Hygge Nook

Hygge Nook 2009

This little blog has been going for just over a year now. It started out as a place to post cool homey finds and evolved into decor, mini makeovers and crafts. For the latter, I've even given away a freebie pattern and I hope to post more over 2010.

Let's take a look at the past year:

January - I fell in love with the Eames rocker.

 

February - I yearned for a Binth graphic print.

 

March - I found inspiration with the Bekvam stool makeovers found on Flickr.

 
April - Put Selina Lake's book Bazaar Style on my wishlist (and promptly bought it. Gorgeous).

 

May - Was all about Denmark. I visted Rie Elise Larsen's store in Copenhagen and fell further in love with Danish brand Rice.

 

June - realised how awesome globes are in these fabulous rooms and found one for just 99p on eBay.

 

July - found Lulu & Nat's children's bedding. There's no room for character prints here.

 

August - made my own DIY alphabet print thanks to intructions at Ohdeedoh.com.

 

September - knitted a sausage dog draught excluder from a vintage pattern.

 

October - really took this tip to heart on clutter control

 
...and was happy to see cool new online mag Lonny hit the web (second issue out now!)

November - learned to crochet (at last!) thanks to YouTube.

 

December - went on a bloggers' day trip to Brussels.

 

And here we are in 2010... It's been a year full of new things, new places and new people and it ended with a very nice bottle of Moet. Now, it's time for a little reflection and new direction. I don't have any resolutions as such but I hope to be more open to possibilities.

As for this blog, I hope to continue to make it better which will involve me learning more html and photoship skills to improve its look. And that's not to mention bringing more content that I hope readers will enjoy.

Again, Happy New Year to you all.

Thursday Three

Sometimes I just want to share fab finds that aren't particularly house and home related. A gorgeous piece of jewellery, a musician that has captured my interest, a cool blog. I hope you'll indulge my sharing and perhaps you'll share some of your cool finds with me?

+ Camilla Kerslake singing Take That's Rule the World in Italian. I stumbled across this singer whilst searching for something else and only clicked on it as we share the same first name. My OH calls her 'the shrieky lady', I do not agree ;-)
+ Pale & Interesting's sublime vintage jewellery. Designed by Atlanta Bartlett, each piece is unique so they're sure to be a winner. I couldn't pick any one piece (well, this and this if you insist).
+ And, of course, a very Happy New Year to you. I hope your 2010 is filled with joy.

Homies 2009

 
Apartment Therapy have opened up their annual Homies with categories for home design, home tech, kids at home, green home and home cooking. You can nominate a whole bunch of blogs so you don't have to just whittle down your favourites to one (phew!) Additionally, it's a great site to find some fab new reads.

I've nominated my fave blogs here and I'd super duper appreciate it if you'd nominate Hygge Nook here too (I can't tell you how thrilled I am that there's already some votes!)

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great holiday xx

A flutter of an idea

I'm just doing a little late night browsing and have stumbled across these feather butterflies. I have no particular need for them but, of course, sometimes the head wants what the heart desires... then a little idea fluttered into my consciousness. How fun would it be to just dot these around the house in unexpected places to surpise people.

Perched on a door frame, settled on a windowsill, lounging on the rim of a plant pot... they could go anywhere, couldn't they? Is it a crazy idea? I think I love it anyway.

[Feather butterflies, £12]

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?

Christmas tree skirts

Odd title, isn't it? Bear with me. I use the same artificial tree year after year (a real one would not survive with my rambunctious children and I'd feel guilty for pulping it) and I do so loathe the very obviously artificial stand. The ideal choice is to cover it up with something pretty rather than leave it on show.

I fingered some very lovely tree skirts strewn with emboidery in Anthropologie last weekend but, alas, my budget does not stretch to £130+ (actually their website says £75.26 for this one, very odd as I recall the price as very different in store) for something that will be used on the floor for two weeks of the year.

Here's the Anthropologie tree skirt that I think is just delightful (click to make bigger):

It's embroidered with hummingbirds and dragonflies on 60" of green sateen. Not traditionally Christmassy but very charming.

Anyway, would it be terribly hard to pick up a metre of cotton sateen fabric, learn some embroidery and make something similar?

It's a project too late for this year, but I shall file it away for next year (and have a whole year to learn some embroidery!). Is there anything you wish you had made this year, and will possibly do next year?

Crochet Granny Blanket: The beginning of the 'Little Puzzles' blanket

Yes, it's starting to take shape. I'm on square 13 (ooh, unlucky, quick, make another one!) and finding it easier and easier as I go. So far, I like what I've made. I'm not following any particular colour pattern, but I am making sure the last round is white so that when I come to put them together, there will be a uniformity about the blanket.

Let's take a look, shall we?

 

A neat stack of squares - I do like that rosy pink and soft green together.

 

And here they all are looking yummy.

 

Close up!

So, 13 squares down, 100 odd to go. I think there will be a lot of crocheting this Christmas and New Year to ensure that I have a much bigger stack of squares. Plus, I must learn how to stitch/crochet them together and sew in those loose ends.

In case you are tremendously interested in the where and whatfors, I'm using Rowan DK Handknit Cotton which has some divine colours. It costs between £3-£4.50 per 50g ball, depending on where you shop. I dread to think what the final price will be, but I'm picking up a few balls here and there, so spreading the cost. That it is handmade by me and unique, is, of course, priceless. It would be much, much cheaper to use acyrlic but I figured, seeing as I'm spending a great deal of time making it, I wanted to use the best yarn and have it last years and years.

Oh, and why 'Little Puzzles' blanket? My two year old Gabriel, who is quite keen on jigsaws, calls the squares little puzzles. I'm so glad he likes it and maybe in a month or two we can snuggle in it.

A little expedition to Anthropologie and Cath Kidston

Yesterday, I ventured out in to the freezing cold and zoomed my way into central London for a mini shopping trip, the purpose of which was to stop by Cath Kidston and check out Anthropologie. Covent Garden's Cath Kidston was delightful and the staff super helpful. I was desperate for one of the coloured baskets (not for sale) and they told me that they are sourced from flea markets and painted so I'll be keeping by eye out in the future!

I picked up a cute blue polka dot travel card wallet (£5) to replace my falling apart at the seams FrostFrench holder, a red button tin (£5) where I'll store my scissors, needles and other bits and some uber cute floral playing cards for my Mum's Christmas stocking (I've already wrapped them so can't a pic). Though, really, I could have bought LOADS in there.

 

Next up was Anthropologie and I can see why it has been getting such mixed opinions here. It is a fabulous treasure trove of pretties. As you enter, most of the clothes are pushed towards the front though you won't get much change out of £100 for a single item of clothing (but perhaps the key is to buy less, buy better?).

With jars set out stuffed with accessories, ready for the lids to be lifted and rummaged through, it was like a sweet shop for girls. Meanwhile, the glass vases and candles with big knitted cosies are an idea to borrow for crafty types.

The in-store displays were fab - amazing chandeliers with flowers, jewels and all sorts plus a plaster creature suspended above the basement floor which was a cross between a unicorn and a whale (I feel I should know the name for this, but can't think a narwhal). The homewares were just delightful but... pricey. Think £12 for a single glass or £258 for a freeform crochet blanket (I would love to know what kind of people shell out that for a throw. Perhaps they could adopt me), a single Christmas tree decoration for £14-£18, delicate teacups... it was heavenly. Definately one worth revisiting to pick up items that will have a special place in your home.

I didn't take any pictures so I've found a few from their website to show you what I cooed over (there's more in the store that I didn't find online):

Top row from left: Colossal cables throw, was £126.18 now £63.70, Robin decoration £11.47
 Middle from left: cathedral goblets £7.65, cardiff cup and saucer £11.47, sweater sleeve candle was £15.29 now £7.65. (Prices not including VAT).

Kirstie's Homemade Christmas

I've noticed a spike in traffic from people looking for Kirstie's Homemade Home today, no doubt because Kirstie is on the TV doing her Christmas edition. What the heck, I may as well blog about it again and for your pleasure, it's a live blog...

I do like Kirstie. I think she is a unique character on TV, warm and friendly, slightly bonkers tights and she'd probably make a fabulous Famous Five character. I also love that she is championing the 'make do and mend' trend, though I do think she misses the point about because, really, who can afford to do all the things she's showing off or the prices they no doubt entail.

Anyway, the show...

Looking at decorations to start off with as it's the theme of the shoe. Kirstie is fascinated by the glitter, thinking they'll be fab for her children's imaginations. I'd be freaking out about how breakable they are.

It takes a whopping 11 minutes for Kirstie to mention Meadowgate, her Devon home, and that is its first Christmas being in habited in 40 years.

It's cake making with The Little Venice Cake Company. The cakes look delightful with its super smooth white icing and red and green iced dots. The polar bears are absolutely cute and very cheap to make. Good start!

Kirstie is hacking down a Christmas tree, scaring people with her saw (are you watching Phil?). Fresh trees are lovely but they're a pain with needle dropping and then you have to dump the poor dead thing after. Could she not have got one by the roots so she could have planted it after?

Next craft! Lino cutting. What? Oh, Christmas cards. I've never heard of this. Steve from Delf and Dufy are showing Kirstie what to do and that she can make all her cards for £20 and have the cutters for next year. I buy all mine for £5 and still have some for next year!

Next up - salt dough Christmas decorations at a school. Egyptians did it, you can do it. It looks quite messy to mix up so probably a good one to insist your child's teacher does at school. Squash them into shapes, microwave them and paint them. Kirstie wishes she could spend her life with glitter glue but 'it turns out life isn't like that.' But it is Kirstie, it is, you're doing it! I like the 'merry christmas' shapes. They're rather sweet and it's another cheapie idea.

Back to Meadowgate which Kirstie wants to decorate with homemade ornaments so she's pottered off to see glassblower Will Shakespeare to make some baubles. Will is teaching Kirstie how to make stripey baubles. I wonder if she'll make one then he'll turn up with a box full later?