designers block

Fritz Hansen's Image Library

2012-01-30T14:44:00.005Z

Go and make yourself a coffee and while away your time by visiting the image library of Fritz Hansen, a furniture store in Denmark that sells design classics. There are hundreds of inspirational photographs. I am off back there right now.

Luxury Linens from Society Limonata

2012-01-30T14:38:00.002Z

I love nothing better than good quality natural linen and I think you would have to go a long way to beat the selection at Society Limonata. I could even start to love tea towels.

I Challenge You Not To Lick The Screen

2012-01-27T17:04:00.004Z

Une Ame en + is a Parisian Antique Shop that has the MOST amazing website. I could just sit all day looking at their home page which scrolls through the most beautiful images. Mesmerizing!

Confessions of a Designer

2012-01-27T16:43:00.004Z

Oh, how many times did I want to say these things to clients when I owned an advertising agency. Found at Taxi

More Than a Little Over The Top

2012-01-26T16:22:00.004Z

These weird objects are called Megaphones and are to boost the sound output from your iPhone. I cannot help but like them and it would certainly bring some humour to your video conferencing. From Enandis in Italy

WANTED!

2012-01-26T16:19:00.002Z

the ability to keep my white floor as clean as this one. Found at Interieurs France

Snow Art

2012-01-26T16:13:00.004Z

How cool is this? A delightful change from Street Art as such. Just shovel some snow away and you have it. By Pavel Puhov, discovered at Street Art Utopia

Odorantes - A Parisian Florist

2012-01-25T15:53:00.005Z

You can walk down any French street first thing in the morning or early evening and you will see hoards of people carrying fresh flowers from their local florist.

Odorantes is yet another fabulous Parisian florist. It matters not which town you are in every florist's display is a work of art. No wonder the locals buy them so often, who could resist?

Living etc Loves Ghost Furniture

2012-01-25T15:47:00.003Z

I bought a copy of Living etc yesterday and sat down with a cup of coffee to enjoy it and came across our Cafe Table featured in their Edited Choice section. Thank you Living etc much appreciated.

Stayin' Alive

2012-01-25T15:39:00.003Z

I have long thought that I should learn how to do CPR but never fancied giving the kiss of life to anyone. How awful is that? However here in the UK we have a new ad from The Heart Foundation which will enable even the most squeamish of us to do it.

Vinnie Jones plays the role of hard man and tells us all to not kiss the person (you just do that to the wife) and press on the sovereign to the tune of Stayin' Alive. BRILLIANT! This is such clever advertising. Take a look at the video on YouTube.

WANTED!

2012-01-23T16:27:00.004Z

this fabulous fold up desk made from vintage pieces from Restoration Hardware.
Read how it came about:
After seemingly circling the globe, a canvas-clad steamer trunk landed at a famed European antiques market. It was battered and worn, but its careful construction and handsome detailing marked it as bespoke luggage, crafted in early 20th-cenury England for a traveler of discerning taste (a traveler whose name – according to the brass plate mounted above the latch – was Tom Richards). Plucked from potential obscurity, the trunk made its way to the workshop of Timothy Oulton, where it was painstakingly dismantled – every pin removed and measured, every hinge and brace scrutinized. And from that well-made, well-traveled trunk, a collection was born.

The Climbing Leopard Rug

2012-01-23T16:22:00.003Z

How weird is this? Designed by Diane von-Furstenberg for The Rug Company.

Font Maps

2012-01-23T16:17:00.002Z

Love these Font Maps by Font Map (well what else would you call it?). Loads of Country and City Maps available.

Living In a Castle

2012-01-19T18:25:00.004Z

Now if I where fortunate enough to live in a castle it would be one like this. I love the mix of old with new and the parred down elegance. The light just floods in.
Found at the website of Katrine Martensen-Larsen a stylist and writer. It's called Turebyholm Castle but I have no idea where it is other than it may be in Denmark.

Learning New Tricks From Old Dogs

2012-01-17T15:30:00.006Z

I include myself in this title but the person this post is written about is

Barbara Chandler. Now here is one woman that has her finger on the pulse of the design world in fact it's literally stuck to it. She, like me is no Spring chicken but we both believe, I know this as I have had telephone conversations with her on the subject, that we can impart a plethora of information because we have been there, done that and both of us have the tshirt.

God, we were both there when Biba first started.

I get so annoyed when people my age think it's clever to not embrace new technology, the term Luddite
springs to mind. Things have changed, it's the new industrial revolution and if you don't keep up you will
be left behind. OK so everything isn't perfect and technologies such as automated answer machines and
not speaking to a human being is BAD but unless we are involved and informed we will never have the tools
to try and put it right. It's like arguing with a gag on.

Barbara Chandler moves with the times, she changes direction because she recognises her own capabilities
and basis all her moves on the fact that she is deep down a journalist and always will be and she knows
which path to follow instinctively.

Take a look at the fabulous pieces that are being developed using her amazing pictures of London which she has been taking for many years.

She has also had a book published, Love London, containing 180 photographs from the collection.

Barbara did a fabulous interview over at PopArtRockGirl which is a must read especially for younger
designers who are looking for a direction in which to go. Barbara like myself has had knocks on the way but
we both got back up, dusted ourselves off and started all over again and what we both have in common is
that we are more than happy to share our lessons learned with others. One of the things that amazes me
about Barbara is how she makes every Tweet interesting even with the limited amount of characters
available, she has one up on me there. Is that the journalist in her?

As a footnote: we both agree that we also learn from the young!

If Ghost Furniture Had a TV Ad This Would be It

2012-01-16T11:08:00.005Z

I live in a forest, I paint vintage furniture and this how I would see a TV ad if I had produced it and could afford it. This French ad is for Nina l'Elixir by Nina Ricci. Florrie singing Sunday Girl is the icing on the cake. Take a look on You Tube you'll love it, promise.

Zatchels at Liberty

2012-01-16T11:05:00.003Z

At the risk of sounding ancient, satchels weren't like this when I went to school, the choice was brown, brown or brown. Zatchels at Liberty

WANTED!

2012-01-16T11:02:00.003Z

a set of these Red Letter Plates by John Derian

Meet My New Best Friend - The Samsung G Series 3 Door Fridge Freezer

2012-01-13T11:50:00.011Z

I was recently asked by Samsung if I would review their new 3 door American fridge/freezer from their G Series. They asked that I live with it for a while and report back on it. Live with it? I would sleep with it now even though we have been together for only 2 months. As most of you may already know I live in a very remote place, beautiful but remote. A 20 mile round trip to the nearest shop.

This beauty has changed my life and saved me time and money. My petrol costs have reduced dramatically and my shopping bills have also reduced as I can now take advantage of those deals such as 3 for the price of 2, buy one get one free etc. etc. and I don't throw the huge amount away that I used to with my last fridge/freezer.

This baby is like having a huge built in pantry but the thing that amazes me more than anything else is how it just blends into the room. We have a huge open plan ground floor so the kitchen is constantly on show. This fridge/freezer is huge inside and has fold back and moveable shelves, more features for storage in the doors than you can shake a stick at. It has a huge deli drawer that has 3 different settings, it has 2 salad/vegetable drawers both with humidity controls and they actually work. I haven't had to throw a soft vegetable away since I got it.

Maybe it's because it is reflective that it fits in without shouting at you 'hey I'm a fridge freezer'! I love that the sides are finished in a textured finish. I love that

the freezer is a big drawer with 3 separate compartments and I can easily find things as I am looking down on it and not straight on, now that's clever. I love that it has a filtered water dispenser, ice maker (crushed or this really cool shape which could never be called a cube) and it takes a jug not just a glass. I love that

when I come in that stable door with my shopping I can put everything away neatly in next to no time.

I wanted to write a very honest review and to be very honest there is absolutely nothing negative I can say about my new best friend. It has been life changing owning this fridge/freezer and I just hope it is as happy living with me as I am living with it. Thank you Samsung you have made me very happy.

My Family Tree By Charlie's Hand

2012-01-12T11:04:00.004Z

One of our daughters, Rebecca, gave us this gorgeous framed paper cut Family Tree for Christmas. We were both beyond delighted with it. It was made by a very clever woman called Charlie and her company is By Charlie's Hand. What amazes me is that she does it without the assistance of a laser cutter, just a scalpel and a steady hand. Go and take a look at her Facebook page where you can order one for yourself.

This is it inside the frame. Notice that our tree is heavy with fruit, any more additions to our family and we will have a forest.

This is a work in progress image I found on her Facebook page, not ours but it's interesting to see the process.

WANTED!

2012-01-12T11:01:00.003Z

One of these mirrored vases to make it look as though I have twice as many flowers as I actually have. Found at Mocoloco by Giorgio Zanellato

Quirky Stuff From Anthroplogie

2012-01-12T10:55:00.003Z

I suppose by now most of my readers know that I love quirky, evident in my own designs. So needless to say I was drawn to these pieces at Anthropologie due to their quirkiness.

Teapot Hanger

Teacup Hanger

Dining Room Measuring Spoons

Crazy Teapot

A House To Be Desired - Josephine Ryan

2012-01-11T09:07:00.005Z

Josephine Ryan not only owns a fabulous antique shop but she owns this fabulous house in Nimes, Southern France. The good news is that she rents it out for stays and for photo shoots. Beam me up Scotty.

My Sort of Car

2012-01-11T08:57:00.003Z

How's this for a car interior? Renault launched their new hatchback Twingo and asked various designers, chefs, musicians etc to design some interiors. This one is right up my street. If Louis XVI had owned a car I think it would have looked like this. Found at Auto Blog

Inside Out

2012-01-11T08:48:00.004Z

Over the years I have found it increasingly difficult to have the outside of my house please me as much as the inside. The only garden furniture I have found and liked has been old style but I have found and fallen in love with these Aura chairs by Iola that are reminiscent of the Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen. It' about time we had a more innovative approach to outside furniture.

Rebecca Wilson Ceramics - Part 2

2012-01-06T10:32:00.002Z

Back in July I featured Rebecca Wilson's ceramics and she has been a busy girl since then. Loving these new pieces, she just gets better.

Cutest Food

2012-01-06T10:28:00.005Z

I never cease to be amazed at what some people can do with food. There are some great examples over at Cutest Food

GHOST FURNITURE IN 2012 - PLANS ARE AFOOT

2012-01-03T12:38:00.005Z

I have never known a year like 2011. Apart from some awful personal stuff going on in our lives business has been dire. I don't believe anyone who says it hasn't been for them. I have never seen so many sales before Christmas, it was certainly a buyers market.

Onto 2012 with new plans to beat the recession. Ghost Furniture will be spending longer periods of time in France scouring those fabulous brocantes to not only bring back pieces and breath new life into them but we are going to start to bring back those pieces we have spent years bypassing, those pieces that need to stay just as they are. We are determined to put the chic back into shabby in 2012.

We are also in the throes of organising Furniture Workshops for 2012 to be held in this gorgeous place I call home - The Northumberland National Park. They will be 3 day courses with the most amazing accommodations available which include - luxury apartments, traditional country inns and even luxury yurts and Indian tepees. Our guests will be treated to wonderful local fayre and will be taken to the places that inspire us and will have a tour of our cottage that sits in a tiny hamlet overlooking the Tyne Valley. All our guests have to do is turn up with a small piece of furniture they want to restyle and the rest will be provided by us.

We will be appearing at Vintage Fairs all over the UK. All that's left to say is WATCH THIS SPACE.

The Alternative Christmas

2011-12-24T08:44:00.006Z

I love a bit of tradition but sometimes I just want to do Christmas with a bit of a slant to it. So here are some ideas and little things I have done to make Christmas a bit alternative.

A leopard skin Christmas cake seems a good alternative to me. Courtesy of Eric Kayser in Paris.

I made a centrepiece of items I have collected this year for Ghost Furniture and not used as yet.

Why have a spruce when any tree will do the job. Found at Campagne Decoration

Hang your Fairy upside down and why not? Image via Pavlova and Fox at Etsy

Make use of those old cake tins. OK so I have shown these on a previous Christmas post but they still look amazing.

I bought all the girls in the family a quirky bag that rolled up brilliantly so I could make them into Christmas Crackers. Trimmed with those bits and pieces I never throw away.

Have the ultimate Christmas dinner - a Golden Goose. Edible gold spray from The Deli Garage

Make a wreath of nuts instead of throwing them in a bowl. Mind you no one would be allowed to eat them. Image via Pinterest

But you can't beat a good old traditional FESTIVE greeting. Have a ball each and everyone of you.

The Simplest and Tasiest Bread Ever

2011-12-22T16:33:00.006Z

I actually made this bread the other day for the first time and it is FABULOUS. The recipe is from Lorraine Pascal and the best thing is - no yeast, no kneading and no proving. Just mix with one hand cut a cross on it, pop it on a baking tray and cook it. I mean how simple is that. The addition of black treacle gives it a crispy crust but a moist inside. If I can do it anyone can. I also had no wholemeal flour so used all white and it was still delicious.

370g/13oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting
130g/4½oz wholemeal flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp salt
40g/1½oz butter, melted
1 tbsp black treacle
300–340ml/11–12fl oz buttermilk (or alternatively use warm milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice)

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and ensure the top shelf in the oven is in position.
Place the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large bowl and stir together. Make a large hole in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the melted butter and treacle, plus enough of the buttermilk to make a loose sticky dough.
Tip the dough onto a lightly dusted work surface. The dough will be quite sticky. Knead the dough for one minute, then shape it into a large ball with a taut, smooth top. Place the dough on a baking tray and flatten it a bit - I find the easiest way to do this is with a rolling pin.
Take a wooden spoon, put some flour over the whole handle, then hold it horizontally over the bread. Put the wooden spoon handle on top of the bread then push it down until you feel the baking tray at the bottom. This mark is the first half of the trademark soda bread cross. Repeat with a line at right angles to this.
Dust with some flour then bake in the oven for 30–40 minutes, or until the bread is brown, has risen nicely and the dough inside where the cross was made is not damp.
Serve fresh from the oven with butter and jam. This bread does not keep well, so is best eaten on the day that it is baked – but if you have any left, it does make good toast.

GoGo Gardens

2011-12-21T13:06:00.005Z

I think one of the loveliest finishing touches to any kitchen is pots of salads and herbs so needless to say I LOVE this idea. GoGo Gardens are kitchen units with planters on top. How cool an idea is that. Available in any colour, 3 sizes and the company also provides the plants. An admirable idea beautifully executed.

WANTED!

2011-12-21T13:02:00.003Z

a sink that looks like a cup of coffee. Found at Fresh Home

Just a Lovely Idea

2011-12-19T09:58:00.002Z

Simple yet so effective. Hanging jugs full of flowers, love it. Found at VT Wonen

Blog Laura Ashley

2011-12-19T09:40:00.003Z

When a company sets up a blog they invariably do nothing but blow their own trumpet. 'I CAN SEE ALL THIS STUFF ON YOUR WEBSITE' you will hear me cry but Laura Ashley have started a blog that is informative, interesting and diverse - Well Done Laura Ashley.

Leaving Well Alone

2011-12-19T09:36:00.003Z

There are occasions when painting wood is just not an option. Images from Art Decoration

Sneak Peek at IKEA's Take On Christmas Flowers

2011-12-16T12:55:00.004Z

I have access to IKEA's ideas for Christmas before they go public. Amaryllis, parrot tulips and a lone crowfoot. Love the look. Go and find more ideas here.

Kids Love Boxes

2011-12-16T12:50:00.000Z

How many times have you bought a child what you thought was an ideal gift and they end up playing with the box? Well now there's stickers available to make them even better. From Box Play For Kids

The Cotton Potter Does Lace

2011-12-15T14:49:00.004Z

Last Christmas I bought some pieces from The Cotton Potter and the recipients were thrilled. I love this new piece and what a lovely idea to put a candle inside.light inside.

WANTED!

2011-12-15T14:46:00.002Z

some paper shoes just like these. By Julie VonDerVellen

Take Some Sandwich Bags and a Wire Coat Hanger

2011-12-14T09:33:00.003Z

My daughter's sister-in-law, Rachel, posted this on Facebook the other day and it just blew me away. A fabulous Xmas Wreath made with just sandwich bags and a wire coat hanger. I asked how it was done and she kindly sent me the instructions:
"Di, the bags are sandwich bags, size 17cm x 20cm they cost anything from £1 for 500. I have no idea how many bags I used but must me roughly 200 to 300 max! I used the frosted bags, as in not clear/see through and it's a bit more effective. Yes it was a white wire coat hanger shaped into a rough circle and literally tie each individual bag on tight and push them on tightly. I have seen it done with strips of black bin bags for halloween or can use green garden bags too. Then you can decorate with baubles or bows, ribbons etc."
I'm off to the shop now for some opaque sandwich bags.

Charging Box

2011-12-14T09:30:00.002Z

It doesn't matter where I place my mobile phone to be charged it looks a mess. Now if I had one of these it would be a different story. From Absolument Design in France

Brushes With Attitude

2011-12-14T09:24:00.003Z

Brushes can be pretty boring but not so with these from Sweet Bella.

Toothbrush

Mr Brush

Mr Brush

Nail Brush

Brandenburg Gate Brush

& Made

2011-12-12T09:40:00.004Z

There are a lot of quirky knitted items around but not many are as neatly made as these. From & Made love that curly Christmas pudding, I have an Armani coat just like that.

Sit On It

2011-12-12T09:35:00.004Z

How weird is this but on reflection the possibilities for the material used, which by the way is the stuff used to make stress balls, are endless. By FAT

Wallflower Painting by Flora Roberts

2011-12-09T16:05:00.003Z

The other day I received this beautiful card from Flora Roberts so I took a wander around her website and I am so pleased I did. Flora paints the most fabulous walls ever. What I love most about her work is that it is is no way distinctive, every wall and design is unique. If you want to see her work in the flesh then visit Chocolatier William Curley's flagship store in Pimlico, London and the Ellenborough Park Hotel in Cheltenham.

WANTED!

2011-12-09T16:02:00.003Z

a Birdcage Chandelier from Restoration Hardware. In fact there's not much I wouldn't have from them.

Winter Warmers at Liberty

2011-12-09T15:46:00.004Z

It's bloody freezing here so I could do with each and every one of these items from Liberty's Winter Warmers Collection.

The Luxury of Christian Louboutin

2011-12-08T14:11:00.003Z

Not sure what I love the most here, the Christian Louboutin shoes of the photography. Images from his new book - 20 Years

Maude and Tilda

2011-12-08T14:04:00.003Z

Love these bags by Maude and Tilda. Bringing a bit of fun into carry the shopping, I'm all for that and you get to choose which colour you want the bow to be.

Beds at The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell

2011-12-08T14:00:00.000Z

Like a scene from The Princes and The Pea. Beds at Rachel Ashwell's accommodations to let at The Prairie in Texas. Well she's the Queen of Shabby Chic so we would expect no less.

A Sink

2011-12-07T16:19:00.004Z

How cool is this sink? Looks as though it is peeled from the wall. By Italian designer Domenico De Palo, found at Deco Design

A Little Collection That I Love

2011-12-07T16:13:00.003Z

Feather Pens
A little collection, chosen by me from the designs of Maison Martin Margiel of whom I am a huge fan

Cotton Calendar

Tabi Candle

Magnifying Glasses

WANTED!

2011-12-07T16:08:00.003Z

the opportunity to walk across the Moses Bridge in The Netherlands. Found at the ever brilliant Yatzer

WANTED!

2011-12-06T16:51:00.003Z

a dark, quiet corner such as this. Found at Art Decoration

Alarming

2011-12-06T16:45:00.003Z

I don't always go for the vintage and old I also nod to modernity. I particularly like this Alarm Clock by Sibylle Delclaux a French designer. Using porcelain and wood he has put together a very elegant piece. Found at Designboom

A Gotland Interior

2011-12-02T14:06:00.002Z

I love this Swedish interior. This house is situated in Gotland, the place famous for it's sheep. I have 3 Gotland sheepskin rugs and wouldn't part with them for the world and don't you just love that bathroom sink? Found at Skonahem

Mimou - Brights

2011-12-02T14:01:00.002Z

Something to cheer you up on a dreary, grey day. Lovely brights by Mimou in Sweden.

Shop 'Till You Drop - The Banksy Way

2011-12-02T13:56:00.002Z

Banksy's take on Shop 'Till You Drop. I have done all my Christmas shopping online so I am not suffering from that particular ailment. Found at Hypedot

Eating Your Words

2011-12-01T11:49:00.002Z

I can't even make a biscuit look round let alone do this. Fabulous Edible Poster by Crosshatchling found via Huslighter which incidentally is a fabulous blog.

Chisel and Mouse

2011-12-01T11:43:00.003Z

Chisel and Mouse make models of beautiful buildings. Cast in British fine plaster, beautifully constructed and I love the little coloured additions.

The Unique Boutique Company

2011-12-01T11:33:00.003Z

Here's a new website with some unique pieces. I certainly have never seen any of these before. The Unique Boutique Company lives up to its name.

Home Room Studio

2011-11-30T16:28:00.003Z

Some inspiring pieces I found at Home Room Studio on Etsy. Who would have thought to make Christmas trees from old fabric?

Clipped

2011-11-30T16:24:00.002Z

Cute eh? Peter and Paul Bird Clips from Caroline McGrath

WANTED!

2011-11-29T18:10:00.004Z

a blank wall, 3 Airframes and a seat then I can pretend to be flying off to somewhere warm. Airframes by James Kim found at Designboom

3 Into 1 Does Go

2011-11-29T18:05:00.004Z

A light,

a bedside table and

a chair. How clever is that? Helios by Spigoli Vivi

Roll and Mix

2011-11-29T18:00:00.003Z

Just a clever idea by Design Studio Ashayane. Rolling Pin, Oil Bottle and Pestle and Mortar all in one - genius.

Pale and Interesting Ribbons

2011-11-28T17:05:00.003Z

I don't always want to wrap Christmas presents in red, white and green so these gorgeous ribbons from Pale and Interesting are right up my street.

WANTED!

2011-11-28T17:02:00.003Z

these cute little hedgehog tumble dryer balls instead of my boring round pink ones. Found at Kikkerland

Oh So French

2011-11-22T17:38:00.004Z

Everythig on thise website oozes that simple French chic. La Belle Echoppe

Why Worry?

2011-11-22T17:33:00.002Z

Why worry about cleaning when a room full of muck can look this good. The fashion's pretty special too. Found at Lund Lund

Some Clever Under Sink Storage

2011-11-16T15:05:00.002Z

I just love how the human brain works. Such clever and useful storage ideas. Found at Pinterest and Journal de la Maison

Mother Nature Is The Best Designer

2011-11-16T15:02:00.002Z

How bloody cool is this? Missoni couldn't do better. From an email from a friend.

WANTED!

2011-11-15T08:39:00.004Z

a swing in my cottage. If you want to know how to make this and you speak Dutch then go to Vtwonen where they have full instructions.

Yves Andrieux and Vincent Jalbert - Vintage Fabrics

2011-11-15T08:27:00.004Z

I have wandered around the Marais in Paris more times than I can remember but can honestly say I have never come across the Gallery/Workshop of Yves Andrieux and Vincent Jalbert.

They trawl the flea markets of France, much as I do and collect vintage fabrics including tents, military equipment, parachutes and well do this to them. Their work is so good I have shown 12 images and there are loads more on their website so go and take a look you won't be disappointed.

Make This Christmas Unique

2011-11-11T17:44:00.005Z

Vintage Spoon Frame * Ticking Telephone Seat * 1920s Patchwork Seat

Fish Soup * Two Candlesticks * Blue Retro Phone * Dark Secret Goblets * Cherub Candelabra

Eiffel Tower Frame * Marie Antoinette Table * Marie Antoinette Blackboard * Bistro Blackboard

Birds Cage * French Document Table * French Buttoned Boudoir Chair * Tilting Table

Antique Lace Mirror * Black Lace Console Table * Antique Lace Candlesticks
Antique Lace Frames * Antique Lace Urn * Red Lace Table

Twiggy * Brando * Chanel * Bardot * Madonna * Audrey * Marilyn

WHITE

2011-11-09T08:57:00.004Z

I know that white in the home might not appeal to everyone but it's hard to understand how anybody wouldn't be drawn to these rooms. I have used this method on my dining/kitchen area (see bottom image) and IT WORKS. It's calming but at the same time wants to make you jump for joy, this is all down to using blocks of bright colours - white for calm colours for joy. Simple!
Other images found at Campagne Decoration

That Japanese Attention To Detail

2011-11-09T08:49:00.003Z

Jung Jung creates these amazingly detailed pieces and turns them into jewellery amongst other things. The method is called Closh Knitting. Only the Japanese do detailed work so well.

Little Additions

2011-11-08T12:21:00.005Z

Due to the fact that my work enables me to collect masses of lovely things there is not always somewhere to put them. Some of them in fact are far to beautiful to hide in a chest or cupboard so I display them. Such as

ornate French tin coving pieces placed above my kitchen utensils,

decorative mounts and tassels displayed at the windows either side of my desk,

a gorgeous pediment fixed to the top of my Ikea bed headboard,

decorative corbels underneath my kitchen wall cupboards,

vintage port boxes hold my vegetables and keep them in the dark and

a pin cushion on an expandable candlestick fixed to the window sill next to my desk.

Fog Linen Work

2011-11-07T09:24:00.003Z

I love simple Japanese design and Fog Linen Work never fails to please. Funny how just looking at their website brings a feeling of calm.

Curvaceous Furniture by Joseph Walsh

2011-11-07T09:17:00.002Z

Stunningly beautiful furniture from the Enignum Range by Joseph Walsh Studios. Don't you just want to recline and stroke it?

A Baby Wipe Flower

2011-11-07T08:26:00.002Z

Amazing the things you can do with a baby wipe. Have a go yourself instructions here

I'm Off Again - The Deco Affair

2011-11-02T08:52:00.003Z

Up bright and early, well maybe not bright but certainly early. Off to London to show off our Ghost Furniture to a VIP list of Press, Bloggers and Celebrities at The Deco Affair. Checked the traffic reports and the M1 is shut Southbound. Changed route to A1 which will be hugely busy now.

I am looking forward to hopefully meeting Melanie Porter and

Zoe Murphy both like minded people. I have no idea who else I will meet but I will let you know on my return. If you are a Blogger and are attending please come and say hello.

The Work of Henriquez Lara

2011-11-01T08:55:00.004Z

I love these pieces by Henriquez Lara. Simple but clever and useful designs never fail to please me.

From Driftwood

2011-11-01T08:49:00.003Z

When ever I come across a piece of driftwood I always think it resembles sinews in body so I was thrilled to find these amazing sculptures by Heather Jansch they have such energy and are so realistic.

I Just Don't Get This

2011-11-01T08:41:00.004Z

I am at a loss to understand why anyone would want this App. I remember when word processors hit the market and we no longer had to use Tippex and carbon paper and most importantly the type was neat and not smudgy like this. I am all for nostalgia but puleeease let it be for something admirable. Found at Cool Hunting

Magie des Lieux - I Wish I Spoke French

2011-10-31T08:49:00.006Z

Even though I only know that this fabulous hotel is near Biarritz and am not even sure that it's name is Magie de Lieux I couldn't not show it to you. It looks so calming and I have to say it's a place I would rather be at this moment in time.

WANTED!

2011-10-31T08:46:00.004Z

my kitchen to always look as clean and fresh as this. I have a painted white wooden floor in my kitchen but I have to say it rarely looks this clean. Found at VT Wonen

Truly Inspiring Work

2011-10-31T08:40:00.002Z

I often think that simple art is the best. There is nothing fussy about these pieces by Gavin Worth just a simple outline of a human figure by just using wire and a wooden base. He can also turn a scrap of corrugated cardboard into a work of art.

Happy Birthday Sara

2011-10-29T10:07:00.002+01:00

My eldest daughter is 40 today. Now how that happened so quickly I do not know. She certainly doesn't look 40 in fact she is still sometimes asked for ID. I know she will have a lovely weekend being spoiled rotten by one and all. She has been a great support to me in the past, very difficult, 6 months I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING!

Armery - Hiding Those Bingo Wings

2011-10-27T15:10:00.002+01:00

I have been watching Mary Queen of Frocks on TV and when I saw these I just had to have them. Age is not kind and when things go South I acknowledge the fact that they should be covered. I haven't got bingo wings as such but the upper arms are not what they once where. These are so versatile and very comfortable. From Mary Portas at House of Fraser.

Prada's Trompe l'Oeil Boots

2011-10-27T15:01:00.003+01:00

I love these trompe l'oeil boots from Prada but have to say I like them better on than off. Found at Luxury Culture

Weird Westwood

2011-10-27T14:56:00.003+01:00

How weird is this? I found it on Vivienne Westwood's Facebook page. I can't work out what begins where.

I Want Summer Back

2011-10-26T14:38:00.005+01:00

Just when I was getting used to Autumn I found these beautiful images by Eva Kyland in Norway. I now want Summer back - WHAT SUMMER? Wasn't very good this year to be honest so I will make do with these pics.

Helen's New Book

2011-10-26T14:25:00.003+01:00

My lovely friend Helen of The Stencil Library has a new book coming out -Stencil It - and it has free stencils inside. I love books like this, it reminds me of activity books when I was a kid. However these activities are truly professional. Helen's stencils are anything but folksy, they are cutting edge and FABULOUS and I love that she shares her expertise with everyone. Go and see her fantastic demonstration video on Mydeco

WANTED!

2011-10-26T14:22:00.002+01:00

the will power not to bite into these fabulous peacock biscuits. Found at The Green Fairy

Wallpaper

2011-10-24T14:42:00.004+01:00

I am loving these wallpapers by Andrew Martin and Young and Battaglia available at Rockett St George. Seriously thinking of using them as backdrops for Ghost Furniture photography.

A Cave In Vietnam

2011-10-24T14:26:00.002+01:00

Isn't nature a wonderful thing? This cave in Vietnam has a huge underground landscape. Stunning and found at National Geographic.

Father Rabbit - He is Disciplined and Discerning

2011-10-21T09:42:00.002+01:00

He sounds a little anally retentive but he has a beautifully curated website. Father Rabbit

WANTED!

2011-10-21T09:39:00.003+01:00

the time to create a meal that matches my flower arrangement. Found at le Journal de la Maison

Take a Bit of Wet Leather

2011-10-21T09:36:00.003+01:00

and make a bracelet. I LOVE this and MUST give it a go, sounds simple. Found at Between the Lines