Design Lover's Guide To A Weekend In Shoreditch

a design lover's guide to a weekend in shoreditchWeekend getaways are a rare treat for us, in fact in all our seven years of parenting, we've been away on our own a total of once. Until recently that is, when citizenM invited us to stay for a weekend in Shoreditch.A once bombed out, run down area of the city, Shoreditch now thrives as a vibrant location for artists and creatives. Street art springs up in the most unexpected places and industrial Victorian architecture jostles with the newly built apartment blocks springing up everywhere. It has a reputation for the hip and happening and although it gets some stick for the 21st Century hipster culture, it's an area I very much love to spend time in.Opened only last year and situated in the heart of the uber-creative area of Shoreditch, this hotel is pitched as an affordable, no fuss design hotel to those who want to feel at home amongst iconic designs and ultimate comfort. It is a design lover's dream, no surprise as the hotel interior was built in collaboration with Vitra. And so, because I'm so generous, I thought I'd put together a 24 hour guide to exploring Shoreditch. If you have longer, say a Friday to Monday situation, then lucky you. There's some drool worthy independent homeware boutiques, places to while away a few hours with good food and enough Instagram worthy streets to shoot to your heart's content...

STAY

CITIZENM | 6 HOLYWELL LANE, LONDON, EC2A 3ET

Vitra furniture in the CitizenM design hotel, ShoreditchEntering through a mysterious automatic door which leaves you wondering "do I go in this way?" and you're in the lobby, greeted by Verner Panton chairs beneath a sweeping mid-century inspired wooden staircase. Yes. Look up and this is what you'll see...If you love a hotel that takes it one step further away from the conventional, then you can trust this Dutch owned chain to do just that. Everything here is hi-tec. Check-in is a refreshing experience where can you do it at your own pace using just a touch screen. Choose the floor and aspect of your room, scan the key card and off you go! Yes, ok, it eliminates the human element of the experience, but depending on what time you're arriving / what state you're in and how much you wish to communicate, it can make a real difference!George Nelson Bubble Lamps hanging in the stairwell at the CitizenM Hotel during our weekend in ShoreditchThe hotel is aiming for budget friendly with boutique style and with rooms priced at £139 a night, the design is definitely a plus point. It doesn't feel budget. Every detail has been carefully considered here, the way in which quirky, British style has been introduced through modern art, literature and graffiti motifs that define the area. The public areas make you want to stay a while, explore what's on the shelves, listen to a play list at the bar.Charles Eames chairs wait in the lounge area at the CitizenM Hotel, ShoreditchHome from home in the lounge at the citizenM design hotel, ShoreditchThere are slouchy sofas to sink into in the communal living area or well lit tables to sit, plug in and work from. One of my all time favourites, the classic black Eames lounger was out in force in the living space, facing a large flat screen built into a dividing wall of shelves. There are books on fashion, art, music. The emphasis here is in the slowing down. Everything is geared towards effortless relaxation, intentional meandering.Vitra elephant at the CitizenM design hotel, ShoreditchEvery room, although pretty compact, comes with a wall to wall window with views across the city. I made sure we picked a higher floor on check-in which had views cross BoxPark and beyond - great to watch come alive at night. The presence of an iPad (or Moodpad) which controlled all the tech in the room was less of a frivolity and more of an "oh my God we need one of these at home!" It controlled the blinds, mood lighting and ambience in the room as well as the TV and some really great movies to get you settled in.Our view of the tea building from our hotel on our weekend in Shoreditchcozy bedroom inside the CitizenM design hotel, Shoreditchcozy bedroom inside the CitizenM design hotel, Shoreditchcozy bedroom inside the CitizenM design hotel, ShoreditchThe king sized bed, aside from our own, is the comfiest I've ever slept it. I tell no lies. Not too soft, not too firm, just right. And waking up with the head I had the next day, it's just as well (the Orange Biciclettas at Pizza East are impossible to resist). It was nothing a long, hot rain shower couldn't cure though. That and a long, lazy breakfast downstairs. Now citizenM take their breakfasts very seriously. Every base is covered. You want a full English? No problem. A fresh fruit salad with basil infused syrup? You got it. Whether it's fresh pastries, toast with Newton and Pott organic jams or just a bloody good coffee, it's all there. And you can keep going til lunchtime.Home from home in the lounge at the CitizenM design hotel, Shoreditch

EAT

ANDINA PICANTERIA & PISCO BAR | 1 Redchurch Street, London, E27DJplaces to eat on a weekend in Shoreditch, AndinaFor those looking for a departure from the normal type of fare, Andina is a great start. Immerse yourself in traditional Peruvian street food without too much concern about dietary needs - there are several vegan and gluten free options. Ceviche is popular here, as is the grilled meat and fish. Cocktails are well worth a try and the decor is what you'd expect - a vivd blend of old world Peru with touches of hanging textiles, brightly tiled bar area and modern furniture.ALBION | 2 - 4 Boundary Street, London, E2 7DDplaces to eat on a weekend in Shoreditch, AndinaA classic British menu served in a minimal, industrial setting. Stop by for the artisanal bakery and grocery if you're planning on taking a few things home for later, or linger for longer over a relaxed meal. Kids eat free on weekends and holidays here too.FLAT IRON | 77 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BSplaces to eat on a weekend in Shoreditch, FlatironPretty much does exactly what it says on the tin. Flat Iron is so called because it serves the best flat iron steaks in London. Be prepared for big portions at the very reasonable price of £10. This is steak and chips done well. And the interior and plant filled exterior are on point too.CREAM | 31 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EY

places to eat on a weekend in Shoreditch, Creams

Described as an "ingredient led daytime canteen", Cream offers organic, market fresh dishes from a new menu each day. Alongside small bites and heartier options, the coffee is also great. Of course, it wouldn't be on my list without having something offer in the decor department. The fully opening doors, potted plants in every corner and white brick walls were enough to keep me here for very long time.

SHOP

KENT AND LONDON | 5 Hackney Road, London, E2 7NXshopping for kitchens at Kent and London on a weekend in Shoreditch Kent and London is run by craftsman Luke Ellis and Simon Goff, founder of flooring company, Floor_Story. Expect Luke's ridiculously well made kitchens and furniture painted in a palette to die for. I'm reliably informed that these will be released as part of their exclusive paint collection launching imminently. A considered collection of Simon's rugs hang from the walls and downstairs is home to just some of his collection. If he doesn't make it or stock it, they will source it for you, from vintage kelims to designer collaborations. You will also find beautiful cookware such as the incredibly desirable Crane C series pans, rustic ceramics and other kitchen related accoutrements.MODERN SOCIETY | 33 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJshopping and coffee at Modern Society on a weekend in ShoreditchA store on different levels in more ways than one, Modern Society gives you space to breathe. Sit and have a coffee, browse the carefully curated homewares, gifts and clothing or lose yourself in their exhibition space. I was particularly taken with the bold photography displayed on the grey walls by Berlin based artist Sarah Illenberger. They recently launched their own unisex label too, designed with modern simplicity in mind.shopping at Modern Society on a weekend in ShoreditchMONOLOGUE | 93 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJshopping at Monologue on a weekend in ShoreditchSeeing my favourite chair, the &Tradition 'Fly' sitting in the window of Monologue was enough to get me through the door. If contemporary, Scandi design is your bag then this is a must. Expect to find a fresh and rotating selection of up and coming design in this concept store from the likes of Gubi, Jaime Hayon and HAY.LABOUR AND WAIT | 85 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DJshopping at Labour And Wait on a weekend in ShoreditchPossibly one of the most instagramed shop fronts in London with its bottle green tiles, Labour and Wait is home to functional, simplistic homewares. Think of well made brushes, linen aprons and gardening tools. You'll also find vintage items here too, pieces that were made to last and stand the test of time.Of course, it's impossible for me to get through everything Shoreditch has to offer over the course of a weekend, it'll take several more to come even close. With that in mind, I've put together a helpful map with a few more suggestions for a great weekend of design.A Design Lover's Guide to a Weekend In Shoreditch

•This post has been written in collaboration with CitizenM Hotels. 

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

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How To Make A Kokedama Hanging Garden

A simple step-by-step guide on how to make a kokedama hanging plant moss ball Almost this time last year I was shooting this tutorial piece for the book 'Urban Jungle - Living & Styling with Plants' and today I wanted to show you how to make a Kokedama (meaning "moss ball") hanging garden. Not only do they make a stunning feature of an otherwise blank corner of a room, but they're also use up very little space if large potted houseplants aren't an option for you.If you're a plant lover and you've had your eyes open over the past year or so, you'll have noticed this new trend of hanging moss ball plants popping up everywhere, taken from the traditional Japanese art of displaying plants. I managed to teach myself to do this on the fly as I shot it, so although the overall concept might sound daunting, it couldn't be easier to do. The mixing of the soils and wrapping the moss and string is a therapeutic, hands on way to garden and if you choose the right plant, it'll be happy for as long as you take good care. Mine have been thriving for almost a year now too...You Will Need:A space to make mess. If this is at your table indoors, put paper down (and on the floor too). Otherwise, go outside!Moisture loving plants - ferns are ideal (I've used the Asparagus variety) as well as ivy, small trees and orchids.Sphagnum moss.All-purpose compost.Bonsai or Akadama soil.Garden or waxed twine or thin cord.Sheet moss.How to make a Kokedama hanging plant moss ball - step one|1| Remove the access soil from to expose the roots of the plant taking care not to break them. Wrap the root ball in the Sphagnum moss. This will keep the core of the ball nice and moist.How to make a Kokedama hanging plant moss ball |2| In a bucket or large bowl, combine in equal parts the compost and soil, mixing it with water until the soil just clumps together as you make a ball. Form a solid ball large enough to house the roots of the plant (you may need to squeeze out the excess water to do this). Make a hole for the roots of the plant and gently insert it, squeezing the soil back around it.How to make a Kokedama hanging plant moss ball - step three|3| Place your plant ball onto a sheet of moss and bring the sides up around the soil, making sure to remove any excess folds, then firmly (but not too tightly) wrap the ball with the string.How to make a Kokedama hanging plant moss ball How to make a Kokedama hanging plant moss ball - step four|4| Wrap the ball with the string until the moss the ball is secure. Tie three additional lengths of string on the plant ready to hang it up and choose a location your plant will love. If you're unable to hang your Kokedama, you can also display them on a shelf or other surface with a small plate or saucer underneath to catch the excess moisture.TIP: Keep an eye on how moist the Kokedama is - watering once a week by submerging it or regularly spritzing with water will keep it happy. I add feed into the water during the growing months (Spring and Summer) too. A Kokedama hanging garden against a navy background To see more beautiful DIY plant tutorials and inspirational urban jungle stylings, you can purchase 'Urban Jungle - Living & Styling with Plants' here and follow the community on Instagram @urbanjungleblog #urbanjunglebook.

Photography & Styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley (with thanks to Enrich & Endure for the loan of the linen apron). 
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Urban Jungle Book | Living + Styling With Plants

Urban Jungle Book review - Urban Jungle - Living and Styling with PlantsFrom time to time I'll review a book here that I think will be something you yourselves would love to own, either as thing of beauty for the coffee table (I still don't own one yet by the way) or as a useful resource for your own home.It goes without saying that I'm a little more invested in this one than most as it's written by two good friends of mine. Igor Josifovic and Judith De Graaff are fellow bloggers and founders of the Urban Jungle Bloggers community which they started in 2013 having discovered a mutual love of plants. Their community has grown immensely since then, proving that plants are beneficial to our emotional well-being as well as enhancing our homes visually. Earlier this spring I shot a few spaces within our home for this very book and I'm really proud to see them here amongst such a lovely group of plant lovers.Living and styling with plants Urban Jungle Bloggers bookThis urban jungle book, titled 'Urban Jungle - Living and Styling with Plants' is a joyous celebration of indoor gardening. Whether you're new to botanicals or more experienced, this book is a friendly and informative way to immerse yourself.Urban Jungle Book review - Urban Jungle - Living and Styling with PlantsUrban Jungle Styling and Living With Plants book Tiffany Grant-Riley Living and styling with plants Urban Jungle Bloggers bookurban-jungle-styling-and-living-with-plants-cacti-ilaria-fatoneFocusing on 11 varieties of plants, the book mixes tips and advice for plant care and propagation with beautiful images from the homes of Urban Jungle enthusiasts across the globe. There are DIY tutorials for more hands on creative planting (I'll be sharing one of mine with you next week) and styling inspirations, interleaved with illustrations by Saar Manche. A truly inspired read, this Urban Jungle book will motivate anyone (however black fingered you think you might be) to start growing their own little garden and I can't wait to continue that journey with mine.Urban Jungle Book review - Urban Jungle - Living and Styling with PlantsYou can order your copy direct from Amazon, currently available in the U.S, UK and Germany, published by Callwey.

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Lifestyle, Slow Living Lifestyle, Slow Living

mahabis | Slippers For Kids

mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheeps wool inside.When creators of the most stylish slipper known to man hinted about a kids collection at their launch last year, I was excited to say the least. Kids slippers are a bit of a bane to be honest, they're either covered in gimmicks which become old and boring when the novelty wears off or they're badly made. Given that I wear my beloved mahabis every day at home (and out in the garden) I couldn't understand why anyone hadn't already put an indoor/outdoor slipper in production for kids. It's just common sense, right? As expected, mahabis did not disappoint and Reuben has been walking a little taller in his "grown-up slippers" since his arrived at the weekend. They share the same minimal design as their adult counterparts, they're just a little bit smaller.mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheeps wool inside.mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheep wool inside.mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheep wool inside.The kids collection comes in the Classic and Summer slipper design with the same choice of coloured soles to choose from - Reuben went for Gotland Green. The only difference is that the outdoor sole is perminantly attached, so you don't have to try to put on or remove them in a rush (kids never stay still).mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheep wool inside.Sizes range from 28 to 35 (that's UK 10 to 2.5) and there are plans to make smaller sizes soon. I'd go so far as to say that shopping for kids slippers is going to be whole lot easier from now on...don't you think?mahabis kids slippers with an outdoor indoor sole and sheep wool inside.#mahabiskids

Photography & styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley
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A Place To Stay / Hotel Alexandra Barcelona

The foyer of boutique Spanish design hotel, Hotel Alexandra Barcelona in Eixample districtBarcelona and all it's magic seems like a world away now, so I can't wait to relive the Sunny Design Days tour again with you, kicking off with the place we called home for three days - the Alexandra Barcelona Hotel. A boutique hotel with an avant garde, contemporary style, this is a hotel for design lovers, showcasing the best names in Spanish design in an environment that feels like home. Found in Paseo de Gracia, bustling shopping district of Eixample and a stones throw from Gaudi's Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, you couldn't be in a more prominent place to explore the city and immerse yourself in local culture.Stylish lighting at Hotel Alexandra, BarcelonaSolomillo Restaurant and Charcuterie at boutique hotel, Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaInside an historic 19th century building, the Alexandra is carving out a name as the hotel of Spanish design, slowing working its way through each space, updating and renovating weaving in pieces created by the best Spanish names. Starting with the recently opened charcuterie and bar on the ground floor and more intimate gastronomic brasserie upstairs, restaurant Solomillo puts a modern twist on traditional Spanish cuisine. Designed by Barcelona based architects Borrell Jover who also redesigned the pool terrace and several of the bedrooms inside the hotel, the charcuterie and brasserie (not pictured) create an intimate backdrop in which to sample a beautiful selection of cooked and cured meats, local cheeses and other fresh from the market produce.Solomillo Restaurant and Charcuterie at boutique Barcelona hotel, hotel Alexandra BarcelonaOver two wonderful dinners at the restaurant with Borrell and Jover, they explained how they carefully selected each element for a timeless, contemporary feel; from the 7,300 "meaty" coloured glazed tiles, the Cosentino marble table tops, rugs by Nanimarquina, lighting by Marset and Santa & Cole and Expormim rattan Huma chairs. Phew! I'll introduce you to these names very soon-you. will. LOVE. Pool terrace at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaOutside, a luxury outdoor urban jungle awaits on the pool terrace. Using a series of layers to provide screening, this green oasis is divided up into two main areas-the bar and lounge and pool. Taking direction from the yellow bricks of the structure next door to the hotel, Borrell and Jover incorporated this into the terrace to blend into its surroundings, using brick to separate the ground floor rooms with a screen and lush planting, a bank of brick seating to separate the pool and then just beyond the pool, an organic vegetable and wild flower garden to screen the roof of an unsightly former cinema. The garden also provides produce for the hotel.Pool terrace at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaPool terrace at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaPool terrace at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaPool terrace at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaPool terrace garden at the Hotel Alexandra BarcelonaA glimpse into my room - overlooking the quiet terrace and tucked away from the city streets. With such a punishing busy schedule, I relished the secluded cocoon of this space with its warm, earthy Spanish tones, parquet flooring and concrete bathroom. When can I come back??Superior room inside the Hotel Alexandra Barcelona in the Eixample district

Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley.
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Lifestyle, Slow Living Lifestyle, Slow Living

Thoughts + Tips | Every Day Slow Living

I'm sharing my 5 every day slow living tips for a calmer lifestyleI honestly feel like a complete hypocrite for writing this post as an advocate of Slow Living, when life has been anything but slow of late. I've been so wrapped up in to-do lists, the day to day stuff life kicks up and focusing all our attention on the children that I've completely forgotten to look after myself. So when Bloomon, a rather wonderful flower delivery company sending blooms through the post asked if they could send me a bouquet, an Instax camera and a notebook in exchange for switching off from all distractions for the day I took them up on their offer straight away.From 6am to 8pm I went about my day without any of the background noises I usually live with from day to day-that includes the radio, internet, laptop and TV and swapped it all for a notebook, a pencil and my thoughts.Enjoying a gorgeous bouquet of flowers like this one from Bloomon is one of my every day slow living tips My initial reaction was to inform friends and family that they wouldn't be able to get hold of me (panic!!) and to plan every minute of the day so that it was spent doing something constructive. Ok, I was offline but I could still paint that chest of drawers...But then that defeats the object of switching off, doesn't it.Instead, I spent the day as I always do, with my little daughter, although this time without putting in a couple of hours work in the morning while she slept and rushing around while she occupied herself. This time we had proper conversations, we played with the camera (she's never seen anything like it!) and we laughed. A lot. I spent a little time arranging these beautiful flowers and photographing them too, a bouquet peppered with some very unusual grasses and blooms, free-form sculptural shapes and texture.We took a walk into town to meet a friend at our favourite cafe in Rochester, The Deaf Cat and over my choc-chip frappe I got thinking about the last time I truly "switched off". I went back as far as when I got my first mobile phone - it was 1999 and I was 15. Now, my phone, my work, my everyday thoughts are stuck in "what's next?" mode. I can be available to everyone at all times. Who really wants that?At the end of the day, feeling far more refreshed, I put together some of my own tips for every day slow living which I hope you'll find useful in helping you feel more present. They're easy to work into your day and you can introduce them as and when you're ready to...Enjoying a gorgeous bouquet of flowers like this one from Bloomon is one of my every day slow living tips

Cut Out The Unnecessary

What I love about minimalism beyond interiors is how it focuses your mind on what is actually important and necessary to day to day living and what is just excess noise and stress. These are the expectations we project onto ourselves, the pressures we think we ought to feel and carry with us to make it feel like we're achieving something, but the feeling of accomplishment doesn't need to go hand in hand with stress. Instead, ask yourself these questions:• Is this a priority or can I put it aside for later / leave it all together?• What could I be doing instead that will benefit me at this particular moment? (yes-that includes resting).

Let Go Of Control

We all need to feel in control, it's what helps to give us a sense of balance. I think it's a pot-kettle situation for me as I'm most definitely a control freak and can't stand the thought of certain outcomes being out of my reach. But we can't control everything all of the time; to use photography as an analogy, I use my iPhone and DSLR because I know how to get them to work for me and anything that isn't quite up to scratch can be edited afterwards so I'm completely happy with any images before I publish them. Not with the Instax. Wow-I'd not realised how stressful I'd find using it, no matter how I set up the shot, it would always come out completely wrong. In my opinion. But in this instance, it's not about perfection, it's about the process, the experience. So instead, I decided to just go with it and whatever came out of the camera was what I got.

Switch Off Regularly

It doesn't matter how much time you can devote to taking time out-it might be an afternoon once a fortnight or once a month, but remember to actively switch off regularly. When was the last time you sat outside somewhere and just listened? No phone, no conversations, just focusing on what you hear. Or find another activity - walking, cooking, reading to take yourself out of that space for a while. Focusing your mind on one thing (like a form of meditation) is an easy way to calm your thoughts and teaches you to learn to be in the moment. Anything else can wait.

Do With Intention

If you're making time to relax and slow down then do it with intention. Say to yourself that you'll be taking this time to read, bake, go for coffee-whatever, and then do just that. Don't get part way through and half-heartedly start checking your emails or catching up on a little work. It can wait. And the same applies for working-if you've decided to work, then get it finished before you start scrolling through Netflix or checking your Facebook.

Find A Ritual

Look for something you enjoy that you can do every day to help slow down. In my case, it's making a stove-top coffee in the morning, but it's not so much the drinking it as it is the act of building it. Grinding up the beans, boiling the kettle, packing the grounds, warming the milk. I stop to notice each element as I go, the smells, the sounds. Each of these little actions gives me time to wake up, think my thoughts and be still before my day starts. What's your ritual?  Enjoying a gorgeous bouquet of flowers like this one from Bloomon is one of my every day slow living tips Enjoying a gorgeous bouquet of flowers like this one from Bloomon is one of my every day slow living tips These are just a few of my go-to tips for Slow Living, small but most definitely significant. What do you do to slow down?[line]

Bloomon is a flower subscription service with a difference-sending unique bouquets full of fresh blooms direct from the grower to you as and when you choose. Pretty darn lovely, right?
Photography & Styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley

 •• This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Bloomon.

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Interiors, Slow Living Interiors, Slow Living

Still Life Study in Soft Pink

Still life ceramics styling, Petal Pink Pantone, by ValsparIt's not often I get to play with still life compositions at home in my free time - mostly it's very focused under pressure for work so it was really freeing to just mess about - off-the-cuff moments like these can come together beautifully...if I do say so myself! Please excuse the recent radio silence, it's been a busy few weeks for shoots, school holidays and the blog is about to under-go a refurb. Quite a lot of plate juggling is going on here!I'd had it in mind to do some styling around soft pink and a clean palette of off-white, something natural and restful, you know? So last week I'd had a home shoot to work on and Thanda homeware very kindly loaned me some of their ceramics to style in the home owner's kitchen. I love the organic quality of these slightly wobbly bowls. They're hand thrown in South Africa made by ceramicists in townships and I was lucky enough to style these for their website last year. My local florist is also brilliant for finding some of the more obscure flowers and plants I manage to dig out from the depth of Pinterest and she managed to get hold of these Gossypium for me (cotton flower). Moral of the story? Make friends with your florist!I went with Petal Pink from the new Valspar Pantone collection, partly because the barely-there pink was just the right amount of subtle for me, and also because in my opinion Valspar kicks arse in the paint stakes. And I'm not even being paid to say that, it's just my opinion. Drawing from the sculptural shapes of the cotton flower, I brought in garlic heads and mushrooms to focus on their shapes and textures. What do you think? Still life ceramics styling in soft pink Still like ceramics styling in pinkStill life ceramics study in pink Pantone Petal Pink Still Life Ceramics StylingMushroom still life styling with Pantone Petal PinkBlush pink garlic still life with soft pink and off-white ceramicsStill life, off-white ceramic wobble bowls and blushing garlic I really need to make more time for still life styling, it's actually really relaxing. Do you find your some of greatest ideas when you're able to play around more too?Ceramics - Thanda | Oatmeal Linen apron on table - Enrich & Endure | Paint - ValsparStyling & Photography © Tiffany Grant-Riley 

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A Nina+Co Coffee Break

Nina_and_Co_Breakfast_Collection_Coffee_Break_Espresso_CupsWith busy work schedules between us and daily family life buzzing away we've both learned to grab the odd coffee break together during the week. Sometimes it's stood in the kitchen having a quick catch-up, others we might manage it at the table, but it's always stove top and in our favourite beakers. Learning to embrace slow living isn't about lounging around in bed all day (although hello, yes please...) it's about actively putting time aside to do the things you love. For us, that's making coffee, the ritual of grinding the beans (we buy small batches from Pact) building up the Stove Top, warming through the milk, drinking in the smell of the coffee as it pulls through. It's only a small thing, but it matters to us.Over the weekend, I baked us a batch of fresh cardamom buns and busted out our beautiful Nina+Co espresso cups from her new Breakfast Collection. Made in collaboration with designer-maker studio The Ceramicists, the collection which includes bowls, plates and larger mugs is designed in a gloriously tactile matte black ceramic, part glazed in white leaving a subtle contrast in texture. Very hard to put down. The shape of the handle is unusual too, don't you think?Nina is a multi-disciplinary designer, with a grounding in hotel and restaurant design, she also works on community based projects such as a new cafe due to open at Centrepoint, the charity for homelessness. Sustainability is high on her list of considerations using natural materials whether it's for a piece of furniture or a public space.Coffee Break in Nina+Co Breakfast Collection espresso cups in grey and cool blueNina_and_Co_Breakfast_Collection_Coffee_Break_Espresso_CupsNina_and_Co_Breakfast_Collection_Coffee_Break_Espresso_CupsNina_and_Co_Breakfast_Collection_Espresso_CupsNina_and_Co_Breakfast_Collection_Espresso_CupsEucalyptusReady to take your coffee break to the next level? I've put together a collection of accessories from my shop, from brewers to magazines. Enjoy...

Find Nina+Co ceramics to purchase direct here.
Photography & Styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley

 

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Lifestyle, Slow Living Lifestyle, Slow Living

A Minimal Minute / Finding Minimalism

'A Minimal Minute' blog series about minimal livingWell, if I've done nothing else this week, it's introduce new series and I'm really excited about this one, 'A Minimal Minute', as I've started it in collaboration with my good friend Ilaria Fatone. We met in Munich during the book launch last September (Ilaria's home is also featured) and we hit it off, discovering our common ground in minimalism and slow living and although we live miles apart (Ilaria is in France) we try and make the effort to catch up over Skype every couple of weeks. In fact, we're speaking together at The Hive conference in Dublin this April about our own experiences of minimalism and slow living, beyond interior style and aspirational Instagram photos, but actually in terms of how we live around it, how we practice it and how we want to inspire others to do the same. So we thought it'd be a great exercise to use this topic and share some of our insights on our blogs together, posting once a month. You can find out how you can get involved with us at the end of the post. It's a long one today-I'm not known for my shorts posts now, am I?So, starting at the beginning, this month's 'A Minimal Minute' is really an introduction to how we both found our way to minimalism...Minimal pegboard moodboard with rose quartz, grey and blackAlthough I love the minimal aesthetic, I don't think I truly grasped the positive effect it can have on your state of mind until we moved in here from our much smaller home three years ago. It was a like a rabbit hutch, we'd outgrown it and, as I started packing I realised just how much "stuff" we had hiding away that we'd forgotten about. I won't go into it but the three boxes of back issues of Vogue magazine, seven years worth of old bank statements and random bits of broke jewellery were the tip of the iceberg! It made complete sense to have a really good purge before we moved into the new place and again as we unpacked and were really glad of it.

Moving In, Clearing Out

Suddenly we went from having no space and loads of "stuff" to more space and, in comparison, very few things. Our initial reaction was to make plans to fill up the space again - because that makes the most sense, right? But after spending a few months just enjoying the sense of space, the lack of furniture everywhere and shelving crammed full of things, we decided to continue living only with what we absolutely loved and made use of regularly. The impact it has on our daily lives, particularly as we both work from home has been enormous, to know that we have that physical and mental space, even though we struggle to stay on top of the ever-expanding number of toys the children have to play with. I think you just have to be realistic about how far you're willing to go with it. As much as the pristine, spacious Scandinavian style houses with barely a thing in each room are incredibly seductive for me, we are a family, so we're never going to be spotless. I need to make a creative mess whilst I'm working on client briefs too and usually that means piles of magazines and books on and around my desk, paper cuttings stuck to the walls in my office and if I'm shooting at home then entire rooms get turned upside down for a day or so in the interests of getting the job done. Everything returns to how it was eventually though, it's important to be able to feel that I can start a new project afresh.Rose pink, rose quartz, blush pegboard moodboard

Minimal Budget

Out of necessity, as a family minimalism extends far beyond how we use our space and into how and where we spend our money. The daily grind as freelancers means we need to be more creative with our income - we don't go on holidays very often so we use our weekends to focus on quality family time on local days out, we buy only what we need and don't have debts to contend with which in itself is liberating. I just don't feel comfortable being a full-on "consumer" anymore in the way that I was in my student days where I would sign up for any card going. Wow. At the very least I need to know where what I'm buying has come from and if I'm supporting an industry in a positive way. At its very core, it's a stripped back way of life, focused more on finding meaning in every day experiences and we want our children to grow up with that understanding too.Gosh, I make it all sound very serious, but honestly, it's not! I wasn't always a minimalist (you'd laugh if you saw how I used to be) I'm certainly not obsessively tidy (I don't plan to read Marie Kondo's book either-who actually does that with their socks?) but I'm very glad of the perspective it has given us in moving here.

Join Us

How does minimalism make you feel? Are you considering exploring it further or perhaps already are? We'd love for you to get involved with our topic which you'll find out more about below. Make sure you hop over to read more about Ilaria's perspective too...Instagram Hashtag: 'A Minimal Minute' is about sharing honest moments of minimalism in our every day lives and we'd really like to extend this series out to you. If you're on Instagram and you find a moment at home or out and about during your day and find a quiet, minimal space, piece of design or a moment, tag it with #aminimalminute and we'll share our favourites on our blogs, picking the most inspiring to feature during our talk at The Hive. Find us: @curatedisplay @un23ilaria 

Photography & Styling © Tiffany Grant-Riley 
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