by Natalie on September 8, 2009
I am in lust with this workstation come cabinet. John Lewis have certainly come up trumps with the space-saving Otto Workstation which is part of a collection of products from hot British designers that’ll no doubt have the discerning flocking to their stores. The asymemetric teal and white interior also gives way to a quirky exterior with the little cubbyhole. The legs are solid wood ash veneer and the cabinet itself has a lacquer finish. Pieces like this really transform an awkward space/corner and can even let you create a workspace in a hallway if you don’t want to take over a room. It could even force you to be tidy….
Available for pre-order currently, £399. If you’re on a budget or really tight on space, Ikea have the PS workstation that can be put up on the wall.
by Natalie on September 8, 2009
If you have aspirations for an expensive kitchen but don’t have the budget, you may want to consider The Used Kitchen Company which sells ex display and used kitchens from both kitchen designers and private clients. There are some pretty high spec kitchens listed that even though they are ’second hand’ still command a high price but just think what you could have paid! The ex display ALNO Sign kitchen quartz grey which is high gloss with a stone sink and appliances would normally be £26K and it could be yours for a still whopping £17,250.
I’m actually more interested in monitoring their appliances section which has fridges, ovens, hobs, ranges, dishwashers etc as you know I love a bargain and we need to buy a new cooker – haven’t made up my mind whether it will be a range or hob and built in oven yet. Think brands like Smeg, Neff, Franke, Siemens, Bosch, Atag, Rangemaster, Viking, Dietrich and more. If you have a kitchen you want to sell, you can also do it through these guys too. You can also sign ip to their mailing list so you can be notified when new items come in.
by Natalie on September 7, 2009
I’m getting myself all overexcited at the prospect of doing my first class at The Make Lounge in November. I had wanted to do one sooner but this place is busy with quite a few classes completely sold out!
The Make Lounge offers cool craft workshops that let you quickly learn new skills and have you leaving with a little something that you’ve made. It has a bit of a chilled night out feel where you hang out and have nibblies and drinks, plus you can have birthday and hen parties there too.
I’ll be attending ‘Extraordinary Embroidery’ where I’ll learn how to transfer images onto fabric and learn key stitches, plus I’ll get a pattern to keep and leave with handiwork on a tea towel or pillowcase. There are other sewing techniques like overlocking, as well as knicker making (I so wanted to go to this!), jewellery making, crochet, icing cupcakes (yum), milinery, making candles and bath stuff and loads more. Materials are included and there are classes across various skill levels. I can’t wait! By the time I go, the new shop will be open too which means no doubt I’ll end up indulging myself….
49-51 Barnsbury Street, London N1 1TP
[images credit: The Make Lounge ]
by Natalie on September 7, 2009
I’ve been a huge fan of Lulu&Nat, the design duo behind this stunning collection of hand block printed Indian cotton bedding. I met them at Top Drawer Spring back in January and they were my favourite find of the show, causing me to get all swoony which increased when they finally started selling online. Everything is handmade in India and totally unique and aside from the delicious prints, there’s embellished cushions and embroidered wall hangings, as well as table cloths. I can’t wait to see there new prints and PJ’s when I attend Top Drawer this weekend! In the meantime, you can see their current collections on the site where prices start from £42 for a cot quilt.
by Natalie on September 4, 2009
Butterflies are a hot trend fluttering their way across fashion and interiors and after seeing Laura Ashley’s ceramic butterfly pendant (top right) over on Domestic Sluttery, I was reminded of another couple of delights I’ve seen recently.
Now technically, Rose Cobb’s sculptural paper vision, top left, is a moth shade but hell it works and they look oddly beautiful, plus it’s £75 and also my favourite of the three.
The Laura Ashley butterfly pendant features eight lights and has an ethereal quality and is £168.75. The colourful, vintage vibe butterly table sphere by Tay Lighting, £268, is handmade from natural materials like seashells in Indonesia and the Philippines and is also in tube shades as well.
by kat on September 4, 2009
I adore wallpaper and spend a little too much of my time dreaming about which paper to hang next. My current obsession is Daydream by Julia Rothman for Hygge and West. This gorgeous design started life intended for a completely different project but how glad am I it ended up as wallpaper? It comes in five colours and rolls of 30ft (approx 10m). Each roll is $105 and you will have to email info[at]hyggeandwestshop.com for a shipping quote. I am just dying to get my mitts on some of this for my bedroom – don’t you think it would be dreamy?
by kat on September 3, 2009
I’m always looking for inspiration from creative people. This chest of drawers was customised by Julie of Famille Summerbelle for her daughter’s room. By using a mix of vintage and contemporary wall paper prints she has turned a plain white chest into a stylish focal point. The cow parsley wallpaper came from Cole & Son who are renowned for their bold designs. You can often order samples of wallpaper for a small fee or just the postage cost and eBay is a treasure trove for vintage wallpaper hunting. This project is definitely on my one day to do list. If you like the alphabet poster in the picture you can buy it at Dandy Star for £100.
As seen on Design*Sponge.
by Natalie on September 2, 2009
I fell in instant lust with the El Baul Storage Box by Italian designers Magis when I originally featured it over on Bambino Goodies and I’m now rather excited because one will be taking up residence in our sitting room in the next couple of weeks. I actually thought it would take a lot more convincing of the boyf but this was one of my quickest pitching sessions despite the price!
I’d like to think it’s the golf ball like dimples reminding him of one of his favourite pastimes but it’s more likely to be his despair at the sitting room being taken over by toy mess! Part of the Magis Me Too Collection of products for children, it’s made from robust polyethylene and works just as well in adult spaces as it does in mini people’s. £215 Nubie
by kat on September 2, 2009
I have a strange obsession with tea towels especially considering I never do the washing up. To Dry For is my idea of shopping heaven, it is a shop devoted to the most wonderful tea towel and nothing else. Sally and Dave spotted the glaring gap in the market for a designer tea towel emporium and To Dry For was born. Tea towels are priced from £7.50 to £11.50 with the sale section priced from £4.50. I’m feeling hard pressed to pick a favourite but Mr Tea Towel (below right) does have me in stitches.
by kat on September 1, 2009
For those of us who don’t live around the corner from fabulous street markets or have time to go digging Supermarket Sarah is a gift. The site is an ever changing eclectic mix of homewares, furniture and clothing from both vintage and contemporary sources. Sarah left corporate life behind to run her own market stall which boasts customers such as Damon Albarn. This is the place to shop to add eclectic flair to your home.
