Until then.....

I apologise for not being able to post for the next couple of weeks, a back injury has made computer work difficult. So in the meantime I would like to share my inspiration for interiors, fashion, shopping and blogging via my Pinterest virtual "pin boards"! Please click on the image below to go through to some of my favourite finds:

The Paper Mulberry Pinterest boards

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

First impressions - exterior paint shades

Delicious hues of chalky grey blue green, reminiscent of those gorgeous shutters in France, combine well with soft slate greys and gentle putties. A restful, clean palette for a warm welcome to any home whether it's of mellow stone, whitewashed render or smart red brick. Here are a few of my favourite paint shades along with some suggested plants for tubs and borders to welcome guests to your door.

Above image: The Daylesford Organic Farm Shop by blogger 213darling

Above images: 1.The Beckford Arms Country Pub Wiltshire England discovered through the blog Maitai's Picture Book 2.Cotswold chippings decorative gravel for paths, patios and terraces from Ruscrete Landscaping 3.Exterior paint in "Grey stone" by The Little Greene Paint Company 4.Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'(Purple Sage) from Crocus 5.& 6."Oval Room Blue" No:82 exterior paint by Farrow & Ball

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses 

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire England

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm and shop in Gloucestershire England taken by Gerrad Malcom via Flickr

Above images: 1.Conservatory by interior designer Sims Hilditch 2.Exterior paint in shade "Mid Lead Colour" by the Little Greene Paint Company 3.Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus' from Crocus 4.Bistro table and chairs in "Shutter Blue" from Garden Trading 5.Exterior paint in shade "Celestial Blue" by The Little Greene Paint Company 6.Iris 'Dutch Chocolate' from Crocus

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses 

Above image: Border Oak - bespoke oak framed houses and garden buildings (so pretty)!

Above image: Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire England

Above images:1.& 6.Details from Yiangou architects 2.Exterior paint in shade "Tempest" No:32 by Vale Interiors 3.Detail from the garden of Lady Karen Watson 4.Exterior paint in shade "Ermine" No:29 by Vale Interiors and conservatories 5.Ageratina altissima ‘Chocolate’from Crocus

Above image: photograph The Paper Mulberry our restoration project and our home until November 2012 - the front door is painted in "Card Room Green" no:79 with the porch in "Stony Ground" no:211 the windows are in shade "Matchstick" no:2013 all by Farrow and Ball. The urns are planted with lavender

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. I create my mood boards/colour palettes with a computer programme called Photoshop by Adobe which is available for both Apple Mac and PC computers.

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

Preview - coming next week!

Next week's post is all about exterior paint shades - that beguiling hue of greyed blue green, soft zinc and perfect putty! In the meantime here's a preview:

Above images: 1. Daylesford Organic Farm by kenamybeaarlen on Flickr 2.Barn lamp by Garden Trading 3.Detailing from Yiangou Architects LLP

More next week!

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!

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

Mid September - a feast for the senses!

With the countryside ripe from the late summer sun and the hint of the crisp new season to come our senses are filled with delicious new textures and fragrances. I adore this time of year and love to bring the inspiration of early Autumn into our home. The smell of woodsmoke, subtle shades of misted berries and branches, the warmth of blankets and throws all add to the cosiness that this season brings. With a soft colour palette of Mist, Hay, Fog, Bark, Elderberry, Twig, Spice and Pebble it is a restful retreat for the coming Autumn months. Here are a few of my favourite finds:

Above image: photograph by The Paper Mulberry of a gorgeous new discovery - Mi-Septembre! Divine hand made linen sachets from Paris filled with a sublime perfume so soft and enveloping it conjures up freshly mown hay warmed by the sun, Autumn spices of cinnamon and star anise and has the merest hint of creamy, spiced hot chocolate - SUBLIME!!!I adore the rustic coconut shell toggle and leather cord, perfect for hanging these sachets from a pretty coat hanger or vintage hook. 

Above image: photograph by The Paper Mulberry of a gorgeous new discovery - Mi-Septembre! The sachet above (on a fireplace in one of our guest bedrooms)is from their "Coco Blanc" collection with the delicious fragrance captured within the most divine crisp white, rustic linen. Place them on top of pillows for a subtle way to fragrance bedlinen and a lovely warm welcome for any house guest!

Above images: 1. The White Company - heavenly "Cliveden" throw and cushion in natural 2.Mi-Septembre divinely perfumed sachets from France 3.Stunning photography of Carl Bengtsson at Skarp Agent 4. The Paper Mulberry suggested Autumn 2012 colour palette 1

Above image: The White Company, their gorgeous new range of Ercol furniture and new seasons interior accessories

 Above image: The White Company Autumn 2012 range of throws and cushions    

Above image: photograph by The Paper Mulberry - divinely fragranced sachets from Mi-Septembre Paris! A wonderful way to subtly perfume linens when the weather is too cold to line dry. The gathered sachet in the front of my laundry basket is from the Mi-Septembre "Coco Gris" Collection and the white linen mini pillow is from the "Coco Blanc" Collection

Above images: 1.Plumo "Tweedy Knit Socks" 2.Mi-Septembre divinely perfumed sachet trio from France "Coco Blanc" Collection 3.Trend forecast by Edelkoort 4.Mi-Septembre spices 5.Plumo "Dusty Rose Suede String" 6.The Paper Mulberry suggested Autumn 2012 colour palette 2

Above image: Mi-Septembre! Divine hand made linen sachets from Paris filled with a sublime perfume so soft and enveloping to me it conjures up freshly mown hay warmed by the sun, Autumn spices of cinnamon and star anise and has the merest hint of creamy, spiced hot chocolate!

Above image: H&M chunky knit throw

Above images: 1.& 4. Christine Bauer photography 2.The Paper Mulberry images of our home 3.Photographer Carl Bengtsson at Skarp 5.The Paper Mulberry suggested Autumn 2012 colour palette 3

Above image: The Paper Mulberry living room fireplace in our previous home 

Above image:The White Company "Clarendon" washed silk quilt and cushion in Heather 

Above image: The White Company, their gorgeous new range of Ercol furniture and new seasons interior accessories

Above image: "Coco Blanc Collection" from Mi-Septembre Divine hand made linen sachets from Paris filled with a sublime perfume perfect for the kitchen linen drawer!

Above images:1.Scottish basketmaker Lise Bech crafting the most beautiful baskets from sweetly scented willow 2.Mark Hartley Landscape Architects 3.Photographer Carl Bengtsson at Skarp Agent 4.Mi-Septembre divinely perfumed linen sachet from their "Coco Gris" Collection 5.The Paper Mulberry suggested Autumn 2012 colour palette 4

 Above image: The White Company, their gorgeous new range of Ercol furniture and new seasons interior accessories

Above image: Mi-Septembre divinely perfumed linen sachet from Paris - the "Coco Gris" Collection 

to order your own Mi-Septembre beautifully gift boxed sachets you can by online at: http://www.mi-septembre.fr/en/ with a promotion on shipping until the end of September who could resist!

France - orders over 20 euros free shipping

European Union (Including the UK) - orders over 40 euros free shipping

United States & Canada - orders over 66.88 euros free shipping

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!

As always, if I have featured your photograph and you would rather I didn't, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will remove it with my sincerest apologies. 

With warmest wishes

 

Last Days of Summer

An Old English Farmhouse Restoration update:

After 14 years restoring this old Elizabethan house (dating from around the early 1500's) it is so exciting to see the rooms finally coming together! At times the work has been an 'uphill' struggle, but after all the long hours of toil, this 500 year old house is suddenly ready for the finishing touches that will make a home.  It is a complete joy to see fresh flowers, treasured photo's and possessions filling each room.  Here are a few pictures of one of the finished guest bedrooms and bathroom.

One of the newly restored bedrooms:

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom: The fireplace has an original Georgian hob grate of cast iron with decorative mouldings of sea creatures and lion's heads (sorry for my bad photography which may not show it!) I cleaned away layers of paint with a wire brush before polishing with black shoe polish and a toothbrush! Quite a few hours of hard work but we're really pleased with the results. The woodwork is painted in Laura Ashley 'Ivory' eggshell with the walls in 'Antique White' emulsion from B & Q The grey willow wreath on the fireplace was from Heals

 Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom: my Husband made the cabinet which is painted in Laura Ashley 'Ivory' eggshell  glass door knobs also from Laura Ashley the wall mirror is vintage. I had intended to shorten the curtains (made from unbleached loomstate cotton) but I loved the puddled drape! 

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - a guest bedroom

The Bathroom

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: we tiled the  bathroom with plain white gloss ceramic tiles on the walls with a white rustic, tumbled travertine marble floor and co-ordinating white tumbled travertine mosaic tiles on the plinth(which hides the plumbing!) The vintage glass pot contains white stones fragranced with The White Company's 'Seychelles' oil which is one of my favourites! The porcelain rose also holds the fragrance oil. I'm pleased to say that the woodworm in the oak beam is now treated and gone!!!

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the tongue and grove panelling on the bath is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Stony Ground' shade 211 with the bench painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 The floors on this level are made from limecrete (a 1500's version of concrete) making it impossible to conceal any pipework. In the bathroom the pipes and waste for the bath, basin and toilet are concealed within the wood panelling.

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the tongue and grove bench is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: we tiled the  walls with plain white gloss ceramic tile and white rustic, tumbled travertine marble on the floor with underfloor heating for the chillier months! The tongue and grove bench (which also conceals the pipework for the bath and shower) is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the bathroom accessories are from Samuel Heath ('Curzon' Collection)

Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: I filled a tall florists glass cylinder vase with seashells. The floors are white rustic, tumbled travertine marble and the skirting board is painted in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 eggshell. We tiled the bathroom ourselves to preserve the uneven floor and walls that we love so much! It took me quite a few hours to do the grouting and although it may not be perfect I do now appreciate the back braking work that professional tilers go through!

  Above image: The Paper Mulberry - the bathroom: the waffle shower curtain is held back with grey tassel. We painted the tongue and grove storage cupboard and skirting in Farrow and Ball 'Shaded White 201 eggshell with crackle glazed porcelain knobs on the cupboard doors

With warmest wishes

Contemporary Country Colours

Fresh, clean earth tints form a soothing colour palette for today's country living. Shades of Clay, Slate, French grey, Shutter Blue, Mulberry, Damson, Willow leaf and Gooseberry green set against chalky white add a contemporary twist to traditional country styling. Modern material such a stainless steel and aluminium contrast against the natural elements of pale stone and bleached wood. Here are a few of my most recent finds starting with the heart of the country home - the kitchen.  

Above image: detail of Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune - gorgeous bespoke kitchens and new home accessories range

Above image: a divine new kitchen design from Sims Hilditch interior design for Neptune

Above images: gorgeous new table linen china and cutlery from the Neptune range

Above images: 1. gorgeous new candle range from Neptune 2.table linen china and cutlery from the new Neptune range 3. paint shade in "Lily" by Neptune 4 from the new lighting range by Neptune

Above image: pretty contemporary coloured enamel kitchen ware from Garden Trading 

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: 1.gorgeous pale chalky kitchen by Plain English 2. & 4.table linen and china from the new Neptune accessories range 3.beautiful handcrafted kitchens and furniture from Neptune Colour watches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions

Above image: handmade kitchens by Chalon in gorgeous pale chalky shades with slate grey accents try Farrow and Ball "French Grey" number 18 for a similar colour to the door and skirting board

Above image: divine oak framed homes by Border Oak with interior design and styling by Merry Albright The Paper Mulberry note: try "Card Room Green" number 79 from Farrow & Ball for a similar shade to the kitchen island - we have used it on our back door and windows

Above image: planter pots on tray in "Shutter Blue" by Garden Trading

Above image: bespoke kitchens and fabulous furniture range from Neptune

Above image: the gorgeous kitchen and dining room of interior stylist and photographer Helena Bernald of the wonderful blog The Swenglish Home

Above images: 1.lovely new lighting range from Garden Trading in fabulous colours such a "Shutter blue", "Clay" and "Slate" 2.metal trough planter by Garden Trading 3.a set of numbered, French styled, ceramic mixing bowls by Garden Trading Colour swatches: The Paper Mulberry colour suggestions 

Above image: gorgeous contemporary farmhouse in Oxfordshire location for photography and film by locations agency Light locations

Above image: divine bespoke kitchen furniture and china range from Neptune

Above image: the "Chichester" kitchen from Neptune 

Above image: classic jug in "Gooseberry" by Garden Trading

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