Christmas gifts for the home

I've been craaaaaazy busy the past week. The pre-christmas rush is in full swing, along with trying to meet up with friends for a festive drink or two, and writing a thesis, It seems like i haven't stood still! I haven't had time to  do do so many things i need to do, write a blog post being one of them, finishing my Christmas shopping being another. Hopefully this afternoon i'm going to tackle the crowds of central London and finish my shopping at last, so that is at least one thing ticked off my ever growing to do list. Oh, and this blog post is another!

So with all the craziness at the moment, i haven't really been able to get organised on the Christmas present front. In fact i've been terrible. Normally i do a fair bit of shopping on line well in advance. As then i can get things shipped from all over the place, thus giving myself a much bigger choice of unique gifts to give. Sadly this year i've left it way too late, so the great British high street will have to suffice.

That doesn't stop me dreaming though.

If i had got a grip a bit earlier. I'd have definitely got this lovely selection below.

Oh well, there's always next year!

 A gorgeous wine bottle carrier by Graf and Lantz

This funny art print by Jamie Mitchell at Society 6

This cute cake stand from Lisa Stickley

 What a gorgeous cable knit flower vase from Nordic Bliss

 A quirky vintage circus tray by Little Studio

Elegant candle holders from The White Company

 This beautiful dinner set at Zara Home

I SO wish i'd given myself a bit of time to get this stuff. It would be perfect for various friends and family.

The problem is i love it so much, i'd probably end up wanting to keep it for myself!

Which one would you have on your Christmas list?

Saskia x

Dreaming of Grey and Yellow

So, in due course, I'm moving house. 

In fact, I'm moving in with my lovely boyfriend, which is pretty exciting really.

And with moving house,and co-habiting, comes the challenge of creating a space that suits us both and not just me. 

My flat now is pretty girly. Which is understandable, considering it houses three ladies. But at the request of my boyfriend, in our new home-to-be i need to tone it down a bit.

The current colour scheme i've got going is fuschia and coral, with a bit of chartreuse/lime thrown in for good measure. I have pure white bed linen and walls, with colourful cushions, throws and lamps. I love it. It satisfies my need for bright, cheerful colours without being overpowering

So last week, after a heated discussion with said boyfriend, and him begrudgingly looking through some design magazines i thrust in his direction, we finally agreed on a new colour scheme of grey and yellow. The coral and pink has been demoted to the living room.

I said i'd put together some form of mood board/inspiration for him in a vain attempt to get him just a little bit excited about interior decor and then i thought i'd put it on my blog too, because in truth, i'm really quite pleased with it!

I found some really beautiful inspiration for our colour scheme, all from pinterest of course. Now the challenge will be deciding how to interpret it to suit us and our style.

I can't wait!

 I LOVE this head board.

What do you reckon? I think the colour scheme is a great crossover in masculine/girly style, and with stylish touches like headboards and lamps, i think it'll look beautiful!

All images from pinterest

Perfect Christmas Presents

It's only December 4th, and i'm thinking about it already. And i know i'm not the only one.

Christmas presents, you cant avoid them.

Every year around this time, comes the mild panic, escalating throughout the month about what the hell i'm going to give my nearest and dearest. 

I'm the kind of person that spends hours thinking about what to buy people. I'm so terrified of getting it wrong! A good Christmas present needs to be planned, well thought out. Something that shows that you were really thinking of them, not just doing a last minute dash around town (Which i normally end up doing anyway, just in case i've forgotten someone!). 

There are SO many people i know that are almost impossible to buy for.

Even with months of thinking, browsing, and then browsing some more, some people will just never be easy.

Take my dad for example, i reckon i've bought him a jumper every single year for about the last five years.

He says he loves them. But really, i know i could do better.

And my boyfriend. I thought of the most ingenious idea last year, I got him a spa voucher, for two people, which meant i got to go too!

I can't believe i got away with that one, he loved it! Problem is i've used that one up now, i can't really do it again this year. So now i'm back at square one, completely stuck.

But, oh yes there is a but. I think i may have found a solution.

Books! And oh no, not just any old books, these beauties!

Prometheus Bound Books do absolutely gorgeous bound books. From classics to cookbooks, notebooks and diaries, I've already picked out something for everyone. They do all sorts of personalisation too. Literally, the choice is endless.

I've picked out a selection of my favourites below. I LOVE the fashion book set in black lizard leather, with  ‘50 Dresses that changed the world’, ‘50 Shoes that changed the world’, and ‘50 Bags that changed the world’. The ultimate coffee table collection!

Which one would you go for?

1. Sherlock Holmes

2. Fashion Book Set

3. Journal

4. The Great Gatsby

All photographs from the Prometheus Bound Books Website.

Go check it out!

A room with a view

Today has been such a grey and miserable day here in London. It was pretty much dark by about 15:45, the wind has been howling and everyone has been wrapped up warm. It seems the moment i step outside, i cant wait to get back indoors again.

It would be so lovely to be able to sit somewhere cosy and look out on the world, without actually having to go outside and face the elements. Unfortunately where i've been sitting looks out onto my neighbours washing line and a school playground. 

Oh the joys of compact London living.

At some point in my life i'd love to build my own house, well not literally build it myself, more like design it and then get someone else to build it for me. You know what i mean. I would like to think that this house i will one day build, will have a beautiful view of some sort, and i'd design the space to make the most of it. I can imagine myself sat down in a cosy corner with a cup of coffee, looking out at whatever the view holds.

Now that would be idyllic.

I was browsing pinterest for inspiration, and found some of these completely enchanting views. I particularly like the though of a bath with a view. Now that would be luxurious!

All images are from pinterest

What caught my eye today.

Today, i happened to come across some rather remarkable furniture.

I have rather a particular taste in furniture. Normally it's pretty simple and understated.

I'm not really a bling and glitz kind of girl.

But when i saw these beauties by Birgit Israel, all my preconceived ideals flew out the window.

I love the inlaid mirror and brass detailing in the cabinet, the 3d effect of the drawers and the beautiful brass legs on the writing table. 

For me, they are the perfect mix between modern design, and old-fashioned craftsmanship. They are contemporary, but with more than just a hint of old time glamour from the 1930's and 40's.

Each item of furniture is hand made in Germany, and they can all be customised to make them even more perfect. 

But i don't think i'd change a thing.

 All images from the Birgit Israel website.


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Dreaming of somewhere else

I think November is possibly on of the most dreary months there is. 

Granted this year has been better than last, it's been weirdly warm here in London.

Despite this though, it doesn't stop me thinking of sunnier climes. I'd love to jet off and soak up the sun somewhere beautiful just before Christmas, then come back and feel rejuvenated enough to deal with the Christmas shopping crowds!

South Africa has a particularly special place in my heart. I spent 5 months there in 2008 and completely fell in love with it. 

Cape Town is one of the most diverse and exciting places i've ever been. It's an amalgamation of so many different cultures, sights and sounds. The city sprawls out below the majestic table mountain, all the way to the sea. The setting is magical, the people are lovely, the wine is amazing, and the shopping is pretty good too.

I'd love to be there right now, do a couple of days in town and then drive out to the cape winelands to relax, and it seems i've found the perfect place to do that.

Babylonstoren.

Judge for yourself, but from these photos, to me it looks pretty much like heaven.

If time and money prevailed, i'd be there right now!

All images from Babylonstoren's website

Light up my life.

There's so many gorgeous interiors accessories in the shops at the moment, particularly before Christmas, everything seems so pretty! I've been looking for a new lamp recently, and have been completely overwhelmed by the choice. Where do i start!?!

In line with my post on monochrome interiors, i seemed to be attracted to this monochrome palette of pendants and lamps. They are all so chic, i don't know which one i like best! 

I always think lamps look so lovely in a room, they give off a more flattering light than down lighters, and always make a room feel more cosy.

Which would you choose?

1. Graham and Green

2. Graham and Green

3. Oka

4. Oka

5. Oka