Hygge Nook

If you're going to San Francisco...

I'd be wearing flowers in my hair... (as the song goes) if only I could go to Crown and Crumpet in San Francisco's Ghiradelli Square.

 
One can only be happy in such cheery surroundings...

 
I can imagine hordes of children absolutely delighted to be taking afternoon tea with their mothers; lovers; girlfriends...

 
These treats make one want to fall into the computer screen...

 
Tea for two? Yes, please.

Go visit so I can live vicariously through you, until I get to visit! And visit Crown and Crumpet online for more pictures, menus and the reservation number.

In love with bright white spaces

I find myself increasingly drawn towards bright white spaces. I'm not talking clinical but the kind of brilliant white that makes an amazing backdrop for coloured accessories and gives that light-flooded airy look. White, in my eyes is far better than magnolia which has a creamy warmth to it that doesn't lend itself well to bouncing light. It's easy to update, it doesn't offend and everything goes with it.

Let's take a look at some white spaces:

 
Hus & Hem - it's all about light-filled, open plan living here.

 
Elle Decor - the neutral backdrop makes the art and pink cushions pop.

 
Livingetc - texture and colour work well to make a girly space

Apartment Therapy - one of my favourite house tours - the reaction between the crisp white walls and sofa, the sunny yellow cushions and wallpaper and mellow greys is delicious.

How do you feel about white? Is it too cool and clinical for you or do you embrace it?

Famous film and celeb homes at Hooked on Houses

I've only just discovered this website thanks to Keris and I think I'm hooked. If you've ever wondered about the gorgeous homes in films you'll see why.

I fell in love with the white Victorian-style house from Practical Magic with its tower...

Just how amazing is this house. I would LOVE to live here.

 
Imagine having breakfast on a verandah like this, with a view over the azure waters.

Or maybe, the charming house with trailing ivy from Father of the Bride...

 

or the beach house from Something's Gotta Give, whose interior I thought was divine.

 

The delightful book nook

Yes, if you want to know more about houses like these and see lots of interior shots coupled with information about the homes (the Practical Magic home, was, alas, a shell that was torn down), then you can find it all there. This is certainly one for the subscribe list and has, of course, made its way into the blogroll.

And just writing this has reminded me how much I yearn to live in a white clapboard house with a garden full of tumbling, fragrant flowers.

To see more amazing houses and homes go to Hooked on Houses.

 

Lonny magazine

Apologies for lack of posting this week, work has been a bit crazy. Anyway, have you seen the new online magazine Lonny* yet? It's been brought out by the people behind Domino magazine, the terrific US mag that closed earlier this year. The name gives pause, it looks a heck of a lot better when written on two lines but that would look silly in this post...

You can read the whole mag online here for free and first impressions are very good. What do you think?

*Does anyone remember the TV show LonNY about couples trying to have a relationship whilst living in London and New York? No, me neither.

Made by Girl's beautiful home

I've just added Made by Girl's blog to my RSS reader and I'm sure you will do too once you've taken a mini tour of Jennifer's fabulously stylish home. As an aside, she is so beautiful too and after seeing her beautiful dogs, nothing has made me want a Boxer more. Not only is Jennifer super talented in her home decor but she also makes beautiful printed posters and cards, many with a love theme, and I have several - including the i love you blogs & tea print - on my wishlist. Find all her products at her Etsy shop here - her international shipping rates are very reasonable.

Now for her home:

 

Dining room: I love the Union Jack painting, the rustic-chic table and chairs and the wall of frames.

 

Living room: Pretty cushions contrast with the antler's head in this light-filled room.

Bedroom: The dark walls make all the colours seem to burst out.

Bedroom: This Love print is from Jennifer's collection.

Close up of that wall.

Home office: Fun, decorative and functional.

Patio: I think this space is so pretty from the blue stripe-effect aluminium walls to the white drapes and bistro set.

There are lots more pictures on Jennifer's Made by Girl blog and I'm really looking forward to reading more from her.

Do this! Frame an Eiffel Tower tea towel

Even functional things should be beautiful, shouldn't they? This tea towel is so pretty that one blogger has even popped it in an Ikea frame for a super cute picture update at Her Little Place.

Want it? £8.50 at What A Girl Needs.

Helen's Orla Kiely staircase

I'm hoping my occasional Hygge Nook co-writer Keris will like this fantastic use of Orla Kiely wallpaper. In the July issue of LivingEtc (p64), home owner Helen - who also writes a blog here - has this great staircase with an orange print paper that really pops.

I think the wallpaper used here is the multistem paper which retails for around £59 a roll but you'd probably need less than one roll to recreate the look. Isn't it fabulous?

Living etc also has a really fun forum with lots of makeovers and an inspiring 'see what I made' thread, plus the best ones win vouchers to swanky homeware shops.

The perfect bedroom: Kelly Rae Roberts

I'm head over heels with this beautiful bedroom. From the fresh white of the bed and curves of the side table to the powder blue walls to the busy duvet print that just pop pop pops! I urge you to head over to decor8 to check out the rest of artist Kelly Rae Roberts' Seattle home which has so many lovely bright and fresh elements or check out her blog here.

I have that globe lamp in my living room so... nearly there!

Inspiring spaces: Shella's colourful beachside house

When I got my copy of Ideal Home magazine, I went straight to the article about Shella Anderson's beachside home in Essex (sample preview online here)...and I fell a little in love with it. This is not a woman who is afraid of colour and she really makes it work with bright pops everywhere, pretty Orla Kiely wallpaper and a tantalising mishmash of prints. If you're looking for colour inspiration, definitely snap up the mag.

However, I've also spied the house online at Cookie mag where there are lots of other pictures and an interview - the girls' bedrooms, like the baby nursery above, are beautiful but look out for the great living room and the oh so pretty painted bench. Shella also has Flickr photos here (if you don't mind whiling away far too long cooing at her home).

White butler's tray with stand from The White Lighthouse

I've spotted a few of these around in magazines and I'd love to have one as it would solve my lack of a side table problem. It's versatile and pretty enough to be used as a bedside table or lamp table elsewhere plus it's just £40 which makes it very affordable.

Find it at The White Lighthouse.

Like this? More living room ideas