Category: interiors

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…

This is the inspiration for the floor: Dark, herringbone parquet. Just the right side of decadent.

(All pics Pinterest)

It’s going to be fun…

Laters, Kate x

February 8, 2017

Upfront x

Excess be damned, it’s often the simplest things in life that give the greatest pleasures.

Like using a cast off, or a basic building supply to create an element of magic.

Vertical?

A door?

Or horizontal? Corrugated irons strange, earthly beauty is rock n roll on a shoe string.

Strangely I’m drawn to the black version.

Wonder why…

Laters, Kate x

February 7, 2017

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

February 6, 2017

Custom cool x

Want a beautiful light? Look no further than Rothschild & Bickers handblown offerings.

Available in a variety of options in colour, metal finish and flex style.

Charming, glorious with an authentic ambience.

They’re high voltage candy.

Laters, Kate x

February 3, 2017

Home Comforts

Sometimes the best designs are those frozen in time that create that link from nostalgia to modern day with the seamless flow of a painters brush.

Away from the noise and frenzied activity, Devol – more normally known for their exquisite kitchens – have been quietly honing their own beautiful ceramics range with the help of potter, Claire Fowler.

The range includes this nest of three lipped mixing bowls to rival – nay, supersede, Nigella’s original iconic offerings that are so hard to find now.

(All pics from Devol)

There are somethings in life that you know will just live long and prosper.

Laters, Kate x

February 2, 2017

Magic Carpet x

If there’s a theme over the last few post it’s re-invention. And the carpet industry is ripe for it: 400,000 tonnes of unwanted carpet is buried in UK landfill every year.

Isabel Webb has decided thats where the rubys in the dust lie – she’s taking both domestic and industrial carpet waste and giving it her own unique twist through dying, tufting, embroidery and shearing to reveal new patterns and textures and expose the potential within.

(All pictures Isabel Webb)

Isabel only graduated in 2016 so this is the embryo of a work in progress. But we like it. And we need more.

Laters, Kate x

February 1, 2017

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

January 30, 2017

White on..

There are some things that even science still can’t explain..

Past bathroom trends: Curiously overstated, flamboyant, slapstick and in your face.

But maybe it wasn’t so bad…maybe we’ve now gone too much the other way – found the plot but lost the fun?

Because yes, there was holy chaos…but take away the shag pile carpets, soften the saturated colour..and the essence of something special is in there..