Dreaming of a lazy day in the sunshine

If only.... we had some long hot summer days to while away the hours in a garden like the one below...i wish.....  But on a serious note I had an amazing time styling this 'Roses' feature for Period Living magazine  http://www.periodliving.co.uk/ with fab photographer Mark Scott  http://www.markscottphotography.co.uk/ - not only did we have perfect weather for the shoot but the garden was just stunning .. and if you do fancy making an ice bowl like the one below - Simply place one bowl inside another one - tape the two bowls together at the top edge to keep them level and with an even circumference between the two bowls. Gently pour water in between the bowls (drop some flower petals or foliage into the gap between the bowls for added detail) .  Place in a freezer then hey presto!! - when frozen tip out and you'll have the perfect ice bowl for all those 'summer' celebrations when we do get a fab sunny day...

A lot of knit know-how..

I do love a bit of knitting but after  coming across Melanie Porter who creates amazing knitted furniture and accessories i'm feeling rather insignificant with my rather basic knitting skills... I used Melanie's brill furniture recently on a shoot for the British Wool Marketing Board and as well as showcasing some of her fab products also styled images highlighting some of our other great home grown British Wool products from our very own and very woolly British sheep.  To find out more about British Wool take a look at http://www.aboutwool.com/    

Topping the Tile Stakes

Welbeck  have always had the coolest designs for adorning your walls with a tile or two - I have the odd one here and there around my home that i've collected over the years making a fab stylie piece of art.  Their new Patchwork floral tiles just add to their genius -  on trend with the Patchwork theme and a perennial classic with the florals.. so a double whammy there then.  The hardest part is choosing the ones you like best as they are all so pretty....Great news too as Welbeck are launching a special gift collection range of boxed tiles featuring adverts and postcards so if you don't need to tile a splashback or entire wall treat yourself to one of these..
http://www.welbeck.com/collections/english/

Chic Cheat Cushions

Take a sneak peak into Dunelm Mill and snap up their new cushions for a little designer style at rock bottom prices - For those familiar with Diamonique and Primani lingo There's a little bit of Missoniesque style to inject some smart stripes into your home, there's City Skyline (another big trend) for that 'eye spy' catch up of London landmarks, colourful crochet for all you boho fans and a striking Welsh dragon cushion for all you Kate and Wills fans - search for your nearest store and get there quick before they sell out..

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/cushions-and-throws/cushions/?rpp=281

Glamping Forever

Glamping is oh so hot right now - even when it's soggy, boggy and in our unpredictable English weather rather grim - it is still the buzz word of the season and if you haven't glamped it up then you're just not in with the in crowd... HomeSense (one of my favourite prop haunts for picking up all sorts of weird and wonderful things at rock bottom prices) is right on trend with their Glamping products so get in there quick before the Festival season ends.http://www.homesense.com/?Y&OVMTC=Exact&site=&creative=8336074022&OVKEY=homesense&url_id=13514626&Y -
If camping doesn't float your boat  (in this weather) get to HomeSense anyway as you'll be sure to come out with some great bargains..

60 Minute Makeover with Hollymaus...

Yup 60 minute makeover but not as we know it - no shoddy paintwork or downright unrealistic complete house redec - i came across this pretty summer makeover on Hollymaus.blogspot.com  -one porch, 60 mins and photographed by Holly Becker - loving the transformation. -Right  then.... timer at the ready - what can I get done in 60 minutes other than two episodes of Eastenders...http://hollymaus.blogspot.com/

My Porch

Many of you asked to see my porch in more detail so here are some photos for you today that I also blogged over on decor8. I hope that you are inspired by my one hour transformation because that is exactly how long it took me to take a room that looked like this on a Friday:

To this, in one hour (notice strategically placed dot to conceal still expose bulb on the wall).

 

Have a nice week, I'm going to be working a lot but I'll pop in if I can sometime this week. xo

(images: Holly Becker)

BIG LOG

I've seen some things on my styling travels -but this big log certainly caught my eye - not my usual find of pretty diddly doos but...nevertheless a show stopper to be sure. Described as a  'Tree Trunk Bench" at the pricely sum of €11.000,00 but before you get too excited waiting for your big log to arrive -  you only get the chair backs as the designer Jurgen Bey feels it riduculous to transport tree trunks when they are locally available... now then what can I find in my garden ....http://www.droog.com/store/furniture/tree-trunk-bench/ -

Flamingo a go go...

 I'm not normally a fan of all things feathered... chickens give me the spooks and pigeons make me cower in horror but now this latest birdy trend is one that I am finding fun with a capital 'F" - it's the funky feathered flamingo trend - the perfect accessory to add a splash of summer colour to your home. Take a look at Chloe Croft for cushions, art and all things flamingo http://www.chloecroftlondon.com/chloe_croft_london/CUSHIONS.html, check out this pic from HomeSense with its 'spot the flamingo' print - it's the updated version of 'spot the ball' - my latest flamingo spotting hobby!!... and...if you fancy going pink in a big way then get a crafty with colour and splash out on some 'Flamingo Pink' fabric dye - the future's looking bright..

On me bike

I've got a new passion in my life - before you get excited that there might be a whole load of goss it's actually with an old bike!  Dusted off, cleaned, tires pumped up & new basket in place i've been pootling around (is that a real word?)  up hill and down dale (well to the shops anyway) but this time of year with the bright rapeseed in full brilliant eye scorching yellow what could be nicer that a gentle cycle around the leafy lanes (slight exaggeration as i live in the suburbs but yes there are fields!!).  With this new passion i've been searching through for the ultimate stylie accessories for the cycling expert that I now am and have come across the amazing Beg Bicycles with their romantic images of all things delightful on the bike front and not a hint of sweaty lycra in sight - aah lovely.http://www.begbicycles.com/ride/bella

Colour Blocking Craze...

I know i should be posting yet more bunting, patriotic buys and K&W paraphernalia but after the weekend in the blazing hot sunshine I am sidestepping (just for a moment) into the multicolour craze of the moment that is Colour Blocking (perhaps the Pimms has taken hold)- and topping the style stakes in this bright kitsch and oh so colourful world are the gnome garden candles - surely the must have of the season..? followed closely by the duck watering cans and the eye popping picnic boxes - perfect for brightening up any garden..http://www.pinksandgreen.co.uk/products-page/outdoor-fun/

And another thing...

Not only do New House Textiles have the fab Swedish Picknick range on my last post - this surely wins the tea towel of the month award for its oh so beautiful illustrations.......http://www.newhousetextiles.co.uk/

Simply Swedish

Believe it or not - this Picknick print of typical swedish foody things by swedish designer Marianne Westman was first designed in 1956 for famous china designers Rorstrand and are available from New House Textiles http://www.newhousetextiles.co.uk/ The designs have been reissued and look just as fresh today..with not an Ikea meatball motif in sight... lovely..

Flying the Flag

I've always loved a bit of bunting for that oh so summery party feel but with the Royal nuptials nearly here bunting is the new buzz word on the high street and is fast becoming the trend of the season.  You could go the whole hog and fly the flag with the union bunting - the most sought after accessory on the high street for that essential street party or treat yourself to some pretty pastel vintage look bunting to add a splash of summer colour to your garden -  grab it quick before it's all gone..
http://www.livelaughlove.co.uk/bunting-c-82.html?osCsid=25e30d0bfcdf40aaea6e22d2ce073848

Oooh Martha does it again...

Martha envy sets in as annoyingly (only jealous)  she has time to blow and paint eggs then fill with pretty posies, arrange  floral centrepieces from the most amazing spring blooms, lay the table with matching linens and china the list goes on.... All this work would just be wasted in my house where the kids are happy with a large Cadbury offering (i don't think they would quite appreciate the beauty and art of the flower filled eggs - sigh!!!!!!!!) -   Now i've seen Martha's oh so lovely treats i might have to try to compete with the craft legend even if it is only for my own benefit....fluffy chick pompoms here we come...http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easter-crafts-and-treats