Summer Livin'

I know I have a specific 'Lust Have' section but this one is so big it deserves a post all of its own. (Cue Mr VKH breaking in to a nervous sweat...)

While on location for the Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine summer shopping shoot recently I had a bad case of studio envy.  In garden in South London, stands an impressive [what estate agents love to call] live/work space, fully equipped with kitchenette, WC and projector screen perfect for summer evening film viewings

Oh, to have such a room!  I'd paint it floor to ceiling in Little Greene's 'Clockface', a vintage plans chest standing in one corner and my 15 year-old drawing board would take pride of place in front of the window. The first step would be to have a garden big enough to build it in, but hey-ho.

In the meantime, I thought I'd indulge in some images of different garden rooms with various uses. Which is your favourite?

Shabby Chic Summer House:

Image from House to Home

Eco Studio:

Image from Ecospace Studios

Futuristic 'Shoffice':

Image from Platform 5 Architects

Woodland Hideaway:

Image from Achica Living

OK Coral!

When I was about 10 years old I had a coral pink with black polka dot t-shirt and leggings set that my dad bought me for our upcoming holiday to Jersey. 

I loved it so much I think I actually wore it out on that holiday and now it seems I am falling in love with coral pink all over again. 

It is one of the colours for this summer and proving to be very versatile, whether used as a striking contrast to black (as seen left, in the gorgeous art deco design by Leanne Lucas), or adding substance to a  softer palette suited to country style (below).

Image from House to Home

It is even making a stand in the contemporary home accessories market, as seen in this circus-inspired cushion from Butterscotch and Beesting:

Circus Triangles cushion, £34 Designers/Makers

Or this pretty vase  from Anthropologie:

Curvy Chrysanthemum vase, £24

There are lots of ways to incorporate it in to your home this summer. As the pictures above show, it goes particularly well with pale blue or turquoise but however you use it, it's guaranteed to leave you in the pink!