Lyon & Turnbull Interiors Auction

Tomorrow (Saturday 6th April 2013), Edinburgh auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull are holding their second of a new regular sale entitled 'Interiors'. As the name suggests, the sale will include a variety of different high quality objects, including art and furniture, from all different eras, at 'affordable prices'.
It's definitely worth a visit, if only to experience the excitement of an auction but especially if you're looking for a statement piece. There are some real gems.
I've picked out my favourites from the catalogue which, I've just realised, appear to be solely representative of my mid century attraction at present. Don't be misled...there are objects for all tastes!

The full catalogue is available to view online here.

Framed

I know...it's already the 7th January. It took me a while to get back in the swing of things after enjoying lots of family time. I hope everyone has detoxed, recovered, purged the Christmas tat and already broken all resolutions ready for another fun filled year ahead?!
To take us all into the new year I want to share some predictions of interior trends with you over the next few posts; Something I was asked to write about recently for a local property paper, soon to be published.
I think we'll be seeing lots of beautiful metal framed pieces, powder coated in black or white, or bare naked brass, copper or steel, like these incredible lights by Iacoli & McAllister. I love the simplicity of the single pendant and the drama of the cluster but the two piece is my absolute favourite.

I've seen tables, lighting and and  accessories already and still haven't seen a single metal framed item I didn't like! I have my eye on a white powder coated frame coffee table from Catalog pictured in a previous post (more to come on that very soon). My letter to santa must have gone awray because it wasn't in my stocking on the 25th...

My Stylin'

Last week I set up a couple of little corners in two very different spaces for a feature I've been asked to do about the trends for the new year for Edinburgh's property paper. One little corner was in my flat and the other was in The Last Word Saloon. I had lots of fun styling the shots with photographer, Rachel Hein, and the results are better than I'd expected so I'm pretty excited about seeing them, in print, in January.

I borrowed the cushions, the red 'birdie' lamp and that beautiful, white metal framed side table from Catalog in Stockbridge; my new favourite shop. It was very difficult to give that table back...my living room is a lesser place without it. I have notified Santa...

The little art deco table with blue painted top was borrowed from Cherubim, a great little gallery on St Stephen Street with an ever changing stock of interesting upcycled furniture for sale. It's always worth a visit for an unusual statement piece.

The antlers were visiting my flat from The Last Word and the rest of the stuff is mine...received as gifts, bought, found or inherited over the years. 

I promise to share the final shots and pictures of the feature when it's been printed but in the meantime here's a sneaky peak of how the day went from behind the scenes.

If you reeeeaaaaally can't wait you can see some of the shots here. 

Main photograph by Rachel Hein, the rest were taken by me.

Home Stylin'

Check out this great interior styled by Emily Henderson. I love the easy mix of white walls with richer darker corners and the bright pops of colour. This, to me, is a great 'home', bursting with the family's personality and character. The gallery walls, layered textures and glass pendants give it such a relaxed, welcoming feel. That's a great way to hang kid's pictures too!

Photography by Bethany Duart

Lindsey Adelman

Incredible lighting by Lindsey Adelman. If I was ever to describe lighting as sexy, this would be it. Sexy.

source 

Three's a Crowd Pleaser /// Cork

Waterproof, durable, versatile and most importantly, sustainable; cork is just all round awesome. Stop thinking about cork in the 70s...It's had a makeover and it's going to save our planet*. Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees, native to the Mediterranean area. It's extracted every 9 years giving the tree enough time to develop the superficial layers of bark, so the tree is never cut down and the surface is not damaged. These trees can live for hundreds of years.
There are some beautiful accessories and kid's toys made of cork, as well as this great tableware (also available in white and lime green). Take a browse here for more goodies.
From a practical point of view, if you're looking for a stool for your bathroom or other wet areas, you can't go wrong with one of these, by Jasper Morrison for Vitra. While we're at it check out this clutch by Monki, my new favourite clothing label.
Here are my favourite suggestions for an earth friendly holiday season.

1 | 2 | 3

*not single-handedly but it will help.

Three's A Crowd Pleaser /// Unexpected De-lights

Whilst flicking through Elle Decoration last weekend, I was pleasantly surprised by the new lighting range from BHS. Yep, you heard me, British Home Stores. Not what you'd expect from there...are they? 

Nice huh?!...

Thornby | Erika | Dalston

Three's A Crowd Pleaser /// Cable Knit

When the temperature dips it's only natural to start layering up your soft furnishings as well as your wardrobe. A mix of textures always works well to cozy up a space and I've seen loads of cable knit items on the market; from cushions and blankets to rugs and even lighting. It's everywhere!

I'd layer it up with a reindeer skin and maybe even a little mohair for ultimate winter warmth.

1. sweater 2 lampshade 3 cushion cover 

If you're keen, there are some great DIY cable knit tutorials via 79 ideas, if you happen to have an old Arran jumper at the back of the closet.

Kitchen Envy IV

SERIOUSLY, do kitchens get any better than this? If you've seen any, send me pictures...because I don't believe you.

images and design by Retrouvius. Image 2 previously posted on Yeah...Ok...Bye here

TIMBERYARD

Timberyard is on the old site of Lawson's Timber, somewhere I visited for bits and pieces for projects while at the Art School, just next door. It's unusual to find such an industrial space, just off the Grassmarket in Edinburgh, and thankfully the Radford family (formerly of Blue and The Atrium) have embraced it with a white wash and a soft glow of basic bulbs on knotted, basic white cables hanging from the high ceilings. It's so un-Edinburgh, so simple...and so excellent. The concept behind the newly opened venue includes an awareness of sustainability and the environment which not only describes the offering but also the interior. There are polished railway sleepers as tables and the reuse of furniture from their previous venues, as well as reclaimed antique pieces like the old school blackboard displaying the specials. I look forward to returning and seeing how the remaining areas evolve. I've heard rumours of space for a gallery, on the level above the restaurant, in the future, and was too busy enjoying my tasty mallard breast, amazing hot smoked trout and delicious chocolate and salted hazelnut pudding, to get a chance to see the private dining room or south facing courtyard.

My CV is rich in every level of 'front of house' hospitality positions in the years before I finally knuckled down and committed to art school. I loved working in the industry and it's where I met my husband and many friends. In fact, it was probably the most carefree and fun time of my life, so far...it helped that I was in my incorrigible and confident early twenties! With the husband still firmly in the hospitality trade as I've mentioned here and here, I think I'll always feel akin to those on the service side of the bar, so I can never be too critical (unless they are absolutely useless.) As a customer, I've managed to let go of the little things (empty glasses left on tables etc.) and can spot an 'up sell' a mile off but I also appreciate the relentless and sometimes thankless slog the job can be. Edinburgh can feel like a very small town sometimes with a few very difficult customers to please so I refuse to put more pressure on those who are already doing an excellent job.

The service at Timberyard was perfect; attentive, knowledgeable and polite ...and they make an excellent negroni. So... go.
Image 2 by Susie Lowe. All other images from Timberyard Tumblr

A Few of My Favourite Things

I never thought it was possible to have the perfect amount of my favourite things in one home. One kitchen even! I'm a big fan of the juxtaposition of textures, especially when that includes rustic versus finished materials, so the kitchen units next to the tile here is making my heart beat a little faster. I'm not even going to mention the floor. It speaks for itself.

This place is so good...AND it's in Spain!
I'll take two. Please.
source

OBJECT

Visit this shop. Just don't look at the prices. (unless you can afford to...and if so, enjoy!)

OBJECT via Amanda Rodriguez

Living Loving

Pattern on gold on grey. In Norway.

via  

A little bit of sunshine...

So, that's it. It's the end of August and we didn't get a massive amount of sunshine (nor did I get much blogging done, sorry!). If you follow me on Instagram (@yeahokbye) you'll know that I unabashedly wear my Havaianas in the rain (it's a skill) and you will learn that I abstain from socks till well into the autumnal months. A stranger once commented on my stubborn footwear ways in late October.
So, in the spirit of ignoring the chill, already in the air, I've compiled a little collection of yellow brights to add a ray or two to your home (and handbag collection - I can't help myself).
A little splash of colour on a neutral palette can lift an entire room. From neon to mustard, if any colour can do it, yellow can!

Image by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer Pattern fabric: Jurmo, Marimekko
1 Nanet cushion cover 2 Sunshine Yellow Omaggio Vase 3 Colour Rings Bowl 4 Mr. Bright Chair 5 Multi Weave Betty clutch 6 Twiggy floor lamp

The Zoo

I thought I'd had my fill of all things safari after visiting Edinburgh Zoo (for the first time) a couple of weeks ago, but by the looks of theses photographs, it appears I'm still drawn to interiors with skins, patterns and textures inspired by the kingdom of animals. I went with quite a few members of my family, some of which were over from Australia, to see the famous pandas. As exciting as the pandas were, my highlight were those of another monochromatic nature.........As the heavy rain of the Scottish summer drenched us, my mum and I, separated from the group and pushed a sleeping Sebastian, in his plastic covered pushchair, to the top of a ridiculously steep incline, to see the zebras. There were five of them, all sheltering from the rain, standing under the viewing platform. They were beautiful...perfect. And so close. It was the end of the day and the zoo keepers started calling them up to their shed. The zebras ignored them for a while but after a couple of whistles, they flicked their stripey, funnel-like ears and trotted up the field like obedient dogs. Magnificent.
The point of my rambling? Inspiration from nature in design is, as always, excellent. I love the giraffe inspired rug in this beautiful, masculine interior. 

Much to my disappointment, there are no giraffes at Edinburgh Zoo (Sebastian had a toy giraffe with him on the day to compensate), if there were, they may have stolen the show but for now, the zebras reign...in the rain. 
P.S. The shiny, wet hippos (mum, dad and baby) grazing, came in at a close second place.

Interior photographs by the super talented Phillip K. Erickson. Zebra photograph by me on my iPhone 4, then edited with Instagram.

La Maison D'Anna G.

It's time to polish up on your French as, Paris based, Scandinavian design lover, Anna, of the gorgeous blog 'La Maison D'Anna G', has opened an online shop with the same name. Stocked to the hilt with interior goodies from the likes of Hay, By Nord and Afroart, along with pieces by some awesome designers, the shop has a strong Scandinavian influence, as does Anna, having been born in Sweden. It's been difficult to choose but here are some of my favourite bits and pieces available....

Oh, AND she ships worldwide...so get your Euros out...!

clockwise from top left : fold unfold multicolour tablecloth | valentina multicolour cushion | 7 piece desktop boxes | black pipe wall lamp |  square oak tray | typography poster 'D' | dark oak bird | twinkle little bat box

The Last Word

Introducing...the husband's new bar!
As I mentioned here, The Last Word Saloon opened on 1st May. It's an old school, American saloon-style cocktail bar in Stockbridge, Edinburgh with a cracking list of expertly made drinks. It doesn't look too bad either.
I was involved in the interior but only to the extent that a wife can be when the 'clients' are pretty strong minded and creative anyway...either way the result looks awesome (as does that ridiculously handsome bartender). It appears my new moto is 'there is no such thing as too many filament bulbs'...

So, who wants to babysit so I can go and sit at the bar and drink rum?
Photographs by dnanderson

Tactile Twigs

These fuzzy twigs have been found, then transformed, then illuminated by London based designer, Nic Parnell as part of his 'Outside In' range. The branches and timber are either found or sourced, with the help of tree surgeons, and upcycled using different techniques including electro-static flocking with nylon, as seen on these awesome lamps. Check out his new collection, Cleavage.

all images from here

Lonny Favourites (June 2012 issue)

I managed to take half an hour out of my manic mummy schedule this weekend to have a virtual flick through the newly released issue of Lonny. Here's a little collection of my favourite images from this month's edition....obviously they're not all from the same home - that would be ridiculous...or would it...?

all images from Lonny