Colour Story...

Launch- Dulux spring/summer 2013...

For my latest colour story post, I want to share with you

 my take on the recently launched Dulux Spring/Summer 2013 paint range. 

You can see a short video about the latest colours

 here at Dulux colour futures 2013. 

I caught my first glimpse of the full range at Meet The Blogger London,

 where canapes and manicures were all matched to the latest collection,

 presented by Dulux's Creative Director Marianne Shillingford.

(I first met Marianne at the final stages of the

 Dulux Design Service interviews in Nottingham-a long,

 but fun day meeting the team up there, but in the end the pull

 of returning to full-time styling was just too strong).

 Marianne put together a brilliant demonstration of

 the ombre paint effect at Meet The Blogger and to read a great interview with her,

 see photos of the workshop, a step-by-step guide

 and video to producing the effect,

 jump over to Stacey's excellent blog The Design Sheppard. 

I had a lot of fun thinking of ideas for

my styled shots here-I hope you like them.

I found myself coming back to Bermuda Cocktail 2

(azure blue in the first shot)

Do you have a favourite?

Wishing you all a happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

Colours featured here:

Rock Candy 2 (strong pink)

Chalk Blush 1 (fawn)

Grey Steel 4 (off white)

Rock Candy 6 (pale pink)

Citron Sunrise (yellow)

Lilac Spring 3 

Paradise Green 4

Bermuda Cocktail 2 (azure blue)

Sapphire Springs 3 (royal blue)

Orange Fizz

To follow: a couple of mini makes posts

 featuring Orange Fizz and Bermuda Cocktail!

Find your nearest Dulux stockist here.

Styling Details...

Vintage artist's easel...

 I couldn't resist borrowing this fantastic vintage artist's easel

 from my favourite ladies at the home barn. 

It's one of those things I'd love to own,

 but without a loft style apartment and copious amounts of space,

 it's just not going to happen.

 So here it will stay,

 recorded in my blog's memory banks.

 Have a great week!

Behind the scenes...

My little home studio...

I was very honoured to be asked by Mel

 of the excellent armoire, pegs and casserole

 if I would take part in her brand new 'my space' feature.

 Her brief was to take a few shots of

 a favourite space or corner in my home,

 so I chose the one place that its truly mine-

my very tiny home studio.

Mel has produced a lovely post 

and I'm so pleased to be featured.

 She chose her favourite shots to use, so I thought

 I'd share the rest with you here.

 Please do pop over to her fantastic blog and take a look.

Have a fantastic Bank Holiday weekend

and see you next week.

Thanks a million Mel! 

glass display box-one of my favourite items-from nkuku

The 1940s trolley was picked up from a local house clearance

1970s lamps from our neighbour!

vintage accessories from home barn

wall moodboard

Raw Ingredients

Farm Shop Loot...

This has been the longest break I've taken from the blog

 and I've felt very guilty! 

We took the kids on their very first skiing holiday

 and then it was straight back into

 a catalogue shoot when we got home.

 I'm still working hard on my website too-not long now!

Meanwhile, our local farm shop always has

 a fantastic selection of produce

 and I couldn't resist photographing my shopping! x

Styling Details...

Website coming soon!

I've decided it's more than time

 to get my own very first website up and running,

 so I've been putting a few shots together

 and thought you might like a tiny sneak peak.

I need to take some time out 

to  put everything together,

 so please bear with me.

 These lovely props are from

  The Home Barn (just for a change!)

 Well, part of my portfolio has to

 contain a vintage element after all...

 Happy Weekend!  

A Visit To...

The Home Barn...

Last week, Will, Igor and I took a very cold and snowy trip over to Marlow, Buckinghamshire to meet the team at The Home Barn. With snow coming in through the roof beams and the log burner to warm us all up, it was quite a magical experience. I took a few snaps with my phone and camera (yes Sarah, I really should have used your tripod!) We warmed up afterwards in front of the fire at the very lovely Queen's Head gastro pub. All in all, a very lovely day...

In 2010, sisters-in-law Sarah and Sally Wilkie found a derelict barn in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire and knew immediately it would be the perfect environment for their new business venture. With a keen eye and natural talent for sourcing vintage items nationally and internationally for their own homes, Sarah and Sally have gradually amassed one of the most individual and eclectic vintage collections in the Home Counties.

With backgrounds in art direction, interiors and fashion design, their talent shines through, not only sourcing, but also commissioning local craftsmen and artisans to produce bespoke items. Whatever you want for your home, the girls will undoubtedly be able to find it for you.

There are also many National Trust properties to visit in the area, including Cliveden, Hughenden Manor, Waddesdon Manor, Greys Court and Nuffield Place. More than enough for a weekend away!

Styling Details...

One Year Old!....

This month my little  blog is officially 1 year old!

  I wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who

 come back week after week and especially to my readers and friends

 who take the time to leave such lovely comments

 when there are millions of other blogs out there.

 I really do appreciate it.

 Thanks a million to the very lovely Margerita of Chocolate Creative and

 the star-in-the-making, Igor of Happy Interior blog,

 who both featured me on their blogs during the past year.

 I was hugely honored and thrilled to be asked-

thank you SO much to both of you-I owe you!

And lastly, thank you to the generations past

 who have provided the wonderful everyday items that have inspired

 so many of my posts, not least today's pictures.

 My Mum regularly helps drive old people

 from her town to the Doctors or the shops and as a thank you,

 one of the ladies left her sewing box from 1886 to her.

 It wasn't until last weekend that I realized

 anything was in there. It's very special-come and see.

 I'd love to know what you think! 

Thank you so much for sticking with me

 and I hope you continue to

 enjoy my little every day shots for the next year to come... x

Tatting is handmade knotted lace traditionally used as decorative collars in the 1800s.

Second from left is a ribbon threader, then a crochet hook,

 but if anyone knows what the other pieces are, I'd love to know!