Home: Not a Lamp

It must be the dark evenings..

Another light that addresses sustainable design - playfully.

For more information visit David Graas

Interiors: Monday morning musing..

As an early riser, waking in the dark is something I find hard in the winter months although I do find it cosy listening to radio 4 while snuggled up until the alarm goes off. Anyway, during the gloomy weather we had recently I found my thoughts drifting towards summer, longer days and holidays..

I have seen this cottage before in a couple of magazines and always liked the simple, comfortable look of the place. I love the calm grey/blue walls and warm wood in the dining room.

 

Callekille is a cottage which was refurbished by stylist Rosie Brown who is the founder of Papa Stour, the online retailer of Contemporary Scottish craft and design. It is a charming croft , located 8 miles north of Applecross in the North West Highlands of Scotland. It is in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, with fabulous uninterrupted views over to Skye, Raasay and Rona. You may journey to the croft over the highest continually rising road in Britain - a winding single track road reminiscent of an Alpine ascent.

The croft has been decorated to a high standard, with 2 bedrooms, a double and a twin, a well equipped kitchen and a snug living room with wood burning stove. It is a 2 hour drive from Inverness airport which has car hire.

For rates and availability please contact Wilderness Cottages

Recycled lights

Here are a few of my favourites. 

Designed by Willem Heeffer, these up-cycled pendant lights are made from salvaged soup cans from Dublin’s many restaurants and cafes. For more information visit Fuse Finds

Sarah Turner specialises in making decorative lighting from waste plastic drinks bottles. The bottles are collected from local cafes and households.

Cola 30 - Thirty 500ml plastic Coca Cola bottles have been reused to make this gorgeous and innovative decorative lampshade. The inner base is made from recycled card.

Daisy - is made from 12 two litre plastic drinks bottles. For more information visit Sarah Turner

Madeleine Boulesteix's chandeliers are handmade from old kitchen utensils. For more information visit Madeleine Boulesteix

The Optical chandelier is created from over 4500 prescription spectacle lenses.

The Tide chandelier is made from a collection of clear and translucent plastic debris washed up on a specific stretch of Kent coastline. For more information visit Stuart Haygarth

The Lotus Pendant light is made from six pack beer rings and a soft drink can. For more information visit Releve Design

Country Living wool feature

It was lovely to see one of our headboards featured in The Wonder of Wool shoot in Country Living's November issue.

Bright and beautiful

A low energy bulb that looks so good you wont need a shade . The PLUMEN 001 works like any other CFL bulb - saving 80% on your energy bills and lasts 8 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb plus at the end of their life they can be recycled instead of going into landfill.

For more information visit Plumen

Bright.Bazaar

...because beige is so boring!

Having a wander I came across Bright.Bazaar a blog of uplifting colourful interiors.

Loved this ...  and the blog!

Green and Spring

Green and Spring products are made from 100% natural herbal extracts including lavender, chamomile, rosemary, rosehip, red clover, elderflower, thyme, geranium, marshmallow, comfrey, dandelion, peppermint, fennel and rose, all ethically sourced from the UK.

Relaxing range: Inspired by aromatic kitchen herbs, blending the soothing fragrance of lavender with the nurturing and restorative properties of comfrey and rosemary.

Indulging range: Inspired by English country gardens, blending the delicate scent of rose and the sensual fragrance of jasmine with the comforting and restful properties of elderflower and red clover.

Revitalising range: Inspired by green, grassy fields, blending the invigorating fragrance of peppermint with the nourishing and stimulating properties of dandelion and fennel.

All Green and Spring products are free from parabens, SLS, SLES, PEGS, glycols, petrochemicals, synthetic colours and fragrances and not tested on animals.

Gift sets and candles are available and would make lovely presents as they look and smell so good.

The handcreams are wonderful. I have Indulging beside the kitchen sink and Relaxing on the bedside table.

For more information visit Green and Spring

Domino: The Book of Decorating

I came across this gem of a book recently and have to recommend it.