White, wood and black in Italy

Well, well well. It's turning into a bit of a white / wood interior week. Going a little crazy today and throwing in a little black and stone into the mix with this fantastic Saint Tropez home featured in Elle Decor Italy right back in 2010 (so you may well have seen this before but forgotten about it).  Mi Casa (where I found this beautiful home via Emma Fexeus on Pinterest) gives a great insight into where the owner bought many of the items. Perfect!

Elle Decor Italy via Mi casa

Shopping news - I came across a fab online Danish shop yesterday, which you must visit....it's called Kind By Nature (not kind to the purse though!). 


And, exciting news too, I have a new sponsor - 'Art Chez Moi' - an online art gallery / shop - featuring some fab pieces of art (click through in the right hand margin to take a peek) thanks so much Art Chez Moi team!


And finally, my Facebook page is finally taking shape and I've found it's a great place to put little bits and bobs of interior inspiration, if you're on FB stop by and give me a little wave. 


Have a lovely evening!

Casa de verano de 70 m / Summer house just 70 meters

Una casa de verano de solo 70 metros donde la luminosidad conseguida con los tonos blancos tanto de suelos, paredes o complementos multiplica la claridad y luz, techos altos con dobles alturas solucionan los pocos metros. Un casa perfectamente aprovechada.

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DIY (Ombre Side Table)

Have you ever purchased a home decor item that you "had-to-have" at the time, and later turned to despise?  That's the case with a round side table we purchased about four years ago. It's just too clunky and dark for my current style.  I've tried to sell it, but couldn't find a buyer.  I could donate it, but I thought I'd try a DIY project first, since if I end up hating it, I don't have much to lose.



Here's the table in question beside the settee under our stairway.  Taking the West Elm lime green ombre throw as inspiration, I decided to ombre paint the table.

The table is metal, so I applied two coats of primer, then two coats of lime green spray paint all over.

Then I sprayed the bottom with a darker green, with a heavy hand at the bottom and a lighter spray as I approached the middle.  I did the same thing with gold spray paint at the top. It's not a precise paint job, but I wanted each color to bleed into the next, as opposed to having a taped straight line. 

Then I added a round beveled mirror (from Target) to the top, but I still need to glue it. 

I wouldn't say I'm in love with it or that it will stay forever, but I like it better than the before.  And spray paint is FUN:)

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A cool white home with upcycled furniture

I'm clinging to that relaxed summer holiday vibe today and this beautifully restored 15th century former mill created by Katrin Arens in Northern Italy is just the ticket! You know how much I love a cool white canvas, especially when it's off set with reclaimed items and flea market finds which have been upcycled to storage units or new pieces for furniture. What a wonderful, imaginative home! Just so much inspiration!

Photographer: Raul Candales for kochamwies via Etxekodeco

Oh, and you must visit Katrin's website and shop! Not like you need any persuading...?!

I wish I had an eye for upcycling like this....

Faro remodelado / Beacon of Light

Espacios limpios, mucho blanco, azul y madera  con acertados detalles hacen de este faro remodelado  un lugar ideal para una casa de vacaciones- 

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New Desk Accessory

While out scouting for a few items this week I came across a pair of these eagle bookends.  I generally love anything belonging to the Americana category so they came back to the office with me. 

I love them!  Jury is still out with my assistant but I think she will come around...

DIY (Paint Swirl Vases)

Today I have a super cool and simple DIY project to share with you.  I saw some gorgeous blue paint swirled vases on Centsational Girl and I wanted to try to replicate the look with pink and gold.  I'm giddy over the final result!

You only need craft paint and a clear vessel.  I used two shades of pink and a gold. 

Since my vases were small, I dropped a quarter-sized dollop of each color of paint into the bottom and started swirling the vase until the paint covered the entire inner surface. 

The large pink swirl was created when I added more pink paint because I didn't think I had poured enough inside.  You need patience to swirl the paint slowly.  

I turned them over to dry, at first on a paper towel, but then I switched to wax paper so I wouldn't end up with any fuzz from the paper towel.  

When I turned the vase upside down, some of the paint started running down, changing the shape of the swirls I previously had. 

I put a few stems inside before they were completely dry, so there isn't any water in them yet. 

I also tried a solid gold vase, which I really like.  

You could make these vases with any combination of paint colors and any size vase.  I think I must be paint happy lately because I have another paint project up for you tomorrow!

And it's O M B R E :)