Dining in Style

It's ok. Really, I'm alive.

The last few weeks have been loco, with loads going on. I have been working on a freelance project that is moving quite quickly - so quickly in fact that I haven't even had time to do small, necessary tasks, like tweeze my eyebrows. Frida Kahlo, eat your heart out.

My client has just bought a two bedroom flat in the lovely environs of Notting Hill and I have been tasked with designing the living room, bedrooms, and dining room. Work has already begun on site in the living room and bedrooms (ripping out a fireplace and shelves, wiring for wall lights, etc.), but this coming week I will be turning my attention to the dining room.

The built in cupboards provide ample storage, so there is no need for a sideboard, and the walls are to remain neutral. I'm literally just kitting out the space with seating, a table, lighting and accessories.

My client isn't a huge fan of curtains, so ideally I would love add some texture to the space with a banquette under the windows, and an abundance of pillows, like so:

BHG

BHG via Pinterest

LA Design Portfolio

I love that this look is completely versatile - it provides heaps of options, as the banquette looks great with round, square or rectangle tables. Fingers crossed that my client agrees and gives me the go ahead!

Never Say Never : The Brixton Narrative

"Well one thing is for sure, we are NOT living in Brixton."

These were the very words spoken six years ago, as I embarked upon one of the biggest steps I had ever taken in life. Moving from The Bahamas to London with my best friend created many opportunities for arguments and debate, but our sole area of agreement was our mutual disdain for notoriously "stabby" Brixton.

I'm am still in the process of digesting my massive slice of humble pie.

You see, Brixton has evolved over the last few years, and I am now having a major love affair with it. This is also quite convenient, as we have just bought a flat there.

It started with the foodie heaven that is Brixton Village. All those affordable restaurants, bars and independent shops under one roof? Like a moth to the flame, I was hooked.

Now we're counting down the months until I can exchange my GB pounds for Brixton pounds, and I have been giving more thought to the design of our new pad (which we lovingly refer to as "plot 52").

I have finally been making good use of my pinterest account and I have very much noticed a look, emerging from my pins.

 

Photos via my pinterest

I'm obsessed with white walls, dark floors and neutral furniture, so that is very much the direction I would like to take the flat in. The only issue is, as an interior designer I can appreciate so many aesthetics and styles that I'm constantly changing my mind. So as they say, watch this space.

View Through The Lens

It feels like just yesterday I was sprawled out on a beach, rum and orange in hand. Now the suitcases are finally unpacked, and daily routine has resumed, I thought I would take the time to sort through the hundreds of photos taken in the Bahamas and share some here.

Here is a view through my lens, of my favourite holiday moments.

Albany Resort

Glass Window Bridge

Goodfellow Farms

Governor's Harbour

Harbour Island

The Queen's Bath

Albany Resort

Cabbage Beach

Fresh Conch

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of (John Watling's) Rum

Believe it or not, it was the beautiful building, rather than the temptation of rum sampling that lured me into visiting the John Watling's Distillery.

Perched on top of the hill, overlooking the hustle and bustle of downtown Nassau, the distillery is situated on the historical Buena Vista estate. The estate, which dates back to 1789 has recently been restored and is hard to miss.

A friend had recommended the distillery tour to me, but it wasn’t until I happened to be driving past it, that my interest piqued. The terracotta and cobalt blue colour scheme caught my eye, so I headed back a few days later with friends in tow.

The tour is self guided, allowing you to wander around the property at your own pace, and is free of charge.

The main building opens onto a large terrace and instantly the sweet but subtle aroma of rum fills the air.

More than a seating area and thoroughfare into the actual distillery, this terrace is also home to a huge 74 ft deep well, hand dug by slaves and cut out of solid limestone. The jawdroppingly deep hole is testament of the amazing history of this estate.

We soldiered on past the well, and into the barrel filled distillery, taking in our surroundings and reading the information boards with interest.

Back in the main building, we browsed the gift shop and made a beeline for the bar, where we sampled the rum and perused the cocktail menu. Eventually I settled for a "rum dum", a refreshingly limey concoction, poured over ice and perfect on such a hot day.

The rum dum cocktail turned out to be one of the best I have ever had, and has left me counting down the days until the distillery's popular happy hour on Friday...