Category: interiors
Cool Running..
I look at this kitchen and my heart lights up. Then I think: Where’s the fridge?
Arrrr ok. Pure Love. But how big actually is it? Not that I’ve developed a thing about fridges, except I have. It’s one of the reasons we’re re-doing our kitchen..the fridge is too small. So now I’m obsessed by them…
And it really doesn’t help when I find Companies like this – The Vintage Fridge Company, dedicated to unearthing relics of the past and smoothly integrating them into a modern-day antique heirloom, proud to take their place in any room. I remember my Grandparent’s house in Greece having an ‘icebox’ at the back – and it worked, even in those high temperatures though milk was still a luxury and tinned carnation milk was always the order of the day – it gave the tea a unique, memorable flavour. But that old icebox would be the sort of thing these guys would take on, except after their magic, milk wouldn’t be a problem.
Spot the fridge..
Or this one..part of the perfect island unit..
If you have to have something functional, why not make it count for something?
The perfect trade-off between practicality and beauty..
They also offer the option of taking a modern fridge and cladding it in old..
Or if utterly modern is your thing check out he Formula one beauties that are the Meneghini beasts..
This is the version Nigella Lawson has. Sigh.
Sadly all these options – the reconditioned vintage and the new – cost from £7000 upwards to £16400 plus…So whilst it’s good to know the humble fridge can be more than defiantly average, I will just have to dream I have the budget to indulge..until then, I’l start doing the Lottery. Again. And put on my thinking cap…
Laters, Kate x
(Photos of top kitchen from remodilista.com)
The Mirrorcube and More..
Big dreams and great design…meet the Tree Hotel of Sweden with it’s incredible individual rooms. Located in Harals, near the Lule River about 100 km from Lulea airport they are objects of wonder..
From the incredible mirror cube…an aluminium box, covered with mirrors and attached to a tree with a bathroom, terrace and double bed.
(There’s even an ultraviolet coating on the mirrors that birds can see so they won’t fly splat into it..)
To a floating UFO..
And a Bird’s Nest built for humans..
Inside the Birds Nest..
Or perhaps you’d prefer to be closer to the ground? Meet The Blue Cone..
And it’s stunning interior, embracing everything you love about Scandinavian design.
This is the carriage..complete with viewing platform above..
And it’s insIde.
There’s even a sauna house with outside hot tubs…
In the middle of nature but on natures terms this place sings a lyrical folk song of peace, beauty, exceptional design and understanding.
It’s on the ‘to do’ list…one day Rodders, one day..until then, I’ll just dream..
Laters, Kate x
Swarm x
Over the next few months The Husband and I are planning a little re-vamp of our house: We bought it over ten years ago as two flats and have spent much of that time doing various pretty major structural projects whilst juggling two babies. Now it’s finally the time to give it a bit of a silky lustre and add those finishing touches – the fun bits I’ve been waiting oh-so-long-for – like finding a stained glass panel for the front door where the council security glass still remains..oh joy unbounded!
It means I’ve been spending far too long in our downstairs toilet where the old interior design mags live – I’m following the principal that if it’s old and I still like it, it’s passed the ‘test of time’ test with flying colours and will last forever more. It was in a 2011 edition of Elle Decoration I found a small article about the artist Leslie Oschmann which caught my eye – she uses old canvases to make bags or to cover vintage chairs before sealing them with protective lacquer..
I love her whole aesthetic..taking something and making it more beautiful and useful. Each piece exuding character and warmth. These chairs make my heart sing.
Leslie originally came from the States where she worked with Companies such as Anthropologie before she took a complete life-style change, moving to Amsterdam, buying a bike and starting her own studio Swarm.
‘I learnt that I needed to get back to touching objects, not just trying to display or sell them..I missed the tactile’
What she does epitomises everything I love and want to embrace – classic, timeless quirky ideas with a touch of age used with care to make something both practical and beautiful that serenely stands out.
Shouldn’t be too hard then………
Laters, Kate x
Introducing the kids to Anarchy..
On Saturday we headed into Trafalgar Square to witness the Flash Mob International Pillow Fight. Even the street performers were prepared…
It was a rather delicious event..the Police weren’t happy. Boris had done his best to call the whole thing off…but to take action against a pillow fight? It would be like aligning with Putin…
Have I shrunk?
The power is strong with this one..
Charlie telling Darth Vadar he loves him..
We then headed up to Oxford Street and couldn’t help notice the speed of the Jeremy Scott rip-offs…
Our destination?….a Victorian men’s toilet..
Now converted into a supercool cafe called ‘The Attendant’ complete with table-urinals and handwarmers.
At the exit was a writing wall..
So Bella added Graffiti to the days lessons of life…
Laters, Kate x
Just a Little Obsessed..
The light is underway. I took a punt on the size of lanterns without seeing them in the flesh..and as a prototype I don’t think I did too badly. Still not sure how I’m going to finally link them all together – on the one hand, when they’re loosely linked they catch the breeze and spin gently – I can imagine them above candles, moving on the warm air. But then I think the shape is better when they’re tighter together. Going to see what they look like with their scales before I made a decision.
The bottom ball is already covered..the temptation was just too great! It’s incredibly therapeutic work…
Laters, Kate x
Brain Storming..
I think it’s something in the air, but there’s an itch I need to scratch..three projects are calling my name and it’s got to the point when every time I close my eyes, I see them..
Let me run the first one past you…it involves lights: I’ve got the bug to re-do our kitchen, which would be a fairly mammoth job and isn’t going to happen anytime soon, but it would mean our dining room table would move to a place where it could have two (sigh) chandeliers above it. Just designing the chandeliers would be a great starting point don’t you think?..My heart loves the Abigail Ahern light above, but unfortunately The Bank doesn’t (a mere £11.000 a pop)..but then the brain thinks could I make one myself? I’ve made a light before..
…So I’m running with the conundrum..I was thinking maybe the really cheap and cheerful Japanese lanterns would be the perfect base?..have three together, a large round one on top and attach smaller ones below, then cover them all in rectangles of tissue paper like fishes scales…if it goes tits up, the initial outlay is pretty low…
The second option is this more expensive light from John Lewis and use the same technique…at £120 for the shade it’s a bit more of a risk cost-wise if it goes wrong.. I suspect the cylindrical shape is better? But I do rather miss the drama of the three levels..
Or – just to throw something extra into the mix..what about something with the japanese lanterns based on this idea?..
Cunning eh?
The Easter holidays are fast approaching..if I can do the ground work now and make a decision it would be the perfect project to do with the kids…what are your thoughts? Any of them grab you? all suggestions are very welcome as I’m at the point when I’m going round in creative circles!…
Laters, Kate x
Fashionable Selby x
There’s a new book out by the Photographer Todd Selby – Fashionable Selby – opening the door to the sort of voyeurism that really tickles my fancy: Designers at work..
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Dries Van Noten quietly arranging beautiful flowers.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
A highly organised bohemian Isabel Marant.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
A Marant mood board with a lust-worthy bracelet.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain at work on a stunning parquet floor.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Inspiration from every corner: Carla Sozzani, Italian gallerist and founder of Galleria Carla Sozzani and the creator of 10 Corso Como in Milan.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Surrounded by colour: Pascale Mussard, Artistic Director of Hermes Petit H.
It’s thinking you have that little bit of knowledge to know what they’re really like and what makes them tick..the reality behind the curtain. Even though you know in your mind, you’re still seeing what they want you to see….but it helps that each profile is accompanied by Selby’s watercolour portraits and illustrated questionnaires, revealing answers to personal questions.
It sounds delicious non?
Laters, Kate x
Lighting the Way x
In my dreams there’s an Abigail Ahern chandelier hanging over my dining room table. Scrap that – we’re talking dreams..they’ll be two! (and a reinforced ceiling) This one has my heart – it’s made from tiny squares of porcelain that would gently glow on a dark winters night. But at £15,050 a light (the extra £50 tickles my sensibilities) it remains firmly on the once-I’ve-won-the-lottery-lust-list…
There’s also this one (at a mere £2,750) which makes me want to break open the kid’s air-drying clay and get creative. The truth is Abigail’s whole aesthetic has me squealing..the dark, brooding colours with the unexpected pops of colour, the quirky touches and an underlining sense of humour that spontaneously brings forth a smile of pure pleasure.
So it’s rather wonderful that she’s teamed up with Debenhams to design a range especially for them…
I laugh!
For the study?
Guarding the front door?
(This one is on her website but not on the Debenhams one yet..I hope he does appear as I love him and his dark purple lampshade..imagine on two bedside cabinets either side of a glamourous french rococo bed?..sigh)
This is when Designer versus High Street works..when there’s a symbiotic relationship that we can all feel inspired by rather than a parasitical one that destroys as it feeds.
And at £85 a light?
Bring it on!
Laters, Kate x
Bohemian Spirit.. x
Special clothes only come out for special occasions, but a special rug? It’s a red carpet under your feet every day.
Alexander McQueen spent three years designing this Collection for the Rug Company, taking their craftsmanship to new, couture levels.
Like iridescent jewels they weave a spell of fantasy and wonder.
Sarah Burton enthuses, “The Rug Company shares similar values to Alexander McQueen. It’s about offering a product that is precious and luxurious that showcases the best of British design and traditional craftsmanship.”
It’s a little bit of McQueen on earth,
Laters, Kate x
Natasha Law x
Natasha Law is the down to earth, incredibly talented older sister of Actor Jude Law. With her natural, caught in the moment works she manages to find the simplest of lines to create pictures that are both intimate and vibrant.
What would I give to have one on my walls??
A lot!!..also quite fancy that green leather skirt…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 