Interior Design: January 2017

Sunday 22 January 2017

Books, Colour and Reflection

Reading week this week and next, a time for college to close it's doors to lectures, for lecturers to mark interim assessments and for students to stay home and study hard. If only..I have managed to draw half a floor plan. Choosing instead to meet up with friends, take opportunities to make new contacts and to just go outdoors, walk and grab a coffee. Staying positive however, I am focusing on the few good things that have occurred and not the lack of work achieved. One of these good things was having the chance to meet up with Michiel Brouns from the company Oricalcum, (Pronounced Ori-Kal-Kum). Oricalcum is a red gold which originates from the Mayan and Inca period. Unbeknown to me they are based locally in beautiful Belvedere house looking onto the Stray. The company distributes and supplies 2 types of paints, Emente and linseed oil paint, from Belgium and Sweden respectively. They are very clean, eco friendly and offer outstanding performance benefits compared to synthetic alternatives. The natural pigments used provide beautiful depth of colour and are suited to period property schemes, although are perfect for more contemporary projects too. Oricalcum have been involved in a wide range of awe inspiring projects including Chatsworth Estate, Tatton Park and a gorgeous venture in London at the Garden Museum.
Given I have just spent the last 4 months reading avidly about colour I found Michiel absolutely fascinating. It is always one of life's small pleasures to talk with someone who shares a passion for a subject, and is very knowledgeable and engaging! See their website for more info https://oricalcum.uk
Thank you Michiel 😀

I also had coffee with a fellow mum who has a career in design and a passion for textiles, once again this was a really uplifting conversation as we discussed career plans, contacts and where our passion for craft, design and architecture may take us.

It was with this in mind that I have decided to embark on compiling my personal details, CV etc and to start further networking. Something that stood out from the the mass of junk mail which lands on my door mat, was some marketing from moo. Moo supply business cards and stationery which are more thought provoking than the general offerings. https://www.moo.com/uk/

Oricalcum Linseed Paint colours

Emente natural paint colours

A Sunday morning walk across the Stray.

Insider recommendations -fascinating books to buy..well it is reading week.

Funky embossed business cards from Moo.

Friday 6 January 2017

Happy New Year!

May it be filled with challenges overcome, a fitter, healthier you or just a place of acceptance with whom you are and what you are choosing to do. I have just counted that I have around 20 weeks left of my degree, which is both exciting and petrifying at the same time. Once my degree is complete it is time to take stock of the situation and my position, and consider further education? employment? or heaven knows what? (Step in the Universe and some kind of divine ordering :)) Anyway, Christmas was a busy time filled with family, tradition, excess, fun, kicking back and travelling. I know January can be a challenging month, people are involved in New Year resolutions to eat better or less, get fitter, set new challenges, give up bad habits etc.. Also generally everyone has overspent. I have decided this January to:

1) Love Winter and all that it brings. Be it blue sky, frost and Robins, or wind, rain and wellies. Get wrapped up and get out...then get back in and curl up with a warm drink, a cosy jumper and some candle light or a real fire. We can't change it..so we should just go with it!

2) Be Kind to yourself. I know this is the month of resolutions but no Red Wine on Saturday night? Is this really sensible? Everything in moderation. I am still picking off chunks of my Panettone and opening a bottle of Red at the weekend.

3) Set deadlines. The end of May will soon come round. To avoid a bottle neck of stress I have laid out a time plan which I intend to stick to. Don't do my 'To Do' List..then don't get my treats! It's a good way to get the work done. Do a little something everyday, do the things you like least, first, give yourself a treat to look forward to once your tasks are done (A nice coffee, a magazine, an hour with a good book/ good film? whatever it is you fancy).

I have included a few pictures of seasonal shop windows which I mentioned in my previous post but didn't get time to upload, and also some pics from my time spent in Amsterdam, which was just fabulous. See You Soon!

Amsterdam, Dec 2016.