Sourcebook: My Living Room
OK, so apologies, I agree, 'Sourcebook' is supremely wanky. Who do I think I am? An interior designer? Fear not, no, I know my place - I just couldn't think of anything else to call this post.
Since my flat was featured on the very lovely Houzz UK a few months ago, and since I will very soon (hopefully) be moving out of it (if we can ever find anywhere to live), I thought I'd put some details down on the blog of where everything in each room is from. Lots of people keep getting in touch and asking me for details about things, and it's really LOVELY because it means I must have SOME taste (despite someone on Houzz commenting that my flat was 'a hybrid of girlie, retro, seaside, student, office, modern, with a twist of chic that I'm finding difficult to love' - I mean personally, I think that sounds kind of awesome, but hey, I guess I would).
First up, because it's the one with the most stuff in it: my living room. So here's a grand old list of where everything is from, in case you're interested. And, yes, I know, this blog post requires no creativity on my part. Ha.
Some things may no longer be available as they've been accumulated over several years - if so drop me a line and I'll try to find an alternative for you.
Hopefully I haven't missed anything - feel free to leave a comment if so and I shall get back to you forthwith!
Wall colour, Ammonite, Farrow & Ball Chimneybreast colour, White - not sure, probably Dulux Brilliant White Floor paint, Downpipe, Farrow & Ball Rug, bespoke from Alternative Flooring Sofa, Fancy Nancy, Sofa Workshop Coffee table, Ercol (from eBay) Armchair, Ercol (inherited) TV stand, Heal's vintage Grey chest, Garrat Storage Chest, Laura Ashley, painted in Plummett (I think! can't remember), Farrow & Ball Mirror above fireplace, 60s dressing table mirror from a junk shop White leather pouf, Heal's Large lantern, Nordic House Small lanterns, Debenhams Ceiling light, Habitat Blinds, Ikea Cushion on sofa, Sparrow & Co Throw on sofa, Melin Tregwynt Cushions on armchair, MissPrint (yellow) and Mini Moderns (grey) Chest of drawers in corner, antique, inherited (I would paint them but the top has a lovely patina so can't bring myself to) Art above sofa (not seen here but on first pic), framed pages from an old Vogue calendar
Bureau, inherited from my grandparents, 1950s Desk, The Pier - remember them!? I hate my desk and I actually have this amazing Sebastian Cox for Heal's one waiting for me in storage at the moment... if we can ever find that aforementioned new house Desk chair, Eames DSW Colour Sphere wall print, A Rum Fellow Bookcase, Ikea (where else!) Bunny lamp, The Little Baby Company Desk lamp, Homebase Bin, Ikea
Lamp and shade, Habitat Typewriter, eBay Chest of drawers, as before Lithograph by Alan Stones, from Baxters Gallery, Dartmouth
All photos copyright Houzz UK and taken by the supremely talented Chris Snook.
Shops you should know about: A Rum Fellow
Another shop this week for all you interiors fans that you might not have heard of but that you should!
A Rum Fellow is one of those unique brands that's impossible to pigeon-hole. I can't even remember where I first came across them - most likely it was on social media - but it was when I saw them exhibiting at Clerkenwell Design Week last year that I first became properly enchanted.
They describe themselves as 'celebrating heritage craft techniques in the creation of kaleidoscopic statement pieces. We create extraordinary pieces of furniture and home accessories designed to captivate the room'. I couldn't have put it better myself. Check out some of their wares...
They sell a wonderfully eclectic mix of pieces, from textiles, cushions, rugs and throws to furniture and lighting. Colour is the name of the game - plenty of bold, bright hues and tons of geometric loveliness. I mean, how ridiculously gorgeous is this cushion?
They also have a really strong art offering. In fact, the first thing I fell in love with of theirs was the quirky Rabbit Faunascape (below). I love everything about this: especially the fact that it's painted onto plywood. Just completely original and captivating.
If you've seen the piece on my flat on Houzz, you'll also know that I picked their Runge's Colour Sphere print as the giveaway. This print sits perfectly above my desk and everyone always notices it - I love the use of colours and the fact it helps define my workspace. It's one of my favourite pieces of art in my flat.
Another fab thing about A Rum Fellow? They are family-run. I LOVE a family-run business - it makes all the difference to see the passion and care that goes into sourcing products, and when you buy something, you really do get a bit of a warm glow. Check them out, and keep your credit card handy!
Have a nose round my home on Houzz
I'm very excited today to be able to share with you the feature on my flat on international decorating goliath Houzz. The lovely team at Houzz sent a fab interiors photographer (Chris Snook - check him out) round a few weeks ago to shoot my humble abode to feature as part of their new series visiting interiors bloggers at home. I then had a chat with one of their writers to talk more about my blog, as well as the story behind the bits and pieces in my home.
It's funny, seeing the finished pics, as I had never realised quite how girly my taste had become! And quite how dependent on grey and pink... what can I say, the two work together so well! It's been really lovely to have these professional shots done, especially as when my flat was last shot for The Guardian, it looked quite different.
My home really is an amalgamation of lots of different bits and pieces gathered throughout the years - many of which were handed down to me from relatives, resulting in a rather eclectic mix. But I quite like the fact that pretty much everything I own has a story behind it, rather than it all being bought at once to fit a particular design 'scheme'.
The Houzz team also asked me to pick out a prize for the best comment left on the feature. They wanted me to choose something inspired by or featured in my flat - so I went with this fab poster from A Rum Fellow (below). It takes pride of place above my desk in the living room, and always gets tons of compliments.
So what are you waiting for? Get over there, have a good nose round and leave a comment (be kind please, have I mentioned at all lately that I'm heavily pregnant and emotional?!)!
Can't wait to hear what you think!
PS to see all the shots Chris took, check out My Home ideabook