Category: interiors
Angle Poise x
The plans for the office pod are rumbling on, but there’s also talk of making use of the builder when they’re here and turning the other far corner of the garden for a pergola-slash-gazebo. The thinking goes that in small London gardens we veer away from structures in the garden for fear they make a small garden look smaller, but the problem is in leaving a garden horizontal we rarely venture into it, preferring to gaze into from afar. So the aim is to build a private, roofed area that will still be useable in summer London drizzle to while away precious hours, whilst still keeping a sense of space and lightness of touch.
(All pics pinterest)
So not much to choose from then…
Laters, Kate x
Splashing Back x
Oh the unbridled joy of the hunt: I have found a company in Oxfordshire – The Douglas Watson Studio – that specialises in English handmade and hand painted ceramic tiles. And what beauties they produce..
The price point is high, but certainly cheaper than originals: Roughly £15 – £25 per tile on a sliding algorithm of less colour, less cost.
(Pics from The Douglas Watson Studio and Pinterest)
Tiles in situ: Such a small area to cover really………………
Laters, Kate x
Minimoderns x
The driving force of Minimoderns is pattern with a story: The founders, Keith Stephenson and Mark Hampshire view what they produce as applied pattern across a range of products, including some incredible wallpapers. It adds a pleasant change, a certain flavour. A different slant.
Their design influences range from mid-century British textiles to vintage toys, literature and even childhood memories.
(Love this for a boys room)
It’s the detail..
Wallpaper, trombone and badger are three words I never expected to use in a sentence.
If you want retro nostalgia with design integrity and are not afraid of making a statement, look no further.
Laters, Kate x
A project x
There’s a project gaining traction, think space and do-ability: An office pod in the garden. It’s been mooted before – it almost happened last year, but the husband was between jobs so it wasn’t the right time. But the green light is now on to start thinking, planning and budgeting because I’ve worked out over the years, the more time you give to these three, the less it all costs because you work out whats important. And what’s not.
The pod will need to be heated and although I love the romance of a proper stove, I believe in London, with concerns over air pollution and consideration to our neighbours, a cunning side step to an electric copy, like we did in the cellar will be the way to go: It will provide the visual representation, the heat, but none of the negatives.
Besides there’s always the joy of what goes round the stove..a small area to tile means flex in choice!
At present is a toss up between the modern approach of concrete tiles with large, dramatic patterns.
Or – and I was reminded of this option after seeing this picture of Alexandra Tolstoy’s cottage and splashback – a blue and white delft option.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could create your own? Pictures of coded memories??
(All pics Pinterest)
Decisions, decisions…
Laters, Kate x
Do fashions for wreaths change each year? Possibly is probably the answer – because despite the dogs being blinged to their eyeballs (including the recent addition of festive dark glasses, a cunning buy from a party shop) the pull for me for wreaths has become pared back natural. Sadly our wreath of many years doesn’t quite hit the spot is on the door – it’s simple version of fir cones except they’re covered in glitter, and every time someone brushes past, a fir cone falls to the ground..I think a bit of tender loving DIY is needed or it’ll become it’s own epitaph..
The perfect excuse for a little bit of Christmas craft. And breathe.
Laters, Kate x
Ta-daah!
Oh. The joy!
Jingle bells x
Why not indeed, I said to myself as I picked up the multicoloured fairy lights for Christmas this year – maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s a reaction to perfectionist white, maybe it’s a need to break out and shout there’s always another way – but, after decades of coveting the paired back scandi look, it’s colour all the way in this house this festive season.
Mine are going outside, around the necks of our two stone dogs, Alfie and Bear – pictures will follow. Promise.
Laters, Kate x
Bella’s Room x
The makeover of Bella’s bedroom is limping to it’s conclusion – there’s stuff to be hung on the walls and I still haven’t ordered the blinds, but most stuff is out of boxes. We’re also waiting for a delivery of this sofabed from Made – such a relief not to be blowing up airbeds any more. At £299 in green velvet with its midcentury styling it feels a bit of a bargain..
Of course there was the usual disagreement on colour – Bella wanted yellow. I put my foot down and said she’d thank me in five years time.
I also have my eye on this bed in a box for Charlie’s room because that would mean no more airbeds. Ever.
Surprisingly it’s more expensive at £399 so it’s going to have to wait.
Laters, Kate x
Sofology x
The path to school, as we braved the elements on our bikes, was filled with slippery leaves and lashing rain today. Which is maybe why these huge, squishy sofas are twitching the desire nerve.
Also appealing is the flexibility: No front, no back, put them where you want, move them, change them, adapt, lounge, snuggle and abuse them.
The downside is you need a warehouse sized house to house them…but then that’s just part of the dream.
Sigh.
Laters, Kate x
Exterior x
It was my birthday yesterday – Yippeee me! Meet my presents – Alfie and Bear, the two best dogs ever who now bookend the front door in regal fashion, the finishing touch to the newly painted exterior which finally can get it’s unveiling.
We also have new window boxes, made to size from a great company on Etsy so they sit properly within the window frame. The black of the boxes contrasts the graphite of the paintwork.
The boxes have been planted with ivy to soften and tumble over edges, heucheras for their colour and cyclamen as they were the only white plant readily available at this time of year. At some point trailing white geraniums will be added. It will be a pleasure to see the living wave of colour and white expanding and flowing out over the window sill. I’m even thinking about adding them to the first floor.
The painted graphite on the outside of the house has been dramatic. It has given the whole house a presence, made it feel bigger, added a modern gloss without compromising its history.
Very happy.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 