Pick of the Pads: Seasonal Simplicity

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Country Living Christmas magazine cover

We’ve chosen the house of Anna & Jeff Phillips for this month’s Pick of the Pads.

'Seasonal Simplicity' magazine article in the December 2013 edition of Country Living magazine

We wanted something Christmassy and their Sussex home, which is featured in the December edition of Country Living magazine, is just perfect.

Christmas decorations in the 'Seasonal Simplicity' magazine article

It’s homely & warm with quite a Scandi feel – robust and elemental with wood, stone, textiles & flame. The influence of nature is strong, highlighted by the use of seasonal foliage, fruit & flowers.

Shelf and coat rack in the 'Seasonal Simplicity' magazine article

Antique country furniture fills the house with character. There are lovely decorative touches everywhere you look incorporating handicrafts, vintage pieces & found objects – the fairy lights, candles & Christmas decorations give it a magical look.

Montage of beds in the 'Seasonal Simplicity' magazine article

There looks to be lovely natural light in the house, but no shortage of cosy corners either.

Kitchen in the 'Seasonal Simplicity' magazine article

The bedrooms are inviting & peaceful, the dining area sumptuous – and we just love the handmade kitchen with its reclaimed wooden crates, blocks & shelves.

Christmas table in the December 2013 edition of Country Living magazine

What a truly wonderful place to spend the festive season!

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Pick of the Pads: Retro Perspective

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"Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

We head down to Brisbane, Australia for this month’s Pick of the Pads.

Homes & Gardens November 2013 magazine cover

Rowena Cornwell’s “Retro Perspective” home was featured in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens magazine.

 page from the "Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

She uses a strong indigo blue as a unifying colour throughout her home.

page from the "Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

Glossy tiles, soft furnishings and artwork are complemented with bright whites and soft greys.

 page from the "Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

The house is casual yet very grown up.

 page from the "Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

Rowena perfectly combines traditional antiques with mid century modern pieces. It takes a very good eye to do this as successfully as seen here.

 page from the "Retro Perspective" feature in the November 2013 edition of Homes & Gardens Magazine

The spaces are filled with light and there’s such a lovely flow to the house. We love it!

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Pick of the Pads: Brixton East

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"Loft Living" feature of Brixton East in the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine

We’ve chosen this fabulous factory space for this month’s Pick of the Pads. Dating from the 1870s, the building was disused & distressed when interior designer Andy Luckett bought it 18 years ago. After many years of hardship, discomfort & hard graft he’s created something very special – Brixton East.

cover of the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine

The converted factory is featured in the October edition of Homes & Antiques Magazine and now incorporates apartment, studio space & shop.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a green tiled bathroom

There are many aspects of Andy’s home that we love. It retains a homely, comfortable feel whilst looking functional & easy to live in too.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a kitchen and dining area

The original fabric of the building remains intact with big windows, exposed brickwork & beams. The spaces are now filled with character, colour & texture.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a mosaic of 4 interior décor photos

There’s no shortage of unusual, quirky pieces – but it’s very well edited and never enters the realms of being cluttered.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a vintage Esso illuminated advertising sign

It also looks like it’s evolved naturally over time with antique & vintage finds – some still serving their original purpose, others up-cycled for a new lease of life.

page from the October 2013 issue of Homes & Antiques magazine showing a vintage wooden coat rack with shoes, coat, scarf and bags

The building is available for event hire and Andy also opens a pop-up shop on the ground floor which should be of great interest to those who share his taste for the enticing antiques & vintage industrial pieces that fill his home – the next sale is in December. For details of the shop, upcoming events and more pictures of the building visit his website at www.brixtoneast.co.uk

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Pick of the Pads: Swedish farmhouse

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Elle Decoration Country issue one cover

This month’s pick of the Pads is taken from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country.

title page of the 'Artistic Idyll' feature from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

This featured house is a beautiful converted Swedish farmhouse next to the sea – no wonder it’s referred to as an ‘idyll’!

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

Owners Maria and Sam, respectively a textile designer and an artist, spend the summer months decamped here from Stockholm for 6 months of the year.

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing the home owners from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

It’s just about perfect for our taste. All the rooms in the house look so comfortable, cosy and lived in.

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing the sitting room from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

A natural, neutral palette with flashes of a brighter hue.

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing the hallway from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

Anyone who’s seen our house know we love bright colours in a kitchen and this one has got real punch!

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing the yellow and blue kitchen from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

The spaces are full of texture – the furniture, the crockery, decorative objects and fabric of the building itself.

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing a table and set of chairs from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

There are beautiful floors throughout, wide wooden floorboards and lovely, worn stone tiles…

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing a long shot through to a dinging room from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

…covered over here and there with various rugs and mats.

page from the 'Artistic Idyll' feature showing the outdoor patio area from the launch issue of Elle Decoration Country

A simple, unfussy outdoor eating area to take in the views rounds things off perfectly.

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