Elle Decor US Edition November 2015

I quite enjoyed this issue of Elle Decor because there was so much going on in my head while flipping through the magazine.

Of course, feel free to ignore me and just go through the pictures.

Isn't Jean-Louis Deniot the "It boy" of the design world - especially Elle Decor?

It seems he is featured every other month - probably not but it does feel that way.

The editors can do what they like but for a national magazine with an international presence you would think they could widen the decorator pool they feature.

It's funny because Deniot seems to decorate in a way that is very Elle Decor.
 ( US edition that is as each country has a very different ethos ).

If it wasn't for the sink and tap I would not have thought this was a kitchen.

Detail driven, materials that say custom made and not available on the high street, and expensive.

Insta post September 2015: Autumn, Burghley Horse Trials, and other bits of London Life

It's Autumn in the northern hemisphere which means these striped deck chairs get packed away in London parks.

September is a busy month for everyone as everyone is back from holidays and going back to the grind.  Remember when Harry Potter used to go to school from Euston station?

Isn't it funny how large cities are culturally autonomous?
I left London and arrived in true blue England when I arrived in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

This is the Burghley Hospital that was started in the 1100's!
Now it is one of the quaintest and most charming housing associations in the country.

Stamford is a market town with all the trimmings of stone buildings and rivers.

My friends and I stayed in a private house that sometimes caters to guests if you know them.
It had bits of architecture dating back from the Domesday Book with the latest additions being from the Georgian period.

What made the home so special was that it was the size of a manor but situated in the town center with views from every window.

Del Boy's Flat Reflects Our Taste Changes in Decor

I was watching a rerun of the iocnic British TV show called
 Only Fools and Horses.

It's one of those shows that is so entrenched in the British mentality that there are references in conversation that allude back to this show even to this day.

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So much so that the first few years I lived here I did wonder who this Del Boy character was that everyone seemed to know...

I still don't find it that funny but I watch it just to familiarize myself with pop cultural references and see what my husband laughs at.

I was watching an episode the other day and found myself ignoring the dialogue and concentrating for once on the wallpaper.

The flat is meant to be in a high rise public housing building but looking at the wallpaper and decor it could be a modern day flat in a gentrified part of London.
To be fair I am not sure how the viewing audience would have viewed the wallpaper in that time...

Okay the carpet is definitely not current and would be ripped out on the day after purchasing the flat but the rest of it would not be so alien to decor aficionados.

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The animal print throw on the sofa, 
the strong colors and graphic walls and fabrics, and the brass accented dining chairs that I would buy off Del Boy but perhaps reupholster are surprisingly bang on trend. 
( which means past its sell by for some!)

Forget that Peckham is now referred to as Peck Jambon
but isn't that something Del Boy should have referred to Peckham as back in the day with his penchant for Frenchifying everything!

Love Peckjambon it should say.

The closest I could find to recreate that bamboo wallpaper was the following.  
In terms of shape of the leaves
 this Florence Broadhurst was rather similar.

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In terms of color and copying almost exactly is the black and white version from Farrow and Ball.

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This Timorous beasties rendition is nice althought the planting is a bit clumped or am I getting to Chelsea flower show judgey?

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An old print from Cole and Son is another option.

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But isn't it funny how standards of taste and trend can vary?

Who would have thought that the wallpaper in Del Boy's flat in public housing is now a motif that is sought after and stocked in such stores like Farrow and Ball and Cole and Son.

A good reminder in the fluidity of trends!
I might start watching Eastenders to see any future design trends...

Just a quick note to say I am going away for a couple of weeks in a few days so will be quiet on the blogging front and may or may not be on Instagram wifi depending! 
Stay safe and see you in July xx

July / August 2013 US House Beautiful Review

Hello there!

There was a double issue of July and August so I am not late with the review of the summer issue of House Beautiful!

Now it is always interesting the upcycling or lateral use of items.

The napkins below look kind of like tea towels or Moroccan bath towels but they make a lovely graphic modern statement.

I once went to a riad in Marrakech where they cut up similar looking fabrics and used them for sarongs, curtains, tea towels, pillow covers.  
It is a nice reminder to try and use different cloths and designs for unlikely uses.

Momogramming mad just as Heidi from Adelaide Villa predicted in this post.  Or you could give each guest a bucket with their own wine bottle but at least they can't touch yours?

Loving the playful nature of these sketches.

What I would love is interchangeable wallpaper because as much as I love all these patterns I would have a problem committing.

Most of you know how I feel about haphazard throw styling so I will deduct two points for this issue for FLTS otherwise known as 

faux lazy throw syndrome.

The throw is touching the floor - I know it's a new rug but still.

The monogrammed towel is covering the lone lovely pink accessory on the outdoor lounge.