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Étoile Home

I want to introduce you to a young independent company today. Étoile Home sell a small range of very pretty home accessories such as table linens, cushions and laundry bags. Once you've seen the pictures, you won't be suprised to know that Canadian-born owner Shani Beadle is a fashion and interiors photographer as well as a stylist. Now a fellow Londoner, Shani wanted to create a range that was fun and eclectic. I think she achieved just that. Take a look...

Using a simple palette of fabrics, Étoile Home stocks cushions in a variety of shapes from super feminine ruffled edges to round pads with vibrant prints. I love the idea of grouping a variety of these cushions together for your sofa, or maybe just one for a key chair, with the idea of scooping them all up and snuggling with them on a hammock outside when the sun is shining, a large glass of Pimms in reach. Yum.

Equally the table runners work well inside and out; this charcoal print adds a certain drama.
I bought a laundry bag from this company about two years ago and keep it in my suitcase for travelling. Its bright yellow and pink print really cheers me up and it really plays into my ethos that functional things should be pretty too.

The brand is gradually developing new ranges and they've just added a line of rugs which are made to measure within six weeks of order. Étoile Home will also be releasing some more 2010 prints soon. They ship throughout Europe.

Animal wallpaper

Is this space beautiful or what? Did you look closely at the wallpaper? Ostriches! I know if I had seen a roll of ostrich wallpaper in a store, I don't think I would have envisaged that it could look quite like this. This living room is in the apartment of Michelle Adams, former Domino editor turned Lonny magazine editor. Adams says she, "ended up falling in love with a quirky Ostrich-print paper that is equal parts delicate and bold" then applying it to only one wall to "create a strong focal point for the room."

How about some more animal prints? Where would you use them in your home?






Fairytales by Elle Decoration



ISAK owls wallpaper


Judit Gueth Designs peacock wallpaper



Giraffe wallpaper silhouette from Inke



Farrow and Balls bumble bees

Kit Kemp's hotel chic

There's something rather impersonal about a lot of hotels. Designed for everyone, often pleasing none. They are rooms for transient guests, who want a comfortable place to lie their heads but often without the pleasures of home comforts and strong design. Kit Kemp's hotel group doesn't subscribe to that. Design is bold, defined and very elegant, following her, and her husband's mantra, that "hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions."

Number Sixteen -







Soho Hotel -



Covent Garden Hotel -

These hotels are all in London (there's one in New York), you can visit them online here, check out more photos and make bookings. Don't you just want to stay here now? Me too.

The prettiest window films by Emma Jeffs

I took advantage of the terrific weather we're currently having in London to go for a walk this afternoon. I always marvel that my little corner of the big smoke has an amazing array of housing. Sweet two up, two down cottages, wooden cladding, porches, semis. You name it, it's here and I appreciate the perspective I get on my neighbourhood by walking.

As I passed one house, with its side window directly on the street and its blinds pulled down, I thought what a waste of a window if you can't even see out of it - the blinds were tight shut. I don't blame the home owner, it must be distracting and annoying to have all manner of foot traffic inches away from you (me included). As someone who has had her home burgled I appreciate the security aspect too. I have my street-facing windows covered with a slinky voile that allows the light in but not the nosiness, even though my house is set back from the street.

Anyway, finding attractive window coverings is difficult. And I think Emma Jeffs may well have cornered this market with a range of window films that are pretty and, crucially, look super duper easy to apply.

Images: Emma Jeffs

Pretty crochet pillowcases

I've been meaning to post about this super sweet and quick pillowcase update. It's a splendidly simple make & do project. Just take a pillowcase, throw in some crochet and a dab of basic sewing skills and voila! Updated covers with a crochet trim.

It's not my idea - the fabulous Rosehip came up with it and you must, must, must visit her blog for some beautifully photographed pillowcases which she sells through her etsy shop. They sell out quick so you must keep an eye out and snap them up fast.



Oh. My. Word. Aren't they pretty? Did you spot the Eiffel Tower print? I may have died and gone to heaven. And isn't the little pink bench with its turned legs darling?

If you do fancy having a go yourself, you can find the instructions that I followed here at You Go Girl. The instructions come with close-up photos and are really easy to follow.



All you'll need is a pillowcase - I used a plain pink one that I happened to have spare (when you are trying something out for the first time, sometimes you just want to use what you have to hand, rather than mess up a prettier, pricier cloth). However, I think a floral or graphic print pillowcase would look fabulous and that's what I'll be trying next. You'll need some yarn for the trim. I like Rowan handknit cotton and a 50g ball (around £3.75) will give you plenty of trims.