An alternative Christmas
I have always looked forward to designing my Christmas. Being the sort to be easily bored I try to bring something new to each Christmas that comes around. The Christmas tree has always been a staple, but had I seen this idea earlier I may have replaced my usual tree with this idea. I found... Read more...
Recycling the unexpected
There is a lot more to recycling than meets the eye. By combining unexpected items the results can be amazing. Re-using items that would normally be thrown in the bin can create something functional – the possibilities are endless, all you need is your imagination. Got an old bike that no one wants to ride... Read more...
Sofa so good
One of the most important purchses we make is a sofa. It’s the place you go to relax, put your feet up, lie down and ponder. It needs to be comfortable, tempting and make you smile. These sofas are in no particular order but each and every one makes a statement and invites you to... Read more...
Lighten up your life
The light in your home is one of the most important things you have to think about. I live in a 400 year old cottage with low beamed ceilings and deep set windows so light is all important to me. The choices that are now available to us all are truly mind blowing. This industrial... Read more...
Say it with flowers
I don’t think I have ever met anyone who doesn’t like flowers. Bringing nature into your home is a hugely satisfying and beautiful thing to do. It doesn’t have to be done with pre-made fabrics and wallpapers – with just a little imagination you can create something amazing. Although this is a beautiful way to... Read more...
Variety is the spice of life – go eclectic
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories and styles. If anyone asks me what my style is I say – eclectic. Eclectic is easy, you just use what appeals to you personally – believe me, it works and is... Read more...
When not everything is as it seems
Many of us have fun when creating interiors, but I like to create interiors that remain fun. I love to create illusions that cause visitors to be confused by what they think they can see. Trompe l’oeil (optical illusions in art and decoration) is perfect for this, but by mixing the real with the fake... Read more...
Being inspired – ridiculously simple!
The question I am most often asked as a designer is “What inspires you?” My answer is always “Everything around me!” For instance, the boudoir set I designed (below) was inspired by a box of champagne truffles that was a gift for my birthday. Those colours said ‘boudoir’ to me as soon as I laid... Read more...
Brighten up your white interiors with a splash of colour
I live in a cottage and creating light is more than a challenge. I recently started to re-decorate and decided to use white. My windows are set about three feet deep so painting the inside of them white bounces light into the room. However, white as a whole can be a bit boring so I... Read more...
My Paris address book
As I have just returned from my latest trip to Paris, I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite places to visit. Yves Andrieux & Vincent Jalbert take antique fabrics and do something wonderous with them. Their shop in the Marais district of Paris is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures. Clothes, bags, cushions, curtains... Read more...
A taste of Paris
I have just returned from my latest trip to Paris so I thought I would give you a little taster of a typical Parisian morning. I never cease to be amazed at how the French shop for their bread, patisserie and flowers before their working day begins. Almost every Parisian can be seen each morning with a... Read more...
Tips for visiting the French brocante markets
I am off to Paris this weekend for 10 days. Whilst visiting our daughter who lives just outside Paris we will be hitting the brocantes (flea and antique markets) – we drive down and pop over via the Eurotunnel. When venturing out to the brocante you will need a roomy car/van as you just never... Read more...
