Advent Craft Swap

This year I’ve taken part in the Advent Craft Swap organised by Fionnuala over at Three Sons Later, and when my parcel arrived days ahead of my day to open it, I had to deploy the biggest amount of patience.  I don’t think I’ve ever received such a Christmassy-looking parcel.

But wait I did. And then with much excitement on the 12th dove in to discover an array of goodies from my swap partner, Dorothea:

I’m looking forward to trying the Winter Orange jam, and the key fob is just the thing for the keys to our new bifold doors, yes, I’ve still not sorted those out. And I don’t need to tell you how interested I am in the chocolate that has its own tiny box!

So a great parcel, and a great 12 December, thank you Dorothea.

Sending my swap

Clearly a swap is a two-way thing, but this swap is between all recipients so we didn’t have swap partners as such. My contribution to the process was this twinkly, crocheted snowflake garland, which I couldn’t help but take a snap of before I sent it on its way to Germany.

I’M TEMPTED TO MAKE ONE FOR MYSELF

I was relieved to track my parcel and learn that it got there the day before it was due - phew - and even more pleased when I received the loveliest of messages from Elizabeth, the recipient:

Today stars shimmering like snowflakes fell down from heaven to earth. I did not open my windows, nor my door to let them in but just open my package.

I am tempted to make one for myself, it’s on the list, if I have time!

A taste of Portugal in London

Ah, that post yesterday with the wooden wall tiles got me thinking about Portugal and our holidays there, and while I’m sure I’ve still got plenty of posts to share from our trips, not today. Instead it’s a taste of Portugal in London, and some from the decor - mostly from the loos, but not all from Bar Douro, and our pre-Christmas shopping visit last year.

Starting Christmas shopping with lunch is very civilised and makes actually going into shops much more bearable, although it’s dangerous too as there was a hint of rebellion when the shopping trip nearly didn’t happen, and dangerous too if it encourages a more laissez faire attitude to spending, or choosing gifts!

But anyway, the decor. Totally Portuguese, and totally lovely.

Our spot in the restaurant was under this light and looking out of its front window, which meant we could indulge in a spot of people watching, and quite legitimately so. There’s nothing better is there?

Actually this photo has reminded me that we can’t go back here just yet - as much as I want to - as it will no doubt prompt MOH to start (yet another) dining room light conversation. He’s keen to have a more modern light above our table, and I’m not against it, we just haven’t found the right one yet. We got close, and I was very tempted with a more industrial pipe light (not its technical name, my descriptive name) but i struggled with the idea of not having a light in the centre of the table for most of the time - and as the light was a straight line light (see brackets above) I thought it’d be quite noticeable, if you know what I mean. Well, I hope you followed that anyway…

We could go back and ogle the tiles though and try to avoid all new light conversations.

As well as the ‘to be expected’ Portuguese tiles in the loo, there was plenty of quirkiness. The mirrors and the lights for starters. Despite the look on my face I’m a fan of the almost there paint effect, whereas MOH would be itching to rub that down.

The lights, either side of the mirrors, were fantastically peculiar. I’m not sure how they gave out any light at all, especially in a dark walled loo, which I think could be a first in the Loo Series, and it clearly wasn’t the brightest of loos but it was perfectly acceptable lighting level wise.

The artwork featured the Algarve and Porto, the latter a good reminder of our trip to Porto and the Douro valley a few months before. I’ve not been to the Algarve, but we’ve been to the Alentejo region next door, which is where we fell in love with the country and has a relaxed and naturalistic vibe. I’m getting itchy feet to visit both again, and that’s before we’ve still made it to Lisbon.

Not making it to Lisbon has become a bit of a family in-joke, it’s somewhere that’s been on my list for a while but just hasn’t happened. Though it seems the rest of my family have managed at least one trip there themselves, and at one point my brother and my parents were both there almost at the same time, they said without planning it - but one day I’ll get there, I’m sure.

To console myself with the lack of Lisbon trips, I’ll end on a close up of that mirror frame, because let’s be honest, I’m more likely to get to Lisbon than persuade MOH to have something as rustic as this in our house. And if I did I’m sure I’d have to ban sandpaper!

Big Ideas: An Industrial Bathroom

At this year’s Ideal Home Show there were some extra kitchen and bathroom room sets right at back of the hall, and while you know how much I love a room set or several, I’m surprised that I’ve not shared any of these yet.

As well as this one, there’s another four to come in this series of posts which cover the room sets with “Big Ideas.” The first is this industrial bathroom, which has a classic and almost oriental feel to it, its Big Ideas are:

1. Wood-effect walls: tiles that are waterproof, but have an authentic look

2. Tin bath: it keeps the heat, is symmetrically shaped

3. Walk-in shower: frameless glass and easy to clean

4. His & Hers double basins: wall mounted taps

5. Patterned floor: a classic twist and budget friendly

That tub.

Not many rooms could take a tub like that and do it justice, it’s not one to squeeze into a space is it? For me it’s the simplicity and symmetry of the central tub, set against a relatively plain background and on that modern patterned floor, which isn’t too dissimilar to the pattern on my blog header.

Go on, scroll up and check, I know you want to. I just did too!

But it’s not just the big impact stuff, the wire baskets under the sinks are a favourite of mine too. And wood tiles, remember when I saw those in Portugal earlier this year? I was an admirer then when I realised the tiles in the Totally tropical loos were actual tiles, and not floor tiles on the wall!

The simple lines, and lack of frame, on the shower is also a win for me. I’m not a fan of super enclosed showers, and I know that MOH would be very much up for a shower tray that’s that low off the ground. It was something we wanted when we put our shower in, but our budget didn’t stretch to that.

So Big Ideas that I think work well, what do you think?