In a Silent Way....

Cabin fever in Montana

cabin in the Woods

Cabin in the Snow

Log cabin

I have sat at the computer for 45 minutes with a  blank mind, just not feeling all the blog posts I have prepared in my mind. I spend this time looking through my secreat Pinterest board of ideas and nothing comes to me............

........then my boyfriend puts on Miles Davis' In a Silent Way..... I spot a picture of a lonely cabin and start day dreaming about snuggling up in front of an open fire with a dram of Scottish Whiskey, a thick wool blanket, a good book and Miles Davis playing on the turntable..... Bliss!

Guide to Creating a Relaxing Bohemian Home....

Bridget Bardot, San Tropez

I am so proud of my new ebay guide. I used the image above of Bridget Bardot in her San Tropez home as inspiration.

As my regular readers will know I don't usually work with larger corporations but I am a total eBay addict, especially for my own home furnishings. I really try to only buy second hand these days for ethical reasons and because I find the high street rarely inspires me. Why buy a Kantha copy when you can have the real deal for the same price or cheaper?

Any way, Please check out my 'Creating a Bohemian Home' guide and let me know what you think, I would love some feedback

xx Gabi xx

White Walls and House Plants

Isn't this home just so simple yet so perfect? Matt white walls, a beautiful collection of house plants and quality wood furniture....

I am trying to teach myself that less can be more. I keep trying to remind myself that if I save my money I can buy one really beautiful item rather than splurging on plenty of cheaper ones !

To view more images of this modern bohemian home visit A bridge to no where tumblr

Traditional Painted Ghadames house's of Libya

Interior decoration, traditional Ghadames house

source

Ghadames Interior

 Aren't these interiors just wonderful and so unique? These are interiors of properties in Ghadames, a protected heritage site in Libya. The city is known as 'The Pearl of the desert" due to its bright white washed walls

Ghadames is said to be the oldest habitable Medina in the entire Sahara, with evidence going back to the Paleolithic period. One of the main features of the old town is the fact that it is built entirely out of mud and is completely covered, except for small ventilation holes found occasionally along its dark lanes and labyrinthine passages and streets. This ancient design has a good reason to be invented in the Sahara: the mud houses maintain a cool town in the summer and warm habitat in the freezing winter nights.

 The interiors of the houses are uniquely painted with intricate Berber designs, using red paint on white walls, and decorated with hanging ornaments; giving the rooms a vibrant and fascinating atmosphere, which makes Ghadames truly unique. The traditional Berber designs used include the triangle, the diamond, the sun, the moon, the palm, the eye, the hand, and the Tuareg cross. The objects used to decorate the rooms include mirrors, ornaments made of palm straw (such as food covers), brass and copper, and Berber carpets, rugs and cushions.

To view the Whole article visit Temehu

Meditation Essentials Guide...

When eBay asked me to put together some guides I was so thrilled. Not only am I a total eBay addict but I love creating these guides and sharing my passions with you guys. So my first one is one of my main loves in life....

Working as an Emergency Department Nurse, meditation has become an essential activity in my daily life to help beat the blues and keep me calm in and after work.

Meditation is an excellent way to unwind after a hectic day. Regular practice has been proven to help lower blood pressure and relieve anxiety. Practiced in the morning it can help set the tone of the day , practiced at night it can help you slip gently off to sleep.

The good news is you don’t have to have a dedicated room or spend big bucks to create your own little sacred space. Find a calm corner in your house and set up your meditation essentials.....

Click here to read my Guide in Full or visit my collection of mediation essentials here....

The Houseboat of... Emma Freemantle

All Images from Daily Mail online

Emma brought this beautiful 38 ft narrowboat in 2011 having previously rented from its owners fro two years . The boat has been lovingly restored and showcases Emma's vintage fabric collection. The whole boat is beautiful but the kitchen and bathroom are really gorgeous arent they?

The multifunctional living/dining space is at the far end of the boat. A table and two fixed benches softened with bolsters and cushions in a mix of new and old ticking are usually put to work as Emma's dining area and work space - tools, fabrics, paperwork and sketchbooks are stowed under the seats. 'The space is easily reconfigured by lowering the table top to form a platform daybed,' says Emma. 'It's great for when friends come over: we all slip off our shoes and sit chatting and eating.' The red vintage fabric wreaths are from Emma¿s latest collection

Of boat life Emma Says...

‘One of the best things about living on water is the effect it has on you. I’m immersed in the elements from the moment I wake. Nature is so close; I’m aware of the light, the sunshine, the wildlife – it’s all on my doorstep! I see the seasons change in front of me, and slowly but surely the wood burner gets turned off. Another joy of living here is the people: we are a very close community, I know all my neighbours and we share.

‘I suppose I could live in a much easier way – maybe I’ll look back in years to come and wonder how I did it, but right now I don’t mind the niggles: changing the gas bottles, topping up the water tank, the upkeep of the external paintwork.
The water could be hotter, and I could do with a bit more space – when I stretch my arms out, I can touch the sides. For now though, it’s my perfect floating gypsy caravan, and I hope it will stay in my family for ever.’

To view the whole interview and see more of Emmas boat visit here 
 If you would like to see more of my HouseBoat posts visit here

Current Obsession: Marvin Frietas Triangle Mirrors

Marvin Freitas' Triangle Mirrors

I have seen these beautiful triangle mirrors doing the rounds on Pinterest and tumblr and wondered where they came from. I would love one of these at the top of my stairs!!!

...... They are the work of Carpenter Marvin Frietas....

Marvin has been a carpenter for almost 20 years and his inspiration began as a young boy watching his grandfather make things in his small garage shop in Galicia, Spain.

Marvin told Moon to Moon that he "always felt that my hands had something and I could translate me vision into reality in terms of furniture" and the "Triangle mirror is a reflection on my child hood growing up in Galicia"

Now based in Minneapolis MN his custom work sells in select boutiques in the US, choosing to work alone as he doesn't want to get to big.

Creating a Relaxing Bohemian Bathroom

Bohemian Bali Bathroom

White Bathroom with Pink Sink

Bathroom details via Shop Millie

Love that vintage Mirror via Elle Decoration

Beautiful bohemian bathroom with Shell Chandelier

Bright, calm and relaxing. These white bathrooms look anything but cold and boring. ....

As I have mentioned before having a 7 month old baby means that bath time and my Yoga lessons are the only chance I get to be 'off duty' and relax. As bath time now means more to me than ever I am dreaming of creating myself a perfectly relaxing bohemian bathroom, but sadly I don't have a luxury budget to match.

A bathroom transformation doesn't have to cost the earth, A few well chosen accessories, the odd splash of colour and a couple of houseplants are all that are needed to turn a lifeless white box of a bathroom, like mine, into a relaxing retreat.

Replacing taps (faucets), adding some new towels (or dying your existing towels) and finding an unusual shaped mirror from eBay or a thrift find will achieve a more personal feel to a generic bathroom.

'My Nest'... Laura from Fat Lama Vintage

A selection of Laura's Kantha Throws which she sells in her Etsy Shop Fat lama Vintage

Welcome to tthe second part of the 'My Nest' feature here on Moon to Moon. The aim of the new 'My Nest' feature is to get a glimpse into real life readers homes. That means no stylists re-arranging furniture and adding props, and no fancy photographers with light meters.... All photographs are by the owner ensuring all the 'nests' are the homes as they really are, lived in and perfectly imperfect, dirty dishes and all. . Alongside the photos there is also a set of 10 questions to get a bit of juicy background on the property and the family.

Laura.....

The image of the meditation room is one of my all time favorite images. Everything about that room is just perfect. I have featured Laura's beautiful house on Moon to Moon before but now a couple of years later Laura has opened up her beautiful front room, I have one of her beautiful Suzani's from her Etsy shop Fat Lama and we are now proper facebook buddies!!

So it seemed logical that Laura's beautiful home feature in the 'My Nest' series..... I was also just desperate to find out more about her influences and sources!!

1) Where do you live and what do you do for a living? 
 I live in Reading, Berkshire (England) and have done since I came here to start Nursing training when I was 18. I have left several times, but always seem to find my way back.

 2) What attracted you to your current home
I work part time with homeless women with substance abuse issues, and I run Fatlama on Etsy.

3) how long have you lived there/ will you live there
 Nige and I were mooching around town one day and we saw a sign saying outside an estate agent saying that we could probably buy a house for the same price as renting, so we went in....ours was the first house we looked at, it just had a really good feeling about it...it seemed to say 'ah, youre here at last!' we have been here for 22 years now. I'd find it hard to move as the place has a lovely vibe and has cared for us so well over the years.

We do plan to move to India when we have paid off the mortgage, but we will probably keep the house and rent it out.

4) what is your favorite/ most treasured item.
My most treasured physical item is a beautiful hand painted 1930's Thanka of White Tara....it hangs over the fire place. We bought it in Nepal when we were traveling for a year.

5) where do you buy most of your furnishings and accessories 
I buy most of my furnishings and accessories second hand, or on ebay. I find you can get everything and more from Ebay, I have have some fantastic buys and I love it!

 6) how would you describe your style?
Mmmm, my style would be probably boho-electic-rustic I like touches of industrial too.

7) what/who inspires your home style / decision making when buying a new piece.
Who inspires me...hmm, most of my inspiration has come from my travels to to India and Nepal, Bolivia and Peru, many places. My style comes from wanting to re create those places around me, cos those were the happiest times of my life 

8) what/ where would be your dream home?
My dream home...mm it would be in India, somewhere, probably Himachal Pradesh. Just a cosy little place in the mountains with my bloke although I am very happy here too...      

9) what was the last item you bought?
The last item I bought was a lovely Azilal Rug from Danielle Donker of Beyond Marrakech great prices!

10 ) any wish list items?
wish list items...mmm, I need a new bathroom desperately! I'd like a Moroccan style wet room with Tadelakt walls. yum.
Also I'd rather like one of those African Ju ju hats!   

 

Mia Farrow painting her dressing Room

Mia Farrow painting her dressing Room behind the scenes of the 1968 Movie Rosemary's Baby. I think I would need flowers, butterflies and the words peace and love all around me to keep me sane when acting in a psychological thriller like that too!!

The Loft , Amsterdam

Over the last few years I have noticed my tastes in interiors change. I still love the homely, cosy eclectic, bohemian spaces I always have but these days I also find myself lusting over larger more spacious, dare I say it , minimal spaces (I hate that term). I have even found myself looking at Loft apartments adoringly.

Living here in the UK where our houses are Tiny and expensive compared to the rest of the western world I cant help but look at what is available abroad and feel just a little hard done by. Don't get me wrong being a home owner is a privilege, but sometimes the selfish bit of me just wants..... space!

This Loft in Amsterdam, I think is actually a show room, but it is so beautiful and dreamy that I had to show you. What could feel like a really cold place, due to the high ceilings, has been made to feel much cosier by great use of textiles and layering.....

The clever use of a four poster bed for instance, gives the illusion of a private intimate bed space. The beautiful Beni Ourain rug also softens the look of the (extremely gorgeous) parquet flooring and the plant by the window also injects a bit of colour and life into the otherwise whiter than white room. I am also a bit obsessed with that snug sheepskin drench bench.... perfect place for people watching...

Again in the dining area the hanging shelf divides the space and would give a cosier feel when eating dinner, and is great for candles and hanging plants. I also really like the sitting area although I have noticed there are no bookshelves which I would be screwed without... maybe modern day minimalists read everything on their kindles!

The windows are enviable, the view of Amsterdam (one of my favorite Cities) is awesome, the floor is beautiful but there is one thing I would definitely change, if it was mine, and that would be to re-open up that fire. In the winter there is nothing more beautiful and cosy than a proper open fire!! .. ..... oh and mess. I cant live without a bit of mess :)

What do you guys recon? Too open or perfect?

The original article and full set of photos are available here

If you like The Loft, you will also love Franklin Place