Modern Country Kitchen

I would sum up my style as Modern Country... Country interiors with a luxury, modern touch.

I am currently working on a few designs, one being a kitchen so thought it fitting to share some modern country kitchen inspiration with you.

I have a love for airy kitchens with modern muted tones, rustic textures such as wood and cotton, teamed with sophisticated pattern, glassware and flowers.

How would you describe your style?

Image Credits:

Neptune

John Lewis

Pinterest

Dream Box Designs

Happy Saturday design lovers, what have you been up to?

This morning I found myself sleeping in before baking in my PJ's with the sunshine and music as company, wishing I could do this everyday before realising if it were an everyday occurrence, it wouldn't feel this good now! It certainly wouldn't do anything for my healthy eating regime. 

I've been keeping busy in my studio recently, painting, teaching with Wet Paint or pulling new designs together, loving every minute. So thought i'd share a couple of images with you, enjoy the rest of your afternoon, I'm off to bake some banana bread and complete another concept board.

Wet Paint Workshop

Working on a bathroom concept board

Working on an office concept board

Working studio

"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt"

Wet Paint: Furniture Painting Workshop

Happy New Year.............

I'm back, feeling on top form after Christmas and a couple of weeks bed/sofa bound and ready to share some exciting news.

Perhaps you have a New Years Resolution? Want to learn something new for 2014? Well, I may have the thing for you.

This year I am opening my studio doors (Yes, we got the studio finished before Christmas, explains the blog silence) to teach some workshops. My first workshop is part of an exciting new collaboration with my very talented Mother-In-Law, together we have launched Wet Paint. Offering high end painted furniture, taking commissions and teaching furniture painting workshops. This workshop will be one of many over the coming year, I have a feeling 2014 is going to be great, busy but great!

Images: Pinterest

Dates: 

Saturday 1^st February (FULL)

Saturday 8th March

Saturday 5th April

Time: 10am – 4pm; Tea & coffee served from 9:30am

Cost: £115.00

Overview; 

A full day workshop in our studio nestled in the serene Cambridgeshire countryside. The fun and informal workshop with Jax and Laura, owners of Wet Paint will allow you to take home not only the techniques and know how to paint furniture but the confidence to transform old and tired furniture into new and loved pieces for your home.

You will learn:

Which tools are required to transform your furniture

How to prep your furniture
How to use Chalk paint
A number of paint techniques including; 
Smooth 
Distressed
Crackle
Gold and Silver Gilding
How to finish and wax furniture

Included in the day:
All equipment, paint and wax
Practise wood boards to paint and take home 
Workshop notes
Lunch and homemade scrumptious treats

Please bring with you:
A small piece of furniture to paint in the afternoon (a small table or chair is ideal)
Camera
Wear old clothes or clothes you don't mind getting dirty
Your sweet tooth 

Please contact us if you are interested in attending either by Facebook or e-mail: wetpaintteam@gmail.com

Not On The High Street

Hands up, I'm guilty! Tonight I've been browsing NOTHS, Christmas shopping!

Although, I didn't get too far because I was drawn to their Autumn Home collection. No surprise there then. After falling head over heals I thought I'd share some of my favourite finds with you, knowing you would love them as much as me and if they happen to make it into my Christmas stocking, so be it.

Top to bottom, left to right:
Herringbone Pattern Wool Throw, £64.99
Orange Linen Cushion cover with Piping, £24.00
Trook Hooks, set of three, £28.00
Cable Knit Hot Water Bottle Cover, £39.00
Soft Heather Herringbone Tweed Wool Throw, £69.00
Natural Mango Wooden Letter, £15.00
Antiqued Recycled Glass Candlesticks, £9.00
Elephant and Hat Cushion, £80.00

Farrow and Ball

A little later than I had planned but I've finally found time to share with you the exciting new Farrow and Ball range.

Launched at the Cambridge opening party, we had an evening of canapés, champagne and colour. It was a great evening spent with people equally as excited by the new range and I could have stayed talking colour and design with Stephanie and her team for the remainder of the evening.

Here are the nine colours in all there glory - what do you think? What's your favourite? I have a soft spot for the Moles Breath and there's something about Yellowcake that pulls me in every time I look at the range.......... And, don't you just love the names.

I did some 'work' on the night too, it wasn't all socialising and champagne, I threw together a few colour combinations for you using the new range of colours, so you can see how versatile they are, and whether you're confident in your colour choices or perhaps a little more hesitant, you can make the colours work for you.

Farrow & Ball - Nailed it!

An Autumn picnic

The nights are drawing in and the temperature is slowly dropping. Feel that you're not quite ready to say goodbye to the outdoors just yet? Embrace the crisp, sunny days and organise an Autumn picnic, on my do to list for the next month. Be inspired by Autumn and everything good that it brings!

Images: Pinterest

A slower pace of life

Images: Pinterest

Blankets, wool jumpers and socks

Images: Sweet Paul / Pinterest

Hot chocolate and naughty deserts, ooooohh apple crumble.........

Images: Pinterest

New seasonal ingredients, I found a Sweet Paul recipe I'll be trying very soon! All I'm saying 'apples'.

Images: Pinterest

Feel ready for Autumn yet? I do!

Lets catch up?

Shall we have a quick catch up before I pick up my paintbrush again? Lets start with the cottage;

 Living room, more finishing touches arrive with flowers, the orange really sets off the Oval Room Blue paint and new door knobs for an old chest of drawers - I love this piece of furniture and mixing old with new, it just gives it something extra doesn't it?

 The office! FINISHED! Last weekend we found 'the' chair, adorned with cosy throws for the winter, completed with a squirrel cushion and Bobby Cat waited no more than five minutes to settle down - not sure I'll ever sit here and read? In fact, he's curled up there this second while I type away and the bookcase, organised with books in order - feeling very satisfied right now.

Downstairs toilet, one pokey little space which initially felt like a public toilet - finished. This one took a 'teeny tiny' bit of convincing with husband but he soon came to his senses. We've gone bold and made a statement with Farrow and Ball Downpipe, it's classy, it feels bigger (you better believe it) and finished off with walnut mirrors and a Jane Churchill wallpaper! Perhaps I'll share some before and afters soon so you can see the transformation.

Swiftly moving on, husbands been working away since last week so I've busied myself with painting (so much painting), hanging mirrors, baking, pruning the garden, flower arranging - that sort of thing.

All Images: Dream Box Interior Design

And, then there was the small matter of the Farrow and Ball *NEW* colour launch, champagne, canapés and colour - what more could an interior designer want? But, I've got a whole post for you so until then..............