Summer is well and truly here in all its colourful, perfumed and warm glory. Whether you plan to brighten your own or someone else’s garden or home we have items to make your summer even more summery!

For dining al fesco you could use a serving or cheese board from Caulfield Country Boards, or a small ‘food for love’ bowl or platter from Sarah McKenna for your olives and dips. The ‘Irish field’ candle from Bog Standard gives a lovely fresh cut grass scent, and one of the  stripy ‘Biarritz’ cushions by Claire Delabre will brighten up your patio or balcony. If your are going to the races or attending a wedding or a posh garden party this summer, one of Bernice Rafferty’s fascinators will no doubt make heads turn!

Brighten things up even further by painting your flower pots or garden furniture in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. How about Florence, Emperor’s Silk, Barcelona Orange or Greek Blue?

In spite of some recent wintry weather there are some signs of Spring out there and nature is slowly waking up from its hibernating months. Daffodils and crocuses are in bloom and their bright and strong  colourful petals are a great source of inspiration for my coming up painting and textile projects.

Springtime is when we usually get a burst of energy to give a new lease of life to our home by doing a therapeutic spring cleaning throughout the house. Why not refresh/freshen up a piece of furniture or walls by giving them a lick of Annie Sloan chalk paint? This paint is so easy to work with that painting won’t feel like a chore but will be great fun! With no need for priming or sanding to remove old paint or varnish, using chalk paint is a totally satisfying experience if not positively addictive! By the time you finish painting your furniture or your walls, you will be thinking: hmm, what could I paint now?