Alban Le Henry

images via albanlehenry.com 

My French design interest of the moment: Alban Le Henry. Having learnt alongside other favourites of mine, les frères Bouroullec, he has certainly been in good company.

le sirop de Monin

For no reason really.

I am however drinking this in October, in my kitchen, in Edinburgh. And it is getting cold here. I should really be enjoying this as a diabolo citron on a terrasse somewhere warm (perhaps the Languedoc-Roussillon). It is also a made in France classic.

my life in white

images via bodieandfou.blogspot.co.uk

Every week my dad still buys the Scotsman newspaper weekdays and Scotland on Sunday, and when out of the country follows both, online. A BBC online reader during the week, I supplement this with a hardcopy paper fix on a Saturday thanks to The Guardian, that tends to last me all week. Known hoarders, my parents tend to hang on to all sorts of things and I like to leaf through copies of dad's Scottish weekend magazines when paying them a visit. I recently came across a lovely feature in the Scotland on Sunday At Home magazine about online interiors store, Bodie and Fou. The website and blog offer not only a steady source of inspiration, but is so warm and welcoming in style I felt I had found my kindred spirits. This French family-run business is headed up by sister-team Karine and Elodie, both mothers to young daughters and lovers of all white interiors.

Back in Edinburgh, on my suggestion the 1930s property we bought here a couple of years ago was to be decorated entirely in white (walls and floors alike). We both saw much potential in the darkly painted and carpeted flat when we went to visit and could see past the dreary dated furniture to the huge and many windows looking out to a magificent panoramic view of the city. Painting walls and floorboards white himself, within a few weeks of moving in, my husband transformed the place to be the light, airy and relaxing home it is today. The rooms in our flat that have not yet received the magical snowy white touch are looking not too bad, but are ones I hope to work on soon. I can see the Bodie and Fou family team becoming a regular source of inspiration for our home, the work in progress. À suivre...

un amour de jeunesse

YouTube: Goodbye First love, official trailer

 

I am no film critic, so am not about to dissect the film I watched last night. I would however recommend you get your hands on Mia Hansen-Løve's Un Amour de Jeunesse (Goodbye, First Love), for an evening of light and stylish viewing. Lola Créton's character, Camille, portrays a true style icon in the making. Check out her look for some great low-maintence, dressed down, Gallic flair. And it only gets better as the film progresses, along with her career. And if you enjoy this, I would suggest you follow-up with the excellent, Le pere de mes enfants (The Father of My Children), by the same director.

Image via deperdedor.wordpress.com

Image via worldcinema.org

 

Image via moviereviewwarehouse.wordpress.com

Image via screenload.eu

Image via screenload.eu
 

a morning on the farm

Dramatic skies, many colours and lots of brass rubbing this morning at Cragies Farm, just outside Edinburgh. Nothing much French here, except the 'Tour des Fermes', a sponsored cycle ride taking place over two days to six farm shops from South Queensferry to St Andrews and back again. Lovely idea.

catalog

Top images via cataloginteriors.com

 

 

 

Hark, we are into the 'bers; those months that herald the countdown to birthdays in our family, not to mention Christmas for an excited toddler. Having recently waved bye bye to summer (though was it ever really here this year?), almost as if by magic, the Autumn chill has arrived and on goes the heating.

 

Edinburgh born and bred, having left and come back again several times over the years, I periodically fall in and out of love with the city. It is beautiful and a great place to live quality of life-wise, but when I have just come back from a warm holiday away, am pining for France, or am feeling like the place has become a bit staid, Auld Reekie is, for a while, in my bad books. Then I meet someone new or spot some interesting looking venture that has recently popped up in town, be it a restaurant, gallery space or shop, and we are friends again.

 

A friend recently introduced me to Dixie, one half of the husband and wife team behind Catalog in Edinburgh's Stockbridge. The interior design business opened its doors in April 2012 and has come to join a host of complementary neighbours situated within walking distance of each other. Fast becoming the go-to area for interior design solutions and inspiration in the capital, this area of the city draws lovers of quality produce and goods of all kinds. 

 

It is reassuring to know that Catalog are doing their homework in keeping bang up to speed with current international trends, having in the last fortnight visited Paris Design Week 2012 and the London Design Festival 2012. The contemporary design store and consultancy is based in a beautiful Georgian building on St. Stephen Street (best known for its quirky antique shops, vintage clothing boutiques, restaurants and bars) and stocks a refreshing mix of modern furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories. And just in time for the change in season, currently in stock (with others due to arrive in store soon) is a variety of beautiful wool rugs by the French family-run textile company, Toutemonde Bochart. Some of their designs can be seen above. Keep an eye on Catalog's website as they are due to launch their online store soon.

 

 

 



vive les mariés!

 

 

 

My little brother got married.

Chris and Gemma nipped over the ocean in June and tied the knot at City Hall, New York, NY. Close family were in on the secret and we made sure they had some little bits and pieces from us to them on their wedding day, so they knew we were supporting their decision as a couple to do this alone, but most importantly that we were so happy for them both. We also knew there was an almighty party to be planned exactly three months later.

And that party took place on Friday night at the Royal Botanic Garden, in Edinburgh. Going back there under these circumstances was dreamlike, as my husband Sylvain and I were married there four years ago. The venue was perfect, the guests all on fine form and delighted to be brought together to mark this special occasion. Our daughter wore her new dress; the bride and groom had some snaps taken under a perfect rainbow; Gemma did all the flower arranging and made her real-fruit icing cupcakes, as only she can; and the mother-of-the-bride speech brought the house down. I made away with a few of the flower jars yesterday as we were tidying up the hall, now making a rather splendid display in our hall.

Well done again you two and Gemma, bienvenue dans la famille!