Home: Southgate Auction Rooms

I went to the auction last Monday, –I’m looking for a marble top commode [not a Neapolitan inlaid tulipwood commode or anything as grand –honey I don’t have that kind of money] –with a little age to sit beside my bed. I went to my nearest auction house –Southgate Auction Rooms in North London [there’s another fabulous one in Finchley but I just didn’t have the time] and even though I didn’t see what I wanted; –fell in love over-and-over-again with all the other odds-and-ends. I’m a big fan of blue&whites and fell very hard for a group of blue&white lamp bases, some gorgeous multi coloured Murano vases, a collection of battered Anglepoise lamps and a very old Persian rug. If you are over flat-pack and MDF furniture –and can’t be doing with some of the jagger-jagger on the high street –then second-hand, car-boot sales, skips [that’s right -skips], e-bay and auctions are fabulous places to buy good solid furniture on a budget [plus it stops your interiors from having that ‘shiny’ new look –that pedestrian ‘high-street’ furniture create]. http://www.southgateauctionrooms.com/...

Home: Malene Barnett [at home on theselby.com]

[Credit: "Malene Barnett - carpet designer at her home - brooklyn - may 12th 2010" –at: http://www.theselby.com/]

**Malene B’s is a fabulous carpet designer [her designs are coveted globally]. Off St. Lucian and Jamaican heritage, –Malene’s home is beautiful -with an eclectic mix of turquoise walls, African artifacts, Afro-centric art, quality furniture and of cause, –her superlative carpets. You can check out Malene B’s fabulously on-trend carpets [especially her ‘Wolof’ and ‘Adinkra’ designs] at: http://www.maleneb.com/

Home: Crockery -an inspired life

I don't know about you, but I no longer buy anything for my home unless it's 'special'. Yes, it has to be functional and beautiful (a la William Morris); -but it must also be, 'built-to-last' and delight and inspire me. Because gone are the [wasteful] days of old -when you could afford to buy cheap bits and bobs [that last for a few months -and then need replacing etc]. The 'crunch' demands discipline, ethical, sustainable and sensible purchasing, -conspicuous consumption is died folks. Good sold furniture from local auctions, charity shops, antique shops and car boot sales along side a few choice 'new' pieces -is more appealing than a house bursting with 'flat pack' consumables. Caution, good cheap furniture can be addictive. Know your [home's] needs (they are different from your wants), -and if you are patient, -your interiors will speak to you and tell you what it needs, -because a Victorian semi has very different needs to a 70's tower block. It is also important to know your style, the size of the room -because if you don't know the aforementioned, you stand -to waste money and time. Also, a house full of clutter is a house full of clutter but a warm home, lovingly filled with a few choice pieces of furniture; books, art, plants and lovely crockery, is the most successful.

I love my crockery, but this hasn't always been the case. After I left home, I became a bit of an Ikea junkie (and whilst I still love Ikea and still buy their homeware) -I now prefer a mixture of old, new and eclectic -crockery [I can't stand that matchy, matchy look -and feel that a yummy mix of different plates -looks best]. Because, crockery like your clothes -should reflect your personality, -be stylish and inspired. Remember, style is life -and even the humble toast taste better when eaten off a statement plate. I have many different styles of crockery -but I refuse to be precious about them [life is too short blah blah] -and my four year old also uses them and enjoys them.

As I stated before -I favour a more eclectic mix of new (LSA and Linea from the House of Fraser), the classic (Royal Albert's Old Country Roses tea set, Wedgwood pieces and some hand painted delicate pieces etc) and Retro and collectibles pieces (like my 50's Midwinter collection, 60's floral pieces by Meakin, Hornsea tea caddy set and uber pieces like -the 'Sunflower set -above). Enjoy my collections above -and be inspired. If you have pictures, or know of any fantastic place(s) to buy fabulous crockery -let me know [it is a passion of mine] at: paulina_448@hotmail.com.......

Home: The 'Omega' by LSA

For coffee lovers and gals who, believe -there is a cups for every occasion, -feast your eyes on these beauties. These elegant, coffee cups are called, 'Omega' and are by LSA. www.lsa-international.com/