Tagged: books
Boxing Day Plans x
Let’s be honest. This year Christmas is going to be different – so I think the only way is to go whole hog and make it more so. Partly due to the amount of box sets we’ve managed to inhale, but also just because I fancy it, it’s been decreed that in this hovel, Boxing Day will be a day of reading and minimal electricity (think candles and open fires. maybe the odd sheepskin. I read somewhere that a Scandi country (couldn’t tell you which one) gives books as presents on Christmas Eve, to be read on Christmas Day. This, for me, is a bit of an infringement on Christmas Day, a bit too holy on the national day of greed and gluttony. But the day after? Absolutely bloody perfect.
So each person has to buy one book for another person at the Christmas table. What joy!
(All pics and links Pinterest and Bookshop.org)
Which is not to say Christmas lunch will have this many people, more – how do you choose? This is quite frankly, a little slice of opt out heaven.
Laters, Kate x
Recycled wood x
I love books.
(All pics Pinterest)
But I hate the back-to-front book thing. Though it works sparklingly well as a visual metaphor for everything that is tragic about our modern culture.
And breathe.
Laters, Kate x
Beans on Toast x
Just the name Toast takes on a whole new meaning when the temperatures start to drop and the smell of fallen leaves mixed with wood smoke permeates the air.
Their clothes capture that louche, appreciation of nature vibe: Loose cuts, soft textures, muddy palette.
If that’s not enough, not only do they do the best classic grey long cashmere cardigan.
(All pics Toast)
But each one of their eleven shops has a shelf filled with books from customers and staff. Inside each books are hand written notes, explaining how the book has enriched the sharer. Visit a shop to share your own book and take one in return. Genius.
Laters, Kate x
Books for thought..
So bookcases are now a ‘thing’? Excuse me now whilst I suppress my inner laughter.
Sometimes I think the puppetmasters of materialism actually believe their own hype. Did they really think we’d give away our books in favour of cloud storage?
‘They get rid of books. We charge them again for ibooks. Then we gloss the pintrest pictures and persuade them bookcases are it…it’s a money making winner!’
The truth? People and interiors need the soul of books, holidays need the ease of kindles. And parents, at home with children need to know that Alexa can read your kindle books aloud. Whilst I’m writing this, Percy Jackson is entertaining my kids downstairs. Now that’s a win win.
Laters, Kate x
Swarm x
Over the next few months The Husband and I are planning a little re-vamp of our house: We bought it over ten years ago as two flats and have spent much of that time doing various pretty major structural projects whilst juggling two babies. Now it’s finally the time to give it a bit of a silky lustre and add those finishing touches – the fun bits I’ve been waiting oh-so-long-for – like finding a stained glass panel for the front door where the council security glass still remains..oh joy unbounded!
It means I’ve been spending far too long in our downstairs toilet where the old interior design mags live – I’m following the principal that if it’s old and I still like it, it’s passed the ‘test of time’ test with flying colours and will last forever more. It was in a 2011 edition of Elle Decoration I found a small article about the artist Leslie Oschmann which caught my eye – she uses old canvases to make bags or to cover vintage chairs before sealing them with protective lacquer..
I love her whole aesthetic..taking something and making it more beautiful and useful. Each piece exuding character and warmth. These chairs make my heart sing.
Leslie originally came from the States where she worked with Companies such as Anthropologie before she took a complete life-style change, moving to Amsterdam, buying a bike and starting her own studio Swarm.
‘I learnt that I needed to get back to touching objects, not just trying to display or sell them..I missed the tactile’
What she does epitomises everything I love and want to embrace – classic, timeless quirky ideas with a touch of age used with care to make something both practical and beautiful that serenely stands out.
Shouldn’t be too hard then………
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 