A dramatic kitchen room set

It’s been a while since I shared a room set, and today is the last of the main room sets at this year’s Ideal Home Show. But it’s not the last of the room sets from that show as there were some more, bonus, room sets towards the back of the show. They were smaller but all bathrooms and kitchens so there’ll be some more to ogle at at some point.

Looking through my pictures though I was surprised I’d not already shared this one, as it’s a beauty. And totally my colours. Sadly it’s too dark for our kitchen space, and we don’t actually need a new kitchen having replaced ours only in 2013. But a girl can lust, can’t she?

And when it’s as gorgeous as that, the answer to my question is obviously yes!

Earlier in the year “mixed metallics” was a thing, and maybe still is, but this kitchen is the best example I’ve found of that trend. Copper and brass mix together with ease, and while my natural inclination would be to scrinch my nose up at the thought of those together, they go a lot better than I ever imagined.

The stools though, aren’t they great? And the integrated breakfast bar is done well and I can see this being a really flexible and social space.

In fact, when can I move in?

The metallics also lift the dark coloured units, and I think more of us should have some decorative areas in our functional spaces, because if we don’t like the look of somewhere we’re fickle things aren’t we and avoid spending time there. And in a space like this, that’d be a real shame.

So, what do you think - hit or miss for this dark and earthy with mixed metallics kitchen?

A mermaid's tale, and some great planting

This might not be the post for a chillier day, but never mind, we can just imagine the sunshine can’t we? In fact when I saw this garden at Gardeners’ World Live in Birmingham earlier this year it wasn’t such a nice day either. But that didn’t stop me admiring the planting and pulling my cardy just a little bit tighter after the thought of being on the beach on a cooler day.

There’s nothing wrong with being on a beach on a chilly day, it can be just as nice to have the place more to yourself just as long as you’re dressed correctly. A bit like anything really, having the right clothes - or feeling that you do - makes a lot of things feel better.

It is the planting in this garden that I’m a fan of and the detail which really does give the feeling of being close to the beach. The wooden fence, the grasses swaying in the wind and the cool colour palette.

While the mermaid was billed as the star of the show, I wasn’t that taken by her, and personally I think the space would have worked just as well without her. I’m not much of a mermaid person (you might have already guessed that) but the rest of the space is calming and beautiful.

Even the treasure chest was fine by me, its planting helped continue the theme in what could have been an empty space. And those pebbles, with the chive-like flowers.

I was a fan of the wooden planks used as a path - a great way to add texture, especially surrounded by the pebbles. And saving walking too far on the pebbles too, which is always hard work isn’t it?

But overall what makes this garden work for me is the detailed and coordinated colours of the planting, from the purple sage, the chive-like flowers, the astrantias, grasses and sea holly. It just works, doesn’t it?

For the love of wood

You’ve probably seen the contemporary concave shelving by Jointed & Jointed, but may not have known who it was by. You might not have seen some of their other designs though. They were at Grand Designs earlier this year and their stand was one that just encouraged you (or me at least) to walk around it ‘stroking’ the furniture, while trying not to of course.

I think it’s the grain on this bureau that makes it work and gives it its contemporary feel, and I think I’d definitely feel more organised. Perhaps momentarily, but I’m sure I would!

The shelving unit with its boxed ‘zones’ also appeals to me. For me it’s the irregularity that appeals, for MOH it’s the irregularity that he’s not so keen on. If I thought it was something that would work in our house, then I think this would be worth the work that would be required to pave the way for this one.

What I wasn’t expecting to see was a wooden desk lamp - well you wouldn’t would you? But after seeing it, I kind of wondered why not?

But the item that really captured my attention was this tower of wooden shoe boxes - I think the shoes could do with more work, but that’s by the bye. I spent a fair amount of time admiring this walnut tower of loveliness which was commissioned by Wallpaper* magazine for their Handmade series.

MOH could spot the signs and moved quickly, pointing out that I’d need several of these or have to have severe clear out. He needn’t have bothered though as I’d already spotted the £4k+ price tag, and yet it was still lovely.

There’s nothing else for it, I’ll need a dressing - or more appropriately - a shoe room, that makes perfect sense doesn’t it?