Category: Design
Crittall..
Well..the Crittall glass is finally in..and has completely changed the room. Hard to describe how – it feels very, very grown up.
Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing, because unless I’m secretly Harry Potter I shouldn’t be able to do this. They need another trip to replace a section of glass that got broken..and another that was defective. Third time lucky hey…
Laters, Kate x
Deja Vu..
I’m in need of distraction: It’s the return day of the crittall door fit and there’s lots of sweaty men and heavy drilling in my house. At least the doors have made it inside this time (she writes as something loud and metallic crashes to the newly fitted parquet floor). There seems to be an emotional kickback for days like this..You want to pretend that everything is totally normal…but you get to the evening and realise you’ve actually achieved nothing..yet desperately need a large vat of gin – because these days are in fact, the black hole of time suck.
Time to mentally check out..and what better way than to surf through Pinterest..it was the summer dress above that first caught my roving eye..a simple flowing line, easy to wear but with a modern silhouette and pockets. So I followed the bread crumbs and discovered Canadian designer Kaelen Haworth.
Deceptively simple with thoughtful cutting.
They’re edgy classics with a twist.
(All pictures from Kaelen Howarth and Pinterest)
And always a joy to see they’re not designed by a man who’s a stick. Maybe that explains their appeal.
Laters, Kate x
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
It’s Mabes babes..
And so the yearly hunt for towelling beachwear starts..
(Personally I now blame Sean Connery, not lycra for it’s demise.)
But I know it’s just waiting to have it’s cool moment again.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel..new on the block is Mabes, a British label purely obsessed with towelling shirts.
From double pocketed chunky large buttoned plain classics..
To retro prints with an edge.
For guys, girls and even little ones…and the prices are sensible (£35 for kids to £74 for adults). So that’s Charlie and The Husband sorted.
(All pictures Mabes and Pinterest)
Now I just need this dress in a white, light towelling please..
Laters, Kate x
Damn x
The crittall glass people arrived here yesterday and the only glass they left is the sort related to the Emperor’s new clothes: It didn’t fit through the front door…one centimetre out, so it’s been returned to the factory. Apparently the main frame was supposed to be designed in two parts but it wasn’t. Their bad. But it leaves me to explain the situation to Building Control and delay our final sign off again..there’s always something.
I’m distracting the frustration with a search for the perfect table lamp..something utterly ugly and totally wonderful.
They give such bones to a room..an intriguing combination of height, light and ambience.
It’s a ploy that’s working…
Laters, Kate x
Sensi x
Poor kids. Summer uniform became compulsory on Monday, all light cotton and ankle socks…and it actually snowed here last night. Not like an alpine blizzard but it actually settled…cars were covered. It’s an issue: Within one day we can experience a years weather: Spring, summer, autumn and winter…it certainly makes for interesting times.
An ideal outfit would be this dress from Sensi Studio for the summer sun, teamed with a pair of wide legged trousers for the autumn drop (replace or remove as required)..and a duvet for the cold.
Sensi Studio is a new label for me…I like the fact it utilises Ecuadorian artisans and their many skills with simple lines and interesting additions.
Love!
They also make mean raffia bags and panamas.
(All pictures Sensi Studio and Net-a-porter)
One to watch.
Laters, Kate x
RE x
If I was a shop I’d be RE: A magical place where global unloved items hit emotional science and are transformed into objects of desire…like these laundry baskets and washing up bowls made from recycled plastic in Senegal.
Pure fireworks for the kitchen.
How delicious? These baskets are made by the Mixtec people of Mexican mashing traditional palm weaving with unwanted plastic.
And there are recycled tin cans from Peru, all given new life. A plant pot – or a pen pot? The choice is yours.
You head to the site for storage ideas..and end up being amazed by cunning delights like these lights…designed to hold a tea-light and convert any bottle into a table lamp…genius.
Or these candlesticks holders..spiked to stand in flower pots..or hammered into a log.
Thank God they’re not based in London. Now where’s the credit card…
Laters, Kate x
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
Finishing Touches x
Boo hoo. We were meant to be having the crittall glass for the hall fitted today….but these things never happen when they’re meant to. It’s delayed now till the end of the week. Sigh. So instead of proper pics I’ve just got the inspiration pictures to drool over.
I hope mine will look half as good..
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
Maison Bentley Style 