What is it with pineapples?

So this weekend I watched the Wimbledon men's tennis finals for the first time ever (despite living down the road from the stadium). I'm not a fan, but it seemed like a good match. What I was most taken by was the shiny trophy topped with a pineapple!

What is it with pineapples?

I have noticed this year, that there has been a surge of home accessories on the high street using the pineapple form.

Ornament from Dwell

Cushion from Dwell

Tealight holder at Habitat

Lamp at Graham and Green

Hooks from Graham and Green

Wallpaper by Meg Matthews at Liberty

So further reading has taught me that the pineapple is associated with hospitality and is commonly used in the Caribbean as a status symbol of welcome, hospitality and wealth.

So there you go. If you want a welcoming home, add a pineapple!

New talent - Isobel Kho

There is a new talent that has come out of the latest graduates from Westminster University Illustration.... Isobel Kho.

So I am slightly biased because this is my sister, but I am a big fan of her style, and have been especially impressed by the prints she has been producing most recently. And judging by the interest she has had of late from various independent sources, I think she has a promising career ahead of her!

Here are some examples of her work (most of which can be purchased from her shop):

a display from her degree show

Moose via www.attemptedillustration.blogspot.com



From her "Soft Addiction" project



She like Pugs



Her Nail Varnish print is one of my favourites, and looks great in my bedroom.

There is lots more to see on her site and blog. 

Stripe Mania

My picture for Stripe Mania! A virtual party for bloggers, hosted by Decor8 author Holly Becker and her friend Igor. Thought it was a bit of fun, and I do wear a lot of stripes so why not?!

And just to make this post a bit relevant, here are some cool stripey accessories for the home:

Designers Guild at Heals

Cute bow cushion from Habitat

Floral and stripes! via Urban Outfitters

T is for turquoise...

....and Tiffany's!

Today I am suffering, not from the mean reds, but from tonsilitus (sad face). Sick days are boring, and to make it a bit more bearable I have been watching ultimate chick flick Breakfast at Tiffany's. This has inspired me to dedicate a post to the colour turquoise; Pantone's colour of the year 2010:

"Believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky... Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy" (Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®)

Turquoise is such a bright and positive colour, even in small doses it will freshen up your interior. Just look how it brightens up this black room:

The turquoise wall is a fabulous backdrop to this eclectic kitchen:

And I love the contrast created with the turquoise and brown hues in this living room:



All images from House to Home

Inspired? Graham & Green have some lovely pieces which can be used to brighten up your home.

All accessories from Graham & Green

I finally have a Bentwood chair

I have been after a Bentwood chair for ages now and the only ones I could find were very worse for wear. Last week I found one on eBay for a reasonable price, not an original Thonet but it will do for now. I know they are dead common but I just love the simplicity of the style. It was a bit tatty so I've given it a makeover - black and gold to match the other furniture in the room. 

I'm done with the gold spray paint now - promise!!

If only I had stairs

As soon as I saw this Chanel advert, I have been longing for a staircase to call my own.

Unfortunately, living in London one will often sacrifice stairs to be near a tube station, which is what I have done. That's not to say I don't love my flat, I really do, I just can't help but wonder how I would decorate a staircase if I had one....

Write a message?

via trendir.com

via bellemaison23.com

Or make a colourful statement?


via thezhush



via house to home

via style-file.com

I love this white staircase with coloured banister, it looks so fresh. 

via housetohome.co.uk

Or something a bit different?

via stumbleupon

Calorie obsession taken to an extreme! via flor

This glass staircase is so elegant but would require a big budget

via house to home

Blank wall dilema

Since moving to our flat two years ago, I have changed my mind several times on what to do with the wall in my living room. Which is slightly frustrating because I've not had this challenge elsewhere in the house:




picture shelf in games room, our "wall of love!" in bedroom, mirrors, photos and pigs in hall and old faithful - the photo wall in living room



The room is used as a chill-out room, it has a big comfy sofa and a big comfy armchair. No TV - just books, magazines, board games and an iPod dock. We also have the dining table in there, which is used mainly when entertaining guests. The wall in question is a large blank space and so the options are endless; unfortunately the budget isn't!

My first plan of action was a large oriental wood carving. I saw one of a buddha in Malaysia on holiday a few years ago, fell in love with it and regret not buying it ever since. It was similar to the one below, I think the colour and texture would go really well in the room as the colour scheme is neutral and calming. Although that idea dwindled after not being able to find one as lovely as the one that inspired me in the first place.

via www.artasiaonline.co.uk

Another idea I had was to use assorted size plywood boxes with the inside painted green to match the accent colour in the room as shelves but I thought this may look untidy.

via Ikea "Prant"

And along a similar vein, I spent a short time longing for this pigeon hole wall shelf unit from Graham and Green

 Other great things you can do to fill a space like this is though wall stickers

via wall and art decor

And plates are making a popular comeback:

via heartfireathome

Despite all these lovely ideas, for one reason or another none of them are for me and my wall.

However, through a recent eBay purchase I may have found a solution. I have recently become the owner of this beautiful gesso frame.

I don't care much for the picture but I contacted the seller before bidding to ensure that it can be easily removed. I haven't received it yet but I have a few ideas on ways to use it so watch this space...

...although, given my track record, I will probably change my mind again so all ideas are welcome!