Shiny, happy hallway

It's six months since I pushed the boat out and lavished our hallway in Farrow and Ball's lattice wallpaper. It's such a big job that can't be easily changed so I think this was my bravest move at The Dandy Townhouse to date. Our large hall and stairway links the upstairs and downstairs spaces so it had to be just right. I tried all sorts of samples before I decided on this one - which of course was way over my agreed budget. So instead of a new carpet we had our old one cleaned and treated it to some plush new underlay. It was an easy sacrifice. Downstairs the paper, teamed with Farrow and Ball's Pigeon Modern Emulsion, brings the original tiled hallway to life. This paper has a lovely metallic sheen to it that is both modern and luxurious. I love it and it never fails to get the wow factor from visitors either. Now what to do with those spindles....

The dogs of table lamps

These fab new table lamps from Next pay homage to our four legged friends. This is the family room. Here the boys watch DVD's and play video games and we generally lounge about. (Maybe in a onesie). Often Betsy the dog gets in on the action so I couldn't resist these little beauties. Kids love them, adults laugh at them...  Love, Life, Laughter ... that's my kind of light :-)

Hard working workspace

It's so much easier to sit down to work at an inviting work space. Okay, so it's not always this tidy. This is actually the dining room but with clever storage and the wonders of wirelessness it can do both jobs quite satisfactorily. I tend to spread out over the dining table when things get messy and can quickly clear things away when it's time to eat. Both tables are old and imperfect and that's what I love about them. I think plain white walls work best with antique pine. 

At the other end of the room, an old painted armoire stores all the files and stuff that busy families gather in abundance. This used to be mahogany, but somehow it is so much prettier in manly matt black!

I'm a sucker for a bevelled edge mirror. This one is supposed to be on a dressing table but until I find something better, it does the job of an over mantle mirror very nicely. It also reflects my lovely Heals chandelier. A bit of extravagance in an otherwise budget scheme. This is my girly hideaway in a houseful of boys. The dog curls up by my feet or at the patio doors and I do all my writing... with copious amounts of tea.

Roses are, well hot pink actually

English roses in a vintage glass vase regularly grace my kitchen island. They say it all. Simple, understated elegance. And pink... well these babies are hot.