kitchen loving


As I posted about bathrooms the other day as I launched my new bathroom & kitchen pages on my blog, I thought it apt to chat about kitchens today. I spotted this gorgeous kitchen over on House Beautiful a couple of weeks back & fell totally in love with it so thought I just had to share the images. I adore the mix of cabinatery with the warm tones of the oak doors contrasting with the cool white & blue painted doors. It really brings this large kitchen to life & works well without being to much of a mishmash of colour. Its a very modern twist on the traditional style kitchen & the sleek stainless steel appliances really bring this style up to date. Its very homely feeling with the pots & pans hanging over the island unit & the traditional range cooker.


The butler sink keeps in touch with the traditional style of this kitchen, a must have for this look but teamed with a more modern style chrome plated tap instead of the commonly seen brass fixtures. The herb box positioned at the back of the taps is a lovely, homely touch.
The dresser unit is a stunning feature to the room in the beautiful blue painted cabinetry, its a real statement to the room & drawers your attention. I love this shade of blue. Everything about this kitchen is kept very sleek.

The natural oak plate rack is another stunning feature to the room with its beautifully carved pillasters. The choice of blue & white crockery again brings the colours in this kitchen all in together.

I do love the green glass, brick effect tiles. This style of tile is incredibly popular in the showroom right now for both kitchens & bathrooms. They look great in either a modern or traditional setting with their clean cut lines.

The stone flooring gives a very polished finish. The warm choice of colours completes this kitchen, bringing depth to the cool tones of white & blue in the cabinetry. 

Celebrity Bathrooms Sneek Peek

Firstly I wanted to thank Debby from over on http://inspireddecorating.blogspot.com/for my new page template & header, looks fabulous doesnt it? Well I have also been working on putting together two new extra page's to my new look blog over the past couple of days, one dedicated to bathroom ideas, tips & advice & the other on kitchens. I hope what I have put together has lots of useful content for you.  So now that the new page's are live I thought it would be fitting to post some inspirational bathroom images & theres nothing more intriguing than a celebrity pad or two. So heres a few from my favorites that I found recently over on Elle Decor. Lets have a little nose round now...... 
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This stunning master bathroom is that of filmaker Michael Bay from his Miami Beach home.
Its a beauifully designed open feeling space with etched-stone tiles & a cast concrete bathtub.
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I love actress Ellen Pompeo's master bathroom from her Hollywood Hills home. It has a distinctively rustic feel to this space with the beautiful antique terracotta floor tiles & the bamboo ladder. It is an inviting space with its fresh white walls contrasted against the wooden beams & the wooden shelving unit to house towels & accessories. The zinc garden stool is a wonderful finishing touch to this bathroom.
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The bold wallpaper in the powder room of actor Anthony Edwards from his Manhatten apartment he shares with Jeanine lobell, just oozes glamour & luxuary. It brings some drama to the basic pottery in this space.
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This bathroom is one of six at the Marrakeck guesthouse of Yves Saint Laurent. The tilework is simply exquisite. In an array of tranquil hues it gives the sense of an exotic spa.

So which is your favourite celebrity bathroom?
The detailed tilework in the bathroom of Yves Saint Laurent is remarkable it really does shout luxury. Its a fabulously designed space by Bill Willis who also designed the other five bedrooms in this house but I am rather liking the rustic elegance of actress Ellen Pompeo's bathroom. I think the simplicity here wins for me.

High Impact Hallways

Please welcome to guest blog once again the lovely Hannah from the writing branch.......

Photos from http://www.katyelliott.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/entryway-rustic-1009-de.jpg
 The entrance hall is often a place that in the home that is overlooked when it comes to decoration- but in reality, the small space speaks volumes to visitors, and ultimately hints as to what the rest of your home holds.
It’s so easy to bustle through the door when you get in from work and in my case, kick off my shoes, dump my bag on the floor, and throw the coat over the banister. When there’s more than one person living in the house, if we all act like that come home time, the hallway just ends up looking a mess.
So what can be done to make this underrated space more distinguished? Try using a huge mirror to deflect the sense of a claustrophobic or small space, the reflections of the mirror opens up the hallway giving a light and airy feel. Or, as an alternative, a column of art provides a talking point when someone steps through the door.
An extraverted floor always looks good. Victorian house often have beautiful tiles hidden beneath carpets, and black and white tiling really stands out against all-white walls.
An entrance table provides a focal point when you step through the door, but choose the table to suit the amount of space to avoid it looking too cramped. A chest of drawers provides a place for storage if you are lacking it other rooms, whilst a Demilune table is perfect for tight spots and gives a formal feel.
A bench offers a perch to drop off those items as soon as you enter and creates a homely, country feel. Add hooks above the bench for coats and dog leads, and if there is space below the bench, line up wellies and shoes. Alternatively, you can add wicker boxes or baskets underneath the bench for storage if you lack a coat closet.
The entrance hallway is where first impressions are made, so it is important to set a pleasant atmosphere. Create a fresh scent using candles or incense and put a vase of flowers on top of a table. Lighting defines a mood, so use a soft lamp or dimmers to create a sensual, warm feel.

Imagefrom http://livebreathedecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/blue-entryway-domino.jpg
Today's post has been writen by the talented Hannah Stewart from The Writing Branch
If you are intersted in Hannah writing an article for your blog or for newsletters or press releases you can find her on twitter The Writing Branch (writingbranch) on Twitter
or contact her via Email at thewritingbranch@gmail.com
The Writing Branch

Designer Carolyn Quatermaine



Lets take a look at the work of London based stylist & textile designer Carolyn Quatermaine, Maison et Objets Designer of the year 2008. Her style is a mix of silks & chiffons in beautiful pastle colours. She fuses together the romantic feel of vintage french inspired pieces with a modern vibrant approach.  All her work is cleverly hand painted often using 17th century calligraphy to write out random signs. She is both unique & interesting. She is a deigner that has been writen about many times but her work is so inspiring & adored that I wanted to share it again. She has studios in London, Belgium & France, & France clearly has a strong influence in her work. Her home in France (a former art gallery) has even been showcased in Vogue magazine.




 

Dreaming of Alfresco Dining



Talking on the subject of alfresco dining the last week has had me longing for some hot summer evenings. Its my partners birthday next month & I would love to get some of our friends together for a meal. Fine food & wine in good company, sitting outside late as the sun goes down as they do on the continent. I dream of pretty garden furniture scattered with luscious pillows, & of lantens, bunting & a garden full of beautiful flowers.  Although I am really pretty rubbish with plants. Gardening is one of those things I long to learn to do properly, yet another thing to put on my to-do list. Well its been a busy week for me & I am now officially moved in with my beau. Appologies for the short blogs at this time but I promise to be back & a little more attentive next week. I have been working on some additional pages for my blog so I hope to have them posted soon. Have a great weekend everyone I am off to bed my weary eyes can hardly keep themselves open :)


A Tranquil Escape

Ok so my week hasnt exactly gone well so far. As well as being full of a heavy cold & feeling pretty pants quite frankly. With so much packing to do with the house move which has been stressful enough my boiler decided to pack up days before the big move itself (rather infuriating considering the same thing happened back in February & I paid out a fair stash of cash back then on a new circuit board). If this wasnt enough yesterday I came into work to find out my bathroom suppliers had gone into liquidation & my bathroom order for next week isnt going to arrive. Thankfully with a mad panic a new distributor has luckily been found in the nick of time. You could say I am a girl close to the edge right now. Amid a house of boxes on the brink of being moved this weekend & still unsure of the fate of my boiler situation, I have the Furniture bank charity turning up in a couple of hours to take away some of the items that wont be making the move which will leave my house feeling rather empty. I woke up this morning for the last ever time in this house & I am slightly emotional at the move but excited about a new beginning. I would quite happily fast forward to next week when it is all over. I would like to completely escape right now & when I saw this image over on http://oliveaux.blogspot.com/ of this 300 year old palace courtyard, I thought this is were I want to be relaxing & unwinding.                
Oh well a girl can dream cant she. But for now I am not a girl to be beaten, armed with lemsip & some vicks inhaler I say 'BRING IT ON' 
I probably wont be posting for a few days with so much going on but the lovely Hannah from The writing Branch will be kindly stopping by with another fabulous post.  Hopefully things we will be back to normal for me next week. Have a great weekend all x

THE HEAT IS RISING

Welcome again today my guest blogger this week the lovely Hannah Stewart from The Writing Branch who has been kind enough to stop by with another post for us today. As I have previously posted the very talented Hannah has recently set up her own freelance company The Writing Branch. She is an English & American Literature graduate & has completed a NCTJ journalism qualification so it is a complete pleasure to have her here with us ..................


Gasps came from across the nation when temperatures soared to 31 degrees and we were told that it was hotter here in Blighty than it was on the Costa Del Sol- summer has started early this year, the heat is rising and it looks set to stay.
Of course like all normal Brits, the first thing we collectively seem to do is to fire up the barbie. And why not? The garden and the outside is the perfect place to relax and entertain- you don’t have to own acres of land in order to create the perfect atmospheric hub.
-Bright colours work really well together in the garden- try cobalt blues, lime greens and magenta pinks. Don’t be afraid of clashing colours- this is one part of your house that you can experiment in without the effects being an expensive mistake.
-You can really be playful with garden furniture, paint old pieces individual colours and have juxtaposing cushions to create a fun contrasting look.
-Use candles and lanterns for the perfect glow at dusk. Attach lanterns to trees or bamboo to frame around the garden. Or make your own lanterns by putting tea lights into recycled jam jars. Once the sun sets and the lights are flickering you’ll never want to leave the garden.
-Huge cushions and natural fabrics work really well in the heat. Throw Moroccan style cushions and it gives that old garden bench an instant update. Rugs and blankets are perfect draped on the backs of chairs for when it begins to get cooler- just remember to bring them in should it decide to rain!
-Not have the space for a garden? Do not fear- if you have a small courtyard you can put wooden boxes around the perimeter filled with garden herbs and small flowers. Once it turns to evening you will have the scent of lavender and jasmine filling the air.  

Posted by Hannah Stewart of thewritingbranch

Blackboards make a comeback

A very warm welcome to my guest blogger this week the lovely Hannah Stewart from thewritingbranch

Blackboards make a comeback…
They all remind us of days past in the school classroom before the wonder of interactive whiteboards came along- but blackboards are making a comeback, and not in a way you would initially expect. Ever thought of having a blackboard in your home? No, didn’t think so. But, you heard it here first; they are fast becoming the fashion focal point of homes across the country.
You can now purchase black paint, which you then layer onto a wall and take to graffiti-ing in the comfort of your own home. Here are a few suggestions to have the home accessory of the moment:
-Paint a single wall in your kitchen for people to write their shopping ingredients, recipes and messages between the family. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a focal point like this conveys the relationship between the family as you all add to it.
 -Create a column of paint to keep track of everyone’s height.
-Paint a child’s bedroom in it. Nevermore will there ever be a power struggle for keeping those magnolia walls clean because their child has defaced the wall with their ‘artistic talents’. They can draw away until their heart’s content with the chalk, wipe clean when bored, and start again.
-Paint an old pine table on the top as the black will stand out against bright tableware, and dinner guests can leave personal compliments on your great cooking!
 Look on Red Magazine’s living section on their top 10 ways to use blackboard paint, great tips and beautiful photgraphy: http://www.redonline.co.uk/living/10-best/10-best-ways-to-use-blackboard-paint

Posted by Hannah Stewart from  thewritingbranch

Spring table setting

All the pieces are from Rebecca Moses for macys.com.
Well after posting about that rather awesome outside kitchen the last week I figured I should be thinking about a table setting to match my dream out door lifestyle. This is just the perfect table scape for a spring lunch, styled by fashion designer Rebecca Moses. I love the mix of the polka dots & stripes ceramics & the pretty cotton napkins. The little white lanten is a definate must have for any spring/summer outdoor dinner table for those late evening alfresco meals.  Roll on summer & being able to sit outside when the sun goes down & sipping a glass or two of wine with friends. Although it feels so cold again today that summer feels a life time away. It doesnt help that I am completely full of cold & feel rather on the rough side. I have had to put the heating back on this afternoon & am now snuggled on the sofa having a bit of a break from packing boxes. I havnt got the time to be ill, I have the busiest week ahead, but isnt that always the way. Well enough moaning from me. I wont be blogging over the next hectic week & as I said in my last post the lovely Hannah from The Writing Branch will be guest blogging for me while I am away from blogland. Well no rest for the wicked as they say, I am off to pack more boxes, bye for now x

A moving date at last

Well my big move is apon me & all is a bit mental right now, my buyers have put forward a date for less than 2 weeks (yes that soon) & so panic has set in as a mad dash of packing & moving bits to Neils is about to commence. On top of this work seems extremely busy at the moment & time away from the office to pack isnt likely. The thought of having to box up the last 11 years of my life is already causing my blood pressure to sky rocket & my palms to sweet!!! I will be glad when it is all over with, although knowing that this is only a temporary move & we have to do all this again has the possiblity of tipping me over the edge. Well anyway finding time to blog in the next couple of weeks is going to be a little tough. But luckily for me the very lovely Hannah Stewart from The Writting Branch has been kind enough to step in & guest blog for me. Hannah has recently graduated with a degree in English and American Literature and has also gone on to do the NCTJ journalism qualification. She has recently set up her own freelance company The Writing Branch. Not only is she is a very talented writter but Hannah is also an incredibly lovely person to meet. After meeting her recently at a networking event we got chatting & later caught up over coffee. She is just the sweetest person & I am so excited about her guest blogging for me over the coming weeks. So I hope you will look after my guest when she stops by.





A taste of summertime

We all like to pop on the BBQ when the sun decides to make an appearnace (not that here in little old Blighty that seems to happen often) but imagining I was in hotter climates eating alfresco would be a must. Although I am not sure my poor little rickety BBQ could take much its certainly not meant for contined dinning & quite honestly theres only so many grilled burgers me & my waste line could bare. But this outdoor kitchen designed by landscape architect Kris Horiuchi in Nantucket, Massachusetts really is king of all outdoor entertaining.

Its equiped with a grill, cooktops, refrigerator, sink, & even a pizza oven so it really has got it all (I feel quite embarrassed about my wobbly little BBQ now). I mean seriously you would just be eating alfresco with your friends every night wouldnt you. The indoor kitchen would look like one from my showroom totally un cooked in & lived in!! I am a little bit envious right now I have to say. Although I am just wondering how on earth they have kept all that stainess steel so sparkling & finger print free? With children & a dog that sooooo would not be the case in my home. Mind you if I could aford an outside kitchen like this I am quite sure I wouldnt be doing the cleaning myself.


Selina Lake

 I recently found the etsy store of  freelance Interior & Lifestyle stylist selinalake  & fell totally in love with her store of goodies. Selina from London, has been working as a Stylist for the past 7 years on various photoshoots for magazines & catalogues, she is also the author of 'Romantic Style' and best selling 'Bazaar Style' Interior books. If that isnt enough you can also find Selina giving advice & inspiration on her blogpage http://selinalake.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/selinalake

A blue mood

 Blue Colors


All this talk of the sea & all thats neutical has left me feeling very blue....... ok that was corny I know, so lets move swiftly on! The cool & calming tones of blue are natural colours from the pale blue of the sky to the deepest blue of the sea. Mixing dark blue/navy with white like the image below gives the fresh, crisp, and nautical feel that I've been blogging about this week.

In some cultures blue is significant in religious beliefs, believed to bring peace or to keep away bad spirits. Deep royal blue is said to convey richness, to say someone is blueblooded means that they are of noble birth or even royalty. It is also said that blue represents love (as in something blue for a bride) but it can also be said to represent sadness & depression & in Iran it is known as the colour of mourning. The meaning of singing the blues in music is about melancholy words. Whether you love the pale tones of blue for a fresh vibe or pops of bright electric blue to bring a bit of fun to another colour pallette, blue is a colour you can use all year round. As I have already mentioned blue is a favourite for a neutical summer theme when its teamed with white but you can add pale blues with other pastles to make a spring look. Add a touch of blue to a hot firey red or vibrant orange colour pallette to cool things down. I love to mix it with soft browns, beiges or tans for a soft colour pallette.  I love aquas & duck egg blues mixed with earthy tones. But these neatical images have got me wanting to pack my bikini & jet off somewhere hot with clear blues skies & deep blue sea.


Image source- House Beautiful

Image source- House Beautiful
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Ditte Isager

Following on from my beach themed post the other day I was looking for some inspirational summer images with a strong influence of the sea & all thats neutical when I stumbled across the page of  photographer Ditte Isager who has been kind enough to let me share some of her pictures with you. These shots are simply stunning. Gorgeous fabrics spectacularly styled. I love the last shot & how the light sits on the wall making me think of the reflection of water. These pictures are so cleverly thought out.



 Ditte Isager was born and raised in Copenhagen Denmark but now lives in New York.  The style is simply Nordic, working with a contrast in materials, light, color and objects. Inspiration comes from the light in the Dutch masters, storytelling and effects from motion pictures and the style, character and layers of NY.
I just had to share her advert for West Elm below click & take a look. I love West Elm & this film captures thier products just perfectly. Spot the beautiful homewares which stand out for you?

Runaway Coast



Runaway Coast Homeware & Textiles - Runaway Coast
Runaway Coast was launched in May 2009. The majority of thier products are designed and made in the UK. Thier ranges include pretty bedlinens,  fabrics & wallpapers,  lampshades, homemade handwares, laundry bags & aprons,  as well as thier beach wares collection all inspired by the British coast. Thier popular giant splash proof cushion is ideal for the beach but without the sticky feeling of most waterproof fabrics this chunky cushion is made for comfort but is still practicle for outdoor living with its showerproof finish.


My favorite in the collection is the childrens British themed bed linen. This would be just prefect for my sons room. We have all seen the Brit inspired themes before but this has to come out tops for me. The bedlinen is a fun play on the normal British or beach themes mixing them together for a fresh modern look.


If your looking for something a little different then how about these cute vintage aprons with the lighthouse stripe design. I love these, Im rather liking vintage aprons at the moment & these designs are on my shopping list. Take a look at thier website for a full range of products
Runaway Coast Homeware & Textiles - Runaway Coast