Something of the Sublime

Such a stunning Spring day here in Cornwall, so I have set my sights firmly out of the window. We recently replaced our decking, it looks gorgeous but all very new, hoping to bed it in with planting very soon. I have been seeking a feel, rather than I look for my inspiration today. Let’s consider the great outdoors, the calm, the colours and the harmony you get when design sits comfortably next to nature.

So lovely, the vibrant green just breathes life. I love the structure, modern but far from imposing, sits happily amongst the trees.

This outdoor room is the kind of thing I am after for my space. I love the flooring, not grass as such but little patches of green pushing through between the sleepers.

Soft planting and hazy grasses hug this bench nicely.

This planting reminds of Ives Saint Laurent’s garden in Morocco, that really was an oasis on a hot day!

How wonderful, outdoor play that’s shower proof. This little abode I recon would have grownups jealous!

Silvery blue planting and a tactile walkway.

This dappled haven is fashion designer Elie Saab’s home in Beirut.

This has all that English country orchard vibe, bathed in the golden evening light

Lovely lanterns and rugs make this feel very cosy. I have a gorgeous outdoor rug made from recycled plastic bottles, in a vibrant green, just love it.

Misty mornings, a gentle stroll through the colourful borders would be good for the soul.

Oh if I only I could! Just add a paperback, cocktail and a gentle breeze.

Outdoor dining – simple, rustic and very tempting.

I might be getting ahead of myself, after all this is still March! But I am feeling those warm sunny vibes. Thank you for stoping by.

Following the Curve

Today I am all about that smooth rise and fall, enjoying arches inside and out. There is something quite peaceful about the arch, how it gently leads the eye to a view beyond. How light and shade add another dimension to a space. Here we celebrate the organic shape, and those using it to its full potential.

A real sense of calm here as tactile concrete captures the shade.

This image might be make believe but what wonderful harmony, and such a clever render. I really want to dip my toe in the pool and watch the ripples go forth.

Earthy-red, a former cement works makes a show-stopping home.

Such height! Such drama!

Wow, how powerful, love the rust tones and how the concertina of arches seem to takes strides down the path!

Tactile texture gives dimension to this single coloured artwork.

A perfectly executed ceiling. Walls rise and fall like waves.

Such an interesting space, and such pleasingly tall doors.

This amazing structure is a kiln works in China, the interior is just as striking.

There is plenty to draw my eye in this interior, but those French doors are sublime.

Come sit a while, in an alcove sunken into the very fibre of a building.

Peering to the view beyond.

An arched wall decal gives an exotic feel to a humble white space.

Palm trees framed by immaculate arches

Curves echo around the room

There we have it, I hope you have enjoyed our curvaceous blog story.

A World of Options at the End of the Bed

I guess in my home I have the rather traditional option, the blanket box. At the foot of my metal bed I have a white woven vintage blanket box that is actually filled with memories, sketch books and photos. On top is a hat box stuffed with silk scarves and a 1960s red vintage weekend case packed with belts and gloves. It’s a handy spot, I tend to pile things to sort on less tidy days. An invaluable space. Today though I got to thinking what other ideas might be ‘out there’. Here are a 15 of my favourite…

1) What a peaceful space, a lovely bench as well. You could perch on here to strap on your sandals before you head out for the day. Brilliant if space is at a premium.

2) A little seating area seems a lovely suggestion. These chairs are so bedroom friendly, positively cuddly!

3) What a lovely space, that velvet couch feels like all it needs is a glass of rosé.

4) Could be handy in a rented place, if you can’t but shelves on walls, this end of the bed bench is packed with books. Convenient if you’re a late night reader, like me.

5) Low is the way to go if you don’t want to distract the eye, and my, what a cosy couch.

6) Or perhaps a bed for the dog? This is a rather grand one. But would you manage to get man’s best friend to stay here, and not on your bed, that’s my question!

7) If you have a multitude of kids, this could be a great idea, treasure troves of personal keepsakes kept right at the end of the bed. Fab toy storage too, helping everything look shipshape.

8) A chest of draws or two would work well, displaying a piece of sculpture at the end would really depend on how confident you are that you’re not a footballer in your sleep!

9) What an elegant space. This room is actually in a rather posh hotel but the rattan weaves would work just as well at home. The bench here, ideal for luggage, could house folded blankets, hat boxes or tomorrows clothes in its domestic setting.

10) I think I picked this one mainly because I love that couch!

11) Quite a smart idea, hide your TV in a unit at the end of the bed. I don’t have one in my room, there has to be some way to stop me binging those boxsets!

12) A tranquil space with his and her chairs at the foot of the bed. Love the styling, and the huge plant.

13) A brilliant bench, it sits at what seems like the foot of the clouds! A Texan bed and breakfast creates a contemporary space with a hint of rustic charm.

14) Cleverly upholstered in the same pink velvet, a day bed matches perfectly with the regal double it snuggles against.

15) Slouchy leather brings warmth to this room, an ideal sofa to snuggle on with a glossy magazine or engrossing paperback.

And there you have it, 15 solutions to the foot of the bed conundrum.

Not Your Standard Lamp

Hello, lovely to be back, what a year! Today I thought I would bring some light with a look at alternative standard lamps. I’ve gone for a modern slant this time, though the one in my own house is pretty ‘Grandmother’s attic’ in style.

Neglected corners are all a glow with this lamp. Simple but effective.

Ordinarily I think something like this would look over-engineered, fussy, but I quite like this fella. The olive green curved panels have a feel of Art Nouveau railway stations and film noirs.

Love the colourful cord, a playful but confident design.

Elegant folds are lit in such a way as to capture a moment.

As simple as two discs, this standard lamp is minimal elegance.

Love this, a place for your plants as well as a striking lamp. Fab for when you want to make a statement but you have limited space.

Such drama! The glossy black bud triumphantly pushing heavenward.

What a curious pair.

A touch of brass and marble to glam up your parlour.

Quite architectural, this black vertical light cuts a clean silhouette.

They you have it, standard lamps that own the corner they are placed in!

It’s About Texture

Welcome to 2021, and our first blog story of the year! Today I am thinking about texture, but in particular the ribbed, the curved, the undulating and those grooves. From walls wrapped in wood to Deco inspired velvet chairs, positively springing with curve appeal and stroke-ability. Let’s begin…

Reminding me of those chunky cords I used to have as an 1980s kid, this apple green seat was the first to catch my eye.

The texture in this room is proper joyous, an absence of colour allows the light and shadow to define the space. Actually a CGI visualisation!

Don’t you just want to run your fingers all over it? The panels of wood are given depth by its carved grooves. A touch of brass never hurts either.

Remarkably simple, there’s something of the marshmallow about this seat (remember Flumps?)

Textured wood panelling seems to be all the rage. I love this poster paint blue that provides drama to the minimalist aesthetic.

Constructed from what seems to be giant green velvet tubes, love the tactile nature of this sofa.

The vertical lined freeze for this calming room has an Egyptian feel. I do love this kind of texture in a white space.

Truly hidden storage but with no compromise on style. A mysterious fluted pantry.

A Palm Springs inspired tubular head rest in a calming clay.

This shade of green makes me think of my Nan, she decorated her home in soft green and dark wood. Like a verdant leaf the variegated wall curves to meet us.

Inverted grooves here provide light and shade.

Soft green velvet covers the Studio 54 Occasional Chair.

This over-sized headboard fills the space. The vertical lines echo in a more delicate form up the walls and a bedside table complements the linear theme.

The wonderful warmth wood brings to the home, living here would feel like being embraced by a hot chocolate!

Something a little different, the crispness of marble provides our vertical struts here.

This chair has energy and travel, there’s something of the rainbow or sunbeam about it. Chunky and tufted in a reassuring coral. lovely.

That’s it for now, I hope this has inspired you to embrace those grooves.

Pendant Lights

There are so many gorgeous pendant lights available at the moment, oh if I had the space and the budget! From shimmering copper tones to humble rattan, the avant garde to the DIY. Follow me as we trip the light fantastic…

1) Solid, angular and contrasting, these lights would provide drama in a minimal space.

2) A hint of Arabia, these pendents glow from within.

3) Love the homely rattan in this natural pendant. The black cable brings that modern touch.

4) Well, this is fun! Reminds me a little of a tumble dryer flute but I like the simple knot and the warm glow. A conversation piece for sure.

5) Elegant and sculptural, this florescent squiggle reminds me of a light bulb filament.

6) A pleasing mix of woven rattan and chalky shades rimmed in black.

7) A pearlescent layered shade that adds a touch of Art Deco glam.

8) Right now, these I am completely in love with, my next craft project I think. Colour blocking with yarn in the most pleasing of geometric shapes.

9) Rather gothic but certainly effective! Black mesh netting surrounds the light bulb like a cloud of starlings at dusk.

10) Suspended like snowdrops these Scandinavian pendants are quite captivating.

11) The criss cross design on this pendent disperses light beautifully.

12) Satisfyingly solid these partly painted wooden lights have a lovely finish.

13) Ombre smoked glass spheres emit a warming glow.

14) Like drooping petals heavy with dew, this shades cascade beautifully.

15) Reminiscent of 1970s wooden beaded necklaces or perhaps giant pepper grinders! Love the contrast of light and dark.

16) Polished natural wood combines with muted colours to create a definite Scandi vibe.

17) I like the lines of this triangular pendant, there’s a confidence and certainty. Drawn with precision.

18) Wonderfully simple, the yellow wool shade is as elegant as it is bold.

19) Ribbed green glass with a touch of brass makes a classic pendant light.

20) Such drama! Love the iridescent green against the forest-dark walls.

21) Earthy tones for these angular pendants.

22) Naturalistic and elegant, this pendant light delicately hovers from the ceiling.

23) Definite Pop Art vibes with this black and white graphic pendant.

And there you have it, some really gorgeous lights to brighten your day!

Tempting Tiles

There is so much to recommend the ancient wall-covering that is the tile. Stroke-able texture, warming hues but cool underfoot. Wipeable splash-backs that finish off the heart of the home to a tee. These are some, 23 to be exact, that I have taken a fancy too…

1. We start with light and shade, I just want to run my fingers all over them!

2. The most classy of mosaics is actually a digital work by Nick Misani, wish it was real though!

3. A touch of gold and marble make a rather grand splash-back.

4. These deep blue tiles have some Klimt-esque highlights.

5. Keeping it moody blue, I am loving these brick shaped tiles in deep lagoon hues.

6. These diddy tiles are adorable, allowing plenty of grout to show makes for more of a wiggly pattern.

7. The simplicity of line, always draws me in.

8. There’s that stroke-able texture again, beautifully linear in design, and a subtle glaze.

9. Perfectly hap-hazard and quite endearing.

10. A little floral fancy.

11. There is something of an Art Deco summer feel about these cool blue and white tiles.

12. Lovely light green glossy tiles, reminds me of a shimmering lagoon.

13. Perhaps more a work of art, no straight lines in sight but I love how this ensemble is both lively and calming.

14. Beautiful light-capturing texture.

15. A selection of natural shades with rough, earthy textures.

16. Those brick tiles again! As beautiful as precious gems!

17. Something quite elegant now, white tiles in such a pretty shape.

18. I love this combination of colours, and such a high-gloss finish too.

19. An intricate herringbone pattern makes an impressive kitchen splash-back.

20. Ribbed dark green glazed tiles add depth to a crisp white kitchen.

21. Horizontal white tiles work perfectly in this minimal space.

22. Screen printed tiles which ‘spark joy’.

23. Finally, some really tiny herringbone white tiles which look supremely satisfying!

Enjoy!

30 Examples of Connected Buildings

I am a graphic designer, that is my day job and my joy but I get so much inspiration from architecture. I just find buildings beautiful, so awe-inspiring and so peaceful. I think I have inherited that from my dad, a civil engineer who always loved pointing out what in turn captivated him. When I was little he worked in London’s Canary Wharf sky scraper which was especially tall and it was pretty mind-blowing zooming up it in the glass lift as a 10 year old. From water towers to bridges, dad always pointed out the beauty everywhere we went. Our little Hampshire village neighboured a grand Georgian crumbling mansion, unoccupied, that we could roam around to our hearts content. Plenty of food for the imagination. The Victorian farmer’s cottage we called home was often the subject of my drawings, the windows with their pointy hats and little embellishments were my muse. We lived in a few counties before settling in Cornwall and I think I have always had a real appreciation for the different style buildings that surrounded me. Especially love when architects find ingenious ways to update, expand and transform pieces of history into happy homes.

Today I thought it might be fun to look at links – how buildings connect. Glass seems to be the favoured material and there are some real clever ideas, thirty to be precise. Plenty to inspire!

1) Let’s start simple, a slither of glass joins these two stone buildings filling the space with light.

2) Light streams into this glasshouse-like corridor.

3) A dining room with a difference. Two solid stone structures are joined by a well windowed dining room.

4) This place plays with your perception, the woman walks level with trees in a raised walkway whilst an outdoor living room sits below. All set against an autumnal woodland landscape.

5) A perfect way to link old and new, darkly framed glass houses the entry and stairway.

6) Love this, the sliding glass doors reveal the sculptural trees behind. A wonderful way to link to solid buildings.

7) Speaking of views, the glass here allows minimal disruption and provides a glimpse of the sea and sky beyond.

8) A glass passageway here blurs the lines between outside and in.

9) I like the way this home is designed with the different aspects and roof line. The little entryway holds the two dwellings together.

10) Really just a visual link rather than a corridor but I like how this modern porch creates shelter and joins these two building together.

11) The glass here below provide connection between two quite different materials.

12) This hefty piece of architecture is rather beautiful. The weathered steel and glass looms above the walkway.

13) Such a beautiful situation, the glass corridor connects the inside to an impressive landscape.

14) Two dark cladded buildings are connected by a white entryway.

15) More wonderful trees! They weave round this giant building, opened to light by a glass raised walkway.

16) Chunky wood frames glass linking two stone buildings. (I do wonder what that roof sounds like in hail!)

17) Well this is simply crazy! A glass swimming pool means you could technically swim to your neighbours next door.

18) How to make the most of a view, a living room and balcony that I could waste many an hour in.

19) A little shelter from the elements, a glass pitched roof follows the pattern of the neighbouring buildings.

20) Loving the contrast between crisp white and a floating brown framed corridor.

21) This one is actually from a Spanish house I shared on another blog of mine, Design Debate. Beautiful use of materials.

22) That’s one way to join old and new when adding an extension. Floor to ceiling windows allow a full slither of light.

23) The snow adds a whole other dimension, a very pointy roof and a raised glass walkway.

24) Golden light brings this entrance to life, sandwiched between two giant brick buildings.

25) This sturdy glass and iron sitting room bridges the gap between two stone structures.

26) Light pours in from this glass link entrance.

27) I like how the glass box linking the dwellings here is just slightly set in.

28) This wooden framed glass entrance allows views of the countryside beyond.

29) This artist impression perfectly communicates the beacon of light created by the slither of glass in a snowy landscape.

30) Grey stone cottages, tiny in size but united by glass, expanding their potential.

Wow, thirty examples of links in architecture. Just beautiful!

Add Some Bling to Your Doors

I was thinking today about first impressions, when it comes to our homes that means the front door. There is so much potential with doors, from colour, style, material to the hardware that adorns it. Door knobs, knockers and letterboxes can all make a statement. Be that welcoming, austere or flashy!

Lovely, taken from the Farrow and Ball Instagram, this door had me at hello.

I learnt a new word today, escutcheons. A more eloquent way of saying door hardware! This one below is beautifully intricate.

There’s a brilliant company we’ve worked with who create architectural hardware, they actually supply a lot of the fixtures and fittings for the National Trust, the charity that looks after our historic houses in the UK. Bromleighs are great for something a little different, especially authentic period touches, they even do Bakelite switches!

Clean classic lines, this would sit perfectly on the door of a modern or traditional home.

I do have a soft spot for pineapples!

I like the minimal nature of this door handle, so pleasing to behold.

This is unusual, ideal for a beekeeper or perhaps a flower filled English county cottage.

Quite a fabulous finger plate, set against a really fiery red.

A bird knocker to announce your guest in full avian style.

Just a few of the door ornamentation that has turned my head this week, hope you enjoyed them!

Coloured Glass

This last week in August has felt decidedly autumnal, the light is changing along with the leaves. I have been thinking about light in our homes and in particular stained glass. Not always ecclesiastical, coloured glass can enhance the atmosphere of your home. I especially like the idea of a bathroom window, or dividing doors allowing the light to dance across the floor!

Simply stunning geometric design from The Fig House in LA.

Rather than committing to an intricate stained glass window you can instead try coloured films which are an easy way to add colour to your room, and privacy.

Some clever re-purposing here, this window gets its mosaic display of colour from re-purposed Pantone colour slides.

Might be a bit much to wake up to in the morning, but I like how the blue and yellow mix together to add green into the colour scheme.

These colour panes with varying texture help to link the outdoors to the inside

A lovely traditional window arch

Of course there is nothing to say you need your stained glass in a window. These simply beautiful panels add interest to a sparse white space.

Ideal for an unsightly view or for a tiny window

Don’t these colours remind you of boiled sweet wrappers!

I like how unintrusive this panel is, offering just a slither of art

This rainbow film could work great for a kids bedroom, especially one obsessed with unicorns!

Traditional stained glass looks right at home in this relaxed family interior

What wonderful patterns these colourful window slats create on the floor

Something a little bright and beautiful for a bank holiday weekend!