Spanish Style

This dining room is in a house in Andalusia in Spain designed by Thomas Urquijo and was photographed by Tim Clinch for the book Spanish style. I do love a round table and the drama of the light fitting. Even though I really like the room I feel it is missing a splash of colour - but I suppose that could come from people and the food - especially in Spain.

Image: Tim Clinch

Turquoise - Pantone colour of the year

Farewell Mimosa yellow and hello Turquoise. Pantone announced the 2010 colour of the year before Christmas. See link for all the background. Sydney is right on trend as on a good day like today the sea looks like this.

Images: Sculpture by the Sea, Pantone

Time to table scape

I always feel after Christmas is a great time to take a step back and look at your side tables and mantlepieces and re-evaluate what is there. Mine are covered in cards and lights and garlands at Christmas so once Jan 6 rolls round the house looks very bare when I have taken them all down. So I've been going through some cupboards, pulling out some prints that haven't been displayed for a while and earmarked others for framing. Then off to get a few flowers and I'll be back on track.

Images: Tom Scheerer via Glimpse of Style, Phoebe Howard via ABT, Notebook

Samantha Robinson

My favourite find on my trip away was Samantha Robinsons porcelain bowls and vases which I saw in a lovely homewares shop in Huskisson. These photos really do her work no justice at all - they are so delicate in real life and the colours are beautiful. I'm still reluctant to display such treasures while co-habiting with two small boys but soon they'll be older and I'll be able to invest. Her website is beautifully designed also - well worth checking out.

Images: Samantha Robinson

Back from the beach

Yes back from the holidays. This is the side of the fantastic beach house we rented with our friends. As my girlfriend and I are both interior design students we were delighted with the house and all its good ideas like the row of hooks along the wall (the (hot) outdoor shower is behind the greenery on the left) and the wooden gate is actually some very snazzy metal that looks like wood but is a bit more sea-air proof. Lots more great pics to share as we go through the year. As I know in Ireland everyone is freezing I'll try not to post too much beach until the cold snap passes!

Image: AL

Holiday

This is where I am off to tomorrow morning for Christmas. Can't wait. Thank you to all who have visited here this year. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and every good wish for 2010. I'll be back, refreshed and ready for another year at Folder of Ideas in January.

Filling stockings

Today is my last child free day until the end of January (aaghh!) so I am racing around trying to get organised for Christmas before I have my two small boys in permanent tow.

Image: not known