ALL CHANGE PLEASE!

I can't believe it's almost mid-April! 

So far 2015 has not been too kind and I'm bracing myself for some big changes in the months ahead.  But, I intend to embrace them as a new beginning and am trying to see the positive side - my new found love for Bikram yoga is teaching me to condition my mind as well as my body and I have a few good friends propping me up and gently nudging me forward.

As always when it's time for change, enforced or voluntary, I feel the need for a bloody good clear-out.  I quite often spend hours wandering around my flat looking for things that I can get rid of but, although I'm not particularly sentimental about possessions, it mostly proves a fruitless search.  Perhaps it's my state of mind or maybe just my age but more often these days I'm feeling that simplicity is key to my happiness.  To that end, I'm going to have a go at streamlining my life: chucking out the the things I don't need - stress, negativity, bad influences - and leaving only the things that can help me on my way - calmness, positivity and good vibes. 

One of the biggest changes coming my way is going to be somewhere new to live.  As a freelancer I spend a lot of time at home and so it seems natural to want a place that will fill me with a sense of peace.  Living in London I think it's especially important to be able to escape from the hubbub.  

I have a vision of what I want my new home to be like and this, dear readers, is it:

Photo: Paul Massey

This is the Primrose Hill home of photographer Paul Massey.  I first came across these images when it was featured in Living Etc a year or so ago and, whilst on a furious Pinterest pinning session searching for 'Pale and interesting', they cropped up again.  

I love colour - one can't be as obsessed with India as I am and not - but I can't live with it.   I have tried, believe me, but it makes me edgy and I always find myself hankering after a cool, calm space with natural textures and an element of rusticity. 

Photo: Paul Massey

This apartment is what some estate agents might term as 'bijou' but it just goes to show that by creating a cohesive colour scheme using a mixture of off-white, grey and taupe, and by limiting possessions to only what is useful and/or beautiful, one can make even the smallest home feel airy and spacious.

Photo: Paul Massey

Simple rustic benches in the kitchen area keep the look streamlined and are easily tucked away under the table to create more space when not in use.  The ceiling has been stripped back to the rafters to give the illusion of extra height which allows for a low-hanging dining light without it dominating the space.

Photo: Paul Massey

The look continues through to the bedroom, further enhancing the feeling of space. 

Furniture is kept simple and  antique linens adorn the bed.

Photo: Paul Massey

Gone is my obsession with show-home style perfection -  after a lot of soul searching, I can now admit it was a manifestation of my need for control.  I'm looking forward to having a more relaxed home that I feel happy to be in.

As Bikram yoga teaches us, happiness is not a destination but the means by which we travel.  If I can recreate something similar to this in my new place I may not be in Nirvana - but I'll at least be enjoying the journey! 

To see more of Paul Massey's photography and other design projects visit his website at: 

http://paulmassey.me/photography/

Going Grey

I have been surrounded by a riot of colour whilst beavering away on Piccadelhi business but when it comes to interiors I like things simple.

In my late teens my bedroom was a haven of white - I even painted the floorboards white, which my mother thought was highly impractical.  At home I love to feel calm: flicking through the pages of Atlanta Bartlett's book, Pale and Interesting, or browsing the website instantly puts me at ease.  

I dream of living in a world of natural wood and linen, all in varying shades of white and grey.

Living room heaven!  

Grey is not a new trend but it is still having a moment.  As we move through autumn and in to winter, I'd prefer to cosy up in a pared-back Scandi style room - think log fires, wire baskets and snuggly chunky knits - as opposed to the opulent jewel tones that reappear every year.  Even if it's dark outside it can still be light and bright inside.  

Below are a few images I'll be using for inspiration next time I decorate!

White doesn't have to be boring!

My dream work space would be something like this!

Using linen adds simple texture and creates a 'lived in' look

If you really must add colour, try denim blue and pastels

One day, my dreams will come true!!

Shop for the look at:

Nordic House

Nkuku

Bloomingville

Images: Pinterest

Home Again!

Last January I wrote about my inaugural visit to Home London, the first trade show of the year.  This time round it was bigger and better: Home was once again co-located with Top Drawer (for stationery and gift-led products) but there was a new addition in the form of Craft - a showcase for one hundred of the finest designer makers across a broad range of disciplines.  

I visited on Sunday, the opening day, and there was a distinctly warm and friendly buzz about the place.  With a lot of the major buyers visiting on  a week day it was a relaxed atmosphere and there was time to chat.  I managed to catch up with last year's Confessions of A Design Geek bursary winner, Jessica Hogarth, who this year was located in Top Drawer having taken the decision to concentrate more on the stationery side of her business. The Mini Moderns guys were as convivial as usual, their new Hinterland collection looked great and was generating a lot of interest.  I also took the opportunity to say hello to Emma from the Gary Birks studio, whose new mugs inspired my last post.  I may have got more than a little excited about their new 'Wave' design…but more on that another time.

There was a lot to take in, but I've selected a few exhibitors whose stands really attracted my attention...

Never has a whole brand made me want to throw out everything I own and start again, but Danish label Bloomingville has done just that.  They are by no means a new company, having been founded in 2000 by Betina Stampe, but the aesthetic is clean, fresh and very 'now'.  From kitchen to garden, living room to home office, they've got it covered.  Dreamy summer pastels? Check.  Acid brights? Yup.  Scandi monochrome? Naturally.  Hot  metallics? You betcha. 

I want it all.  And I'm putting it all in my cabin between a forest and a lake somewhere in rural Sweden.

Pastels and geometrics

Monochrome, Scandinavian style

I need this lamp in my life!

Images from bloomingville.com

See website for stockists.

I was delighted to discover the hand painted enamelware of Jasmine White. Brainchild of Supriya Broadbent, this Anglo-Asian venture utilises the skills of artisans in India which have been passed down through generations.  The pretty floral design is typical of the Kashmiri region and would happily sit alongside retro or modern pieces.  I particularly love the little tea caddies, which could also be used to keep spices in - lined up on a shelf they'd look very chic.

In addition to the enamelware, Jasmine White has also recently launched an original design entitled 'Indian Street' which features on a range of textile products.

Hand-painted tea caddy, £7.50

Indian Street cushion, £45.

Images from jasminewhitelondon.com

I have been a fan of Sue's work for a while now so it was delightful to talk to her in person at Home.  She started her career at Wedgwood but now runs her own successful studio where she makes each prototype herself before sending it off to a factory in Stoke to be produced in limited runs.  

Sue's stand was easily my favourite of the whole show, the simplicity of it allowing her elegantly rustic products to take centre stage: 

Sue's simply designed stand really caught my eye.

Image from suepryke.com

Once again the quality of exhibitors was extremely high.  Next year the show is re-locating to Olympia due to the development of the Earl's Court site but it will still be the 'definitive trade event for homewares and interiors accessories'. 

home-london.net