Ching He Huang by Typhoon

I seem to be a bit behind the times with this one, but I have just discovered the wonderful dinning range  made in partnership with celebrity chef Ching He Huang and houseware retailer Typhoon. 

Famous for showing the nation how to cook simple, fresh and healthy chinese food, (without the urge to pick up the take away menu!) the range depicts Chings notion of modern chinese cooking. 

Bold colours are incorporated with a sleek take on a traditional chinese pattern and printed on beautiful porcelain and bamboo kitchen accessories and serving ware - I just love it!

Oil and Vinegar Drizzler Set 

Teapot with Infuser 

Storage Jar 

Available at a range of high street stores and online retailers. 

Wanted for Summer

Fruit Hiball Glasses (lime also available) £3 at John Lewis

 Laguiole Jewel Cutlery £5.50 - £37 also available at John Lewis 

Decorative Glass

These short glass candlesticks were yet another purchase from the thrift shop and since buying them I have been a bit obsessed in the idea of collecting a whole range of other decorative glass. 

Candlesticks can be used as a general home accessory or incorporated to create a fantastic table centrepiece. I personally like the idea of collecting a variety of vintage coloured glass candlesticks in a selection of heights to make a wonderfully dramatic decoration as pictured below.

If using plain glass, try adding colour in your choice of candle to enhance your surroundings.

Glass bottles have always been another alternative for holding candles (I've seen plenty of diy wine bottles used in restaurants!) however the image below shows just how chic this diy idea can look. By using plain, clean glass this wall of light across the table seems elegant and not obstructive. 

Of course I can't ignore the other great transformation of a glass bottle into a quick and inexpensive vase. Here they also have the potential to create an effortlessly stylish decoration as this display shows. 

Another fab idea I found on the internet is the use of test tubes for mini vases. These are particularly cute and have been accessorised in an ingenious way to add colour, texture and enable them to stand. What a great creation using test tubes and balls of thread!

Top high street pick:

Candlesticks by Matthew Williamson in his Butterfly Home collection 

available at Debenams, from £8.50 - £12.50

New in the thrift shop

Heres a little taster of the new stock available in The Buszy Thrift Shop. 

This beautiful set of retro 60's cups, saucers and side plates are an absolute bargain and even better, we have original melamine melaware egg cups in the same teal colour! A match made in heaven and perfect for an Easter Sunday breakfast, yummy! 

To see my other posts on the beauts available in The Buszy Thrift Shop please see here and here! 

Bench cushion covers

Firstly I think I need to say a big sorry for abandoning my blog for a little while. I feel very bad that my last post was over 3 weeks ago, awful! Anyway Im back in the routine now and so will be updating 

regularly :)

Today I wanted to share with you my latest project for the family home, project 'kitchen bench'.

The addition of the L shaped bench was fitted to maximise seating around our kitchen table for socialising and of course eating, without having to use the more formal dining room. 

The bench was made by a local carpenter and then responsibility was passed over to me to paint the pine and create cushions for comfortable seating. We decided upon a cream shade (Dulux Natural Hessian) to match the kitchen cabinets and to compliment the walls (Dulux Cookie Dough).

When it came to choosing the fabric I instantly opted for a stripe. A sleek, structured pattern that would enhance the lines of the tongue and groove. I ended up choosing Right Lines in 'Olive Oil' from TerrysFabrics online. Displaying a fresh mix of colours with a Mediterranean feel the fabric certainly makes the seating 'pop' and everyone is happy with the first complete cushion! 

One down, two to go...

Roddie & Louie Designs

Today on Bouf I discovered the lovely textile designs of Scottish company Roddie & Louie. Set up by  Clare Douglas, her work is inspired by the beautiful Scottish landscape which translates into playful scenes of hills, trees, boats and houses in her luxury 100% lambswool fabrics. 

I love the naive designs teamed with a pop of colour, and frankly there just cute! 

Grey Scottie Dog

 Orange Bird in Woods

Cream Bird Table 

(My personal favourite and perfect for the Spring/Summer trend of pastel hues) 

Image overload

I seem to collect quite a few images from browsing around on the web which all get stored into the imaginatively named folder 'pretty things from the internet' on my laptop.

 So here are some of my favourites displaying lots of clashing colours, patterns and collections!

Hurry up sun!

I am already thinking about summer after this new charity shop find. I seem to be quite good at finding oversized shirts in patterns I adore, perfect to take apart and re-make!

 This fruity Hawaiian light weight fabric already has me dreaming about holidays and cocktails... 

Bookends

I have been back in the family home for 6 months now and I am yet to properly organise a work station for my sewing machine, laptop, scanner/printer and the other copious amounts of art 'stuff' I couldn't possibly throw away. 

Along with the above also comes a growing collection of interior/craft/design books and magazines that are currently sat on my floor next to the two white floating shelves I got last month! (My room needs a paint before any diy can commence) 

Anyway, next week is the week to get organised and for now I'm happy looking at some fun and useful bookends! 

The Bulldog Bookends, Graham & Green, £60

Letter holder and tape dispenser bookend, Ideaco, around £22

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Although bookends depict a structured space, I am also a fan of the natural collection of things. I love the two images below showing a mix match of personal items collected around books and magazines.

I particularly like the idea of incorporating vintage wooden printers blocks!

Quentin Blake Wallpaper

The childhood favourite illustrator Quentin Blake, has our imaginations racing once more with a new fabric and wallpaper range entitled ZAGAZOO by Osbourne and Little. The range features his wonderfully expressive style brought back to life in a mix of animals to abc's to brighten any child's bedroom.