Art : Kristina Krogh Studio

How much do I love this work?!  I have long fancied one of this Danish artist’s prints and this might be the year I get one.  A girl can hope!

 

via Kristina Krogh Studio.

Spring edit : marks and spencer

Next on my spring interiors shopping edit is good old Marks and Spencer.

Tapping into the trend for botanicals this season they’re on the money with this beautiful cotton retro-styled sofa:

Harper Sofa from £799

Some of my other favourites from this season (the faceted vase I actually have from a previous season and I use it all the time):

Geometric candlestick £19.50

Nayoko dining chair £199

Thistle mirrored velvet cushion £15

Hybrid table lamp £79

London framed map £99

Butterfly decal platter £35

Conran Kitson side table £199

Lotus tealight holder £12

Botanical tins £12.50

Faceted vase £17.50

via Marks & Spencer.

Arne Jacobsen : Series 7 Anniversary Edition

To commemorate Arne Jacobsen’s classic, the pressure moulded Series 7 chair, Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen has launched 2 new editions – both only available in 2015.  One is navy blue with burnished metal legs and one is pale pink with 24 carat gold legs.

I’m not really a pink person but i would have trouble picking one as they are both gorgeous.

 

image via selectism.com and Series 7 Anniversary Edition – 3107™ Anniversary Edition – Fritz Hansen.

Inspiration : Joseph Dirand Architecture

How much do i love this man’s work?!

Based in Paris, the architect Joseph Dirand produces Residential and Commercial spaces that are jaw-droppingly stunning.

I realised recently that all of the interior design pins that i find most achingly beautiful are of his work.

And he’s french.

Video: Joseph Dirand apartment tour | NY Times 2014

Article: Joseph Dirand article in the NY Times 2014

Images via Joseph Dirand Architecture and Pinterest.

Painting Project : Front Door

It’s been a long six months since we last had work done (our bathroom here).  It took considerable amounts of money and so much of my energy to plan and co-ordinate the project that we’ve taken a rest for awhile.  The winter months have kept us inside but now our attention again turns to the house.  Yesterday was such a lovely day that I was inspired to get down to the DIY shop and get supplies for our next project:  our front door.

Having thought about it for the past few weeks (see my front door post here) we decided to go ahead this weekend.  I didn’t give my husband much notice and we were both out there on a chilly afternoon sanding down the paint instead of watching football or Moonraker so he wasn’t all that chuffed!

We inherited a front door that is a mid-blue colour, sort of the colour of chelsea football club (after sanding it looks more like a faded cornflower blue).  It has large toughened glass panels, some chipped paint, quite a few holes, a kick plate and a mix of satin chrome and polished chrome brassware.

After sanding the paint back and wiping it down I have masked off the brassware:

I bought some dark tone undercoat/primer from the DIY shop as I’m going for a dark colour as a top coat:

Because our doors have Satin Chrome locks (which I think look more like satin nickel) I need to source a new letterbox and door bell as the old ones are polished chrome.

Satin Chrome Banham lock

I went to SDS in Wandsworth, close to my home, and bought a letterbox and door bell push in satin nickel:

SDS letter plate in satin chrome

 

With one layer of undercoat on I painted the first coat of dark eggshell:

And here is the result of 3 hours freezing work this morning…first coat finished!!

 

---

 

Paint

Undercoat: Dark Tones primer/undercoat – Farrow & Ball

Paint: Off Black Exterior Eggshell – Farrow & Ball

(i did try and find a cheaper alternative but for shades of black there wasn’t any other choice at B&Q or Homebase).

What do you think?

Don’t look too closely as you’ll see my amateur attempt!

x

Shopping : HOPSCOTCH LONDON

I came across this East London-based company the other day and promptly ordered some gorgeous looking candles from them.  These hand poured soy wax candles come in simple glass jars with gold screw top lids and are divine.  When the wax is gone I will keep the jar as it’s a very pretty thing.

Not one to pass up a chance to support local business, I thought I’d do my bit to spread the word.

The online retail store is a perfect reflection of their no nonsense, design-led approach that lets the products speak for themselves.

Prints, jewellery, homewares, vintage and accessories all carefully selected to represent craftsmanship, quality and a clean, crisp design approach. A breath of fresh, soy wax, air.

dot print pouch £22.00

pyrite prism necklace £25

gold teardrop paperclips £2.95

vintage 1950s clotted cream tin

lavender soy candle

herbivore purify serum

via HOPSCOTCH.

Colour : Jewels

Today I got to spend my morning marketing meeting at Sassalina with these beauties.

And i got to wear this stunning, and rare, lilac sapphire:

I 💜 my job!

x

Paperwork : Calligraphy

Since i was a little girl i have always been fascinated with calligraphy.  I saved up my pocket money and, every few weeks, went to my local art shop to buy another scratchy, tarnished nib for my quill and some new coloured ink pot from Winsor & Newton  and hurry home to practice the art of failing at calligraphy. Many years later and my interest in the art form has not left me and i’m pondering the possibility of trying my hand at it again. One question though.  Where would i use it??

   

There are some great books and tutorials on the art.  YouTube has loads of great calligraphy artists demonstrating their work.  I particularly like Melissa Esplin at istilllovecalligraphy.com:

I have ordered a pen and ink set from Amazon and will let you know my progress – or failure – to get back into this beautiful art form.  Watch this space!  x

Light : Lampe Palmier

I’m currently obsessing over vintage brass lights, in particular the 1970’s ‘Lampe Palmier’ lights from France that referenced the glamorous Hollywood Regency period of the 1930’s.

Over the top – yes.  Gorgeous – definitely.

   

Sadly these now cost thousands of dollars in vintage interiors boutiques and antique shops across the world but a girl can dream…

x

 

 

Books : Move and Work by Malene Birger

Currently top of my book wishlist is the next update from the world of Danish fashion designer Malene Birger, titled:

Move and Work

I have long admired her work as a fashion designer and have been collecting her pieces for over 20 years and now she has become as well known for her interiors style which is an incredible mix of graphic art, sculpture, ethnic influences and feminine detailing that sits in a neutral colour palette.

Her previous lifestyle book, Life and Work is also on my wishlist.