11 Jan 2012

Tine K Spring/summer collection.

Personally I quite like this time of year, what with the old year behind, and the new one stretched out in front of me, then there is the anticipation of spring just around the corner - I love the spring (I spotted daffodils growing this morning as I drove my Daughter to work) and at this time of year there is also the anticipation of the Spring/Summer collections for the home that start to appear, and the fun of picking out new things to add to my mine

The Spring/Summer 'Pure' collection for 2012 by Tine K certainly looks lovely, the colour palette this year looks light and airy, with pale pinks and blues, taupe's and graphite blacks. Sadly I don't have anywhere local (apart form Guernsey) that sells the collection, but I always feel inspired by the styling and photography produced by the team at Tine K.

I love this little collection above, what is it about a tray of bits and bobs... and string, I'm drawn to string - string and note books...

All Images Tine K home Spring/Summer 2012

4 Jan 2012

I finally painted that dresser!

Hello folks, how are you all after the Holidays, slowly getting back to normal? yes me too, that feeling of not knowing what day it is or wondering which shops are open to get that emergency pint of milk from, has past and guess what, we are at the starting point of a brand new year again! Has your new year got off to a good start, are you planning anything new?

After a little holiday house sitting for friends I finally got that dresser painted! yeah! and I have to say I'm more than pleased with my pot of Annie Sloan paint and clear wax that I used to paint it with. After much deliberating over should I or should't I paint it, I bit the bullet and went with my gut feeling and painted it. I'm so glad I did, it looks so much better don't you think?

After

Before

The surface of the dresser was a bit of a mess, before it came to us I think it had lived in garage for a while and had some staining on the work top surface, and peeling varnish, so I gave it a good sand down and then painted two coats of Annie Sloan Old white all over, one coat of Graphite on the work top area, and just finished off with a coat of Annie Sloan clear wax.

All that I need now are some new handles to finish it off, I spotted some a while back at my local garden centre but unfortunately they now don't have enough of them, so am now looking at the Bombay Duck site as they have a good selection to choose from, here are the main contenders below which I think might go well, but there are a whole lot more to choose from if you want to take a look here. But from the ones that I have picked out below which ones do you think would look the best, because I can't decide...

Images of handles Bombay Duck

10 Dec 2011

Black, white and purple.

Generally speaking purple isn't one of my favourite colours, I prefer it to be more on the berry side with more pink in, but when I spotted these pictures recently over one Stylizimo blog, well they stopped me in my tracks, and actually I really like the purple teamed with black and white with the natural warming touches from wood. With just a few purple accessories it really warms the space up, although to be honest its pretty much a fab space anyway.

Images from Fermina.dk

Yes this space is really inspiring me, and I'm already thinking of maybe adding some curtains in purple to my own living room, to help make it feel snugger for the winter.

2 Dec 2011

Work/office space.

Well folks my interior design course that I have been taking is drawing to a close, and I have until next Wednesday evening to finish pulling my sample boards and class presentation together, and if this course has taught me anything, it is that a well organised work space is key to a well organised and productive out come.

Not having space to be able to work on my boards has been a real head ache for me, you will not believe how creating a couple of interior design schemes can take over your life, and as I'm not the most organised person in the world, its meant many an evening with the living room floor covered in magazine clippings, catalogues, brochures, and boards, even my tutor pushes two tables together when she see's me heading into class! .

So I have been taking a look around the Blogsphere and on Pinterest to see if I can spot some lovely working spaces to be envious of, and while I'm at it, I have put together a list of tips for the home office and productive working that I wish I had put into action before staring my course...we live and learn folks...

1. Try to keep your work space away from other distractions such the TV. family, pets.etc
2. If you can, get a nice long table/desk such as trellis table,
I love the Ikea ones, practical and good looking too.
3. Allow plenty of space for various jobs such as cutting and gluing.
4. Have your tools close to hand so that you
are not continually looking for things.
5. Have adequate storage, for all that you need.
6. Good lighting, natural is best but for the evening use good over head and task lighting.

Bodie and Fou

7. Take regular breaks, you will probably function better then
burning the midnight oil and trying to get something done all at once.
8. A tidy space is a tidy mind, therefore more productive.
9. Are you sitting comfortably, get a well supportive seat.
10. Treat your self with something nice,
personally I find burning a scented candle helps keep me calm when up against the dead line!

Blog Stylizimo

Well I hope you enjoyed those few tips one being organised, now I'm just off to burn some candles and take a few deep breaths before I head back to my story/sample boards...

30 Nov 2011

Stags

Having a stags head adorn the walls of your home has become ever more popular in the last few years, such as the animal friendly plaster Deer head from Nordic Bliss, or a beautiful print from Bodie and Fou, both of which I love. Which of these would be your favourite?