Header image

Property Stalking Part II, Town or Country?

Posted by deardesigner in Houses - (2 Comments)

I’ve been at it again I’m afraid.

Where do I find the time you might ask!  What with work, and this blog (another addiction of mine), Heart Home magazine, the odd bit of DIY and gardening, family and all the other demands on time, you might think I just wouldn’t have a spare moment.  And you are right.  But what about those snatched moments whilst eating breakfast, waiting for the bath to run, waiting for the BF to come to bed?  That’s when you might find me on the iPad devouring an estate agents website.  I know, it’s sad beyond belief.

But I can’t help imagining…

The Lawns, View of house from rear

What it would be like to live in a stunning house like this.  Architect designed with double height windows wrapped around an older house, it would have all the light I craved and more, and fantastic views of the landscaped gardens.

The_Lawns_conservatory-7067

Was the art bought for that wall or was the wall built for that art?

The_Lawns_kitchen-6886

And it just looks made for entertaining doesn’t it.  I could muster up kinds of culinary masterpieces in this kitchen whilst my guests perch on those stools with drinks in hand, and admire the other masterpieces on the walls.

The_Lawns_reception-6822

And we could retire with coffee to one of the much cosier inner rooms and enjoy the fire.

Available currently on the Savills Hampstead website.

Or would I rather live in a house like this…

clapton mill 020

A converted watermill in the country with a fully operating mill and masses of period details.

clapton mill 030

Dinner parties would be much smaller, more intimate affairs with flickering candlelight, the best antique china and soft background music.  Guests wouldn’t want to go home.

clapton mill 008

And Sunday afternoons would be spent in front of the fire with feet up and a pile of weekend papers before putting the kettle on and cutting the freshly baked cake.

DSC_0598

 Available currently on the Savills Beaconsfield website.

Which would you choose?

, ,

Bathrooms, To Accessorize Or Not?

Posted by deardesigner in Uncategorized - (3 Comments)

Sometimes I’m torn between two loves.

A part of me loves a spare, minimalist look.  The kind of space where the architecture and the hard surfaces do all of the talking.

fernandosantangelo

Fernando Santangelo

What could be more beautiful than this white tiled bathroom. The uneven texture of the tiles provide the only pattern required.  The monochromatic colour scheme is warmed by the wooden ceiling but the decoration is kept to a minimum with globe lights, chrome taps and fluffy white  towels.  It’s sparseness is its attractiveness and the high window ensures privacy.  I love it.

But then my head is turned.

architectural digest

Architectural Digest

Another white tiled bathroom.  Another monochromatic colour scheme, but there the similarity ends.  The owner of this bathroom loves comfort and decoration.  The floor tiles are highly patterned, there’s a mirrored cupboard that surely holds all manner of lotions and potions.  There are fancy bottles, and flowers, and lampshades, and so many photographs one ended up on the floor!  This is a bathroom to linger in.  To indulge in a long soak in the bath, not take a shower.

Which do you prefer?

, , ,

Stylist Envy – Vicki Sullivan

Posted by deardesigner in Stylists - (2 Comments)

Yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, were such grey dismal days that I just want to look at some pretty pictures today.

And pictures don’t get any prettier than the ones here from the portfolio of interiors stylist Vicky Sullivan.

stylist vicky sullivan 1

 This is just a small selection from her impressive portfolio but these were the ones that spoke to me.  They seem to convey the mood I’m feeling this morning.  A desire to stay cosy indoors with comforting tea and cake.

stylist vicky sullivan 2

 To perform mundane, familiar tasks like washing up and tidying away.  Sorting and re-arranging and just generally pottering around the house.

stylist vicky sullivan 3

Do you have days like that?

, ,

Take Me Away – La Maltese, Santorini

Posted by deardesigner in Hotels - (0 Comments)

I think I could spend a week here.

In fact I think I would like to reserve the second sunbed from the right.

la maltese, santorini, greece 2

This is the five star La Maltese on Santorini, which is perched 250 metres above the phenomenal Caldera.  A neo-classical mansion that has been turned into a luxury boutique hotel with dizzying views and a chic aesthetic, not to mention a spa.

la maltese, santorini, greece 3 la maltese, santorini, greece 5 la maltese, santorini, greece 6 la maltese, santorini, greece 7

Anyone care to join me?

Psst, it’s also available at up to 63% off for a short time on the Secret Escapes website.

,

Books: Gardenalia by Sally Coulthard

Posted by deardesigner in Gardens - (0 Comments)

I have been a little garden obsessed lately.  The new deck out back is starting to look like the outdoor room that I envisaged when we started this project and now I just have to wait for the plants to mature a little so that I can take some photographs.  I’m a bit impatient and have to keep reminding myself that it is only May.  Plenty of time, the summer has not even got started!

GARDENALIA outdoorsink_018

One of my biggest influences in garden design lately has been a gorgeous book called Gardenalia by Sally Coulthard.  We featured an extract from it in the last issue of Heart Home magazine and it has become my well thumbed bible for inspirational ideas without breaking the bank.

GARDENALIA BY SALLY COULTHARD

I think we all strive to be less wasteful these days and furnishing your garden with flea market finds, country collectibles and architectural salvage is just the next step from upcycling in the home.  There’s something very satisfying about re-using something that would be thrown away, or finding objects in the attic or at a car boot fair that can be used in a way that it perhaps was not intended.  All you need is an open mind when you’re out and about.

Design Dina Deferme, Belgium

Gardenalia is not just full of great ideas however.  It is full of practical advice for all styles of gardens and beautiful photographs.  Eye candy for the garden no less.

GARDENALIA COVER

All photographs are from Gardenalia

Published by Jacqui Small

, , ,

The English Garden from Camilla Meijer

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

If you love wallpaper and you love flowers, you will love this new design from Camilla Meijer.

camilla meijer - the english garden wallpaper

Aptly named The English Garden, it’s available from this month as wallpaper and printed textiles.  Above is pumpkin colourway and it also comes in honey, aqua, violet & blue and silver as shown below.

camilla meijer - the english garden wallpaper colourways

Camilla’s designs are always so meticulously drawn that they just invite you in for closer inspection.   She draws each element separately and then arranges them into a repeat pattern.

camilla meijer - drawings

I just love the dragonfly!

Previous posts about Camilla Meijers

I Spy – Camilla Meijers, Spring 2012

London Design Festival – 100% Design

, ,

What’s in the Shops? – French Connection and DFS

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

Did you know that French Connection sofas are available at DFS?

I’m continually impressed by the home collections coming out of French Connection and the sofas don’t disappoint either.

french connection at dfs 1

Slate

Quite handsome, non?  I like the oversized cushions and the piping detail and the covers are removable and can be dry cleaned.  Of course it looks all the cooler for having been paired with the French Connection Palette Coffee Table.  Definitely on my wish list for that One Day House in the Country.  Have you also seen the Tree Trunk Side Tables?

french connection tree trunk side table

And the new Safari Chair in white?

french connection white safari chair

Well anyway, I digress, back to DFS.

french connection at dfs 2

Coast

A clean linear shape which comes in a gorgeous palette of laid back colours or vibrant red for the very brave.

french connection at dfs 3

Chalk

Another winner that looks so inviting.

I think I may just go put my feet up now.

,

Hooray for Heals

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

A few weeks ago I spent a very pleasant morning re-discovering the Heals flagship store at 196 Tottenham Court Road.  A morning of shopping, coffee and design talk in the building that has been the home of this very british store since 1840.  What’s not to love?

Blu Dot Chairs

Blu Dot dining chairs

Did you know that Heals has been trading for over 200 years (they celebrated their second centenary in 2010) and that they started as a mattress making firm?  Knowing that, it’s very apt that in early February this year the second floor was transformed into the ultimate destination for all things sleep related.  Room sets and designer names at every turn to inspire and tempt us all.

designers guild fabric

Designers Guild fabric

In fact quite a few things have changed recently in this historic building.  There’s been a lot of re-organisation so that shopping is a lot easier.  The Gourmet Kitchen department is the ultimate destination for premium kitchenware, the Spa department in now a truly indulgent experience and there is an extensive list of new designer brands including collections from Clarissa Hulse, Julian Chichester, Cantori, Gervasoni, Blu Dot and Matthew Hilton for De La Espada.

clarissa hulse

Clarissa Hulse

And, always a place to pick up the perfect gift, there has been an influx of innovative and wonderfully crafted collections from the likes of Chisel & Mouse L’Objet, Cire Trudon and Alli Tomlin alongside much-loved Jonathan Adler, Georg Jenson, Kartell, LSA and Seletti.

jonathan adler

Jonathan Adler

And if you decide to visit, don’t leave without visiting the Cafe, which is now in partnership with the Quarter Group.  Not only is the food fresh and delicious, the space is serene and calming.  We’re talking Tom Dixon copper pendents, Ercol dining chairs and inviting solid oak tables.  Bliss.

donna wilson

Donna Wilson

Previous posts you might like:

Chisel & Mouse

Jonathan Adler

Clarissa Hulse

, ,

A Cheeky Treat from Dupenny

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

The lovely ladies at Dupenny have a treat in store for all of you lovers of afternoon tea.

They have adorned a bone china tea-set with some of their most popular, most cheeky pin-up characters.  You can now take tea with Victoria Fancy, Norma Nibbles and Belinda Bakewell.

dupenny cheeky pin-up tea set

dupenny cheeky pin-up tea set 3

dupenny cheeky pin-up tea set 4

What would the vicar say?

Photographs by Jessica Milberg

,

Summer Dreaming with Clarke and Clarke

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (2 Comments)

Let’s indulge in a little fantasy today.

It’s one of those sultry summer days in high summer.  There’s just a whisper of a breeze and occasionally a white fluffy cloud will scud across the sky.  The only sound to be heard is the soft drone of the bees and there is a heady fragrance of English roses in the air.

clarke and clarke from 4id interiors - nostalgic_prints-3289

All of the chores are done.  The washing is drying on the line and there is a cake in the oven that will be done just in time for the family’s tea.

clarke and clarke from 4id interiors - rosetta_16

It’s one of those afternoons that seem to go on forever.  An unread book is within reach but it’s just too perfect a day to read.

clarke and clarke from 4id interiors - rosetta_17

It’s a day to dream.

clarke and clarke from 4id interiors - rosetta_24

All fabrics are Clarke and Clarke available from 4id Interiors.

Nostalgia and Rosetta are featured.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

,