Project - Mini Bar

Taking some inspiration from Abigail Ahern, I started a new project to create a mini bar!

MINI BAR - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: my newly repaired, upcycled mini bar.

The old unit (seen below) was lacking in love and attention, it had been in left in the back of my Grandma's garage awaiting someone to give it a new lease of life. It was missing a shelf and also had a cracked glass panel. After sanding back the surface to give the paint a key, I applied some undercoat followed by the Farrow & Ball Down Pipe grey on the interior (to match the wall behind) and their new colour Yellowcake for the exterior.

MINI BAR BEFORE & DURING UPCYCLE - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top left: the cupboard before its new look, top right: the farrow and ball colour selection, bottom left: priming, bottom right: first coats of new paint.

Once painted, I had the glass replaced and a new glass shelf made. Now it sits happy in our dining room filled with a variety of glasses that I've inherited. I've yet to style the top with a selection of party drinks ware (cocktail shaker and the like) but I'm looking forward to doing this at the next shindig!

MINI BAR - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top: view from above, bottom left: stacked full of glasses, bottom right: close up of detailing and paint.

Shop Spot - RadStudio Saltaire

I discovered a fab creative shop RadStudio during my recent visit to Saltaire village. Embracing the trend for lifestyle stores with everything from t-shirts to stationery, RadStudio offers a great selection of contemporary, well-designed products.

RADSTUDIO, SALTAIRE - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA & RAD STUDIO

top: radstudio saltaire (image EH Karika Nova), bottom: radstudio instagram

Similar to Idaho in Altrincham, the use of natural materials in both products and the shop interior gives a warm and inviting atmosphere. This contrasted with bright colour & unusual objects makes for a very playful modern space. 

RADSTUDIO SALTAIRE - IMAGES RADSTUDIO & RADSTUDIO INSTAGRAM

 top: inside radstudio (image from radstudio), below: wide selection of design-led gifts and stationery (images radstudio instagram)

With such a great selection of creative, well made products - I could easily have spent some time here shopping for friends and myself! Here are some of my top picks. 

TOP PICKS FROM RADSTUDIO - IMAGES FROM RADSTUDIO

top left: 'moon' hand screened print, top right: hopscotch sweet medium jar candle, middle left: dotty glove, middle: wishing you a wonderful day card by steph baxter, middle right: large green glass vase, bottom left: natural leaf socks, bottom right: plates in grey and yellow

SaveSave

Saltaire

Today's post is about a recent visit to my cousin's new home town, the fab creative hub, Saltaire. The village is so unique it has world heritage status and it is easy to see why. Even the most functional of buildings have beautiful architecture, all linked together in the same stone. On top of that Saltaire has become a home for some great creative businesses.

SALTAIRE WEST YORKSHIRE - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top: salts mill, bottom: bust of titus salt - founder of saltaire - photographed in the united reform church.

SALTAIRE WEST YORKSHIRE - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top left: view from salts mill, top right + middle right: saltaire united reform church, below left: saltaire canteen, below right: view up victoria road

Saltaire Canteen is a great example of this innovative village (5 star rating on trip advisor). The menu is made from surplus food collected from food retailers/supermarkets/shops before it is thrown in the bin. Customers are invited to 'pay as you feel', whatever you think the meal is worth. The aim is to reduce food waste and poverty.

SALTS MILL, SALTAIRE - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top: 1853 gallery at salts mill, bottom left: walls full of art in the 1853 gallery, bottom right: hockney portraits at salts mill

The jewel in the crown is Salts Mill. It is home to a host of creative businesses including the 1853 Gallery (the world's largest permanent collection of David Hockney's work), Salts Book & Poster store (I could have easily spent hours in here), Salts Diner, The Home (a fantastic collection of homeware),  Carlton Antiques (best selection of antique vases I've seen), Gallery Three (houses the recent iPad works by David Hockney) & Cafe in the Opera (had a very yummy bakewell tart there!).

I hope to be returning to Saltaire soon. Well worth a visit!

Marvellous Marbling

I am loving the current trend for all things marbled. Here are some of my favourites.

MARBLING - IMAGE HENRY HEBERT

above: marbled paper by henry hebert

MARBLING - IMAGES FROM NOT ON THE HIGH STREET

top left: black marble undated weekly planner by skandidesign, top right: marble handmade cushion by sami coupe, bottom left: graphic 110 by mareike boehmer by east end prints,  middle right: marble drop earrings by junk jewels, bottom right: handprinted marbled clear glass mug by sort.

MARBLING BY KATIE LEAMON - IMAGES FROM KATIE LEAMON

top: ampersand print by katie leamon, bottom left: monochrome stickers by katie leamon, bottom right: marbled initial card by katie leamon

It's lovely to see this trend appearing in greeting cards & stationery with Katie Leamon. The pastel colours Katie's used on the notebooks below give marbling a fresh new look - on trend with the Pantone colours of the year, Rose Quartz & Serenity.

MARBLING KATIE LEAMON NOTEBOOKS - IMAGE FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE

above: marbling notebooks by Katie Leamon

MARBLE PAPER LINED HAND MADE NOTE BOOK - IMAGES KARIKA NOVA EMILY HAUCK

above: handmade notebook by barry clark.

I'm very lucky to have found a local bookbinder at a recent craft fair. I picked up this gorgeous little journal, handmade with leather. The beautiful marbled paper inner inspired me to write this post.

SaveSave SaveSave