Bold and bright...

...kaleidoscope collages and wooden beads from Paper Covers Rock (Etsy shop here.) There's something about these which reminds me of 1980's tv show Chockablock - anyone else remember that?

Barneby Gates

Honestly people, if I had the time, or inclination, I could come up with more interesting content than the occasional Etsy seller and yet another wallpaper feature. Yet, I can't resist sharing this wallpaper designer who I just spotted on Domestic Sluttery.

Barneby Gates wallpapers are the creation of ex-Vogue Living editor Vanessa Barneby and fine artist Alice Gates. Aren't they pretty? I love the sepia photographic paper (which reminds me of this notebook.) And stars are the next big thing, especially when they are a) metallic and b) described as 'a fluid constellation of gently decaying stars' - lovely. (Note, there's a lovely star scarf here, if you need confirmation of my style prediction skills.)

I'm trying to think of more interesting things to share, which won't take me forever to research, and some new little features. But be forewarned, there's at least one more wallpaper coming this way very shortly...

Autumn styling

I don't often read You magazine, but when I do, I am always really impressed with their interiors features. I particularly loved this weekend's, with all these muted colours, cosy textiles, autumn fires, and yes, distressed walls (just for a change.)

I loved the panelled walls (the left looks like it might be painted in the universally-lauded Down Pipe, although I can't confirm), the headboard on the right (an old artwork) and the chest of drawers from Rose and Grey.

I have the storage box on wheels on the right, also from Rose and Grey (not so beautifully styled, mine has printer paper in it instead.) If you'd like to see more photos, plus stockist details, you can see the full story here. Photos by Polly Wreford.

High Street Highs

Every Saturday I'm taking a course near the King's Road, London and invariably I end up popping into just a few shops nearby {usually Muji} on my way home. I could start a series called the King's Road Chronicles {which also involves spotting some low-brow celebs.}

This week, I was pleased with my bargain laundry basket in the Heal's sale {much larger and nicer than seen here {1}, and under £20} and a cupcake from the Love Bakery {2}. Other pretty things spotted, but not my colour scheme, 3. M&S Dress {I couldn't get a decent front view off their site, sorry} 4. Reiss gold shoes 5. M&S Shoe boots.

These celestial coasters {6} from Anthropologie really did wow me, as they also came in a larger pot stand size, and were so sparkly, but I had to leave the shop in shock when I saw a shabby chic kitchen chair with chipped paint and a graphic designed formica-ish seat cover for almost £450. Now, DIY is not my strong point, but even I could achieve a similar result with an early morning car boot sale purchase, a sample of wallpaper and strong varnish - let me know if I'm missing some truly artisan technique somewhere...

Tea of the week: an autumn tea party

An autumnal tea party by Simon Filip.

Friday Links + Happy Weekend

*Lovely use of an old tin
*Contribute to the white floors debate
*Pretty coffees
*Has anyone visited the new Comma shop (more here)? (love Ben Javen's sign.)
*1930's style

Have a great weekend? Do you have exciting plans? I'm taking it easy {still getting over a virus} but hope to go and see The Social Network - have you seen it?

photo via Marco Siguenza on Flickr.

The Englishman who posted himself

Have you heard of this book The Englishman who posted himself and other curious objects? It's the story of an Englishman who decided to challenge Royal Mail's guidelines by posting all kinds of things to see if they were delivered - including crocheted postcards, envelopes with pictorial addresses, a carved turnip, and yes, himself.


I have to buy this book - especially as my long-held affection for Royal Mail is on the up {after a significant blip last year due to the postal strikes, furthered by a lack of love for courier services that send you to Surrey and beyond if you miss the parcel.}

If you click the images above you can see a larger version, plus there's a fun review at the New Yorker.

New stock at Papermash

I'm feeling relieved after a photo shoot last week as I now have everything on Papermash for Christmas... I've decided not to get anything else new in but concentrate on staying on top of stock levels before then.

I'm now stocking some lovely items from Rifle Paper Co, including my favourites, these recipe cards {I think a nice present for cooks} and these striking floral thank you cards.

A few new notebooks, this watercolour garden design, and these mini notebooks {which I really love because they have checked paper inside - the right one has tiny pink squares!}

New tapes {ever popular} - this lace tape and Venetian design. And I have some amazing masking tape of a seasonal variety - can't bring myself to post Christmas pictures here yet!

I need to turn my attention elsewhere for a few days - I have a few job interviews this week, as selling straws and sellotape does not pay my bills {but I'm confident it will eventually.}

In the meantime, I just did a guest post at Oh, hello friend if you fancy a look... Congratulations to Danni & Nick on their recent wedding - I can't wait to see the photos. There is a sweet little video here - I love that it was a low-key, relaxed wedding {my favourite kind.}

Happy sentiments: Aardvark

I don't like hearts, and I don't especially like typographic prints {am I alone?}, but I love these sentiments {and the prints} from Aardvark.

London shops: EW Moore

I've lived with a wall full of various wallpaper samples for at least two years now, so I no longer notice that they are there. Although I think I've eliminated all of the samples, they are still on the wall...

A new discovery, which might take me in a different direction is EW Moore's wallpaper shop, which sells wallpapers from the 1950s onwards, and which are very competitive on price with some of the modern designer options {their papers are from £25 a roll.}


I was mainly drawn to the yellow wallpapers on their website, which means at least I may have narrowed down my colour choice... {a non-vintage wallpaper I'm newly considering is this one, although I don't have the super-stylish option of a yellow formica table and white floors to compliment it.}

Brown and orange, a colour scheme that reminds me of my parents' first carpet.

Lots to think about, but I think I'll take some more time to mull it over...