A little bit of sunshine...

So, that's it. It's the end of August and we didn't get a massive amount of sunshine (nor did I get much blogging done, sorry!). If you follow me on Instagram (@yeahokbye) you'll know that I unabashedly wear my Havaianas in the rain (it's a skill) and you will learn that I abstain from socks till well into the autumnal months. A stranger once commented on my stubborn footwear ways in late October.
So, in the spirit of ignoring the chill, already in the air, I've compiled a little collection of yellow brights to add a ray or two to your home (and handbag collection - I can't help myself).
A little splash of colour on a neutral palette can lift an entire room. From neon to mustard, if any colour can do it, yellow can!

Image by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer Pattern fabric: Jurmo, Marimekko
1 Nanet cushion cover 2 Sunshine Yellow Omaggio Vase 3 Colour Rings Bowl 4 Mr. Bright Chair 5 Multi Weave Betty clutch 6 Twiggy floor lamp

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

Aikwood Tower

Whilst I was off growing a baby, I was also working on a very exciting refurb project in the Scottish Borders. Aikwood is a 16th century tower about 40 miles south of Edinburgh, deep in the beautiful Ettrick Valley. With many an outdoor pursuit on its doorstep, my client felt the 5 bedroom tower was in the perfect location to be transformed into an luxurious exclusive-use holiday let and wedding venue. His parents had lovingly restored the tower from a ruin into their home in the late 80's and were now ready to to pass it on to the next generation.
We had three months to turn it around so it was intense and stressful but pretty exciting and everyone was more than happy with the result. I'm pretty proud of it, even if I do say so myself...

We sourced local tweed from Andrew Elliot and Hinnigan (who also made the gorgeous cushions and throws) and scoured antique markets from London to Glasgow, and everywhere in between, to source key feature pieces, furniture and lamps that sit comfortably next to the brand new bespoke items. After many doubts, lots of persiverence, a little convincing, plenty of elbow grease, not to mention the searching, sourcing and shopping, it all came together in the end. What do you think?
P.S. It looks even better in the flesh...so go ahead and book a long weekend of luxury...
Photography by Douglas Robertson

Doggy Style

I know you're all keen to put on your Barbour jackets and peruse the estate with the labradors, this autumnal afternoon, but i think I found that piece you've been searching for, for the east wing drawing room.
From cushions to handags...and generally anything that can be made of, or adorned with, pooch-tastic fabric from The Labrador Company
from here

Zara Home

There was an article in a supplement of The Scotsman newspaper on Saturday featuring some tips and hints, by little ol' me, on interior trends this season. In it, I suggested rich, dark colours and layering textures (not just fabrics) to give a luxurious and decadent feel for less, perfectly illustrated in these images from Zara Home's Autum/Winter 2010 catalogue. Zara Home is now available online in the UK.

Creepy Crawlies

As it gets colder outside the bugs and beasties come inside...and it's not just the live ones. Beetles, dragonflys, buterflys and spiders have been released onto jewellery, fabrics, wallpaper and ceramics.
Here's a round up of some of my favourite bits and pieces...

1. Natural History Entomology Notebook 2. Bottega Veneta clutch bag 3. Timorous Beasties Digital Fabric 4. Fired Earth wall tile 5. John Derian crystal dome paperweight 6. Atlantis Home beetle jewellery
I can't handle the live ones...even the prettiest of butterflies. I blame the one that landed on my shoulder when I was eight years old at Rouken Glen Butterfly Kingdom. I'll never forgive you...with your creepy tentacles, spindly legs and ability to fly erratically at any given moment...bleeeeuuuurgh...

Taking Liberties...

I know I'm a little late on this bandwagon but...
Quilts 1700-2000 exhibition is on at the Victoria & Albert Museum now till 4th July. Liberty Art Fabrics and the V & A shop have collaborated on a limited collection featuring designs from quilts in the collection.
I've seen this collection a few times on the blogosphere & beyond but I always stop and stare at this one.
'Shells' is taken from a patchwork coverlet composed of block-printed cottons of the 1780s and 1790s. Made in Britain, dated 1797.

Available from Liberty and the V & A shop