HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW When we bought our little house it was a run down cottage with bronze aluminium joinery. With our first extension we matched the existing joinery so as not to have to replace each window and door, little did we know that a few years on we would be adding another extension and then a complete interior renovation meaning all but one of the windows would end up being replaced. Had we known this we surely
Colour
Checkerboard Floors
CHECKERBOARD FLOORS Who remembers checkerboard floors? Originally dating back to the 1500s they became popular in the 1930s when lino was beginning to take over other flooring options for kitchens, then the 50’s, responsible for what we call retro today, and again the 90s heralded a bit of a resurgence of this classic black and white design. They always command respect and make you take notice, almost masculine in design they must have challenged the perception of who should
Colours of Autumn
You can tell Autumn is here when long sleeves in shades of russets are leaving the confines of your wardrobe. It means very shortly the scarves will be making an appearance and what better way to hang them but on a design original by Laura Carwardine . She had me in mind when she conceived this I’m sure; when nothing is on it its still makes a statement with its geometric patterns in brass plate finish. Thanks Umbra for supporting these designers to make just what we all
High Tea
HIGH TEA I love to plan a party. Not a big one, just a gathering, to me it beats dining out where trying to talk to everyone is almost impossible. No. Leave the outings for couple-time and plan your gatherings at home. I’m not the most gifted of cooks but I can throw together some Scones with Jam and Cream and Club Sandwiches aren’t exactly difficult. Coffee and Tea or perhaps a Gin and Tonic, either or, its a High Tea to be proud of. Creme and Caramel with a hint of Copper
CREME AND CARAMEL WITH A HINT OF COPPER Inevitably the seasons change and as they do they bring with them new colours and feelings. When Summer leaves, its cool whites and bright primary colours give way to the beige, caramel, russets and coppers of Autumn. Next comes Winter with its cool greys and blacks, darkest of greens and moody blues with rich golds sometimes making a surprise appearance in the mix. Spring then follows with is buttery yellows and pastels; minty How to add colour when you don’t love colour
I love colour! Yes its true; as long as those colours are Black, White or Grey! Black makes me feel protected, safe and strong; White makes me feel fresh and creative while Grey makes me feel calm. The perfect combo, however its good to add a few touches of other colours, and when your background is a neutral combination such as mine you can add whatever colours you like, and change those colours whenever you like. Pantone has release their
All Black…
A few years ago we added a pergola to one of our decked areas. The idea was to visually anchor the deck as previously I had always felt like I was sitting on a stage due to the expanse of lawn. At the same time we added gardens to the left and right of the stairs and planted matching flowering Cherry trees in both to help provide some shade in the summer without losing light in the winter. The pergola is
Its a small world
Some of us aren’t blessed with a home with large bedrooms, in fact most of the homes I frequent have dedicated that extra space to living areas leaving the bedrooms a modest size quite adequate for what they intended… a bed. And so often here we are trying to cram all manner of equipment into them and wonder why our sleep is less than enjoyable. After being asked to help with this tweens room after she took it
Tie-Dye Reunion
In my early teens I got a bit carried away with tie-dying. Almost every white item I owned got knotted up and went into a pot of purple dye – dare I say my favourite colour at the time, (I was also a wee bit in love with crochet shoes), but lets not talk about that; crochet rugs and blankets; YES, crochet shoes; NO! Well here I am, enamoured with a little wee bit of tie-dye again, perhaps
Fossick
FOSSICK verb rummage; search. I often forget about things I have bought or collected and put away. My attic is a treasure trove of hidden bits and bobs. And so when I get the urge to create something all I have to do is have a little fossick. This ‘back to nature’ themed vignette calls on a load of textural elements, simple succulents in various pots; twisty antlers and driftwood; a wee wooden bowl of shells and a little