Thinking of Sunshine...

In a few weeks we're taking a trip. A trip to the other side of the world. A trip to a place where, right now, it's summer. We are, to say the least, excited. So here's a little summer balminess in the form of a spring/summer 2012 sneak peek from b.young. It's going to be a bright summer...oranges and pinks all over the place! Which is just as well because apparently 'Tangerine Tango' is Pantone's colour of the year!

We are not too excited, however, about travelling for 24 hours with an 8 month old baby who loves his routine and will be between nutritional stages...any tips will be gratefully received!

Small but perfectly formed...

Now this, is 'good design'. Seeing well thought-out compact spaces makes my day. My admiration for those dedicated to living such an organised life knows no limits. Their combined collection of clothes and shoes cannot possibly be in those skinny bedside wardrobes?! Maybe she doesn't have shoes...that's it! The secret is...no shoes!! I am in awe.

Via Couch

Bedroom Envy III...

White, with cosy textures, retro details...and a view...

via

The Merchant Hotel Spa

I was lucky enough to join a brilliant design team that specialized in Spa design and consultancy when I finished college. The new spa at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast was one of the projects I was involved in for the initial design stages before I moved on. It's been completed for a couple of years now but it's great to see how the design developed and the compromises that were made along the way. I love the sexy graphics used on the shower doors in the treatment rooms and throughout! Very tempted to book a relaxing weekend in Belfast now...

Images from The Merchant Hotel

Zelliges

These tiles rock my world.
Little iridescent squares of irregular, enamelled lovliness handmade in Fez, Morocco. They're available in the prettiest of colours. Tiles like these shouldn't be limited to the kitchen or bathroom; a rich colour makes a statement fire surround or use a pearly shade for a delicate feature in the bedroom...or all of the above!

available from here. Images from here and here

Love

A handwriting comission from a year and a half ago. Time flies.

Photography by me

Scandi Lovin'

At the risk of this blog becoming saturated in Scandinavian interiors, I give you...another one. This time last year we were in Copenhagen, visiting friends. A trip, that sadly,  I never got round to blogging about. Maybe I'll skim through the millions of photographs and cobble something together soon. Maybe, that should go on my ever extending 'new years resolution'/'to do' list!
In the meantime check out this black and white home in Falun, Sweden (not Copenhagen). I'd trade my first born* for those globe pendants over the dining table...and the industrial, yellow drinks trolley...well, maybe not but I like them a lot..
*not, in any way, legally binding.

source

First Christmas...

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and managed to relax and enjoy some time off.
We received some gorgeous decorations for the tree, from family and friends, for Sebastian's 1st Christmas...which was lovely! They will, of course, now be annual fixtures on our family tree. Can you tell which ones were sent from Australia?

...Enjoy your Hogmanay celebrations and I'll see you in the new year! x

Love from Lebanon

Beirut design company, Bokja is made up of Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri. A passion for classic furniture and textiles from countries along The Silk Road results in these beauties! Although the company has existed since 2000,  I first came across them in Merci, on our trip to Paris last year. I'm a sucker for a modern classic but in these patterned woven fabrics?...yes please!

images are from here and here

Late

Those who know me, know my incessant inability to be anywhere on time. The consequences were worse for the unicorns...

Via here
UPDATE: I found the source...if you'd like to buy this or view the other very funny cards available visit Sapling Press on Etsy

Primrose Hill Drawing Room

As promised in yesterday's post, here's one of my favourite interior projects by Retrouvius. It may only be one room but the textures are never ending. Raw concrete, irridescent tiles, grey painted floorboards, velvety upholstery and neon accents. Cold, but oh so hot!

Oh, and I'll be needing that chair...thanks.
Images from Retrouvius

Retrouvius

Retrouvius are a London based architectural salvage and design company. Their work is clever, inspiring and beautiful not to mention, sustainable. The other night I spent so long looking at the design projects and salvage items for sale, on their website, that my tea went cold.
Using reclaimed flooring as wall panelling is evidently a favourite and recurring method for them, and features in many of their projects. Here are a few awesome examples. Rustic versus polished; different finishes can give very different (but equally beautiful) effects.

Tomorrow's post is one of my favourite interiors from their recent projects.
images