Category: pads

Pick of the Pads: Ski-lodge Luxe

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'Ski-lodge Luxe' feature from the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration Magazine

For this month’s Pick of the Pads we’ve chosen this wonderful Alpine ski-lodge in Northern Italy owned by Laura & Maurizio Gasparini.

Cover of the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration Magazine

It’s featured in the December 2014 edition of Elle Decoration magazine.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' living room sofas

This is no pine-clad monstrosity of floor to ceiling, orange stained tongue & groove. There’s no mistaking this chalet for a giant sauna!

'Ski-lodge Luxe' dark colours

There is lots of wood, but it’s this glorious backdrop of boards reclaimed from old barns. They have the subtle colour & texture variation produced by weathering & oxidisation. It’s not overbearing in any way.

collection of antlers above a bed

The silvery wood is complemented with furnishings in a cool palette of greys & creams.

bunk beds with cushions and furs

In fact, there are no bold flashes of colour at all… but it all works together so well.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' living room sofa

Natural light streams in through the huge windows and there’s the glint of metallics dotted around.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' decorative pieces

It’s quite pared back, but there’s interest everywhere – textiles, luxurious furs and collections of found objects. The spaces are so atmospheric.

'Ski-lodge Luxe' galley kitchen

What a wonderful place to relax after a day on the slopes!

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Pick of the Pads: Country Contemporary

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'Country Contemporary' article in the October 2014 issue of Country Living Magazine

We’ve chosen the wonderful Italian home of Marco & Francesca Constanzi for this month’s Pick of the Pads.

cover of the October 2014 issue of Country Living Magazine

It’s featured in the October 2014 edition of Country Living magazine.

stone patio

It’s a renovated lamia, a traditional stone-built building originally constructed to provide shelter for livestock. The couple have a wonderful tale to tell when it comes to finding the property. They were driving through the beautiful countryside of the Puglia region looking for the perfect retreat when they crashed (literally) into a local farmer – well, he crashed into them more accurately. They got chatting (as you do when you crash into someone) and he offered to show them properties that were for sale in the local area – all those hidden gems. Whilst they were looking, they came across the run down lamia – how about that for fate, destiny, divine intervention?

white-washed mezzanine floor

It was the perfect opportunity – a beautiful structure set in a truly idyllic location amongst the olive groves.

white-washed bedroom with star-shaped light fixture abouve the bed

We think you’ll agree that they’ve done a stunning restoration – Marco being an architect helps!! They reduced the thickness of the walls which were originally a metre wide – this provided enough space for one large central room with mezzanine, a bathroom and a kitchen. Obviously, with the climate of southern Italy to enjoy, there’s also the option of lots of al fresco living too.

stone patio

It’s stunning in its pared back simplicity, the beauty & integrity of the building shines through – the muted, natural colours are gorgeous – and the restraint shown by Marco & Francesco is amazing; the spaces being simply decorated with country furniture, vintage rustic finds & foraged keepsakes…

mosaic image with candle-lit rooms

…a few cushions & textiles here and there to soften the hard edges – a simple log fire, candles or fairy lights to warm it up.

rustic wooden kitchen countertop

The renovation has been sensitive to the original building, yet enhanced it – creating something magical. We just love it!! And of course, we’ll be heading off to the Lake District sometime soon to see if we can crash into a local farmer!

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Pick of the Pads: Past Perfect

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White house exterior in Country Living magazine June 2014

It didn’t take much thought for our choice for Pick of the Pads this month.

Country Living June 2014 magazine cover

We’re already quite familiar with this gorgeous Welsh cottage, Bryn Eglur, owned & renovated by Dorian Bowen – and when it appeared in this month’s Country Living Magazine we just had to share it with you.

'Past Perfect' article title page from Country Living magazine June 2014

For Justin in particular, it’s a real favourite house from years of scouring interiors magazines.

'Antique dresser in Country Living magazine June 2014

The word character was probably invented for it!

'Wooden box bed in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s cosy & comfortable with perfect retreats to eat, sleep or read.

'Antique settle in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s packed full of gorgeous country antiques too. An oak dresser filled with pottery & pewter, spindle back chairs, settles and spoon racks.

'Cast iron range in Country Living magazine June 2014

Spaces are softened with textiles & fresh flowers.

'Rustic stairs in Country Living magazine June 2014

Perfect, photogenic corners everywhere you look!

'Grandfather clock in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s full of traditional charm, but there’s also no sense of it being in a museum with modern facilities such as this gorgeous kitchen.

'Whitewashed kitchen in Country Living magazine June 2014

And the best thing is… if you love it as much as we do, you can stay there!! Yes, it’s a holiday let! And for those fellow dog owners out there – your treasured pooches are welcome too.

'Whitewashed bathroom in Country Living magazine June 2014

It’s one of those cottages that offers a good location to explore the area, but also provides a gorgeous home to relish every hour you spend relaxing indoors. Perfect indeed!

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Pick of the Pads: Battle for Hastings

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'The Battle for Hastings' article in a Telegraph Magazine

 

For this month’s Pick of the Pads we’ve chosen the home of stylist, Leida Nassir-Pour and her partner, writer Will Evans. It was featured in a March 2014 edition of Telegraph Magazine.

range cooker in an interior decoration article in the Telegraph Magazine

We love the house of course, but we can also relate to their thoughts of life in Brighton. They subsequently moved to Hastings where there was lots of future potential & money stretched further in the property market. We’ve fond memories of drives out along the coast to Hastings. It had a different vibe to Brighton – it wasn’t quite as smart in places, but had real energy.  Lots of unspoilt buildings – the old town in particular is very pretty. There were some great shops and a fab place for fish & chips as we remember. It’s no doubt kept evolving at a pace since our visits there during the nineties and early noughties.

shelves and cupboards in an interior decoration article in the Telegraph Magazine

Leida & Will have done loads of work to their house – which is still ongoing. Their home is part of a former pub built in the early 19th century. We love the eclectic mix of antiques, vintage & industrial.

bedroom in an interior decoration article in the Telegraph Magazine

The spaces are full of unique & interesting objects without being cluttered. The varying warm tones of wood are very much in evidence, with richly patinated floorboards & furniture – also contrasting harder surfaces such as painted brickwork, ceramic tiles & steel.

roll top bath in an interior decoration article in the Telegraph Magazine

It seems a very functional house – lots of natural light – and everything looks to have its place. There’s open shelving and hanging space for tools & utensils allowing easy access.

chest of drawers in an interior decoration article in the Telegraph Magazine

The move to Hastings is now very much complete as Leida has also opened a shop in the town –  Warp & Weft. She sells a range of select and carefully curated garments, accessories and products for the home; much of which echoes the style and feel of her own house.