Small Star

Galbraith and Paul 

From Galbraith &Paul's new wallpaper collection, wonderful in a bedroom with off white upholstered headboard (because if you choose a good quality material it is in fact the most head friendly colour) perhaps finished with studded antique brass nails.  Painted louvred shutters on the windows of course, matting and rugs.  Black bedside furniture, comfortable upholstered furniture loose covered in narrow aquamarine ticking, good pieces of art, pretty lights and proper lampshades - Et Voila!

Purple Hat

I have had this poem on my pinboard forever and it always makes me smile and reminds me of what is important, sadly I have not been able to trace who wrote it, but clearly someone with great wisdom

Purple Hat
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.
Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mum I can't go to school looking like this!)
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees 'too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly'- but decides she's going out anyway.
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees 'too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly' -- but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees 'clean' and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and sees 'I am' and goes wherever she wants to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.
Age 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world. 

Get the Purple Hat here 

Islamic Geometric Design - Broug Atelier

 

I am passionate about Islamic designs and details.  Two years ago, subsequently to a mosaic course at Emma Biggs’ Mosaic Workshop I bought a few books on Islamic geometric design with the idea of creating my own wall mosaic depicting one of the wonderful designs with seashells.  I have moved 12 times in 10 years so the project is still on hold unless a client fancies the idea or we finally settle long enough for the grount to set.  In the meantime and quite surprisingly I came across the website of one of the Authors, Eric Broug who creates the most wonderful screens, his website Broug.com is so inspiring, I hope I get the opportunity to use them soon.

Chester Jones - part 1 no doubt

CJ-66-15 by Chester Jones

I simply adore this stool and though I have no place for it I would love one or better still - a pair!  In fact I would like most of Chester Jones' pieces on my Valentine's gift list Chester Jones

Chester Jones Sled Dining Chair

 Also from Chester Jones' website

 

The Yellow Room

from The World of Interiors December 2010 issue

photograph by Simon Upton

1^st things 1^st and because I spent so many years there the inimitable Yellow Room at the Brook Street shop of the Colefax & Fowler firm or Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler Ltd for the purists.  It is by far one of the most serene rooms I have ever been in, at once grand, relaxed and warm and filled with treasures from the antiques department.  The double doors at the back -a replica of the doors at the front- are in fact the way to the miniature ‘Yellow Room’ kitchen complete with dumb waiter.  It is no more than 3’ or 4’ wide with the same ceiling height as the Yellow Room itself.  This is where the staff make tea and coffee, escape the odd demanding client or hide!
Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler