February 12, 2016

Small steps..

This weekend marks the start of moving towards a less wasteful life as inspired by this post. For me, it’s not about wearing a horsehair shirt but finding simple solutions that work and moving away from the total belief in mass produced, mass marketed products we pick up without thinking. The first experiment neatly fits in with my own eco philosophy – it involves dryer sheets – which to many would be an environmental oxymoron, but as a dryer works for us as a family it stays – and the spotlight goes onto what goes into the dryer..

From my research, there seem to be two basic methods – the first involves using ready made (you could make your own..there are recipes..(I’m not there yet)) fabric conditioner. Strips of old towels or sponges are soaked in the solution and then are used either wet, straight from the pot or can be dried before hand.

(All pics Pinterest and View from the Fridge)

The next method requires a larger leap of faith…the cloths are stored and left soaking in a mixture of vinegar and essential oils (any combination you fancy). They say, when the clothes come out, any smell of fish and chips has evaporated away…

The kids could be grateful it’s half term next week…

Laters, Kate x

February 11, 2016

House update..

It’s becoming like Christmas here with something new every day…another major part of the build – the floor – is going down…

It’s ticking all the boxes…the choice had again been a step away from the norm as I’d asked them for as many knots/character/colour variations as possible..basically a posh design that feels rustic.

The transformation is taking a bit of getting used to – after staring at it (for what was probably hours) I gingerly tried to balance my way round the unfinished edge to get to the stairs. ‘It’s a floor!’ The builders said, ‘Walk on it!’

Except I can’t!..

(Don’t think it will stop the kids though…)

Laters, Kate x

February 10, 2016

It’s all black and white..

The good news is I’m off this morning to pick up our platform ladder from my sister…which means the serious renovation decoration is about to start.

The bad news is it’s all going to get done by paintbrush wielding me.

The good news is I like to get my hands dirty: No pain, no gain.

(All pictures Pinterest)

The bad news is…it tends to be more than just my hands..

Laters, Kate x

February 9, 2016

Backsplash Recap..

From hero to zero: After the joy of last week, all that’s now left of the kitchen is an empty room with a few pipes in the floor as it’s all been shipped to the spray painters. I committed to the final colour yesterday…nerve wracking! Particularly when you’ve had your heart set on one shade since the start…and then you’re told it’s not possible. Thank God I’m a great believer in fate..but it hasn’t stopped my heart from pounding.

But more decisions await: There was this post on splashbacks a while back and the final look still needs to be pinned down. Loving all things metallic at the moment so I’m thinking why not?

So much to choose from!

But budget does come into it..so I took myself off to bog standard B and Q to see what I could find that could be man-handled into something different…and was surprisingly successful. There’s this woven brass sheet, reminiscent of French Bergere sofas and chairs..

Laid over a stainless steel sheet it would compliment and pull in the stainless steel from the fridge/freezer..

Then there was this design..if the design itself had been bigger I would’ve snaffled it up there and then..

And then they had this..hammered copper rather than brass..again, not sure as it was only in the smaller size..and all the accents are brass..would pink work??

(All pics Pinterest)

I was sensible..there’s no rush – yet. So I walked away and will let it all cogitate and stew down…

Laters, Kate x

February 8, 2016

It’s coming..

Under a week to go till the big commercial day….just enough time to laugh at all the cr*p out there..

(All pics Etsy and Pinterest)

And make a piece of heart shaped toast…

Laters, Kate x

February 5, 2016

Kitchen Update x

Oh Joy aboundeth! I got home yesterday to see the antique French bookcase sitting in it’s new home for the first time! The builders have done a sublime job incorporating it into the new kitchen..one day it will hold all our crockery and glassware..one day..to say I love it is an understatement. It’s always a dodgy time when you imagine a concept – and you’re pretty sure it’s going to work..but you never know until it’s actually in place. The relief!

The plan is now for all the big units to disappear off to be spray painted whilst the room is decorated and the floor is laid…which has bought on a major paint crisis.

I thought I was blissfully sailing along, all paint decisions for the kitchen made.

Except the spray painters want an RAL number for the colour so they can mix up their own paint with additional hardeners. And I’ve chosen a boutique paint that no-one knows – Madison Grey by Abigail Ahern.

I’m running off now to the paint shop to see if they can help me – the last thing I want to do is to start looking at tester pots again…and of course it’s the big fascinator poker night piss-up party tonight. Always the way…

Laters, Kate x

February 4, 2016

Bohemian Minimalist?

I’ve been reading Bea Johnson’s book ‘Zero Waste Home’ with interest – it’s fair to say it’s an eye opener. Whilst there’s no doubt she’s taken her chosen style of living to an extreme (her 4 member family produce just one large jar of rubbish a year)..( I confess that’s less than we manage in a day) and despite the fact the book is written for the American market, there’s no denying the hidden gold between the pages…..she genuinely believes that in our fast-paced, modern world we’ve disconnected from the true reality of our commercialism and the consequences of our voracious, unstoppable actions. By shining a light on something as simple as rubbish she aims to change people’s attitudes in a broader, rippling sense..and make a real difference both to the individual and the planet. Impressive ambitions.

The book reminds me of an article I read in the Times by Caitlin Moran where she admitted that as a poor person she was far more creative: No money to buy it equalled make it or fix it. But now with success, she just throws money at the problem…we think because we can have it all, we should have it all. We even deserve to have it all.

Bea thinks differently: She likes to simplify life right down to needs not wants, equalling less hassle, less waste..less stuff.

And that’s where she and I differ. I understand the simplicity of a clutter free, simplified life…but clutter and old stuff are fundamental to my personal lifeblood. All these pics represent interiors I aspire to with their sense of timeless style and soft edges.

A house without books? Soulless.

No artworks and bedspreads?

(All pics Pinterest)

Or knick knacks and beautiful rugs? It would break my little heart.

But I think there are grey areas where we overlap. And I’d really like to explore her world in little steps..doing something different every month. Watch this space…

Laters, Kate x

February 3, 2016

Free to Roam..

The wander-lust is strong today. Despite spotting my first snowdrops on the way to school drop-off this morning, spring and summer still seem a long way off and the routine feels monotonous.

I just want to pack our bags and head off in a vintage jaguar with crinkled beige leather seats.

I don’t care if it’s a trip to the crisp, cold mountains.

But truth be told, I’d prefer somewhere with colour and sun.

Somewhere where life is simple.

(All pics Pinterest)

It’s probably to much builders dust and not enough vitamin D..

Laters, Kate x

February 2, 2016

The Underworld x

The hunt for the perfect wallpaper goes on. One group of designs that would’ve be way off the radar a few years ago but are ticking the boxes now are the tie-dye patterns.

There’s something about the way they repeat that looks so natural and realistic..as if they’re not repeating at all. Which, let’s face it, has to be a good thing…

Or maybe it’s the memories of a happy summer’s day in the garden.

(All pics Pinterest)

They’re probably more suited to a bathroom or bedroom than a cellar…but there’s just something about them..

Laters, Kate x

February 1, 2016

Le Weekend..

The plan was to get out of the urban bubble and see the sea..so we leapt on a train and headed for a grey, blustery Brighton.

Charlie and his gloves: Is this style, laziness..or a deep understanding of recycling??

Not that the kids cared about the weather..the sea is the sea after all..

It was bracing enough to freeze cheeks and brighten eyes.

Then the boys went to see Arsenal play..Charlie’s first proper match..seventh heaven for him.

So the girls got out the power tools…and played..

The table is our reproduction mahogany dining table that has got damaged over the years. Rather than replace it, I wanted to know if we could sand off the varnish and paint the pedestal leg to transform it into a classic but more rustic/practical piece of furniture. Can mahogany be more like a farmhouse table, happy to take dings and knocks? Not be so ‘precious’ and permanently hidden under a tablecloth? The only way to know was to experiment…

I had my helper with me for a while..but then she got bored and went to clean out her hamsters.

Oh joy! Lesson for mummy: Never assume you’re child’s intelligence. Lesson for Bella…we all have to make mistakes..but please don’t repeat this one again!

(Particularly when due to the building works, this sink represents our kitchen sink. Arggghhhh!)

By the end we looked like 2 orange oompa lumpa’s, but thankfully the table looked fab – I already prefer it…though I have no idea what to do as the next stage….oil? Wax? I know I don’t want the shiny red again..I want to knock back the red if at all possible, but not entirely sure what to do?….any suggestions very gratefully received…

Laters, Kate x