Laundry

Hard working laundry rooms and useful utility items can be both practical and beautiful. Simple, natural elements such as wood and linen combine well with metal and stone. Re-purposed stainless steel bakers racks and enamelled industrial lighting compliment traditional wicker baskets and deep farmhouse sinks. Simple, well chosen elements create a functional room that helps cure those wash days blues! Here are a few of my favourite finds.

Above image: ash towel rack from deVol Kitchens

Above image: ash and jute laundry maid from deVol Kitchens

Above images: 1.vintage basket to use for laundry by Lillian August Designs 1st Dibs 2.clothes peg bag made from vintage linen by Aina's Charme 3.vintage grain sack for storing laundry by The Textile Trunk (loodylady Ebay)4.fabric for pretty laundry room curtains and blinds "Reef" 100% cotton in colour way Surf by Clarke and Clarke 

Above image: laundry room by Plain English

Above image: laundry room idea from House to Home

Above images: 1.utility room by Plain English 2.fabric "Gracie" 100% cotton in Blue by Clarke and Clarke 3.laundry basket with natural linen lining from Baileys Home & Garden 4.laundry bag from Not on the High Street  5.fabric for pretty laundry room curtains and blinds "Reef" 100% cotton in colour way Surf by Clarke and Clarke  6.the wonderful laundry room from the fabulous blog Emilia's New Moon

 Above image:Teresa Green ironing board cover originally from Selvege Dry Goods 

Above image: fabulous laundry of a house in Kent featured by Light Locations - film and photographic locations agency

Above images: 1.Fog Linen Works apron at Milk & Paper 2.clothes peg bag made from vintage linen by Aina's Charme 3.catering bins re-purposed in Martha Stewart's utility room 4.ironing board and cover at Garden Trading

Above image:  Cabbages & Roses

Above image: cedar radiator drying rack by deVol Kitchens

Above image: cedar radiator drying rack by deVol Kitchens

Above image: fabrics and cushions from Cabbages & Roses

Above image: washing powder box from Cox & Cox

Above image: fabulous utility room of a divine house in Oxfordshire featured by Light Locations - film and photographic locations agency

Above image: vintage inspired linen fabric by Peony & Sage

Just add fresh air!

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches!

With warmest wishes

 

Rustic White

Rustic white interiors, breezy, relaxed and inviting; combining brocante finds with a contemporary pared-down look. Soft rustic textures with pretty faded florals, washed vintage linens and crisp white cottons. Wood adds warmth, be it natural or painted and rural industrial elements contrast perfectly with the softness of cottage fabrics. The finished look is fresh, practical and very, very comfortable.

Above image: Gorgeous bags and accessories made from vintage fabrics by Ana & Cuca

Above image: Divine home and photography of Lara Sheleheda of Air-kissed

Above image: House to Home online magazine photographer Tom Scott

Above images: 1.Film & photography location the gorgeous Camber Sands Cabin at Beach Studios 2.Vintage kitchen items by Hvitur Lakkris 3.Fabric - "Deckchair Stripe" in Swedish Gray by Peony & Sage 4.& 6.Fabulous French baskets and twine from interior shop Julias Vita Drommar 5.Fabric - "Violet" on oyster linen by Bennison Fabrics

Above image: the divine styling from Susanne's blog Den Gamla Skolan

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House

Above image: Stylist Louise Rastall

Above image scanned from book: "Junk Style" by Melanie Molesworth

Above image: divine table linens by Cote Bastide

Above images: 1.& 3.Parcel labels and pretty linens from interior shop Julias Vita Dromma 2.Fabric "Faded Floral" on oyster linen by Bennison Fabrics 4.Photograph "Upsidedown Town" by Sara Cantrell 5.Fabric "Wreath" charcoal by Peony & Sage

Above image:lovely vintage kitchen finds of Hvitur Lakkris 

Above image: gorgeous "Natural Hatley" linen in raspberry by Cabbages & Roses

Above image scanned from book: "Junk Style" by Melanie Molesworth

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House

Above image: the gorgeous kitchen of the lovely Kjerstis from the blog Kjerstis Lykke

Above images: 1.Gorgeous wooden chopping boards from shop SLOWFSHIONhouse 2.Pretty "Roses & Ribbons" in sage and pink by Peony & Sage 3.& 4.Divine linen cushions, bags and styling by Ana & Cuca 5.Fabric "Faded Rosebuds" in pink by Annie Sloan

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House

Above image: Film & photography location the gorgeous Openview Barn at Foster House 

For more information on anything shown in the above images please click on the names under each photograph to go through to their web sites. The colour swatches featured are my suggestions for accent shades and do not relate to specific paints unless otherwise stated, but I'm sure your favourite paint companies would be happy to suggest matches!

With warmest wishes

 

Christmas wishes from an old farmhouse in England

(Update: this was our home until November 2012) With Christmas now just a few days away the preparations here have reached fever pitch! Having put the finishing touches on the decorations and stacked baskets with fragrant logs for the fire we are almost ready to welcome friends and family to join us in the celebrations. I adore this last minute flurry of activity and will be, as you read this, busy filling tiny white crackers with Italian truffles and arranging white roses and herbs from the garden into mercury vases for the table. With the ancient oak beams hung with snowflakes, this year our old farmhouse is decked in ice and snow! Here are a few photographs from our home (please excuse my awful photography and the length of this post!!!): 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - 

A small live blue spruce from Homebase on a dresser in the kitchen the oversized mat and shiny silver baubles are part of a 75 piece set from Tesco!  

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

The white ceramic pot that we have planted the Christmas tree in is from Cape Henley and the white ceramic flower tea light holders are from Bliss & Bloom

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

tiny glass cloches filled with silver parcels

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen fireplace The silver plated charger plates 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen mantelpiece swag 

A faux pine needle swag with mat and shiny baubles part of the 75 piece set from Tesco!

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen fireplace swag

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf decorated for Christmas!

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf with a combination of faux pine needle foliage, berries and fresh pine cones

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen - Aga mantel shelf with mouth blown, recycled glass goblets

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen dresser

Icy faux pine branch garland with fresh pine cones 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the kitchen dresser

Icy faux pine branch garland with fresh pine cones & the china is Asiatic Pheasants by Burleigh

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room with the faux tree stands in a log basket, the tablecloth is burlap and the tree covered in faux snow and glass icicles! 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room tree

the artificial snow is from Snowbusiness the special effects company who provided the snow scenes for the Harry Potter films! They now sell a range of artificial snow for domestic use, I used their spray snow topped with display snow coarse and finished with the amazing snow sparkle that glistens like the real thing!  

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room fireplace 

the swag is faux pine and covered in artificial snow and icicles

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room fireplace swag
the lantern is a vintage find, the icicles I have been collected for a few years now

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the sitting room 
I have placed an old lantern in a niche in the living room with a carved wax candle 

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the home
I have place a large wreath of faux pine and beaded fruit covered in simulated ice on the oak banister at the top of the first staircase

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the home

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the entrance hall
the console table is decked with a gilded leaf garland from Decorative Country Living and coach lantern from Culinary Concepts

Image: The Paper Mulberry - the entrance hall console table

So until the new year...

Warmest of Christmas Wishes from this old farmhouse in England 
- Glenda xxx