Dining room chairs dilemma!

For the longest time, I have been searching for a set of dining chairs. I first had my heart set on Louis XVI chairs like these below:



I love these chairs. I searched high and low- ebay, craigslist, you name it. Sadly, in London I cannot find them at an affordable price. I have found a few antique ones here and there, but never a set of six or even four. I found some great reproductions at Restoration Hardware in the U.S., but I cannot get them shipped to London. So, after about a year (yes, almost a year) of searching, I've had to give up on the Louis XVI's and move on. (photos above from "The Well-Dressed Home" by Annette Tatum and Cottage Living Magazine, now out of print)

(photo from Traditional Home)

I'm now getting used to the idea and the practicality of slipcovered upholstered chairs (like these above). I love the slightly rumpled linen look above, and think I could stand them if they were comfortable. Would love to find some. Anyone know where something like these could be found?

And I am quite liking low-backed padded armchairs too. It all started when I sat in some low-backed upholstered chairs at a restaurant recently and found they were just sooo comfortable.
photos above from Decorpad.com. Anyone know the original source?

I'm thinking of adding an upholstered bench to one side of the table, with low-backed chairs, for the ends and the other side. (photo from Cottage Living)




I like these button-back slipper chairs too, however the ones I find are in the pretty high price range (about 600 GBP each). (two photos from Domino and House Beautiful)

(photo: Cottage Living)

I simply threw in this photo because I love this table scene and the rustic upholstered French armchair pictured here. I'd add this armchair to any simple set of chairs because I just like it.

Anyone know of sources in the UK to find chairs like these above (the low-backed armchair style or the slipcovered ones pictured above)? I though it would be simple, but am having the hardest time. Basically I've found that London doesn't have anything like the mid-price yet decent quality furniture sources like Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma (love their dining chairs, though a bit pricey). Sure you can find great European antique chairs here but not in my price range for the types of chairs I would like. I've looked at places like Graham and Green, Oka Home and Sweetpea and Willow and haven't come up w/the look I'm going for. Would love to know of any London furniture sources I'm missing!

I'd also be up for buying in the US from one of the places I've mentioned and having them shipped here - if anyone has a tip on how to do that, I'd be grateful.

A Gentle Beckoning?

Is someone trying to tell me something? I've been lacking anything to say and desire to be very creative....it just hasn't been working for me. Something funny has been happening though, everywhere I look; I see lovely camera related details. So many pretties that I would love to have! First, I fell in love with this classic preppy looking camera strap. So awesome! Next, I found a classic camera bag by Leica, while reading through Lucky magazine. There aren't many things I love more than beautiful stitching in leather. Does that sound crazy? I just think its such a beautiful detail!

On occasion, I actually enjoy being girlie. I know its hard to believe isn't it?! Ha, ha! Anyway, on those rare days, I would love to own one of these gorgeous bags by Epiphanie. As hard core as I am about photography, I often leave my handbag behind in order to carry my camera bag. Its not very pretty, especially on formal occasions. Finally, there is a solution for that dilemma. Anyone else ever have that problem?

I'm starting to think my old friend (my beloved camera) is calling me to pick it up again. Its been a while...but perhaps its time.

Links found via:
Diary of a Mod Housewife
Lucky Magazine
T Spoon of Sunshine

Cheap Roller Blinds Made From Bamboo Are The Ideal Window Dressing In All Styles Of Homes

I have to admit that in many ways I am a great lover of bamboo blinds! It's their simplicity and natural look which gives me pleasure and irrespective of how many images you see of them they always look so chic and stylish!

Of course being made from natural material also has its appeal, along with the different light effects one can so easily achieve. This year the trend is to use natural products within out home and many designers are using a combination of cheap roller blinds and ready made curtains to create some stunning window dressings.

For me a bamboo blind is the ideal choice in bedrooms which don't need blackout roller blinds, so unless you don't have an unwanted light pollution entering your bedroom they are an effective and trendy way to dress your windows.

The other great advantage with any wood or natural material used as a window dressing is the gentle warmth they bring to a room, of course they also produce some wonderful lighting effects during the day time, more especially when it's sunny!

Anyone looking for an inexpensive yet chic way to dress their windows should give serious consideration to using cheap roller blinds, particularly bamboo ones!

Image: Two Ellie

Why? Pink For Girls And Blue For Boys!

Choosing the right colour scheme for babies and toddler's rooms continue to use the colours associated with each gender, namely blue for boys and pink for girls! But where did this stereotype originate from?

After searching and delving the history associated with these colours I have found it fascinating! In a nutshell:

Prior to WW1 it was common to dress boys in pink and girls in blue! After WW1 the colours reversed as many military uniforms were blue, this became the predominant colour for boys as it showed masculinity and strength, whilst advertising campaigns encouraged women to show their femininity and wear pink!

As we strive to reduce stereotypical assumptions, many nurseries are using pale green or sunshine yellow, however it remains 'habit' for splashes of either pink or blue to be added according to the gender of the baby!

Green tab top curtains coordinate beautifully with pink, as such these colour combinations are being found in many rooms of people's homes, not just nurseries and children's bedrooms. Whilst boys bedrooms are rarely pink, interior designers are using bold colours such as post office red, orange and even black to create inspirational kid's rooms which break the boundaries of use of colour without treading on the toes of those who remain steadfast in their stereotypical assumptions!

Image: Belle Maison

I Needed This!

I need all the laughs I can get lately. Since last week I have been laughing at "Pants on the Ground", along w/ a lot of America, but now Jimmy Fallon takes it to another level.
I love it!

Thank You, Thank You!

Photo via WTL Photos

I wanted to thank all of you for your words of encouragement and for your prayers after my dad's passing. We are back home and working on moving forward. I'm going to admit that I'm not feeling overly creative right now. Mostly, I'm trying to keep moving one step at a time. I'm also trying to catch up on everything I've been neglecting for the last few weeks. So, for now; I don't have much to say. Thankfully, I'm slowly starting to see the light again.

Thanks again
Carolina

Innovative Ideas For Work Stations

Finding a suitable place for a work station can be difficult, you don't want to end up in the cellar or squeezed in under the stairs which often happens! If you are fortunate enough to have a bay window in your lounge or dining room this makes a great place to work giving you lots of natural light to work by.

I love this idea, with fabric Roman blinds or roll-up blinds and the use of sheer voile curtain panels which provide a soft shimmering light effect, furthermore by using a bay window you can even have curtains on the outside of the bay enabling you to completely hide your work station at the end of your working day, if you don't have a bay window a good alternative is to make your work station blend in with your interior simply by adding a vase of flowers and a table lamp. I love the idea of the glass egg timer!

Hiding or disguising your work station is important if you don't have a separate room, otherwise you may find yourself constantly being reminded of work that needs to be completed or the urge just to do a little more!

Believe me, it's true working from home has it advantages, but it also its disadvantages! You have to be very firm with yourself as it is very easy to become distracted or on the other hand you can find that you end up working 24/7!

Image: Two Ellie