make them roar

Happy Friday friends! It is so nice to have a short week and I'm home today working on a school project. A cold, grey day like this is perfect for studying...but also makes me yearn for a fluffy companion. I've been wanting a cat for about four years now, the husband has resolutely said no, but that hasn't made me give up my quest to convince him!

For all you lucky people who already have a feline friend, check out this super stylish blog and website totally dedicated to your cat's needs. Make Them Roar is a cool collection of cat furniture, cat products, toys - anything really related to cats! The site has been set up by a friend of mine and I love her amazing finds, especially the upcycled cat bed and the stylish cat grass.

You can find Make Them Roar on Facebook and Twitter. Have a great weekend! If you do have a cat, give it an extra cuddle for me. : )

black, white & beautiful

I can't get enough of the clean lines a black and white interior give. I love this scandinavian home, the stunning wooden floors and the strong black and white colour scheme mixed with the flashes of green provided by the plants. It is  going on my own flat inspiration board immediately.

Flat found on the fabulous Design Attractor.

cheese on toast

Awesome. Need I say more?

Found here

blots of ink

It's the weekend kids. What are you up too? The husband and I are spending a lovely Saturday together before he flies off for a week snowboarding! I'm trying not to be jealous and am looking forward to a week home alone to catch up on my school work and flat to do list.

We are still(!) trying to finish off our upstairs living area - honestly who knew it would be so hard to find cushions for the couch and lighting fixtures - and I came across these amazing ink blot plates.

The are made in England out of stunning bone china and each plate shows a hidden animal that the designer has seen herself. I think they would make an excellent talking piece at a dinner party. Can't you just imagine asking your guests what they see?

Ink Blot Series 1 Limited Edition plates available here

a little bit naughty

How amazing are these dishes?! Cheeky new company Dirty Dishes creates one of a kind dinner plates that I'm sure would get the conversation started at any dinner party. At about £12 a pop they aren't the cheapest, but I think a fair price to pay for some nudity on the table!

Dirty Dishes currently available online here

perfect cushions

So our upstairs lounge/kitchen makeover is (finally!) almost complete. We have changed the flooring, painted the walls, built in book shelves (and repainted them), ordered and received two new couches, our gorgeous kitchen table and are just waiting on the chairs, which should be delivered next week. Phew! 

I'm now looking for the finishing touches and found these great cushions from one of my favourite American imports, Anthropologie. The clothes and accessories are fab, but it is their home-wares department that I love. Full of unique pieces that aren't ridiculously expensive, I think a selection of these cushions will look perfect on our new couch...here is hoping everything will be done by Christmas!

Cushions available at Anthropologie

hidden treasure

Deary me do I love this. Even if I can't have a secret passage in my own house, I love the idea of this hidden light! Hilariously the designer's name is Ben Light (ha!) and he has only made a few of these cheeky lamps so try and get it while you can.

B.LightDesign available here.

finishing touches

Isn't it pretty? I couldn't resist - the finishing touch for our kitchen. Now if only I knew someone who could help install it! So close to complete...

Davey Spun Reflector available at John Lewis (who knew?!)

covetable floors

Hello friends! Hope you're well.

The husband’s parents visited this weekend and goodness me they were fantastic! Instead of sight-seeing as we had planned, they spent most of Sat helping us sort all the things on our to do list that never seem to get done.

Thanks to our super productive Sat I was able to spend a few luxurious hours on Sun looking for the final touches to our upstairs living space and look what I found…!

The company, Arctic Plank is owned by Icelander Hogni Stefan Throgeirsson. Like the name suggests, Throgeirsson uses old and discarded planks of wood from crates and shipping pallets and upcycles them into these gorgeous hardwood floors. I have always loved herringbone flooring and the character you can see from the old wood is hard to beat. It’s just a shame we have nowhere to use them!

More info here seen originally on PoppyTalk

birds in woods

What do you think of these stunning prints, friends? I am still looking for small pieces to go on our latest wall o' art (will post pictures of that shortly) and think these beauties will fill the space nicely.


They are created by Dutch artist Louise van Terheijden and her lovely work can be found on Etsy here.

need i say more

My heart be still! This print says it all. And it will be going up in our flat immediately.

Fifi du Vie print available at PoppyTalk Handmade or here.

ends for books

I was checking out my friend Alana's blog, InteriorPOP and it got me to thinking about books. We built in two large shelves in our lounge about six months ago and I still haven't quite finished the difficult job of decorating them.

I'm always on the lookout for interesting pieces to add and this rhinoceros book end is definitely a talking piece! Would you want this on your bookshelf?

Rhino bookends from Graham and Green

paul catherall

Hello friends. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. The husband and I enjoyed this lovely Indian summer up North and are on our way back from a glorious three days in Yorkshire. I'll post some pictures of our trip later this week.

As to London news I'm sure you are all aware the Affordable Art Fair is just around the corner. There are two shows this year and I've recently discovered artist Paul Catherall who will be showing (and selling!) his wares at both. I am very tempted to pick up at least one of these stunning prints. His colour-block prints of iconic London city scapes would look fab in anyone's home.

who is a little bit ocd?

Found! My perfect kitchen friend. This hilarious chopping board is a must have for all the OCD chefs in the world. Ruler lines and a protractor have been etched into the board allowing perfectionists a way to perfectly sized portions. I don't think I could ask for anything more.

Available at Selfridges and seen originally on The Style List

oh comely

Friends! I have found the most delightful magazine. Called Oh Comely, it features all things lovely and wonderful. The imagery is dreamy, the features cover everything from how to make marshmallows and moccossains, to interviews with up and coming artists and musicians and the focus is on all things creative. The magazine comes out six times a year and I can't wait for it's next installment.

Some of my favourite features here!

Oh Comely

drip, drip, drip

How amazing are these lamp shades? Created by interior designer Jimmie Martin, I love the rich copper lining and how it contrasts with the dark grey dripped paint on the outside. I might try to do a DIY version to add drama to our new kitchen table.

Jimmie Martin Lampshade

finally!

We have finally decided on and ordered our new kitchen table! Isn't it gorgeous? 

Our table was suggested by a friend of mine who recently launched online furniture company Imagine Living. Her concept is simple! By working directly with small European producers, she is able to reduce costs by cutting out the traditional supply chain. In addition, the ladies at Imagine Living really pride themselves working only with local businesses. These are companies who have a long history of making beautiful pieces and who produce only small batches of their furniture.

The relationships they develop are so helpful as well. When the husband wanted to know where the teak wood was sourced, it took only a quick email before we found it was recycled wood from India. It probably sounds silly, but it's the details that made us happy with this purchase  I'll post some pictures when it arrives...can't wait!

inspiration

How stunning is this Parisian apartment? I love the light open spaces and the mix of vintage and modern furniture - so simply but beautifully styled. Ah...I can always dream.

Via Solid Frog

luna and curious

This amazing little shop keeps popping up in blogs I read and after checking out their wares, I can understand why. Full of beautiful things, the Shoreditch based boutique is a collection of exquisite homewares, unique jewellery and quirky gifts.

Cuffed Bear Necklace and Nailed Animal Brooches

Pretty Deer & Butterfly Paper Eyelashes

 

 Amazing ceramics, I am loving these Skeletal Plates and Espresso Mugs

And a sweet love/hate teapot and matching cup and saucers 

I wouldn't say no to this gorgeous set of four bird mugs either!

All found at Luna & Curious, 24-26 Calvery Ave, E2 7JP