May 3, 2016

Bank holiday x

What a difference a day makes..from snow to sun burn. Righting the wrongs of too many Bank Holiday weekends the weather was glorious and a siren call for the outdoors. We headed to Morden Hall Park, a National Trust property at the end of the Northern line which provides a beautiful link between urban and wild. Look closely..and you can see a heron…(really closely – he was bigger in real life..honest)

Or bee keepers tending their hives.

We were there for the May Fayre, a wonderful mash of mystique and rural from terrier racing to sheep sheering to duck herding and tie dye t-shirts. It’s a bit of a favourite.

(Charlie running off to race against the terriers. The terriers won..)

A bit of fence wattling?

Or just watch from the shade..

Charlie holding his wallet. Yes, that be a sock with a knot..

There were also some great stalls, from food to alpaca blankets. I fell for these Chinese shoes..

They have that folksy vibe but with a cool cut: The wedge heel with the ankle tie just make them. The red ones had a slight heel but come much further up the ankle. Super cool and super comfy..win win.

Meanwhile today is the day the flooring goes down in the cellar..and then it gets transformed. At the mo all the shelves are still filled with the residue from all the decorating..this will go…very soon..Of course I’m still waiting for the fitter to arrive. I do my friend Pauline’s shopping for her on a Tuesday as she’s house bound..and I have a friend coming round for lunch that I would love to buy supplies for…. but why would a workman ever be prompt?? Except my wonderful Polish builders who proved that it’s possible…

Not that we haven’t been using the cinema room – we couldn’t miss Game of Thrones – all hail John Snow! But camping chairs really don’t cut it..

Laters, Kate x

April 29, 2016

Damn x

The crittall glass people arrived here yesterday and the only glass they left is the sort related to the Emperor’s new clothes: It didn’t fit through the front door…one centimetre out, so it’s been returned to the factory. Apparently the main frame was supposed to be designed in two parts but it wasn’t. Their bad. But it leaves me to explain the situation to Building Control and delay our final sign off again..there’s always something.

I’m distracting the frustration with a search for the perfect table lamp..something utterly ugly and totally wonderful.

They give such bones to a room..an intriguing combination of height, light and ambience.

It’s a ploy that’s working…

Laters, Kate x

April 28, 2016

Sensi x

Poor kids. Summer uniform became compulsory on Monday, all light cotton and ankle socks…and it actually snowed here last night. Not like an alpine blizzard but it actually settled…cars were covered. It’s an issue: Within one day we can experience a years weather: Spring, summer, autumn and winter…it certainly makes for interesting times.

An ideal outfit would be this dress from Sensi Studio for the summer sun, teamed with a pair of wide legged trousers for the autumn drop (replace or remove as required)..and a duvet for the cold.

Sensi Studio is a new label for me…I like the fact it utilises Ecuadorian artisans and their many skills with simple lines and interesting additions.

Love!

They also make mean raffia bags and panamas.

(All pictures Sensi Studio and Net-a-porter)

One to watch.

Laters, Kate x

April 27, 2016

RE x

If I was a shop I’d be RE: A magical place where global unloved items hit emotional science and are transformed into objects of desire…like these laundry baskets and washing up bowls made from recycled plastic in Senegal.

Pure fireworks for the kitchen.

How delicious? These baskets are made by the Mixtec people of Mexican mashing traditional palm weaving with unwanted plastic.

And there are recycled tin cans from Peru, all given new life. A plant pot – or a pen pot? The choice is yours.

You head to the site for storage ideas..and end up being amazed by cunning delights like these lights…designed to hold a tea-light and convert any bottle into a table lamp…genius.

Or these candlesticks holders..spiked to stand in flower pots..or hammered into a log.

Thank God they’re not based in London. Now where’s the credit card…

Laters, Kate x

April 26, 2016

More Stairs..Because..

The main kilim has arrived!

And the one for the very top of the stairs..it’s amazing how much carpet you need for a flight of stairs..over 5 meters. The idea is to sew these all together to make one long run.

Someone asked the other day if I was worried that they weren’t official stair carpets. It highlighted the fact that we’re a generation brought up on hype and brand – instead of seeing products for what they are we now believe we need a specific shampoo for almost blonde hair or a cleaner for our pink toilets. It’s all clever labelling and marketing just to part us from our hard earned cash because the truth is, as soon as these carpets are fitted to the stairs, that’s what they become.

This is the final one to add to the patchwork…I’d post a picture of what they all look like but I’m still effing suffering from f*&*ing problems with the cr*p software update that Apple has inflicted on my s*dding computer: Another modern disease…built in obsolescence: updating what already works just because you can and to make more money. I need to become a hippy.

Laters, Kate x

April 25, 2016

Finishing Touches x

Boo hoo. We were meant to be having the crittall glass for the hall fitted today….but these things never happen when they’re meant to. It’s delayed now till the end of the week. Sigh. So instead of proper pics I’ve just got the inspiration pictures to drool over.

I hope mine will look half as good..

Laters, Kate x

April 22, 2016

I spy..

We’re due an artic blast this weekend.

(All pictures and details Pinterest)

But it doesn’t stop me thinking of the perfect summer dress. Or two.

Laters, Kate x

April 21, 2016

Stairway to Heaven x

The first stair carpet for the main stairs arrived yesterday..excitement! It’s an unusual combination of earthy colours with contrasts of pure neon…definitely a risk that’s paid off..can’t wait for the other one to arrive now..Will they work together? Only time will tell..

I’ve almost finished painting the hall – ran out of paint at the very top. Typical. But it’s had it’s own little transformation, including adding a newel post and new banister to make the stairs feel more integrated and trick the eye into thinking the wall on the kitchen side was always there (we nicked the corridor space to give as much width as possible – every inch counts in London)

The new radiator cover is still painted with the builder’s grey undercoat..except I rather love it. I like the contrast rather than everything matching. So last weekend it was dragged to B&Q to be colour matched..they thought I was bonkers as it was hauled onto the paint counter to go under their machine. But sometimes needs must. If there’s any give in the already blown budget, a fitted mirror will go in the alcove..and stained glass in the front door. A girl can dream.

Of course, the biggest change to the hall will be when the glass crittall doors arrive on Monday..

Laters, Kate x

April 20, 2016

Candy Store x

Pink.

(All pictures Pinterest)

To make the boys wink.

Laters, Kate x

April 19, 2016

Kilims on my mind..

You can’t beat a good rug. (Except of course you can..)

They work with anything, anywhere, quietly bringing soul and drama to a room.

Traditional or modern. It doesn’t matter.

I’ve been trying to source some as runners for our main stairs and cellar stairs. It hasn’t been easy: No runner is long enough and narrow enough to fit a complete flight, so it’s about finding combinations that work together, fit together in size….and still make the heart sing.