SUN is out, and all I can think of is spending some time by the beach, either here in England or back home in Gran Canaria. I fancy the idea of having a beach hut, somewhere not far from London, with an easy commute, of course this is not going to happen any time soon, but since I am free to dream, I have put together some mood boards for my future beach hut.

Paper napkins from papermash | Chopping board from John Lewis | towels by Lindsey Lang for John Lewis | wooden colourful knobs by chocolate creative available at my shop online. 

I find the colourful beach huts of the English coastline very charming, (we don't have them in Canary islands), they are like a miniature house, with very little space, so you have to be very creative to create a cosy and comfortable mini home. I like the idea of translating the outside colours into the indoors theme, using the faded pastels or sometimes bright reds, blues and yellows as the colour palette to decorate the inside space. In my beach hut, I would part away from the most obvious coastal look, and I will try some bold, pretty and colourful homewares, I will find practical solutions, like modern plastic chairs for the outdoor, plenty of wall hooks for hanging towels, kitchen-ware, clothes, etc…cosy blankets, cushions, and small and functional furniture, with plenty of storage. Do you own a beach hut? if so, where about?

Picture frame from Decorator's notebook | Wall wooden hooks from my shop online  

yellow and blue cushion from Kate Clarke London, 

Rocky beach cushion and wall hooks by chocolate creative | Pink dyed table cloth by Hazel Stark  Black and white throw from The Future Kept | 4 leggs Pink Vase from Room39
Outdoors white chair from Atlantic Shopping | Wood tray by Roddy & Ginger 

Hand dyed linens by Hazel Stark 

Photos by me 

MINT – ELEMENTS OF CRAFT EXHIBITION – LDF

I guess one of the reasons why I am still living in London, despite having to pay so much money for housing, transport, bills, etc…is the fact that I can visit shops such as Mint, and attend interesting exhibitions and events, pretty much all year around. Last September, as part of the London Design Festival, Mint's team curated a show called "Elements of Craft", possibly one of the best I have seen so far in the shop, and focusing on the influence of craft in design. Where else could you see such a variety of work, coming from different designers, disciplines and countries, (oh yeah apart of the trade shows and many showrooms gathered around the city), but the space is so beautiful in itself, that makes the whole experience very special.

Lina Kanafani has got a very well trained eye when it comes to spotting new emerging designers, and putting together pieces that otherwise would look uneasy, such a mix of materials, shapes and colours, my breath was taken away by it all. I really enjoyed the work, the clever and innovative use of materials thrown in together, to produce unique pieces, oh yeah sure they cost a fortune, but that is what you pay for a handmade piece of work!!!

As my mother always says, how can you have such an expensive taste coming from such a modest background, and I always say to her, mama, appreciation for beauty and talent doesn't come from money it comes from the heart!!

Photos by Inge Clemente and me

INSPIRED BY SIMPLICITY AND STYLE

I spend a great part of my spare time looking at interiors magazines and books, leave alone Pinterest, blogs, etc... I love designing products, but equally enjoy putting together ideas and decorating spaces. My designs have always happened from a need, my first ever product was a cushion, why? because I needed a few for my sofa and bed, plus I love working with fabrics, whatever products came afterwards were defined by what I could produced within my skills, knowledge and budget and of course needed it in my own house, like the hooks and knobs, as I like renovating furniture.

I often get inspired by interior photos, it could be a colour scheme, a theme or I simply get ideas for photographing my products. Veronica posted this gorgeous photo (above) of her new house on Instagram, and I instantly got inspired by it, love the linen sofa by MADE, plus of course my English Romantic red lake cushion in it. Link to all the products on the mood board at the end of the post. Enjoy and get inspired by simplicity and style being achieved with well designed and quality products.

CUSHION | PRINT | SOFA | HOOKS | TABLE | BASKET | CUPS

CHARLENE MULLEN NEW SHOP

Welcome Monday, I hope you all had a good weekend and are feeling ready to take on another week!! 

For me, it has been quite an stressful and eventful weekend, but I have now returned to normality. 

A few weeks ago I went to visit designer Charlene Mullen's NEW shop in London, located at 7 Calbert Street, Shoreditch. I met Charlene back in 2008 at 100% design, and since them have followed her career and success. The more I get to know her, the more I respect and admire her hard work and determination, of course it helps that she is lovely. Not every designer out there, has the desire to open a shop, but I think that for us, it is very important to have a showroom where people can come in to appreciate the products and talk to us face to face.

Some of us work from home (me), some others have studios/workshops, but opening a shop, is altogether a different responsibility and big risk that at some point in our business, we may decide to take on, knowing that we will have to face the shop keeping as well as carrying on with the designing and running of the business. For all these reasons are more, I send you, Charlene, my congratulations, for making your gorgeous shop happening, long life to it young lady!! 

One of the her latest products, is a collaboration with Royal Doulton, a striking B&W new tableware range of ceramics, now available at her shop, and other retailers. I have my eye set on the dinner plates!! 

What to find in her new shop, her signature cushions, lampshades, cute cats and a selected range of other interior's products from some of the best British designers and artists. 

Photos by me

DESING SHOPS IN AMSTERDAM – PART 3

I am ending the posts on design shops in Amsterdam with the prettiest of the spaces. Sukha, is a warehouse located in one of the busiest streets I saw, full of cafes, design shops, delicatessen shops, etc... This concept store is an all around white space, with a very earthy and natural feel to it. Eco-friendly and handmade products, such as gorgeous chunky knitted blankets, delicate jewellery and comfortable but yet beautiful clothes fill the space. It felt very welcoming and cosy and I wouldn't have mind to move in. Have you visit this shop? make sure you go next time you are in the capital.   

This other two images belong to another home-ware shop, but I can't remember its name. It was on the same street, and had a great selection of vintage furniture and objects, I love some of their styling ideas. 

Photos by me

DESIGN SHOPS IN AMSTERDAM – PART 2

One of the reasons why I travelled to Amsterdam a few weeks ago, was to see and visit the so many fantastic design shops and design that the capital has to offer, so imagine my exictment when I arrived at the hotel I was staying, late in the evening to realise it was opposite to the new HAY shop. Needless to say I left some of my cash in there...

A big space, filled with gorgeous products and colours, all perfectly designed and displayed. I want to work for HAY, please get me a job in there! One of my favourite pieces is the elephant chair, super cute, and the combination of wood and pastel colours, and the super quality of their products, and everything...

Another gorgeous shop, this time called Restored, l like their philosophy and what they stock. Lots of practical clothes, bags, home-wares, magazines, books and beautiful jewellery and ceramics, from independent designers/brands, and the most gorgeous shop front. Ahhh I want my own shop!!!

 Photos by me

AMSTERDAM AND ITS GORGEOUS DESIGN SHOPS

Hello all, I hope everybody is doing well, and getting ready for the weekend. Last week I went to Amsterdam on a business and leisure trip, and I wanted to show you all the beautiful design shops I visited and the Woonbeur fair I went to. After my mini trip to the city, I have decided that I want to move to Amsterdam, but only if I can live in one of the tall gorgeous canal houses with its on shop premise, where I could open my first chocolate creative shop, selling my own work and British and International design, it doesn't cost anything to dream - I really recommend it - specially day dreaming!

On our last day, we visited Harvest & Co, a gorgeous shop, run by Denise and Jeroen, filled with the most desirable industrial style furniture and objects you can imagine, decorated with beautiful wild flowers arrangements and plants, top up with it own cafe and collection of International publications. I am glad we went all the way to this residential area of the city to get to visit Harvest, a master class on how a shop can make you feel like at home. 

Below, snaps of another beautiful design shop we found in the area called Friday Next. The space is dedicated to contemporary design, mainly Dutch and Scandinavian, witht its own lovely cafe and exhibition space. More post about Amsterdam coming along, but for now have a great weekend!