Thursday 27 September 2007

Good Web Guide

What fantasic review by The Good Web Guide:

http://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/index.php?rid=4489

Seems so strange to hear my little business being talked about - but how exciting!

Monday 24 September 2007

Design is in the Air


What a weekend! Design is certainly in the air.

Two great exhibitions last week on the trail - Do shop in Beak Street, with fabulous homeware - including this lemon squeezer by Sena Gu.
Beyond the Valley have taken over another shop in Newburgh Street and are displaying work by 3D/stereoscopic photographer Gary Welch. Fantastic.
I missed out on Trashluxe because of a private view - but definitely going tomorrow. http://www.trashluxe.com/

100% Design was also on this weekend at Earl's Court. Really innovative products and just so inspiring -if only I hadn't just completed my house.
The only dampener was my rather grumpy boyfriend sporting his 'clothes shopping face'... Next time I'm leaving him at home!


Thursday 20 September 2007

For the love of design


London oozes talent - especially this week with so many design events across the capital.

Today I'm going to sample a few:

Liberty is my favorite shop in the whole wide world. Such a happy marriage between classical beauty and cutting edge design. Exhibition Trash Luxe, on at the moment, is a response to consumerism and today’s disposable culture. Some wonderful designers include: Stuart Haygarth and Paul Cocksedge. I must admit to owning a Paul Cocksedge light shade (pictured above). It lives in my lounge, illuminating in weird shapes around the room. Made from polystyrene cups, it reminds me of a brain.

Do Masters at Do Shop is another exhibition with so many quirky things:
http://www.do-shop.com

And my old haunt, Contemporary Applied Arts on Percy Street, where I spent many a lunchtime perusing the ever-changing exhibitions.
http://www.caa.org.uk/

Reporting back tomorrow....

Tuesday 18 September 2007

Green Green Grass


Gardening is my new hobby, so enjoyable and always a good excuse for inspiration...and relaxing at the same time.

Colour, texture and height, an example in this RHS 2007 Chelsea Flower Show garden.

Growing up in Australia, gardening was a completely different experience, often dangerous and too many spiders to make it enjoyable. The colours and textures of Australian plants are so different too - vivid colours, but often against background of dead grass. The only flowers in our garden were Bird of Paradise and Frangipani, beautiful in their own way back not like the soft, gentle hues of England.

There are so many wonderful websites with inspiring gardening products and here are some of my favourites:


http://www.rkalliston.co.uk/

http://www.plantstuff.com/

http://www.crocus.co.uk/

Tuesday 11 September 2007

Special Treats


My very lovely boyfriend gave me the best birthday present of all, a very special evening at La Manoir, Raymond Blanc's fantastic restaurant and hotel in Oxfordshire....it was just amazing and just so inspiring. Every detail given great thought and the experience amazing.

So inspiring for Roost Living - especially in understanding the importance of "experience". Every element of Roost Living needs thought and careful attention so the customer experience really reflects the philosophy behind Roost Living.
The Roost Living plan has been troubling me for a while. I know where I want to go but how do I get there? In trying to find answers I am going to consult a few people and gain knowledge from their experiences. It really is the most amazing learning curve and something I want to learn and master

Monday 10 September 2007

30 and ready to roar...

Birthdays really are odd. They conjure up so many different emotions - especially the big ones...

Today I am 30. With it comes many, many strange feelings, some good, some bad. I am really looking forward to it, in an odd way...a new stage of life, one I have already started through Roost Living.

Turning 30 has been the main motivation behind Roost Living. My previous life, working as a PA, wasn't what I wanted to do. There was always a certain element of frustration because I wasn't following my heart. I knew I wanted to work for myself, do my own thing and make it magical.

My friend Christine has a theory that 30 is when you discover your superpowers, you know your strengths and talents, and they become super....I hope mine are fantastic!

Monday 3 September 2007

Living Etc

And here it is...Kathleen Hills Blue Rose Cup and saucer...
Now...if I can just get my stuff into a few more we will be away!

Holidays


Aren't holidays great for recharging the batteries, getting perspective and motivation.

I have just spent a week on the beautiful Northumbrian coast, a remote part of England (the only one!), where the shores are littered with the ruins of castles and the islands full of seals and puffins.

Inspiration has not come from wonderful restaurants and beautiful shops, my usual delight, but rather from nature - heather covered moors, long walks, and a pub without pretension! How refreshing...

Relaxation came through my crocheting too...haven't had a chance to be creative with my hands for so long...and I'm working on a shawl for the website, a beautiful mohair shawl, delicate in every way.

And now I'm home, Living Etc has fallen through the letterbox, and low and behold, Roost Living products are on page 61 and 64. How very exciting. I will upload for all to see!