2012 is nearly here {wishing you love & happiness}

I can’t believe that 2011 is nearly over. It’s been a great one for family, learning and new experiences. I’ve had a couple of great trips to Paris, a stunning break in Stockholm as well as a lovely holiday to France in the Summer. I’ve seen some great interiors products, sat on some comfy chairs and rummaged up to my armpits in flea markets and salvage fairs. I’ve met some wonderful people and had enlightening conversations.

I hope that 2012 is full and sparkling and plenty of fun.

I wish you all a very happy new year

Merry Christmas {signing off}

Merry Christmas to one and all.  Time for me to wrap up my 2011 activities for the holidays and bid you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. I hope everyone has time to down tools and celebrate this wonderful time of love, family, friends and hope.

I’ll be back with posts on my trip to Stockholm and a follow up on Abigail Ahern from Monday 3^rd January 2012.  In the meantime I hope you all find time this weekend for those who are dearest to you.

Today over at Heart Home – a day with Abigail Ahern

A couple of weeks ago I had a fantastic day on Abigail Ahern’s Christmas Styling Masterclass. Not only was it an absolute pleasure to meet Abigail (at her home no less) she was also incredibly generous with her ideas and insider tips. I also got to have a stroke of both Mungo and Maud her fabulous dogs (don’t tell Milo though!). I’ll be sharing more on this in the New Year. In the meantime to get your fix pop over to Heart Home to read more.

Gift {to say thank you}

As it’s the time of year when your (suddenly) very popular and have invitations coming out of your ears. I personally think you can’t ever go wrong with giving your host(ess) a Cire Trudon candle to say thank you. Easy peasy and he/she will love you for it.

Buy Cire Trudon candles at Papilion

Timeout Tuesday – still in Sweden

So whilst I’m in Sweden I thought I’d share the pictures of swedish interior designer Marie Olsson Nylander home. I know it was blogged to death earlier in the year but maybe you haven't seen it yet.  I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the spiral staircase (although I know I'd fall on them and Milo would HATE it) and the dining table arrangement with the Arco lamp. Notice the pops of tealy blue in both pictures.

Monday Inspiration – walk tall and look up

Well I’m in Stockholm and boy am I going to have so much to post about, but, I wanted to share these with you as Monday’s inspiration. {A whole new perspective}

The below pictures are from Brazilian photographer Bruno Calls series of architectural photographs. It’s so easy in life to fall into a pattern to go about our tasks and chores in a routine manner. But when we really take the time to look at things or listen, it’s surprising what you’ll actually see or hear.

Buying 20th Century Art at Auction {Photography}

Monday 19^th December see’s the Christie’s Photography auction with some iconic 20^th century images up for sale. Will of Bright Bazaar mentioned in a post this week how he is drawn to photographic prints over paintings. I find my personal first response tends to be towards poster art, then maritime images doesn’t matter the medium, then photography, then paintings generally.  I haven’t really thought about why before….. Anyway if Santa decides to get me any of the below I’d be very happy indeed.

Today over at heart home – Christmas Panic

Christmas is just around the corner and the deadline for many online shops is fast approaching.  Get your final gifts and stocking fillers this weekend and leave the panic behind.

Have you thought of vouchers? Would a really good art print be just the ticket? Maybe someone is your life needs a makeover? Great ideas for panicky people today at heart home

Christmas IS coming

If Christmas panic is setting in have a look at my gift guides for people (and pets) in your life. You’ve still got time to get that last minute online gift or get yourself to the shops this weekend.

The List - 20th Century Design Auctions

When I look at auctions by the big houses there is always something interesting and ALWAYS out of my price bracket. Below are my favorite picks if money were no object.... it a bit of a long list.


Now if all of this landed at my home tomorrow I’d be delighted but a bit scared where to put it all (especially all the lights!). But I know a few friends and clients who’d be interested in long loans. Anything take your fancy?

Today is Phillips de Pury’s auction and there are some beautiful pieces that I’d want on my “list”. Actually there was A LOT I liked on this auction listing.

WANT WANT WANT all of the above

1) Gio Ponti Unique armchair c1948 estimate $18-24,000

2) Line Vautrin Mirror c1955 estimate $18-24,000

3) Vladimir Kagan Walnut Flip-top console c1959 estimate $7-9,000

4) Serge Mouille “Antony” wall light 1954 estimate $4-7,000

Changes are a coming - with thanks to BYW & Blank

You might have noticed some changes on my blog in the last couple weeks with more still to come. Some of you may recall that I mentioned back in October that I was undertaking an e-course called Blogging Your Way by Holly Becker of decor8 with Leslie Shewring from A Creative Mint. If you don’t know these two beautiful blogs where have you been? Living under a rock? Both Holly and Leslie through their teaching have motivated me to try new things on the blog and through their own blogs these talented ladies have inspired me to keep focused and engaged. 

Largely this course has been the catalyst for the changes you’ve seen here on my blog but my business is also in the process of being rebranded by the greatest graphic’s team at Blank Associates. So watch this space.

So if I could just rustle up a few more hours in the day I'd be flying as I have so much motivation and material I want to share.  If you are a blogger and are interested in improving your blog I truly recommend Blogging Your Way - its fab. Visit the Blogging Your Way Facebook fan page for more information.

Timeout Tuesday – Black & White Sweden

Continuing my swedish theme I thought I'd share some more stunning interiors found in the name of research.  The below gorgeous 1961 family home in Malmö belongs to Anna Nordström Carlsson seen in Haus & Hem. A strong white backdrop and beautiful herringbone flooring gives a classic feel. 

Monday Inspiration – a room with a view

I’d written a whole post yesterday about Christmas sparkle inspiration for my Monday Inspiration post. Then I came across this picture and boom the post was blown out of the water. Just like this picture did to me. Why? I WANT that VIEW from my bathroom window – that is just the most relaxing thing I have seen all week. I’m not too crazy about the glass side panel on the bath or about the ugly w/c (why on earth is it not a back to the wall style?) and I’d probably have some colour in here somewhere. BUT that VIEW. Wow. Wish I was there right now.

Image source via Contemporist: Spiral House by Joeb Moore + Partners Architects

Follow Friday – blog love

I am continually amazed at the time spent by talented people sharing their passions with the world – superb photographers, wonderful writers, people with wonderful graphical/colour balance and those with a nose for an interesting story. Bloggers who know how to get me excited and/or interested in their subject. Completely in awe of so many out there, so I thought I’d share with you some of my recent favourite blogs that I am following.  So grab a cup of tea/coffee/mulled wine and have a mooch through these 6 gems.   

1) I have been following the wonderfully talented Will at Bright Bazaar for many years but his series “10 things I learned and loved this weekend” is an absolute favourite. I have to tune in to see what he’s been up to every week. I know it’s sad to live life vicariously…. But he has too much fun.

2) I met Annabel at a bloggers press day earlier this year and we instantly hit it off. Her blog Insideology has insights into products, interior design and her new obsession photography. A recent BYW student (like me and Igor below) and also an interior designer in training. 

3) The ever-lovely Igor at Happy Interior blog is a great person to chat to on twitter. His lovely smiley blog always has something to make me go "ahhh" - especially the wonderful interiors he finds. Always put together in the most thoughtful way, his posts are a visual treat.  He's a well travelled bunny too and his "from place to space" series show's his globe trotting style.

4) Marianne at Nordic Bliss is definitely worth stopping by. Boy is this a stylish blog, it makes my knees go weak and I want to live in most of the places shown. It also fulfils my need/desire for all things Nordic/Scandi etc. Can you tell I’m on Stockholm count down?

5) Now I'm not a huge follower of wedding blogs but one I do like to dip in and out of is Ciara at Style Serendipity. It’s full of gorgeous styling and fantastic pictures, if you have a big day to plan then this blog should be on your list.

6) The fresh exchange is a relatively new find of mine. Megan has just blogged about a trip to Austin that just makes me want to go! Her pics are fantastic and collaged in an enticing way. Her series Megan fancies always has products I want on it too… shame some don’t ship to the UK. 

Today over at heart home – gift guide series continues

Everyone who reads this blog will know I have a dog, so it will come as no surprise that he gets Christmas presents. Today over on Heart Home I have been sharing a Christmas gift guide for the cats and dogs in our lives. If you have “other” pets I’m sorry I’ve left them out – let me know though and I’ll see what I can round up.

To see my other heart home post click here

Wednesday Windows – London Christmas shopping

My magpie tendencies mean that I’m a Retailers godsend. If it catches my eye I’m in like Flynn and before you know it I’m parting with my cash for another not to be missed item. It’s often the window display that lures me into a shop and therefore the skill of the visual merchandiser. A classic and useful technique they use is to limit the palette – this is also a key attribute in interiors as well, to lead the eye.  My Mother-in-Law used to be a professional window dresser and I love it when she critiques windows – she spots things I never would. 

I love the playful frivolity of the Paul Smith window, whilst its product led it has unexpected composition.

In Orla Keily’s Seven Dials shop I was taken with the simplicity of the Christmas scene. It would work really well on a hallway console or maybe on my desk!

Timeout Tuesday – Stockholm here I come

I am so excited as I have now booked my winter trip to Stockholm.  So I’m gemming up in anticipation – first up on the inspiration list are Swedish interiors magazines Hus & Hem and also Skona Hem.

In Skona hem I came across this great post on the Straw Hat Factory by Oscar Properties and Andrea Martin-Löf. It’s the remodeling of a straw-hat factory in Stockholm into 39 apartments. The new occupants will have gorgeous views through large industrial windows across Stockholm. Plus some serious character with old elevator doors, solid oiled wooden floors, beams and cast iron pillars. Looks seriously gorgeous.

Monday Inspiration – winter wonderland windows

So there is no escaping it, the holidays are coming and Christmas is less than 3 weeks away. I’ve been feeling the Christmas tingles, might be something to do with all the mulled wine and mince pies – please don’t hold it against me. But I think its because I have been dashing round the shops, been to a Christmas styling event, a festive eating demonstration (about how to make your nibbles fancy) and this past weekend we had our first Christmas dinner.

So Christmas is on my mind…. And yours too probably.  I’ve been putting together a Christmas decorating mood board for my own home and thought I’d share the Selfridges (London) windows which I snapped a couple of weeks ago. I think they just epitomise a wonderful wintry scene, the white layering is so rich with texture. Unfortunately this isn’t for me this year – won’t work well with my décor but it’s definitely stored in the memory banks for future reference.

The List - Snuggle up, layer up and get toasty

The temperature is dropping outdoors but that shouldn’t stop you staying warm and toasty. Think cashmere, hot water bottles, a snuggly throw and an open fire – designed to ward off even the chilliest weather and warm the cockles of your heart, particularly if accompanied with a mug of hot chocolate.

When Jack Frost is nipping at your nose must-haves for warmth include blankets, layers and soft quilts. I’m also a sucker for a sheepskin rug – as is Milo my dog – which brings instant toastiness to your toes.  So here is my lust list. 

Today over at Heart Home

Lets the countdown begin but don't let the panic set in.  Today over at Heart Home I am continuing my Christmas gift guide series. This week it’s focused on those picky kids in our lives. If you haven’t had a full-blown list from them yet or you need some more inspiration, there are ideas for everyone - from little princesses to troublesome teens.

To see my other heart home posts click here.