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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Natural modern interiors on Desire to Inspire
I came back from a lovely day out and picnic yesterday and checked into my blog's stats page. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw that I had over 1000 page views on Sunday alone!
I looked into this and was so excited to find that my natural modern interiors blog had been mentioned on Desire to Inspire's blog list for the week. Click here to see the full post as there are some amazing blog sites listed this week.
It's so nice that they mentioned such a young blog like mine.
Thank you again Jo and the team at Desire to Inspire!
I looked into this and was so excited to find that my natural modern interiors blog had been mentioned on Desire to Inspire's blog list for the week. Click here to see the full post as there are some amazing blog sites listed this week.
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| click here for post |
Thank you again Jo and the team at Desire to Inspire!
Pumpkin Soup for Hallowe'en
Yes, I know I'm the only person left in the world who still puts an apostrophe in Hallowe'en, but then I even use full words and capital letters in my SMSs...
It's crept up on me unawares this year. It's not an Italian tradition, and until recently passed unobserved. But then about ten years ago pumpkins started appearing in the shops at the end of October, as well as other Hallowe'en themed goods.
Until this year. Suddenly nothing. Not a pumpkin in sight, no witches, ghosties and ghouls... Nothing. Is it because shopkeepers found it hadn't caught on enough to make it profitable? Or have the Catholic church's criticisms put people off? Not sure.
Oh well. Even if I've not seen any Hallowe'en pumkins in the shops, there are plenty of the edible kind around. And last night I made a pumpkin soup that came out so well that I thought I'd share the recipe - which I rather made up as I went along, so apologies if the quantities are a bit approximate.
You need :
1 medium size onion
1 leek
Olive oil
Butter
A hot pepper (optional)
Half a pumpkin
A few potatoes
A handful of borlotti beans
Vegetable or chicken stock
Curry powder (optional)
A handful of peas
Milk
1. Add the oil and the butter to a heavy bottomed pan and place over a medium heat.
2. Peel and chop the onion and the leek. Add to the pan and fry for a couple of minutes. Then cover, turn down the heat and let them "sweat" - ie they should cook slowly in the oil/butter and their own liquid, turning transparent without browning.
3. If you want to add in the hot pepper, chop and add it at this point. I did - mainly because I wanted to use the pepper's I'd grown on the balcony this summer. But I'm not a great fan of hot peppers, so I think in future I'd omit it. I felt it swamped the other flavours rather. Decide depending on your palate.
4. Meanwhile, peel and dice the pumpkin and the potatoes. Add them to the pan once the leeks and onions seem transparent, and fry for a couple of minutes - keep them covered and turn them occasionally.
5. Add the stock. I nearly always have home-made stock in the freezer, which I swear by as the base of any soup, but yesterday I found I didn't. So I added cold water and sprinkled in a vegetable stock cube. It worked.
6. While the stock is still cold, add the pumpkin, potatoes and borlotti beans. I used fresh beans, but if you use dry you'll need to have soaked them for at least eight hours previously. If you use canned (not advised) drain and rinse them first to get rid of the salt. At this point it should look like this ...
7. Add a small amount of curry powder - again this depends on how much you like it. If you're turning your nose up at the idea of ready mixed curry powder, it probably means you're into Indian spices and can produce a much better blend yourself. Feel free.
8. Simmer for about 45 minutes - or until the beans are cooked. Then tip the lot into a blender and blend until smooth.
9. Tip it back into the pan and add the peas (I used frozen). Simmer until cooked.
10. Add the milk, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over a low heat (don't boil) for another few minutes.
11. Don a witch's or wizard' hat and enjoy with some good crusty bread.
Even with the pepper it was great, and I'm looking forward to trying it again without.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Slipcovers a la Maison Decor
White boxed style sofa slipcover.
This is the first slipcover I ever made.
It is traditional style with a pleated skirt and welting.
Fabric is a basic white duck
Detail shot of piping and skirt.
This has been washed many times!
Yellow toile loveseats and ottoman
I made this out of Laura Ashley Garden Toile.
This was my second attempt at slipcovering.
I was very happy with them.
Encouraged I attempted to do this harder shaped chair.
I used three fabrics and did a cottage style slip.
I used three fabrics and did a cottage style slip.
Pink leopard for welting,
cameo print in pink on green stripe,
and a green window pane plaid.
cameo print in pink on green stripe,
and a green window pane plaid.
I made a girls dress sash as the back tie
instead of a fitted zipper for the back.
This was taken last summer before I started blogging,
so hence the blurry picture and messy background!
Thanks for sharing my slipcovers!
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the fabulous book
The French Inspired Home.
Click here to enter.
Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the fabulous book
The French Inspired Home.
Click here to enter.
Linking to
Pink and Polka Dot
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Romantic Seating, Frenchy Style
Linen slipcovers and needlepoint pillows.
A sweet ballet pink table...a ruffled lampshade
A white linen slipcover,
rusted urns with ivy,
bird cage and old books,
a victorian garden table...
When I sit in my chaise I dream of spots
like those above...
they are from the new book
The French Inspired Home
by Carolyn Westbrook.
I am having a giveaway sponsored by Cicobooks.
To win a copy click here!
This is a little reminder with two new pictures
from this marvelous book on French Decor.
linking to
My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
Natural modern design by Lisa Coulburn
Design Refuge has posted their October challenge... What is your design style?
When I design interiors for my clients I always design for their own personal design style so this is a lovely opportunity to share my own design style with you.
My style can be described as natural modern with an eclectic traveller twist and a strong connection to the outdoors. As an interior designer I am also inspired by recycling old materials and the use of non-toxic and natural finishes.
When I design interiors for my clients I always design for their own personal design style so this is a lovely opportunity to share my own design style with you.
My style can be described as natural modern with an eclectic traveller twist and a strong connection to the outdoors. As an interior designer I am also inspired by recycling old materials and the use of non-toxic and natural finishes.
These images (courtesy of photographers Richard Powers & Rhiannon Slatter and Linda from Oeke design) are a collection of natural materials and textures, reclaimed wood and objects that tell stories of past memories and experiences with different cultures. They really sum up my own style which reflects my life, my travels and my connection to nature. They will also be the starting point for my own dream home.
What's your design style?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Hand printed organic fabrics :: Thea & Sami
Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting up with Thea from Thea & Sami at her amazing screen printing and design studio. Thea & Sami create hand printed natural and organic fabrics for the home.
It was a great opportunity to see the variety of designs, feel the quality of the fabrics and get an appreciation of the scale of patterns and designs.
I fell in love with these natural linen peacock party cushions. As the national bird of India they reminded me of my past travels through Rajasthan and North India. In addtion to the fabric prints Thea also creates custom-made furnishings like these lovely lamp shades.
Something else that also caught my eye was Thea's printing table. With many years of print pattern overlapping across it's surface it is a piece of artwork in its own right! If you are interested in getting creative Thea also runs screen-printing design workshops at her studio. Click here for more details.
Thea, thank you so much for your time. It was lovely to meet you and I look forward to seeing your future designs.
It was a great opportunity to see the variety of designs, feel the quality of the fabrics and get an appreciation of the scale of patterns and designs.
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| Thea & Sami |
The Maison Decor Mom Cave
I have been working on my living room a lot lately.
Kate from Censational Girl and
Susan from Between Naps on the Porch
Susan from Between Naps on the Porch
invited us to post on our mom caves,
and I realize that is what this room is becoming!
A mom cave!
One of the new additions to the room is the carved element
I added yesterday above the mantel.
It may be getting a whitewash,
but this oatmeal color is the way I found it.
but this oatmeal color is the way I found it.
I think it looks cool with my iron and crystal sconces.
Gee, I think I see a spot for a chandelier in my future!
I bought it at Home Goods for our NH house
and it used to be above our bed.
But now we have sold the house,
and it gives this room even more romantic character.
and it used to be above our bed.
But now we have sold the house,
and it gives this room even more romantic character.
The other new things in here are the vintage hooked rugs.
Just adore the soft pastel floral patterns.
I have two different valances right now.
I have yet to make a decision, so I just threw a tablecloth
on one and a remnant over the other.
Want to know a decorator secret?
The rush bench, pillows and all my mirrors
came from Home Goods too.
I mix antiques and vintage finds
with treasures I spot at Home Goods to create an authentic
living space with character and comfort.
Want to know a decorator secret?
The rush bench, pillows and all my mirrors
came from Home Goods too.
I mix antiques and vintage finds
with treasures I spot at Home Goods to create an authentic
living space with character and comfort.
Really happy with my white slipcovered sofa.
I have a white table with layered mirrors against the staircase.
I've never seen this done, but what happened when
I did that was it created more of a defined space in
our living room instead of your eye heading past the staircase.
Makes sense, doesn't it?
And its kind of quirky, so I like that.
Two carved mirrors with a pretty old lamp.
My sister gave me these tole bookends.
They are one of my favorite things!
Pastels accent the white and beige tones.
A toile dining chair came in the room this morning.
I like it!
Here is my mom cave favorite spot: my chair.
I have all my favorite mags in a rush basket
A cozy white fur throw.
A view to the outside...and
a fire at my feet if I press a button!
Don't forget to enter for a copy of The French Inspired Home~
its located at the top of my sidebar.
its located at the top of my sidebar.
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