Luxury at your feet

When it comes to choosing flooring, I've always championed carpet as the most luxurious and comfortable surface  to have underfoot,  and being my flooring of choice what could be better than carpet made from our very own home produced British Wool.   I was delighted recently when asked to come up with some images on decorating trends for the  British Wool Marketing Board Look Book - so looking ahead to spring Chalky Pastels are making their mark on the flooring front in a big way.   For carpet inspiration take a sneaky look at the new (just up and running)  image gallery..http://www.aboutwool.com/lookbook/...  watch this space for more ideas on the way..

Deer Deer..

I've always been one to try my hand at any craft going and get a bit of an adrenaline rush just from going through the doors of a Hobbycraft so with tapestry being a big trend at the moment you can imagine my delight at seeing these ingenious products made using vintage tapestries by Frederique Morel.  As well as the fab furniture and accessories they have a range of eye catching sculptures including this Stag head that i love- this one is called 'Jeff"but at nearly £2000 he's quite dear. (sorry!).. or take a look at their website for ingenious tapestry covered furniture and sculpture -just amazing..http://www.frederiquemorrel.com/

Dreaming of that lottery win..

 I just can't resist  mentioning my favourite shop of the moment Anthropologie yet again as i return from a bit of late night shopping (well window shopping - can't actually afford much in there - just wander round touching everything longingly)  ...it's full of all sorts of weird and wonderful things that you don't see in any other shop around it's a real treat.  Next time you're in the vicinity of Regent Street go and have a drool..http://www.anthropologie.eu

Super Store 21

Forget Primani and check out the latest high street store to offer bargains galore - If you haven't heard of Store 21 then now's the time to get in the groove for some great home accessories at a snip - these lanterns are £7 each, cushions from a fiver and xmas decs from £1.50.. prices to brighten up even the most bah of humbugs..

Next Big Colourscheme

I spent a freezing evening in Manchester last week for Living Etc magazine at the Next store in Barton Square demonstrating Christmas decorating ideas for tablesettings, gift wrapping and all sorts of Christmassy things.  The range of products this year is fab and i've got my eye on a few bits and bobs myself -i'm usually one for trad colourschmes but this seasons teal and green is stunning - quite fancy grouping together a whole load of the glass candlesticks on my table... http://www.next.co.uk

Christmas Scene..

I do like a nice nativity scene and until recently had an ancient but treasured family set until baby Jesus had a mishap and got broken ..(note to self must replace!!) ..  I saw these fun Nativity Russian dolls on My Deco.com (from John Lewis) - time to get creative with that cardboard box and some straw..

http://mydeco.com/p/john-lewis-nativity-russian-dolls-set-of-6/GB00001CH5POESPG5YZRTQCAFIQBXM5U2R2IBTGK/

All wrapped up!

Oooooh - i had such fun on this shoot playing around with these glam wallpapers to style up these lovely Christmas shots for Wallpaper Direct - if you've got any wallpaper remnants it's well worth hanging onto them as it really does make posh gift wrap or great decs and so much nicer than trying to fold the shiny foil stuff..http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/

Great Balls..

I've been a bit of a bah humbug lately as i've been trying to prop for spring shoots around the London stores amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Shoppers and when you're trying to find pretty pastel hued things and easter eggs it's quite hard to get in the 'season to be jolly' mood..(and i've done zilch on the present shopping front!)..

Anyway by way of my festive spirit offerings (even though it's still November!) i thought i'd share a few xmassy things with you... This huge tree (from Tesco) was my quick and easy but oh so glam offering for the Ideal Home "Red" xmas shoot - to have a look at the feature take at look at the December issue of Ideal Home - i hope you like it..www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk 

Disneyesque...

Former interiors stylist Emily Chalmers' shop Caravan in Shoreditch is a great source of all things 'purdy' so if you love a bit of kitsch then it's sure to be right up your street as its got twiddly diddly bits and bobs galore to make a whole Disney scene in the corner of your living room.  Take a look on line at the selection of fab  collectables or..if you fancy a day out in trendy Shoreditch then go and  have a good old rummage in the shop - certainly good for the ahh factor... http://www.caravanstyle.com

i just can't resist Anthropologie..

One of my favourite shops of the moment in London is Anthropologie  www.anthropologie.eu/ (it came over from the states about a year ago - ish..) and i'm always diving in there window shopping for sources of inspiration - window shopping is a bit of a key word here as it's pricy but oh so cool...if you're looking  for a great gift or a sneaky treat for yourself it's the place to go..

Ooh la la.. well sort of...

The name Miss Etoile might have that certain 'je ne sais quoi'  but surprisingly this company is from Denmark and i stumbled across their lovely stand at 100% design.  Their fab products are devised with the fictitious and obviously extremely glamorous Miss Etoile in mind  who lives in her boudoir home in the heart of Paris - and that's why they're soo beautiful... look out for them this Autumn in the Uk - i'll be keeping you posted on where they can be found  www.missetoile.dk

 

Write on trend..

"What are words worth" was the sentiment by Wordyrappinghood and the Tom Tom club (ok i'm giving away my age now) but words with a special sentiment are topping the fashion stakes on all things homey...  One of my favourites is this brill cushion by my mate Emily Peacock-www.emilypeacock.com she's designed it with Rob Ryan and it combines his trademark style with her intricate tapestry design - Check out Emily's site as tapestry is the perfect pastime for these Autumnal evenings and is a welcome change from Corrie...

Winter Warmers

I love this time of year  - ok it's dark outside already at 6.00pm but what better excuse to curl up on the sofa and watch X Factor and Strictly - OK i know it's not exactly stimulating the brain but  who cares -it's Saturday night TV at its best.  With all this snuggling up to be done - there's only one way to go and all things knitted are my accessory of choice this season.  I absolutely love the new collection from 95% design with Ferm Living's knitted cushions and storage in lush yummy colours (how inspiring are they!  )www.95percent.co.uk... take a look at the other fab things in their collection too - cool...

and while i'm at it i'm lovin' the owl too... hmm might have to get one of those... so cute..

wallpaper to drooooool over....

A coat of paint pales into insignificance once you cast your eyes over the ingenious range of 'wallpaper' from Tracy Kendall.  You may have seen her giant cutlery before but this Autumn she's come up with even more magical designs... .  Her new collection  features a 'sequin' wall - yup disco divas it really is made from hundreds no thousands of sequins and is mind boggling...! Alternatively for the literary boffs Tracy's version of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream has been hand written by her sister and stitched into the wallpaper - it's exhausting just looking at the work that's gone into these... www.tracykendall.com

looking ahead to spring..

I've been working on a feature for  Period House magazine this week and came across this lovely image  from the new Autumn Collections from Jane Churchill www.janechurchill.com- it's such a pretty shot that i thought i'd share it with you -ok i know i should be thinking about warm schemes for winter - velvets, wool and all those cosy things but it makes a refreshing change to see something so light and airy and from the ornate damasks and dark colours that are around - i'd be happy to bypass Christmas and bring on spring...

Home Grown Design

I braved the torrential rain and a car breakdown yesterday (yawn!) to go to Earls Court to the 100% Design Exhibition showcasing not only talent from the UK but brimming with fresh international talent too and as usual it didn't disappoint.   I could go on for hours about the fab things there but here are a few of the things i wouldn't mind splashing out on  - might have to remortgage the house though...

Pinch Design - husband and wife team Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon famous for their wonderfully simple yet innovative furniture and lighting designs - showcasing a great new Imo stool which can be wall mounted..www.pinchdesign.com

Gray Concrete with their surprisingly realistic and comfortable concrete - yes concrete !! - sofa - (lightweight too!) - this really was a show stopper... www.grayconcrete.co.uk - would be great nestled in amongst my ferns in the garden

James - i love the twist on a classic wingback chair with this contemporary cool version - www.jamesuk.com

Scabetti produce 'to die for'  hand made ceramic lighting and sculptures  - they are just stunning -- drool drool!www.scabetti.co.uk