Katie Did Interiors

Lighting | Home Lighting, Ceiling Lights, Table Lamps & More | Bhs

2012-02-12T13:30:00.000Z

Lighting | Home Lighting, Ceiling Lights, Table Lamps & More | Bhs:

'via Blog this'

Lights lights, lights lights lights...

Retro To Go: PiP Studio Patch Duvet Set

2012-02-11T20:54:00.000Z

Retro To Go: PiP Studio Patch Duvet Set:

'via Blog this'

PiP Studio Patch Duvet Set

It may not be the 1950s anymore but we're all still in need of the kind of comfort found with thisPip Studio Patch Duvet Set.

The retro patchwork design with individually created patches is similar to that seen on beds from the 1950s and before but this version is updated with pretty, chic flower designs and contrasting colours to brighten up your room. It's also freezing at the moment so if you don't cope too well with the arctic conditions and want to snuggle up in a warm comforting place - this duvet set is your answer.

The whole thing is £120 from Not On The High Street.

Why Classic Radiator Cabinets Are The Best Choice For Decorating

2012-02-11T20:47:00.000Z

Why Classic Radiator Cabinets Are The Best Choice For Decorating:

'via Blog this'

Why Classic Radiator Cabinets Are The Best Choice For Decorating

By Justin Arnold

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If you're looking to decorate a room in your home then you might want to think about classic radiator cabinets. These are cabinets or covers which are fixed to the wall, completely covering your radiator, offering a much more attractive feature which helps to compliment your room.

Whether you're looking to introduce or develop a classic look to your room, or a modern style, the one thing which you can't ever really customise, decorate or disguise is your radiator. From walls to furniture, floors to light fixtures, almost every inch of almost any room can be completely customised to create the perfect look for you and your family, but a radiator tends to stick out like a sore thumb.

In fact once you have decorated a room really nicely the radiator tends to stick out even worse, and you end up feeling that it dominates the whole room. Some people get over this by disguising it, either by trying to paint it, or by placing furniture in front of it. The trouble with each of these methods though is that they severely impact on the effectiveness of the radiator in heating the room.

Covering a radiator in paint will massively lower the temperature output of the radiator, and inevitably after a period of time the paint will start to crack and peel, looking quite unsightly. By placing furniture such as chairs, settees and bookcases in front of the radiator you prevent the heat from really entering the room properly, which means having to live with a much cooler room, and much higher fuel bills.

The two viable alternatives are replacing the radiator itself with a designer radiator, or fitting a radiator cabinet over it. Whilst there are many stylish looking radiators, they are fearfully expensive, and of course they need a plumber to install in most cases. A much more affordable, and convenient solution is to take a look at the range of classic radiator cabinets on the market, not only because they are affordable, look extremely stylish and are quick and easy to fit, but they also provide an added bonus.

Many people who have had a radiator cabinet fitted have noticed two things - firstly that their room feels much warmer much more quickly, and secondly, their heating bill is reduced. The reason for this is that radiator cabinets can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a radiator, helping it to heat the air to a higher temperature, preventing it from being lost to the ceiling above the radiator, and helping to direct the hot air directly into the middle of the room through the grille at the front of the cabinet.

If you're looking for a stylish, practical and affordable way of disguising those great white metal brutes clinging to the walls of your beautifully decorated home, take a look at classic radiator cabinets, and you'll find yourself warming to the idea quite quickly!

About this Author

For a wide range of bespoke classic radiator cabinets take a look at the range on offer from Kingston Cabinets, a family run business which has been making tailor made radiator cabinet solutions since 2009.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Arnold

Architects Renovate a Tiny House and Keep It Tiny, Modern and Classic : TreeHugger

2012-02-11T20:34:00.000Z

Architects Renovate a Tiny House and Keep It Tiny, Modern and Classic : TreeHugger:

'via Blog this'

Very very clever and a lesson to be learnt...

Hudson stripe wallpaper from Holden Decor | Striped wallpapers - 10 of the best | Best striped wallpaper designs | housetohome.co.uk

2012-02-11T20:30:00.000Z

Hudson stripe wallpaper from Holden Decor | Striped wallpapers - 10 of the best | Best striped wallpaper designs | housetohome.co.uk:

'via Blog this'

Wallpapers: They're back! s if they ever left us....

Retro To Go: Little Greene Retrospectives Paint Collection

2012-02-11T20:25:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Little Greene Retrospectives Paint Collection:

'via Blog this'

Little Greene Retrospectives Paint Collection

Looking for a paint to set off that retro feature wall to best effect? Try one of the colours in Little Greene’s Retrospectives paint collection.

Comprising 32 authentic colours from the 1960s and 1970s, there is a mixture of brights and more muted shades. The background to each shade is provided such as when it was first used or how it was popularly used back in the day. For example, the 1960s yellow Lemon Mivvi was “brought with migrants from the West Indies in the early to mid 1960s, was sometimes used as an external colour, and on internal walls, balanced by plain green linoleum floors.”

The collection also includes shades used by David Hicks, one of the interior designers most closely associated with Swinging London. Prices start at £16, varying depending on the type of paint and amount you buy.

Visit the Little Greene website to see the whole collection.

Retro Furniture - Revitalise Your Home Into the Retro Style the Modern Way

2012-02-11T20:22:00.000Z

Retro Furniture - Revitalise Your Home Into the Retro Style the Modern Way:

'via Blog this'

Retro Furniture - Revitalise Your Home Into the Retro Style the Modern Way

By Zara R Garrard

Ads by Google

Curtains - Now 50% Off www.247curtains.co.uk Made to Measure or Ready Made Curtains, the UK's Biggest Range

We Buy Vintage Furniture www.merrillantiques.com Sell us your Vintage Modern, Deco 40's, 50's, 60's, & 70's Furniture.

Retro Diner Furniture www.lawton-imports.co.uk Exclusive UK importer of American Diner-style retro furniture

Starting with your kitchen, there are lots of new fifties style tables with laminate tops all set off with retro vinyl chairs in a choice of 8 colours. Create a unique dining experience with a diner booth to match and your family will never want to leave the dinner table again! Finish off the whole effect and have a snazzy jukebox playing in the background to set the ambience for a truly nostalgic feel!

Some jukeboxes even have iPod docks so you get modern technology but with a twist.

Do you want a games room for the whole family to enjoy? Then you need a games table, arcade machine or even a full size resin figure to finish off the whole effect. Imagine playing Pacman whilst your guests wait their turn sitting on a sofa in the shape of a Cadillac car with working headlights! Imagine having a drink at home with a bar shaped like a Chevy car. The opportunities are endless to create a talking point for all your friends and family!

As well as having retro furniture you should also have retro metal pedal cars too. Our viewpoint here is to give children the fun and excitement of traditional toys that we as adults enjoyed in our youth. Who can forget their first metal tricycle or three-wheeler bike or trying to make a go-kart out of pram bits and pieces?

Most models are based on the original designs starting from the 1920s. They truly are built to last.

If you need a few retro accessories too, there are some fabulous clocks available inspired by the dashboard of a 1957 Oldsmobile. You can have that side by side with an LED sign of James Dean or Marilyn and you really will hark back to the days of Rock n Roll.

The addition of a trendy jukebox to your home can spice up any house party; guests will be amazed by the quality of sound and choice of songs on offer. If you just fancy chilling out to your favourite songs simply kick back and relax while listening to a wide range of tunes from the past and the present to suit you or your company's mood. There are several styles of jukeboxes with funky exterior designs, ranging from mini units to machines created with famous musicians in mind, such as Elvis Presley and classic bands including The Beatles.

Many jukeboxes are able to hook up to an mp3 player or an iPod so you're able to hear a selection of hundreds or thousands of songs through the high-quality sound system of your jukebox. There are also matching accessories for jukeboxes such as subwoofer speakers and jukebox stands so you can personalise your jukebox and get the most from your product.

So whatever your fancy, be it renovating your kitchen for that retro feel or modernising your lounge with novelty furniture and retro pictures, there is a vast choice of retro items to choose from, too many to list!

About this Author

By Z Garrard

Check out this website Wotever.co.uk who offer a huge range of modern retro furniture for all your retro décor needs, all with FREE UK Mainland Delivery, and with a name you're not likely to forget!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zara_R_Garrard

Retro To Go: 1930s-designed K3 Kettle at TwentyTwentyOne

2012-02-11T20:19:00.000Z

Retro To Go: 1930s-designed K3 Kettle at TwentyTwentyOne:

'via Blog this'

1930s-designed K3 Kettle at TwentyTwentyOne

There's an interesting story behind the K3 kettle, now available from TwentyTwentyOne.

Originally designed in 1938, the sleek lines and magnalium and sycamore materias of the kettle shows the influence of European Modernism on the design. However the outbreak of war meant the factory producing the kettles was turned over to ammunition production and it wasn't until 1946 when the kettle was finally manufactured. It reached wider public consciousness, under the more familiar name of Picquot ware as part of the V&A's 1950s Britain Can Make It exhibition.

Still looking every bit as stylish today, the kettle costs £149.

Buy it online

OLIVIA CLEAR Glass Large storage jar - Bestsellers- HabitatUK

2012-02-11T20:14:00.000Z

OLIVIA CLEAR Glass Large storage jar - Bestsellers- HabitatUK:

'via Blog this'

ooo I think i need some of these for home...

A large retro style clock with a distressed finish. 74cm diameter.

2012-02-11T19:52:00.000Z

A large retro style clock with a distressed finish. 74cm diameter.:

'via Blog this'

I think you can never have enough clocks unless you are Capt Hook of course.

jubilee stamp cushion

2012-02-11T19:51:00.000Z

jubilee stamp cushion:

'via Blog this'

Fab cushion

Over It

2012-02-06T18:28:00.001Z

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Over It

via Revival Home & Garden by noreply@blogger.com (Revival Home and Garden) on 1/24/12

I don't know about you, but I go through phases where I pretend blogs don't exist -- not just my blog (obviously I pretend it is invisible, based on my posting frequency as of late!), but every blog. Keeping up to date with the scads of blogs I follow sometimes overwhelms me. My coping strategy? Ignore them and they will go away. (Also my strategy for dealing with problems -- clearly I have some issues to work out in therapy, but that's another post altogether.)

So this may not be news to you -- I have visions of it appearing anywhere and everywhere -- but to me, when I spotted it on Pinterest, it was like the clouds parted and a voice rang out from on high: overlays for customizing IKEA furniture!?! Genius. We're talking Nobel Prize-winning, Stephen Hawking-level genius.

Take a look and see what I mean:

Read all about this project here. The pagoda is ridiculous.

Did I mention these can also be applied to mirror and glass? Imagine the possibilities.

Lack side table customized with Greek key overlay

Reminds me of this

Imminent MENSA members Cheryle Rhuda and Danike Herrick developed these paintable composite overlays to customize popular IKEA pieces from its MALM, PAX, and LACK lines, among others. They also offer custom options if you have other non-IKEA pieces you'd like to pep up.

Every so often, I see something that makes me think, "Why didn't I think of that?" This is one of those times.

I can't wait to try it!

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under a bushel

2012-02-06T18:11:00.001Z

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under a bushel

via pve by pve design on 1/17/12

Are you hiding your light under a bushel?

Perhaps you are simply storing good things away for a rainy day in your bushel or baskets.

An open wire basket clearly displays items to have on hand and at the ready.

A small basket stoked with spa items makes a great gift for a freshly scrubbed shiny new self.

This woven basket could hold a myriad of items, laundry, towels, magazines or supplies.

Baskets really help to keep one's home shiny and more organized.

Do you use baskets for stowing away items?

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Gubi

2012-02-06T17:47:00.001Z

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Gubi

via Luphia loves... by Tina { Luphia Loves... } on 1/30/12

Hello everyone! Its been a while hasn't it! I hope you all had a very lovely Christmas & New Year. I am still finding it hard to adjust to working after a long relaxing holiday, but these pictures certainly help!

{ via Solid Frog }

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Monthly Make - January

2012-02-06T17:43:00.001Z

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Monthly Make - January

via Life on the East Coast by Country Girl on 1/27/12

Happy Friday to you.

Isn't it wonderful how regularly weekends come around?

I am starting on a more positive note than my last post,

mainly because I am feeling much better.

Thank you for your well wishes - much appreciated.

And YAY! January is nearly over - that

always gives me a psychological boost.

Anyway, down to business....

I decided to enter The Felt Fairy's Monthly Make this year,

the idea being that it would make me finish things.

(Starting things does not seem to be such a problem.)

First of all, a joint project with my daughter, who wanted a

new noticeboard as part of her ongoing bedroom revamp.

This is a complete no-sew project, involving lots of fun with

staple and hot glue guns.
There was a moment where the whole project got nailed

to the dining table - not too much harm done though!

The fabric is Tanya Whelan Darla - not my taste at all to be honest,

but also not my noticeboard or bedroom, so who cares?

Next, I was given a rather nasty diary at Christmas and rather than waste

it I used up a Russian doll remnant to re-cover it.

Lastly, not one but two cushions finished.

I knitted/crocheted the fronts for these last year but they

languished in my to-do pile for far too long.

Making up is hard to do!

The knitted moss stitch one is very popular with my cushion lovers

as it it super soft. It was also super cheap, which is good too.

The crochet one may well be destined for Arthur the camper van,

introduced in my last post.

His colour themes are going to red, white and blue.

(That way, if the husband buys something for the interior,

he'll find it hard to get it wrong!)

I need to get these on Flickr too, so I'm off

to do that now.

Have great weekends, and may the sun

keep shining like it is right now.

Dawn

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we did it

2012-02-06T17:40:00.001Z

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we did it

via Kaylovesvintage by Kaylovesvintage on 1/31/12

We finished our first project of 2012. I tell you that feels good!

After paining the cupboard on the weekend,

today I rearranged my china by color.

I like it, what do you think?

see you

Kay

PS:

- Pina (makes me happy and I keep watching it)

- Makey Vicky, very talented lady

- I need some purple socks (wish my knitting would be on the level of making purple socks)

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Portfolio Peek: Marcus Hay, Interior Stylist

2012-02-06T17:31:00.001Z

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Portfolio Peek: Marcus Hay, Interior Stylist

via Bright.Bazaar by Will @ Bright.Bazaar on 1/26/12

Styling by Marcus Hay

Let's ease ourselves into the weekend with an inspiring peek inside the portfolio of Stylist, Marcus Hay. Born in Germany and raised in Australia, Hay has had over 16 years experience of styling for advertising, lifestyle and marketing/branding projects. Although now working out of Manhattan, Marcus originally found his love for creativity when hanging out on set with his Photographer father, John Hay. Meanwhile his mum, Janet, helped him discover a love for paint and fabric swatches, from which he would help visual merchandise his parent's decorating stores. He moved to NYC in 2005 to join Real Simple as Style Director and now works for a range of clients across America, the UK, Europe and Australia. Phew! Pretty impressive, right? You can tell Marcus has been using colour since a young age because he works hues into his work with seemingly effortless simplicity - teals, aquamarines, golden yellow, coral; you name it, Marcus can work it! What's inspiring you about his portfolio and home (the later half of the post shows snapshots from his apartment, which recently appeared in Elle Decoration UK)?

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Home Tour: Bright & Happy Brooklyn Living

2012-02-06T17:27:00.001Z

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Home Tour: Bright & Happy Brooklyn Living

via belle maison by Jules on 1/19/12

I came across this fabulous home tour via Interior Design, which belongs to their editor-in-chief, Cindy Allen. The apartment is located in Brooklyn Heights and was renovated and furnished by Cindy and her husband. The overall style is a little more modern that what I usually post on belle maison, but I appreciate the mix of different period pieces, colors, textures and interesting objects. I think the overall feel of this apartment is fresh, happy and inviting. What are your thoughts? To view the entire slide show, click here. Enjoy!

{ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF INTERIOR DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIC LAIGNEL}

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Painted Wood Floors...Would You Do It?

2012-02-06T17:26:00.001Z

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Painted Wood Floors...Would You Do It?

via belle maison by Jules on 1/26/12

Every time I come across a painted wood floor, I ask myself, is this something I would ever commit to doing? I love the way painted floors look - whether it's a large scale pattern or solid color, there's something very unique and original about these floors. According to interior designer Scott Yetman, "It's a great way to add interest to a room since you still get the texture of the grain but with a much more uniform colour (and it's easy to touch up scuffs or scratches)." "It creates a very contemporary Zen feel in a room." (quote from Canadian House & Home). I guess the only thing that scares me what a serious commitment it is to slap down a coat of fresh paint on a stained hardwood floor. You know what I mean? Designer Mary McDonald is famously known for her boldly painted floors, often times in large scale geometric patterns (and they always look amazing!). How do you feel about this idea? Is it something you would try or have you already done it? I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you're ever interested in attempting it yourself, here's a great DIY article with step-by-step instructions.

{IMAGE CREDITS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12}

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More January finds

2012-02-06T17:24:00.001Z

Like :)

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More January finds

via bellascountry by bellaboo on 1/24/12

Found this pretty set of Cath Kidston tins in the sale.
Down from £22!!....to £6.50.
I thought there were only three,so I was delighted when I got home and unpacked them(they were like Russian dolls..one inside the other) to find there were five!

Don't know what I'm going to put in them yet..

...but they are brightening up my kitchen dresser.

Browsing round the antique shop by the river,I spotted these two lovely vintage candlesticks.
When I took them to the till,the lady said the person whose stand they came from was reducing all her stock by 20%,so I got them for £6!

Lovely like this... with maybe tall white candles....

or...

...turn them over...

and my red spotty ones fit perfectly!

Finally..do you like these?

A Christmas gift,sweet salt/pepper from my sister.

She knows what I like!

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Room Inspiration – Kristin Alber Style

2012-02-06T17:20:00.001Z

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Room Inspiration – Kristin Alber Style

via The Lettered Cottage by Layla on 1/27/12

I stumbled onto a home tour online a couple of weeks ago, that instantly had me scooting my chair up closer to my monitor. There were so many little details I wanted to lock in my brain! The house is located in Mesa, Arizona and belongs to a sweet gal named Kristin Alber. Check it out…

When asked about her personal style in a recent interview, Kristin said, "We're definitely go-with-the-flow kind of people. We like to repaint, switch out decorations, and mix things up a bit. It's fun for us." My kinda people!

She also mentioned that they try to find pieces that are special and can fit several different styles. Love that!

(photos by Sierra Studios Photography)

Kristin and her husband, Dan, own two retail shops in Mesa- Domestic Bliss and Found.

(Kristin Alber)

(source)

(source)

Anybody up for a road trip?

PS- You can find Kristin at her blogs, Found and Domestic Bliss, and she's also on Twitter and on Facebook!

Click on the ADVERTISE tab at the top of our blog, or on any one of the "Click Here To Upload Your Ad" buttons in our sidebar for more info!

Join me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook!

Need design inspiration? Need help arranging your furniture?

Check out my e-books!

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Store Tour: March Pantry, San Francisco

2012-02-06T17:10:00.000Z

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Store Tour: March Pantry, San Francisco

via Bright.Bazaar by Will @ Bright.Bazaar on 2/1/12

Interior shots via March; taken by Angie Silvy and Drew Altizer | Products: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

'Provisions for the home', the accompanying strap line for San Francisco-based March Pantry, perfectly embodies the ethos of the inviting, homely and comforting store that lies inside. Industrial elements such as metal and wood furniture and subway tiles sit comfortably alongside pared-back ceramics and tactile linens, creating an effortlessly stylish vibe to the space. You can see how much effort has gone into the visual merchandising yet it doesn't feel forced or contrived - a feat that's certainly not easy to achieve! I like how the rustic baskets add texture to the white shelving and the sophisticated packaging that acorns the sleek black bottles of olive oil would certainly be a weekly staple for me if I lived in the city. The space has achieved the delicate balance between being industrial not harsh and airy not stark. I'd just love to recreate a kitchen space at home like this, wouldn't you? What's inspiring you about March? Have you been? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Take A Trip Back To 1969

2012-02-06T17:07:00.001Z

Haa haa classic

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Take A Trip Back To 1969

via Eclectic Interior Design Group by Sidney Wagner on 2/2/12

Here are some other photos from the 1969 House & Garden book...

Sportswear Designer, Bonnie Cashin's Manhattan Apartment

Oscar de la Renta's New York Apartment

And here are some ads of things I buy today, love to see the pricing.

That's real zebra too!

Silly me, I thought that chalkboard paint was a new thing but apparently they had it back then too!

And this will just never be ok. Never.

I wish I had time to show you more....so fun!

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Loving Poufs

2012-02-06T17:04:00.001Z

I think I need at least one of these while I warm my feet up in front of the heater...

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Loving Poufs

via belle maison by Jules on 2/3/12

Poufs have been a longtime favorite of mine. They're versatile, stylish and practical - three very important factors to consider when selecting anything from furniture to accessories for a space. Poufs are a little different from ottomans. They're more like over-sized upholstered pillows or floor cushions, inviting anyone who comes near one to plop down and get comfortable. They're great for additional seating in a living room or bedroom. They're also great for kid's rooms. Do you own a pouf? I don't, but after seeing some of these, I may need to get one!

Happy Friday! Have a lovely weekend. Tomorrow my sister and I are meeting for brunch then off to register for the baby! Can't wait :) xoxo - Julie

{FABULOUS POUF ROUND-UP: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5}

{IMAGE CREDITS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5}

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Happy Weekend: Bold & Colourful Stripes

2012-02-06T16:56:00.001Z

I now want that duvet set...

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Happy Weekend: Bold & Colourful Stripes

via Bright.Bazaar by Will @ Bright.Bazaar on 2/3/12

1 | 2 | 3 & 3 | 4

Temperatures have plummeted here in London and much of the UK is expecting snowfall over the weekend. Whilst a little tobogganing wouldn't go a miss, the grey skies make me want to dive under colourful sheets, string a pom pom garland across the top of my kitchen cabinets, light some scented candles and bake a cake. What are your weekend plans, friends?

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Valentines Day Crafts – DIY Cupcake Stand

2012-02-06T16:53:00.001Z

Hmm another project to add to the list.

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Valentines Day Crafts – DIY Cupcake Stand

via The Lettered Cottage by Layla on 2/4/12

What do you get when you cross a tube of E-6000, a couple of vintage plates, a wooden pepper shaker ("P" is for Palmer, too!) and an old pink lamp?

A cutie pie cupcake stand, of course!

After much trial and error, I discovered that E-6000 (available at craft stores) is the best stuff when it comes to gluing things like this together.

And you definitely want to have some really flat, hopefully wide, surfaces to work with so the glue has a lot to hold to. I used a 4″ round piece of flat craft wood from Hobby Lobby on the underside of my big Pyrex plate instead of just gluing the lamp directly to the plate. It ~~was a big, fat DIY FAIL when I tried gluing the lamp to the plate~~ seemed to help create a more secure bond.

So if you happen to be out and about this weekend, and you come across a sweet little selection of vintage dishes that you think might look great glued together- go for it! Just make sure you pick up some of that E-6000 stuff before you head back home- ha!

(PS- Thanks to EGC for supplying the yummy cupcakes for this project!)

Pin our pics, or join us elsewhere on the web!

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Sunday's Bright Links No. 68: The Boat House

2012-02-06T16:51:00.001Z

I am still very much in love with grey kitchens...

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Sunday's Bright Links No. 68: The Boat House

via Bright.Bazaar by Will @ Bright.Bazaar on 2/4/12

1 | 2
Elsewhere
'Mr. Bazaar Goes Off The Wall'- my latest post for Laura Ashley.
A sunny and charming Australia Day housewarming.
DIY gold dipped glassware.
Read the new issue of Dabble magazine.
London antique markets.
So excited to see Justina's home in the new issue of Anthology.
Artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Read the latest issue of est magazine.
An inspiring keynote by Ben Silbermann, founder of Pinterest who spoke at Alt Summit.
This post is adorable!
Loving Hither & Tither's new column on Pia's blog.
Enjoyed the work spaces feature in Adore magazine.
Need to try this Bolognese recipe.
The second issue of 91 magazine.

Bright.Bazaar
Last weekend I shopped for flowers at Columbia Road Flower Market and nine other fun things!
Three ways to a bold and bright kitchen.
Tablescape 101: A romantic table for two.
Store Tour: March Pantry, San Francisco.
Colour Palette: Angela Hardison's light and airy bedroom.
Bold and colourful stripes.
Parisian rooftop photographic prints.
Portfolio peek: Marcus Hay, interior stylist.
Sneak peek at Harlequin's forthcoming Folia collection.
Take Your Pick: Yellow or Green bookcase.
Four ways to decorate with original London Underground luggage racks.
Cookie cushion covers, exposed bulb lighting, fun prints and much more.

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Valentines Day Crafts – Table Runner & Vintage Dishes

2012-02-06T16:49:00.001Z

Sent to you by KLVJ via Google Reader:

Valentines Day Crafts – Table Runner & Vintage Dishes

via The Lettered Cottage by Layla on 2/5/12

What do you get when you cross some leftover zig-zag fabric, with a bunch of darling doilies and hankies? A sweet little table runner, of course!

We used it on our Valentines Day tablescape, but I wanted to photograph it without all the V-Day "stuff" on it for this post so you could really see what it looked like…

I got the hankies on Etsy (10 for $12)…

…and the doilies came from a local flea market for $1-$2 each.

I started by cutting the base of my runner out of a piece of leftover zig-zag fabric I had. The front side of the fabric was a little too dark…

…so I just flipped it over and used the muted side for my runner. After that, I played around with my hankies and doilies until I got an arrangement I liked, and then I used a teeny-tiny bit of hot glue on the edges of everything to secure it all to the zig-zag fabric.

I ran out of time before our V-Day shoot, but eventually, I'd like to sew everything together and back it with another piece of fabric, too.

It was a really fun project to play around with, and I'm sort of obsessed with putting doilies and hankies on everything now- ha!

And speaking of fun projects, while I was out doily shopping at one of our local flea markets (J&G), I also picked up some mismatched vintage dishes for our shoot…

I only paid a dollar or two for each piece, and I wanted to show that by just mixing in some whimsical/colorful pieces like these with your plain white dishes, you can create a really fun tablescape.

This $2 plate was my absolute favorite find of the day…

I used it underneath one of our plain white salad plates…

…and then to really mix things up, I used one more patterned vintage dinner plate/white salad plate combo across from that one- and then I used two plain white dinner plates, topped with two vintage/patterned salad plates, on the other two ends of the table. It made for a really fun, eclectic look!

EGC and I wanted to come up with craft projects/decorating ideas that were easy, inexpensive, and that could easily be altered to fit any other holiday, or any ol' day of the year. We've got one more post to share before we wrap up our "EGC meets TLC" series, and I look forward to sharing it with you tomorrow!

_______________________________________________

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Cool shop

2012-02-06T16:45:00.001Z

Sent to you by KLVJ via Google Reader:

Cool shop

via gitte lacarriere by Gitte Lacarriere on 2/6/12

Firmamentet in Niels Ebbesens Gade, Aalborg - is a nice shop, full of unique goodies. Check it out at www.firmament.dk

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10 Things I Learned & Loved This Weekend

2012-02-06T16:19:00.002Z

Sent to you by KLVJ via Google Reader:

10 Things I Learned & Loved This Weekend

via Bright.Bazaar by Will @ Bright.Bazaar on 2/5/12

1. The Craspedia's I bought last weekend are still filling my apartment with colourful joy!
2. London looks oh so pretty after a heavy snowfall.
3. Poppy introduced me to these bow tie mugs, which naturally I am loving!
4. If you follow Bright.Bazaar on Instragram you may know I was baking a Victoria Sponge on Saturday - here's the result!
5. Seeing and hearing the delighted whoops of children (and adults!) who were tobogganing on Sunday morning was such a delight.
6. Replaced my tableware with some pieces from this Coastal stoneware range (seen above in #4!).
7. How charming is this cable car print?
8. The super cold weather (as fun as it was) had me dreaming of pulling on these swimming shorts and diving into a shimmering, azure blue pool under blazing sunshine.
9. Love the brush strokes on this cushion.
10. I'm on the hunt for a white, freestanding towel ladder (let me know if you know of one).

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Keeping the home fires burning

2012-02-06T16:19:00.001Z

Sent to you by KLVJ via Google Reader:

Keeping the home fires burning

via The Blueberry Patch by Sarah on 2/6/12

I did think that we would never get any snow, not that we had much mind you. This, however gave us the perfect excuse to stay in, light the wood burner, the boys' to lollop round, me to bake and to play with my recent thrifty finds and to finish off a pair of patchwork curtains.

I have even got the youngest hand sewing some pieces of fabric together to make a new cushion cover for his room - bless! He's made a good start and for someone who has never picked up a needle and thread before, I think he's done a good job!

Our kitchen window looked rather bland and having such a big window I thought I would soften it with a good old faithful bit of patchwork! (note the lack of snow). Better call it a day now on the amount of patchwork now in the house!

A few weeks ago I picked up a couple of pretty cups and saucers, both for a mere 50p.

We were in desperate need for some new place mats and this brand new set of 6 at £2.00 was a bargain. I love the cottages and would quite happily settle in any one of them.

What would be your dream home?

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monday motivation - glad supplies

2012-02-06T16:15:00.000Z

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monday motivation - glad supplies

via pve by pve design on 2/6/12

Nothing like starting off a new week with the chance to love to work and to play. Containers gathered together and holding pencils, brushes, scissors can be very motivating to jump start one's creative spirit. Are you satisfied with your possessions?

Perhaps your tool is the computer to gather your images or words. Fear nothing, be glad of life and embrace today with glad supplies ready for a guidepost to creative peace.

Be governed by your admirations.

What sort of supplies make your life glad?

This week I shall be sharing some supplies I admire.

(images from pinterest)

Be glad of life!

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Creating a kitchen with character | Period Living

2012-02-05T14:50:00.000Z

Creating a kitchen with character | Period Living:

'via Blog this'

Creating a kitchen with character

1/1

A trio of crystal and steel pendant lamps above the dining table adds a glamorous element to this sleek New England kitchen by Mark Wilkinson, while the collection of paintings covering an entire wall creates a distinctive personal feel. Prices start at £35,000.

ABOVE (click on gallery image to view larger picture): New England kitchen by Mark Wilkinson. Prices start at £35,000.

The anticipation of buying and installing a brand new kitchen is unlike anything else in the great scheme of interior decorating. Expensive, labour intensive and often challenging, the end result – your dream kitchen – is a hard won prize. Whether you choose a sleek fitted style or an unfitted look, you will want to enhance what is already a beautiful kitchen with your own stamp of style and individuality.

The current trend is to introduce something very different to the prevailing style: an antique dresser, a chunky industrial light fitting or perhaps some unusual retro stools. Antiques and second-hand finds can sit quite comfortably in a 21st-century kitchen. In fact, the addition of an impressive statement piece – one bold, stand-alone item – will add dramatic impact, as well as giving a sense of balance to the overall look, particularly in a period home.

Interior designer Nina Campbell’s signature style has been built on successfully mixing old and new elements, and she makes no exception to this rule in the kitchen. While chic new appliances and modern technology are essential features, she says that character and originality should never be overlooked. An attractive vintage chandelier hung over a useful workstation, for example, looks the very height of elegance; a traditional refectory dining table only serves to make the smart kitchen units beyond it even smarter; a reclaimed butcher’s block, complete with decades worth of nicks and scuffs, has a satisfyingly chunky, time-worn feel against the newness of gleaming worktops. Original plate racks, an inherited grandfather clock, or simply collections of vintage crockery displayed in an antique dresser will all add warmth and personality to your space.

Of course, sometimes the existing architectural features alone are enough to achieve a good-looking balance between old and new. If you’re fortunate enough to have a kitchen with beamed ceilings, original timber cupboards, antique tiles, a fireplace or chimney breast, that’s often all you’ll need. Failing that, you could also try offsetting contemporary units with bare brick walls or painted floorboards for an interesting textural mix, and to create that all-important element of individual character.

See a selection of inspirational kitchens...
Read about a period kitchen makeover...
Find fitted kitchens and kitchen furniture in the Period Living Directory...

FEATURE RUTH CORBETT
All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing
Featured in the December 2011 issue of Period Living

Retro To Go: Finn Juhl Baker Sofa

2012-02-05T14:47:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Finn Juhl Baker Sofa:

'via Blog this'

Finn Juhl Baker Sofa

The Baker Sofa by Finn Juhl is so named because he originally designed it for Baker Furniture Inc in 1951.

The distinctive shape was inspired by the sculptural forms of modern free art. The sofa has an upholstered body divided in two, resting upon a wooden frame. It is upholstered in wool fabric in either one colour or two, with the frame made from walnut or teak. It should come as no surprise that such a piece of design comes with a similarly impressive price tag – it currently costs just over £9,300.

If you have ten grand going spare, buy it online at Skandium.

Retro To Go: Traditional Style Toilet Roll Holder

2012-02-05T14:46:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Traditional Style Toilet Roll Holder:

'via Blog this

Traditional Style Toilet Roll Holder

What do you buy the person who has everything? An antique-looking wood and metal toilet roll holder of course.

This one is from Rocket St George and it's everything your home needs to make it a little less Ikea and a little more vintage chic. It's the kind of thing not mentioned but that everyone will notice and even if it doesn't fit in with the rest of your bathroom decor - it will make the room more stylish simply because of this.

It's £32 from Rocket St George.

Maison & Objet 2012, Paris | Interiors | Wallpaper* Magazine

2012-02-05T14:42:00.000Z

Maison & Objet 2012, Paris | Interiors | Wallpaper* Magazine:

'via Blog this'

Home Furnishings at LAURA ASHLEY

2012-02-04T14:52:00.000Z

Home Furnishings at LAURA ASHLEY:

'via Blog this'

New Products - Modloft - Mercer | Interior Design

2012-02-04T14:50:00.000Z

New Products - Modloft - Mercer | Interior Design:

'via Blog this'

Modular, Off-Grid 'House Arc' Comes As Flat Pack -- It's Also Disaster-Resistant (Video) : TreeHugger

2012-02-04T14:48:00.000Z

Modular, Off-Grid 'House Arc' Comes As Flat Pack -- It's Also Disaster-Resistant (Video) : TreeHugger:

'via Blog this'

The Secret to Venetian Mirrors

2012-02-04T14:46:00.000Z

The Secret to Venetian Mirrors:

'via Blog this'

The Secret to Venetian Mirrors

By Martyn L Worzel

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In their simplest form, mirrors are typically made by applying a reflective coating to a suitable substrate, which in common cases is glass due to its transparency, ease of application, hardness and the ability to result in a smooth finish. In most cases the reflective coating is applied to the back of the glass to ensure that it is protected away from any accidental damage and also corrosion. The transparency of the glass would still allow the reflective coating to be effective, ensuring that the quality is preserved over a lengthy period of time.

Classic antiquity mirrors were designed and developed from solid metal - usually bronze or silver - and were far too expensive from common distribution. Although they may have been considered to be quite a luxury item, they were prone to damage and corrosion, making their life span rather short. Due to the low reflection given by the polished metal the reflection often appeared to be very dark and did not give a very clear, usable image. This was very impractical, especially for indoor use as there was not enough natural light for people to make use out of and having to go outside to use a mirror was just inconvenient.

The invention of Venetian mirrors was introduced in the 16th century by Venetian glass-makers on the island of Murano. Their idea was simply but effective; they covered the back of the glass in mercury which helped to achieve a near-perfect and undistorted reflection. For an entire century these mirrors where applied to intricate frames and sold as expensive, luxury items; something which again was not practical enough to be available for common distribution. However, over time the secret was surpassed and managed to find its way to London and Paris in the 17th century. Quickly adopted by expert glass-makers, they applied the method to industrial manufacturing and were able to exploit its superior features and properties for a massive financial gain.

This was not necessarily a bad thing, as what was once a rare and luxury item, which could only be enjoyed by the rich and the wealthy, was not available in the common market for all to enjoy. This was a great discovery as it formed the basis of how we design and manufacture the mirrors we use today. Not only this, but as a product; they provide us with the highest standard of quality.

What was once the world's best kept secret in glassmaking, is now its best ever feature.

Writing about French Venetian mirrors, Martyn aims to provide readers with informative knowledge into his experiences and knowledge gained within this area and offers readers the chance to view a website he has experiences positively. View French Venetian mirrorstoday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martyn_L_Worzel

Retro To Go: 1950s stripe bedding by Diane von Furstenberg Home

2012-02-01T07:29:00.000Z

Retro To Go: 1950s stripe bedding by Diane von Furstenberg Home:

'via Blog this'

1950s stripe bedding by Diane von Furstenberg Home

If you associate Diane von Furstenberg with a decade no doubt that decade would be the seventies. Which makes this 1950s stripe bedding from her home collection something of a surprise, but no less attractive for it.

Though the stripey sketchy design combined with the coral tone looks back to the 1950s, you can see von Furstenberg's own distinctive taste in pattern and colour on the design. It's a set that demands attention, just as her clothes do.

Sold exclusively through Selfridges, its high thread count also makes it every bit as slinky as one of her dresses, and probably as expensive too: a king sized duvet will set you back £195.

Order it online

Retro To Go: For sale: Two bedroom 1930s art deco semi-detached house in North Hayes, Middlesex

2012-02-01T07:28:00.000Z

Retro To Go: For sale: Two bedroom 1930s art deco semi-detached house in North Hayes, Middlesex:

'via Blog this'

For sale: Two bedroom 1930s art deco semi-detached house in North Hayes, Middlesex

How do you fancy some period art deco with a 1950s Americana interior? That's what you get with this two bedroom 1930s art deco semi-detached house in North Hayes, Middlesex.

The house, which was built in 1933, has been updated to bring out the original art deco look of the place from the outside (including putting back double-glazed versions of Crittall windows), but inside, it's a very different story. We've moved on a couple more decades.

The images explain it as well as I can, although much of the 'look' is probably down to fixtures and fittings. Essentially, this is still an art deco period property and if that's what you want, it shouldn't take much work to take out the '50s slant.

In terms of layout, the house has an entrance hall, living room and kitchen to the ground floor, with a 'floating' staircase leading up to a landing, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside, there's a driveway, with room for two cars, along with a garage/workshop, a rear garden, side and rear access, a patio area and mature trees.

The asking price for the house is £239,950.

Find out more at the Thomas Paige website

Via WowHaus

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Retro To Go: Little Greene 60s and 70s Retrospective wallpapers

2012-02-01T07:24:00.001Z

Retro To Go: Little Greene 60s and 70s Retrospective wallpapers:

'via Blog this'

Little Greene 60s and 70s Retrospective wallpapers

After Little Greene's success with their 1950s range, they've once again delved into the archives of Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery to produce their Retrospective range of wallpapers, this time inspired by designs from the 1960s and 70s.

There is two main stories running through the range. The graphic geometric style of some of the designs is shown in the Lavaliers design shown above, dating from around 1975, while the Penny design below shows the more nostalgic, natural side to these decades. This design dates to around 1968.

Each paper is produce in a range of colourways so you can go as period or as contemporary with the look as you'd like.

The designs range in prices starting at £39.95 a roll.

See the range online

Retro To Go: Kay + Stemmer Ruth Shelves at SCP

2012-02-01T07:24:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Kay + Stemmer Ruth Shelves at SCP:

'via Blog this'

Kay + Stemmer Ruth Shelves at SCP

SCP are stocking these Ruth shelves from Kay + Stemmer, part of their 2012 collection.

They're another take on their popular mid-century style Maude and Edith and Agnes shelves. This time round they're three-tier and suitable for wall-mounting. Made from solid oak or walnut, they've got the same distinctive curved shelves as the rest of the range.

Also available is the May side table, bringing the look to a sofa or bedside unit.

These shelves cost £285.

See it online

Interested in retro, period and quirky houses? Check out our new WowHaus website

Retro To Go: Bark midcentury-style two-seater sofa

2012-02-01T07:23:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Bark midcentury-style two-seater sofa:

'via Blog this'

Bark midcentury-style two-seater sofa

Not the cheapest sofa on the market, but this Bark midcentury-style two-seater sofa is certainly one to catch the eye, as well as being incredibly well-made.

In fact, the sofa is actually handmade and offered in a range of sold hardwoods, including maple, black walnut, cherry and oak. Aside from that, there's that midcentury-inspired shape, reclined back and appropriately retro upholstery that's available in as pink or green colourway.

Expect to pay around £2,000 for one. A three-seater is also available on request.

Find out more at the Bark website

Interested in retro, period and quirky houses? Check out our new WowHaus website

Retro To Go: London Transport Museum 1960's Luggage Racks

2012-01-28T17:11:00.000Z

Retro To Go: London Transport Museum 1960's Luggage Racks

I want some of these, desperately.

London Transport Museum 1960's Luggage Racks

For a novel shelving solution, check out the London Transport Museum's stock of 1960's Luggage Racks salvaged from decomissioned Metropolitan Line trains.

A limited number of racks will be available for purchase by those who fancy owning a bit of London's transport heritage. The racks come in three different sizes and have been restored and adapted for home use. They are made of aluminium so super lightweight but also very strong. Having borne commuters luggage for over fifty years they are reliably sturdy and would make a great feature in just about any room.

Prices range from £150 for the smallest racks up to £250 for the largest size at just over 1 metre long.

You can check them out in detail online at the London Transport Museum shop and register your interest to purchase.

2012 Resolution: Put Your Home on a Diet!

2012-01-28T17:09:00.000Z

2012 Resolution: Put Your Home on a Diet!

Very sound advice.

2012 Resolution: Put Your Home on a Diet!

By Linda Hunt

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This is the time of the year when I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year while planning to start my annual diet. Don't we all start dieting and eating better this time of year? Well I have a diet for you that will not deprive nor starve you. The work will be done by you but not to you! Make sense yet? We are going to put your home on a "diet". This is a really good resolution for 2012.

One of the things that I notice about my home and that of many of my clients is that there is too much stuff in each room. Book collections, doll collections, and jars full of seashells are just some of the things that take over and clog up our decors. Many of us are collectors and savers of beautiful and unique treasures that we love to put on display for all to see. That in and of itself is great. Then we all know what happens next, our families and friends get wind of what we like and shower us with more of them on our birthdays and Christmases until we cry uncle! But we love all of them and try to show the whole collection off to the world that passes through our door. There is a problem with that. I will explain it by relating a little story about one of my clients. She had 2 china hutches in her dining room and lots of pretty dish sets and pewter/silver pieces. When I started moving them around for her, I discovered she had this lovely 3 piece silver tea service right in front of me that I had not seen due to the large amount of items in the cabinet. It was so beautiful but could be appreciated among all the other things. Hmm, sounds like the perfect example of the saying "less is more".

So here is how your home diet works. Look at your stuff and collections as "calories". Your job is to reduce the number of household "calories". This will let you feature some of your treasures but not all of them at once. The pieces you leave out will stand out and probably garner some compliments from people who say they had never seen those pieces before! They were hidden by the excess stuff. The ones you put away for now can be rotated out at a later date and have their chance in the spotlight. There are added bonuses too - less for you to have to dust and the streamlined look in your rooms can be very soothing to the soul.

So once you are on a roll, keep it going in your closets and drawers. Your favorite charity would appreciate donations of stuff that result from this special household diet. The results are seen immediately in your rooms. Too bad our own personal diets don't work so well and so quick!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hunt

lovehome.co.uk: Interior design ideas and easy how to guides for decorating, DIY and the garden

2012-01-28T17:07:00.000Z

lovehome.co.uk: Interior design ideas and easy how to guides for decorating, DIY and the garden

OOO i may have to get this book....

Page Turner: Nomad by Sibella Court

We love it when a new, beautiful interiors book arrives on our desk and this week it came in the shape of Nomad by Sibella Court.

The aim of the book is to teach its readers how to bring their travels home with them - incorporating the culture, style and souvenirs from sojourns abroad, into their homes.

From eclectic living spaces and colourful tiled bathrooms to relaxing bedrooms and alfresco dining spaces, the ideas and inspiration are endless.

The book covers the style and cultures of Japan, Italy, Syria, India and Mexico and shows you how to recreate the designs within your home. By using accessories, fabric and souvenirs from your travels, you can create a design scheme that reflects your experiences abroad.

The section on India is a visual delight, focusing on layered fabrics, patterns and a bold mix of colour. Japan offers calm, zen like interiors and Italy is soothing with its ocean inspired schemes and relaxed, friendly style.

Mexico is bright, exciting and tantalising whilst Syria, steeped in history, is earthy and honest. Nomad offers its readers an eclectic mix of cultures and interior styles to choose from.

Packed full of beautiful, colourful images, Nomad is sure to motivate you to get collecting mementoes and inspiration on your next holiday. So be brave and experiment with your interior because as the author notes, "there are no mistakes, only journeys."

Images taken from Nomad by Sibella Court (£25.00), published by Murdoch

lovehome.co.uk: Interior design ideas and easy how to guides for decorating, DIY and the garden

2012-01-28T17:06:00.000Z

lovehome.co.uk: Interior design ideas and easy how to guides for decorating, DIY and the garden

Design Inspirations: Chinese New Year

On January 23, the most important event in the Chinese calendar takes place – Chinese New Year.

2012 is the Year of the Dragon and as well as taking part in the colourful celebrations across the country, you could let the Chinese New Year influence your home too.

Some of our favourite brands are embracing the Orient with new collections that have been influenced by the colours, patterns and textures from the East. Here are a few of our favourites...

lovehome.co.uk: New! Get the Look

2012-01-28T17:03:00.000Z

lovehome.co.uk: New! Get the Look

Ooo a must watch then...

ARTICLE

New! Get the Look

From Hollywood glamour and Scandinavian to Moroccan and shabby chic, Kathryn Raywood is on a mission to transform the nation’s living spaces into something stylish, on-trend and fantastic.

Interior designer Kathryn Raywood

FEATURED EPISODES

Mon 23rd: Shabby chic
Tues 24th: Contemporary
Wed 25th: Mid-century modern
Thurs 26th: Art Deco
Fri 27th: Floral
Mon 30th: Bright & bold
Tues 31st: Metallic
Wed 1st Feb: Hollywood glamour
Thurs 2nd: White
Fri 3rd: Coastal
Mon 6th: Scandinavian
Tues 7th: Glam Rock'n' Roll
Wed 8th: Moroccan
Thurs 9th: French
Fri 10th: Boutique Hotel

Weekdays, 8pm (from Mon 23rd Jan)

Get The Look sees Kathryn lay down her years of experience to help families come up with something creative, practical and, above all, functional. With budgets ranging from the small to the extravagant, Kathryn sets out to stick as closely as she can to the brief that each family has provided, aiming to deliver their new look on-budget and on-time.

One of the country’s hottest interior designers, Kathryn will visit 15 families throughout this new and exclusive series, all desperate to transform their tired living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens or bathrooms into something new and vibrant, as well as help them realise their interior design dreams.

With a glittering French Versailles-style dining room on the menu, as well as period paintings, soft furnishings and the most creative wallpapers out there, Kathryn gives us plenty of tips on how to source materials and furniture at the best prices and provides plenty of interior design inspiration… whatever the style.

Retro To Go: Mix Tape Sticky Tape from Nancy and Betty

2012-01-28T17:00:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Mix Tape Sticky Tape from Nancy and Betty

I like this, very useful.

Mix Tape Sticky Tape from Nancy and Betty

This Mix Tape Sticky Tape from Nancy and Betty is another product commemorating obsolete musical formats.

Nancy and Betty frequently look towards the past for inspiration - just take a look at their Polaroids and Eames furniture products we've featured previously. This tape is covered with images of cassettes printed in three bright colours. If you can't make a mix tape as a present anymore, at least you can make your present look like a mix tape!

The tape costs £5.95.

Buy it online

Interested in retro, period and quirky houses? Check out our new WowHaus website

Retro To Go: Retro Rooms: Dan and Lisa in Hartlepool

2012-01-28T16:59:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Retro Rooms: Dan and Lisa in Hartlepool

Retro Rooms: Dan and Lisa in Hartlepool

Many apologies to our Retro Rooms people here, Dan and Lisa in Hartlepool. I actually 'found' this email whilst trying to sort out the ever-bulging RTG inbox. It was sent over in the first half of last year, so again, apologies if it looks like we ignored it - we are always glad to see Retro Rooms snaps.

Anyway, no words, just photos, see the rest over the page. And if you want your room or home featured, drop us a line. We'll turn it around a lot quicker than this one. Whoops...

Interested in retro, period and quirky houses? Check out our new WowHaus website

Dan Cruikshank's Georgian restoration | Period Living

2012-01-23T19:42:00.000Z

Dan Cruikshank's Georgian restoration | Period Living:

'via Blog this'

Dan Cruikshank's Georgian restoration

1/11

The painting of famous Christ Church in Spitalfields above the fireplace looks like an antique, but was in fact commissioned by Dan. It’s by artist Marianna Kennedy

Click on gallery images to view larger picture.

Historian Dan Cruikshank has employed a very sensitive approach to the renovation of his old home that respects and preserves its heritage.

Authenticity has been a constant watchword for Dan Cruikshank as he sets about restoring his Georgian townhouse. While Dan is well known as a TV presenter, the face of cerebral BBC documentaries such asAround the World in 80 Treasures and Adventures in Architecture, first and foremost he’s an academic: an architectural historian who is deeply passionate about the preservation of old houses that showcase the building styles of bygone eras. ‘Old Georgian houses like mine have a very strong, benign presence,’ says Dan. ‘Far too many have been changed too much – modern things have been inserted: heating, lighting, or a ghastly power shower. The atmosphere that is present in these buildings has been destroyed.’

Humble origins

Two local builders, Mr Bunce and Mr Brown, built Dan’s four-storey home in Spitalfields in 1727 for a wealthy silk merchant. Dan bought it more than 30 years ago, and has been painstaking in keeping it faithful to the original spirit of the house ever since. Swathed in 18th-century decorative detail and crammed with interesting – if occasionally rickety – antique furniture, the house is a gem of a time capsule.

‘I bought my house because I was intrigued by Georgian buildings,’ Dan explains. ‘The houses on this terrace weren’t built by great patrons of the arts as conscious works of art, just by humble builders trying to make some money; by chance, they have created buildings of great beauty.

‘However, the house had been empty for many decades when I found it in the late 1970s,’ he continues. ‘It had been completely abandoned, and was full of rotting furniture left by the previous owners.’

Sensitive restoration

In spite of the fact that the house had moved a fair bit on its foundations over the years, and the whole structure was visibly warped, a surveyor confirmed that the skeleton of the building was in good order. The only structural work Dan needed to organise was the rebuilding of the parapet and the relaying of some roof tiles. Inside, however, the ceilings had collapsed throughout – water had poured through the entire house for many years. After it had been allowed to dry out (the old pine floorboards, thankfully, turned out to be ‘just like hardwood – tough and durable; no rot to be found’), Dan took it upon himself to do as much of the work as he could himself, although his approach was always cautious. He went from room to room, renovating each one in as authentic a manner as possible. ‘I set about repairing it as gently as I could,’ he says. ‘I didn’t want to yank up all the floorboards just for the sake of checking; I trusted the house.’

Original pine panelling adorns most of the rooms in the house, along with dados, cornicing, doors and architraves. ‘I looked for the old, Georgian paints and kept them wherever possible – the paint was pretty good on the top floor,’ he says. ‘I just cleaned it with white spirit and linseed oil. But when I needed to repaint elsewhere, I’d look for remnants of original colours – behind shutters or in cupboards – then try to copy them.’ He discovered that the ground floor had been green, so bought some pigments and mixed his own eggshell paint – back then, finding an existing shade that matched was tricky, he says. ‘This was the 1980s; it’s a lot easier to buy heritage paints these days.’

Eventually, after agonising over the thought of modernising too much, he decided to have electricity installed. ‘I wanted the wiring to be non-destructive and reversible, rather than chased aggressively into the panelling,’ Dan explains. ‘The electrician I found managed to lodge it discreetly beneath the woodwork.’

Intriguing discoveries

As he opened up the boarded windows he found, to his great delight, original 18th-century Crown glass – an early type of hand-blown window glass with a distinctive blue-green hue and rippled effect. ‘I find it incredible to think that during the Christmas of 1940, when the family that were living here were huddled in the basement and the east end of London was engulfed in a sea of flames, even the glass survived,’ Dan says.

Averse as he was to tampering with the building, he decided upon one major change to the ground floor sitting room – and this was only to return to the original layout. ‘I realised that the room had been altered in the 19th century,’ he explains. ‘A partition had been moved. I put it back to where it was in the 1720s. Curiously, I found a roll of newspaper, crumpled up and put into the corner of the room to stop a draught. It was from 1848 – that dated the alteration.’

There were other discoveries along the way. Dan came upon old visiting cards, children’s playing cards from the first half of the 20th century, old bottles and then, while repairing one fireplace, he uncovered late 18th-century Delft tiles amid the rubble. ‘The English made their own imitations of Dutch Delft,’ says Dan. ‘These were made in either Bristol or Liverpool.’

A passion for history

In addition to the period detail of the house, which Dan has restored as accurately as he can, he has chosen to furnish his home almost exclusively with antiques. Indeed, it is an Aladdin’s Cave of eye-catching, often rather eccentric historical artefacts. Adorning the walls are prints of architectural wonders, porcelain vases and oil paintings; and every room boasts quirky pieces that Dan has acquired on his globetrotting travels. His furniture has been sourced from junk shops and second-hand markets. Oak writing desks and coffee tables bestride Persian rugs, and high-backed 17th-century chairs are dotted around many rooms.

Dan’s determination to maintain the beauty of the past applies to every aspect of his home, be it the building or its contents. ‘This house is full of mystery,’ he says. ‘It’s a living being, with its own identity and past enshrined within its own fabric. I don’t want it to change; I want it to be lived in gently, so it survives.’

The Secret History of Georgian London by Dan Cruikshank (Windmill Books, £9.99) is available now.

Retro To Go: My London kitchen and homeware range at Lakeland

2012-01-22T20:43:00.000Z

Retro To Go: My London kitchen and homeware range at Lakeland:

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My London kitchen and homeware range at Lakeland

Classic London street signs are the inspiration behind the My London kitchen and homeward range at Lakeland.

At first glance, it looks like the signage has simply been placed on the items in the range, including baking tins, a cheese board, coasters and placemats. But take a look at the names - Baking Street, Victoria Sponge, Red Leicester Square….you get the idea.

Prices vary depending on the item, but as a guide, the tins (and cheese board) are available from £9.99, coasters £5.99 and placemats £14.99.

Find out more at the Lakeland website

Colourful living room | Country-style living room | housetohome.co.uk

2012-01-22T20:38:00.000Z

Colourful living room | Country-style living room | housetohome.co.uk:

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Retro To Go: Antiqued Wooden Memo Board

2012-01-22T20:36:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Antiqued Wooden Memo Board:

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Antiqued Wooden Memo Board

Keep all your memories safe in one place with this Antiqued Wooden Memo Board.

All too often these days people take millions of photos on nights out but instead of printing them off these just end up on facebook for others to comment or like. But why not get some copies made and actually stick them up for you to see and remember happier times. Meeting up with friends, holidays and nights out are all great photos which deserve to be on display and this memo board is the perfect place to frame such keepsakes.

This one is £49 from Not On The High Street.

Heavenly Headboards

2012-01-22T20:28:00.000Z

Heavenly Headboards:

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Heavenly Headboards

By Lindsey Watson

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The bed is the focal point of the bedroom and the headboard can be a real feature but it's often neglected. From plain wood to old fashioned Dralon, many of us have boring or downright embarrassing headboards. You can buy some gorgeous headboards, but you can create something truly unique if you make it yourself. It's not difficult and with a bit of imagination you can create something truly stunning.

For the basics of your headboard, you may already have one you can adapt, or you can simply create your own, starting with a piece of hardboard cut to the size you require. Your local builders merchant or DIY store should be able to cut you a piece to the size you need. If you are competent with a jigsaw you could shape it too, but there are lots of options too for anyone with no real DIY skills. Depending on your bed you can attach the new headboard to the bed, to the wall, or simply have a free standing one that fits between the bed and the wall behind it.

So what about some ideas for something gorgeous and unique? Well a really easy way is to find some fabric you love. Visit a fabric shop, or look in charity shops for vintage curtains you can buy cheaply and use for your headboard. You could go for beautiful embroidered Chinese silk, a bold bright pattern, or a neutral pattern on a textured fabric. There are so many beautiful fabrics available you are bound to find one that you love. If you buy extra you could also make some matching cushions for the bed too.

Once you have your fabric, buy some foam the same size as your headboard, then it's as simple as wrapping the fabric around the board and foam and attaching it to the back with a staple gun. It doesn't matter how rough the back looks as no one is going to see it.

Or how about a Gaudi style mosaic headboard? Don't be put off if you feel you aren't artistic enough, a random design will look as stunning as any picture or pattern you might create. If you have any old bathroom wall tiles left over from a previous tiling job then you can use these. You can add to this some coloured tiles to match your room. Most tile shops will let you buy an individual tile so you can choose a few, perhaps interesting textures, glass or mirror tiles. You can buy small tiles to create your mosaic, or smash larger ones to get interesting small shapes. Then you simply tile your piece of hardboard as if you were tiling a wall. Lots of comfy pillows and cushions will prevent this from being cold and hard to lean against.

Photos, paper ephemera and children's artwork can be glued on and glossed over for a truly personal memory headboard.

Whatever you choose, it needn't be either expensive or difficult to create a stunning new headboard for your bedroom.

For a range of beautiful Mosaic Tiles visit http://www.tiles4all.co.uk/Mosaics.html today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lindsey_Watson

Retro To Go: Conran Bainbridge Armchair

2012-01-22T20:25:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Conran Bainbridge Armchair:

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Conran Bainbridge Armchair

I’ll admit that I was slightly underwhelmed by most of the original Conran for Marks and Spencer designs, but the second wave has some real gems such as this Bainbridge Armchair.

The chair has a stylish convex shape, which looks retro without being linked too closely with any one design period. It is available in a wide choice of fabrics, several of which such as the ochre, sea green and teal particularly lend themselves to a 1950s-inspired interior. The chair costs between £749 and £999 depending on the fabric chosen.

Visit the Marks and Spencer website to see all the options.

Retro To Go: Poole Pottery Abode Sprig Vase from John Lewis

2012-01-22T19:35:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Poole Pottery Abode Sprig Vase from John Lewis:

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Poole Pottery Abode Sprig Vase from John Lewis

Part of a new spring collection from John Lewis, this Abode Sprig Vase is just the thing to add a blast of colour to interiors that are feeling grey.

Looking like a vintage seventies piece, the vase has a tactile "sprig" design and striking turquoise glaze.

Poole Pottery ceramics hail from a rich British design tradition which has made contributions to many significant artistic movements, from art deco through to modernism so this piece comes from quite a legacy and is all set to be a future classic.

The vase is 23cm tall and costs £84.50 from John Lewis - check it out online here.

Retro To Go: Rust Shikiri by Pacha Design

2012-01-22T19:34:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Rust Shikiri by Pacha Design:

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Rust Shikiri by Pacha Design

Pacha Design’s work uses reclaimed and sustainable materials and most of it tends to have a more rustic look than we would normally go for – but the Rust Shikiri is an exception.

The piece functions both as a shelving unit and a room divider with the name Shikiri meaning screen in Japanese. Despite the Japanese inspiration, the overall design has a decidedly mid-century look about it with the rust colour of the cupboards and sides giving it a warm feel. It is made to order and costs £2,950.

Visit the Pacha Design website for more information.

Retro To Go: Otis Deco Style lamp from Nocturne

2012-01-22T19:33:00.000Z

Retro To Go: Otis Deco Style lamp from Nocturne:

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Otis Deco Style lamp from Nocturne

For an alternative to all the task lamps that have been dominating the high street recently but still with a classic look, take a look at the Otis lamp made by Nocturne.

Inspired by a lamp found in a second-hand shop, this lamp has a very Deco look with a gleaming shade made from spun aluminium and curved metal stand mounted onto reclaimed hardwood. It's sure to add a touch of class to any table.

The rest of Nocturne's small range is definitely worth a look too - it's inspired by 40s and 50s lamps.

Each lamp is made to order and costs £300.

See it online

Arranging Living Room Furniture Tips

2012-01-22T19:30:00.000Z

Arranging Living Room Furniture Tips:

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Arranging Living Room Furniture Tips

By Luningning De Guzman

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The living room sees a lot of family activities that includes entertaining guests; therefore, it is necessary to have the proper pieces of furniture. Your taste and personality must be reflected by your choice of fitment, which must likewise project comfort, harmony and elegance. It does not end there however, as you need to carefully plan on how to arrange them properly. To come up with a good furniture layout, all you need is your creativity, imagination and your personal touch.

Here are some pointers on how to arrange your living room furniture.

Allocate a focal point. It can be anything, from the traditional layout of a console table or fireplace to a bay window. The focal point can be anything which you think would mirror the mode or theme of the room or of your home. When you have chosen your central spot, you can start arranging your living room furniture by emphasizing this area. Your furniture pieces do not need to face the central spot but must emphasize its significance.

Stay away from a cluttered look. Do not overload your living room with furniture. Having so many pieces will only create a cluttered look and will destroy the beauty of your pieces as well having no space to move. It is essential that you provide clear pathways and more than one entrance or exit areas. Arrange your furniture to create a natural flow of movement.

Break up the space. The space of the living room must also be taken into consideration. A long or big living room will have a better furniture arrangement if you divide the space. Provide a space where you can have more intimate conversations, entertainment area or for dining. You can also opt to have a formal and casual area in the room.

Get the most out of your available space. Although having less is always essential in decorating your living room, it is equally important to maximize your available space. The secret lies in selecting pieces of furniture that are functional and can serve you dual purposes. Modern and contemporary designs of furniture are very practical and functional which are necessities in modern homes. You can find sofas, ottomans, coffee tables, corner or end tables with shelves, fitted drawers and even built-in lights. These furniture designs are out to make your room look neat, clean and orderly. They allow you to use up your space to the maximum without making it look messy. Space is a big factor in decorating a room particularly with modern homes as most of them have limited areas.

You can adapt the above ideas when arranging your living room furniture; nevertheless, using your creativity to the fore is still the best. Let the artist in you work and maximize your imagination to come up with a room design that is entirely yours. What is vital is to provide your family and guests a stylish, warm and comfortable living room that will enthrall not just their attention but also their hearts.

Visit LA Furniture Store.com for modern and contemporary designs of furniture. Their products offer functionality and pragmatism aside from giving you comfort.

Living room: living-room & LA furniture store

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luningning_De_Guzman

Coastal Furniture Nautical Interiors at Pebbles to Sand

2012-01-22T18:42:00.000Z

About us : Coastal Furniture Nautical Interiors at Pebbles to Sand:

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Coastal Furniture and Nautical Interiors

As a family-owned company, Pebbles to Sand prides itself as the UK's leading online supplier of coastal furniture, nautical interiors and coastal interiors - featuring unique, great value homewares and gifts. At Pebbles to Sand online you will find great products from many individual suppliers - all in one place. And just like the sea tides, our range is ever changing...

Coastal Furniture and Nautical Interiors for everyone who loves the sea.

Pebbles to Sand online is for people with a love of the coast and sea. You don't have to live by the water though - you may just have an appreciation for coastal finds and interior influences such as coastal lighting or be buying a gift for someone who does. We are constantly on the lookout for new ideas. We have a wonderful selection of furnishings and decor for your coastal style home, many of which are now designed and made in the UK.

French Furniture|Dressing & Bedside Table|Candelabra|French Chic, White & Painted Furniture|Vintage HomeMelody Maison®

2012-01-22T15:06:00.000Z

French Furniture|Dressing & Bedside Table|Candelabra|French Chic, White & Painted Furniture|Vintage HomeMelody Maison®:

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About Melody Maison

Welcome to our website! We've been around for 6 years now, starting off as a one-woman, one spare bedroom band, we now have a super-duper glamorous warehouse and showroom near Doncaster,

In those 6 years we have become a leading retailer for shabby styled French chic, Vintage style, French boudoir and cottage chic Home Furnishings, Weddding decor and Home Accessories.

I personally take the most pleasure in sourcing and adding new lines to this website. I promise to add new products on a regular basis, so do keep visiting our site so there is always something new for you to see each time you visit.

At Melody Maison, we hope you will agree we have lots of beautiful things! Sourced from around the world, mostly with a distinctly Vintage French feel, either that of a rustic chic look or of ornate but affordable grandeur. We are the UK's largest retailer of beautiful french style dressing tables.

We have a a fabulous team of dedicated staff, Click here to - MEET THE TEAM all of whom are nice people who love being helpful and talking about our stuff! Headed by myself, my passion is for sourcing unique & gorgeous newcottage style, boudoir, 'shabby' styled worn chic french furniture and accessories and is what spear headed MelodyMaison to be born in the first place.

We have supplied to over 150,000 highly satisfied customers worldwide, So whether you want a sleek modern interior, a French inspired room, or a cottage style vintage look then MelodyMaison is the place to buy online....

Alternatively you can contact us to place your order on 01302 711116 or customerservices@melodymaison.co.uk .

Our team at Melody Maison can help you with any aspect of your order, all of us dedicated to not only offering beautiful, affordable home furnishings but making customer Service paramount in all we do.

We really value your custom and hope you enjoy the website!

Anna Elkington

Company Director

MelodyMaison Limited

whenskiesaregrey.com

2012-01-22T15:03:00.000Z

Home - whenskiesaregrey.com:

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Hello and thank you for clicking here to discover more about us!

When Skies Are Grey was born on New Year's Day 2012 with the purpose of bringing together in one collection the most exciting, eclectic and desirable goodies for you, your home and for those you love.

If you appreciate good design, quirky finds & inspired gifts,

you have come to the right place!

The most important factor here is you, lovely customer.

As you and your tastes change, we will endeavour to always excite and delight you with new things, changing with the seasons and keeping abreast of the trends, whilst still retaining the individualism that best represents you.

We truly hope you enjoy all that you find here within our pages and you feel compelled to visit us time and again.

With love x

Vintage Home Accessories | Hanging Hearts | Vintage Photo Frames - There Is No Place Like Home

2012-01-22T14:58:00.000Z

Vintage Home Accessories | Hanging Hearts | Vintage Photo Frames - There Is No Place Like Home:

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Recently established in 2010 ‘There Is no Place Like Home’ aspires to become a leading independent provider of quality, stylish products to enhance your home.

With a passion for sourcing and buying charming products we hope to share this with you. So whether you’re looking for an item for your own home, be it practical or decorative, or you’re looking for a gift for your family or friends we hope that you will be able to find something on our website.

We are currently sourcing a diverse range of products from Vintage, Shabby Chic and Country through to Contemporary and Patriotic so please check back regularly to view our updated stock.

We look forward to helping you create the home you have always desired; after all There Is No Place like Home!