tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68908800241226395912024-03-13T12:24:16.523-07:00normal designsWe like to upcycle, make-do-and-mend, swap, find, haggle and barter to create our interiors.normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-64843410569356685962013-10-10T09:28:00.000-07:002013-10-10T11:52:36.444-07:00Homemade Shortbread BiscuitsWhat better way to brighten up a dull autumn day, than to bake some really easy biscuits? You will need:<br />
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6 oz plain flour<br />
3 oz caster sugar<br />
6 oz butter<br />
3 oz fine semolina<br />
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Simply beat all the ingredients together in a warm mixing bowl, roll it out on a sugared surface and press it into a tin (ours is 20cm square). Prick it all over with a fork and place in the oven at gas mark 2 for an hour. Allow to cool slightly, then cut into rectangles and allow them to cool thoroughly on a baking tray.<br />
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And there's no better way to accompany homemade biscuits with a lovely cup of tea or fresh coffee, whichever you prefer. I like mine out of these beautiful handmade mugs that we picked up for pocket money (£5 each!) at a local cafe in Brighton from a local potter.<br />
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Happy home baking everyone!</div>
<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-69326135253920092013-09-05T06:29:00.003-07:002013-09-06T06:09:53.176-07:00New images for my online shopI've been busy again! I have had all my prints remade on beautiful Somerset 330gsm paper, so I have photographed them all again for my storefront at <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/charliedayart" target="_blank">Not On The High Street.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoqJjgfZn34/UiiGVc2aA8I/AAAAAAAAAaM/ZDk2Ix0OC6c/s1600/Magpie07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoqJjgfZn34/UiiGVc2aA8I/AAAAAAAAAaM/ZDk2Ix0OC6c/s400/Magpie07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psycho Killer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qcL7YohncA/UiiGCS3nnEI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/lRZnfuX5mX8/s1600/Redshoes03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qcL7YohncA/UiiGCS3nnEI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/lRZnfuX5mX8/s400/Redshoes03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where My Childhood Was Unspent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0bIAtGXDtg/UiiGSbNslsI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Mjk-pmkmfus/s1600/Egg06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0bIAtGXDtg/UiiGSbNslsI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Mjk-pmkmfus/s400/Egg06.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Smother Me Mother</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5kEGPiVtcU/UiiGqvquINI/AAAAAAAAAaU/g9MbqctGFvI/s1600/Birdman05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5kEGPiVtcU/UiiGqvquINI/AAAAAAAAAaU/g9MbqctGFvI/s400/Birdman05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why Are You On Your Own?</td></tr>
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One location I used was my good friend Gus Watcham's beautiful home in Brighton, with its wonderfully distressed walls. I'm off to another shoot today in another lovely Brighton home. Meanwhile please check out my items at <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/charliedayart" target="_blank">Not on the High Street.</a>normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-25681451717460233922013-06-16T09:39:00.004-07:002013-06-16T09:39:55.042-07:00Palau de Casavells<br />
I currently have several of my smaller works on display at this beautiful old farm in Casavells, just outside Barcelona.<br />
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They
have a wonderful selection of mid century modern furniture as well as
older antiques, and some great contemporary art - even if I do say so
myself! </div>
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<a href="http://www.palaudecasavells.com/"><span style="color: black;">Find all the information you need here : </span>Palau de Casavells</a><br />
normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-58514815057424457472013-05-21T03:42:00.002-07:002013-05-21T03:42:54.984-07:00Gallery representation and new work<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have recently been taken on by a gallery, <a href="http://galeriamiquelalzueta.es/home/" target="_blank">Galeria Miquel Alzueta</a> in Barcelona. I am extremely excited, as you can imagine. The gallery is being refurbished right now, but I have sent about ten paintings over there to be displayed when the gallery is ready. I've also been in the studios a lot recently, for meetings about upcoming
exhibitions at Studio One Gallery, Wandsworth Town Centre Partnership
board meetings (not quite as boring as it sounds!) I have also been
painting!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May Painting, oil on canvas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLrvpMorV6o/UZtNFaXYGgI/AAAAAAAAAIA/-wzhy0PLGmk/s1600/BlueNose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLrvpMorV6o/UZtNFaXYGgI/AAAAAAAAAIA/-wzhy0PLGmk/s320/BlueNose.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square Painting, oil on canvas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcLfmWRq2hc/UZtMCJJLRTI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wWSLWJs1CJQ/s1600/SoUpsetNearlyThere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcLfmWRq2hc/UZtMCJJLRTI/AAAAAAAAAHs/wWSLWJs1CJQ/s640/SoUpsetNearlyThere.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm So Upset, I'm So Upset, oil on canvas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8IovMTK3k/UZtL93keHEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/EhtQ829y7bs/s1600/My_Mothers_Well.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8IovMTK3k/UZtL93keHEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/EhtQ829y7bs/s400/My_Mothers_Well.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother's Well, oil on canvas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-85374683085426505672013-05-14T03:50:00.000-07:002013-05-14T03:50:21.733-07:00Art in London with Artist Charlie - Stay.com<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDnRu07AK_M/UZIVoJak8ZI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Vq2w_Q64DHQ/s1600/BackgroundImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDnRu07AK_M/UZIVoJak8ZI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Vq2w_Q64DHQ/s400/BackgroundImage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Hunk O' Love (detail)</td></tr>
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I was thrilled to be invited by Stay.com to contribute a travel guide to London for artists to their website.<br />
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You can find the link here: <br />
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<a href="http://www.stay.com/london/guides/269163-94d5933b/art-in-london-with-artist-charlie/">Art in London with Artist Charlie - Stay.com</a><br />
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There's some more obvious destinations, but also some lesser known, like
L. Corneilsons & Son, a wonderful shop, and Transition Gallery in
East London, an artist run space managed by Cathy Lomax and Alli Sharma.<br />
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I hope you enjoy my little artist's tour of our capital.<br />
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-54442908558631417462013-04-02T10:10:00.002-07:002013-04-02T12:29:18.094-07:00Galeria Miguel AlzuetaI'm very pleased to announce that several of my older paintings are currently on show at Galeria Miguel Alzueta in Barcelona.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUpCBwzaEfk/UVsFMA91bQI/AAAAAAAAAYo/XCX6aawWYuM/s1600/Red_Wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OUpCBwzaEfk/UVsFMA91bQI/AAAAAAAAAYo/XCX6aawWYuM/s400/Red_Wine.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes There Are Things Worse in Life</i><br />
oil on board</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_JQWB4qtGI/UVsIyzLiSqI/AAAAAAAAAZA/9HHa32sCoQ8/s1600/Lonely2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_JQWB4qtGI/UVsIyzLiSqI/AAAAAAAAAZA/9HHa32sCoQ8/s400/Lonely2.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This Is How It Feels To Be Lonely</i><br />
Oil on board</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wokWLeGcwDo/UVsGOH6r2GI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lQz0HyFbS8g/s1600/Teddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wokWLeGcwDo/UVsGOH6r2GI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lQz0HyFbS8g/s400/Teddy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I Can't Help The Way I Feel</i><br />
oil on board</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N024cH6bxCg/UVsFT-v6MhI/AAAAAAAAAY0/an5cranyb2Q/s1600/Chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N024cH6bxCg/UVsFT-v6MhI/AAAAAAAAAY0/an5cranyb2Q/s400/Chair.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Life Is Very Long When You're Lonely</i><br />
Oil on board</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>Miguel has taken ten paintings, including these four, and is showing them in his wonderful gallery. I hope to go over to Barcelona very soon to have a look! He deals in mid century modern furniture as well as art, so it's definitely a great place to visit when you're in town. Thanks to my good friend <a href="http://www.royalwaterbasedoilsociety.org/" target="_blank">Bernat Daviu </a>for helping me.normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-64192084296923590452013-03-18T07:29:00.003-07:002013-03-18T07:29:33.908-07:00blue MondayHello there. Welcome to another week. Here at normal designs towers I've been busy with some graphic design for the Kemptown Artists Trail leaflet for the Artists Open House event down here in Brighton in May. I've been looking at a lot of blue things, and I think you'll see why<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvD0HKpht_w/UUcjJ8wuBAI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ox10GMS_LbM/s1600/MoreSaulBassBlueWithLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HvD0HKpht_w/UUcjJ8wuBAI/AAAAAAAAAYc/ox10GMS_LbM/s400/MoreSaulBassBlueWithLogo.jpg" width="235" /> </a></div>
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This is the design so far, with the blues coming from all over the flat:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6mQanfW0mk/UUcjH_iTHtI/AAAAAAAAAX8/8lKXf0uZWms/s1600/Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6mQanfW0mk/UUcjH_iTHtI/AAAAAAAAAX8/8lKXf0uZWms/s400/Books.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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From the bookshelves </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6_l5BE3GvQ/UUcjItwu2EI/AAAAAAAAAYE/hrcASeg2dCE/s1600/Cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6_l5BE3GvQ/UUcjItwu2EI/AAAAAAAAAYE/hrcASeg2dCE/s400/Cups.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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to the blue Ikea cups against our green wall </div>
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to the quite similar aqua blues that we painted these drawers</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34WdhiO8eqM/UUcjKrQIJtI/AAAAAAAAAYY/QYE7fw6T92Y/s1600/Stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34WdhiO8eqM/UUcjKrQIJtI/AAAAAAAAAYY/QYE7fw6T92Y/s400/Stuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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to the quite accidental mixture of blues discovered during the boring old washing up! </div>
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Well, I hope you're not feeling blue on a blue Monday. If you are, take a long walk, look at the blue(ish) sky and the beautiful blue sea.</div>
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<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-52165774780911528932013-03-11T07:56:00.004-07:002013-03-11T07:56:33.362-07:00(black and) white everywhereWell, the snow is falling here on the south coast. It looks like a black and white film outside the window, so I thought I'd look out some of our black and white images for your perusal today.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vApcxd6FLrc/UT3u1TqsiEI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yedRbeNFPuw/s1600/Normal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vApcxd6FLrc/UT3u1TqsiEI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yedRbeNFPuw/s400/Normal.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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Firstly, this is our slogan in the studios.</div>
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Then these wonderful paintings by Tori Brown in (mostly) black and white.</div>
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And finally, my first attempt at some styling. <br />
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It needs more work, I think, but you have to start somewhere, don't you? So one more for you, from our print collection:<br />
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-61844536256952876432013-03-01T08:33:00.001-08:002013-03-01T08:33:56.832-08:00au naturel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a busy couple of weeks here at normal designs' HQ. Last week was the opening of Burning Bright, an exhibition of up and coming artists featured on Saatchi Online, and curated by director of the Saatchi Gallery, Rebecca Wilson.<br />
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Here we are with my painting Big Hunk O' Love in the toilet of the Saatchi Suite! Yes indeed, where better to be shown than in the throne room! Read about the exhibition <a href="http://lifestyleetc.co.uk/2013/02/26/life-style-etc-loves-the-saatchi-gallery-suite/" target="_blank">here.</a> Last week was also half term, so spent the days with the boys going to the park, even in this freezing weather. This week was my better half's birthday, so flowers and presents (brown paper packages, but couldn't find the string!) and a hand printed card from the boys.<br />
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Tulips and daffodils bringing spring indoors, in front of a drawing by the very talented <a href="http://www.christopherwheeler.co.uk/" target="_blank">Christopher Wheeler</a>. This picture reminded me of the dinner ingredients from the other night:</div>
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and also made me think how wonderful it is to have natural things surrounding us. Be they flowers, driftwood or shells picked up while walking on the beach.</div>
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Have a great weekend all, and enjoy the mad month of March! </div>
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<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-10417377297905072282013-02-11T03:05:00.001-08:002013-02-11T03:05:21.943-08:00they call me mellow yellowThe weather on the south coast has been pretty grey and miserable for days, and indoors it has been very dark and gloomy, so I decided to look out for some sunshine yellow to cheer us up a bit.<br />
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I know this year's colour is supposed to be emerald, but I needed a bit of sunshine! I found this little ornament on a shelf, the oilcloth we used to upcycle this vinyl covered chair<br />
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as well as one of a growing collection of teapots! I also gathered some other bits and pieces together to photograph<br />
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And then I had a play around on Photoshop, working on some designs which will become paper stencil screenprints! Just a little yellow goes a long way.<br />
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Have a yellow smiley face day.normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-80957090419626336952013-02-05T02:29:00.001-08:002013-02-05T02:29:25.340-08:00saatchi gallery exhibitionI was very pleased to be contacted last week by Rebecca Wilson, the director of the Saatchi Gallery, and asked to participate in their upcoming exhibition at the <a href="http://london.churchill.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-london-churchill/index.jsp?null" target="_blank">Hyatt Hotel</a> in London's Portman Square, for three months from February.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Hunk O'Love, oil on board, 2010</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So I took my "<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliedayart/4422371273/" target="_blank">Big Hunk O'Love</a>" in to the framers yesterday, <a href="http://www.frame-factory.co.uk/home.html" target="_blank">The Frame Factory</a> in Brighton. The service and the price there were both outstanding. They were wonderful. I shall never go anywhere else again! </div>
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I also worked on some new prints for normal designs. This positive message, and another:</div>
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That really is how I feel these days, after such a dreadful year in 2012, let this be the year that it all comes together!</div>
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-17454177188232796972013-01-29T07:55:00.001-08:002013-01-29T08:27:40.305-08:00Diamonds Are a Girl's Best FriendI have been noticing how many bloggers have highlighted <a href="http://www.ferm-living.com/" target="_blank">Ferm Living's</a> new collection, with some items even appearing in <a href="http://www.elledecoration.co.uk/" target="_blank">Elle Decoration</a> last month. They really do have some lovely stuff.<br />
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I really love this pattern, found on cushions, shower curtains and even tea trays.</div>
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I particularly like this tray.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5B5wWQBb5No/UQfs2Qa28BI/AAAAAAAAATM/mTdWkUKpz9I/s1600/FermTray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5B5wWQBb5No/UQfs2Qa28BI/AAAAAAAAATM/mTdWkUKpz9I/s400/FermTray.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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But where had I seen that pattern before? Lo and behold I looked around my studio and found this painting I painted two years ago.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Rslddw-YXQ/UQfuqcFu8WI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nKQ_oqgAzwI/s1600/Arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Rslddw-YXQ/UQfuqcFu8WI/AAAAAAAAAT0/nKQ_oqgAzwI/s400/Arm.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I'm behind the times, but sometimes I'm a little ahead!</div>
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See all products at <a href="http://www.ferm-living.com/" target="_blank">Ferm Living</a>.</div>
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See more of my art on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliedayart/" target="_blank">Flickr page.</a></div>
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-58484455977076254042013-01-21T06:52:00.001-08:002013-01-21T15:48:05.450-08:00new prints from normal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here at normal designs we have been working on some limited edition prints of our first design <i>there is no such thing as normal, </i>which can be seen on our eco friendly bags around Brighton.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dw-QQ2zz_qU/UP1BwioDz6I/AAAAAAAAAR8/yMtDG2ST6H8/s1600/NormalFramedWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dw-QQ2zz_qU/UP1BwioDz6I/AAAAAAAAAR8/yMtDG2ST6H8/s400/NormalFramedWEB.jpg" width="312" /></a> </div>
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Here it is framed. We have also been working on some new designs, currently at the testing stage. This one is inspired by listening to a lot of Radiohead:</div>
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Here is an old favourite, which we have yet to print.<br />
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We are thinking of producing limited edition screenprints, and also an unlimited run of giclee prints for £10 each. What do you think? We are also looking at card printing. Here is a design for Valentine's day: </div>
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all designs are (c) normal designs.</div>
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Please tell us what you think in the comments section below, we always appreciate feedback! Thanks for looking.</div>
<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-85260672832568743492013-01-14T06:43:00.000-08:002013-01-14T06:43:04.891-08:00arty shelvesHere is a very quick How To...make room for more art in your life. Here's the before:<br />
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Some of our art collection, including work by Tori Brown, Paula Day, Dominic from Luton, Paul Griffiths and Janette Staton, as well as some drawings by my son. One trip to Ikea later, with a voucher which we got for Christmas and, among other things, we purchased four long picture shelves.<br />
First, fill and sand any holes. Touch them up with paint, then measure the walls and find the mid-point.<br />
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Using a spirit level, mark through the holes in the shelf with a pencil and make some guiding holes in your wall. Our walls are stud partitions, so I glued the back of the shelves with No More Nails and just used wood screws.<br />
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The first two shelves are up. More measuring and you're ready for the next two. And here's the finished result.<br />
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Now there's room for 100% more art, including some small sculptural objects and letters. And happily, the sun came out too!normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-42635307708681291712013-01-07T07:11:00.000-08:002013-01-14T06:44:47.299-08:00First Ikea HackHappy new year to you all. Here at normal designs' HQ we have taken down the decorations and our sustainable bamboo tree. We didn't want to throw it away, so we are going to keep it in the garden and grow some sweetpeas up it. We have begun to spring clean, which has also involved doing those little projects that I have been promising to do all last year!<br />
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I found these Lack shelves from Ikea in the bin room, but as I couldn't fix them to our stud partition walls, I have been keeping them ever since until I found a use for them. Hence this, my first Ikea Hack. I measured about a foot from either end of one shelf and cut off either end. This was extremely quick and easy, as they are hollow inside.<br />
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Then I sanded down the rough edges and simply glued them to either end of one shelf. I glued the other shelf to the top and voila! One shoe rack, which fits perfectly under the coat rack in our hall.</div>
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I may yet paint the whole thing white, but for the moment, here it is.normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-33439363628430346972012-12-24T05:21:00.000-08:002012-12-24T05:21:13.034-08:00Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas everyone, and have a fabulous New Year.<br />
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<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-85286509671342199112012-12-23T05:51:00.002-08:002012-12-23T05:51:23.167-08:00Baking MadHad a mad day's baking yesterday, ready for all the guests we are expecting over Christmas. Whipped up some more mince pies, as the ones I made last weekend were all eaten rather quickly!<br />
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Some were a little smaller than others, due to the slightly different sizes of our baking trays. But they all still look great packed in a nice tin for Christmas. They will just need heating through and a light dusting of icing sugar on the day.<br />
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One thing I have never made from scratch before is sausage rolls. You can buy ready to roll flaky pastry, but I wanted to try making it myself, so followed Delia's really simple recipe for quick flaky pastry, which basically involves freezing and then grating the fat. Roll the pastry out into an oblong shape, cut into three strips then roll out
your sausage meat. Our butcher has some lovely organic sausage
meat which really does have no rubbish in it. Do try and support your local high street shops.<br />
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Mix in some very finely chopped onion and a pinch or two of sage, then divide and make three rolls long enough to fill your pastry. Brush one edge of the pastry with beaten egg , then roll the other side of the pastry over the sausage meat and seal it. Cut every 2 inches, brush with egg and make a couple of holes in each one, and pop them in the oven for 20 minutes or so at gas mark 7. It's great fun to watch the pastry rising though the oven door (if you have nothing better to do!)<br />
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Finally we made some cheese straws. Dead easy. Roll out more flaky pastry, cover one half with grated cheese then fold the other half over. Roll out again, squashing the cheese in the middle of the pastry. Cut into strips, twirl them around and pop them on a greased baking tray. Brush with a little egg or milk, and maybe sprinkle with some sesame or poppy seeds. Bake on gas mark 6 for about 20 minutes, until they are golden brown.<br />
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Happy baking everyone. I'm off to pick up some wine to mull. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-19704191699974583402012-12-21T02:30:00.000-08:002012-12-21T08:45:35.215-08:00...Tum-tee-tum delightful!So, I said I would show you how to make an origami Santa...You need a square of paper, red on one side and white on the other. Use some scrap paper from the offfice and cover any printing with red paint (we also sprinkled some glitter!) Then cut or tear out a square.<br />
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Next fold the square again, so there is a cross from corner to corner.<br />
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Then fold both sides into the centre, as you would a paper aeroplane.<br />
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Turn that over, and bring down the white bit of paper to the very centre.<br />
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Then fold it over again - this makes the brim of Santa's hat.<br />
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Turn over once more amd fold Santa's hat back up, leaving the bottom of his white beard at the bottom of his body.<br />
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Finally turn the two flaps behind him, and draw a little face:<br />
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He can now stand up and several could be very useful as table decorations, or place holders. Or you can punch a hole in his hat and hang on the tree like we did!<br />
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Happy holidays!normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-33368705570243938802012-12-19T00:49:00.001-08:002012-12-19T01:03:41.093-08:00Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...Well, it's ok today, but it was dreadful on Saturday, when I took my boys to the<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl"> Brighton Christmas Boutique Market. There was lots of shabby chic-y things there, but the boys' favourite (and mine) was Jilted Dog Art's stall (http://www.facebook.com/JiltedDogArt), selling limited edition prints, cards and calendars by local Brighton artist Paul Griffiths.</span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl">I could have very easily come home with a couple of prints (if there had been any money in the bank!) At home we made the Christmas tree. For the second year running we decided to make a totally sustainable, eco-friendly tree from some old bamboo canes we had knocking around the garden.</span></span> Some judicious use of wire to tie the canes together in a rough wigwam formation, and we have lots of twigs to hang baubles off.<br />
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These baubles were picked up for pennies second hand, and jazzed up with a little paint and glitter.<br />
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And the tree looks great, with our upcycled baubles, and these rather lovely felt birds, made by pupils at my sons' school and sold at their Christmas Fair.<br />
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Tomorrow, I shall be showing you how to make one of these wonderful origami Santas!<br />
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<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl"><br /></span></span>normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-54470082215725908452012-12-10T07:21:00.001-08:002012-12-10T09:59:39.739-08:00DIY - With Knobs OnThis week I was lucky enough to find some old door furniture for sale at the Wood Store (http://www.woodrecycling.org.uk). Pairs of door knobs for £3 per set. An absolute bargain - how could I resist? And as the newly installed doors in my council flat have some hideous cheap looking models, I had always wanted to change them.<br />
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Here is one of the old cheap door handles. I simply unscrewed these. <br />
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And then sanded the holes and gave it a quick paint job. The door has been undercoated for some time, until I had the money for some more paint. In the end I used some Farrow and Ball paint I picked up for nothing from Freecycle - it's amazing what is available out there for nothing!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cKVl1jOrugQ/UMX6rlb3PRI/AAAAAAAAAKk/sGewaBCmVeA/s1600/NewKnob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cKVl1jOrugQ/UMX6rlb3PRI/AAAAAAAAAKk/sGewaBCmVeA/s400/NewKnob.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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I then screwed in the "new" brass knobs. The paint is called Great White, and has a hint of dusky pink in it, which makes it a lovely warm white. Obviously the door still needs some sanding down, filling and repainting, but I really couldn't wait to show you the "new" old brass knobs!normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-15582856514520024092012-12-03T06:45:00.000-08:002012-12-03T06:45:19.911-08:00Quick Oat BiscuitsI haven't very long today, so here is a quick recipe for you.<br />
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Mix together 125g butter, 125g sugar and 60g golden syrup.<br />
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Then add 125g flour and 125g oats, half a tablespoon of milk and a couple of drops of vanilla essence. Mix into a dough by hand and cut out your biscuit shapes.<br />
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I have gone for stars, as a test run for some Christmas biscuits.Bake them in the oven on gas mark 5 for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are golden brown.</div>
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Allow them to cool on a cooling rack. They will harden to a biscuit consistency whilst they cool. They are delicious. For the Christmas biscuits I may add a dash of mixed spice. Speaking of which:</div>
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Fed the Christmas cake again today. I think it may not need another feed, as it has had most of a small bottle of brandy all to itself. It may be the booziest Christmas cake ever! I'll let you know. </div>
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<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-80235218789555945692012-11-17T04:28:00.002-08:002012-11-21T12:21:13.011-08:00Buy fresh, buy localFor today's blog we want to think about the food we buy, and whence it comes. We are lucky enough to live near a local farmers' market, where we shop for our fruit and veg. Not only do the staff know the farmers where the food is produced, but the carbon footprint is tiny compared to supermarkets, and it is actually cheaper. Just look at these beautiful garlic bulbs, all locally grown<br />
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Not only are they much bigger than some of the muck you find in your local supermarket, but the taste is just sensational. Try garlic in more of your cooking, it will help to ward off a cold, which is great at this time of year. We use it not just in pasta, but with all sorts of dishes, including this gluten free quiche. </div>
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Another very versatile staple from our farmers' market is beetroot. You really can do a lot with it. We like it roasted with some butternut squash and sweet potatoes. Or you can juice it, as we did with some carrots and a little grapefruit.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY5ndEK9-tg/UKd8XbMPAPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/yS3-4nNzhAk/s1600/Beetroot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY5ndEK9-tg/UKd8XbMPAPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/yS3-4nNzhAk/s400/Beetroot.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Just look at the colour of that! All totally natural, and naturally sweet too. Lastly we want to think about the food which is all around us, if only we would look. We took the children blackberry picking a few weeks ago, and managed to collect about two kilos in less than an hour. We made a crumble that day and froze the rest. This week we got some out and tried Nigel Slater's recipe for blackberry marinated pork. Delicious.<br />
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Though burnt on blackberries are a nightmare to wash up!<br />
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-70893939991012545482012-11-15T10:06:00.001-08:002012-11-15T11:31:54.843-08:00World's Tallest, Smallest Upcycled Table We had an annoying gap beside our new cooker (the old cooker having blown up the first night we moved to Brighton!), barely nine inches wide. And although I had hung a shelf on the wall above, which is a useful place to keep oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, etc.,<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTx7kiR658/UKUZ2J9CAvI/AAAAAAAAAIc/FNa7eduRLZ0/s1600/ClockShelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTx7kiR658/UKUZ2J9CAvI/AAAAAAAAAIc/FNa7eduRLZ0/s400/ClockShelf.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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what we really needed was a little bit of kitchen worktop just beside the cooker. So off I went to possibly my favourite place in Brighton, The Wood Store (http://www.woodrecycling.org.uk) to find a suitable piece of wood.<br />
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Lo and behold, scaffold planks are the perfect size, give or take a millimetre. I chose a piece with the hoop iron (or nail plate) still attached. Used scaffold planks are 70p per foot rough and £5 per foot sanded, so I chose a fairly decent piece of rough wood and sanded it myself by hand. I also found four spindles from an old staircase at the Wood Store which looked about right for a pound each. </div>
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I nailed the spindles in place, and replaced a couple of missing nails through the hoop iron. The spindles were exactly the right height for the world's smallest, tallest table to sit perfectly next to the cooker. I then glued it to the wall and sealed the side and back with some waterproof sealant to make it extra strong, and finished the surface with three layers of Danish oil.</div>
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The total cost of the project was under six pounds. The wood is such a lovely texture and colour now that I really am tempted to go the whole hog and replace our mismatched kitchen worktops with more scaffold planks! </div>
<br />normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-85934489259129430432012-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:002012-11-13T01:07:41.022-08:00The Bog BlogThese days, more often than not, we are told to decorate simply, with a plain backdrop, usually white, and only to go for boldness on one "feature" wall. Well I think differently, particularly in the smallest room. In the toilet you can go for it.<br />
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Having collected ephemera for years, I finally found a use for it. With designer wallpapers fetching hundreds of pounds, here's a relatively free option (all I paid for was the wallpaper paste!)<br />
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Strangely for a one bedroom council flat, I discovered there was room for a small shelving unit in the toilet too. I picked one up for a song at the Brighton Flea Market, and thought I would upcycle it with a bit of paint.<br />
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But when I got it into place I thought it fitted quite nicely with the decor. It sits next to a piece of "bookcase" wrapping paper I have also used as wallpaper.<br />
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Now I have a quiet place to sit and read some poetry, or peruse my small collection of Observers' Books.normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890880024122639591.post-69919257687496341932012-11-04T20:02:00.000-08:002012-11-05T02:31:19.268-08:00Remember, RememberWell, October is over and November's here. But what to do with the pumpkin flesh you hollowed out to make your Jack O' Lantern? Well...<br />
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Here's our Jack O' Lantern, and very scary he was too. And here's what we did with the rest:</div>
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A recipe from BBC Food. Made very much like carrot cake, but tasting more like my nan's bread pudding, and very delicious. Here's how it turned out:</div>
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On the subject of cakes, we've been baking mad this week. Not only have we made the Christmas cake and the above mentioned Pumpkin Cake, but it was my son's birthday today, so the third of this week's cakes was a simple chocolate sponge. And you can't get much simpler than Delia's recipe for "All in one sponge cake" from her Complete Cookery Course.</div>
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You really do just bung it all in together and mix it up. So simple, but so effective. Some whipped cream for a filling and topping, then some more chocolate (and candles as required). </div>
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normal designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09851327767408564819noreply@blogger.com0Brighton, The City of Brighton and Hove, UK50.82253 -0.13716350.7824065 -0.216127 50.8626535 -0.058199