Park Hill goes from bleak to blossoming with Urban Splash

I love it when architects apply their expertise to restore and bring life to derelict buildings and areas.

Developers Urban Splash have revived Sheffield's infamous brutalist Park Hill housing estate to create modern and appealing apartments and work space.

Before

To help address the effects of gentrification, a third of the redeveloped Park Hill is allocated for social housing. Time will tell whether this mix of private and social housing will work. In the meantime, fingers crossed the redevelopment wins the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Stirling Prize 2013.

After 

The world is your oyster

Amanda Catherine Designs

Flowers to keep from Laurence Amelie

By  Laurence Amelie

My favourite haven treat

Sometimes it is worthwhile stepping away from the monitor and braving the chill to wander round the narrow streets to grab a sweet treat at Liggy's cakes.

I am always recommending Liggy's to friends and workmates - for birthdays, dinner parties, valentines, weddings or just a solo cake (wee lunch time treat). Their Edinburgh cake boutique is tucked in the West End of town along William St - far from the madding crowd.

Seeing owls

Bad omen or good luck? Different cultures associate owls with different attributes: intelligence, knowledge, mysticism, independence, protection, bravery, reincarnation. Ancient cultures believed the owl offered protection against evil spirits and ill health. So why not spark up your energies with owl-ccesories from rigby & mac - ranging from quirky owl salt and pepper set, night light, felt clock and cheeky cushion - to add a smile to your day.

Green screams harmony

With all the snow and gale force winds at the moment, it can be difficult to forget that Spring is in full swing and not long before summer comes (hopefully). So, let's celebrate the season with less black and more colour. And what colour screams energy than green.

Green symbolises fresh energy and new life. In terms of decorating, green provides a calming effect while in fashion, it represents vitality and for some, fertility.

I'm green with envy for these unique headpieces from Flossie Golightly, the bright peacock pillow cover from Little Joobie Boo and to keep warm, the green cowl scarf from Heidi and Seek Boutique.

Wood never looked so pretty... I want

Birds & Flowers Wooden Wall Panels from Cox & Cox

Oh let it be spring...

It may still be snowing - in March - but the bright blue skies, random shoots of daffodils and chirping birds make me think that Spring is coming and all I can hope for is bursts of colour, bees and flowers all around.
An angel at my table offers some heart warming floral treats for the home to help Spring forwards.

Recognising Auguste Rodin

I'm currently crazy about all things Rodin - the rebel French sculptor. I love the natural, realistic human shapes he created in his work most of which have become famously recognisable including The Thinker, The Gates of Hell (my favourite), The Kiss and The Burghers of Calais (another one of my favourite).

Photos taken at Rodin Museum in Paris, 2013

A perfect and practical memento of Rodin's work would be this bookend from ani available on etsy.

Vintage Thinker The Bookend from ani

Hibernate in chocolate

Zara Home UK

Birdcage cloche glass cakestand

Cake-stand manic is upon us! And glass cake-stands provide a taster of the goodies on offer. The hunt for the perfect cake-stand ends with the birdcage cloche glass cake-stand from dotcomgiftshop.com which provides the sweetest showcase for those homemade cupcakes, macaroons, ... all for an affordable price - less than £20.

Wallpaper that leaves you speechless

Mineheart

Time for tea, cake and a good chat

Melody Rose

Spring forward with Camel & Yak

Forget new year celebrations. New Year starts with Spring and Camel & Yak bring Spring and Summer's  brightest and happiest feelings with their homeware, partyware and gifts. The collection works perfectly for this year's jubilee celebrations and homage. Time to party....

Source: Camel & Yak

Bamboo Placemat

Who knew bamboo was so good for dinning? These bamboo placemats from Red Lilly bring a sense of calm and authentic beauty to any dinning table or coffee table - for formal and informal occasions. Also handy as wall decor!

Source:  www.redlilly.co.uk   

Hurrah for Habitat

So glad that Habitat is still alive. They manage to entice with their collections of practical, functional and pretty furniture and homeware. To celebrate the coming of Spring, here are some refreshing pieces: Conceta teapot (matching dinnerware available), Primo beetroot bed linen set, Klein candelabra, citrus yellow picnicware, Panda ceramic chocolate fondue and Ceclia gold table lamp.

Source: Habitat.co.uk

In honour of Elizabeth

Fancy stitching a tapestry cushion cover? Then try out the Elizabeth Bradley mini tapestry kits. Designs range from traditional like the lively and cheeky Victorian spotted dog to pretty floral. Each kit comes with instructions, wool, canvas, needles and colour code cards. Absolutely marvellous.

Source: elizabethbradley.com

Silver Antler Stags Head

Bell & Thistle

Unlimited Editions Vers Libre candle holders

Love fonts and candles? Here's a reason to combine them: Vers Libre.
Candles holders in the shape of letters. They are available in different sizes too - pure indulgence offering the perfect way to spell out and illuminate messages or favourite words. They are made of plywood which again means you can paint them to suit your style. Check out the full range at Unlimited Editions.

Source: Unlimited Editions

Say hello to Helena

Helena Carrington is a talented illustrator who features her work on textiles and print. This Venezia red cushion is a vibrant reflection of Helena's eye for beauty and hand for the classics. Guaranteed to liven any home or office.

Source: helenacarrington.co.uk