Friday, May 25, 2012

Books: Katie Ridder and Ben Pentreath


I've just spent a delightful couple of days reading 'Rooms' by Katie Ridder. That girl certainly isn't afraid of making a statement. I did find some of her rooms overwhelming but her combination of colours and patterns are undeniably boldly brilliant.
Here are a few of my favourite rooms.



I particularly love her kitchens.  She is a woman after my own heart, white cabinets, white marble benchtops, french cafe chairs .... perfection.

I love the tiles in this one

In other exciting news one of my favourite bloggers, Ben Pentreath is releasing his book 'English Decoration' in September. You can preorder signed copies here.

Ben leads a charmed life in London running a design shop and consultancy. On weekends he escapes to his home in Dorset that is when he's not working with clients in Scottish castles or houses in Moscow! Yes, I admit that I'm living vicariously through his blog. A highlight is his wonderful photography and the way he finds beauty even in the small or mundane.

Happy reading everyone.
T
xxx

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Miss my weekend

I took a week off my part time job last week to do a 5 day course. The side effect of this is that I've spent the whole weekend doing all the tedious, boring stuff I usually do on my days off: washing, vacuuming, mopping, more washing, giving the cat a bath (I know..what can I say), cleaning the shower. I'm still procrastinating over cleaning the toilets.

Truthfully, I don't feel like I've had a weekend. Thankfully it's a one off and I'm back to normal next week. What I'm wondering is how do mothers that work full time cope and still stay sane? I honestly don't know how they can. Even if they have a cleaner how do they manage with after school activities, homework and cooking a dinner that doesn't invoke toast? When do they get to sit on the balcony and read? To just be still? I need those moments of stillness.

My neglected deck
So even though I sometimes dream of going back full time so that I actually have a career rather than a job, I don't think I could sacrifice my weekends for it. After all, what's the point of work if not to live?

And on that note, I going to forget about the rest of the washing and head out to the Paniyiri with my boys and enjoy this beautiful afternoon.
Yasoo!

T
xxx

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Bookish weekend

The bookcases finally where installed on Friday. The guys from Maytain Cabinets did an absolutely brilliant job. The bookcase itself is gorgeous and they left everything clean and tidy - they even bought in my rubbish bin!



We quickly put our books up on Saturday, though I envisage a bit of rearranging in the future.
I still have to have the new light fittings installed and the plasterer in to do the cornice and ceiling repair.
It was great to finally get all our books out of the cupboard they'd been stored in since we moved.  Nothing like books to add a bit of warmth and colour to a room.







The boys surprised me with a little posey of flowers this morning from Grandma's garden.


They slept over last night so R and I walked up to our local Indian for a yummy meal and then went to Astro Pete's for some stargazing and astronomy chat. I got to clearly see Saturn, it's rings and two moons and some galaxies. I always find it immensely humbling and awe inspiring to stargaze.

Time to get ready for our mothers day picnic at New Farm Park.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and mothers day.

T
xxx

Monday, May 7, 2012

Tropical lighting

I picked up my new lamps from A-M at Cape Cod Designs last week. I've been waiting for these for awhile as I'd missed out on the first shipment and then had to wait weeks and weeks for the next. But they were well worth the wait. I love those pineapples!


I'm not 100% sure about those shades I got for them. I was so eager to get them set up that I pretty much bought the first shades that I found, but I reckon they'll do for now until something better comes along.


We've had the most beautiful weather this last week and over the long weekend.  It's such a wonderful time of year to be outdoors.

T
xxx