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Monday, April 23, 2012

kitchen design - the hood

Without wanting to put you off reading MFCH by giving you an overdose on reality, I have to tell you that the thing I hate doing most in my kitchen is cleaning the hood over my stove. UGH, UGH and double UGH!

The easiest solution for never having to clean the kitchen hood is to simply stop cooking, but I mooted the idea here and it wasn't met with great approval so I have to move on to more clever options

With the impending and 10-year-overdue (did I already mention that?) kitchen remake here, the right design for a kitchen hood is concentrating my mind.

I'm thinking that at least if the thing could look almost elegant, then I may be reconciled to cleaning it with a smile, well OK a less broad smirk at least.

So what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you favour the glass hood over the island, the sleek shine of steel, the traditional stone work ..... or

are you like me and do you prefer above all else a huge fireplace over the stove, as in the kitchen of our friends at the Château d'Emalleville, which as you may remember happens to be one of my favourite (real) kitchens in the world .. well Normandy at least!

If you have a moment to give me your secrets on living in harmony with your kitchen hood, I would be happy to read and learn from every word, merci mes amis!

kitchen design and curtains - your ideas please

1:28 PM inside my house, interiors No comments

Thank you for all your comments this week - amazing! The past couple of days have been pretty rich in emotion on the blog so today I want to lighten up a bit and simply talk to you about curtains in the kitchen!

So here's the thing. I shall be reworking my kitchen in a couple of months time, it's only about 10 years overdue, so there's no real rush, and I keep being drawn to curtains instead of doors beneath a worktop.

Every practical ounce of me is screaming "don't do it" ... "this way lies madness" , but it just looks so pretty.

Now I am sure that you have an opinion on this one, maybe you have curtains in your kitchen, maybe you have had and have sworn never again ... please tell me.

thank you for your help and bon weekend!

PS Is anyone else having trouble adding new blogs to their blogroll?

all photos from pinterest

the sweetest place to stay in england

11:26 AM interiors No comments

What better way to visit England than in a sweet little cottage in the heart of a chocolate box village, surrounded by beautiful Sussex countryside; gardens to visit; pubs and restaurants to dine at and within easy reach of London if you want to visit a museum or shop.

This pretty cottage has been renovated in signature style by my sister, Nicola, and it provides a delicious retreat for two. Warm, comfortable and of course stunning. The cottage, known as Number 22, is furnished with beautiful antique furniture and paintings.

Upstairs there is a lovely bedroom and bright fresh bathroom, I love this soft blue palette.

Downstairs there is a touch of pink and soft red in the kitchen and sitting room where

a log burning stove keeps the cottage warm and welcoming even in the winter.

and in the spring and summer the pretty garden provides an extra place for

sitting quietly before walking down the road for supper at the excellent local pub.

If you are interested in renting Number 22, you can find all the details right here

a beautiful home

12:05 PM interiors No comments

I'm in a fr-e-e-e-zing cold England for a few days this week, visiting with family and doing some Christmas shopping with my mum. One of my sisters conjured up a wonderful surprise for me and provided me with today's post.

I have to tell you that my sister Nicola is an über-talented interior designer, working in the south east of England. Later this week I'll show you the sweetest cottage that she has just finished, but today she invited me to tag along to see a client who graciously allowed me to let me take pictures.

The grounds of the house are stunning, planted carefully to provide year-round interest and give real structure to what is a very large area. Pieces of modern sculpture are used to compliment the landscape design and the architecture of the house and outbuildings.

If it all looks this good early december, just imagine how wonderful the garden must be in June!!

isn't this tree house to die for?! - just imagine the tea parties that could be held up here!

A part of the house is Tudor, dating back to the 15th century. It has been extended several times through the years but always in keeping with the original architecture.

Indoors it was important not not be overwhelmed by the history and size of the house and create a comfortable setting for everyday living.

Nicola had fun creating this family cinema room - and so did the upholsterer who had to follow her specs on the plaid sofa! :)

The pictures speak for themselves, but the lasting memory of this home for me will be the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, a real family home. This is surely what a really good interior designer working with discerning clients is meant to achieve; effortless ease and elegance.

before and afters in our guest cottage

10:59 PM interiors, our guest cottage No comments

You may remember that a while back I asked your opinion on window treatment for the eaves bedroom in our guest cottage. I thought you might like to see progress so far.

I worked out a simple method of fixing a crown for draped curtains behind the bed head. I have been experimenting with linen drapes, lined with antique embroidered voile. This is a good start, but at 28" each, the drapes are nowhere near wide enough. I'll be needing at least twice that width to give a proper fullness.

Here is the before shot!

There has been good progress redecorating the kitchen as well, calming down colours and freshening up. It doesn't always need a total makeover to make a room feel welcoming.