Named and discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, St Barthélémy has captured the hearts and imaginations of it’s various settlers. Who, after the initial search for gold, were overwhelmed and taken back by the natural wonder of paradise on this central Caribbean island; flanked with long white sand beaches and unspoiled land.

The famous French cabaret owner Jean-Marie Rivière chose a plot on St. Barts close to the Baie de Lorient (one of the islands many splendid beaches) where he built an archipelago of nine bungalows around one main house.  Jean-Marie Rivière’s brought the Parisian nightlife to St. Barts, performing his famous cabaret ‘la banane’ on the site; leaving it’s name to the site.  Over time La Banane went from a destination for Rivière’s family and friends, to welcoming a broader clientele and establishing as the hotel it is today.

New owner Jean-Marc Israel has taken La Banane away from traditional styles and opted for adding his own personal passion for modern sleek lines and exuberant interior design.  Graphic design duo ICH&KAR are also behind the hotel’s new visual identity.When re-desiging La Banane, Jean-Marc Israel wanted to maintain the spirit of the very special site, and uncover the essence of a place dedicated to sharing.  Attention was paid to every little detail; buildings were restored, retaining the traditional wooden architecture. Inside, the framework has been set off in white, with a 1950′s shade of bold yellow and a design of azure circles created by the sandstone floor tiles.  The open-air bathrooms and translucent turquoise glass blocks hesitate between an evocation of the sea and the sky.

In each room unusual works by the likes of Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Serge Mouille, Jean Royère and Juliette Derel, form the highlights of an ever-changing tapestry.  1950′s design is truly celebrated with a fruitful crossover between post-colonial India and the ideals of European culture, giving La Banane a new lease of life.  Some pieces have been adapted; such as a library table now used for impromptu breakfasts, while others have been given a makeover with new fabrics and vibrant colours.

For further information on booking and rates please visit the La Banane website.

After much deliberation we have finally decided to update our kitchen but rather than spending thousands on a new refit; we will simply make some small changes that will give the impression of a totally new design.

The blue cupboard doors are now white white gloss, the tatty vinyl floor has been exchanged for large stone tiles and the very chintzy wall tiles have been replaced with ‘old school’ white rectangular ones.  The image on the right shows them in a bathroom, and they are often seen in industrial kitchens, schools and cafés.  I chose this particular style as the design is timeless; I know that in five years time the they will still work within our scheme.

We are also thinking about a glass splashback (image on the left) but can’t decide on the colour? I am tempted to go for a clear glass as I am not a big fan of colour in kitchens.  The tiles and Splashback are both from The Tile Depot (one of the UK’s largest tile and wooden floor companies).   If you are thinking about a new kitchen or bathroom take a look at their website as they are surprisingly affordable.  My tiles were just 59 pence each!  I will post you more updates as we go along, including a before and after pic…

Nestled well off the beaten track on the Isle of Jura {west coast of Scotland}, Jura Lodge is a luxury retreat for whiskey aficionados, writers & guests alike. Not the easiest of destinations to reach; it will take a minimum of two planes and a ferry, but once you land on this small Hebridean island, you’ll realize why authors such as George Orwell came here to write.

Jura Lodge – originally The Old Distiller’s house – has been transformed by Paris based, American interior specialist; Bambi Sloan, into a shabby chic, vintage inspired luxurious getaway. Sloan’s quirky display of colour, décor and stylistic touches runs throughout the house; from the curios filled glass cabinets, to the white suit of armour & relics from the past. The White Room {the biggest bedroom} has fresh white walls, antique French linens & lace, ornate mirrors & a central Victorian roll top bath with panoramic sea views. Each room is decorated in it’s own unique style; but ultimately following in Sloan’s creative, eccentric manner.

From the pictures you can see that the decadent interior offers a playful & humerous touch with the collection of trinkets and vast collection of deer antlers. The attention to details is exquisite & appropriate to the rich history on the Isle of Jura, which Sloan took great inspiration from. Unique features include a writers chair made entirely from deer antlers, the kitchen fridge that originated from a Brazilian cafe in the 1950s, and a large bass drum coffee table in the sitting room.

Activities such as shooting, hunting, fishing, fell walking, lobster eating, sailing and whiskey drinking can all be organised upon request.

You can hire on a room-by-room basis but availability is limited – costs start at £625 per room per night for a minimum of three nights. “Trust us, it’s worth every penny” – Jura Lodge Diurachs. For further booking information please visit the Jura Lodge Website.

This has to be one of the prettiest hotels that I have ever come across.  Bed of Flowers is a small scale, quaint Bed of Breakfast located in the countryside, almost on the dike of the river Waal (main tributary of the river Rhine) and close to the village of Beuningen, Netherlands.

The owner/host, Floriene Bosch, says that she is very passionate about interior decorating with a very personal style characterized by daring colors and flower designs.   Well, you can certainly tell this from the pictures.  Each room has been lovingly put together using a mix of bright pastel colours for the walls & furniture teamed with pretty floral fabrics for the soft furnishings.  Floriene has then filled the rooms with flowers to add that final injection of colour.  Love it, love it, love it!

For more information about this B&B & to enquire about availability then vsist their website. Enjoy the pics and let me know your thoughts…

Gingham, Union Jack, Crochet, Florals, Spotty, Linen cupboard, Applique, Tea Pastels and Boho are the words that BHS use to descibe their new homeware called ‘Maison Vintage’  Within this collection are three key looks; British, Fifties Bliss & Linen Cupboard. The looks are spot on with the key trends for this A/W especially 50′s Bliss.  I think the over all look is really pretty, especially the crochet cushions with the little birds in the 50′s collection.  And I love the trays in the British collection.

The pricing isn’t bad either, something that BHS always seem to get right. Click here to see the full range

If you get a chance then grab a copy of the September issue of Homes & Gardens as there is a lovely feature called ‘Country Chapel’ on page 109.  The owners live in a converted a chapel and have lots of vintage/country accessories as seen in the pictures above.

If you want some help on how to create this look then I would suggest buying the following book by Cath Kidston.  It’s only pocket size and one of my favourites.