4 Princelet Street

No. 4 Princelet Street is a Georgian merchant's house in the historic London area, Spitalfields. It's been preserved in this style and is available to hire for location shoots and for functions. A few years ago a publishing company I worked for had an atmospheric launch party here for a dark-themed book. You can take an online tour here.

A plan chest I missed first time round.

PS I'd like to visit 19 Princelet Street. And if you're visiting from The Guardian, welcome!

Photos via 1st Option.

Be still, my heart

It's time again for daffodil season. I can't tell you how much these little yellow blooms lift my spirits, and as they are grown in the UK and are inexpensive, I don't feel any guilt at indulging in this small pleasure. I may have to instigate a weekly daffodil feature.

A table centrepiece I adored from Frolic.

Another Frolic project, a cheery daffodil-themed brunch.

No Friday faves today, but I'll leave you with a blog I discovered and liked today - the French blog of Eleanore Bridge (which also has an English translation.) Have a great weekend, I'm going to a Come Dine with Me style dinner this evening, and I'm off to buy some daffodils to bring as a gift!

Tom Butcher Ceramics

Tom Butcher Ceramics is based in a blissful setting in Scotland, which can only inspire his simple, rustic tableware. I bought the whisky tumblers (top photo) for a male friend at Christmas and they were very well received. Tom is exhibiting in London soon, at the upcoming Country Living Fair. Has anyone been? Would you recommend going?

Roddy and Ginger

I've been away from my blog for over a week, as my computer had lots of viruses and had to go to Jon's computer hospital. I've been so emancipated! I've been decluttering (for a change), washed everything in my laundry basket (even long-neglected hand-washing) and have even been polishing silver! To ease myself in slowly, a short post today to highlight a British designer many of you will already be familiar with - Roddy and Ginger. Roddy and Ginger sells retro-themed linen and cotton textiles such as cushions and bags as well as a cute range of children's aprons and t-shirts. A select range of vintage items complement their retro style, such as these milk bottles. They have a lovely blog and Etsy shop too.

Michelle Thompson

I love these illustrations by Michelle Thompson. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, Michelle combines traditional techniques with digital processes and commissions have included book jackets and illustrations for the Globe and Mail, and the Guardian. She is currently exhibiting at the i2 art gallery in Saffron Walden.

Spotted on UK Handmade.

Little Greene Paint Company

Did you know that The Little Greene Paint Company has its own Flickr stream? An interiors photographer I know told me that Little Greene make the best paints. Since I have no grasp of anything photography-related, I can't remember why. Something to do with reflecting light maybe, or density of pigment? Anyway, I felt affirmed as I have only used Little Greene paint in my flat so far (Portland Stone and French Grey.) Unfortunately most of the Flickr photos have not been tagged with which colours have been used, but I can still drool over the dark, moody tones and the fresh greys, and consider my next colour move (something for the hallway which will work between the two colours I mentioned.)

1, 2

3, 4

5, 6

Tea of the week: Chinese tea

Photo by Magnus Anesund.

Five Friday Faves

The first round-up in a little while...

*A Vespa rocking horse.
*A brilliant children's King Kong party.
*These parents' text messages cracked me up!
*Clouds in cocoa.
*A pretty handpainted suitcase.

Have a great Valentine's weekend everyone. I'm just about to go on a (non-Valentine's) day trip on the Orient Express, so my weekend is looking good already!

Flickr photos of Melanie from one of my favourite blogs, You are my Fave.

Folksy Four

1. Leafy Heart by Mengsel (£25), 2. Butterfly brooch by Lupin Handmade (£9), 3. Lacy bird bowl by Prince Design (£19), 4. Little World blue glass earrings by Steam Punk Glass (£8.50) (spotted on She Draws).

Wednesday workspace: Magnus Anesund

A tiny bureau by Magnus Anesund, spotted on Bloesem.

Plan chests

I have grand plans to buy an architectural plan chest to store my stationery in. I've been withholding this post for a while, as I actually have my heart set on one of the plan chests below and just in case one of you readers rushes off and buys it before I have the chance. Anyway, I have realised that although my heart might be set on it, my bank balance isn't quite following suit and is unlikely to for quite some time, so I'm coming out, revealing all my plan chest sources. Can you guess which one is my particular favourite?

From top, L to R, Design Sponge, Castle Gibson, Elemental, Fears and Kahn.

Photographer Patric Johansson

Living Etc, Castle Gibson, Castle Gibson, Retrouvious.

New advertiser: New Tricks Editions

New advertiser New Tricks Editions' bold prints feature bloggers' favourites typography, cameras and even this sweet print of a hand-written envelope. There are lots more prints available on the website, and all are available in two sizes.

Around my house: my plate wall

I've finally hung a collection of plates on my kitchen wall. They are a little high, but I don't have the will to move them and I may add another row at the bottom. I have quite a stash of leftover plates (I bought most of them from car boot sales, but in quite a few cases I couldn't buy a single plate, I had to buy the whole set.)


My favourite plate - a gift from my Vancouver friend Jenny (plate from Portobello market.)

I've posted about my kitchen before, but for those of you who are interested, the paint is Portland Stone by Little Greene Paint company - it is much more green than it looks here. The tiles were from Surface and also look more green in a better light - the brushed steel mosaic tiles are from here and were one of few bargains (I'm generally always attracted to the most expensive options in life.)

The sheepskin rug is a little out of place in a kitchen, but I have underfloor heating and it's a cosy spot to plonk babies (and some adults) when they come to visit.

Want to know how to hang a plate wall? I used the same plate stickers and method as Caroline describes here (I also saw them on Kirsty's Homemade Home). I only left mine to dry for about fifteen minutes as I'm very impatient, and it worked fine. They are available at John Lewis and at All Plate Hangers in the US and are much easier and less damaging than wire hangers.

Projects not yet completed: painting the inside of the fireplace, and turning a plate into a clock. Estimated date of completion? Probably 2012.

Tea of the week: My Daily Bread

Looks like it might be coffee....but anyway, a lovely set of "My Daily Bread" postcards ($5) by Photobird.

Sweet straws

Livy from A Field Journal created this cute Valentine's project for Papermash using red and white striped paper straws (also available in grey and blue.) Instructions for this project can be downloaded here.

Folksy Four

1. Wooden ephemera brooch (£7.50) 2. Red lampshade (£36) 3. Rainbow notecards, (4 for £3) 4. One for sorrow limited edition screenprint (£15).

Castle Gibson

I often frequented Castle Gibson's Islington shop (full of vintage treasures such as 1940s shop counters and old lockers.) Sadly, they closed down their shop several years ago, but I can still peruse their wares online, and consider whether I could ever justify blowing one or even two months' mortgage payments on a chest of drawers. They also run a commercial props and locations business. Below are photos from the house they offer as a location shoot. I'm a huge fan of scuffed-up walls, bare plaster and distressed mirrors. Actual holes in the wall, not so much, but I love the general vibe all the same.

A floral reprieve

I am planning to rearrange my spare bedroom to turn it into an office. I can't decide whether to put the desk beside the window as it means I would be looking onto a brick wall (or rather, straight into my neighbour's bathroom window.) As I've spent more time working at home over the last few years, I have become more aware of the sunshine, the seasons, the mood of each day, and wonder if this view would cause me anxiety, even though I've always managed perfectly well in a lifeless and sometimes windowless corporate office (and soon will do so again). While I mull it over I can comfort myself with these few floral images as a reminder of nature - some out of season perhaps, but uplifting all the same - and a reminder that my favourite season, daffodil season, is coming very soon.

Catherine Gratwicke

scanned from Wedding magazine

Marie Claire Maison

credit unknown - please let me know if you know where it's from.

Wednesday workspace: Patric Johansson

An effective and organised gallery wall tells me this belongs to a tidy person, despite the strewn magazines on the floor. Photo by Patric Johansson.

Typewriter cards

A few of many, many fabulous typewriter cards out there. From top left: You're just my type (£2.70), PS I love you letterpress card (£3.50) Striped card with original photograph (not yet available online, but I love this), Type A letterpress card ($4.25).