Glorious Gardens

I am currently creating a new greeting card range and was researching garden images and came across this very pretty garden from housetohome. It just goes to show what you can do with a small plot, I love the slightly Moroccan feel with the tealy blues, but is still kept very English by the wonderful summerhouse. The contrast of textures is also really lovely and helps to break up the space.

(Image from housetohome)

I was also flicking through Living Etc and fell in love with this garden by fashion magazine editor Edwina Mccann. It is an inner courtyard created in the centre of her Sydney home so it slightly feels like a riad, an oasis in the middle of a modern home. Hy husband and I are house hunting at the moment and we both agreed whatever we end up buying we would really like a long built in bench like the one below. You could cover it in wonderfully bright cushions in the summer and with the foliage behind and wide french doors that lead on it, it makes it an extension of the living space. The only thing we need now is the Australian sunshine to make it work, oh well heres hoping for a barbecue summer!

(Image from Livingetc)

Livet Hemma 'Life at Home'

I was reading Decor8 this morning and Holly the editor had posted about Ikea's Inspiring blog: Livet Hemma. This site is full of inspiring images of Ikea products, some of which have been personalised in different finishes, in normal home set-ups amongst other furniture and vintage pieces. It is a great way to show that you don't just have to stick with what you buy. It is a nice alternative to their catalogues which just include their own furniture, this blog however shows how using a few Ikea pieces can really enhance an interior. As it's in Swedish if you type Livet Hemma into google it will translate the website for you into English. I'm lovin the flooring on the second image down, the monochrome palette means that the punchy red chairs really make a statement.

(All images from Livet Hemma)

Graham and Green Furniture

I recently received a catalogue from Graham and Green and absolutely fell in love with this scrubbed-pine Larkin chest. The draws are actually fake so it comprises of two drawers at the top and two large cupboards in the bottom, each with a single central shelf. On the website they have it listed under kitchen furniture but personally I would use it in an office or studio, Oh if only I had a studio to fill with such lovely things!

I also love the oversized Angelpoise style lamp!

Their Portobello cabinet is also very sweet and could be used in numerous rooms, so if you ever got bored one day you could switch it round. Available in Ivory, Soft Pink and Sea Green it would fit into most interiors, the Pink would add a pinch of kitsch fun to any room. The best furniture is always multi-purpose and with landfill sites filling up with unused items what great way of extending a pieces life-span.

The smooth curves on the Odyssey writing desk are beautiful, I just want to stroke it! does that sound weird? Based on an Italian 1940's design this dark oak wood stained desk would look equally at home in traditional or modern interiors.

(All images from Graham and Green)

Fabulous Fabrics!

I was reading the May issue of Living Etc and came across Harlequin's Anoushka collection of pretty fabrics, which draws its inspiration from Folklore influences. There is also a selection of co-ordinating wallpapers.

I particularly like the inky blue colourways below.

(Images from Harlequin)

Another great introduction into Designers Guilds already fantastic range of fabrics is Miami. This selection of fabrics just makes you think of all those elegant art deco hotels and buildings that you find in Miami. The bright colours just remind you of sunnier times and what better way to see in the start of spring/summer than to use these fabrics. I am in love with the Hayward sofa below in a mixture of at least 4 of the prints. Unfortunately my husband is 6 ft 5, which in some ways does have it's uses, but it also means we are restricted to higher back sofas, but a girl can at least dream!

(Images from Designers Guild)

Exhibitions

On the odd occasion when I get chance to go down to London for the day, I always try to see at least one exhibition. So I thought I would post about a few current and upcoming events that might be of interest.

(Image from The Royal Academy of Arts)

The first is 'Modern British Sculpture' at the Royal Academy of Arts. This is the first exhibition for 30 years which examines British sculpture of the twentieth century. It includes works by Jacob Epstein, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Anthony Caro and Damien Hirst. It's only running until 7th April so if you are visiting or live in London make sure you check it out. I particularly love Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, both have their own galleries/museums.

( Image from  Tate Hepworth Gallery)   

Hepworth's is in St Ives, Cornwall and if you are ever down that way for a holiday make sure you visit her old home/studio which is open to the public, her garden is particularly pretty and festooned with her works. The Hepworth Wakefield will also be opening on 21st May, celebrating the areas artistic legacy it will include 40 sculptures by Hepworth gifted by her estate, as well works by major contemporary artists. 

(Image from YSP)

Moore is displayed at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park West Bretton in West Yorkshire where you can experience his wonderful sculptures amoung the natural backdrop of the rolling Yorkshire landscape. You can also see his work at his home Perry Green and the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds.

(Image from Tate Modern)

From 5th April the Tate Modern is running a survey of Damien Hirst's work over the last twenty years. It will include works such as 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living' (1991) in which he suspended a shark in formaldehyde (as image above),  his pill cabinets and butterfly paintings. So if you are interest in the ever changing works of this contemporary artist get down to the Tate Modern.

(Image from Design Museum)

Along the river from the Tate Modern, The Design museum is currently running the Brit Insurance Design Awards 2011 until the 7th August. This is said to be 'the Oscars of the design world' showcasing the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world including architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product and transport. If you need to be inspired by people who think completely outside of the box check out this fab exhibition.

Super cute Grocery list notepad

Was recently looking at PaperCrave and saw a post about these lovely grocery list notepads by Inklosures, a paper goods company based in Richmond, Virginia.  Any product that makes the mundane everyday tasks more interesting is fine by me. These notepads have 36 lined sheets of 100% recycled paper with 9 different illustrations. They also have a magnet on the back so you can even jazz up the front of your fridge. It definitely beats rushing round trying to find a scrap of paper!

(Images from Inklosures)

It's on it's way

If you are a follower of this blog you will have probably realised I get very excited about anything to do with paper craft. Well I am even more excited today as I have just ordered a Silhouette SD machine from CraftsuLove. Jessica Jones who writes one of the blogs i regularly follow HowaboutOrange uses it on a regular basis for really cute projects, so I thought it was about time I got one myself. It will hopefully arrive tomorrow and then I can get started.

Clear Blue at A Creative Mint

I was scrolling through a few blogs looking for inspiration and came across this post from Leslie of A Creative Mint. She takes some wonderful photographs and her Clear Blue post particularly caught my eye. Now that the days are getting longer and slightly warmer, you can't help but start thinking about Spring. I would love a bathroom styled like the second photograph, it has a hint on morocco about it. So if you ever need some colour inspiration or even just cheering up on a dull day, take at look at Leslie's blog.

I love the idea of Polaroids, they just seem to suggest escapism more than a regular photograph. I'm quite tempted to reprint a few of my existing photos in a Polaroid format, there is a application you can download from Poladroid where you can drag and drop your photos to reformat them.

(Images from a creative mint)

What a weekend!

Well what a weekend it's been! After spending most of Friday night cleaning ready for the influx of people on Saturday. The weather was fantastic on Saturday, it was one of those perfect spring days where you don't have to wear a coat to keep away the cold, finally warmer days are here. My 30th party was a fantastic night, having fun with friends old and new was great. I probably did get a bit too tipsy, but hey you are only 30 once, right!

I was also very excited as I got to open my pressie from all my old school friends, for our thirtieths we had all decided to club together to buy something memorable. Mine had been sitting in it's large cardboard box in the dining room for over a week and even though I knew what it was I wasn't allowed to open it until they were all there. I think they found it a bit strange that I would ask for a chair for my birthday especially one with holes in it, all the other girls, so far, have had pretty bracelets as mementos. My thinking was that I would have this chair for the rest of my life so it would still make a great memory of turning 30, and it didn't dissapoint. The girls even commented on how comfortable it was. I'll post a image of it tomorrow.

Even though I have probably talked non stop about my birthday. I also just wanted to take a moment to think about the people of Japan, in particular those affected by the recent earthquake and following tsunami. It never fails to surprise me how much we are at the mercy of nature and that for all our technologically advancements an event like this is so devastating. More than 4,300 people have died in the disaster with many more injured and still missing and 440,000 people having had to leave their homes. The Red Cross has set up an appeal page and your donations will help the Japanese Red Cross response team who are working on the ground now providing first aid and emergency healthcare. It will also go towards helping the Japanese people recover in the coming months and years so please try and give generously.

Decorate Book Launch at Liberty in London

One of my favourite bloggers Holly Becker of Decor8 has created an interiors book called Decorate, see and earlier post here. Her UK book launch is taking place at Liberty in London on April 13th. 


At 6 p.m. she will be speaking to Liberty customers and anyone who is interested in discussing her book in the Heritage Room. If you wish to attend RSVP to libertyevents@liberty.co.uk with Decorate Talk in the subject line. 


Then at 7 p.m. Holly has invited two of the book contributors, Stylists Sania Pell and Leslie Shewring to join her on a styling demonstration in the Liberty Dining Room, where they will lay a table with products available at liberty, followed by a book signing. Please RSVP to libertyevents@liberty.co.uk with Decorate Demo/Signing in the subject line.


There are limited spaces for this event so if you are a fellow interiors enthusiast or even a blogger who would like to gain inspiration from a very talented author get signed up now.

(Image from Decor8)

The Big 30!

Well it's official as of yesterday I am now officially thirty years or age. I don't feel particularly different but I am going to miss the fact that I am not a girl in my twenties but a woman in my thirties, that sounds far too grown up for me!

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday. Mum and I went to a local spa (Clarice House) for the day where we had a facial, manicure and full body massage each, it was seriously relaxing. The food was fantastic, we both had the venison. I'm hoping my manicure lasts until my party on Saturday but knowing my luck it'll chip before then.

From all the generous cheques my friends and family have sent I will now be able to order the Silhouette machine so I can get crafting A.S.A.P, which I am very excited about. I must not forget to mention my Husband's fabulous gift of a Coral party frock from French Connection, I'll add some photos soon.

But the best news is yet to come..... If you are a regular reader of this blog you have probably realised that I have a slight obsession with Ercol furniture, in particular a certain Love seat. Well to my surprise mum had managed to find one on Ebay at a very decent price and bought it as a 30th present. It was delivered by my brother yesterday and looks sooooooo beautiful, I've spent pretty much most of the time just staring at it. So a big thank you goes out to my wonderful mum for her very generous gift.

My husband has always wanted a bench as part of the seating at for the dining table so I always said it would have to be a love seat, it looks so good with the Ercol table and chairs, and the Eames DSR chair. So now I have just one space to fill, more about that next week.......

Monogrammed Stationery

I was looking through some of my fave websites and found these lovely Monogrammed Note and Calling cards from the people at Rifle Paper Co. You can completely customise your order by choosing the font and colour.

They also do these wonderful pencil note cards which can again personalised with your name and choice of colour.

These Dog Note/Calling cards are also very cute. You can choose from a Scottish Terrier, Shaggy Dog, Airedale Terrier and a Boston Terrier illustration (I think they must like Terriers, but then who doesn't). Then personalise with your name in a choice of font and colour. I very rarely send notes but I am tempted just so I've got an excuse to buy these cards.

(All images from Rifle Paper Co)