Decorate, it's here!

Images from Decor8 and Amazon

I have previously blogged about a fantastic book Decorate created by Holly Becker of Decor8 fame. It's an inspirational book crammed full of ideas for the home, and thankfully unlike other books it makes sense of a world that often scares people, by looking at your home creatively.

Well I have finally got my own copy and it is a truly beautiful book, with hundreds of interior images. I think I would like to use every idea somewhere in my new house. That's probably not possible but I might give it a damn good try!

The book explains about planning your space, use of colour and decorative pieces and even how to make statements of your favourite pieces of furniture or architectural features you have in your home. I can't wait to get started on using it.

So if you fancy an interiors book with a difference check it out.

A wonderful weekend back home!

I hope you all had a good weekend, even if the british summer has officially ended!

My husband and I spent the weekend with old school friends in my old stomping ground of Rutland and Lincolnshire. On Sunday we cycled round Rutland Water, a man-made reservoir near Oakham. The full route is 23 miles including the Hambleton peninsula so we just did the 17 mile route round the main reservoir. Of course, stopping at a few pubs on the way round.

Image from Hambleton Hall

If you are ever in that area it's well worth a look, even if it's just for a picnic or to walk the dog. If you do the cycle ride, make sure you stop in the beautiful village of Hambleton and either have a drink at The Finch's Arms or if you fancy something smarter, check out Hambleton Hall (this is where we got married so I love revisiting it).

Image from Hambleton Hall

Then on Monday my husband was taking part in a 10K multi terrain race on the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle. A couple of friends came along with their beautiful Beagle Bella and we pottered around the Grimsthorpe festival for the rest of day easting Ostrich burgers and fantastic home-made fudge and cakes. So much for diet!

Image from Grimsthorpe Castle

Orla Kiely Charity Bag for Tesco

Back in December I had posted about the Orla Kiely shopping bags sold in aid of Clic Sargent at Tesco stores. Well I finally managed to get my hands on not one but two of the designs. My friend Mel who lives in Somerset managed to get them in her local Tesco, for some reason I could never find them up this way. As far I know these are the designs that have been released so far.

Inkodye

I was reading Jessica's How about Orange blog this morning and saw her most recent post about Inkodye, a light-sensitive dye for textiles, wood and leather. They had sent her a sample of this brilliant and she decided to test it out. It's a bit like Batik but much easier and less messy (I seem to remember getting wax everywhere when I did it at school)

You simply brush it on evenly with a foam brush onto your fabric of choice (has to be a natural fibre). You then place items/shapes of your choice on top of the fabric and lay it in the sun for 5-6 minutes. The colour will deepen and where you have placed the shapes will remain bleached out. Immediately after removing the shapes from the fabric, to avoid the dye under the shapes from developing, rinse the fabric in the sink and wash with fabric detergent.

Below are a few images of her test, for more examples of how Inkodye can be used check out the website here.

All images from How about Orange

M&S and Conran

I was thrilled to hear about the recent collaboration between Conran and Marks and Spencer. Over recent years M&S has been trying to improve it's homewares offering, making it more modern and contemporary so this collection makes complete sense.

Images from Marks and Spencer

An exclusive preview collection is available from mid-September. It will include everything from rugs to the sofa pictured above in classic mid-century hues and timeless shapes, making them collectors items for the future. I recently bought the Ideal Home magazine and it included a free M&S catalogue containing the rest of the collection, so go take a look!

Trip to Dorset

I apologise for not posting this last week but my husband and I were taking a much needed break in Dorset. It's been a bit of a stressful few weeks for us both. As I posted a while back we were supposed to have exchanged and completed on our first house purchase about a month ago. Unfortunately the tenants have refused to move out so the owners are currently taking legal action to evict them but it could take up to the end of October to finally get them out. So all our big plans and furniture purchases were a bit presumptuous. The other bummer was that we'd given notice on our rented house and they had already got someone lined up to move in, so 3 weeks back we had to move, put all of our belongings into storage and decamp to my husband's parents. On paper our house purchase should have been simple, first time buyers, no chain but the legal system is so upside down that they give more rights to people who don't even own.

Anyway enough of my rant!

If you are planning any trips down to Dorset then I suggest you check out the Bindon Bottom Bed and Breakfast in Lulworth Cove. It is the most spectacular location and only a mile walk Durdle Door along the Jurassic Coast.

Bindon Bottom B&B

Durdle Door

We stayed in the Keats room, it was lovely and cosy with a fantastic view of the rolling hills. It was the attention to detail that was so nice, handmade truffles by the bed, neals yard toiletries, organic cotton robes and a fantastic breakfast. Even when I asked for some Soya Milk at breakfast it was no trouble for  the wonderful hosts Lisa and Clive. 

Keats Room

View from Keats Room

(All images from Bindon Bottom B&B)

Church Street Gallery, Saffron Walden

I took a trip to Saffron Walden on Saturday with my sister-in-law. It's been a few years since I had last been so I was pleasantly surprised in the choice of shops. One of my favourites was the Church Street Gallery a fantastic shop full of local artists work including many prints at very affordable prices. They feature artists such as Angie Lewin, showcasing her fabrics, cards and cushions.

(Image from Church Street Gallery)

I also particularly liked the Multiple and single block lino cuts by Fiona Carver shown below.

Images from Fiona Carver

I actually ended up buying this lovely Red linoprint by Zoe Badger titled 'Endless Love' for my husband's birthday, well in truth, it's more for the house but I'm sure he'll appreciate the sentiment.

Check out more of her work on Folksy, I'm also loving her Flower Power and Bookcase Linoprints.

Images from Zebedee on Folksy

New Orla Kiely EVOKE Mio Radio

Regular readers will realise I have a mild obsession with all things Orla Kiely. I am in the process of trying to stop myself buying everything I see in her prints but today I spotted her new EVOKE Mio Radio and my best laid plans were dashed to pieces. Isn't it just beautiful! I had previously posted about the Multi colourway here but since they introduced this blue version I'm smitten.

Image from decor8

Image from Orla Kiely

Let me know what you think, which version do you prefer? and if there is anyone out there who already has one maybe share a photo of it in your interior.

Apologies

Apologies for not posting recently I was a bit busy being Maid of Honour to my best friend from school on Sunday. I have been a bit preoccupied with Table plans and general bridesmaid duties. IT was all worth it though as she looked amazing and the happy couple both looked .... well very happy!

I will hopefully be back in full swing soon.

Thanks for your patience.

Rifle Paper Co

I have previously posted about the joyful products from Rifle Paper Co here. I was recently reading Paper Crave and noticed that Rifle have come up with some more glorious card designs including this Birthday Candles Card.

I am also in awe of these Girlie Dog Cards set, they are so adorable that I wouldn't want to send them to anyone else and just keep them for myself.

There Assorted Hello Cards are also great, the monochrome and gold work exceptionally well. These are the kind of designs that inspire me and I wish I just had more time to create more myself.

The Gold Floral Thank You Card is a tropical treat, it makes you think of far flung exotic places, instead I'm sitting watching the rain pelt down in England. Oh Well, I can dream!

All Images from Rifle Paper Co

Bluebellgray Sample Sale

If you liked the look of the wonderful designs from Bluebellgray on my post on the 5th May then check out there sample sale of cushions. They are all roughly half price, I'm thinking about Big Rose or Secret Garden design or I might just wait until her fabric is available to order. But check it out!

Block Printed Cards

I was browsing one of my fave blogs Paper Crave and came across this post about Katharine Watson's Block Printed Cards. The designs are apparently inspired by Indian textiles and folk arts and include textiles, journals and block printed cards. Each card is individually printed using a hand-carved linoleum block and the detail she creates is amazing. You can buy her products on her etsy shop here.

Images from Katharine Watson

(Images from Paper Crave)