Month: September 2015

Giving an old tapestry a second chance

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In the charity shop the other day I saw a framed tapestry picture. It wasn’t something I wanted on my wall necessarily but having done a bit of tapestry before I could appreciate the time and effort someone had gone to to complete the needlework and I did like the finished result. The shop assistant said it had been there a while and she didn’t think anyone would buy it and that made me sad – all those hours stitching gone to waste! I decided to buy it and think of something to do with it later – I wanted someone’s hard work to be appreciated again. On one of my many journeys in Pinterest I came across some tapestry and velvet cushions and I saw some other versions in very expensive high street stores. All were of similar design with a velvet piece either side of a central decorative panel. They looked great so that’s what I did too to complete my cushion. You could do this design to “frame” any central piece – it could be a printed or …

Dark walls – cosy and wonderful and I’m going to do it!

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Most of us feel that light bright walls in our homes is the only way to go. It’s a pretty safe option – after all no one will be offended by an off-white wall but for a while I’ve been wanting something different in my living room. Last year I did a shoot for British Gypsum who have not only magnetic plaster (make an entire wall a giant noticeboard – I have to do this sometime as it’s completely brilliant) but also a new plasterboard that is very strong and you just screw into it – no fixings necessary (again – brilliant – check it out!). Anyway I digress…… one shot I designed for them was to demonstrate a load of heavy pictures safely mounted on the plasterboard and I used a navy paint on the wall. It was unbelievably beautiful and rich and cosy and it’s been in my head ever since. But it is also pretty dark and so quite a dramatic change. With this idea gnawing away in my head I did what …

Back to school with a personalised bag that kids can make – start them sewing!

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I was first sat in front of a sewing machine when I was 5 and it was the start of a lifelong passion. Things have changed in that it’s now often cheaper to buy clothes in the shops  rather than make them, but the appeal of making something unique is still as strong as ever. I decided that rather than buy PE bags for the growing amount of kit my girls are having to take to school, we’d make them. A drawstring bag is quick and straightforward and a great way of introducing kids to a wonderful craft and they were utterly thrilled with the results. It was hard to not be a perfectionist and take over but I had promised myself the girls would do this themselves and it didn’t matter if there were wobbles and a few thready bits and it didn’t – the bags are great and their sense of achievement is priceless. Here are the instructions so you can make your own too 🙂 Cut a piece of fabric for the main …

Have you seen the new Ted Baker tiles? They’re amazing!

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I have just seen the fantastic new “Residence” range of tiles by luxury fashion and lifestyle brand Ted Baker and I thought I’d post about them straight away so you’re ahead of the game too. As you’d expect from an iconic designer, the range is an interesting blend of styles that could fit in a wide range of settings and styles of homes and these were inspired by a trip to Europe where he saw a house made entirely from tiles. There are some that would sit with quiet elegance, just waiting to be noticed and when that happens, you think “Oooh they’re beautiful” and others, like the big patterned glass splashbacks that do the exact opposite bringing a welcome thwack of colour and personality into a kitchen. They’re made by British Ceramic Tile so the quality will be great (I have some BCT tiles in my own home and they’re gorgeous) so these are well worth looking at. So here’s the collection. It’s vibrant and fun, delicate and daring and I bet by the time you get …