Category: interiors
The Sky’s the Limit..
The meeting with the builder went well..looks like we could have a start date at the end of July. It means the month of August will be frantic, but if I’m going to be without my kitchen I’d prefer it to be in the summer months when salads are picnics are staple requirements – hopefully it will be a glorious sunshine and we can spend the days outside..at least there won’t be the horrors of the morning clash, trying to sort builders and attempting to get kids out the door for school. Shame about any lie-ins…
We’re also renovating our cellar at the same time…the intention was just to add more electrics, some clever storage, a TV and a sofa to turn it into a den. But the builder took one look and suggested we dropped the floor by 20 centimetres…it would make all the difference, but hits all my fear points – our cellar is bone dry and I’d hate to mess with that..but he seems to think it’ll be easy..so I’m going to see what the damage is in terms of cost. I know there won’t be any natural light, so for decor it’s dark and moody all the way..like an exclusive gentleman’s club..
Looking for inspiration I came across this picture and was struck by the ceiling..how nice to have that flash of blue, space and air..
I started looking at wallpapers..but the problem is the repeat..clouds become to regular when the beauty is they aren’t.
There’s this option..Nuvole by Cole &Son..but at quite a cost! And like beans, it still repeats..
Better is the option of wall murals from places like Surface View – this one is a reproduction of Constable’s clouds..you can order them to any size you want. Again, not a cheap option..
Then I found Pixersize which has one of the biggest ranges I have ever seen and very good value. Their sky range is enormous..the skycapes dramatic..
(But I secretly preferred the softness of the painted skies..)
Not to worry..they had that too..
(All pictures pinterest)
With so many options I think it’ll take me till August to decide which one…(but I think the last one has my heart…)…Wallpapering the ceiling..who would’ve thought..
Laters, Kate x
Inspiration..
It’s rapidly heading towards crunch time for our proposed building works – the builder is coming to quote on Tuesday which means all the big structural decisions have been made. Now thoughts can turn to the decorating..but rather than hoarding pictures of perfect rooms, I’m finding myself drawn to the opulence and layering of faraway cultures…
(All photos from Pinterest)
Whatever happens…it’s going to be a journey.
Laters, Kate x
Shining Light..
Lindsey Adelman light-creations are an empathy grab to the heart, snaring you between brutal, industrial chic and fragile organic forms..
Strangely enough, the girl-with-the-design eye-started her life wearing another coat – that of reader and dreamer. The magic happened in 1992 whilst Lindsey was working as an editorial assistant at the Smithsonian Institution, she walked into the Exhibition Fabrication Department and saw an industrial designer sculpting French fries out of foam for a show on American work…”I think they were for a McDonald’s drive-thru set or something,” she says. But somewhere a connection was made: dreams could be made into reality…and she immediately enrolled at RISD to study design…
Her first lights evolved from playing with off-the-shelf parts: ‘The structures I’ve made come out of an interest in function’ She explains, ‘You have this idea of spreading out points of light in a space, then developing a system of materials and energy..till it ends up looking like a tree because a tree already has it figured out!’
Her Company, Lindsey Adelman, based in Mannhatten, New York, now supports a staff of 20 and deals in commissions from around the world worth tens of thousands of dollars per light…but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t lost her roots..
Her first foray light is still available to order for the bargain price of $145.25. The catch? You have to make it yourself…heaven!
…And it comes with a European wiring option…
Laters, Kate x
Great Bones..
There’s something utterly majestic, breathtaking and impressive about a herringbone floor..
But the bullion cut? More expensive..but it’s still a temptation, particularly when you know you’re only laying a floor once..
In fact choosing a floor is like crossing all sorts of boundaries..width of wood, colour, type, durability..mix into to that the cost and it’s a potential minefield..
So excuse me if I feel a little bit chuffed in finding Edward Oak Floors (OK. My mother found them first) But you know you’re on to a good thing when the showroom in is a remote part of London, in the middle of an industrial estate, attached to it’s own factory.
And because it’s all made on site, they can smoke, wax, colour, distress the wood to any colour you want – and any size..and if they lay your floor, it’s guaranteed for 15 years..me likey.
The distressing machine..it’s riveting..
But they really do have the ability to transform the mundane..
So that’s one thing ticked off…now there’s just the rest of the building works to plan..ho hum
Laters, Kate
Aubusson Black..
Especially for French Sophie…is blue the new grey?
Laters, Kate x
Islands in the Sun x
It’s the last day before half term starts..seems to have whizzed past. I can remember standing at the school gates thinking I thought this day would never come..I’ve been standing at the same gates for the last week, praying for half term. The kids are on their knees…so am I…we all need a break, chill-out time and long walks by the sea..
We’re hoping to head back to Kent, the husband’s work permitting, for a bit of nostalgia and basic living. I can feel my heart singing just at the thought..
So I’ve just got to get my act together today…2 coffee dates, 2 playdates, send back a pair of boots that arrived in the wrong colour, wrap Bella’s birthday presents (her eighth birthday on Sunday. Can’t believe it), pack cake ingredients n tins, source creative stuff to take with us (requested by Bella: Another heart singing moment) and a few board games and a football, pack for everyone (still hate)…and then leave the house spotless as we have relatives arriving whilst we’re away..shouldn’t be too hard!
I’ll just keep looking at these dream kitchens and pretend it’s my reality…or that I have staff!
Laters, Kate x
Pockets, Pockets, Pockets x
Time is a muscle that needs to be stretched and I’ve been doing my best to limber it up without running the risk of becoming a frazzled, urban melodrama. It’s a fine line.
– There’s the new fitness regime: I don’t want to hit that New Year winter coat without having done something, and I’d like that something to be a enjoyable, new, permanent addition. Swimming (good for the joints I hear) seems to be it.
– I’ve just done a massive summer/autumn clean of the house from cellar to attic (After the summer hols the house starts working as a dam of clutter and misplaced objet d’art holding back ideas n free flow, but it means wading through the detritus before calm descends. Which I thought it had, except now I can’t find anything. The calendar anyone?
– I have an Art Project with a deadline in November (more later).
– And the house – we hope to start renovations after Christmas, but it all needs planning and research..it’s the sort of thing that is very necessary and rather enjoyable but sucks the hours away. Thankfully I’m beginning to make interesting discoveries, like space-saving pocket doors – not seen much in the UK, but they are the perfect room divider. This initial idea came from Pinterest and is American, all the doors on the UK sites are very modern…I like the idea of vintage doors complete with beading and a bit of stained glass…I think more research is needed..
Now..What’s the time?
Laters, Kate x
Wooden Wonders x
Heading off to a warehouse to look at wooden floors today..
(all photos from Pinterest)
I wonder where my heart lies..
Laters, Kate x
Brain Juice x
Laters, Kate x
Summer Blues..
The kids left for Greece this morning and it was my job to hug enthusiastically and wave with excitement. But my heart broke just a little bit. I’ll see them in a week..but it does feel as though they are going a long, long way away.
I was talking to their lovely Teacher yesterday who told me I’d be off to vintage markets and all sorts..and she was right – this time is a gift and I’d be a fool not to use it wisely. We actually have a vintage event on Saturday so I’m gathering my black coat of mourning and heading off to Stoke Newington to see what delights I can find. Taking my decorating mags on the train with me…
The idea of our renovation is to replace some of our internal walls with these Crittall windows..mi piace mol to…and now maybe I’ll get a bit further than just collecting pictures…
Then tonight the Husband and I are going to Regents Park Open Air Theatre (one of my absolute favourite summer venues) to be wined and dined and to see Hobson’s Choice..
But I will be looking up at the stars knowing that my two can see them also…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 