Category: Creative
Spoonflower x
One of the truly great things about living in the IT revolution is how it has brought down the cost of printing, whether it be on paper or fabric.
There are now companies out there that for a small sum are ready to take your designs and turn them into usable art – we’re talking fabric, wallpaper and wrapping paper..and you don’t even need a large print run…one roll or 1 metre will do it. What’s more, if it’s good, you can earn money from other people buying your design…win, win.
It’s something I’m keen to explore and play with. I’ve found this website that gives a clear, basic tutorial. about pattern repeating.
And Spoonflower seem to be the biggest/best website for printing…and they also have lots of ‘how to’ videos.
Now to pin down the design…
Laters, Kate x
Ace & Jig x
Ace and Jig is a fusion of street cred and hippy, contemporary and classic folded together with indian cottons and hand dyed fabrics.
The label was started by Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson and is based in Brooklyn, New York. The two met more than 10 years ago as fashion design interns and instantly bonded over their shared love of antique textiles..from ancient, french feedsack bags to Japanese boro quilts.
They believe in the power of the stripe.
And they believe in being different. Just delicious.
Laters, Kate x
Collecting projects for the summer..
More Stairs..Because..
The main kilim has arrived!
And the one for the very top of the stairs..it’s amazing how much carpet you need for a flight of stairs..over 5 meters. The idea is to sew these all together to make one long run.
Someone asked the other day if I was worried that they weren’t official stair carpets. It highlighted the fact that we’re a generation brought up on hype and brand – instead of seeing products for what they are we now believe we need a specific shampoo for almost blonde hair or a cleaner for our pink toilets. It’s all clever labelling and marketing just to part us from our hard earned cash because the truth is, as soon as these carpets are fitted to the stairs, that’s what they become.
This is the final one to add to the patchwork…I’d post a picture of what they all look like but I’m still effing suffering from f*&*ing problems with the cr*p software update that Apple has inflicted on my s*dding computer: Another modern disease…built in obsolescence: updating what already works just because you can and to make more money. I need to become a hippy.
Laters, Kate x
Stairway to Heaven x
The first stair carpet for the main stairs arrived yesterday..excitement! It’s an unusual combination of earthy colours with contrasts of pure neon…definitely a risk that’s paid off..can’t wait for the other one to arrive now..Will they work together? Only time will tell..
I’ve almost finished painting the hall – ran out of paint at the very top. Typical. But it’s had it’s own little transformation, including adding a newel post and new banister to make the stairs feel more integrated and trick the eye into thinking the wall on the kitchen side was always there (we nicked the corridor space to give as much width as possible – every inch counts in London)
The new radiator cover is still painted with the builder’s grey undercoat..except I rather love it. I like the contrast rather than everything matching. So last weekend it was dragged to B&Q to be colour matched..they thought I was bonkers as it was hauled onto the paint counter to go under their machine. But sometimes needs must. If there’s any give in the already blown budget, a fitted mirror will go in the alcove..and stained glass in the front door. A girl can dream.
Of course, the biggest change to the hall will be when the glass crittall doors arrive on Monday..
Laters, Kate x
Kilims on my mind..
You can’t beat a good rug. (Except of course you can..)
They work with anything, anywhere, quietly bringing soul and drama to a room.
Traditional or modern. It doesn’t matter.
I’ve been trying to source some as runners for our main stairs and cellar stairs. It hasn’t been easy: No runner is long enough and narrow enough to fit a complete flight, so it’s about finding combinations that work together, fit together in size….and still make the heart sing.
The pair for the cellar have just arrived, prompting a nostalgic glance back at the cellar stair’s upwards progression…from this..
To this.
The kilims still need to be fitted properly…but I think that’s best done once the floor is down (May 3) and possibly after all the furniture is down.
But it’s progress….and I love it.
Laters, Kate x
Floored x
There was no dispute over which flooring to choose for the new cellar: It’s sisal all the way.
It’s not only such a natural look with an ancient, timeless quality….
(It’s a floor covering that’s been used for centuries)
But it’s also that smell – the flooring equivalent of cedar wood – which feels so grounding and calming. Nostalgic almost.
I have The Husband off for a much needed days holiday today…so the lucky man is coming with me to browse samples and help make a final decision.
(If he chooses right we might just squeeze in a naughty lunch somewhere. Promises, promises..)
Laters, Kate x
Judith Scott x
This wasn’t the post I was going to write today, but I was looking through my Pinterest feed and these works of art caught my eye. There was something primal, something tangible that reached out.
Subtle yet charismatic. Sourced from the urge to create.
All made by one woman: Judith Scott.
And then I discovered her story.
Judith Scott and her twin sister Joyce were born on May 1 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Aged seven, because of her Downs Syndrome and profound deafness the decision was taken to send her to an asylum where she spent the next 35 years.
Then her sister Joyce then became her guardian, moved her to a care home near to her and enrolled her in the Creative Growth Art Centre in Oakland.
For two years she did nothing. And then she started winding thread.
And found the voice she’d never used.
(All pictures from Judith and Joyce Scott website (well worth looking at) and Pinterest)
Judith Scott died in 2005 at the age of 61 in the arms of her sister, but she remains a testament to the power of art, the strength of human nature and an epiphany to how disability can be a footnote.
Laters, Kate x
Some dreams are made of this..
The temperature is rising, the bluebells are out! And like the instinct of an awakening hibernating beast, the brain is coming alive with illicit thoughts of cloudless skies and barmy evenings and how best to harness those precious summer months.
More and more I’m dreaming of hammocks and swing beds.
That primitive allure of quiet self-indulgence: Peace, tranquility, old soft cotton and a damn fine book.
If our garden was huuuuge I’d go for one of these…beds on top..potential den beneath…broken bones a given…but just think of the fun!
This is probably more realistic – and I like the pagoda style..a bit more secretive and tucked away. Maybe with a curtain to block out nosey neighbours…and with a back support – I hate reading completely flat. It would eat the space…but in a rather wonderful way. The truth is we have an urban life: Our garden will never be a football pitch…so why pretend?
Laters Kate x
Progress x
It’s the painful part of the cellar renovation…painting all the bookcases. Probably more so than usual because they started off black…and they’re going..off black. The reason is the shelving is an Ikea Billy hack – using basic Ikea units to look more than the sum of their parts – and that requires a layer of camouflage paint.
At least I have the TV to keep me company.
But it’s still slow progress.
The hunt has been on for the perfect pink for the stair wall.
And I think I’ve found it via the felt our tap came wrapped in.
Now to get it colour matched..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 