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

A little bit of lovely...

I've blogged about Patchwork Harmony before and their new spring summer finds are well worth a good old look to add a super stylie touch to your home... i love the patchwork tiles... the perfect excuse to do a bit of redecorating with him indoors ...(funny -methinks I might be on my own there)... patchworkharmony.co.uk

Get hooked on crochet!

It's my latest obsession  - a wave of crocheted granny squares adorning my floor and oh how enjoyable it its... I'm obviously bang on trend too as you will see from my latest find Wood & Wood Stool a fab company with great products by talented Ingrid Jansen...http://www.woodwoolstool.com/products.html - take a look at the high street shops too crochet accessories sneaking into their spring summer ranges - i'll keep you posted....

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny...

OK - its time to 'fess up..' I just can't resist buying dolls house furniture at the moment - maybe it's because I actually can't fit any more furniture into my house so this is the next best thing - far cheaper and I can sneak pieces in without it being noticed..(in fact i'm building up quite a collection).. Anyhow my recent obsession led me to paint up some bits for a recent Brewers paint shoot that I was working on which was all about playing with scale - so what could be more perfect.... http://www.brewers.co.uk/

Make a house a home...

Many hours were spent burning the midnight oil with graph paper and pencil working out how many lights and how much paint and wallpaper would be needed to decorate this amazing pier in Australia for the spectacular new Homebase ad that I was lucky enough to be a part of -  I now feel I know the Homebase products intimately!!    phew!! it was a tricky project but well worth the results ... I hope you all agree ... RESPECT to the Leo Burnett ad team and Liz Murphy the director...

http://www.homebase.co.uk/

Oh so Colourful

I'm a real fan of Rice - not the food but the bright and colourful quirky home accessories people from Denmark as their products are always a breath of fresh air and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face as well as inject a splash of colour into your home.   I've just ordered one of their last seasons papier mache deer heads from the mail order company Camelandyak.co.uk for an event I am styling in the next couple of weeks  http://www.camelandyak.co.uk/rice-paper-mache-deer-head-1961-0.html but for a guaranteed chuckle take a  look at their new Spring Collection - it's just fab..http://www.rice.dk/

Sneaky Peak...ooh i can't wait to share it with you..

ooooh! i've loved styling a shoot for Brewers http://www.brewers.co.uk/ and Wallpaper Direct .http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/?gclid=CMfh4M6cnqcCFQoa4QodMyBdYg over the last couple of weeks - it's been great fun working with brill people and being given a free rein with fab wallpapers and great paint colours - it's all so new i've got to keep it under wraps for now but just a very sneaky peak at what's to come.

Go for Glam

I recently styled this Indigo Blue shoot for Ideal Home http://www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk/ and i have to say i've still got a bit of a love thing going on for the matt and shine walls -  it's so easy to do with just a bit of masking tape and some matt and gloss paint and just gives walls a bit of glam  - lovin the indigo linens from lovely Robert and Arabella at PADUK - take a good look a their lovely linens for a real treat http://www.padukltd.com/