Hello everybody, It has been a while since I last posted in my dear blog. I was working on the new chocolate creative website, which has taken much longer than I anticipated and it did make sense to stop posting in this one, as it would mean less content to transfer to the new site. I am happy to announce that the new website is now live, I hope you find it easier to navigate and inspiring. The new design now include this blog, so both the online shop and the blog can be viewed from the same platform. Please bear with me, while I revise old posts, change links, adjust photo sizes, etc…as the migration of the content has not been as easy as I thought. I will continue to blog about things that inspire me, places I visit and my own work and brand, I hope you find it inspiring and entertaining too!

CHRISTMAS DELIVERY DATES

GET THE LOOK

Following this year's Christmas neutral theme at home, I chose the B&W landscape table lamp, together with the black casas and Skiing chalet cushions to create an eclectic and calm look. I focused on adding layers with different patterns and textures. Natural linens, green branches and handmade decoratives details, such as the paper spoons framed on the walls, live together in my living room,  next to some of my old etchings and vintage finds. 

All products available at my shop online | Photos Piero Pierini

CHRISTMAS DECORATING AT HOME

One of my favorite times of the year has arrived. I love Christmas in the UK, but not so much back in the islands, my house is here and it is where I can get to decorate it and enjoy it just before I leave. I like visiting the different events in the capital, admire the lights, and feel the cold, as once I get to Gran Canaria, the mood change into flip flops, beach and sun cream...

I don't tend to spend Christmas in the UK, as part of my family lives in Gran Canaria, and the rest in Germany, so traveling is always on the cards for me.

I start thinking of Christmas around October (I should do it much earlier, to get things ready for the shop, but I never manage). I choose a theme, and get the decorations out, I buy a few new things each year, and plan a bit how I am going to decorate the space, then of course nothing happens until later in December...

Since I travel, I never buy a tree in London, but I always decorate the house, even if it is just for a few weeks before leaving. I am not so much into colours, and prefer to keep the space neutral, maybe that will change in the future, but right now I like to keep things simple. This year, I have recycled some of my old decorations, and added some greens I bought in the local florist together with my cushions, lampshade and wall hooks.

The black & white landscape lampshade is from my shop, the white ceramic mug is from talented Byung, and the rest of the objects I found in vintage shops and car-boot sales. The glass dome I bought almost 17 years ago!

Following the simple neutral theme this year, I chose some mono-crome wall hooks, and added some handmade decorations, and greens. My mother made the Christmas stoking this Summer, I am taking them with me as she made one for each of us.

I am very pleased with the enchanted village wall hooks, a collaboration I recently did with designer Sian Zeng,  they are available at my shop online, where you can find a much bigger selection of colours and shapes.

I desperately needed a plan chest to store my art prints, so when the school around the corner was getting rid of it, I snapped it up just at the right time. It was covered in dirt, old paint etc...but nothing that can't be fixed after many hours of scratching, sanding and cleaning. 

This is the last post from London, so see you all from Gran Canaria, I hope you have fun decorating your homes, and remember to follow me on Instagram for some adventures under the SUN!

Photos by Piero Pierini

THANKS FOR COMING TO OUR EVENT

I would like to thank everybody who came to our event last Sunday at The Glebe House in Clapham. Alix, Lisa, Lynne, Virginia and I really appreciate your company, purchases and interest in our work.

It is doubting to organise a free gathering as you don't know if people will turn up. On the Sunday morning I arrived at the house hoping that people will come along and join us in our cosy and fun event. Considering the amount of similar markets happening in the capital and near by, I am very pleased to say that we got a nice turn up. We did our best advertising it, we even did door-to-door leafleting on a few cold evenings. Sometimes I find smaller events better and more successful, especially if they take part in nice charming spaces. 

Above my stand with a few of chocolate creative products, the purses, tea towels, lavender sachets and tea light holders were the most popular. Below Roddy & Ginger beautiful products, her aprons, cushions and cards were a success. 

 As part of the Christmas market, we had some fun workshops running. Lisa Stickley spent hours teaching children how to make collages and draw pictures, while she read them her new book.

In the next room, Lynne run some nice workshops on how to make natural gifts and wrapping presents. People got creative and made some niece pieces. The little boy in the picture made the most, he had so much fun, and took part in all the events, clever little boy!

The fabric bunting is mine, my mother made it this Summer with designs from my English romantic collection. If I were to sell it, it would be the most expensive bunting around, the fabrics costs a lot of money to print and are of very good quality.

Below, some samples of natural gift making and presents wrapping by Lynne from Papermash.

Christmas Market @The Glebe House London

I have organsied together with some very talented ladies a Christmas market at The Glebe House, in Clapham Old Town. There would be some stalls selling beautiful gifts and workshops for adults and children. You can expect to see handmade accessories from Virginia Roddy & Ginger and myself chocolate creative, plus workshops run by Lynne Papermash and Lisa Stickley. If you live in London, don't miss this opportunity to spend a day making fun handmade things and a bit of shopping too! FREE entry to the market, If you are thinking of booking a workshop, I recommend to pre-book it, as there are limited places in each of them. For more details, prices and booking please follow this link.

Urban jungle book – for plants lovers

Bloggers Judith and Igor, founders of the Urban Jungle Blog, have created a very inspiring book called "Urban Jungle" about how to bring nature indoors and care for your plants. The book features trips to green homes across Europe, with many tips and plants profiles, as well as plant styling ideas with the help of 18 Urban Jungle Bloggers. 

I have always loved having indoor plants, not only because they make our homes more beautiful and bring an element of nature inside, but because it fills my need of caring for something small that needs love and attention. Unfortunately I don't seem to have learned much over the years, as the poor plants in my house don't seem to last very long or look very healthy and happy.

To me this is not a trend - having a big collection of plants in the house - (I dislike this word VERY VERY much), but a going back to traditions and how we have always lived, at least in Spain. I remember living in our different houses and always having plenty of plants scattered around the house, in the patio, attic, corridors hanging from the ceiling, etc…Over the Summer I decided to take all the cactus/succulents outside in the garden, as they were looking pretty sad and were dying, and I am happy to report that they seem to have gained life again. They are now back inside as our Winters are too cold – I really hope they will continue to grow and keep me company.

Plants, flowers, pets, art, travel finds, family heirlooms, etc…make up for an unique home, it always surprises me when I enter a house that is just a plain space filled with the same colour and style range of furniture, nothing really stands up, as if there is not life in that space. A while ago I met someone who said, that she didn't like any of these things, specially house plants or pets as she didn't have time to care for them, too much fuss she said…Oh well, as much as I respect her views on how we choose to live in our homes, I still recommend a house filled with loved things, including plenty of greens and animals to look after, I am sure life is much richer and fulfilling this way! 

Looking forward to getting a copy of this book, you can order your copy in either English or German. Happy living with your jungle at home, and if you have any tips about how to keep your plants looking good and alive, and would like to share it with me and the others, please leave a comment, I will much appreciate it! 

Bespoke handles – Loft renovation

One of my customers, Delyth has sent me these images of her fab recent loft conversion and house renovation, where she has used a range of bespoke handles and wooden knobs to finish the cupboard doors, in the loft and the bathrooms. She came across my range of bespoke handles when she was looking for door knobs and handles to finish her project.
I really like the useful storage solution in the loft, and how she has used the wooden handles to finish the white cupboards.

Delyth has used the Bridge design in natural beech wood as door handles, we made them to meet her custom specification.

A selection of rectangular painted wooden knobs combined with natural square ones add and interesting design element to the bespoke bathroom cupboards.

The botanical print looking fab in her dining room.

Continuing with the practical bespoke built in cupboards through out the house and final touches from chocolate creative handles and wall hooks range.

Kitchen renovation – plywood top and cabinet knobs

Carlie, a customer of mine, has recently sent me some photos of her new kitchen. She chose the colorful plywood knobs from chocolate creative to create a contemporary and beautiful space where to cook and entertain. I love the plywood pale blue top that match perfectly the wooden knobs and grey cabinets.

A very practical layout with plenty of storage and work surface. I am of the opinion that open spaces are a must in our houses. Ideally an unique space for the whole family and visitors to enjoy.

Wooden knobs adding colour to the grey cabinets.

Photos by Carlie

Scandinavian style children room

I love to see how chocolate creative's customers use its products in their homes. These photos from Nils twins nursery are a good example of how creative people can be. True Scandinavian style, crisp whites combined with happy colours and natural wood. Yellow is a great colour to work with, specially if you match it with neutral colours such as black and grey. Keep it simple adding some graphic elements with cushions, soft toys and wall art to complete the look. The yellow wooden knobs match perfectly the look, adding some colour to the bespoke dresser that Nils used from her former company Hout Cuisine, where they specialise in making wooden fronts for ikea kitchen cabinets. For the full selection of wooden knobs and bespoke handles go to chocolate creative's shop online.

Summer offers and discounts: Blue lake discount

SALE NOW ON!
25% off the Blue lake designs, including cushions, lampshades, wall hooks, wooden knobs, and purses. Enter the code {BLUELAKE} at the check out stage to benefit from the discount.
 Sale ends on 31 August 2016. Shop online at chocolate creative.

Photos by Piero Pierini

Moving to Hastings

I moved to London 19 years ago, and I have been living in the South East of the city for over 15 years. I am happy here, but more and more I feel the need for a change, new adventures and places to see and experience. Perhaps, I am not ready to go back to Spain yet, so moving elsewhere in the country, preferably by the coast could be an option. I am nervous about leaving the city, but at the same time, I need some proper fresh air, to be nearer nature, open spaces and the Sea.


I first went to Hastings 10 years ago with my family on a little holidays day trip, it was boiling hot and sunny. I remember having fish and chips by the beach and feeling as if we were the only Spanish people in town. Over the years I have been going for day trips and staying with friends, but it is being only lately that I have felt like this part of East Sussex could be my next home.

I enjoy the long walk that connects both towns, on a sunny day it is perfection, on a windy/rainy one is a bit of a hell. The new pier, perfect stop for a view of the coastline, coffee and rest. Betty the dog (belongs to my friend Leah), she is my new super cute friend, she loves playing with my trainers, eating treats and resting on my lap,  if I could I would have a dog, another few cats, and maybe a rabbit too...

 

Below, St. Leonards Gardens; despite the many times I have visited Hastings, I never made it to this area, but last week I had the opportunity to walk and get to know the place better. I LOVE around here, a flat in Maze Hill, Dane Rd, Gensing Gardens, would be very good thank you very

Because dreaming doesn't cost money, and it is my favorite hobby. I have put together a mood board to help me visualise my future home. My budget is very small, and although prices in Hastings are nothing like in London, they are going up very very quickly. A couple of years ago, I could have afforded a gorgeous flat, (I was not ready to move), but now I will be lucky if I manage to get a little decent 1 bedroom somewhere...

I am tempted to get a ready to move in place, or a bigger place that needs lots of work, money, time and energy that I don't have right now. In any case, I keep dreaming ans searching...I picture myself living in a simple white flat, I hope warm and comfortable too. 

Art prints and bespoke handles - chocolate creative | Dining Table - another country | Chairs - Hay/ Clippins | Bespoke handles - chocolate creative | wall tiles - Mandarin stone

There is a gorgeous 1 bedroom flat in this building (top picture), ready to move in, love the area, but it is too small for Missi and I, plus I would need some extra space for family and friends visits. (below pictures) the different architecture you can find in the old Town of Hastings. 

The process of moving out of London has started in my mind, I can see it more and more as a real possibility. I still hesitate whether or not I should go back to Spain for good, or stay in the UK, if so, where? Is Hastings/St. Leonards the best option? Would I be able to afford a decent place to call home? Would I feel very lonely, leaving behind many friends and the big smoke? Time will tell...wish me luck!