This week we've all been down with the flu and I've had a lot on in the evenings, but now at last it feels like being back in the land of the living. Homemade apple pie starts the weekend off quite nicely.
And what could be a better pick-me-up than a few new books! The first two, Junk Style by Melanie Molesworth and The Relaxed Home by Atlanta Bartlett have actually been out for a while now, and I justified getting the compact (hence cheaper) versions just because they looked so appealing. And Atlanta Bartlett is definitely a shabby chic guru for me... But I did come to realize that size does matter when it comes to coffee table books, and flicking through the pages doesn't give quite the full pleasure when you have to squint!
Junk Style is packed with beautiful images and encouragement to source flea markets, auctions and salvage yards. Using an object in a novel way is an inspiring thought, such as in the image below where a former gate now serves as a rather lovely bedhead.
The Relaxed Home is all about comfortable, romantic rooms. Neutral backgrounds with splashes of colour and floral patterns. Nothing too fussy or over-the-top perfect.
My main object of desire was, however, Vintage Fabric Style by Lucinda Ganderton and Rose Hammick. They say never judge a book by its cover but this time round that was one of the sole things that beckoned me to get the book! (Dreaming of a similar blanket, or two, or three...)
Luckily, the content wasn't a let-down either. Lots of inspiring images covering each room and some special occasions and a few step-by-step projects that looked appealing even for a beginner like myself. And as someone inexperienced in sewing I enjoyed the fact that the book also features instructions on different seams, edges and stitches for altering vintage fabrics.
I realize this ended up rather long, well done for making it this far! - I wish you a relaxing, inspiring weekend!
P.S. You can click on the images to get a closer peek.
