Well..the Crittall glass is finally in..and has completely changed the room. Hard to describe how – it feels very, very grown up.
Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing, because unless I’m secretly Harry Potter I shouldn’t be able to do this. They need another trip to replace a section of glass that got broken..and another that was defective. Third time lucky hey…
Laters, Kate x
I’m in need of distraction: It’s the return day of the crittall door fit and there’s lots of sweaty men and heavy drilling in my house. At least the doors have made it inside this time (she writes as something loud and metallic crashes to the newly fitted parquet floor). There seems to be an emotional kickback for days like this..You want to pretend that everything is totally normal…but you get to the evening and realise you’ve actually achieved nothing..yet desperately need a large vat of gin – because these days are in fact, the black hole of time suck.
Time to mentally check out..and what better way than to surf through Pinterest..it was the summer dress above that first caught my roving eye..a simple flowing line, easy to wear but with a modern silhouette and pockets. So I followed the bread crumbs and discovered Canadian designer Kaelen Haworth.
Deceptively simple with thoughtful cutting.
They’re edgy classics with a twist.
(All pictures from Kaelen Howarth and Pinterest)
And always a joy to see they’re not designed by a man who’s a stick. Maybe that explains their appeal.
Laters, Kate x
One of the truly great things about living in the IT revolution is how it has brought down the cost of printing, whether it be on paper or fabric.
There are now companies out there that for a small sum are ready to take your designs and turn them into usable art – we’re talking fabric, wallpaper and wrapping paper..and you don’t even need a large print run…one roll or 1 metre will do it. What’s more, if it’s good, you can earn money from other people buying your design…win, win.
It’s something I’m keen to explore and play with. I’ve found this website that gives a clear, basic tutorial. about pattern repeating.
And Spoonflower seem to be the biggest/best website for printing…and they also have lots of ‘how to’ videos.
Now to pin down the design…
Laters, Kate x
Remember this post? All about Kiini crochet bikinis and dormant lustings for the life of a beach babe. It was hot on the money for a summer trend..
For those with the bodies but without the bank balance Chiclookcloset are now selling bargain $24.99 versions..
Tempted?
Laters, Kate x
We finally have coat hooks! These are midcentury Ukrainian curtesy of Etsy…cost £14, postage £15..but I love them..they’re the perfect size to avoid coat overload – what can’t hang here has to go down in the cellar to the dedicated coat cupboard (and yes, it’s full already..)
And Mr Fish, who used to be above our cooker has found a new lair.
Most importantly, the children have hooks for their endless school bits. That daily hurricane has finally been contained! The mess was driving me mad and our drill is still lurking in the spare room..
Which currently looks like this…it’s going to be some time before we were reunited, so a big thank you to Al for helping us…come pick up your child from a playdate and bring your drill with you! but it was appreciated..now…if you’re free next weekend..
Must start unpacking..
Laters, Kate x
And so the yearly hunt for towelling beachwear starts..
(Personally I now blame Sean Connery, not lycra for it’s demise.)
But I know it’s just waiting to have it’s cool moment again.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel..new on the block is Mabes, a British label purely obsessed with towelling shirts.
From double pocketed chunky large buttoned plain classics..
To retro prints with an edge.
For guys, girls and even little ones…and the prices are sensible (£35 for kids to £74 for adults). So that’s Charlie and The Husband sorted.
(All pictures Mabes and Pinterest)
Now I just need this dress in a white, light towelling please..
Laters, Kate x
Ace and Jig is a fusion of street cred and hippy, contemporary and classic folded together with indian cottons and hand dyed fabrics.
The label was started by Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson and is based in Brooklyn, New York. The two met more than 10 years ago as fashion design interns and instantly bonded over their shared love of antique textiles..from ancient, french feedsack bags to Japanese boro quilts.
They believe in the power of the stripe.
And they believe in being different. Just delicious.
Laters, Kate x
So the sissal carpet was successfully laid in the cellar, meaning the big rug currently residing in our bedroom and all the furniture scattered around the house could go down. Except I couldn’t do the manual work by myself which meant waiting till late last night when the husband got in (poor husband)..and the big rug had 6 months of builders dust ingrained into it (attractive)(it was sitting on the floorboards where the wall was taken down)…so the only sensible option was to man-handle it down to the kitchen, move everything out of the way there and steam clean it..
Then it went down into the cellar…I love big rugs..but they are buggers to manoeuvre..
Next the sofas were dismantled.
And reassembled..with new covers.
Which was great..
Except my house now looked like a bomb had hit it.
(Molly saying piss off and let me sleep)
(Even our bedroom at midnight last night looked like a scrap yard)
Tomorrow is Charlie’s seventh birthday and I’m hosting 13 children for a Harry Potter party. Why??
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 