Harlands Organic Furnishings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
a big pinch of salt
1/2 pound potatoes, skin on, cut 1/4 inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 large yellow oinion, thinly sliced - I used shallots instead
5 cups stock - for those in the UK I used an M&S pouch
1 1/2 cups white beans, precooked or canned (drained and rinsed well) - I used cannellini beans
1/2 medium cabbage, cored and sliced into 1/4 inch ribbons
more good quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Method

Warm the olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the salt and potatoes. Cover and cook until they are a bit tender and starting to brown a bit, about 5 minutes – it’s o.k. to uncover to stir a couple times. Stir in the garlic and onion and cook for another minute or two. Add the stock and the beans and bring the pot to a simmer. Stir in the cabbage and cook for a couple more minutes, until the cabbage softens up a bit. Now adjust the seasoning – getting the seasoning right is important or your soup will taste flat and uninteresting. Taste and add more salt if needed, the amount of salt you will need to add will depend on how salty your stock is.

Serve drizzled with a bit of olive oil and a generous dusting of cheese.

I ate mine (as suggested) with buttered sourdough toast. It was delicious and very comforting after a long day at work.

Interiors: Bathroom

2011-10-19T01:47:00.000-07:00

via Brabourne Farm

via desire to inspire

via Flickr

via remodelista

Interiors: Inspiring floors

2011-10-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

Recycled wooden pallets

via Why We Flourish

Tiles

via C.B.I.D Home Decor and Design

Stencilled concrete

via NOTCOT

Eat: Gluten-Free Chocolate Mug Cake (in less than 5 minutes)

2011-10-16T03:51:00.000-07:00

Day six of chocolate week. Today's recipe from ATX Gluton-free is gluton and dairy-free.

Time: Less than 5 minutes

1-2 servings

Ingredients:

1 large microwave safe coffee mug
4 tablespoons gluten-free flour mix
4 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons vanilla almond milk
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional add-ins: pinch ground coffee, dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes

Method:

Grease a coffee mug with oil or cooking spray. Place all ingredients in mug and mix with fork to combine ingredients, but don’t over-mix. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds. The cake might look like it is overflowing from mug, but it will settle. Cooking time depends on microwave strength, but the standard is 1 minute and 30 seconds; with 3 minutes being on the higher end. Final product should be moist.

Note: If using a homemade flour blend, make sure the blend contains baking powder and salt.

Interiors: Kitchen's

2011-10-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

via Hirshfield's Color Club

via my home ideas

via ELLE DECOR

via a note on design

via If on a winter's morning

via emmas designblogg

Eat: Salted caramel brownie bites with salted caramel buttercream

2011-10-15T05:17:00.000-07:00

Day six of chocolate week. Oh yeah got to share these. I'm fairly new to the salt and chocolate combo so my pinterest page has quite a few yummy recipes as I love it.

Today's recipe is from Bake It in a Cake

Makes 36 (phew)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
2 c. granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt
1 c. flour
about 36 of your favorite bite-sized salted caramels

For the buttercream:

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
15-20 caramels
2 T. heavy cream
2 c. powdered sugar
kosher salt

Method:

To make the brownies, melt together the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on high heat for 90 seconds. Remove it from the microwave and stir until all the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Add in the sugar, and stir until it is well combined. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla and salt. Finally, stir in the flour.

Put a teaspoon of brownie batter into paper-lined mini cupcake tins. They should be about half full. Put one caramel in each tin, then cover with another teaspoon of batter so the tins are about 3/4 of the way full.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until the brownies have set. They will give a little when you gently press your finger into the top of them, but they should not be too soft.

Allow to cool, then make the buttercream.

First, melt the caramel with the heavy cream. You can pop it in the microwave for 30 second increments, until the caramel is smooth. Allow it to cool in the fridge for a few minutes.

Whip the butter for about 30 seconds on med-high speed, so it gets fluffy. Add in about one cup of powdered sugar, and mix until it’s all combined. Once the caramel is cool to the touch, turn the mixer on medium speed and then drizzle the caramel into the frosting. If it’s too hot, it’ll melt the buttercream, so be patient.

Beat until fluffy. Then add in the other cup of powdered sugar and the salt, a 1/4 to a 1/2 t. at a time, mixing and then tasting after each addition to make sure you don’t add too much. A little goes a long way with the salt. Once it tastes the way you want it to taste, frost the cupcakes.

Grate a few chocolate shavings over the top.

Interiors: Hallways

2011-10-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

via house to home

via JPM Design

via Flickr

via A cottage in the woods

Eat: Avocado cacao mousse

2011-10-14T04:52:00.000-07:00

Day five of chocolate week: After all the indulgent recipes I've added this week I thought it a good idea to have something a little healthier today but no less delicious. Today's recipe is from the kitchn

Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients:

4 ripe avocados
1/3 cup raw coconut nectar
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
fresh fruit and nuts for garnish

Method:

In the bowl of a blender or food processor, blend avocado until smooth. Add all other ingredients, blending until mixture is uniform. Chill for about 2 hours in the fridge or half an hour in the freezer. Garnish with fresh fruit or chopped nuts.

Note on the recipe:

If you want to try this recipe, but don't have the raw coconut sweetener or cacao powder on hand, agave, honey and unsweetened cocoa powder are fine-tasting substitutes.

Eat: Sea salt chocolate snaps

2011-10-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

Day four of chocolate week. Today's recipe is from Nigel Slater.

Ingredients

100g/3½oz darl chocolate

A good handful of pistachio nuts, shelled, roughly chopped

2 handfuls of flaked almonds

A big pinch of sugar

Flaked sea salt

Crystallised roses, crushed (optional – could use candied peel or just leave it out)

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

Break up the chocolate and melt in a bowl over simmering water. Best left alone without stirring. When the chocolate is half-melted turn the heat off and nudge the solid parts into the melted parts, finishing it off using the residual heat.

Spread the flaked almonds out on a baking tray, and toast in the oven for two minutes. Remove the almonds from the oven, sprinkle over some sugar and return to the oven for a further minute.

When the chocolate is melted spoon little disc shapes onto the lined tray. While the chocolate is still warm, quickly scatter the almonds and pistachios over the discs. Sprinkle a little sea salt and maybe some crushed crystallised roses for colour.

Chill the tray in the fridge for 15-20 minutes, softly pry your snaps away from the paper and serve.

Interiors: Gorgeous grey's

2011-10-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

via Brabourne Farm

via Design Tripper

via Remodelista

via West Elm

Eat: Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting

2011-10-12T03:16:00.000-07:00

Day three of chocolate week. Today's recipe is from Ming makes cupcakes

Cupcakes:

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup buttermilk

3 heaped tbsp cocoa

1 stick butter

1/2 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

Icing:

1 stick butter
5 heaped tbsp cocoa
1 lb icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Method:

In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in room temperature buttermilk. In a saucepan, melt butter and cocoa together at a low temperature. When smooth, add water. In a separate bowl, sift together sugar, flour and salt. Add cocoa mixture and egg, and mix at low speed. Add buttermilk mixture and vanilla, beat until smooth. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until inserted knife comes out clean.

In a saucepan, melt butter at low temperature. In separate bowl, mix together cocoa and sugar. Add melted butter, vanilla and milk, beat at low speed until mixed. Frost cupcakes generously.

Eat: Homemade nutella spread

2011-10-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

Day two of chocolate week. I came across this great recipe on the family kitchen

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup whole hazelnut

1 1/2 cups whole milk

3/4 cup powdered milk

1 tbsp. mild-flavored honey

pinch salt

1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips

1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

Method:

On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the nuts in a 400ºF for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins begin to pop. Transfer to a tea towel, gather into a bundle and rub together to remove as much of their skins as possible. While warm, transfer to the bowl of a food processor and blend until they go from finely ground to pasty and thick, like natural peanut butter.

Meanwhile, warm the milk, powdered milk, honey and salt in a small saucepan just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. In a glass or stainless steel bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), melt the chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Add the melted chocolate to the ground nuts and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well blended and as smooth as you can get it. Makes about 2 cups.

Eat: Caramel brownies

2011-10-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

Hurrah. It's chocolate week. I love chocolate and thought I share some of my favourite chocolate recipes over the next few days.

This recipe is from Annie's eats

Makes 24 plus brownies

Ingredients:

For the brownies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
12 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1½ cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp. salt
1½ cups pecan, coarsely chopped (optional)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the caramel filling:

14 oz. caramel candies, unwrapped
1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and grease the foil well with butter or cooking spray. Combine the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth. (Alternatively, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.) Remove the bowl from the heat. Whisk in the sugar, eggs and vanilla until incorporated. Stir in the flour and salt just until combined. Spread about half of the brownie batter in the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, maintaining the oven temperature, and let cool for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, add the chopped pecans (if using) to a medium skillet over medium heat. Toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and light golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside. To make the caramel filling, combine the caramel candies and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Stir in half of the pecans. Immediately spread the caramel mixture over the bottom brownie layer. Pour the remaining brownie batter over the caramel layer, taking care to pour and spread it evenly otherwise it will be difficult to spread evenly over the caramel layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the remaining pecans on top of the final brownie layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving. (To speed cooling, chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.)

Lift the brownies from the pan using the edges of the foil. Remove the foil and cut the brownies into individual squares. Store in an airtight container.

Interiors: The home office

2011-10-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

via Cote Maison.fr

via solid frog

via Mocca and Me

via stephmodo

via Good Girl Gone Glad

via Arianna Belle

via Martha Stewart

Eat: French potato salad with warm chickpea and artichoke salad

2011-10-02T04:32:00.000-07:00

It's October but the sun is still shining so here are a couple of salads we're eating this weekend. The potato salad is from Martha Stewart and the warm chickpea and artichoke salad is from the taste space

French potato salad

Prep time: 30 mins

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds small new potatoes, halved (quartered if large)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 small shallot, minced (2 tablespoons)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 small red onion, sliced

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a large pot; cover with cold water by 1 inch and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, approx 15 minutes. Run under cold water to cool slightly , then drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together oil, mustard, vinegar, shallot, parsley, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Add potatoes and onion and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Cook's Note

If you don't have sherry vinegar, try cider or champagne vinegar instead. Use your favourite fresh herbs in this potato salad to make it your own.

Warm chickpea and artichoke salad

Serves 2-3 as a main dish

Ingredients

5 Tbsp (75 ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided (or less)
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp (10 ml) dried basil, or use 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 ml) fresh, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh parsley, chopped (omitted)
2 cloves garlic, pureed with fine sea salt
1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) fine sea salt, or more, to taste
2 cups (480 ml) cooked chickpeas, well drained (or a 19-oz can of chickpeas, rinsed well before using)
5 artichoke hearts (I used a 14-oz can), drained and sliced lengthwise with 3/4 cm slices
1/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds

Directions

1. In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp (45 ml) of the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, oregano, parsley (if using), garlic and sea salt. Set aside.

2. In a large frypan, toast almonds until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.

3. In the same large frypan, heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil. Add the chickpeas and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until they are all golden brown (this takes about 10 minutes). Add to the bowl.

4. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil in the pan and add the artichoke hearts, cut side down. Cook until they are browned, flipping over only once or twice to avoid breaking them up, about 3-5 minutes each side. Add them to the bowl as well.

5. Toss the salad gently until the chickpeas and artichoke hearts are well coated with the dressing. To serve, spoon the salad onto serving plates and sprinkle with some of the chopped almonds (add any leftover almonds to the bowl and toss again). Serve warm.

Interiors: Sitting room

2011-09-24T05:36:00.000-07:00

via coco & kelley

via Knights Moves

via La Maison Boheme

via Simplified Bee

via the marion house book

via Designed for Life

via ELLE DECOR

Eat: Iced Honey Mascarpone and Almond Cake with Fig Salad

2011-09-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

With figs being in season I thought it worth sharing this gorgeous cake recipe from Gourmet Recipes

You’ll need to start this recipe at least a day ahead.

Ingredients

12 figs, quartered
125 gm raspberries (optional)
1 tbsp amaretto
To serve: honey

Almond dacquoise
200 gm unblanched almonds
6 egg whites
110 gm (½ cup) caster sugar
60 gm icing sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
50 gm plain flour

Honey mascarpone

3 egg yolks
110 gm honey, or 50 gm honey and 60 gm brown sugar
750 gm mascarpone, or 400 gm mascarpone and 500 ml whipped cream
60 ml (¼ cup) amaretto

1. For dacquoise, preheat oven to 150C. Process almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Whisk eggwhites in an electric mixer until soft peaks form, add caster sugar and whisk until thick and glossy. Fold in icing sugar, then almonds and flour and spoon into a piping bag. Trace three 18cm circles onto baking paper-lined oven trays. Pipe dacquoise within template into circles, bake for 15 minutes or until just golden, cool on trays for 5 minutes, then turn onto baking paper sprinkled with icing sugar and cool completely.

2. For mascarpone, combine egg yolks and honey in a heat-proof bowl and whisk over simmering water for 7-8 minutes or until pale and thick. Transfer to an electric mixer and whisk until cold. In a bowl, gently mix amaretto and mascarpone, then fold in egg yolk mixture.

3. To assemble, place a dacquoise circle, trimming edges to fit, into a baking paper-lined 20cm springform pan, spread with one third of mascarpone all the way to the edges and down the sides, then top with another circle. Repeat with remaining mascarpone and dacquoise, finishing with a layer of mascarpone and freeze overnight.

4. Fifteen minutes before serving, remove cake from freezer and place in refrigerator. Combine figs and raspberries in a bowl, drizzle with amaretto and stand for 10 minutes. To serve, remove cake from pan, arrange fig salad on top and drizzle with honey.

Eat: Beetroot pesto

2011-09-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Supper tonight was this recipe found on Design Sponge. I roasted the beetroot for the sweeter flavour.

Serves 4

1 pound beets, cooked and peeled
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 ounces almonds
2 ounces grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
sea salt
1/4 cup plus a tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Note: If you prefer a sweeter taste, scrub and trim the tops from the beets and roast them in a foil-covered pan at 400ºF/200ºC until fork tender, about 1 hour.

Instructions

1. Roughly chop the beets and run them in a food processor or blender with the garlic, almonds, grated parmesan and sea salt.

2. With the blender running, gradually add the olive oil. Keep and serve refrigerated.

3. Use beetroot pesto exactly as you would use traditional pesto: over roasted vegetables, with pasta, in risotto, or even better, serve with home-baked rye bread.

Eat: Veggie Tacos

2011-09-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Todays lunch came from Simply Recipes. We used feta and medium hot chillies to taste. They also have a recipe for homemade corn tortillas if you have the time.

Packaged corn tortillas vary in quality. Look for a thick tortilla, it will hold up better in the cooking. Otherwise, if your tortillas are more fragile, you may need to double them up - 2 per taco.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Olive oil
1 cup of roughly chopped zucchini or summer squash (1-2 zucchini or squash, depending on the size)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 large fresh mild green chile (Anaheim or Hatch), seeds and stem discarded, chopped
1/2 fresh jalapeño chile pepper, seeds and stem discarded, minced (or more, if you like more heat)
Salt
Pinch of ground cumin
Pinch of ground oregano
1 small to medium tomato, chopped
4 corn tortillas
4 slices cheddar cheese
1/4 cup crumbled Mexican cotija cheese (a salty, crumbly cheese, you can substitute feta)
A few sprigs of fresh coriander, chopped (okay to include the stems, if small)

Method

1 Heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. Add the zucchini, onions, garlic, green chiles, and jalapeño to the pan. Sprinkle with salt and cumin. Stir to coat the vegetables with the oil in the pan. Spread the veggies out in the pan and then stir only occasionally, until they are all lightly browned. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and oregano, lower the heat to low. Let gently cook for several minutes while you are preparing the tortillas.

2 You are going to want to heat up the tortillas first, first to soften them, and then to melt the cheese. There are two basic ways of doing this. One way is on the stove top, preferably in a cast iron pan. Another way is to use the microwave. In both methods you will work in batches.

3 Open the tacos and spoon some of the cooked veggie filling into them. Sprinkle on chopped cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese. Serve immediately.

Interiors: A place for everything

2011-09-17T05:17:00.000-07:00

via apartment therapy

via my home ideas

via Made By Girl

via Flickr

via This is Glamorous

Interiors: Window seats

2011-09-14T04:27:00.000-07:00

via apartment therapy

via Things I'd Tell You

via apartment therapy

via Traditional Home

via Ambers Interiors

via Elle Decor

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Eat: Alkaline Green Smoothie

2011-09-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

For lunch today my housemate made this recipe from The Alkaline Sisters. She couldn't find any kale so used cavelo nero instead.

Makes approx 12 - 16oz

6″ piece of cucumber

3 medium Kale leaves, torn
5 stems fresh mint
3 stems fresh parsley
1″ piece fresh ginger
1 avocado
1 cup coconut water
fresh juice of one lime
1-2 tsp udo’s oil
1-2 tbsp hemp seeds
2-3 drops stevia or a tsp of agave

Method

Place all ingredients into high speed blender and mix until smooth, adding a little filtered water if needed for consistency.

Optionally, add 1/2 cup frozen berries – blueberries, raspberries or strawberries as they are low sugar fruit.

Follow the link and you will find other suggestions for the smoothie.

Eat: Delia's Trofie pasta liguria

2011-09-10T05:26:00.000-07:00

Today's recipe is from Delia Smith for Waitrose. I did make one change to the recipe as I like my green beans very crunchy so I steamed the beans seperately and added when the pasta was cooked.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

175g dried Trofie pasta
75g green beens
75g Charlotte potatoes
Freshly grated Pecorina Romano, to serve

For the pesto

80g fresh basil, stalks removed
1 large garlic clove
1 tablespoon pine nuts
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
25g freshly grated Pecorino Romano
Salt

Method

In a large saucepan, heat 2.25 litres of salted water and bring to the boil. Add the pasta, stir once and boil briskly for 10 mins.

Meanwhile, make the pesto. Put the basil, garlic, pine nuts and olive oil together with some salt into a food processor and blend until you have a smooth puree. The transfer to a bowl and stir in the grated Pecorino Romano.

Next, trim the beans and cut into three. Leaving the skins on , slice potatoes about 3-4mm thick. Once pasta has been cooking for about 10 minutes throw in the beans and potatoes. Now give the ingredients a stir and bring back to the boil, then cook for 8 mins.

Drain the pasta, potatoes and beans in a colander, leaving a little water still clinging to them. Tip everything back into the saucepan, add the pesto sauce and stir. Sprinkle Pecorino to taste.

A good accompaniment would be salad leaves with a extra virgin olive oil and some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

If you want to make the pesto a day ahead, put in a small container and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to seal off the air.

Seasonal vegetable list: Sept

2011-09-10T02:48:00.000-07:00

Artichoke - aubergine - beetroot - broccoli - butternut squash - pumpkin - carrots - courgettes - fennel - marrow - brussel sprouts - cabbage - cauliflower - pak choi - potatoes - peppers - onions - marrow - runner beans - sweetcorn - kohlrabi - rocket - radishes - mangetout - watercress - cucumber - lettuce - broad beans - french beans - parsnips - peas - spinach - swiss chard - swede - turnips - celery - shallots - spring onions - horseradish - garlic - tomatoes - mushrooms - chives - oregano - thyme - sorrel - parsley - rosemary - sage - mint - tarragon - coriander - basil - walnuts - cob nuts

Apples - apricots - oranges - lemons - damsons - dates - figs - blackberries - raspberries - blueberries - redcurrants - bilberries - peaches - pears - nectarines - grapefruit - plums - grapes - melons

Anyway: Urban living is tough.

2011-09-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

via photobucket

Eat: Zucchini Spaghetti with Creamy Lemon-Chive Dressing

2011-09-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

This recipe from Martha Stewart has become a regular supper because I added wholewheat spaghetti to make it a complete meal. You have to make it in two recipes, first you make the dressing and then combine with the courgette, then add to the wholewheat pasta and mix through. Its delicious and tastes just as good cold for lunch the following day.

Creamy lemon-chive dressing

Makes 1 1/4 Cups

Ingredients

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Fine sea salt
1 cup light cream
1/3 cup freshly minced chives

Directions

In a small jar, combine lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and shake until salt is dissolved. Add cream and chives; shake to blend. Season with salt. Store, covered and refrigerated, up to 1 week. Shake to blend before using.

Courgette Spaghetti
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound small courgette, rinsed, dried, and trimmed at both ends
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup creamy lemon-chive dressing
Fleur de sel

Directions

Using the julienne blade of a mandoline, slice zucchini into long, thin strips. Transfer courgette to a colander set over a mixing bowl. Toss zucchini with salt. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature.
Gently squeeze courgette to extract excess water. Transfer to a bowl and toss with just enough dressing to evenly coat the courgette. Season with fleur de sel and serve.

Furniture: Crystal Chiavari chair

2011-09-04T03:10:00.000-07:00

This chair was seen in a recent post about the beautiful New York apartment owned by Harriet Maxwell and Andrew Corrie. I have since discovered that it has eco credientials and is available in the UK from Ebay.

via Remodelista

100% recycleable and each part is replaceable. You can get it here on Ebay but to avoid flame retardents buy without the loose foam seat pad.

Energy saving: Lexon Tykho Safe Dynamo Radio

2011-09-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Super eco friendly the radio/MP3 amplifier is powered by crank and made with biodegradable materials. Bamboo front and Shell in biodegradable plastic obtained from corn starch.

Available from John Lewis

Interiors: Beautiful bedrooms

2011-09-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

via Flickr

via green bicycle

via the nest

via apartment therapy

via Martha Stewart

Wear: Lilian Asterfield's upcycled ties

2011-08-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

I recently mentioned a tutorial for upcycling ties but if you haven't the time or inclination then visit Lilian Asterfield's Etsy shop where you will find upcycled ties turned into lovely accessories.

Anyway: A couple of my sci-fi heroines

2011-08-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

via sci-fi heaven

via The Palindrome Effect

Plus a few more including Sydney, Sarah and Ellen and Starbuck, Zoe and Delenn. Who are yours?

Interiors: On the wall

2011-08-26T05:53:00.000-07:00

via Anne McElwain and Young House Love

via marthastewart.com

via desire to inspire

via elements of style

via NAPCP

via The Mcgees

via Super Rural

via the creative mama

via desire to inspire

Eat: Broad bean bruschetta with mozzarella and basil

2011-08-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

So far most of the recipes I am choosing are simple to prepare and rely on good quality fresh ingredients with not much cooking. I like this type of food as I enjoy eating raw or lightly cooked vegetables. Today's supper recipe came from Waitrose online. It was fresh, tasty and perfect for a light supper.

Preparation time: 35mins

Makes: 14

Ingredients

500g fresh broad beans, podded
1 tbsp Waitrose Lemon Infused Olive Oil
½ x 20g pack fresh mint, chopped
½ x 25g pack fresh basil, chopped
1 Petite Parisienne
1 clove garlic
125g pack Organic Buffalo Mozzarella, drained and roughly torn
Extra basil leaves and olive oil, to serve

Method

Cook the broad beans in lightly salted boiling water for 2-3 minutesm until just tender. Drain well, refresh in cold water and drain again. Slip each bean out of its grey skin and into a large bowl - you should end up with about 300g of bright emerald greens beans.

Lightly crush the beans with a fork, or place in a food processor and pulse lightly, taking care not to over process them as you want to retain some texture. Stir in the lemon-infused oil and herbs.

Cut the bread into 14 x 2.5cm thick slices on the diagonal. Toast the bread on both sides, preferably in a griddle pan to create griddle marks, or on the barbecue.

Rub the toast with the garlic clove. Scoop some of the broad bean mixture on top of each piece of toast. Top with the torn mozzarella, garnish with a basil leaf and drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired. Serve with a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper.

Cook's tips

Double podding the beans leaves the really sweet, tender part of the bean. Click here for a guide to double podding. You could substitute the fresh broad beans for frozen – just cook for 3-4 minutes. The broad bean mixture can be prepared in advance. Keep in the fridge and assemble just before serving.

Interiors: Making an entrance

2011-08-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

If you like the wallpaper seen here by Madison and Grow then visit our website for more info.

via Pinterest

via jpm design

For more inspiration and idea's see here.

Eat: Avocado and grilled sweetcorn salad with coriander vinaigrette.

2011-08-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today I made this salad from Authentic Suburban Gourmet

5 ears sweetcorn, husk removed, brush with olive oil and grilled, remove corn with sharp knife
2 avocado’s, diced and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning
2 cups Tomatoes, red and yellow cherry variety or equivalent
1 small red onion, finely diced
¾ cup feta, crumbled
1 ½ cup cucumber, skin on and chopped small dice

Add to a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

Coriander vinaigrette

6 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp fresh coriander, minced
½ tsp salt
10 grinds of freshly ground pepper

Add all of the above ingredients in a small glass jar with a lid. Shake really well. Taste and adjust seasoning as you desire.

When ready to serve salad, add the dressing and gently toss.

Eat: Whole wheat spaghetti with sauteed chickpeas and spinach

2011-08-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have come across so many yummy recipes via Pinterest that I am now working my way through them. My aim is to have a bunch of new recipes that are in general quick and easy to cook. And hopefully along the way I may improve my somewhat hit and miss cooking skills.

Today I cooked this recipe from Aggie's Kitchen.

whole wheat spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, sliced thin
1 tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2-3 bunches of fresh spinach
pinch of red pepper flakes
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
additional olive oil, to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving.

Cook pasta according to directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large saute pan. Add garlic and onions to pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until slightly soft, season with salt and pepper. Add chickpeas to onions and saute for another 5 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Add fresh spinach to pan, add cooked pasta and pasta water over spinach and gently toss. Turn off heat.

Before serving add an additional drizzle of olive oil over pasta. Season to taste with salt and red pepper flakes. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Eat: Shaved fennel salad

2011-08-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

This recipe from 101 Cookbooks is food heaven. I have a bit of a food crush on this one. Its so good that I made it three days in a row.

Serves 4 to 6

1 medium-large zucchini, sliced into paper thin coins
2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed and shaved paper-thin
2/3 cup / .5oz/ 15g loosely chopped fresh dill
1/3 cup / 80ml fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
1/3 cup / 80ml extra virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
fine grain sea salt
4 or 5 generous handfuls arugula
Honey, if needed
1/2 cup / 2 oz/ 60g pine nuts, toasted, or almonds will do too.
1/3 cup / 2 oz / 60g / feta cheese, crumbled

Combine the zucchini, fennel and dill in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside and marinate for 20 minutes, or up to an hour.

When you are ready to serve the salad, put the arugula in a large bowl. Scoop all of the zucchini and fennel onto the arugula, and pour most of the lemon juice dressing on top of that. Toss gently but thoroughly. Taste and adjust with more of the dressing, olive oil, lemon juice, or salt if needed. If the lemons were particularly tart, you may need to counter the pucker-factor by adding a tiny drizzle of honey into the salad at this point. Let your taste buds guide you.

Serve topped with pine nuts and feta.

Eat: Chickpea salad with parmesan and parsley

2011-08-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Another recipe I found via Pinterest from Butter and Cream has become a regular dish at home as its so quick and simple to make, and really tasty.

1 tin chickpeas , rinsed, and drained

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or any other herbs you may have laying around)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Coarse salt

Combine rinsed and drained chickpeas, chopped fresh basil, chopped Italian parsley, fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and pressed garlic clove in medium bowl. Add grated Parmesan cheese and toss gently to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Season chickpea salad to taste with coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Eat: Courgette fritters and tzatziki

2011-08-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Pinterest I came across this delicious recipe from alexandra's kitchen which I made this weekend. As I haven't done anything like this before I took much longer to make them than hoped so supper was served late so if like me its your first time give yourself a bit of time to prepare.

One tip, as a hit and miss cook I got this wrong the first time, although I did squeeze a couple of times I should have followed my gut instinct and given the vegetables a further squeeze as they needed it so make sure you follow through with squeezing out all the liquid. My first batch tasted lovely but didn't hold together so well. The homemade tzatziki was so good we used it again for dips the following day.

Serves 2, Makes 6

2 cups coarsely grated courgette
1/2 cup coarsely grated potato
salt
pinch of flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon chopped chives (or whatever herb you like)
1 tablespoon chopped mint (or whatever herb you like)
zest of one lemon
1/4 cup diced white onion
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Tzatziki:
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 T. finely diced red onion
1 T. chopped mint
salt
squeeze of lemon juice

1. Place the grated zucchini and potato in a colander. Spread the veggies out to allow for maximum surface area exposure and sprinkle all over with kosher salt. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to drain.

2. Meanwhile, make the tzatziki, if desired: Stir together yogurt, onion, mint, salt and lemon juice. Taste. Add more salt if necessary. Chill until ready to use.

3. After the 30 minutes, squeeze veggies out and wrap in paper towels. Squeeze again. [Note: The veggies will not drain out enough liquid on their own in the collander, so squeezing them with a paper towel is a critical step to mopping up that moisture.] Open up the paper towel and spread out your veggies. Sprinkle with a pinch of flour to soak up leftover moisture.

4. In a bowl, whisk together egg, herbs and lemon zest. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add onion and grated zucchini-potato mixture. Stir well.

5. Preheat over to 200˚F. Place a foil-lined cookie sheet in the oven. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter. When foam subsides, drop a spoonful of your fritter batter in. Gently pat with a spatula to flatten out the fritters, which will help make them crispy.

6. Cook about 3 fritters at a time until golden brown on each side. Place fritters in the oven while you make additional pancakes. Serve as soon as possible with tzatziki on the side.

Another day of cleaning up..

2011-08-10T05:07:00.000-07:00

The people of Wolverhampton unite to clean up Queen's Sq.

And Manchester.

Keep up the good work.

Keep calm and clean up

2011-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

London residents come out to support the post riot clean and reclaim their streets.

Want to help clean up info here

Whats on in London: Chiswick Community School carboot sale

2011-07-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

Today started off wonderfully sunny so instead of sleeping in I got up early and went to the monthly carboot sale just down the road in Chiswick.

Although I arrived before 9am it was already busy and I had to park some distance away but was glad I did as I got to walk down the lovely tree lined Stavely Road and pass two garage sales both collecting for charity. I bought a lovely Chinese paper cutting from one. Further along a local 9 year old had set a stall outside his house selling fresh pancakes with nutella or homemade plum jam which made a delicious breakfast. I then cut through Chiswick House gardens.

Chiswick Community School carboot sale is on the first Sunday of each month and has an excellent range of stuff to buy. Definitely worth a visit. See a few of my favourites below.

So what did I come home with? Several handpainted textile samples which will eventually be framed and hung on our wall.

Colour: Today I'm loving..

2011-07-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

The reason I love these boards is because this is what we're aiming for in our own home.

Our sitting room is heading this way.

Reblogged from Brandi Girl

These are the colours that we have in our kitchen mostly because I love grey and have an old Chinese wedding cabinet which I brought back with me after living in Hong Kong.

Reblogged from design seeds

How did we achieve it in our home.

From left to right:

Vanessa Arbuthnott - Meadow Collection, Flora and Fauna in Charcoal and Clay/Charcoal. Organic cotton/linen union mix fabrics.

Farrow and Ball - Pigeon grey on the wall and Lamp room grey on the skirting. Ecos paints also have pigeon gray and can have an excellent colour matching service. We have the pigeon on kitchen cupboards and the lamp room on the skirting and woodwork.

Chinese wedding cabinet bought in Hong Kong years ago. Ours is a darker red then this one shown.

Eat: Broccoli, chickpea, and cherry tomato salad

2011-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

My housemate and I ate this fresh and crunchy recipe from Martha Stewart today and thought it worth sharing. We used tenderstem broccoli rather than florets.

Preparation 20 mins - Serves 6

Ingredients

1 pound broccoli, separated into florets (4 cups)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Directions

1. In a large saucepan with a steamer insert, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until crisp-tender, 2 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together mustard, red-wine vinegar, olive oil, and onion; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, and broccoli. Toss to coat with dressing. Let cool 5 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Interiors: Some lovely grey walls from around the web

2011-06-29T02:47:00.000-07:00

Reblogged from pinterest.com

Reblogged from bloesom living

Reblogged from onehour.tumblr.com

Reblogged from DigsDigs

Energy saving: IBamboo Speakers

2011-06-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

I really want one of these! iBamboo is a 100% eco-friendly speaker made from bamboo. The natural resonance of the bamboo amplifies the sound produced by the iPhone’s built-in speaker. The sound waves move in two directions at once, intensifying the stereo effect created by the iPhone speaker.

For more info

Wear: Upcycled tie necklace

2011-06-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Such a great idea! Visit Tip Junkie for tutorial on how to make your own.

Colour: Today I'm loving..

2011-06-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

Colour mood boards on a Creative Mint

Flowers with purple and yellow

Blues, lemon, lime and guava

Lemon yellow and grey

Pink, green and yellow with grey

Health: Aloe Vera

2011-06-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

A friend has recently talked about using Aloe Vera on a dailing basis and what she's told me about how she's been feeling since taking it, having more energy and great skin (just for starters) has so impressed me that I ask her to write something to put on the blog. She has recently set up her own company selling the products. Read her story here.

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera flourishes in warm, dry climates, and many people mistake it for a cactus, but, in fact it is a member of the lily family. It stays moist when other plants would wilt and die by closing its pores to prevent the loss of moisture. There are over 200 varieties of aloe, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (aloe vera) plant which has been of most use to mankind due to its beneficial properties.

Ancient records show that the benefits of aloe vera have been known for millennia. Its therapeutic qualities have been used for more than 5000 years. Greek and Roman physicians used it to great effect as a medicinal herb. Ghandi, in a letter to his biographer said "You ask me what were the secret forces which sustained me during my long fasts. Well, it was my unshakable faith in God, my simple and frugal lifestyle, and the aloe, whose benefits I discovered upon my arrival in South Africa at the end of the 19th Century". On those challenging 40 day fasts it was Aloe that sustained him.

Nowadays, although medicines and drugs can be very effective in treating ailments, long-term use often involves side effects for patients. Consequently, more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at more traditional, natural therapies which have been long neglected. As a result, aloe vera is once again attracting attention since it can provide many benefits to our health and lifestyle. Hardly a week goes by without the benefits of aloe vera being highlighted in the 'health' pages of major national newspapers.

Aloe is truly a ‘super food’, and has been for over 4,000 years—modern science is just catching up. Aloe’s triangular, fleshy leaves contain a wealth of biologically active substances.

Top reasons to drink Aloe Vera Gel: A health drink with multiple amino acids, vitamins and minerals, a natural balancer for the gut flora, aids in digestion, feeds the skin allowing it to look its best, the plant sterols are able to soothe muscles and maintain healthy and flexible joints and lastly balances the immune system.

Just pour some into a glass and you’ll see the rich cocktail of pulp and liquid, that shows that this is an authentic product brought to you just as nature intended. Aloe Vera Gel contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals, including the rare vitamin B12 - one of only two vegetable sources available. This makes Aloe Vera Gel a vital supplement for vegetarians and vegans. Folic acid, recommended by the Department of Health for all women planning a pregnancy, is also found naturally in the gel. Together it provides seven essential amino acids which are directly linked to cell growth, and which cannot be manufactured within the body from other sources.

In fact, there are so many nutrients in this drink that it is difficult to catalogue all the benefits that have been reported. One thing is certain - Aloe Vera Gel has had a profoundly positive influence on the health and lifestyle of many. This is in part due to the adaptogenic nature of the gel - different bodies draw different benefits, according to their need for nutritional supplementation. Even those who have no particular ailment at present, report that it promotes a good healthy lifestyle and an increased sense of wellbeing. Taken daily, it is one of the best nutritional supplements available, and Forever Living Products is proud to lead the way in bringing these benefits to people around the world.

At A Glance

All the benefits of Aloe Vera Gel and Pomesteen Power

Great-tasting drink in one convenient pouch

The ‘ultimate antioxidant cocktail’

For more information visit Michelle's site

Contributed by Michelle Richards

Good stuff

2011-06-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

I love wandering through blogs and came across these two cool sites today.

evelinanna

And From Me To You

Eat: Fabulous cupcakes

2011-06-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

Came across MING MAKES CUPCAKES which has the most delicious cupcake recipes. Simple to follow, I can't wait to get baking!

Fair: The Eco Bazaar - 25th June 2011

2011-06-15T04:36:00.000-07:00

Eco-Bazaar is organizing an earth-friendly, one day pop-up market with the aim is to introduce eco-conscious consumers to like minded traders and service providers.

The next event is on Saturday 25th June 2011 from 10 am to 6 pm

Location: ABNEY HALL, 73a Church Street, Stoke Newington, London N16

Eat: Chocolate-Glazed Tart

2011-06-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

Chocolate-Glazed Chocolate Tart

Serves 8 - 10

For crust:

9(5- by 21/4-inch) chocolate biscuits (not chocolate-covered), finely ground (1 cup)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

For filling:

1 1/4 cups double cream
9oz bittersweet chocolate (not more than 65% cacao if marked), chopped
2 large free range eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

For glaze:

2 tablespoons double cream
1 3/4oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon warm water

Equipment:

A 9-inch round fluted tart pan (1 inch deep) with removable bottom.

Make crust:

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
Stir together all ingredients and press evenly onto bottom and 3/4 inch up side of tart pan. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack 15 to 20 minutes.

Make filling:

Bring cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in another bowl, then stir into melted chocolate.
Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set about 3 inches from edge but center is still wobbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Center will continue to set as tart cools.) Cool completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour.

Make glaze:

Bring cream to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn syrup, then warm water.
Pour glaze onto tart, then tilt and rotate tart so glaze coats top evenly. Let stand until glaze is set, about 1 hour.

Cooks’ note: Tart is best the day it is made but can be made, without glaze, 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before glazing.

Recipe and images via Gourmet.com

Recipe by Paul Grimes

Photograph by Martyn Thompson

Tank Man: Not forgotten

2011-06-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

On the 5th June 1989 this man stood bravely in front of tanks in a show of non violent protest.

Weekend makeover: G Plan dining chairs

2011-06-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

My much loved G Plan dining chairs got a long overdue makeover this weekend with some fabric I had lying around the house. The fabric is Hugh St Clair, Oval Large in Gold Nugget and is perfect for the chairs... as I'm sure you'll agree.

Ethical weddings and just because they're such lovely images..

2011-05-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

These lovely images caught my eye. The gorgeous dress is from Once Wed via a few things from my life. Once Wed has some great idea for DIY weddings also visit Ethical Weddings and Ruffled.

And I think these bespoke pictures made from newspapers printed on the wedding day or from wedding invitations by sarah & bendrix would make the perfect wedding gift.

And I loved the DIY ideas from the wedding of stylist Marie Nichols of blog a whole lot of lovely

Eat: Homemade elderflower cordial

2011-05-29T02:02:00.000-07:00

Put this recipe in your diary for May-early June and get foraging.

You need:

25-30 elderflower heads to 3 litres of water
900 grams sugar
75 grams citric acid
3 lemons / 2 oranges

How to make:

Harvest elderflower heads; Pick from high to avoid animal soiling. Rinse well. Heat water and when warm add sugar, stirring continuously until dissolved. Bring to boiling point. While water is heating; zest oranges and lemons in large strips and cut up lemons and oranges in large slices. Put oranges, lemons and elderflower heads into a large container and pour on boiled water and sugar then add citric acid. Stir well, cover and leave for 24 hrs. After 24 hours strain thoroughly and and add to sterilised bottles.

Tip: Used old screw top wine bottles sterilised/washed in dishwasher.

And I'm told fantastic in a gin and tonic or glass of sparkling wine but wonderful in cupcakes!

Elderflower cupcakes

You need:

110 grams unsalted butter
110 grams castor sugar
50 grams ground almonds
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
4 tbsp elderflower cordial
2 eggs
25 grams self-raising flower
For the icing:
150 grams mascarpone
50 ml double cream
3 tbsp elderflower cordial
90 grams icing sugar
Toasted flaked almonds to sprinkle

How to make:

Beat butter and sugar together till pale and light. Add vanilla, ground almonds and 1 tbsp of cordial, mix then add eggs. Sieve flour and fold in. Spoon the mixture into cupcake cases and bake for 20 mins at 180C/160C fan/Gas 4 until pale golden. Pierce each cupcake a few times with a fine point and drizzle over the cordial cold from the fridge onto the hot cakes. Cool in tin.

For mascarpone icing:

Whisk mascarpone, double cream and icing sugar until thick and creaming, becareful not to over beat. When cool ice cupcakes and decorate with flaked almonds.

Animal Welfare: How many pigs do you think are reared in barren factory systems?

2011-05-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

Because so many people around me make good ethical choices about the meat they buy it is easy for me to overlook how much work is still needed to change the attitudes people have to ensuring the meat they buy comes from farms who believe the animals in their care should have a good quality of life before ending up on our table. I was shocked and disheartened to learn from Compassion in World Farming today that 90% (yes, 90%) of pig meat still comes from barren farming systems. Read The Reality of Factory Farmed Pigs.

Thank goodness for organisations like Compassion in World Farming who are working to change that percentage... are you?

Want to know more?

Image via Compassion in World Farming

Home: Organic bed linen at Pottery Barn

2011-05-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

I like floral linen in the bedroom so I am delighted to have come across the gorgeous organic bed linen at Pottery Barn. Their organic cotton range is colourful, feminine and earth friendly.

Interiors: Les Indiennes in a lovely place

2011-05-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

Came a cross a mention on Love House Design via Remodelista which featured a gorgeous New York loft owned by Harriet Maxwell and Andrew Corrie. Beautifully put together and I love that they used Les Indiennes fabrics on an internal window.

Something I like from this months magazines Jan 2011

2010-12-15T04:58:00.000-08:00

Living etc featured eco interior designer Oliver Heath's house. I like the wood cladding walls and bed made from wood sourced from tree's in Kew Gardens that had been blown down in the 1987 storm.

Modern Family

2010-12-15T03:56:00.000-08:00

Recently stumbled across the TV series Modern Family. Wonderfully funny it had me laughing out loud, even when very poorly with a stomach virus.

All I want for xmas is .. Season One on DVD!

Available here. Happy viewing.

The Christmas Eco Fair

2010-11-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

Ethical gift ideas for the whole family.

Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR

Located on the junction between Exhibition Road and Kensington Gore, main entrance is on Exhibition Road.

For more info visit The Christmas Eco Fair

Eat: Cavolo Nero recipe

2010-11-21T05:32:00.000-08:00

I bought some cavolo nero this week because it looked so dark green and tasty. I cooked this old favourite recipe from The River Cafe Cook Book so thought I'd share it just in case you don't have a copy. Its soooo delicious!

Make: The Work Shop

2010-11-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

Sally Bourne Interiors has a shop in Crouch End, London that has become a creative hub. On offer is a choice of workshops run by local crafts people, the aim is to inspire creactivity within the local community.

Soap making work shop. Great xmas presents.

The Christmas wreath workshop.

And the natural cleaning work shop which will help you make greener, healthier alternatives to cleaning your home. Learn how to clean silver, wash windows, disinfect surfaces and make all your own house cleaning products for a fraction of the cost. Each participant take's home a multi-purpose cleaning spray with their own personalised blend of essential oils.

There are lots of other work shops including, upholstery, quilt making, revamping furniture, curtain and blind making, and more so take a look.

Wear: Izzy Lane - Autumn Winter Collection 2010/11

2010-11-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

A sample from the new collection of coats, jackets, skirts and knitwear from Izzy Lane

The Shetland bussle skirts are the sweetest.

Eat: Cold November days and good food

2010-11-08T03:49:00.000-08:00

I love my new cook book by Sophie Dahl. Simple, delicious recipes for every season.

One of my favourite recipes from the winter lunch chapter.

I've had this book for years and love it. Nigel Slater has the best recipe for vegetarian gravy. Add it to Cauldron Lincolnshire vegetarian sausages, potato and swede mash, and green veg - delicious! Start the gravy first then you will have a meal in half an hour. Great for a quick supper after work and if its been a long day perfect comfort food.

Vegetables in season this month - November

artichoke - beetroot - squashes - celeriac - celery - chicory - chillies - jerusalem artichoke - kale -kohlrabi - leeks - parsnips - potatoes - pumpkin - shallots - swede - turnips - watercress - broccoli - brussels sprouts - carrots - garlic - onions - radishes - rocket - runner beans - salsify - spinach -spring onions - fennel - lettuce - marrow - sorrel - sweetcorn - tomatoes

And fruit

apples - cranberries - elderberries - pears - quince - blackberries - damsons - plums - quince - sloes

Some things I like from this months magazines (Dec 2010)

2010-11-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Living etc had the Hudson chair and Emeco stool by Phillipe Starck which are made from 80% recycled aluminium and can be used inside and out. Just lovely! They can be found at Made In Design

House and Garden featured these wonderful paper decorations from RE

And I love these pendant lights made from recycled bottles which were used by interior designer Sally Storey and came from Antiques By Design.

And more beautiful grey walls in Homes and Gardens.

Read: Casual Living no-fuss style for a comfortable home

2010-11-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

Definitely one for the xmas list. Judith Wilson's latest book has great advice for a comfortable, relaxed home.

A quick peek inside. I love the grey's!

Get your copy

Beyond the book if grey is your thing then visit a perfect grey

Home: Not a Lamp

2010-10-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

It must be the dark evenings..

Another light that addresses sustainable design - playfully.

For more information visit David Graas

Interiors: Monday morning musing..

2010-10-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

As an early riser, waking in the dark is something I find hard in the winter months although I do find it cosy listening to radio 4 while snuggled up until the alarm goes off. Anyway, during the gloomy weather we had recently I found my thoughts drifting towards summer, longer days and holidays..

I have seen this cottage before in a couple of magazines and always liked the simple, comfortable look of the place. I love the calm grey/blue walls and warm wood in the dining room.

Callekille is a cottage which was refurbished by stylist Rosie Brown who is the founder of Papa Stour, the online retailer of Contemporary Scottish craft and design. It is a charming croft , located 8 miles north of Applecross in the North West Highlands of Scotland. It is in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, with fabulous uninterrupted views over to Skye, Raasay and Rona. You may journey to the croft over the highest continually rising road in Britain - a winding single track road reminiscent of an Alpine ascent.

The croft has been decorated to a high standard, with 2 bedrooms, a double and a twin, a well equipped kitchen and a snug living room with wood burning stove. It is a 2 hour drive from Inverness airport which has car hire.

For rates and availability please contact Wilderness Cottages

Recycled lights

2010-10-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favourites.

Designed by Willem Heeffer, these up-cycled pendant lights are made from salvaged soup cans from Dublin’s many restaurants and cafes. For more information visit Fuse Finds

Sarah Turner specialises in making decorative lighting from waste plastic drinks bottles. The bottles are collected from local cafes and households.

Cola 30 - Thirty 500ml plastic Coca Cola bottles have been reused to make this gorgeous and innovative decorative lampshade. The inner base is made from recycled card.

Daisy - is made from 12 two litre plastic drinks bottles. For more information visit Sarah Turner

Madeleine Boulesteix's chandeliers are handmade from old kitchen utensils. For more information visit Madeleine Boulesteix

The Optical chandelier is created from over 4500 prescription spectacle lenses.

The Tide chandelier is made from a collection of clear and translucent plastic debris washed up on a specific stretch of Kent coastline. For more information visit Stuart Haygarth

The Lotus Pendant light is made from six pack beer rings and a soft drink can. For more information visit Releve Design

Country Living wool feature

2010-10-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

It was lovely to see one of our headboards featured in The Wonder of Wool shoot in Country Living's November issue.

Bright and beautiful

2010-10-13T03:28:00.000-07:00

A low energy bulb that looks so good you wont need a shade . The PLUMEN 001 works like any other CFL bulb - saving 80% on your energy bills and lasts 8 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb plus at the end of their life they can be recycled instead of going into landfill.

For more information visit Plumen

Bright.Bazaar

2010-10-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

...because beige is so boring!

Having a wander I came across Bright.Bazaar a blog of uplifting colourful interiors.

Loved this ... and the blog!

Green and Spring

2010-10-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

Green and Spring products are made from 100% natural herbal extracts including lavender, chamomile, rosemary, rosehip, red clover, elderflower, thyme, geranium, marshmallow, comfrey, dandelion, peppermint, fennel and rose, all ethically sourced from the UK.

Relaxing range: Inspired by aromatic kitchen herbs, blending the soothing fragrance of lavender with the nurturing and restorative properties of comfrey and rosemary.

Indulging range: Inspired by English country gardens, blending the delicate scent of rose and the sensual fragrance of jasmine with the comforting and restful properties of elderflower and red clover.

Revitalising range: Inspired by green, grassy fields, blending the invigorating fragrance of peppermint with the nourishing and stimulating properties of dandelion and fennel.

All Green and Spring products are free from parabens, SLS, SLES, PEGS, glycols, petrochemicals, synthetic colours and fragrances and not tested on animals.

Gift sets and candles are available and would make lovely presents as they look and smell so good.

The handcreams are wonderful. I have Indulging beside the kitchen sink and Relaxing on the bedside table.

For more information visit Green and Spring

Domino: The Book of Decorating

2010-10-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

I came across this gem of a book recently and have to recommend it.

2010-08-08T03:41:00.000-07:00

ACT NOW! Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani could be put to death at any moment.

August 5: Sakineh’s lawyer arrested; fate of Sakineh to be handed down next week – hanging likely; President Lula’s offer of amnesty flatly refused by Iranian leadership.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43 year old mother of two, was convicted in May 2006 of having an “illicit relationship” with two men and received 99 lashes as her sentence. Despite already having been punished, she has now been further convicted of “adultery” and she and sentenced to death by stoning.

She is currently being held on death row in Tabriz Prison, north-west Iran, and faces imminent execution. Around July 7th , following international protests, officials in Tabriz asked the head of Iran’s judiciary to agree that her sentence of stoning to death be converted to execution by hanging.

On 10 July, the head of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights said that her case would be reviewed, although he affirmed that Iranian law permits execution by stoning.

On 14 July Sajjad Qaderzadeh, Sakineh's son, was summoned to Tabriz’s Central Prison, and is believed to have been questioned by Ministry of Intelligence officials who possibly threatened him not to give further interviews about his mother’s case.

It is clear Sakineh remains in grave risk… PLEASE

sign this petition which calls on the Iranian authorities to clarify her current legal status, demands that the authorities enact legislation that bans stoning as a legal punishment, and eliminates other forms of the death penalty for “adultery” such as fogging or imprisonment.

From freesakineh.org

Save The Tropical Zoo

2010-07-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

I have recently learnt that The Tropical Zoo in Brentford, West London is having to relocate and they need to raise £310,000 to do so. I would like to encourage everyone to help them raise the money by donating then asking their friends to help too. Donations can be made at: Justgiving.com

A letter written by Alice Purdy who runs the zoo:
The Tropical Zoo (established 1990) is not only a centre for education / conservation but also a sanctuary for many unwanted and abused animals. Our aim is to pass on our passion for nature through interactive educational encounters, which inspire children to become more passionate and aware of the natural world. All of our animals are rescued, we house many animals from CITES at Heathrow Airport and the RSPCA. Housing unwanted pets allows us to provide the unique interaction with stress free animals. But our animals are much more than tools used for education, they are little souls that would not be here if it was not for our centre.
Over 70,000 local people visit us each year, at least 40,000 of whom are school children. Our conservation message is spread even further as we take our Roadshow’s directly to the classroom. We estimate that in the last 20 years our conservation message has reached over 800,000 school children.
Many children with special needs and severe disabilities find the interaction with animals therapeutic and enriching. There are no other opportunities for this kind of interaction in the local area.
Our current lease has been terminated due to the development of a Hilton hotel within Syon Park. Around 10,000 local families and many of our 500 regular schools have signed a petition to retain us within the local area.
The Hounslow Council have worked hard to ensure our facility remains within their borders. They have set aside 2 acres of land and given us a 125 year lease. We have major support throughout Hounslow Council and we are now at the Planning Stage.
The problem we have is that despite all our hard work and support from many friends, schools and local families we are still quite a way off reaching the £350,000 deposit in the timeframe we have. Can you help us in anyway! If you are inspired to make a donation please see our new page on www.justgiving.com/tropical-zoo ……or if you know of anyone who would like to invest….. or senior executives in local businesses or organizations who may like to donate, or any philanthropists……..or any advice or information would be gratefully appreciated.
Our website is: www.tropicalzoo.org
Don't hesitate donate today!

One of the four baby lemurs born this year at The Tropical Zoo. Ring-tailed Lemurs are endangered due to forest clearance and destruction of their natural habitat.

Earth friendly cleaning company

2010-06-06T10:04:00.001-07:00

After years of convincing the cleaners I employ at home to ditch the chemicals and use our earth-friendly products my housemate and I decided to invite a green cleaning company to do our weekly clean confident that we wouldn't have to continue the ongoing discussions about chucking half empty (degradable) bin bags and occasionally coming home to a nasty chemical smell.

I met Kate Belcheva founder of Ultimately Eco when she cleaned our Christmas pop-up shop and was impressed with how well she cleaned up a very filthy empty shop with a mixed range of eco cloths and no hoover so we called her company.

Kate always start working with a new client by joining her staff to do a thorough spring clean and that gave me the opportunity to ask her about why she started her company and gets some useful cleaning tips. I was particularly impressed with a sponge that removes dark marks on walls and paint work, and how great our stainless steel cooker looked after Kate had finished cleaning it with a cream usually used for babies bottoms.

1. What made you set up a green cleaning company?

Kate: I felt that I needed to contribute to the world somehow and because the environment is one of the most important issue's at the current time. Cleaning was something that I could do well and while living in Germany I came across green living idea's and the micro-fibre approach but my main inspiration for setting up the company came from reading a supplement in The Guardian called The Chemical World.

2. Are you green in your own home?

Kate: Yes, we have a numatic Henry hoover, we recycle, we compost, grow our own lettuce and we use our own cleaning services.

3. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about changing to greener living?

Kate: Join 10:10 which can give you all the advice and recommendations to reduce your CO2 ommissions by the end of 2010.

4. Share three green tips for the home.

Kate:1. Be an intelligent consumer which means whatever is good for the environment is good for you. Seek alternatives to products containing artificial/man-made chemicals.

2. Be mindful and aware of your living habits as this will help you to see where you could do something.

3. Detox your life, body and your home.

Six weeks on we're delighted with the service and highly recommend her company.

See ultimatelyeco.com

How to clean your bathtub with grapefruit and salt

2010-05-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

As a convert to using homemade cleaning products I'm always interested in any new idea's that I come across. I came across this recipe on re-nest

How to clean your bathtub with grapefruit and salt

What you need

1 grapefruit - 1/4 cup salt

Instructions
1. One medium grapefruit will clean the whole bath or shower. Simply cut in half and get started.

2. Sprinkle halved grapefruit liberally with salt. Wet your bath and sprinkle the remaining salt around the bottom.

3. Using your grapefruit like a sponge scrub around your bath or shower, making sure to slightly "juice" the citrus over fixtures and regularly picking up more salt from the bottom of the bath.

4. Rinse.
Also works well on sinks, tiles, toilets and cast iron bathtubs.

Info and photos by Sarah Rae Trover at re-nest

Tom Raffield design led eco lighting

2010-01-17T16:19:00.001-08:00

Another new addition is a gorgeous lighting range designed by Tom Raffield who is committed to creating beautiful, innovative, ecologically sound products for the home.

Constructed from locally sourced FSC Certified Ash. The beautifully sculptural form is created with 80 metres of steam bent strips of Ash, woven, coiled and twisted around one another. On or off, this is a unique and stunning lampshade.

Madison and Grow

2010-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

We are excited to be adding a new range of eco wallpaper by US based Madison and Grow. The designs are hand-drawn before being scanned in for pre-press production. Each roll is hand silk-screened using water-based ink. The papers are clay coated for extra durability and can be wiped clean with a damp sponge.

2009-06-15T16:57:00.000-07:00

Coming soon: We were excited to receive some lovely samples of the high quality organic cotton/linen Ticking from Ian Mankin.

The organic cotton is grown in Syria and the linen is from Holland. No toxic chemicals are used in the processing and manufacturing of the cotton or linen and the fibre comes from farms where no synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers have been used for at least three years. The dyes are specially selected to maintain the organic status and available in 12 colour options. Rather wonderfully the fabrics are woven at their mill in Lancashire which is one of a few cotton mills that has Soil Association Certification.

The fabrics are suitable for curtains, blinds and upholstery.

A great addition to the growing range of organic furnishing fabrics being produced in the UK.

2009-01-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

In November 2008 we teamed up with eco interior designer Helen Mudie from One Eco Home and Carole Oates at O Ecotextiles to make some unlined roman blinds for the Hyde Housing Project eco show home in east London.

Blinds in the Emily Todhunter Collection by O Ecotextiles, Ultimate Floppy Linen in Bark.

Our Eco Shop

2008-11-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Plain chemical-free upholstered headboard in Hardy Organic Hemp, Fennel from the Emily Todhunter Collection by O Ecotextiles as seen at 'Our Eco Shop' xmas 2008. Gorgeous hemp bed linen from the Jilly Cholmondeley range.

Click image to enlarge

Animal Welfare: Izzy Lane - Ethical fashion reared in Britain

2008-10-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

Izzy Lane beautiful wool clothing from ethically managed, happy sheep.

After learning through her work with farmers who supply her organic food company Farmaround, that many who kept sheep were burning their wool as they could not compete with the price of wool imported predominantly from Australia and New Zealand which accounts for 85% of the wool used in manufacturing in the UK and 25% of wool worldwide. Izzy Lane began producing gorgeous clothing in a way that she hopes will demonstrate an economic model whereby sheep can exist, be valued and have a place in our world without becoming meat. The company pay's fair trade prices to save them and they live out happy lives in the Sheep Sanctuary.

Izzy's flock of Wensleydale and Shetland sheep comprise mainly of animals that would have been sent to slaughter for being male, missing a pregnancy, being a little lame, being too small, being too old or having imperfections on the fleece.

Further reading: Should I give jumper's the cold shoulder?

Animal Welfare: Stop the Chinese fur trade

2008-09-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Every year, millions of cats, dogs, rabbits, minks, foxes, and hamsters are tortured and killed for their fur.

This summer, with the world's eyes focused on China during the Olympics, PETA is exposing the horrors that take place on Chinese fur farms. This is a historic opportunity to speak out against the global fur trade and influence consumers worldwide. But to seize this moment, they urgently need your help.

PETA Germany recently conducted an undercover investigation into the Chinese dog and cat fur trade to show you what the industry is so desperate to hide. Even these veteran investigators were horrified at what they found: Millions of dogs and cats in China are bludgeoned, hanged, strangled with wire nooses and bled to death so that their fur can be turned into trim and trinkets. This fur is often deliberately mislabelled as fur from other species and is exported to destinations around the world, including the UK and the rest of Europe, to be sold to unsuspecting customers. The bottom line is that because dog and cat fur is so often mislabelled, if you’re buying fur, there’s no way to tell whose skin you’re wearing.

PETA Germany went into an animal market in southern China and found visibly exhausted dogs and cats who were languishing in tiny cages. Some had been on the road for days, transported in flimsy wire-mesh cages with no food or water. Twenty cats were crowded into a single cage. The investigators saw the results of the cross-country transport in such deplorable conditions – dead cats on top of the cages, dying cats and dogs inside the cages and animals with open wounds. Some animals were lethargic or frightened, and others were fighting with each other, driven insane from confinement and exposure to the elements.

Up to 800 animals are loaded onto each lorry in cages that are stacked one on top of the other. Cages containing live animals are commonly tossed from the tops of the lorries onto the ground 10 feet below, shattering the legs of the animals inside them. Many of the animals the investigators saw were still wearing collars, a sign that they were beloved companions who were stolen to be made into fur coats.

'After watching an undercover video showing racoon dogs being routinely skinned alive, and another of a terrified Alsation dog (with sound) as they cut the fur from its body with a knife) as a normal way of harvesting fur I was so horrified by what I learnt is a regular practice used in the production process of fur textiles it prompted me to look into how other animals throughout the textile/materials chain were treated, and so Harlands ethical policy came into being - I realised that as a consumer I can make the difference and I knew that if I wanted ethically sourced textiles myself so would other people.'

I strongly encourage you to support PETA in this campaign and help save countless animals suffering a most horrific fate.' - Lisa Harland
See peta.org.uk/feat/dogcatfuruk.asp

Please help.

Pli Design: Eco pioneers

2008-09-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

Pioneers in sustainable design Alex Whitney and Christopher Pett are committed to creating furniture with stellar eco credentials ensuring that all considerations from cradle to cradle have been addressed.To make classic-looking yet eco-friendly furniture, Pli Design has selected a caramel-coloured bamboo veneer with a wheat straw-board core. The natural materials in this cabinet are all from grasses, not wood.

Zero formaldehyde and no-VOC glues, binders and finish throughout. Natural, durable wax coating and glueless assembly so all the parts are designed for easy and safe recycling (for metal parts) and energy recovery through incineration or mulching (for natural fibres).

Animal Welfare: Geese and Ducks Suffer for Down

2008-09-09T01:27:00.000-07:00

Down is the soft layer of feathers closest to birds’ skin, primarily in the chest region. These feathers are highly valued because they do not have quills. Most products labeled “down” contain a combination of these underfeathers and other feathers or fillers. While most down and feathers are removed from birds during slaughter, geese from breeding flocks and those raised for meat and foie gras may be live-plucked. In countries where this cruel practice continues, up to 5 ounces of feathers and down are pulled from each bird every six weeks from the time that they are 10 weeks old until they are up to 4 years old.

Plucking geese causes them considerable pain and distress. One study of chickens’ heart rates and behaviors determined that “feather removal is likely to be painful to the bird(s),” and another study found that the blood glucose level of some geese nearly doubled (a symptom of severe stress) during plucking.

Typically, ducks and geese are lifted by their necks, their legs tied, and their breast feathers are ripped out. The struggling birds often sustain injuries during plucking. They are then returned to their cage until they are ready to be plucked again. This process begins when the animals are 8 weeks old and is repeated at 6-8 week intervals until the birds are slaughtered.

Feathers are often plucked out of ducks and geese raised for food. Those raised for foie gras, especially, suffer terribly. They are force-fed—a funnel is inserted into each bird’s throat, and up to 6 pounds of a salty, fatty corn mash is pumped into the stomach each day—until the bird's liver has ballooned to four times the normal size.

Eider ducks are a protected species, but their feathers are sought out for bedding and clothing. The females lay eggs and surround them with feathers plucked from their own breasts. Farmers in Iceland gather more than 6,500 pounds of Eider duck feathers each year. By taking these feathers, farmers are removing important insulation that the eggs need to hatch. It takes feathers from at least 80 nests to fill just one comforter.

- source PETA

For further information follow link: DOWN

We use ethically sourced, organic wool balls instead of feathers as we do not want to contribute in any way to the abuse of animals. The argument that most feathers are a by product of the meat industry does not satify us due to large scale intensive farming of birds for the meat industry where the welfare standards for these birds cannot be guaranteed.

Feather fillers are also treated with chemical flame retardants and will off-gas toxic gases which are known to cause symptoms such as nausea, coughing, allergic reactions and fatigue, and according to the World Health Organisation, can cause cancer in humans and animals.

Image by www.freeimages.co.uk

2008-08-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

This month has seen a gorgeous new addition to our wallpaper collection.

Dominic Crinson's wallpaper contains no substances harmful to your health or the environment. They are made from durable materials made from a blend of textiles and cellulose that comes from FSC certified sustainable forests, is printed with non-toxic, water based inks and is breathable.

Succo 4, repeat 55.89cm.

Deeply Fleured 14, repeat 26.83cm.

Sia Gold, repeat 93cm.

Roll width 46.5cm, 100% textile fibres and cellulose, washable, non-toxic, suitable for wet areas.

2008-07-31T00:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes

Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail,
sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people will step back from war;
elect an honest man; decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.

Sheenagh Pugh

2008-06-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sarah Baulch of Revampt and I attended the Triodos Bank Ethical Awards on Thursday evening. It was uplifting and inspiring to see how much positive change is being achieved by small ethical businesses.
To read about who was nominated and who won see WEBA Awards activatemoney.com

2008-06-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

Flowers by Sarah Roberts on an upholstered headboard.

2008-06-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

We're excited to be adding to our collection a range of beautiful interior products by British designer-maker Selina Rose who uses cutting edge technology to create intricately cut and printed interior felt surfaces and products.

Bloom rugHer innovative surfaces have a broad range of interior applications including rugs, sliding curtain panels, wall decals, wallpaper, room dividers, table runners, lighting and upholstery.

Botanica rug

Bloom table runner

All products are made from ethically sourced, 100% wool felt and coloured using environmentally friendly dyes in Selina’s distinctive colour palette of urban greys, neon pinks and limes. Selina makes all of her products in the UK and the felt is renewable and biodegradable.

Watercut felt panels

2008-06-08T02:50:00.000-07:00

ReVampt has added a patchwork range to its collection of lovely home products including the cushion and wallhanging shown here. Made from recycling pre-consumer textile waste destined for landfill these items are a contemporary twist on a traditional classic. See revampt to view these goods and more.

ReVampt also offers clients the chance to do their own textile recycling by using precious saved fabrics and clothing. When made into beautiful unique products for decorating the home these pieces will become memory heirloom's to pass on.

2008-06-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Textile designer Emma Henderson is committed to sustainable design. Her fabrics are printed on organic cotton and hemp fabrics and will soon be available in a selection of colours.

Tromp l'oeil is a popular theme in Emma's work with hidden bugs playfully hidden within folds on her cushions and the lovely inspired by nature 'Insect Soup' design shown here.

Suitable for upholstery, curtains and blinds.