Painted Lady

This week it was reported in the UK that we are being invaded by a beautiful butterfly called Painted Lady.

The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, which causes the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Britain and Ireland.

Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, across mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland. In some years it is an abundant butterfly, frequenting gardens and other flowery places in late summer. Well, this year, for whatever reason they have decided to come in their droves! We even had one visit us whilst we were sitting in our conservatory reading the Sunday papers. Luckily, we were able to release it back into our garden so that it could fly away to join its mates. Apparently, they thrive on the common Thistle plant which grows in abundance everywhere.

In honour of this beautiful migrant I thought I would search the Design Style Guide team for further examples of butterflies. Here is what I found!

Butterfly Garden Original Oil Painting

by

Luvs2paint

Blue Butterfly on Bevel Suncatcher

by

Sundance Reflections

Colorful Butterfly Window Cling Suncatcher with Stained Glass Effects

by

Clinging Images

Butterfly Pillowcases

by

The Closet and Curio Shop

Embroidered Clock, Floral Garden and Butterflies

by
Satin Stitchery

You can tell I like butterflies, can’t you?

Kitchen refurbishment!

Recently, our kitchen underwent a total refurbishment.  All the dust and upheaval has been worth it though even though I complained whilst all the work was being done.  Trouble was it seemed to be a constant moving of dust from one end of the house to the other only to have to start again at the beginning once one set of workmen had finished their jobs.

Anyway, I was pleased with the result and even managed to find a good excuse to ditch some of the more decorative items and renew them.  This meant my having to search and where would be the best place to start?  You’ve got it!  Right here in the super Interior Designs Team.

To tell the time I thought this would look cute.

Whisper - Yellow-Barn Red - Earth-friendly contemporary handcrafted pendulum wall clock

by Infinity Arts

Pot Holders Red Toile Kitchen Accessories

by Tish1

 

 

Wire wrapped orange bottle with cork lid

by Xanadu2You

 

Natural Edge Walnut Bench/Coffee Table with Red Cedar Legs

by Truesdell Design

 

Garlic Baker or Brie Baker

by Deb Babcock

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed some of these items that I found from the Interior Design Team on Etsy.  If you are interested there are loads of other brilliant products created by other members.   All you have to do is type ‘interiordesignteam’ into your search for ‘all items; tags titles or simply click on the link and you will be astonished at the selection presented to you!

The UnExpected - Deck

It's hot. At least in the northern hemisphere. And at my apartment, absolutely every moment possible is spent outside on our little deck. Beautiful with the sounds of birds and a huge maple that brushes down onto one corner and plenty of plants in beautiful glazed pots. But why do we so often leave the decorating to those pots. Here are some unexpected choices for making the outside, another room of your home.

whirligig pillow set
from enhabiten

Wonderful crisp clean colors and each pillow is filled with buckwheat hulls and lavender which can only add more soft sounds and scents to our outdoor space (ideal if plants are not possible). Plus each pillow (and you get two) is 9" x 14.5" - a perfect size to toss into your 'deck bag' and bring inside.

It's only natural - large tree tote
from cipolla

Deck bag? Grab a great bag like this linen and cotton tote to bring your outdoor decor easily in and out in inclement weather and you'll never be more than 30 seconds away from bliss.


pale palmera leaf metal artwork
from CopperLeafStudios

Perfect to set the mood of a relaxing space, a pairing of these amazing zinc images would make any space. Nestle them close to the house, under an overhang for protection (avoid rain and bring indoors in the winter), and they will evoke the sounds of a pond anywhere they hang.


small oval dish
from DishfulsofDoodles

An abstract celebration of natural forms makes this dish ideal for the center of the table. With my pockets always full of pebbles and shells I've collected from the shore, this platter provides a stylish way to display such found natural treasures.

These ideas can so easily transform your deck into a haven for every spare moment. Your space is really yours now, with all your great design sense added and quite frankly, I'm not sure you'll be able to get your friends to go home. But hey, that's the price to pay for great design. Might as well bring them some lemonade.

Celadon Green Tumbler Serving Set
from juditavill

Enjoy.

P.S. Show us what you can do with your outdoor space - post a link to your photo in a comment!