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Confessions of a Property Stalker

Posted by deardesigner in Houses - (4 Comments)

Have I ever told you about my guilty pleasure?

No, it’s not eating chocolate in secret(although I do that too), and no, I’m not a secret drinker! I can hardly bring myself to say it…I am addicted to all kinds of property search programmes on TV. Location, Location, Location is my favourite, but I also watch Escape to the Country, Sarah Beeny’s Selling Houses, Property Ladder….etc, etc. If I’m home alone, I can watch them for hours at a time and I’ll even watch the repeats. Is this an addiction I can get therapy for?

Savills Bath 1

I think it stems from the fact that I have lived in the same house for many years, and although I am constantly redecorating, it’s not the same as starting from scratch somewhere new. It’s years since I have experienced the thrill of walking into a new place and imagining the possibilities that it presents.

Savills Bath

Designing for clients is different. You are putting yourself into their shoes and designing for them. I just love to escape into fantasy and imagine what I would do with that sitting room and how would I re-configure that layout to the best possible solution for my life.

So, just as I am thinking of going cold turkey, I discover a new way of feeding this addiction. Estate agents websites.

Savills Bath 2

How beautiful is this Georgian terraced house in Bath? I’m already fantasizing about the life I will lead. All of that light flooding in is just a dream come true. That workspace above could be my new office and I would be super productive I’m sure. And the period features! Swoon!

Savills Bath 3

And who would complain about living in this neighbourhood?

Currently available for a cool £1.7 million from Savills.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

dining room, location, office spaces, property, sitting room

Designer Envy – Fiona Barratt

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Designers - (0 Comments)

Fiona Barratt interiors was founded in 2006 and designs high-end, international residential and commercial interiors.

Fiona Barratt 1

Her philosophy behind creating fluid and elegant spaces is that they are born of understanding the aspirations of the client, the relevance of the location and maximising the potential of the existing elements of the space. Then add in imagination and vision and the result is an interior that tells a story in relation to its location, the consideration of the four walls in which it exists, and most importantly reflects in essence the client’s individuality…

Fiona Barratt 2 Fiona Barratt 3 Fiona Barratt 4

“A successful interior should enhance, not dictate the way you live“.

Fiona Barratt 7 Fiona Barratt 6 Fiona Barratt 5

And as if these beautiful interiors don’t keep her busy enough, Fiona is opening her first retail store in London in June on the Pimlico Road called FBC London.

bathroom, bedroom, dining room, hallway, office spaces, open plan spaces, sitting room

Dutch by Design

Posted by deardesigner in Celebrity Snoop | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

Do you ever wonder what the homes of the big names in design look like?

Well, this is a glimpse of the home of Casper Vissers and his wife Suzy. Casper is the co-founder of Dutch company Moooi and the house is in Breda, the Netherlands.

I love the quality of light and the view from the dining room window is to die for. I’m quite partial to some clipped hedges.

The house has some wonderful period features and the addition of the more contemporary Moooi designs just seems to highlight the mouldings and the ceiling roses.

Its also a good lesson in the use of a restained colour scheme.

The full story can be found on Elle Decoration.

Styled by Tatjana Quax; Photography by Inga Powilleit

dining room, hallway, office spaces, sitting room

The Flatmate Work Bureau by Papillon Interiors

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

What do you think of this nifty little work bureau by Papillon Interiors?

Designed by Michael Hilgers for Muller, it is designed to fit into any home, even the smallest of spaces, as it’s only 12cms deep.

The top section cleverly opens into a generous work surface, with shelving specifically crafted to house your gadgets and essential working tools such as Laptops, tablets computers and telephone. And it even has a built-in socket to allow easy power access, but once folded away it blends into the background.

I’m rather liking it.

Furniture, office spaces

Martha Stewart at Staples

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Shopping - (0 Comments)

I am a bit of a tidy freak and I do like a little wander down the isles of a certain stationery store from time to time looking for anything that might make life that little bit more organised. So imagine my excitement on discovering that Martha Stewart, that award-winning, bestselling, inspiring pioneer of practical stylish living is now available at Staples.

Yes, it’s true! No longer do us Brits have to worship from afar, growing more and more envious of our cousins across the pond who have Martha on tap. We can now pop down to our local Staples to stock up on a very versatile collection of Martha Stewart Home Office products to organise all those cluttered areas of our homes.

The whole range is finished in soft blues and warm chocolate browns to mix and match and a beautiful shagreen style finish to add just a touch of elegance.

I might need a basket next time I visit. Or maybe a trolley?

Accessories, office spaces, stationery, storage

I Spy – A Perfect Pegboard…

Posted by deardesigner in I Spy | Interior Design - (2 Comments)

Julia at Winter’s Moon emailed me this week with a new addition to their online shop.

Now, I am very partial to anything that organises my life and looks good into the bargain, so this pegboard is just perfect in my eyes.

Just the place to keep those pesky bills, school letters and invitations. Or in my case, all those wallpaper and fabric samples that are just waiting for a project.

It has wooden batons to hold it out from the wall to allow the hooks to go in and out. There are two picture hooks on the back for fixing to the wall and 6 bulldog clips and 6 pegboard hooks are included too.

And if you happen to pop over to the website to have a look (recommended!) have a look at the kids section.

Isn’t this miniature broom cupboard adorable?

office spaces, shopping

Inspiration – Schoolroom Chic…

Posted by deardesigner in Inspiration | Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Just because we all rely on our computers for everything these days, doesn’t mean we can’t still yearn for a workspace that brings with it a certain nostalgia for a simpler life.

Even if we’re too young to remember ink and quills the sight of them can still evoke a feeling of romance and history…a wire basket?…a pennyless writer toiling in a Parisian garrett…brown paper packages tied up with string?…the Sound of Music of course…wooden pigeon holes?…a village post office…I could go on…

Rejoice in your fantasies!

Sources from top left: Wooden wall unit, Cox and Cox. Hogwarts writing quill, Harrods. Notice board, Ikea. Desk calendar, Pedlars. Globe, Pedlars. Wire basket, Cox and Cox. Desk, Oka Direct. Wire mailbox, Cox and Cox. Image of books, Perfect Wedding Guide. Pencil, Office Depot. Anglepoise lamp, John Lewis.

Accessories, Furniture, lighting, office spaces

Something for the Weekend…

Posted by deardesigner in Inspiration - (1 Comments)

I know it’s only Wednesday but the weather forecast says the UK is heading for a big chill. And there’s nothing like a bit of forward planning…

…so I intend to stay in, put on my most comfortable joggers, a thick pair of socks and snuggle up on the sofa with my favourite online mags.

Adore Magazine

J’adore this magazine and I love the tips for Valentines day, which is less than two weeks away after all.

Rue Magazine

Despite my best intentions and new year’s resolutions my desk at home is already looking less than tidy. It might be time to sort it out. And while I’m at it. the dressing table could do with a look in. Thank you Rue as ever for the inspiration.