Cat mad

Decide to dedicate this post to all our feline friends out there.  Only cat lovers will really appreciate this one, so apologies to everyone else.  Cats are such great characters and all have their own individual little personalities. I have three black cats and we call them the Sootie family; Big Sootie, Sootie Junior and Sootica!  My son also has two black cats and they are, Sootika and Sootina.  All very ironic and tongue in cheek!  My daughter has two white cats, Fuffi (Italian for Sootie I believe) and Piko.  She has recently started a pet sitting company called  2 Black 2 White (www.2black2white.co.uk) to feed cats when their owners are on holiday.  Great idea and it's really taken off.  I've found some cool stuff for cats and have featured them below. Although I don't know about giving my home up to them by putting up shelving so they can run around the room!

Boutique Hotels

What does the term Boutique Hotel mean to you?  For me it conjures up luxury, indulgence and relaxation.  The dictionary definition is; A small stylish hotel, typically one situated in a fashionable urban location.  I have been fortunate enough over the years to travel extensively with my job working on various projects throughout the UK.   I like to book my own travel so always tried to make sure I tried somewhere different every time.  I have of course, my favourites.  And in no particular order are; Hotel du Vin Edinburgh and Harrogate, Woodlands Hotel Leeds, Missoni Edinburgh, Seattle Brighton, Cranley Hotel London, Haymarket Hotel London, Cameron House Loch Lomond, Marr Hall Scotland, Prestonfield House Edinburgh and of course Drakes of Brighton.  You will find with all these hotels there is a link, luxury and well thought out rooms and public areas.  What does it for me every time is a bath in the bedroom, so much so that I'm contemplating putting a bath in one of my guest bedrooms at home.  I have a total aversion to chain hotels, which I won't name but I hate the sameness of them.  I love diversity and interest and I'm very jealous of Kit Kemp, who not only co-owns the Firmdale Group with her husband but has also designed all the hotels for the group.  If you get a chance go and stay in one of their hotels, the furniture, artwork and interesting objects are amazing.

Fabulous bedrooms

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place to go at the end of the day where you can shut out the world and relax.  The bed is the most important part of the bedroom and how you dress the bed should reflect this.  I love dressing beds and when I do this as part of a project installation I'm always surprised by the client's reaction.  One of delight that I have turned their bed into a hotel bed!  You may well ask what I do to create a 'hotel bed'. Well first of all you should buy the best bed you can afford, with a deep tufted mattress.  On top of that a thick down mattress protector, this creates a beautifully soft bed to lie on and allows your mattress to last longer.  Sheets are always Egyptian cotton and again go for the best duvet you can afford.  Top of the range for me is Syberian goose down.  (That is of course if you're not allergic to feathers, if this is the case go for a good Holofibre that replicates the feather feel).  Next is a great headboard, there are so many styles you can buy or have your local upholsterer make.  The higher the better.  Two continental pillows (60cm x 60) to sit against the headboard and 4 standard pillows. All feather if you can.

Duvet covers and pillowcases in white with a fabulous throw or quilt and some beautiful cushions and there you have it, a hotel bed!  If space allows, it's always a good idea to put a blanket box or ottoman at the bottom of the bed.  This serves various purposes; a place to sit when getting dressed, storage and where the throw and cushions go when you're in bed.

For me, the best places to buy bedlinen, throws, quilts and cushions are - Zara Home, Anthropologie and The White Company, and all available on line.

Mellow Yellow

The unseasonably good weather in Scotland has inspired me to write today's post.  Yellow is the colour of sunshine, flowers, lemons, all lovely, summery, feel good things.  It's a colour I've not used in decorating, either myself or in client's projects, for many years.  There is a definite resurgence to yellow, so much so, that I'm inspired to use it with some beautiful Ralph Lauren Emperor Blue fabric I picked up recently.  I would only use it in small amounts; accents and accessories. As you can see in the images below, yellow is amazing with monochromatic tones.  It's very much an in vogue fashion colour at the moment, even Chanel has two nail polishes in yellow - Mimosa and La Sunrise, unsure if I would wear it though!