More White...

via House and Home

To paint or not to paint? I love this image, although I am wondering how practical painted floors are. Has anyone been brave enough to do this? I'd be interested to hear about it.

The sun is finally shining today - someone must have given Mother Nature the tip off that Spring has been with us now for a month. Let's hope the sunshine continues....

Re-kindling a fabric obsession...

Despite my best intentions to do very little yesterday, I had a small clear-out of my old drop-front desk (I hesitate to call it antique, but it must almost qualify for that title). It was full of the detritus of life - batteries, old padlocks, pens that no longer work and I cannot tell you how many unused keys. Although  I'm sure it could bring some kind of bad karma to hold onto unused keys (I'm thinking unopened doors, lost opportunities - you get the picture), I cannot bring myself to throw them away. It is as if one day I'll come across a locked door in my home that I had previously been unaware of, and magically produce the key. Consequently, they are now stored in tiny plastic bags elsewhere.
My intention for this desk is to set it up as a work place for small, but nevertheless important, hand made activities. Any time the creative urge strikes, I am forced to pull apart my wardrobe in an effort to reach the small swatches of fabric stored in the back. Of course, the fabric scissors are missing, and have been used for something unseemly like chopping up a chicken. My aim is to centralise all of these things - glue, card, fabric, ribbon, scissors (of course newly purchased) etc. Think small (very small) studio/workshop.
In the process of sorting, and re-sorting, I came across some beautiful fabric that I had put away for (I hesitate to say a rainy day, but yes, just that). I had forgotten how much I love gorgeous, have-to-run-your-fingers-over-it fabric. And so, I am heading out today to source some more, as I can feel the seeds of ideas beginning to sprout.
I'll post some shots of my re-organised desk once it is finished. Have a lovely Tuesday.

this pic from here

top pics via Jane Churchill

A Holiday Monday...time to get organised

via Swish and Swanky

If procrastinating were an Olympic Sport, I'd certainly be up for a Bronze, at the very least. Today is a holiday Monday in my corner of the world, and, when faced with a free day, I begin by mulling over all the things that I could do (compare this to a 'proper' work day, when I do all the things I have to do). What I really should do is get a little bit of order into this small space of mine. Cupboards are threatening to overflow, and drawers are struggling to close. This pic above, from Swish and Swanky, inspires me to sort, tidy and re-do. But, I might just start by putting the kettle on....

Delicious Pastries

I am always in favour of quick baking, particularly if the end result is chocolatey-good. This recipe (I think) came from a recent Vogue Entertaining and Travel. I have a bad habit of ripping recipes out of magazines and forgetting where they have come from. If anyone can confirm/set-me-straight on the source I'd very much appreciate it.

But...I digress. I used frozen butter puff pastry for this. Once the pastry has thawed, use a biscuit cutter to cut out circles (the original recipe suggests making them larger by tracing around a saucer). Lay your circles of pastry on a lined tray and place a few squares of chocolate in the centre. Add a top circle of pastry (the same size as the bottom), and pinch the sides together with your fingers. Brush with a little beaten egg, and bake at for about twenty minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed. I suggest using the instructions on the pastry pack as a guide for the oven temperature.

These are great eaten straight from the oven, dusted with icing sugar, with a blob of cream on the side. Just watch out for the hot chocolate.

Wardrobe Heaven

pic from here

I think I may have audibly gasped when I saw this wardrobe. My own is in great need of some re-organisation, but it would take a magic wand for me to achieve this result. So... some procrastination is called for. Instead of tackling the problem, I'll sit down with a hot tea and the weekend paper, and wait patiently for that magic wand to appear.

A Place for Everything

Wouldn't you love to spend the weekend rummaging around in here? It's the Food Network's Prop House, an Aladdin's Cave of homewares used for styling hundreds of shots. Everything appears to have its place (if only my own shelves were this organised). Worryingly, I suddenly have the urge to go out and buy more cake stands...Did I hear someone say, "obsession"? Have a happy Friday.
pics via Eddie Ross

A beautiful combination...

via House and Home

This is one of my favourite combinations - white with wood. I think the appeal lies in the contrast between the smooth white walls and the texture of the timber. I have to say that, sadly, I'm a little bit tired of the Ghost Chair. Is that sacrilegious? I appreciate the form and innovation - it will always be an icon - but it does seem to be everywhere. Having said that though, they are great in this small space, as they let that glorious sunlight bounce around the room, and allow the eye to travel to the farthest corner. Ironically, they would be perfect in my small space...

Love this lamp...

via memake

Now this is fabulous design. I love the Porcini Stem lamp, made from sustainable timber with wool-felt petals. This is definitely on my ever-growing wish list.

Glorious Glass Cake Stands

via Juliska

I have an unnatural attachment to cake stands, and am running out of reasons to buy more. I have so many that I could never possibly use all of them at once - short of setting up my own cake shop. I love these beautiful Juliska cake stands, gloriously ornate and in danger of outshining any cake put inside. I'm not sure what drives this obsession - possibly a deep-seated, Enid Blyton-type love of afternoon tea and midnight feasts.

Thinking of a painting project...

via Door Sixteen

We have been living in our home for almost three years, and for some time now I have been thinking of re-painting in a fresh shade of white. The walls are currently a take-it-or-leave-it kind of  mushroomy-peach. The colour is lack-luster at best, and doesn't have the decisive quality brought by the combination of timber floors and white walls.  I have been put off re-painting a number of times by the height of the eleven foot ceilings and the level of disruption painting will bring. Living in a small home means that we use every room, and having even one out of action causes major upheaval. Still, I am again considering it, spurred on by these gorgeous pics from here.

The most unexpected things (part two)...

Last Saturday, as you may recall, I found a bird's nest in my peg basket. There was no bird in there, just an empty nest. So, I took it out, needing to use the pegs. Yesterday, to my surprise, I discovered that a new nest had been built. It is nestled there, tucked away in a corner, with two tiny but glorious eggs inside. I can see the mother bird coming and going, busily making preparations. I admire her persistence and understand her innate need to create a home. And so, she will have the run of my peg basket for as long as she needs, and I'm off to the hardware store to buy some new pegs.

Beach Walking

I love the way coastal living makes you so very aware of the rhythms of nature. At the moment our beach is just recovering from the brutalities of winter - the hard knocks of storms and abrasive winds. The seaweed still hides the odd treasure, but mostly the beach is looking like, it too, is waiting for the new Summer sun to bring back its former glory. Still, it doesn't stop us from walking, ever hopeful, and inevitably ending up in the sea.

The Odd Couple

I'm not sure that I could live with this kind of aesthetic, but I love the rich textures and contrast between the sumptuous fabrics and the rough timber. As we head into Friday night, I hope your weekend brings you lots of beautiful contrasts...

pics via Airspace

A little time to play

I recently discovered these zenblocks. They are made from sustainable, organic black walnut. I love that they can be a work of art, or a toy. Such a fine line sometimes...

pics via supermarkethq

Mid-week baking

Every-so-often I lapse into 1950's wife mode, and feel a hefty dose of mother-guilt if my children don't have something home-cooked in their lunchbox. I have a feeling that this matters much more to me than to my children, however, it compels me to don apron and reach for the mixing bowl. During the week I don't have the time to make a leisurely afternoon of it, so I need a recipe that is easy and requires no thought. This apple bread does the trick.

Pour a small tin of pie apple into a bowl (I know I should be suggesting that you lovingly pick, peel and stew your apples, but let's be realistic - it's Wednesday). Next, add two eggs and mix with a fork. Add three quarters of a cup of brown sugar, and then stir through two cups of self-raising flour. Pour this mixture into a lined loaf tin, and bake in a moderate oven for about forty five minutes. Voila...apple bread with a small helping of virtue on the side.

The grass is always greener...

pics via County Living

These beautiful images suggest long afternoons, curled up with a good book, looking up once in a while to take in the view. Makes me want to take a long country drive - just me, a map, a picnic rug and a thermos of tea...

Feeling like this...

via Country Living

I'm feeling a little like this today after consuming rather too much chocolate (see yesterday's post). But as I read recently, "Chocolate is nature's way of making up for Mondays". Now there's an idea I can get behind.

In honour of one of my favourite authors...

Today is Roald Dahl Day. In honour of one of my favourite children's book authors I felt compelled to make something chocolatey with a 'Wonka-esque' twist. I have been holding onto this recipe for quite some time - a torn out page from an old Vogue Entertaining + Travel. 
Begin by melting 300g of white chocolate. Once melted, stir in one teaspoon of salt flakes, two teaspoons of chopped dried rosemary and one tablespoon of dried rose petals (I picked these up from my local market, but VE+T suggests trying Middle Eastern food stores). Once mixed together, pour onto a lined tray, and spread out to about three millimetres thick. Put it into the fridge for about an hour to set, and then break it as haphazardly-as-you-like into shards. The taste is quite remarkable, and I am in love with the beautiful colours. Happy Roald Dahl Day.

The most unexpected things...

This morning I found a bird's nest in my peg basket, nestled in the corner atop a pile of pegs. How lovely to find something so beautiful in the most mundane of places.

Magical Markets

beautiful pottery from Alyssa Ettinger at the Brooklyn Flea

As soon as Friday comes around I can't resist planning my weekend. Whether your taste is the hippie-chic of  Fremantle Markets, the colour and style of Sydney's Paddington Markets, or the come-as-you-are appeal of The Brooklyn Flea, weekend markets are an opportunity to indulge, re-invent or simply sit and absorb. Gotta love the weekend.

I love a beautiful garden (and a good quote)

a beautiful garden from Paul Bangay

A dear friend of mine sent me this quote today, by Roman Philosopher, Cicero.

"If you have a library and a garden, you want for nothing."

Just about sums it up really....

Much-Too-Much Mint

The mint in my garden is suddenly, and quite profoundly, out of control. Needing to cut it back, but not wanting to waste the mint, I have been searching for cold-weather mint recipes. So many mint recipes are for ice-creams and salads, but until Spring arrives with a little more commitment, I am unwilling to travel that road. I love this recipe for Moroccan Mint Tea, and it should prove a warm addition to these rainy Spring days. I am hoping that once my mint recovers from a vigorous cut-back, it will rise again in Summer, ready to provide me with countless opportunities to try fresh, new food and drink recipes. I have always wanted to try a Mint Julep, and it looks so easy to make that I can have it done quicker than you can say, "The Great Gatsby". Roll-on Summer...

Love... Red and White

via The Cool Hunter

via Cemilanmata

via Brabourne Farm
Here are some beautiful red and white images. Red and white schemes conjour up thoughts of strawberries and cream, but these interiors are nowhere near as predictable. Combined with steel, timber, glass or natural textures, red and white may just be what my home needs for a Spring facelift. 

The Sleepy Hollow Chair 1896

My brother-in-law very kindly sent me this photo today of the Sleepy Hollow Chair, in its original condition. I must ask where the name originated from. It certainly describes the sleep-inducing powers of this beautiful piece of furniture.