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So far Catherine has created 408 blog entries.

Liberté!

There is a lovely ceramics shop owned and run by Pasquale. I have fallen in love with her work and already bought two ceramic pears. This bird represents freedom and I bought it for my husband who has wanted it for a while.https://www.atelierchameaublanc.com  

2019-04-03T17:12:06+00:00March 4th, 2019|Photo of the Week|Comments Off on Liberté!

Sunday Afternoon Tea

I am addicted to Sunday afternoon flea markets, brocantes, flohmarkts - or whatever they are called in your country! I am not a pink fan but love this Art Deco tea set and can imagine it in a kitchen somewhere.

2019-02-24T14:24:24+00:00February 24th, 2019|Photo of the Week|Comments Off on Sunday Afternoon Tea

Feng Shui – Poison Arrows

What are they you may be asking! They are sharp angles that point towards your house or are within your space. They are often seen in city landscapes due to the architect's desire to create a new building style. In my view, they often don't make sense as they look like a waste of interior space and with lots of glass, the need to regulate internal temperatures must be expensive and difficult. Exterior poison arrows are generally seen to be more of a concern than internal ones. Internally, you may sense an area that is sharp, doesn't quite work

2023-08-23T11:47:04+00:00February 23rd, 2019|Feng Shui|Comments Off on Feng Shui – Poison Arrows

Take a Seat!

I used to say that we have had the same, four original arm chairs for the past ten years! I bought the first pair separately in a Swiss brocante in Nyon. Everyone was buying modern decor and I found by chance, a male and a female Louis XVI chair at different sellers. I got them cheaply and spent more having them refurbished but love them still. They are still in good shape in spite of two cats using the arms as a scratching post! Fast forward several years, we still have two of them. What Is It For? Is

2023-08-23T11:45:35+00:00February 23rd, 2019|Interiors|Comments Off on Take a Seat!

Feng Shui Basics – Remedies

Feng Shui followers will have seen stores and sites that offer golden galleons, dragons, turtles, coins and other Feng Shui cures. My mentor, Clear Englebert, talks about his clients, even Asian clients, not wanting to use bright colours and over the top remedies. https://clearenglebert.wordpress.com Many of us live in houses and apartments that have challenging design features or were built to fit in to a practical area due to space issues. Feng Shui remedies need to move with urban design to provide solutions to modern living challenges. Key items are mirrors, crystals, colour and the five Bagua elements all added

2023-08-23T11:43:29+00:00February 17th, 2019|Feng Shui|Comments Off on Feng Shui Basics – Remedies

Cushions, China and Candles!

Cushions I don't want to count the number of cushion covers in the past that I have bought, used and sometimes sold. Cushions or throw pillows as some call them, are a great accessory in any space particularly if you are renting. They can add colour, texture and pattern to change the look and feel of furniture and a room. Remember the colour code, 60% the main colour, 30% secondary colour and 10% a touch or shade to add. If you are feeling brave, you can add a fourth colour to offer additional colour or texture. For example, I

2023-08-23T11:40:35+00:00February 17th, 2019|Interiors|Comments Off on Cushions, China and Candles!

Spring is here, the grass is riz..

February is a tough month with nothing to offer except a grey lack of Vitamin D and constant drizzle. November and December are full of Christmas cheer and January hits its stride with New Year pizzazz and the novelty of cold weather. I am so happy to see this week's blue skies and cheery colours both appearing suddenly in the last week.

2019-02-17T17:55:54+00:00February 17th, 2019|Photo of the Week|Comments Off on Spring is here, the grass is riz..

Feng Shui Basics – Doors

Doors are important in Feng Shui as they are the first impression of the space energy, the 'mouth of the house'. We didn't buy a house, once, for many reasons but even from the first impression, the door was too big and out of proportion with the windows. I am often asked, "But which is my front door?" "What if I have two possible doors?" "I live in a studio, so how do I divide a space without a door?" Let's address some of those questions but, first, the main door.   The Main Door For those in a

2023-08-23T11:38:51+00:00February 10th, 2019|Feng Shui|Comments Off on Feng Shui Basics – Doors

Love’s in Need of Love Today

I am not a fan of Valentine's Day - I don't want flowers and chocolates, I want love, laughter and understanding. My husband and I are lovers of water and we are like two fish with one occasionally swimming ahead of the other but always in the same direction.

2019-02-10T08:31:08+00:00February 10th, 2019|Photo of the Week|Comments Off on Love’s in Need of Love Today

Feng Shui Basics – Windows

Windows are a wonderful part of a space and offer light and a view to the outside world. In Feng Shui, it is important to see how quickly from the front door, you see the windows. I have lived in Penang apartments with huge windows which can let in too much light and added sheer curtains as well as blinds to give a sense of space. I have also seen living spaces with tiny windows creating a darkness that is miserable. Ideally, windows shouldn't be bigger than the door and should avoid the 'corridor effect' - more on that

2023-08-23T11:37:45+00:00February 4th, 2019|Feng Shui|Comments Off on Feng Shui Basics – Windows
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