Author Archives: summerinstpaul

Blue is never a colour I really liked to decorate with. Its’ reputation as a cold colour would have been enough to put me off while decorating various houses in cold and damp Britain, but with the rise of the Indian Ink, Chinese Ginger jars it began to grow on me, and in a climateContinue reading “A Touch of Blue”

My home is full of precious things and I think that this is important. That doesn’t mean that every Mexican hat, bubblegum machine or lava lamp you’ve ever bought (by mistake) or been given (eek!) has a place in your home. Instead think carefully about your memorabilia and take a less is more and qualityContinue reading “Precious Things”

When we moved in to Al Barari the atrium proved problematic in terms of lighting. It was impossible to find a light fixture that was anywhere near big enough to do justice to the space, and when I did it was 6 figures. I patiently explained to my husband that he needed to get theContinue reading “Befriend your local Ironmonger.”

This is my games room, and I love the shelving in here. Its purpose built and not freestanding, ,but the idea for the design eluded me for ages. On a trip to Marina in Mirdiff City Centre, I was browsing the nick nacks and noticed how beautifully displayed and lit they were, so I tookContinue reading “Ideas in unlikely places.”

Welcome to my new logo, simple and very me..

Living in Dubai we are spoilt with the option to spend so much time outdoors, but most people don’t think further than a teak patio set with a sun umbrella through the hole in the middle of the table. For me, outdoor living is about decorating the outside and bringing life to a garden, soContinue reading “Outdoor Living”

I’ve mentioned in previous posts how hard I find it to find art I like but which goes with the colour schemes I’ve chosen. In this case I had committed to deep pink because of a rather large chandelier which I had bought in the sale in The One at the Outlet Mall. I lovedContinue reading “Ethnic Influences”

Look around your home and find opportunities for Feature Walls and they can transform a space. In this image the space through the arch (?) has been painted black. Make sure you have plenty of natural light coming in to the room if you are going for a darker tone and make sure the artificialContinue reading “Feature Walls”

Art is subjective isn’t that what they say? In the eye of the beholder and all that. Ive always struggled with art and for what I’m about to say will be vilified by artists and interior designers alike, but I always struggle with art. Theres art I love, contemporary and abstract sometimes lots of brightContinue reading “Artwork”

When I was growing up we always had a best room. My memories of it are sketchy mainly because we only went in it on Christmas Day or when we had visitors. These days its a luxury to have two lounge or living areas but I wanted a room that wasn’t for through traffic. AContinue reading “The Best Room”

This kitchen, along with the one in my French house are my favourite kitchens ever. Ive never really warmed to a kitchen with stark lines and contemporary emptiness. To me a kitchen thats not packed with appliances, tea pots, jugs and a cosiness you want to just make a mug of coffee and pull outContinue reading “The Perfect Kitchen”

Im an ornament addict I admit. Nothing makes me happier than browsing the shelves of the local Dubai shops for completely useless items which do nothing but pull a colour scheme together. Candles are my favourite cheap must have and I cant do a grocery shop without throwing in a few coloured candles to clusterContinue reading “The Colour Palette”

Im always a fan of framing a front door and making your entrance way look warm and inviting, and a hint of what you expect to see inside. I think the Americans call it Kerb Appeal. Putting symmetrical objects either side of the front door hints of order and structure, but symmetrical is the keywordContinue reading “Framing a Front Door”

This is one of my favourite things, and began as a rebellion to the trend that everyone has of wanting to display pictures of loved ones, holidays, granny windsurfing and the photo of little Johnny blowing out the candles on his 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc Birthday cake, in dust laden and mismatching picture framesContinue reading “Order in Chaos….Introducing The Wall”

India Jane is a UK based franchise and i’m always itching to sneak over to have a look at their latest collection whenever I’m in town. Its one of the few shops where I want to lift every beautifully orchestrated display and drop it as is somewhere in my home. Whoever does their merchandising shouldContinue reading “One of my favourite shops”