Wallpaper of the Week - Frosty Morning 2010

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?collectionid=13

2010, Happy New Year !

It was difficult not to reflect back this New Years Eve to the Millennium and the amazing time that I had with my then newly acquired boyfriend, now Husband of 6 years in the sunny heat of Thailand. The climate was a bit different 10 years on, although spending NYE on the 'English Riviera' (always makes me chuckle, aka Torquay) was slightly warmer than the cold frosty weather that greeted me for the first school run of 2010.

As I drove my defrosted car, laden with small people bundled in coats, mittens, Father Christmas hats (he's become rather attached to it and it was easier to just go with it !) through the dark with the head lights glistening on the frosty roads and trees, I was reminded of the inverse print of one of the Cole and Son prints that I am continually looking to squeeze into designs.

No doubt you'll have seen this paper around in its original black-on-white colourway. Researching this morning, I didn't realise just how many variations they actually run, anything from reds and gold to various shades of beige. I'm sticking to the basics with my recommendation and this charcoally grey with frosted trees as it focuses on the pattern without overpowering with colour. Very adaptable and suitable for use as a neat little feature wall wherever takes your fancy from living room to downstairs loo and anywhere in between....

...wrap up warm and drive carefully..

Wallpaper of the Week - Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?collectionid=116

I know its a while since I've done a wallpaper of the week so I thought it was time to update you on a new range that I have fallen in love with !

I made the mistake of discovering that there is now a direct train from MK to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour - its one of my favourite places, I just get all dizzy and excited with the sheer volume of scrumptious fabrics, delicious wallpapers and don't even get me started on the trims ! If you haven't been I'd definately recommend it as its open to the public Monday to Friday - its just where do you start ?

I started with my favourite wallpaper showroom - Cole and Son - I needed to place the order for the flamingo's ! I was on the hunt for a paper to go behind an upholstered headboard to make a feature wall in a master bedroom - in my mind this had always been a dark paper, taupe, chocolate, coffee ...for no particular reason it just had been. I was so focused on the pink birds that it wasn't until I was walking out of the showroom on a mission to visit Romo fabrics and match some linen's that the Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace literally made me stop in my tracks !

I have searched and searched for an image of this paper that does it justice and I'm afraid that the ones I have shown just don't show it off to its lushest ! (On the advert above its the second dress in) As soon as I have it in situ I'll post a photo in the meantime the link above will probably be your best bet.

Its called 'Cut Out Lace' and is available in 3 colourways, Charcoal Black, Off White Linen (shown above) and Ecru and Taupe. The design was apparently first used in her Spring-Summer '07 I Am Expensiv collection, developed from a fragment of antique lace. Despite searching for a darker paper I was instantly drawn to the Off White Linen that had a full wall of the showroom dedicated to it.

The colours and shades representing the lace, give the paper a depth and texture that is almost 3D. From some lights the overall feeling is that this is quite a light coloured paper with a few darker accents but from other angles you almost feel yourself getting sucked in ! It was love at first sight. I did the usual, spend the rest of the day trying to find an alternative but there was nothing for it ...decision made !

...sorry I know its just a wallpaper, I'll shut up and go and do some measuring up or something !

WEEK 13 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?CollectionID=11

(you'll need to scroll to the right on the option below the main image to find the flamingo's - they won't let me do a direct link)

Tomorrow, the carnage begins ! After closing the door to IvyH behind the builders 19 months ago it has taken us this long to build up the courage to open it again. Tomorrow, what has been entitled "The Final Push" begins ! Out with 2 bathrooms, one doorway, one window, one bare brick wall, 57 spindles in the staircase and don't forget the hideous orange wallpaper that we've put up with in our bedroom since moving in over 4 years ago ! and in with .... yep you've guessed it - THE FLAMINGO'S !

I thought it may take more convincing than it did but GB has agreed (and he was given alternatives) that to have these Cole and Son Flamingo's living in our new 'grown up' ensuite will make a great feature wall. I'm sooo excited - about the wallpaper - not about the 3 month schedule of work that lies ahead of us !

Although I'm choosing to hide them away and keep them as my own secret luxury, I'll be making a habit of showing them off to people so maybe if others were to use them they might choose a more visitor friendly feature wall ! We've gone for the original pink flamingo's on the grey background to sit alongside the white suite and black floor tiles. Definately feature wall only - available in a range of colours, click on link to see more.

Off to take photo's for the 'before' shots, then get packing - everything into boxes hopefully to be taken out again this side of Chistmas !