Corners

Do you have a corner in your kitchen, you know, one where you dump everything that builds up during the week? Perhaps it's in the hallway or living room, an area that piles up with pens and paper, school letters, shopping lists, bills, post, plus those random objects like screwdrivers and broken bits of toys. 

Well, mine is in the kitchen and this is it above, on a tidy day. I suppose I could put all the paperwork in the office but then I'd forget all about it - it needs to be under my nose. It's my Mission Control, this area in the kitchen, it's where I organise myself and check calendar and diary, write lists. But all the stuff kept getting wet with water from the draining board and it was always in the way, and I could never find a pen, so I have been looking for a solution for the last year since we finished the kitchen. 

The wall space to the right of the window is too narrow (less than 30cm wide) for a pegboard or hanging rack, and John wouldn't let me drill into the shiny unit which houses the fridge-freezer but these little shelves from B&Q are just the business. 

Now all my clutter is off the worktop. Pens are in pots, notepads and papers in a little wooden box, and there's just enough space for a few plants too.

Tidy house, tidy mind and all that.

I always enjoy arranging my bedside table, and I like this new combination of framed photograph and potted succulent. 

Add freshly washed sheets, plumped pillows and summer bedding, and it's a calming space.

My new corner in the lounge had a little change around when I realised that moving the chair to the other side of the blanket box was much easier for positioning of things like reading lamps and plug sockets.

It's become my favourite place to sit and crochet in the day (when I get time!) and I'm currently working on this gorgeous bag from Wool and the Gang, using this amazing new yarn which is made from eucalyptus trees. It's silky but strong so I'm hoping it'll make a nice summery bag. There's not much to see so far, but I'm hoping to crack on with it over the bank holiday weekend. 

Outside, I've been working on this corner of the garden just beyond the patio doors to the kitchen and it's looking better, especially now that the rhododendron bushes are flowering.

I've worked hard on this area, bringing in more pots and trying to almost create a feel of a room outside. 

My sweet peas have gone mad and I'm hoping they'll start to flower soon.

Thank you for your kind comments on Bella's bedroom, I'm glad you liked it. We've had some gorgeous weather this week, really warm and sunny. It's still been a crazy busy week, but being able to wander around the house and garden barefoot, and have all the doors and windows open has just been wonderful. I love summer. I love the heat and can't understand why people moan about it so much. It's not like it ever actually gets very hot! It's a bank holiday weekend here in the UK and we're off up North to visit friends and family. I can't wait. I hope you all have a lovely time, whatever you're up to, and that this beautiful weather holds.