Tagged: Interiors

A project x

There’s a project gaining traction, think space and do-ability: An office pod in the garden.  It’s been mooted before – it almost happened last year, but the husband was between jobs so it wasn’t the right time.  But the green light is now on to start thinking, planning and budgeting because I’ve worked out over the years, the more time you give to these three, the less it all costs because you work out whats important.  And what’s not.

The pod will need to be heated and although I love the romance of a proper stove, I believe in London, with concerns over air pollution and consideration to our neighbours, a cunning side step to an electric copy, like we did in the cellar will be the way to go: It will provide the visual representation, the heat, but none of the negatives.

Besides there’s always the joy of what goes round the stove..a small area to tile means flex in choice!

At present is a toss up between the modern approach of concrete tiles with large, dramatic patterns.

Or – and I was reminded of this option after seeing this picture of Alexandra Tolstoy’s cottage and splashback – a blue and white delft option.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if you could create your own? Pictures of coded memories??

(All pics Pinterest)

 

Decisions, decisions…

Laters, Kate x

Sofology x

The path to school, as we braved the elements on our bikes, was filled with slippery leaves and lashing rain today. Which is maybe why these huge, squishy sofas are twitching the desire nerve.

Also appealing is the flexibility: No front, no back, put them where you want, move them, change them, adapt, lounge, snuggle and abuse them.

The downside is you need a warehouse sized house to house them…but then that’s just part of the dream.

 

Sigh.

Laters, Kate x

Josef Frank

As winter creeps closer it seems that colour is saturating the eyeballs like a renaissance of the eighties.  It’s disappearance happened so gradually, a fading out, a dying down that it’s resurgence feels all the more powerful, poignant even.  Not that the cyclical power of trend should come as a surprise – the picture of the wallpaper above was designed by Josef Frank, who emigrated to Sweden in 1933, gaining citizenship in 1939 and became the most prestigious designer in the Stockholm design company Svenskt Tenn. New is never really new..

Whilst his furniture is classic of its time: clean lines, functionality.

It’s his fabrics and textiles that seem so forward thinking, modern and exciting.

(All pics Pinterest)

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks..

Laters, Kate x

Controlled Chaos x

I wrote a post two years ago suggesting a future trend would be a move away from co-ordination and conformity.  The essence of that idea is still seeping into everyday with more and more products either openly embracing individuality or encouraging flexibility of use and imagination.  Granby Workshop, in many ways represents the essence of this movement, as demonstrated by their vitrified ceramic tiles.

Each one is unique and marbled together by hand then sliced and flattened in a 60 tonne hydraulic press.

(All pics Pinterest and Granby Workshop)

 

They stand alone. Or live and breathe together in a wonderful, moving, homogenous whole.

I love.

Laters, Kate x

Bella’s room x

 


Bella’s bedroom has been painted, but that’s about it.  It means it’s at an ugly transition stage when it’s a hybrid of essential bits from the past and colours from the present are all colliding to create a visual clash of cultures.  There are still big decisions to be made: colours for the blinds, what colour to paint the bed, rugs to source, a new wardrobe.  But in the frantic hell that is the start of the September term, the pull for peace is outweighing all of this…this weekend we’re just going to paint some art for her room.  Together, with music and large cups of tea.  Nothing complicated, but hopefully bold and aiming for beautiful…these are our inspirations.

 

The idea is to hang them over the half wall line: There’s something so appealing when art hangs over a paint line.

No idea why.  But somethings in life you don’t need to question. Like tea and creating.

Laters, Kate x

Illusions x

It’s a mad old time at the moment – both kids starting new schools, husband working away from home during the week, scaffolding up, decorators in both inside and out. It does mean Bella’s room is finally being decorated – more on that later.  But making the final decisions in consultation with her has meant much pinning on Pinterest. First there’s been finding the line between what she wants now versus what I believe would stand the test of time and take her through her teenage years…an interesting discussion.  But there’s also been a feeling of walking between a real world and an imaginary one and reaching a point where the two seem to collide into a strange reality.  As we’ve both been pinning and sharing inspiration it’s become more and more obvious that what looks good isn’t always practical, and if it isn’t practical, does it deserve it’s title of good? Take the kids room above, an eclectic vision of white pepped with colour and texture.  But the ladder..why?

At first glance this is a minimalists wet dream with toys framed beautifully to catch the eye like tempting abstract art.  Except how can a child reach them? Stand on the rocking chair? Maybe borrow the ladder from the picture above?

Same problem here.  Except don’t you look at all of these and feel sorry for the kids? The toys are so carefully chosen and exceptionally curated, not because they’re fun to play with but because they’ll photograph well, give the right image..this is a sickness that is contagious..

Or else you’ll get the room where there aren’t any toys at all.  Because..well..playing is just so overrated isn’t it? Far better for kids to just to suck it up that they’re going adults and get used to it, perception over substance, pretence over truth, the new modern dream…maybe I need to go and live with the Amish..or not! But embracing what is beautiful and what is practical seems a basic, honest step…

 

Laters, Kate x

Swimming pools

so here’s the thing…I was meant to be in the UK this week, travelling out to Greece on Friday, but in one of those schisms of life I flew out a week early, even missing the England match, but not missing the London heat.

 

These were a selection of mouthwatering photos designed to pre-empt the summer dream…simple, elegant beauty that looks so edible it transcends man made and manufactured…….except now I just happen to be living the reality…

 

Laters, Kate

 

 

 

 

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