Barack Obama’s Bed?

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It has been reported on the extremely fabulous Mrs O blog that Michael Smith, the Obamas’ decorator, ordered the bed below (though not the rest of the furniture) to be sent to the White House.  The bed is an 1820s tiger’s eye maple king size four poster from Leonards of New England.

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Photo by Leonard’s of New England.

If so, it fits in very well with Michael Smith’s, dare I say it, somewhat boring style. Here are some examples of beds he’s done from the Domino website.

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I know the White House is a historic house and he can’t go too funky and modern but I do hope the Obamas are getting something that doesn’t look like it belongs in a cluttered Cotswolds B&B.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we’re on the subject of White House bedrooms the below made me laugh.

This is Jackie Kennedy’s fabulous bedroom – elegant, sophisticated, timeless and quietly sexy.

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And here is the bedroom she created for her husband Jack Kennedy – frilly, awkward (what’s with the bedside table in front of the door?), uncomfortable looking, it’s hardly a shag palace is it?  He must have been SO embarrassed bringing Marilyn Monroe back here for a session.

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Adventures in Felt

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Look, look, look!  I’m so proud of my little self.

Remember I knitted this last year?

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Well the original green bowl was swiped by the Minx as a hat (though I may swipe it back again as she never wears it) so I knitted up a white one instead. And yesterday I finally plucked up the courage to have a go at felting it by hand.

Following instructions in the Alterknits – Felt book I put about three inches of very hot water in the sink, pulled on my washgloves, added a teensy bit of Woolite and then rubbed and scrunched the bowl together with a very old clean facecloth for friction.  And it took me about an hour.  Never, NEVER, again. I literally have a blister on one of my fingers.

But it does look good.  I’ve got a couple more bowls lined up all ready to go and have decided to treat myself to one of these little babies, which is essentially a motorised washing bucket, which comes highly recommended by experienced felters.  They’re currently doing a great deal on Amazon and there are also some good deals on Ebay.

I’ll let you know how I get on with the next couple of bowls.

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Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day – Set Decor

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Last Saturday evening, I lit the scented candles, cracked open a bottle of Baileys, got out my knitting and settled down to watch Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.  We like to live fast and die young round these parts.

The film itself is slighter than slight, though perfect Saturday night fodder, and utterly redeemed by Frances McDormand's perfectly judged comic performance, the incredible Art Deco costumes and interiors and lots of lovely shots of Art Deco London.

It's not really my taste, but there's something about the sophisticated colour palette; the handpainted wallpaper; the sheen and glamour; the fur and the padding; the satin and chandeliers which makes you want to spend all day lying in bed eating oysters, drinking champagne and receiving gentlemen callers.

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Here's the trailer so you can see the sets in action.

 

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