Category: Design

March 8, 2017

Home truths x

Green tiles are having a moment.

Laters, Kate x

March 7, 2017

Blasted x

AW17 Celine catwalk hit the runway this week, rich with Philo’s finger on the zeitgeist: Oversized tailoring, hints of the eighties and mannish overcoats.

Not so far away in terms of style, but millions of miles when compared in price, high street store Mango has also seized on these ghosts from the past…..and run with them.

And I’m sprinting after them..

Laters, Kate x

March 6, 2017

Underworld x

Our urban weekend, with many of the pictures taken by Bella.

Laters, Kate x

March 2, 2017

Treasure x

I’ve been looking for this wallpaper with its exquisite clusters of blemishes. Turns out it’s called Queen of Spain by Schumacher.

It’s also not a modern design – as this black and white of a young Mick Jagger proves.

In fact, it goes back to 1963.

Pretty amazing.

There are companies that stock it in the UK, but Schumacher is an American brand going back to 1889 with a heralded passion for luxury and an unwavering commitment to beauty: This wallpaper is sold by the yard.

So it’s not a cheap choice.

Potato prints??

Laters, Kate x

March 1, 2017

Crusader x

Light mood, cloudy day: The weather is still struggling to find it’s spring feet but winter wardrobes on the street are slowly transforming. Big note to self was when I saw a girl wearing a black cape similar to this on the tube, worn casually over a chunky black knit, 3/4 length frayed black jeans and ankle boots. I’m now on the lookout for something similar, though hopefully without the £1400 Stella McCartney price tag.

But consideration has to be given to the cut: The shoulders need to have structure, the arm hole should reach almost to the top and the length mustn’t be too short.

(Alice and Olivia, £450)

(All pics Pinterest)

The hunt is on.

Laters, Kate x

February 28, 2017

Make it x

Remember these beauties? For me a hark back to the eighties but the concept must actually be a lot older. I was looking for something to naturally moth proof wardrobes and drawers when inspiration dawned. A quick check on Ebay proved invaluable..they still existed and this little lot were bought in a bulk buy. The relative quiet of half term was the perfect time to renovate their little interiors..

Some of them had beautiful vintage labels that we managed to gently peal away.

Lots of the pomanders had a blingy gold loop so grosgrain ribbon has to be an upgrade. We found the easiest way to replace this was to feed both ends of the ribbon in through the top and pull them through with a pair of tweezers.

You need to pull the two ends through leaving as little ribbon as possible on the top. We found the tweezers used as a brace was a wise thing to do. Then just knot ends together and pull the loop back out again.

After attempts with funnels, the best way to fill the pomanders was with a little jug. We used lavender and essential oils.

For those pomanders missing their bottoms we cut out discs from vintage material and simply glued them on.

Strangely satisfying with a definite whiff of pure nostalgia. To be recommended.

Laters, Kate x

February 27, 2017

The 2017 Oscars..

Well the 2017 Oscar night was a one to remember. Maybe not for all the best reasons….But Emma Stone, resplendent but slightly safe in gold Givenchy obviously didn’t let it ruin her evening.

Always a treat for the eyes, The Oscars is like watching a living shooting range: Ruth Negga in Valentino…miss..

Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive: Boring colour..but hit.

Janelle Monae: Wrong era…miss.

Dakota Johnson in Gucci: What IS that thing at the front? Miss.

Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco: For some this was a winner..maybe you needed to see it in the flesh. For me, moth eaten and mangy. Miss.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton. Why?

Emma Roberts proving that black and cream is never the way to go.

Scarlett Johansson gets the grannies curtain prize.

Whilst the sack prize(As in looks like rather than would be good in…) goes to Felicity Jones in Dior.

The doing-something-different-and-succeeding award goes to Sofia Boutella.

Proving that simplicity works: Sting and Trudie Styler.

And best dressed award of the night goes to Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford..

I’m sorry, that was a mistake. Best dressed award goes to Karlie Kloss in Stella McCartney?

Damn it. Best dressed award goes to Halle Berry in Versace for being sassy, hot and totally in the zone.

Laters, Kate x

February 24, 2017

Wood Craft x

It’s half term so we’ve been busy doing very little. One thing we have achieved is a bit of stick weaving…a strangely satisfying art form…first you need to find a good selection on Y-shaped sticks = outside jaunt.

Then wrap each side of the Y.

To do this you tie the string on, then create a loop at the back.

Then bring the other end through the loop and pull tight.

Continue till both sides are done.

We measured two arm lengths of string for the next bit. (This is Bella doing her Christ the Redeemer impression)

Using a large darning needle (new it would come in useful) weave between the two sides to create the horizontal lines.

Ta-dah!

Finally weave wool in V shapes vertically from one side to the next. This is Bella’s finished creation.

Being an adult, I wanted mine tighter…therefore it’s still a work in progress…

Surprisingly satisfying.

Laters, Kate x

February 22, 2017

Home Truths x

I suspect there’s a scientific correlation between the life cycle of say, the lower house mouse and renovation works. A year after the kitchen was finished thoughts have turned to the family bathroom and an office pod in the garden. But bathrooms first.

Unlike this pic, our main problem is the floor which is tiled. The tiles haven’t stood the test of time – after 10 years they’re cracked and ragged. It could be that they were badly laid, or it might be that tiles are never great in old houses that move on wooden joists.

So the plan now is to replace the tiles with wood. We’ve got wood in both our laundry room and kitchen, and they’ve been the best floors ever – warm, characterful and flexible. I’m not sure why we didn’t use it as a first choice in the bathroom – I suspect it’s a gremlin in our minds that whispers wood plus water equals problems. Now stop…and think of boats…