Gwyneth's Temporary Pad

I don't know about you but whenever I stay in a different city for a couple of months I always buy a massive shell of an apartment with the most incredible views and get it fully fitted out, top to bottom by an interior designer...just like Gwyneth. Imagine having to wee in a room without marble clad walls...the indignity!
Ms. Paltrow stayed in Nashville, Tenessee, with Apple and Moses while filming. She was apparently heavily involved in the design process with stylist Annette Joseph and the result is pretty perfect...

Read more about the design process and pricing in Gwyneth's newsletter

Goop via a life more fabulous

To Dry For

Dry dishes or frame it and put it on your wall?? There are some very cool printed tea towels out there and todryfor.com is where you can get them. This 'storm in a tea cup' print is my favourite...

but I 'm loving these retro scottish illustrations by Gillian Kyle...'Glasgow Breakfast', 'Tunnock's' and 'Spam'

availiable from todryfor.com

Log Bowls

Love the contrast of the rough, natural edge and the smooth, shiny, hollowed out interior of these bowls from Loyal Loot ...funky colours too

via reubenmiller

Christina Kernohan, Gammel Butikken

Edinburgh based photographer Christina Kernohan travelled to a remote Norwegian Island, deep in the arctic circle to take photographs of this abandoned store house, or in Norwegian; gammel butikken (as the collection is titled).
These buildings were used to store everything from medical supplies, to fishing nets, to porcelain and coffins as the islands had no bridges or connective tunnels until the 1980's. They were vital to the communities living there. Once, the epicentre of the island, this unit now sits untouched, alone in the landscape open to the elements.
These beautiful photographs are currently on show, and are available to purchase, at The Saint in Stockbridge.
The light is just amazing...as is that blue backdrop. Abandoned objects and spaces are such a fantastic thought provoking subject. Every image tells a different story...

The exhibition has gone down very well in The Saint with the diners & drinkers; but unfortunately they'll be making way for another artist's work very soon so I recommend you get down to St. Stephen Street for a look...

Many thanks to the lovely Christina for the images.

She's so cool

If only I was 20, living in Paris with gorgeous hair and a wardrobe to match....

Images of Louise Ebel from stylesightings

Edinburgh Fringe Festival Programme

Back in March of this year, the smart people* behind the Fringe Festival asked Scottish illustrator, Johanna Basford to sit in a room for 12 hrs (twice) and draw. They then asked the tweeting public what quirky sites they'd like to see at this year's Edinburgh Festival.

They set up a camera and a live internet link and Johanna picked out the most random suggestions as they piled in through the live feed. She drew 176 suggestions out of 1675; these make up the shape of the recognisable Fringe font.

If you are a fan of the festival or live in Edinburgh you'll realise the enormity of having your work on the cover of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival programme. Even though this particular festival only lasts for the month of August; every coffee table, hotel reception, shop counter, bar, restaurant, café, festival venue, and poster in the city will feature the artwork from now until the last firework pops in the late summer sky just over the barracks of Edinburgh Castle...

Personally, I'm a massive fan of this type of illustration. Every time you look at it you see something new. I wish I could doodle so well. You can see more of Johanna's work here including the graphics for independent Scottish brewers BrewDog.

Clever marketing huh? Commission local talent. Check. Interact with the public. Check. Use a very current media communication system. Check. Stream it live on the internet. check. Originally, Johanna had completed a couple of what she calls TwitterPictures as previous personal projects but kudos to the Fringe team for jumping on the bandwagon and spreading the word to the masses.

By the way, my suggestion was a bramble berry shaking a cocktail and can be seen in the top left hand corner of the 'g'...I was going for subliminal advertising for my husband's cocktail bar, Bramble...wonder if it'll work...

In the end they went for three different covers (below) with a stream of illustrations rather than the font but i'm hoping to see the illustrated type on other graphic bits and pieces around town (especially the g)...

They've also made a nice little video explaining how it was all done.

* turns out those smart people were whitespace!

all images from JohannaBasford.com

book your tickets at www.edfringe.com

Tote-al...

This bag wants me to own it...it just doesn't know it's too expensive...poor thing...

www.assouline.com

Lute Suites, Amstel

Peter Lute is a chef...a very creative and inventive chef with an eye for design. He opened a restaurant in Ouderkerk, a village on the outskirts of Amsterdam, and quickly expanded to include boardrooms and then seven freestanding suites; three-level gabled cottages, each with kitchenette and living room, all facing the Amstel River.
He hired Marcel Wanders as the designer and the results show his commitment
to surprise, delight, and elicit strong emotional response...
...not to mention, Bisazza-tastic!

Lutesuites.nl
via designhotels.com

Whiter shade of cream...

In an attempt to overcome my recent obsession with all things white and cream, i'd like to get a few cravings out of my system...the cream tea nail varnish is the only thing here that i actually own (and LOVE). The rest...I crave...especially those shooooooes...
The Reiss bag isn't even available anymore but I had to share it's gawgeousnessss...

Bernstock Peirs G Tee Jersey Brim trilby
Nicholas Kirkwood peeptoe shoes with snakeskin detail
Reiss Bingham Quilted Bag
Topshop Yuki waist pearl top
Tatty Devine Popcorn pendant
Butter London Cream Tea Nail Laquer

...thirst is a dangerous thing...

Print available from keepcalmgallery.com

I'll be there for you

This was one of my first handwriting commissions and is a favourite poem of mine. It's called 'I'll be there for you' by Louise Cuddon. Perfect for a reading at a wedding...which it was. It was a gift from the reader to the happy couple.

For any enquiries please drop me an email

The Jura Lodge

I've done a little travelling...more than some...not as much as others, but in my opinion the west coast of Scotland is one of my top 5 most breathtakingly, beautiful places in the world (if the sun shines).
Granted, I may be biased being from Glasgow (hardly the beautiful west coast...but the west none-the-less) but if you ever find yourself on an island off the west coast of Scotland, you will witness turquoise water the Maldives would be jealous of. If you're lucky enough to have your naked feet in the whitest sand, a whisky in one hand and an oyster, fresh out the sea, in the other...well, you might as well call it heaven. As the sun goes down and the breeze picks up, you might need a fireplace, a hot bath and a bed...
The Jura Lodge, the old head distiller’s house next to the Jura whisky distillery has been transformed by Paris-based American designer Bambi Sloan. It's situated on (you guessed it) the Isle of Jura, and is notoriously difficult to get to (as are many others) but I would definitely battle through the nausea-inducing, Scottish B roads and vomit-activating, ferry journeys for a long weekend in heaven...

The Lodge has been open since late 2006 and we still haven't made it over for a visit. What a fantastic interior...it reflects the beauty of it's situation; incorporating the island's history and scenery.

I enquired in 2007 about having our wedding there, but with only 5 rooms and it being a bit of a treck (especially for the Australians) it just wasn't ideal, not to mention the cost. To hire exclusively you'll need £2500 per night for a minimum of 3 nights. Our piggy bank just fainted....

photos from IsleofJura.com and thecoolhunter.net

Etc.

Sydney based, stylist and designer, Sibella Court has given some of her secrets away in her book, Etcetera, available here. She lives in an apartment above her shop in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. Evidentally, another one of those people with an eye for a bargain and a forté for styling!
I love the rich colours in this image!

One of her tips includes; "Think of all the stuff you own that has emotional or historical significance," says Court. "It's just a matter of finding ways to incorporate them into your surroundings. This means you'll end up with a home that's distinctly yours, and not just a replica of a homewares catalogue."
Nice advice...
The following two images are, of her own home, taken by her brother. Her apartment and shop were featiured on Design*Sponge in February.

I think to be on the right side of the fine line between 'muse' and 'mess' is an art only few are capable of...(a talented photographer brother would also help...) What do you think?

The first two images and the last, are from Guardian.co.uk and the 3rd and 4th are from Design*Sponge

Decanterlights by Lee Broom

London based designer, Lee Broom, is responsible for these gorgeous Decanterlights. The lead crystal decanters were sourced from antique markets and are available clear or with a gold finish.
Broom designed them for a recent bar interiors project, Coquine in London, and has released the collection for Spring.
I'm really very surprised it's never been done before...
Lee says, 'the Decanterlight's are not a limited edition collection and in fact this is the first, more accessible range I have designed; although each piece is indeed unique, the collection will only end when no more vintage, cut crystal decanters can be found!'
I'm tempted to start collecting them from the Edinburgh charity shops myself!

via coolhunter.co.uk

Kitchen Envy

High ceilings, white floors, bright light, art on the walls and antique furniture...awesomeness...

I've had this image on file for a while. If you know who to credit please let me know and i will.

Lobster Love

Anthropologie's 'life at sea' home range has some real gems...but I love this 'Ever So Large Lobster Tufted Rug'
www.anthropologie.eu