Summer Lovin’

 

Loving The vyshyvanka trend but not the designer prices? Take a peek on Etsy for some authentic, investment worthy alternatives like these from BoutiqueUA.  Whilst not High Street prices, They’re much less than the thousands some labels are demanding…

 

(Pics from Etsy and Pinterest)

 

Of course the 2-3 weeks it takes to ship from the Ukraine does mean it’ll probably be winter again here or at least gales, hail and torrential rain…but somethings are worth waiting for.

 

Laters, Kate x

Revelation x

There are many things that science can still not explain so maybe I have died and gone to heaven, such is my delight at discovering the designer and maker of this wallpaper and her treasure trove of work.

Marthe Armitage graduated from Chelsea School of Art after World War 11. Faced with the problem of juggling young children, she started designing and lino-cutting her own wallpapers. After sketching the design she uses the hand-cut lino blacks and a century-old offset lithographic printing press that she has owned for over 40 years to created custom-printed rolls of wallpaper.

Not only does she create an object of desire but a lifestyle, a passion and a calling.

Maybe she’ll adopt me?

(Link here, all pics Pinterest)

 

Before my idol was William Morris, but it’s the seductive meanderings of Marthe’s work that pull at the heart strings and make eyes glow.

 

When my boat comes in, this is the wallpaper that will adorn my walls.

Laters. Kate x

Mobility x

 

Balanced, beautiful, adapting, changing, moving, adjusting, reflective.

(All pics pinterest)

A movement of peace in our slapstick chaos.

 

Laters, Kate x

Apricots x

The barmy temperatures of 29 degrees from last week have been swallowed whole by dark, rain sodden clouds and whipping winds. Todays predicted temp for London is a glove grabbing six degrees – it’s no wonder we crave straight forward, simple, understandable normalities that we can always rely on like apricot is an interior design colour to avoid.

(All pics Pinterest)

Damn.

Laters, Kate x

Soap.Co x

Just when you think capitalism and the need for profit at any cost has snaked it’s way into every aspect of our lives a company comes along that blows your handcrafted socks off: Soap Co. is one such beauty.

 

It goes without saying they only use natural botanicals, nourishing vitamins and pure-essential oils.

It’s also interesting that their eco credentials impressively stack up: Their bottles are made from old milk bottles, their plastic film is made from reusable wood pulp, their sticky labels can be composted, their paper is both recycled and recyclable and their glue is non-toxic and biodegradable.

But taking the social responsible crown by a storming majority: Their products are handcrafted in the UK by people who are blind (hence the braille), disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.

This is a social enterprise that proves there doesn’t need to be a trade-off between award winning design, product, eco awareness and social purpose – this really is the best of the best.

(All pics Soap Co.)

 

And I for one won’t be buying my rose oil from anywhere else.

Laters, Kate x

Inspiration x

 

The zeitgeist of a moment when simple things are greater than the sum of their parts.

(All pics pinterest)

Laters, Kate x

Summer vibes x

 

When the sun comes out, life pauses.

 

Maybe that’s why these chairs from Lemonmade appeal.

Midway between trad and modern.

And somewhere to kick back and smell the roses.

(All pics Lemonmade)

There can be great riches in small moments.

Laters, Kate x

Freedom x

It’s pictures like these that blow conventional interior design out of the water, standing proud as the complete antithesis to pulled together design, complimentary colours and agonised decisions.

Maybe because they all have something that many modern rooms lack: Soul.

(All pics Pinterest)
Soul is something you never see, but it is here in abundance.
Laters, Kate x

At Last!

And as if from nowhere the weather in London has changed to summer – 27 degrees predicted for today which proves we are a nation of extremes:  No time to wear-in sandals or pack away winter woollies before the clouds clear and brilliant sunshine pours down which means discovering where the best summer dresses are hiding is a no-brainer.

First port of call for me is always Freepeople because they manage hit a particular sweet spot and offer a high summer aesthetic that still looks good in a City or on a beach.

Their boho ranges from just thrown on hand embroidered artisan creations to the more structured you-could-even-wear-this-as-a-wedding-dress gorgeous offerings.

(All pics Freepeople, all links Pinterest)

Just pass me the sunscreen and a credit card…

Laters, Kate x

Light it up x

In the back of my mind I’ve been thinking about these lights ever since my sister-in-law Sue said they had a problem with the lights over their kitchen table because there’s no way to put a pendant in.  Their attraction is multilayered: Many are fixed to the wall rather than a ceiling, there’s the brooding statement wow factor, the multidirectional angles plus playful shadows and that cunning ability to move the arms at whim.

(All pics Pinterest)

Add in a dimmer switch and I’m sold.

Laters, Kate x