AMERICAN TIN

The first time I came across an American Tin ceiling was when I was having a wax in Singapore. Believe me for those that don't know, when you have a wax you tend to focus heavily on what's above your head (unless of course you're having your arse/back waxed) - in this case it was my first view of (faux) American Tin. Suffice to say it interested me enough for me to momentarily forget why I was there and think "oooooh" before the "ARRRRRRGH". (Incidently, I have no idea why waxing places don't put more entertaining things on their ceilings, it could help quite severely with the pain and distraction). 

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As with all these things, because tin ceilings came back in fashion I suddenly started noticing them everywhere - houses, restaurants, bars, shops etc. This has been over the last few years so now I think it's probably safe to say that American Tin has had its resurgence, and is now probably on the verge of being passé once again. AA Gill included tin ceilings in restaurants in a list of "trends that do seem to be past their sell-by date" for 2012 in the Sunday Times Style magazine. Say no more. 

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This is a very cool restaurant (not according to AA Gill of course) in Amsterdam called De Ysbreeker.

They became popular in North America in the 1800s as they were a cheap and durable way to emulate the beautiful plasterwork that was then rife in Europe (the tin was originally painted white to look even more like plaster). Now that the tin tile is around again there is a trend to use them as backsplashes, planters, wall art, headboards, you name it, it's been done with a tin tile. I bet someone on Pinterest has found a way to make them solve poverty. 

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(Surely not very comfortable?)

So what do you think? If I was going to have any I'd want them white and on the ceiling just where they are supposed to be.

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If you don't want to bother with the real thing then Rocket St George has no less than 7 versions of it's Brooklyn Tin wallpaper to choose from. Or have a look at these by Merci. You can find tin tiles in the UK from here.

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(What is going on with this room? Chevron tiled floor, mirrored cube, gold and silver furniture, chandelier, gothic cut-throughs and the world's least comfortable looking sofa. This room needs to just have a cup of tea and calm down).

Anyway, the sun is out and spring is on it's way = good times.

TTFN

FRIENDS LIKE THESE

Wow it's been 2 months since my last post. What a terrible blogger I am. I can't believe we're now mid February - where did all the time go? I'm still recovering from Christmas. 

Now we're (well into) the New Year I hope everyone's resolutions are coming along nicely and not failing miserably like mine usually do. As well as my yearly staples (drink less, eat healthier, exercise more) I've added "Learn Dutch" as it's about time I stopped fannying around with my four words of vocab and pull my finger out. (I now have 5 words of vocab thankyouverymuch).

So, apart from these standard ones the other thing I want to do is to 
MAKE SHIT HAPPEN. 

I'm not really sure what I even mean by this yet, but I was thinking about my friends and how a lot of them have had the balls to take a leap and start their own thing -  I love it and am so impressed by them.

So this is a dedication to some of my friends who do cool things, basically that I'm jealous of. The inspiration is there for me to get off my arse this year and do something myself.



Ribbon and Roses

Marina set up Ribbon and Roses from Singapore after working in fashion for ten years in the UK. She has impeccable taste and it's such a beautiful site that it's pretty hard not to want to buy a LOT of things when you visit. It's absolutely perfect for present buying too. I wore one of R&R's maxi dresses to a wedding a few summers ago and have honestly never had so many comments (all good, I promise).
I recently did a guest blog post for her which you can see here.

My current R&R wish list all available from the website.



Korla

Jane was one of the first people I met when living in Singapore and one of the first friends I made. At the time she was still running her fashion label Pocket Venus but in 2011 started Korla Home with Ted Utoft which makes amazing textiles. My chair pads and my upholstered chairs are all covered in fabric that she designed. Jane epitomises the whole GETTING SHIT DONE ethos, not only has she run two successful companies she also has three kids. I think she's one of those people that actually has more hours in the day than I do, it's the only explanation.

Beatrice von Preussen

B is so creative she makes me feel like a complete square. Give her a bag of knick knacks and she'll knock you up an incredible art work. Her prints and etchings are adorable (we have the toy soldiers in Baby A's room) and so good for baby presents. Her Pots to Put Things in are so cool. 

Luckily she's Baby A's godmother so he get's amazing presents. Look at this! (Joint present from both GM's) I mean come onnnnnn...how awesome is that?

Bootique / Alice Cowen

Alice is a personal trainer and set up Bootique which was, and still is on my mini break wish list. After I had Baby A I imagined a long weekend getting fit in Mallorca at Bootique which just looks like the nicest way to do exercise and be healthy with a bunch of friends in a beautiful place. (Alice actually trained me too. Seriously. ONE time before my wedding. That's my level of dedication). 



The Black White

This is my friend Josh (the singer). He's in an awesome band. He actually trained as a lawyer but you know, he's a rocker at heart and you just can't contain that.

Silver Fig

I worked with Heather as a PA in London, the dream for herwas always to move to South Africa with her husband to start their own silver jewellery line. After I left the company she did soon after and made it so. I just love the mini wishbone and hummingbird necklaces. In fact I wonder if they'd make me a little Wolf.....hmm

Holly and the Wolf

Talking of wolves... Holly also worked as a PA in the same company (actually it was a very nice place, not sure why we all jumped ship) but she wanted to go back to her musician roots so she too took the plunge. Her voice is soothing, she sounds like Joni Mitchell. I love it. Listen to Funny People.

Pennard Orchard

I'm afraid I'm now too spoilt to do proper camping, this is way more my cup of tea. Luxury Tipis for Glastonbury and other festivals. In fact fuck it I think I'd rather live in one of these than my own house. Barty runs it with his wife and having grown up with Glastonbury he's somewhat of an expert.

Anton Heunis

I met Anton when I lived in Madrid back in ... a while ago. He'd started his own jewellery line but then it was a fledgling thing and not the juggernaut it is now. I went with him to Barcelona many moons ago to help him with his stand at a jewellery fair and he has given me some beautiful things over the years - what a very lucky girl. Anton is now soooo successful his gems have been featured in pretty much every single fashion magazine you can think of and worn by some serious celebs. I'm thrilled that he's done so well. His jewellery is EDIBLE.

So there we have it, some inspiration for 2013! 

TTFN