I'm back....

So much has happened in the past two weeks....life has been really stressful around here! My Aunt Kitty passed away the weekend before last and I was glad that I was able to spend the night with her at the hospital before she died. It was very sad but we are all glad that she did not suffer and passed quite quickly in the end. She had a wonderful life and really lived to the fullest extent...I need to take a leaf out of her book...she was in so many societies and clubs - amazing for an 81 year old!

Then, the Friday before Kitty passed, I had "that" meeting at work...yes, the axe has finally fallen!! I was laid off/made redundant...of course, I have been waiting for this for well over a year now and as much as you prepare yourself and think you are ready, when you finally hear the words, it is both shocking and upsetting. However, I quickly pulled myself together and realised that I feel very positive about it all...I actually feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and am feeling a strong sense of relief. I am sure that things will work out for the best - that's generally the way!

Now you know why I haven't been posting or visiting recently! Trying to get back to normal now...so weird not having to go to work (thankfully, I don't have to work out my notice which is fantastic!).

So, now back to all things design! I love Russell Pinch's furniture and saw that he unveiled some new pieces at 100% Design in London recently. On foot of that I went exploring the Pinch Design website. He and his wife, Oona, make up this fab design duo...here are some images of their work...I love these photographs and the first is my favourite...such a beautiful room too! The pieces are so elegant, understated and stylish...not trendy but I think, timeless, with beautiful lines and gorgeous materials...oohh I could wax lyrical all day but check their work out yourself below and on their website...






I noticed that Russell Pinch also designs for a number of other retailers and brands including SCP, Ercol, Conran and Jamie Oliver’s JME home-ware range. What a talent!

Hope you have a lovely week and I will be dropping by to visit you all soon :)

All about the bird...

Hello! Time to show off the work of my wonderfully talented husband..whoohhoo!! So, I have always fancied the Eames black bird...

"Charles and Ray Eames collected numerous objects from their travels. The figure of a black wooden bird, an object of American folk art from the Appalachian Mountains, has stood in the centre of their living room for over fifty years. The bird is also seen in many of the Eameses’ photographs. Based on the original artifact and in cooperation with the Eames Family, Vitra is now producing the first series of this figure."

from the Eames Gallery website

Anyway, Vitra slap a whacking 200 dollar plus charge on this little bird so my lovely husband decided to carve one for me...much more special and priceless really :)

He had a block of lime wood (which is a lovely soft wood) in his "studio" (read "shed"..heehee) and he finely hand carved and honed this beautiful bird for me for our fifth wedding anniversary. He used coat hanger wire for the legs and finished it off with a high gloss black lacquer spray.

I love him so much and love my black bird too! (my photos don't really do it justice)...I hope you like it just as much as I do! Here she is...







Oh yes...her name is Harriet :)

Sweet shop...

Beautiful, old-style sweetie shop, Hope and Greenwood, in Covent Garden. Looking forward to a little spree in here!

(via lightlocations)

What styling!!

I love this ....check out more shots on Emma's Design Blog

I like...

These are cool..."based on the original 17th century Dutch canal houses", storage boxes..."white on the outside so you can decorate it yourself in order to make your own little street with the inside printed in bold colours." I think I would leave them white...3 for 23quid...might just have to make me a little purchase.



from Dutch by Design

Oops...and Swap...

Ooops...have been neglecting my little blog this week - things have been a bit all over the place I'm afraid...am really busy at work and am also preparing for my HOLIDAY!!! Can't wait...I finish work today at 3pm...yayyyyyy!!

Now, I have been meaning to post about my swap with lovely Catherine of the delightful Little Glowing Lights! So here goes...Catherine sent me these gorgeous resin dishes from Dinosaur Designs along with the cutest little brooch (all handmade and designed in Australia)! Loving them all LOADS!!

Granny Squares...

I am sure you have seen this before but I had to post it, if only so I don't forget! I think this is so amazingly beautiful...from Sandra Juto on Big Cartel. It has been sold..to some lucky person in Australia if I remember correctly! Drool!

Great idea...

This is good....I am always leaving spoons down once I have stirred my tea or coffee and end up leaving little spldoge marks on tables and chair arms...this solves that problem pretty neatly....Simple but clever...from Design my World