Designheaven

Haven in Paris

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:08:42 +0000

Most of the (well all of the) properties on Haven In Paris, a luxury holiday rental website, are out of my price range. But that doesn’t stop me from drooling over the apartments all the same. I really love the two bedrooms below. I would sleep soundly in either one. Both rooms are part of a lovely 3 bedroom apartment in the heart of the art and antique district in Paris. Ooh la la

Bargains at the Bargain Shop

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:58:38 +0000

Innocently strolling over to the cinema on Parnell Street over the weekend I passed the Bargain Shop @ Arnotts on Middle Abbey Street. Its been a long time between visits so I thought why not pop in.

Now Christmas decorations are piled high in the first half of the shop but if you push on through to the back you might find one or two unchristmasy items. Like the two lamps below -

There was no price on the lamps so I asked the shop assistant who was unable to locate a price either. He said I could have them for 15 euro each which I responded by thanking him followed by a quick exit before I had the chance to say I’ll take em’! I need another set of lamps like I need my car to fail its NCT tomorrow. So rather than let this bargain go unrewarded I thought I would share. I know – I am pretty nice like that. Believe me if I thought I would get away with sneaking in another two lamps these babies would be living with me right now. (And they don’t even go with any of my current decor.)

Foodie Friday: Simple Veg Stir Fry

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:01:19 +0000

Another edition of Foodie Friday. This week we have another exquisite recipe from J. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm -

SIMPLE VEG STIR FRY – a light meal / lunch or side dish for 2 people

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 2):

1 tablespoon Sesame Oil

1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil

1 white onion, sliced

2 handfuls of Pak Choi

2 handfuls of beansprouts

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 red chilli, finely chopped

2 tablespoons of oyster sauce

1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce

Optional: 12 prawns

Add the 2 oils to a wok or large non-stick pot and heat on quite a high heat for a minute.

Add the onion, garlic and red chilli and cook for a minute stirring so they don’t brown.

Add the pak choi and the beansprouts and cook for a couple of minutes, still on the high heat, until they’re heated through and the beansprouts are softening.

Add the oyster sauce and soy sauce and cook for one minute.

Have a quick taste and see if you need more soy sauce.

If using prawns, add for the last minute of cooking and ensure they are heated through before removing from the heat and serving.

TIPS

For a more substantial main course, add prawns. I always keep a packet of frozen tiger prawns in the freezer, which makes for a very quick and easy (and tasty!) meal.

Oyster sauce – once opened it should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge, depending on the brand, so check the label.

Soy Sauce - you can use fish sauce if you prefer – both give the food this dish the salty kick it needs, or else Liquid Aminos from a health store if you’re not allowed sugar/ fermented products.

Trying out a look

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:29:21 +0000

Well I bought some Schumacher fabric a couple of weeks ago and I am still deciding what I want to do with it. Currently I am trying it out on the bedhead. No real effort went in to this other than draping the fabric over the bedhead.

I am still waiting to find the right piece of art to hang over the bed so I guess I am looking for a little makeover fix in the meantime.

Hmmm, still not sure – It kind of feels a little grown up for me.

And here is the bed before my latest massive makeover. It took me hours to drape that fabric just right you know.

I want to hibernate for the winter

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:24:23 +0000

Today I am going to pretend I am a successful designer and I will be taking the winter off to recuperate before my next collection. This is where I will be staying if you need to contact me. But only if it’s an emergency or you want to pop in for a cup of tea and homemade scones with lashings of jam and fresh cream.

Or maybe here? Where we can sip the finest red wine, eating italian cuisine and listening to the water lapping on the shore.

pics from Beach Studios

Etsy find

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:18:21 +0000

Bring a little sunshine indoors with this gorgeous yellow vase.

The Little Sunrise Vase from Etsy seller Stephanie Kao

Foodie Friday: Chicken Soup

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:44:29 +0000

Some say Chicken soup is food for the soul and I have to agree. When its pouring rain outside or I am feeling a little unwell I love nothing more than a bowl of homemade chicken soup. Its also a great way to use the leftover roast chicken too.

And here is

D’s world-famous© chicken soup

(all measurements are approximate. in fact, there are no real measurements used in this world-famous recipe.)

For delicious chicken soup, enjoy a roast chicken dinner the night before.

Pick the carcass as clean as possible of the meat and save this for later.

Chuck the chicken bones in a pot along with a large onion quartered plus a couple of crushed garlic cloves and cover with a lot of water. use plenty as you want most to evaporate leaving a tasty reduced stock.

Boil furiously for around an hour and a half, checking occasionally that there’s still some water left.

Strain the stock into a jug, and pick through the bones again for any remaining scraps of meat adding them into the jug. Mind your fingers as the bones are very hot. it usually is a good idea to wait a while for the bones to cool down.

Rinse out the pot and lob in a good knob of butter allowing it to melt over a low heat.

Dice 2 large onions and add them to the pot. increase the heat and sweat the onions for about 3 minutes. add the reserved stock and bring to the boil.

Place a chicken or vegetable stockcube into the jug and add a pint and a half of boiling water, mixing it thoroughly. Add this to the pot.

Slice and cube any vegetables you have lying around (carrots, parsnips, turnip, sweet-potato – whatever your tastebuds decide – ordinary potato cubed creates a lovely thickened texture) and drop them into the pot.

Throw in a great big handful of herbs – the fresher the better – and don’t be afraid of throwing in some more. Dried italian or herbs-de-provence are fine too. just remember that lots work best.

add whatever chicken meat you saved earlier into the pot.

Allow to simmer for about an hour. No lid.

This should produce a delicious, hearty and satisfying chicken soup.

For the love of light

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:46 +0000

Wow – Does anyone know where I can buy a ceiling light similar to the one pictured below? I love it so much I have almost convinced myself I could try my hand at making one. Hmmm – not a good idea since I have no experience with electrics.

But it is lovely.

Pic from AT House Tour

Before and Afters from Canadian House & Home

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:15:19 +0000

Does everyone love before and after shots as much as I do? Well I guess you would need to know how much I love before and after shots. A lot. Especially when the transformation didn’t involve major construction work.

Here are a couple of makeovers from Canadian House & Home -

And here is the second Before and After

Photos from my weekend (so far…)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Its a long weekend here in Ireland so this will be a quick post as I should be relaxing and enjoying the scenery down here in Killarney, Co Kerry. I love spending time here, especially going for walks in the national park. Killarney is stunning no matter what time of year you visit but Autumn is one of my favourites.