Category: retro
Flashback x
They say the true cycle of fashion is thirty years. It seems a lot quicker than that to me…but maybe that’s because time is slipping through my fingers at an ever increasing rate. I can certainly remember this micro-trends first outing back in the eighties. The key then was vintage, naturally well-worn ripped mens’ 501s with classic black fishnets and either DMs or pointed flats.
(As someone who knows: The larger meshes and little toes never mix. Soz).
Laters, Kate x
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
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..
Hidden in plain view, the traces are lovely…
(All pics Pinterest)
This is the Maida Vale sink by Fired Earth, available in aqua, yellow and navy.
Wide-eyed bewilderment in this goofy praise of avocado? Keep watching – the tide marks are turning…
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
Wonderland x
We’re taking the kids to the slopes for the first time this Christmas – well, I say this Christmas – we leave on the 30th. But that’s not much time to move from turkeys and tinsel to long johns and salopettes..
(All pictures Pinterest)
If only I could pack this little lot in my suitcase…
Laters, Kate x
Winter Warmers x
Fast and Furious
What represents a classic is a nebulous subject given to much prowling and column inches. But the timeless biker jacket has to be up there enthroned in a glowing light – just the heat it lets off is thrilling.
It plays like a whisper on your shoulders – something casually flung over a light as a butterfly silk dress..
Or worn with nonchalant macho power and high voltage control.
It’s a well oiled machine and I’m surprised I haven’t got one.
…Doesn’t mean I’m not looking..
Laters, Kate x
Sitting room storage..
Sometimes I dabble, sometimes I dream through half-closed eyes looking at the offending room, or in this case, corner of a room wondering what trick will create the magic. The present corner in question is in the sitting room which is less hipster chic more family mess with the tv balanced on an unloved old side table, multiple plugs, leads and consoles plus a most unattractive plastic box filled with…tat. So instead of chaos I think of clever storage and chic solutions…..and it’s vintage wall units all gently glowing with decades of love and charm that focus into view.
(You can spot the offending item next to the yellow chair in the lefthand corner)
TV’s are always problematic – large, black, ugly they dominate a room. I sorted it in our cellar cinema room (aka The Underworld) by darkening the walls and designing a specially made fireplace that sneakily both hid all the cables and opened up to reveal the dvd player, set boxes as they were needed…the front has a grill that drops down for easy access but also works closed as you can change channels etc through the mesh. It’s been a revelation.
The storage needs to be practical and beautiful so the current thought is to go for a Poul Cadovius style wall unit. The appeal is the simple design and it’s flexibility – the shelves/cabinets can be arranged in any order.
I’m thinking the cabinet with sliding doors, like the one above, could sit with it’s back cunningly removed over the plugs on the wall and hide all the leads and house the dvd/etc (I refuse to get rid of my dvds..one day they’ll be like vinyl. Promise.) And then, because it’s deeper, the TV could also sit on top…even be angled.
The rest of the shelves could be then arranged above.
I think it’s a solution. Can it be a reality?
Laters, Kate x
Favourite season x
Who can’t love and feel the force of summer where the smell of adventure lies round every corner?
A summer dress, a pair of sandals, beach hair, don’t care and languid evenings to the point of feeling guilty.
Except I never will.
Laters, Kate x
Holly go brightly..
Today marks the last Monday of term and school prize day – a day to avoid if ever there is one. I swore last year, after three hours of clapping in heavy, muggy heat that I would never go again – and that was after the mornings two hour session. But, there’s no emotional escape from the kids need to know you’re there..in world economics it’s a price too high to pay not to go, so it’s time to slap on the smile and don the nonchalance for one more time. I’ll be sitting there, checking out the colour combinations and trying to work out why some things work that really shouldn’t..and the reverse.
Think of me.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
