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

Feeling girlie..

If you're not familiar with Cox and Cox then log on and have a good old browse - if you're after a prezzie for someone (they've got great kids things)  or just fancy treating yourself then you're sure to find something to whet your appetite -http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/

I love these pretty match boxes - they're a bit of a luxury but then who wants boring old Swan Vesta's - these are sooooo stylie..

Home to Roost

Although the sun is shining Autumn is definitely on its way (i know that cos myotherarf manages to wedge himself on the sofa most of the afternoon on a Sunday watching the footie).  His new companion the TV gives me the perfect opportunity to hide away with the laptop and drool over some new lovely bits and bobs.  Roost always has lovely inspiring homey accessories and taking a look at the new arrivals  really make you feel like it's worth making a cuppa and large piece of homemade cake!
http://www.roostliving.com/index.html

Animal Magic

Surely this is making you ooh and ahh -you just can't beat the Scandinavians when it comes to innovative kids stuff - never frilly and fussy just so simple and effortlessly chic - not a nylon fibre in sight..  this mail's only just pinged through so i thought i'd share it with you on this grey Tuesday afternoon.. if you can sneak a few minutes to yourself look at the fab products on the Scandi Living website go on then it's a real treat...www.scandiliving.com 

A little Light relief..

Fancy a conversation stopper? - then how about one of these surreal lights to add that quirky touch above your dining table - i love the bowler hat one - can feel a titfer' trend on it's way... ...http://www.originalbtc.com/catalogue_item.php?catID=2865&prodID=19392

http://www.hiddenartshop.com/product.php?xProd=1382&s=1

High Street Lovelies...

The new Autumn Winter Laura Ashley catalogue http://www.lauraashley.com/icat/homefurnishings

 has just hit the high street and i'm loving their take on French style -they're the masters at taking a classic look we love but giving it their own Laura Ashley signature style with  coordinating ranges and decorative flourishes.  

This season traditional toiles go bold in juicy colour,  traditional ceramics are reinvented with decorative embossing, and those large decorative painted mirrors that we all covet are now readily available...so  no more having to scour  junk shops for that piece of france just head straight to Laura Ashley... 

Lovely....

One for my diary...

I've been lucky enough to have been invited to a charity auction organised by the Conran Shop where a collection of 54 timeless design classics, handpicked by Terence Conran, are being auctioned with proceeds going to Centrepoint.  Seeing as it's for a great cause and as I adore both The Conran shop and obviously Terence Conran himself as one of our country's leading design guru's then it's a big event in my calendar.  However, i might have to remortgage my home to buy anything...but with opening bids starting at the original retail price here's hoping.... How much did an Eames lounger cost back in 1956?       http://www.conranshop.co.uk/landing/Furniture/

Wowee for Walls

I've just finished working on a styling job for Wallpaper Direct  it was so much fun to do but quite hard to choose what wallpapers to pick for each shot from their amazing site as was bamboozled by the selection. Do take a look at the site as if you fancy some wicked wallpaper in your home it's a one stop shop with loads of top brands online as well as great tips and practical advice. I've done some exciting Christmas shots for them too and ok it sounds miles away yet so i'll keep them under wraps - ha ha! for now but will post them up once the Christmas lights are on in the West End - 

boho chic flower power

Look ahead to spring with acid brights..

back to nature with large leafy looks