Arne Jacobsen

Am feeling truly inspired by this amazing floor and staircase by Arne Jacobsen which is in Aarhus Town Hall. The floor is made of oak, set within white concrete, and accented with brass fittings.

Arne Jacobsen, Aarhus Town Hall, image by Seier+Seier

New Year Newness...

I'm feeling super-inspired by the new trends coming through this season - is it too soon to re-decorate when we've only just finished the extension?

Loving all the muted tones and accents of bright colour 'pops' - everything feels effortless,light and bright. There seems to be a move away from shabby chic, and sickly-sweet nostalgia, towards pared-back styles - I can't wait to pick out some new accessories for Dixies...


Mixed brights and neutrals

Trigo Coffee Table, in smoked grey and vibrant yellow, £69, made.com 

Cwtchy greys for cosy winter days

KVADRAT Hild grey stripe throw, £79, Selfridges 

Mixing matt and gloss, and dark muted tones with bright splashes of colour

Jars Orange range, from £18, Selfridges 

Soft shades and textures

Outdoor wall light, Bell, Moose Grey, from Eleanor Home 

Typography

Text and typography has been a big homes trend for the past 18 months or so. It can work well around the home, although I can't help but think it's starting to feel a little bit tired...

I do love the packaging typography examples I saw on the Green Dump blog though.  I've pasted some of my favourites below - and the original article is here.


Beautiful skincare packaging

Image from Graphic Dirt

Gorgeous Organic Farm products by Lindsay Perkins

Image from Packaging of the World

Tempting Chocolate Cut-outs from Niamh Richardson

(image from lovelypackage)

Pedlars

For those of us who don't have the time to scour their local antiques market or junk shops, Pedlars is a dream. Set-up by Charles Gladstone and his partner, Pedlars features vintage finds sourced from all over the world by Gladstone - from reconditioned 1950s telephones, to 1960s globes, school signs, and original London bus blinds. With the vintage look going from strength to strength at the moment, Pedlars offers authentic pieces, at reasonable prices - and there's not a Keep Calm and Carry On to be found (phew)!

This gorgeous reclaimed French Industrial Cabinet which has been lovingly stripped and waxed by the Pedlars team - it would make a lovely side table.

Medium French Industrial Cabinet, Pedlars, £625

And there's a wide selection of globes on the site is - all individual and original - such as this American globe, set on a pressed steel base with hammered gold finish. A real treat for cartography enthusiasts, the collection of globes shows the changes in the world map over the past half century, with now defunct country names taking pride of place.

1960 George F Cram 12' Imperial Globe, Pedlars, £575

There's also a haul of Hovis tins from the original Hovis factory - perfect for adding a touch of kitsch into a modern or classic kitchen - for use as a planter, or for er baking bread...

Small Hovis Tin, Pedlars, £32.50

I love these old music stands - although I can't think of a practical use for them at the moment (and I'm not about to dust off my clarinet!) - will have to work on that one!

Vintage Music Stands, Pedlars

Previously available online and at Selfridges, John Lewis is also spreading the good word by stocking a selection of Pedlars goodies in its new Stratford City store.

Achica

Group-buying sites such as Living Social or Group On may be de rigeur at the moment, but how many bikini waxes, falconry days, or pilates courses can a girl really use? Although I feel compelled to keep looking at the offers emails that come through each day, I've never actually taken the plunge to purchase.

How refreshing then, to find Achica. This members-only discount site revolves around all-things-home, featuring designer names, boutique shops, and iconic design - all at a meaty discount of up to 70%, with the deals lasting a couple of days at a time. I've been signed up for just over a month, and reading the email has become a daily morning ritual, with rarely a day going by without something that tempts me to reach for my credit card.

Brands featured on the site have included Jan Constantine, Innermost, Anglepoise, and Tefal, amongst others.

A recent purchase from the site for Dixies was some lovely vintage-inspired lighting from Garden Trading. I've been looking for some contemporary wall lights to replace the pair currently in our hallway since we moved in, but finding wall lights that don't look like something your Gran would choose has proven quite difficult, so as soon as I saw the Asthall Lamps, discounted from £60 to £39, I snapped them up. Also perfect timing for Dixies was the Belfast Lamp, discounted from £75 to £49.

Asthall Lamp - Clay, Garden Trading

Belfast Lamp - Clay, Garden Trading

Gallery Bobbin

The perfect way to support up-and-coming contemporary artists, and find more unusual home accessories,  Gallery Bobbin features a wide array of art, accessories, and textiles with a contemporary feel. The site specialises in sourcing new artists to showcase their personal work and make it easier to available to purchase.


The site and products on it have a home-spun, authentic feel, without being too Etsy, and although the overall feel is re-worked mid-century, there's something to suit all tastes. 


I love the Emerald Whale Cushion, by Maria Hatling; quirky, colourful, and playful.

Emerald Whale Cushion, £55, Gallery Bobbin

I've also got the perfect place at Dixies for these three prints - each a limited edition run of 300 - also by artist Maria Hatling - firmly added to my 'to buy' list!

The Way I See The World, Maria Hatling, £125

Paper Clips, Maria Hatling, £125

Swan, Maria Hatling, £125

Anton & K

We found the most gorgeous vintage French-style interiors shop whilst in the Cotswolds this weekend. Nestled in the pretty town of Winchcombe, Anton & K features a selection of simply beautiful antique French country style furniture - faded, distressed and antique pieces that makes me want to move to France!

The antique, weathered-looking greys, taupes, and blues are set against the perfect plain warm-slate grey backdrop in the shop, with everything brought to life by textures of antique ceramics, vintage linens, and lustrous mirrors and chandeliers.

There's also accessories by Kate Forman, True Grace and Prey.





Pair of French louvred shutters, Anton & K

Pair of cast iron decorative urns, Anton & K



Anton & K Shop in Winchcombe





http://www.antonandk.co.uk/

Farrow & Ball

I know I'm not alone in my love of Farrow & Ball - their paint has a wonderful depth, and the colours are so easy-to-live-with, and instantly stylish.

I'm loving their latest book that one of my brothers bought me for my birthday (with a little bit of a hint). I devoured it almost instantly, and have since gone back to it on a bi-weekly basis for inspiration, and to lust after the perfect homes featured inside.

Photography by Jan Baldwin, for Farrow & Ball Living with Colour

The only problem is that all the colours are amazing, and there are too many beautiful combinations to choose from. Whilst I know it's only paint, and we can re-decorate if we don't like the end result, I also know that the hubby will not be pleased if I change my mind after the paint's gone up, and worse still - I know I'll be ridiculously disappointed if I get it wrong.

So much pressure... I'd best get the book out again for some more inspiration!

http://www.farrow-ball.com/

Beautiful Brissi

After months of longing I've finally got my hands on a beautiful, shapely chair from Brissi for my bedroom.

I had actually been hankering after this one:


but ended up with a smaller/ more modest-shaped but still perfectly-formed version that fits much better in my room.

I love the shape of the legs and the colour of the wood which matches the beams in our bedroom following their soap-n-scrape treatment from our fantastic decorator.

http://www.brissi.co.uk/

Staffy B

I'm thrilled to have found the most lovely interiors shop in my nearest town over the weekend. Staffy B stocks 'Recycled, Vintage, and New'; shabby chic, rustic Provencale-style, and up-cycled furnuture and homewares - all out of a small but perfectly formed shop in Baldock, Herts.

If they haven't got what you're looking for, they'll happily scour local auctions and fairs in the UK and France to find that perfect piece of furniture, or if you've got a piece at home that needs a new lease of life you can take it in to be up-cycled by the shop's talented team.

I've put an order in for a plain curved mantlepiece-style mirror for my hallway/ dining area - fingers crossed the frame fair comes up with a specimin ripe for some TLC!

http://www.staffybhome.co.uk/

Rockett St George



Life - Vintaged Sign

 Out of all the interiors shops out there, this one is my absolute favourite - and there are quite a few pieces either bought from here, or 'inspired by' the site in my cottage.

This eclectic site is full of wonderful things to adorn your walls, including original handcrafted one-off wooden pieces like this one (pictured) 'Life is a series of moments called Now' - which has a wonderful, antique feel, and a message that manages to be feel-good without being sickeningly sweet! I'm thinking of buying one for a friend's wedding this year - just need to decide on which message to go for.

The site is like an Aladdin's cave, and it's easy to waste hours browsing through the timeless prints, word art, wall stickers (a look the site has been rocking before they became popular last year) and even quirky ceramic tiles.

I Rule print

There's plenty for the rest of your home too, from witty teatowels, to tableware that's sure to be a conversation-starter, to vintage-style bathroom accessories and toiletries. I noticed the other day that they've recently started selling the most realistic-looking range of faux flowers, with beautiful cherry blossom, peonies, hydrangeas, and Equadorian Roses. 

In the vintage section there's a great selection of design-classics on offer. I'm dying to order a couple of Eames Dowel chairs from the vintage section, which come in gorgeous 70s colourways - they'd be the perfect fit against a traditional Victorian wooden table in my kitchen - might need to save up though, as I'll need 6-8...

 

http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/

 

Vintage Eames Dowel Chair



Anthropologie

There's nothing better than an hour spent browsing around Anthropologie on a Saturday afternoon. I head there whenever I get the chance - the shop on the Kings Road is my favourite.

The decor of the shop itself is just amazing; it includes a running water feature that has a relaxing, tranquil effect on the whole shopping experience, and a mish-mash of colours in the interiors section is enough to brighten the darkest of days. 

The shop unfolds as you walk through the different sections, giving you the feeling of mooching around a jigsaw of boutique stalls. The wide range of products is inspired by far-flung countries, bold patterns, nature, and seminal moments in time - making for an enchanting, eclectic mix - I challenge you to leave without picking up a little something!

 

Driftwood Hurricane Lantern



The prices are as wide-ranging as the styles stocked too (although naturally it's the more expensive pieces that my magpie eye is drawn to).

The new arrivals on the website that are catching my eye this week would fill up this whole blog - a taster includes;

 - Colour Flight Butterflies Wallpaper, by Over & Over

 - Driftwood Hurricane Lantern candle holder

 - Round Conure Rug

 - Bug door handle

http://www.anthropologie.eu/ 



 



 

White Bedding

For me, when it comes to bedding, it has to be white... (and the same with towels while we're on the subject) - white bedding just feels cleaner.

And the more luxurious the better too! Cotton is a bit more of a pain to iron, but it feels softer, and it's better for letting your skin breathe.  And for an extra luxurious touch, I use kingsize duvets on all the double beds in my house, so you get a lovely overhang, no duvet tug-of-war during the night, and teamed with white covers, you feel like you're literally sleeping in a cloud. zzz

Here are a few of my favourites:

Stripey White
I've got a Laura Ashley satin stripe set on my bed at the moment - simple vertical lines with no fuss, which I think creates a really crisp look - and stops my bed from looking too feminine. They have similar ones available in store. http://www.lauraashley.com/

Burlington Waffle Bed Linen from The White Company



All White

As the name suggests, The White Company is a haven for white bedding! The Burlington Waffle set is high on my wish-list at the moment. http://www.thewhitecompany.com/


Whiter Shade of Pale
I've also got quite a few John Lewis sets - some from my wedding list! Again, it's the stripes that have the appeal for me - anything with a straight line helps with creating a crisp, modern look - they have a few pleats/ pintuck options which tick all the boxes.

At the moment I'm also tempted to go so far as to think about adding a touch of colour - the Jigsaw Ticking Striped Duvet Set available at John Lewis has a more informal, but still traditional feel.
http://www.johnlewis.com/