And then there was light!

I have to admit to a wee-bit of trepidation in writing this post. In all honestly, I didn't know much about VELUX®, and what I did know, I wouldn't say it was all together enthralling.  But homework was promptly done and after a few minutes of research, I was pleasantly surprised about what I discovered. Turns out VELUX is a bit of a dark horse.

Want to know what ultimately swayed me? Attic and loft spaces! It’s no secret that I can’t resist the cozy loveliness of an attic space (Exhibit A and Exhibit B) but when it comes to the practicalities/technicalities of making the awkward spaces liveable, I have no clue. I mean how do you get a windowless sloped space filled with light and fresh air? Well this is where VELUX steps in. Way back in the early 40s, Danish born Villum Kann Rasmussen (the founder of VELUX) spotted an opportunity to develop a cheap and useful space under a sloping roof and designed and created the first VELUX window – fitted with an ingenious pivot hinge which allowed the window to be opened at 135 degrees. Suddenly attic spaces were transformed into liveable rooms. Today, their sloping windows are instantly recognisable and hugely popular here in the UK where space is at an all-time premium. It’s not just sloping and flat roof windows and skylights, they do their part for the environment too, manufacturing solar hot water systems and energy efficient blinds (which insulates the window up to 21%) but most fascinating of all is their involvement in the construction of carbon light homes. So there you have it, not just a boring window company after all…

This post is sponsored by VELUX but my opinions are my own and I wouldn’t be blogging about them if I didn’t think they were a cool company!

Click on the images to go to source

Mexican Wedding Fever

It’s easy to tell when wedding season is in full swing here in London: shelves are stocked with impractical heels, every second lady is wearing a giant sparkler on her left hand and those who usually read the Evening Standard on their tube ridge home, are now engrossed in Wedding Weekly. I know no less than 4 people who are all getting married in the next coming weeks. Now I wouldn’t exactly call me a romantic (faaaaar from it) but even I have been caught up in wedding fever this year. Even more so when I came across this beautiful Mexican wedding over the weekend. Groom, Sean and Bride, Lauren (along with their close family and friends) chose the picturesque and quaint town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to tie the knot. Apart from one of the most gorgeous wedding dresses I have ever seen and a jaw-dropping backdrop, I adored the fact that it looked like it turned into an epic party

All photos by Brandon Kidd Photography:

Just a spot of whimsy…

There is no real rhyme or reason for today’s post other than the fact that it is hump day, and well, we all need a bit of loveliness  on a Wednesday!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

London Cans Festival Revisited

After yesterday’s post, I am still on a bit of a colour kick! So I consulted my archives to find some seriously colourful London shots. Given the endless grey days and long winters, finding colour in London is no easy feat, unless you head to the famous graffiti tunnel near Waterloo station. I am not sure what it looks like now (I imagine it has all been needlessly tagged over) but we were fortunate enough to visit it a few days after the grand unveiling of the Cans Festival in 2008 – where famous graffiti artists all over the world were given free reign by the local authority to strut their stuff. 

All images via Wishful Thinking

Monday Snoop – House of the Year

I’m probably a little late to the party but Country Living has published their House of the Year! As you know, I tend to favour neutrals when it comes to interiors but I fell head over heels for this colourful coastal home. The home is question, located in Breezy Point, New York, was actually badly flood damaged – the effects of Hurricane Sandy last year.  Each room has been painted in varying shades of blue, off-set by stark white details. It’s hard to pick a favourite room but I can absolutely picture myself in that hammock in the living room: drink in hand with the sea breeze wafting through the windows.

Designer: Emily Henderson; Construction: Brooklyn-based Deary Construction

Images via Country Living