Hygge Nook

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

Kirstie's Homemade Christmas

I've noticed a spike in traffic from people looking for Kirstie's Homemade Home today, no doubt because Kirstie is on the TV doing her Christmas edition. What the heck, I may as well blog about it again and for your pleasure, it's a live blog...

I do like Kirstie. I think she is a unique character on TV, warm and friendly, slightly bonkers tights and she'd probably make a fabulous Famous Five character. I also love that she is championing the 'make do and mend' trend, though I do think she misses the point about because, really, who can afford to do all the things she's showing off or the prices they no doubt entail.

Anyway, the show...

Looking at decorations to start off with as it's the theme of the shoe. Kirstie is fascinated by the glitter, thinking they'll be fab for her children's imaginations. I'd be freaking out about how breakable they are.

It takes a whopping 11 minutes for Kirstie to mention Meadowgate, her Devon home, and that is its first Christmas being in habited in 40 years.

It's cake making with The Little Venice Cake Company. The cakes look delightful with its super smooth white icing and red and green iced dots. The polar bears are absolutely cute and very cheap to make. Good start!

Kirstie is hacking down a Christmas tree, scaring people with her saw (are you watching Phil?). Fresh trees are lovely but they're a pain with needle dropping and then you have to dump the poor dead thing after. Could she not have got one by the roots so she could have planted it after?

Next craft! Lino cutting. What? Oh, Christmas cards. I've never heard of this. Steve from Delf and Dufy are showing Kirstie what to do and that she can make all her cards for £20 and have the cutters for next year. I buy all mine for £5 and still have some for next year!

Next up - salt dough Christmas decorations at a school. Egyptians did it, you can do it. It looks quite messy to mix up so probably a good one to insist your child's teacher does at school. Squash them into shapes, microwave them and paint them. Kirstie wishes she could spend her life with glitter glue but 'it turns out life isn't like that.' But it is Kirstie, it is, you're doing it! I like the 'merry christmas' shapes. They're rather sweet and it's another cheapie idea.

Back to Meadowgate which Kirstie wants to decorate with homemade ornaments so she's pottered off to see glassblower Will Shakespeare to make some baubles. Will is teaching Kirstie how to make stripey baubles. I wonder if she'll make one then he'll turn up with a box full later?

Kirstie's Homemade Home series 2

Kirstie Allsop is making a new series of Kirsties's Homemade Home and I, for one, am really looking forward to it. We all know crafting is picking up a fair pace and it is good to see so many different ones brought to the screen. You can currently make suggestions for the series via the website.

I put my 2p in for knitted furniture ala Ruth Cross, crocheted granny blankets and also a makeover of a piece of hideous pine furniture (you know, the type you can find on ebay for (£10) using paint or decoupage.

Which crafts do you want to see?

British talent: Cath Kidston

Though I think Cath Kidston is an obvious one for this series, I don't think she is a designer that can be missed. Very much of the shabby chic and 'new vintage' trends can be attributed to her bringing back fabrics in oilcloth and cotton duck with prints that bring to mind yesteryear. Stand out stars include the cowboy print, Kidston's mascot Stanley not to mention the pretty polka dots, stars and floral print. And these fabrics merely start as a serving suggestion - there's so much you can do with them from patchwork to upholstery to produce items that are truly valued and that you won't see in everyone else's homes.

Many of the products have that whimsical edge too. It's that domestic ideal, but given a tug into this century to make it work for people who yearn for that idyll but in reality are quite happy with the ease of the here and now. Dowdy shades are out, fun and pretty is in. Minimalism it is most certainly not.

I constantly feel that the collections are about a rejection of the direction modern life has taken. So much of life is about squashing in too much, getting things done fast so we can move on to the next thing, disposing instead of cherishing, not getting to know our neighbours and feeling like manners is too much of a chore. In direct contrast there's this teaset (below), the anathema of modern life. It wants you to invite people in, bake some scones, sit down, have tea, while away some time whilst achieving no physical thing but just enjoying the moment. We all need some of that, don't we?

Visit Cath Kidston online here.

British talent: Jan Constantine

Being a Brit blog, I'm really keen to focus on some homegrown talent, so, every week I'll bring you a designer that's making waves on our shores. First up is Jan Constantine who has taken the Union Jack and given it a whole new look with a range of homewares. It's not that the flag has changed in anyway, it's just lost it's all too often nasty approach and has been swished up with stylish cushions, rugs, mugs and other items with themes ranging from pop art to country garden, love & peace, bees & bugs.

In her 'about me' page, Jan says, ""I want to create something that will bring joy to people and be handed down, just as the embroidery skills of my artisans have been handed down through many generations." I really *heart* that. So often, things are all too disposable now, cheaply made, quickly passed on in favour of the newest, latest thing. I like the idea of possessing something that is well made enough to keep going right on to the next generation. She also hopes tha her range will become a household name and I hope so too. Let's take a look...

Love is another word that is used alot in Jan's products and I think this tatto style wallhanging is really cool.

Aren't the cushions fun? They'd be good as a one off statement piece on a chair or a bed. Prices are around £40-£75.

 

This is the type of white linen table runner that can be pulled out again and again to drape casually over tables for dinner parties, evening meals. Don't let the embroidered hearts just be restricted to Valentine's Day! (£34)

Of course, if you want to do it yourself using Jan's techniques, you could try out her new book Heirloom Embroidery. Signed copies can be ordered via the website and they can be personalised too.

Images: Jan Constantine