necessarily stop me….
Laters, Kate x
Craig Ellwood Bobertz
Midcentury furniture has been a thing for like forever. But the interior bits around have always tainted by a whiff of old fashioned, decomposed, gone. And then you see an article with pictures. And suddenly there’s a connection; the pleasure sensors of your brain start to fire, the tentacles of imagination reaching out, asking for more, what was a wall becomes a door…is this really happening?
I believe it is.
Laters, Kate x
Wood you?
The laws of the universe suggest that for every action there’s an opposite. It’s what I keep reminding myself when I hear the news. I’m hoping there will be a reaction, a realisation that everything has gone too far, too much, too greedy. That where true pleasure lies is in integrity, authenticity and honesty. And sometimes you can get this all happening at once – reaction and authenticity literally fused together…this is fractal burning. A rather wonderful after burn that happens when wood is coated in a conducting fluid and electricity is passed through. Check out Youtube from some truly mesmerising videos.
(All pics Pintrest)
Burn, baby burn.
Laters, Kate
Garden Pod Planning..
In moments of lull I return to the task of designing the pod for the garden: This summer is on it’s downward slide, which should be the siren call to have it planned and built all ready for next so I wonder why I haven’t yet done it. Is it because there’s an acceptance that the journey is the richest bit? In my mind, the excuse I’m offering up is that I’m tussling between two strong statements – modern and boho. I don’t know if it can be both. I take each element on it’s own and turn it round, looking at it from every side, weighing up the pros and cons. Do they cancel each other out? I know I want two thirds to be a seated pergola with a covered roof but with walls that would filter the light, to provide respite and privacy. Is the choice modern simplicity that’s kind on the purse? Or is this a last hurrah that requires something a little more?
(All pics Pinterest)
Laters, Kate x
Midsummer x
Midsummer’s day on Friday and the weather finely got the message, though looking out of the window now, the air is thick enough to slice and grey storm clouds are gathering. Which probably explains the English fascination with tents and gazebos: a place to escape from life and rain, somewhere full of hope and nostalgia that remains a little bit of summer no matter what.
(All pics Pinterest)
These are all from the Raj Tent Club – the creme de la creme of canopies, but I’ve always had the urge to create my own…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 