Sewn-up style

If I say ‘patchwork’ what picture does that paint? Quaint quilts in a cosy bedroom? Cutesy cushions crowding out a small sofa? Tasteless tea cosy on a… well, you know what I mean. But I’m increasingly seeing patchworks in unlikely settings and being used in unexpected ways. I know it’s not cutting-edge stuff but when, for example, you get furniture covered in this style – admittedly with top-notch fabrics in vibrant colours – it looks flipping marvellous. Maybe it’s just the time of year (winter, Christmas and all that) or maybe it’s my time of life, but I’d happily settle back in a big chair like this, in front of a blazing fire, glass of port in one hand and a copy of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the other…

Definitely not for squares

Passing through

 

Hallways can be boring. There’s no doubt about it, it’s a hard room to make attractive – more often than not it’s simply used as a dumping ground for coats and shoes. However, this picture, from a former Georgian vicarage in Hampshire, makes achieving an elegant hallway look easy. It’s elegant yet cosy, and I love the warm wood mixed with limestone floor tiles and a cool pale-blue backdrop (and of course a dog curled up on a rug – who can resist?).

The fact you can see right through to the back of the house adds an element of light to the room, and the chunky wood console table is the ideal place for storing keys and post, with a mirror for last-minute appearance checks before you head out the door. See more pictures of this home by clicking on this link.

What do you think of this room? We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you’ve decorated your own hallways.

Laurie

Get knitted!

At a recent Harvey Jones event, there was a talk on trend forecasting. I’m always amazed by how those in the know can, er, know the way trends are going to go, not only in the forthcoming year, but also the year after that. It’s as though our future tastes are kind of mapped out for us – how does that work? But there must be something in it – during the presentation Victoria Redshaw from Scarlet Opustalked about the phenomenon of Yarn Bombing, where artists and public alike cover everyday street items with knitted or crocheted covers. Since then, I’m seeing knitted stuff everywhere. But I’m not needled by it – I think I’m even getting to like it, and the more colourful the better!

Seán

From this...

to this...

to this. That's osmosis!

The holidays are coming…

I couldn’t be more excited that Christmas is coming and I’ve already started thinking about how best to decorate each of my rooms. Today I stumbled across this cosy Christmas retreat, which I think is an excellent way of showing what can be done with a setting. Traditional, warm and elegant, all at once. Even the tinsel suits the setting, wrapped around the large candelabra, with matching candles on the table. My favourite part of the room? The gorgeous chest full of drawers at the back left. What are you planning for your Christmas table this year? Any ideas for decorating your rooms? Let us know…

Laurie

Clocked it!

I’ve only just awoken to the idea that clocks aren’t just for telling time. We’ve got a double-back staircase, which means we have a big wall to fill as you walk up the stairs. Ever since we moved in we’ve scratched our heads to know what to fill it with. Of course I’ve seen loads of pictures that would look great there but you’re talking an arm and a leg for even a decent print (treble it if the artist has signed and numbered it!). But after browsing House to Home, I’ve realised that a clock can be practical, stylish and a definite design statement. Check out this page  on weird and wonderful clocks. Go on, then – time waits for no man…

What big hands you've got!

Off-the-wall wall clock

 

How about this for laid-back?