Five Friday Faves

The most adorable 21st birthday party (and a happy belated birthday to the incredibly talented Livy.)

Love these snowy birds.

Check out the amazing packaging which came with this Made by Hank bag.

Cute thank you templates for little ones.

A successful reupholstery project using an Orla Kiely laundry bag.

Have a great weekend!

Photo via A Field Journal.

Dutch by Design clock

I have just spotted this clock on Made by Girl. What do you think? It wouldn't be too hard to make yourself. My dad was a clockmaker and I think it is something I may take up at some point (I think I even looked for an evening class once, in a mad notion.)

I think it might work well on this fireplace wall, in my kitchen.

Other options for this wall: a collection of plates (I'm trying to collect milk glass plates - I have 2 so far), a blackboard in a vintage frame (or painting the whole wall in blackboard paint) or simply a collection of small prints. Any favourites, or other suggestions? I am a little obsessed with blackboard paint, but I have owned this IKEA cupboard for five or six years and have only written on it a handful of times.

Sofa inspiration

I have an endless fascination with buttoned sofas, because someday I hope to buy one. When I saw these images - the top one features my favourite Finn Juhl Poeten sofa - I didn't hesitate to save them, upload and post them - quick as a flash. Timescale between first spotting them and publishing them on this blog - approximately three minutes.

Picture credits unknown, via Fondly Seen.

Royal mail stamps: British Design Classics

I've always loved stamps. I have bought personalised stamps on more than one occasion. In the late 90s, I rushed to the Post Office to buy sticky stamps before they were commonly available. They used to be available in a roll of 100 only, but were still valid even when prices increased so they were a good investment. I could regale you with many stamp stories (actually that's the only one) but I'm not sure the reader appetite exists...

Anyway, I was very excited to see these stamps on Last Day of May. There are ten special editions, each featuring a British design classic. These are my favourites, but the designs also include a red telephone box and double decker Routemaster bus, sadly no longer with us.

I'm tempted to buy some and frame a small collection. Speaking of stamps, have you seen this Press & Post project from Sarah Parrott? For a small subscription, with 1, 3, 6 and 12 month options, you receive a limited edition letterpress card and some vintage stamps in the mail every month.

It's the best monthly subscription idea I've seen since my sadly expired Panty Postman Knickerscription from Coco Ribbon. How I loved that.

Wednesday workspace: Kim from Desire to Inspire

I spotted this office a little while ago on Desire to Inspire. Isn't it fabulous? It looks like such a bright and cheery place to work.

I love the yellow chair.

And the green one...
This looks like a lady who really loves her fabric.

And look at the yellow noticeboard - I am determined to make something similar as a DIY project, but I never seem to find old ornamental frames in charity shops. Check out this post for instructions on how to make a blackboard with a very similar yellow frame.

I love rooms which have a white background or base, but then add splashes of colour. To see lots more photos, including 'before' shots (the white painted floor is a major improvement), have a look at Kim's post about the room's decoration.

Blog problems?

A Tea for Joy reader has reported to me that she is finding my blog very slow to load on the page. Is anyone else having the same problem? I think it could be something to do with me adjusting the picture sizes to make them larger. I don't seem to be having any problems, but please let me know if you are.

£5 find

A few weekends ago, I went to Folkestone, on the South coast of England. My friend and I found a great junk shop - and I bought the three items above for £4.50! I was very pleased. I plan to use the ashtray for my often-mislaid keys. I might get a piece of mirror cut for the brass frame - but I also like it on its own, with nothing in it. I also saw a pair of Victorian framed prints for £40, but I resisted them due to cash flow restraints - in retrospect I think this was a mistake as they were a perfect pair.

A book by its cover: God's own Country

Growing up in Northern Ireland, the title of this book has a strong resonance with me, even though it's not related to my homeland at all. Still, I think this is a fantastic cover. Having just worked for a publishing company, I very much suspect that this cover didn't do that well for the publisher in hardback, and that they have redesigned it for the paperback. I think it's a huge improvement. This is the perfect example of a book which I would buy just because of the cover art - very unusual for me.

V&A Shop

As a child, one of my favourite books was Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes. The children in the book used to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum every weekend. When I moved to London, I thought I would become a frequent visitor too, visiting only one room each time, so that I could give the objects and ephemera the attention they deserve.

I never quite got around to my room-by-room approach. Although there have been many exhibitions I have loved over the years, one of my favourite parts of the V&A is the shop. Oops. Is it wrong that it's one of my first stops on my visits there?

Recently I have been embracing my feminine side for my home decoration. So, I have been eyeing up their beautiful range of botanical prints.

There are lots of other appealing items too.

Elizabeth Arden advertisement.

Kimono notebook.

Decal fans.

Embroidered canvas.

It's definitely worth a stop on the tourist trail.

Simple but satisfying

To me, this photograph is all about a wall painted in the perfect colour.

In this one, a solitary yellow candle.

On this sparse mantlepiece, it's the simple decoration of a vase of honesty leaves.

I don't know why these images resonate with me so strongly, but they do. Simple and effective, these photographs are by Rachel Whiting.

Tea of the week: The Village Tea Room & Bakeshop - Guest blog by Katy Elliott

Good morning Tea for Joy readers! Lynne kindly ask me to share one of my favorite tearooms, The Village Tearoom & Bake shop recently featured on my blog, katyelliott.com. I write a daily journal about home decorating and renovating an old house. My posts tend to run the gamut from favorite pillows to new shops I've discovered.

The Village Tearoom & Bakeshop is located in New Paltz, NY a small little hippy town about 90 miles north of New York City. Agnes Devereux the owner of The Tearoom converted an old barn she had on the back of her property into this adorable little tearoom and bake shop.

Agnes and her staff make everything from scratch. The menu reflects the seasons showcasing many of the area's local farmers and produce. Her slow food approach has captured the stomachs of many foodies, including myself. I'm a sucker for her sweets and cakes including her to-die-for legendary Creme Puffs. Amazing with a pot of hot tea!

If sweets aren't your thing, not to worry. The Tea Room as many other delights such as Irish-style Dingle Pies (spiced minced lamb ensconced in flaky pastry crust) or her new seasonal Asparagus Tart. I can guarantee you'll leave with a happy and well-fed belly.

The Village Tea Room
10 Plattekill Ave
New Paltz, NY
845.255.3479

Five Friday Faves

I love the look of these paper goods.

Inspired by this cheap-chic wall art of old playbills and programmes.

Soft afternoon light...a cure for my headache.

I couldn't resist the invitation to take a video tour of someone else's house. (I like the framed photo booth strips.)

I'm oddly obsessed with this kitchen sink gadget.

Have a great weekend everyone. I have an exciting guest post from Katy Elliott on Monday - so check back then!

Photo via Luphia.

Claire Coles for Blooming Marvelous

I'm not sure how old these images are, but I have just come across these on Claire Coles' website. She was commissioned to design this wallpaper for a Blooming Marvellous ad campaign.



I have always been a huge fan of her stitched panels - I would love to own one of her bespoke artworks or porcelain. Here are a few samples - an almost perfect combination of birds, stitching and wallpaper.

Images via Claire Coles.

Well, hello.

If you are visiting this blog from my Times articles on 'The Art of Food Blogging' or '50 of the world's best food blogs', then a special hello to you.

Photos by Robert Reader, who has two charming Etsy shops, Isoprint and Isofoto.

Style resolutions: Mel from You are my Fave

Well, I haven't quite had my fill of nosying round other bloggers' houses, so I've rebranded and repackaged my 'New Year's Style Resolutions' feature, so that I can carry on getting my fix. People have aims and objectives all year round, right? And with so many talented bloggers out there, I couldn't resist stringing this out as long as possible, albeit on a more infrequent basis.

Today's fine interviewee is Melanie from You are my Fave. I love her profile photo, and her relaxed style. I think we have very similar taste (ie impeccable), as often when I look at her Wednesday 'Spotted and Hearted' feature I see images I've noted and loved too!

Thanks Mel for taking part!

Style resolutions: Mel from You are my Fave

Q. What is your favourite recent design find/achievement?

A. I’m really happy with how the mix of our console table and mirror turned out. And what makes it even better is that we got both items for free! The table was found next to our dumpster and we just spruced it up with a coat of paint. The mirror was found in the closet of my parents' house. It was originally a shade of gold that could be compared to something in Liberace’s house. When I brought it home my husband said, “I’m not sure about that.” I told him to have faith and it turned out great.

Q. Do you have any design/style ambitions you want to achieve by the end of the year?

A. Interior design/renovating: Our apartment can be best described as uncooked oatmeal-colored walls with cooked oatmeal and raisin (the stains) carpet - with a dash of puke-colored cabinets. Plus we’re lacking on space so I really need to learn to live with what I have and find ways to transform the dullness. My goals are to finish my gallery wall, get an area rug that’s bright, open the blinds more and organize, organize, organize. That, or I’ll win the HGTV dream home and not have to worry about it.

Gifts/Wrapping: I might be the world’s worst wrapper. So my goal is to only use three pieces of tape and to add colorful accessories to destract from the bumps.

Shopping/Fashion: I need to remix pieces in my closet. I need to buy investment pieces and get over my fear of spending over $30 on one item. I want to embrace the girly pieces that are in style right now. I want to be Betty.

Q. Which are your favourite style blog(s)?

A. Oh bother, this is a tough one. There is so much goodness out there it’s hard to narrow it down. Let’s just say if I only have a few minutes to check my Google Reader the style blogs I instantly check are: Black Eiffel for guaranteed amazing design, Design is Mine because Summer is the queen of Flickr beauties, Frolic for prettiness everyday and Oh Happy Day for Jordan’s inspiring parties - I have her to thank for introducing me to the world of design blogs.

Now that this material is published, does that mean I have to follow through with my goals? Talk about motivation. Please prod me if I don’t change.