Category: DIY
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
Black Doors..
Have you noticed how black and green compliment each other? The black seduces whilst the green just pops.
It’s why we decided to replace our dying doors with a simple, chic, metal alternative – this was the before picture.
This the after – it’s made a huge difference – the whole space feels bigger, more grounded..the garden now beckons.
And the black frames now link through with the crittall doors in the kitchen.
Using the following pics as inspiration, we’d like to paint the areas around the doors black as well…
Can’t wait.
Laters, Kate x
Leg Lift x
Prettypegs is a simple concept – to bring the option of individuality to mass produced furniture just by changing the legs. It’s the idea that changing one small thing can have a huge impact – effectively it’s the metaphorical butterfly effect for furniture. But without the chaos.
Like Superfront and Bemz before them, Prettypegs main products are designed around anything Ikea makes that has legs – sofas, tables, chests..even beds. But because they have a universal bolt available, other brands can work as well.
(All pics Prettypegs)
On the notion of individuality, it would be nice if they offered a pic ‘ n’ mix option…within similar height options of course….
Laters, Kate x
The New Art Piece x
The nostalgia of vintage is that magic of re-discovery, the knowledge that with a tiny twist, anything can be re-invented so it doesn’t lose character but effortlessly slips into something more avant garde.
That veil-lifting moment when something previously scorned suddenly turns into a fully fledged, royal owning swan.
I’m having that rush with live edge coffee tables: What once was regarded as seventies back of the throat kitsch is now looking the wobblies du chien.
Naturally (no pun intended) the biggest, gnarliest trees produce the best slabs and if colour and size are what you want then purchasing from the States is your best bet. But this isn’t a cheap option – the cream sell for thousands of pounds because these are natures own works of art, cultivated at the pace of a snail over centuries of toil.
But there are other ways.
(All pics from Pinterest)
The creative alternative is to make one yourself, like this blogger did: A large cut of native wood carefully chosen, combined with hairpins legs readily picked up from Ebay and a bit of elbow grease.
How hard can it be?
Laters, Kate x
Christmas x
The chandelier is decorated. Tick.
New mirror inserted. Tick.
Large star in kitchen? Tick.
Christmas tree? Done. Finally got the damn lights to work.
Elves? Here. Every day. When we remember..normally in bed at midnight..
Christmas to do list? Still long – buy presents, wrap presents, hunt holly, find mistletoe, find stockings, clean chimneys, make gingerbread houses, ice cake, plant carrots. It’s still reading like something the sorcerer would leave for his apprentice except without the hope of any magic. So what am I going to do today? I’m going to add a bright pink trim to the side of our kilim stair carpet.
Just because I can.
Laters, Kate x
Christmas Fair x
It sort of reached peak Christmas in the Bentley household at the end of last week – a festive mishmash of hosting meals for many, nights out and the culmination of 4 weeks of creative playdates with Bella and 4 friends to help produce stock to sell at the School Christmas Fair. The idea was simple – to show them the cost and effort it takes to turn raw ingerdients into real money.
But it played into my love as well – to me, sitting around a table making is what Christmas is all about.
We had an amazing amount and variety of stock. Spot the pompom Christmas puds? An excellent seller!
And we virtualy sold out – before costs, the girls made £395 on the day! Not to be sniffed at.
Damn. They might want to do it again…
Laters, Kate x
Grounded x
Headboard (still undecided), side tables (sort of there) and now thoughts for a rug: Since the advent of wall to wall carpets the rug has shrunk in popularity yet it’s design prowess can’t be denied. It adds warmth, colour, texture and interest like the tail feathers of a particularly beautiful bird of paradise. A rug, like the one above, can pull together two different pieces of furniture by linking them together on a shared bit of floor.
(All pictures Pinterest)
Judging by these pictures, pink tones is the subconscious way to go…
Laters, Kate x
Spare Room part 2
Bedside tables are a great richness in a small space. They’re the earrings of a bedroom, framing the focal point as well providing great function…and I need to chose a pair for the spare room.
If money was no object I’d be pulled, without fail, to the antique option: Timeless, chic, classic (but they’d be a little (big) voice in my head whispering but where would you put your cup of morning tea??) (fitted glass on the top for protection?)(would it be enough??)
And besides, modern designs can work: There’s a sense of simplicity and space to them – an avoidance of clutter where less is more.
If your bed is your nest, as mine is, then taking a leaf out of hospital design could be the way to go. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone made a brass version of this with hidden wheels in the base and maybe a marble top?
Love the function here, but the mdf style presentation? Needs to be better.
But this is a super clever idea for those with a thin, narrow bedroom. Genius.
An interesting picture: The colours, the velvet, the sheepskin all draw the eye in. The mirrors add that touch of glamour..
And then you see this photo and realise how much better the proportions balance when the mirrors are smaller than the headboard: Little things.
And as I only have a little space……I’m thinking an old fashioned wall sconce might be just the thing: Cheap, simple, effective. Maybe with a smaller mirror above them.
(All pics from Pinterest)
Or even use a pair of upcycled corbels…
Watch this space.
Laters, Kate x
Raindrops on roses..
A few of my favourite things..
Must remember to order a roll or two in time for December..
Laters, Kate x
Pegged out..
I was talking about this to a friend today, so now I’m blogging about it: It’s a simple retro peg board discovered at Berylune complete with wooden pegs which would be perfect in Charlie’s room to carry the clutter from his desk.
(Though I’d quite like one for my study too)
It’s good, simple, honest, clever design with multiple uses. To be honest, you can probably pick up a bargain by searching ‘work shop storage’. I was being a bit anal, loving the wooden pegs. But I’m hoping I’ll be able to customise it anyways – there are plenty of websites on how to make your own.
Maybe not this far…but who knows?!
It’s a winner. Chicken dinner.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
