Out of Office

Next week I’ll be here.

{The Developing Photographer}{Wolfy}

There is no mobile phone signal. There is no wi-fi. For the first week ever, there will be no posts.

Don’t take offense, but I’ll be trying not to miss you…

Love, DN x

Weekday baking

I always take a wholesome loaf cake up to the Lake District with me so we can enjoy a slice with a cup of tea after a long day of walking on the fells. This year, I’ll try this Spiced Ginger Cake recipe via the ever mouthwatering Roost.

{Roost}

Time and transport (four hours courtesy of National Rail) don’t allow for beautiful packaging like this unfortunately but I love the idea of putting together a little gift pack to spread some autumn cheer. The accompanying recipe for Rosemary Apple Butter sounds scrummy too. What do you like to have with your tea at this time of year?

Decorating dilemma: house plants

At Design Junction a few weeks ago I caught up with the lovely Marianne from Nordic Bliss. We got talking about the differences between British and Scandinavian homes and she told me how much she misses seeing house plants in interiors now she lives in the UK

I had to confess that I put myself in with the house plant haters. They seem a little bit sad and dated to me – all ’70s macramé and  droopy spider plants. Straggling, dust-gathering, light-sapping, yellowing… depressing.

{via Apartment Therapy / Remain Simple}

But because I trust Marianne’s taste, I thought I’d hit the web in search of house plant ideas with a twist to see if I could find something to convert me.

{West Elm / Nova 68}

OK, so I think a nicely contained, straggle-free terrarium I could do – Fugu the goldfish had better watch his back! If you fancy having a go here’s a good terrarium how-to complete with suggestions for plants to try. I like the idea of a simple fern and moss combo best.

{via Apartment Therapy / Style Me Pretty / A Well Traveled Woman}

These dinky little succulents look nice and fresh too – no creepy plant limbs crawling over the windowsill here! And better still, succulent plants ‘thrive on neglect’ making them a perfect candidate for a lazy gardener like me.

And then, just when I thought I might’ve been converted…

{Boskke Sky Planter}

WTF? WHY TF?!

As My Friend would say: travesty.

Where do you stand on the whole house plant dilemma?

Join The Room Debate!

Morning all! I can’t believe it’s already two weeks since the last Room Debate – time is flying so fast at the moment. Is it for you too?

It’s been a while since we chatted about kitchen design so I thought this would be a good candidate for today’s discussion. As always, it’s easy to get involved. Just have a good look at the room photo below and leave a comment with your answers to these two questions:

One thing I like most about this room is…

One thing I like least about this room is…

{via The Style Files}

It seems an unusual mix of elements in some ways so I’m looking forward to hearing what you think works and what doesn’t.

Have a lovely weekend!

Simple pleasures: blue and white china

It’s a funny feeling when you catch your own tastes changing.

I used to be a white bedding and white china only girl but recently I’ve found worn striped and floral bedlinen calling me and a taste for fussy willow pattern crockery has been creeping up on me for a while now. I think it was Lobster & Swan‘s lunch photos that started it and now Michelle’s car boot stash has got my vintage-hunter’s fingers itching again.

{both Michelle Young / MYCreative}

I really like how Michelle’s styled the simple blue and white china on such a boldly patterned and contrasting fabric – not an obvious choice, but there’s something rather appealing in the clash!

Check out MY Creative for more photographic goodness – this recent farm shop jaunt is one of my favourites.

If you go down to the woods today

A former editor of mine once informed me that only stylists have picnics.

Of course I disagree… but an autumn picnic on a hanging table with real glasses and silver candlesticks in the middle of a woodland glade?

Yeah ok. I’ll give her that one.

Whimsical yes, but tell me you wouldn’t want one of these in your garden?!

{Chia Chong via Salted & Styled}

If you’re into food blogs I highly recommend you check out Salted & Styled*. It’s new to me and they’ve done something that feels really innovative by using one star ingredient as the springboard for a week’s worth of recipes, profiles, styling ideas, lifestyle photography, illustration and video.

* A warning to the vegetarians / squeamish amongst you… this link contains some cute bunnies shown in a way you might not enjoy so much!

Me in three…

I’m at a turning point at the moment and there is so much recharging, thinking and planning to do this weekend. These three photos encapsulate how I feel right now.

There’s something exciting on the horizon… will you come along with me?

{via View Your World}

{Shakespeare quote via Pinterest}

{Christian Kluge via Kinfolk}

Have a wonderful one.

Love DN xxx

House Tour: inside a Victorian collector’s cottage

Ok, it’s the cottage that’s actually Victorian, but peep inside this antiquey Australian home and you’d be forgiven for thinking the owner hailed from a bygone era too!

Amazing huh? Although the cottage has been standing since 1836 when it was built for the local blacksmith, current owner Deb Kavaliunas has only been living there for a year. The items inside it however are the product of a lifetime of collecting, foraging and gathering. This wonderful display of apothecary jars makes my own collection look pretty pathetic!

I have to be honest with you and say these cabinets of curiosities awaken my inner dust phobic but it’s the kind of place I would love to visit and there are so many lovely antiques I would stuff under my jumper in a heartbeat. I’m already developing a penchant for battered toys (remember my wooden toy horse) so those teeny dolls’ house chairs and little boats are calling me.

{Photographs Sharyn Cairns / Styling Heather Nette King via Homelife}

So, charmingly curious or challengingly cluttered? For me, I love it to look at but couldn’t live here myself – an edited version would be just perfect for me.

And if you’re as blown away by Sharyn Cairns’ atmospheric photography as I am you should definitely check out this elegantly faded home from my house tour archive.

Print & Pattern

I don’t think I’ve ever grown out of that ‘back to school’ feeling so I usually try and sign up to an evening class at this time of year to keep my brain cells ticking over and my creativity alive as the nights draw in.

This year I’m doing a beginner’s class in silkscreen printing at Morley College in Lambeth. We’re starting off with basic stencil prints so for my homework I’ve been gathering simple patterns for inspiration.

{Diamond Dogs / Clouds and Bolts / Leaves}

{Feathers / Trees and Birds / Glasses / Blue Clouds}

{Circles / Chevrons / Coffee Beans}

I could go on and on – there are so many talented printmakers out there. Not sure how far I’ll be able to get in twelve weeks but I’m hoping the learning curve will be a fun one! I’ll be sure to share the results with you.

Join The Room Debate!

Morning room debaters!

It’s getting cold out, so how about we chat about a plush bedroom today?

As always, it’s easy to get involved. Just have a good look at the room photo below and leave a comment with your answers to these two questions:

One thing I like most about this room is…

One thing I like least about this room is…

{via House to Home}

Fur (faux or not) always seems to be a divisive decorating feature so I can’t wait to hear what you feel about this room. Does it make you want to snuggle right in or run a mile?

See you in the comments!