what a day!

I am sorry for not updating this for a few days - I had the most crazy of days last Friday and have also been busy busy busy at work (actually in the real office, with real other people and officey stuff like photocopiers - oooh!)

On Friday I drove to West Sussex (had to leave at stupid o'clock and got back at 10 past silly) to style a photoshoot of a modern barn style house Border Oak built a few years ago. Sounds quite straightforward so far? Well, of course,  nothing in Merry World goes according to plan but despite the drama of the day these are the pics.

The house was seriously good for photos  - open plan, contemporary, beautiful light, cool details  - and I could have spent an age there getting dozens more but I guess some days are just not meant to be.............

I would love to hear your thoughts on the house though so do get in touch. The Pearmain Cottage brochure is coming together too so I will post an update on that soon as well as some mini interviews from the other real people at the real office who get to use real photocopiers every day of the week.

a wall of glass overlooking a beautiful field  - which made fabulous light and must be spectacular on a summers evening of for a party..........

Although the main rooms were open to each other there was just enough subdivision to articulate the spaces - I love the way the stairs is in the sitting room but effectively separate. V. clever I thought

the end of the open 'corridor' had two large barn doors which made the house feel connected to the outside and worked well with the overall 'L' shape of the house.

As the house was designed by an architect rather than Border Oak, there are some interesting contemporary interpretations - such as the vaulted ceiling in the kitchen and master bedroom. Its always good to see other peoples ideas and to take a fresh look I think.

h.Art week in Herefordshire

My week has just been so hectic - I thought I would be twiddling my thumbs with Min at school but things are never as you think are they...........?If I had a spare day I would be off exploring the amazing venues that are open for h.Art week (a celebration or Herefordshire art and crafts) and thinking about what to buy if I had a surprise windfall. 

I think the Charles McCarthy painting would have to come home with me (please) and maybe a Jenny Crisp log basket (I couldn't find a photo of a log basket  - lemons yes, but no logs!). The Rachel Pritchard pod is gorgeous (she used to work with Ben) and I think I quite like the Hazel Gwatkin infra red photo but would need to check it out to be certain...........

There are also some amazing paintings and drawings by Simon Dorrell (editor of Hortus Magazine no less!) that are calling to me and I have my beady eye on some 'everyday' plates and bowls. Maybe time to start playing the lottery..................

oh and I almost forgot to mention the contemporary oak cubes made by Border Oak for h. Art week - and they look great in the setting if I say so myself!

its all about the light

This barn was built by Border Oak for a friend of mine - she is the designery one -and I think she did a great job considering how tricky the site could have been. It's a tight site, next to listed house, with a tree in the middle and a mixture of houses all around. But she has transformed the site and also designed a great looking house that has beautiful light and feels a lot bigger than the plans.

We had a great day taking these pics, filling it with props and pretending to professional photo stylists........and with that in mind I am now off to the yummy Baileys Home and Garden store to seek out some new props for next weeks shoot and meet my other best friend Caroline, who is also super clever and creative (she is an extremely  good conservator of art - or a conservatory as Minnie tells people). work, work, work........................

lovely light

more time on my hands.........

Minerva went to big school today. I have spent the day with a broken heart, looking out from our porch (a Border Oak porch of course) with a hope I may hear her (we live next to the school). Needless to say that she had a lovely time. I however had a very sad day and will have to fill my time one way or another. Hopefully that means more regular postings.  I will try anyway.

I took some photos around the house, but couldn't concentrate on what I was doing. I am sure I will get used to not having her here...............