Fabulous china

I just adore crockery and china, I have far too much of it and I just can't stop collecting it.  Old or new, anything will do as long as it fits in with the vintage, girly, afternoon tea vibe I'm so loving.  I'm lucky enough to have a Limoges dinner set which is more than 100 years old.  Some of it is pretty faded, but that only adds to the charm.  China looks great all mixed and matched en masse on shelves, mantlepieces or anywhere you can create a 'display'.  It's also good to colour block using different patterns but the same colour for a stronger look.  You don't even need to actually use the china, it's just so nice to look at.  We have some lovely china in the shop at the moment from Miss Etoile, very quirky and French themed in beautifully soft sugar almond colours.  You can see them in the photo section of our Facebook page - ANGEL & BB.

Paint it pink

Not going to say too much this week, except to say I've always wanted a pink house!  I'd love to know your thoughts on this and let me know what your favourite one is.  They range from American, to European to typically English.  I favour the darker pink ones, although I don't know what they would say in my village if I painted my house that colour.  Although, there is an opportunity at the back of my house to paint an existing white painted area in hot pink!

Blue is the colour...

This week I'm looking at the new range of fabrics, wallpapers and accessories from Designers Guild.  I've chosen blue for a change; a colour I didn't used to really like decorating with but I'm now really warming towards it.  I've always found Designers Guild to be quite contemporary in their use of colours and fabrics but their new ranges vere more towards the country feel that I favour.  I love how they've used multiple fabrics on one piece of upholstery.  This is something I've admired for years which William Yeoward always does with his furniture.  A good way of using up all your short lengths of upholstery fabric and very now.  I would love your feedback so let me know what you think!

It's all about Armoires

Armoires are not only beautiful to look at, they can house an amazing amount of stuff; brilliant storage.  You can buy new Armoires or an old piece and have the fun of 'doing it up' yourself.  Many years ago I opted for the buy the new one option and purchased one from Laura Ashley.  It's had many uses; starting off as my daughters wardrobe, housing bedlinen, moving to London and being kept in the entrance hall as it was too big to get it upstairs of our town house, to finally being back in Scotland and used to now house china in the dining room.  I would imagine I will have it forever.  You can really put them anywhere you can find a space for them.  I stayed in a hotel just outside Leeds once and they had a fab one in the bathroom.  They are such versatile pieces of furniture and can be adapted to suit your storage needs.  I really love the one which houses a 'bar'.  Hmmm I wonder if I could fit mine in the living room and turn it into a bar!!

Crochet

Crochet has been around for hundreds of years.  It waned in popularity a number of years ago, but I'm absolutely delighted it has made a resurgence in recent years.  It's one of the most easy and convenient things to do and very therapeutic.  All you need is a hook and a ball of wool/yarn.  Slip it in your bag and do it on the tube, train, almost anywhere really.  You can leave it and go back to it any time you like; there is only ever one stitch to work with so you really can't go wrong.  Hooks range in size from thin needle like hooks to chunky huge hooks.  Thin hooks are used with thread type yarn and large hooks can be used with chunky wool or even string or cotton.  Check out the images below of what people are creating with a hook and some yarn!