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June 2016

Pocket Organiser Wall Storage



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In times of stress I retreat into list-making (currently: buy suitcase, run for hills or stay in bed and eat scrambled egg on toast). When I have done that - making sure to include a few things I have already done so I can start by ticking things off and feeling a positive sense of
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Wicker Chair



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round wicker chair from design vintage So I think we all need a sit down don't we? Whichever side of the fence you are on (and let's not get into that here) a nice sit down with a cup of tea/bottle of Gin, depending on your preference and time of day, is always a good
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BIsazza Tiles



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Frozen Garden by Marcel Wander for Bisazza
Last week I was invited to the Bisazza tile showroom in London to have a go at doing my own tiling. Now let's be clear on one thing, there was no preparation or grouting involved. This was purely a design thing. A chance to see the endless possibilities that are available with tiles. Why not
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The Househunter 24/6/16



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I am writing this the day before the morning after and I have literally no idea what the morning after is going to bring. It is a strange feeling and one I can't remember having had before. Perhaps it was like the day before the A Level results were due. When you were pretty sure
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Monochrome Cushions by Niki Jones



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monochrome cushions by niki jones
monochrome cushions by niki jones Readers, have you met Niki? She is the founder and creative director of Niki Jones and makes all these wonderful cushions, rugs and throws that you see around you today. After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Niki worked at Habitat where she was mentored by Tom Dixon and
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Marble Console Table



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marble table from la redoute details
marble table from la redoute detail After kitchen layout, console tables is one of the things I am asked most about. But it's also one of the hardest pieces to track down. Many of them are so old fashioned. Or too ornate. Or too big. Or too high. Often too wide. Or too mid-century for
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The Househunter 17/6/16



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Gooooooood Moooooorning Househuuuuunnters! What do you fancy today? Let's start with something huge, screamingly modern and, ahem, definitely in the lottery-winning category. This modern house, clad in stainless steel, might feature the best bedroom ever. But the rest of it's pretty nice too as you will see if you come in with me. It's on
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Patterned Bath Towel



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urban outfitters towel
We need new towels. We've had ours so long they've basically started to wear away and fray round the edges. Now, given that we bought them about 15 years ago they've done pretty well. But, I think it's fair to say the time has come. I'm bored with sensible monochrome towels. I fancy a bit
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Cloud Toilet Paper Holder



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cloud loo roll holder
cloud loo roll holder  I hope you're not offended by this if you're reading over breakfast (or at any time come to that) but I think it's rather brilliant. You all know that I like a bit of wit in interiors. It's good to bring in something that raises a smile, or is a little
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Plumen Lights: Invest



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Plumen LED 002 with drop cap pendant in black photographed by Ian Nolan
Their sculptural twisting forms and unusual shapes have turned the eco bulb from a thing of dreariness to a designer statement, and now Plumen, creators of the first designer eco bulb, have turned to crowdfunding for the next stage of their development - a range of LEDs. They are seeking investment of as little as
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The Househunter 10/6/16



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A treat for you today: a tour round a proper Bond villain house that is on the market for $8m but that's probably small change to yer average villain these days. Some of you will recognise it as the house of Willard Whyte in the 1971 movie Diamonds are Forever. And no I know you
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Brass Vase Fair Trade



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hand-etched brass vase from decorators notebook
hand-etched brass vase from decorators notebook It's all very well having the right furniture but, as they say, the devil is in the detail. No, I've no idea what it means either, but the point is it's the accessories and injections of personality that make a room. I've been into plenty of places where there
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Two Seat Velvet Sofa



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Sometimes you just see something and you know. You just know that it's the perfect thing and it needs to be in your life. Or at the very least in your house. It can happen with a pair of shoes or a dress. It can happen with a rug or a piece of furniture. It
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Bathroom Pendant Lights



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bathroom pendant light from jim lawrence Wouldn't these be just dreamy in the bathroom? Regular readers (or those who joined more than a few weeks ago) will remember I ran a series on How to Get the Lighting Right which focused on each room in the house. When it came to the bathroom the rules
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The Househunter 3/6/16



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Friday again so wrap up warm (it is June after all) and let's start our tour of the pick of this week's property market. I do love these tall London houses, there's something so pleasing about the proportions although most of them are quite a lot thinner than this one which is on the market
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Ten of the Best: Dining Chairs



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Starting today it's time for a new series in The Mad House. Once a month I will publish the ten best of various pieces of furniture and items. This is a follow on from a post I ran a while back on the best sofabeds.  I've no idea why I didn't start a series then
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Monochrome Blanket



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monochrome blanket by Eleanor Pritchard
monochrome blanket by Eleanor Pritchard I'm fed up with this I really am. One minute it's all emergency pedicures and sandals and the next day it's back to jumpers and socks. I can't keep up. I mean I can but it's so boring. Can we just get this summer started? On the other hand, we
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