I love it when I hear about a website that really epitomises the kind of style I love, whose stock isn’t totally obvious. For example, I love Marimekko designs but they’re just a bit… obvious. Lots of people have items made of their materials, and they’ve been round since the seventies, so they’re not in any way unique, although it’s nice to see them come back into fashion. And, frankly, I can’t imagine living with them for long – they’re a bit too bold for me.
These days it’s very hard to be unique - you can buy the same products, or virtually the same, all over the world at places like Ikea. These items are also disposable, which I hate. Don’t get me wrong, I have had plenty of things from Ikea but in areas where I knew they won’t be needed for very long, like the children’s bedrooms and, before people start shouting, I’m happy to say that that Ikea can’t be surpassed for kitchen units and accessories. But it’s boring. Just boring to have too much of it.
I not keen on things that are totally faux either, like newly made country style pine furniture. It’s a bit… hmm, how to put it… lacking in creativity and…er, obvious, especially in the country. I’ve always aspired to a look that isn’t either totally modern or totally full of antiques. I want it to have some character and to be a bit quirky. It’s much harder to gather objects and furnishings together from a variety of sources, styles and eras and make them work together, but so much more interesting and fun to do. It can mean waiting for a very long time until the right thing comes along, but it’s always worth it.
With this in mind, I was happy to read in The Guardian about New House Textiles and to find this tray (something I’ve been needing at the cottage for a while) on their website. Actually, it was just a reader’s letter, not even a feature.
It will go well with the simplicity of the cottage’s interior and picks up countryside themes appropriately. It’s a lovely clear, clean design, which is something I always like, and it features a nice orange as well as more muted colours, tying together the bright colours of my kitchen with the more muted colours of the living room very nicely.
New House Textiles also have a blog. See my current favourite blog over there on the right.
Have a nice weekend!
It’s looking really beautiful – so calm and comfortable. Wish I was there on a lovely sunny day like today. But not sure you want my one-year-old’s grubby hands on all that cream!
Thanks P! But appearances can be deceptive. ‘All that cream’ are my 15 year old sofas from London that are really filthy close up. The covers have shrunk so much that one no longer does up down the back and the back is also broken inside, which is why it’s leaning against the wall… You’re welcome anytime. Sticky fingers or not. X
I love your tray, your cottage, and this post. I know exactly what you mean about designs that are ‘obvious’. I am reading a book about Lucienne and Robin Day right now, and thinking just how many designers these days are almost exactly reproducing those earlier designs – obvious is the only word for it.
Yes I too love simple designs and that tray is simply gorgeous. And the splash of orange very cleverly lifts it to new heights.
You must be Charlotte mother-in-law. Thanks for stopping by.