Little Boy Blue

Off for a visit to my new nephew, baby James. Can't wait to see the little fella.

Well done and lots of love to the proud parents xxx

Box of delights

Finally got round to painting the little dolls wardrobe that my grandad made me. Its been packed away in a cupboard for years, so its nice to get it out and make use of it. I decided to go for soft grey/white by Farrow and Ball called Cornforth White. Its kinda roughly done - my painter and decorator chum Dow would not be impressed, but luckily I like the shabby look (good thing too!)

I lined the inside with a vintage floral print paper that I found amongst my giftwrapping bumpf.

A dinky wardrobe full of forgotten treasures and pretty gems xx

The Dormy House Shoot

A few weeks ago I was invited along to help out on a shoot for The Dormy House with Katie Sellers (check out her website for some truly inspiring images) The shoot was at a location house in New Cross, which has fabulously high ceilings, sash windows, old radiators and a great staircase all of which make for very photogenic backdrops to any product or editorial shoot.

On this occasion we were going to be working on catalogue shots for The Dormy House, a furniture company run by the lovely Anna Trinder and family. They were looking to update the catalogue, and to get some festive cover shots for the autumn/winter launch.

The floors and walls can be a bit wonky in some of these old location houses but I think it was I who was a tad skewiff in this one! Lovely lamps though.

Pretty little dressing tables. I L.O.V.E the platinum crushed velvet stool, after all velvet is the touchy feely fabric de jour don't you know?! There is something so pretty about these soft greys, silvers and winter whites, they gave the finished shot the feel of a crisp winters morning.

A luscious Christmassy cushiony bundle and below, serious bag envy! I want that satchel.

Deliberating over how best to shoot the study desk and chair combo. You would not believe the infinite number of variations we tried for this shot, but we got there in the end!

Many of The Dormy House products are available in different colours and paint finishes. I'm loving the new French Grey and Katie's printed luggage tags.

Katie admitted to having a bit of a thing for birds, and claimed to have them all over her home in different forms. I fell for this sweet bird print by Karin Akesson available from www.alittlebitofart.co.uk

The final shots on the last day, and photographer Darren Chung moves lighting into place, while Katie makes the final tweaks to the Dining table.

All packed up and ready to go. Thanks Katie and The Dormy House peeps for a great few days.

Blendworth Fabric Shoot

Mid July I was working on a shoot for Blendworth who are launching a new line of fabrics designed with Steve Dobinson and wanted shots for their pattern books, and press images. Interiors stylist Cat Huckerby asked me along to help out.

I really liked the dogtooth checks which they had used to upholster some great midcentury armchairs, and the botanical prints with a fifties feel (see above)

Cat used a variety of understated tones and textures as a subtle complement to the fabrics.

Here we had just shot a story using fabric attached to the wall with Gutter tape (the panacea of almost every conceivable styling conundrum - Gutter tape works wonders) I liked the simplicity of the shot after most of the props had been removed, although admittedly, it wouldn't sell much fabric!

A pile of plump, squishy cushions. Whoever said you can never have enough cushions has never been more right. Oh yeah, it was me. Same goes for shoes, and bags!

After 2 days shooting, we were all in need of something stronger than tea. I was secretly coveting a G&T served in a pretty lilac china tea cup. Is that so wrong? These were a prop hired from the Lacquer Chest, so sadly I had to make do with tea, out of a mug.