Coffee tables... center piece or dumping ground?

I haven't actually got a coffee table. My parents never really had one either, probably due to a pack of crazy Deerhounds (aka, the best dogs in the world) with waggling tails at coffee table height.

I really love all these pictures and have been wondering if it is what my living room needs, a well worn vintage wooden table to 'tie the room together', in reality though are they useful or just another Interior design concept that is great in theory but in reality, is another place to dump papers, accumulate dirty mugs and only making a well assembled appearance when visitors arrive?

Do you have an immaculate well presented coffee table or is yours a dumping ground too?

Purely decorative coffee table, featuring Amethyst and glass orbs

Vintage box as a coffee table with little green succulent

Coffee table Inventory

Tree Sections as a coffee table

Pretty flowers in vases: Coffee table

Houseplants: The Chinese Money Plant

The Chinese Money plant aka Pilea Peperomioides

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides

This odd little plant, native to Western China and brought to Europe by a Swedish Missionary in 1946, is  the Chinese Money plant, its latin name is Pilea Peperomioides.

The Chinese Money Plant is an ideal houseplant as it is pretty undemanding, fast growing and leafy all year round. Like the Maidenhair Fern in my last houseplant post, the Chinese Money Plant does not like direct sunlight and in fact shade will encourage larger leaves...

If you would like to know the history about these beautiful little plants you can read more here

Reflection: White Walls and Houseplants

White bedroom via ca_Miller on instagram

Vintage Mirror and houseplants via Tip_toes on Instagram

Wandering eyes by Geraud Beton

Houseplants and White Walls

White bedroom

I just wanted to say a massive thank you so much for all the beautiful comments and likes on my last post and on my instagram feed. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and well wishes, it really is very humbling...

So I had my doctors appointment on Tuesday and I am pleased to say it was very, very good news. For the last 9-10 years I have had a brain tumor and have been taking medication to stop it growing. I never in my wildest dreams would think that it could actually disappear, but turns out the treatment worked and the tumor is gone, with no leftover effects!!!

It is very good news and I am thrilled... but it has also left me feeling a little strange and numb.... Although I am a nurse and know it is good to talk about emotions, I never liked to talk about 'it' with my friends and family, I guess because I always had quite morbid thoughts about what could happen.


But it hasn't happened, so now I can start planning for the future as a 'healthy' person. I have a three day pottery course over this weekend and next, perfect way to heal and reflect. Handmade Hanging Plant pots here I come!!

The wonderful home of.... Wilbert

My dream dining Room

Okay so this is probably 'the one' for me. I don't think a dining room could ever wow me as much as this one. It has everything I have ever envisaged in my mind for my dream room.

This beautiful sitting room is just a part of a selection of photos of Wilberts home in Antwerp. A home he rented the top flat in as a student, helped the owners renovate it into a house, and then brought himself years later. I could have just re-blogged the whole house, but just chose to feature this room, so head on over to 'all items loaded' and see the rest and read more about Wilbert's interior passion!!

Wisteria Arch at Kawachi Fuji Garden

Wisteria arch at Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyusha, Japan

Kawachi Fuji Garden

Kawachi Fuji Garden

Kawachi Fuji Garden, Images via Pinterest 

These fairytale images are of the Wisteria Archs at Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyusha, Japan. The gardens are home to over 150 Wisteria plants in a variety of beautiful colours. 

Isn't it just so beautiful and inspiring?

A big thank you to al that responded with tips for my maiden hair fern. It is now in my bathroom away from the window, and doing well. Cheers guys xx

Houseplants: MaidenHair Fern

My tiny little MaidenHair Fern in hanging planter (by atelier Stella on Etsy)

MaidenHair fern and Salt Lamp duo

Maiden Hair Fern in the kitchen

A Beautiful full MaidenHair fern growing outdoors

I have recently become a little obsessed with ferns, I have been looking for a maidenhair everywhere since seeing the second picture. Yesterday was a winning day, I received my Fern Fever Book in the post (my sister thinks this purchase is hilarious) and I found a tiny little maidenhair fern in a corner shop for 99p...score! He is a little battered but I am hoping he will make it.

Any successful maidenhair growers out there please leave your tips below xx

Collections...

Collections: Palmistry

Swan Pots and ceramic collections via Toast Travels

Globes and Plants

Rue Magazine (June 2012 Issue). Photography by Marjon Hoogervorst.

Creepy but cool: Lions and tigers and bears oh my..

Teapots, thimbles, scary victorian dolls, pottery, crystals... people collect all sorts that adorn their homes. I love all of the hands and palmistry books in the first photograph (via shelter protects). Other than books (and a few elephants and crystals) I am not really a big collector of anything in particular.

Are you?

p.s. Talking of collections, If you havent watched Todd Selby's The Archivist video make sure you check it out here

One Bathroom: Paco Pinton And Chiquinho- Dilettante

Paco Pinton And Chiquinho- Dilettante's Bathroom via The Selby

All Images Paco Pinton And Chiquinho- Dilettante's Bathroom via The Selby

I love Todd Selby, not only does he have my dream job, but he is very good at it, and I am totally in awe of his latest find, the Madrid home of Pace Pinton and Chiquinho Dilettante. This home is so beautiful and although every room is a visual feast, I am totally in love with this beautiful blue mosaic bathroom, with its vintage rug and gorgeously packaged products, not to mention the happy houseplants and natural sponge.

I urge you to check out the rest of this beautiful space over at The Selby

Halona Glass: Terrariums and Sun Catchers

Twiggy Levy from Halona Glass

Halona Glass studio: image from No guts No Glory

Halona Glass: 666 Prism Terrarium

Halona Glass: Small Geodesic Topper

Halona Glass: Stretched Simple Arrow Tail

Halona Glass is the Studio of Twiggy Levy based in Brooklyn. I fell for the 666 Prism Terrarium after seeing a picture of it on tumblr and have been on the hunt for the photo credit for months. It is one of my new years resolutions to get myself a terrarium and maybe one of those Arrow tails.

Hope you are all having a happy new year

xx gabi xx

For more posts about planters and terrariums click here

The Home of.... Bart and Pieter...

The Home of Garden Architects Bart and Pieter

I wanted to share with you this beautiful home of Garden Architects Bart and Pieter from my new interior website find CoffeeKlatch. I love the mixture of huge modern open spaces and rustic old furniture..... and the pond!!

Hope you are all having a great weekend......

Dont forget to enter this months giveaway .....