When thinking about how to use the space in our new room, it was important to create lots of cosy corners and places to chill with soft blankets, cushions and a nice view. Although there is one big settee where we can all sit - which is in front of the large TV (entirely Mr SGs domain) - it's nice to have little nooks and crannies so that we can all be together, without being all together.
OK so this bench isn't necessarily somewhere that you might choose to sit and chill but it's one that we've had for a long time and we like the design (it's called a "love" bench and it's by Ercol). My husband really loves mid-century furniture as it reminds him of the furniture that his parents had when he was growing up. With an Orla Kiely cushion and a selection of straw hats that we can grab on our way to the garden, it's quite a nice feature (and one that I can see from the kitchen sink!)
This Ercol rocking chair is a new addition to the family and it was from Cherry Tree Interiors in Harborne. Maxine who works there has made blinds, curtains and cushions for us over the years and she is incredible. Cherry Tree also buy vintage furniture, such as this piece, and restore it - plus they will source pieces too. This chair was a present to Mr SG from me.
I quite often find our youngest sitting in it reading her Enid Blyton books. It's in a really cosy corner of the room, right in the sun.
And as I was writing this post, someone else came along and plonked himself down and started reading his new book...
This is the view from the chair into the garden - please excuse the washing line! It will be nice to sit in this chair in the winter and watch the snow come down.
I bought this chunky grey felted stool from Cox & Cox and it tucks in nicely against a post in between the windows. I really liked the textures that it added to the room and it's good for me to perch on when putting on my trainers before commencing some hideously sweaty exercises.
This piece was handmade for us by Gary of Nu-Trend Interiors in Stapleford, just outside of Nottingham about 15 years ago now. Stapleford is a couple of miles away from Long Eaton, the sofa making capital of England. The sofas for Loaf, Laura Ashley, M&S, Harrods and virtually every other brand come from Long Eaton. Gary from Nu-Trend used to work for one of the manufacturers there but set up on his own over 20 years ago now and the two sofas that I have had from him are still going strong.
Despite the fact that the frame of the sofa is untouched, the fabric is starting to wear slightly - just due to general family wear and tear really. So for now I've bought two big sheepskin cushions from Ikea (at £15 each I thought that they were a pretty good price) and added this Scion Mr Fox cushion from John Lewis plus a blanket from the Conran shop which we've had for a while. It has given it a new lease of life and has avoided the need for it to be re-covered.
The lamp is the Laura Ashley pineapple lamp that I wrote about on here previously. The wooden unit will be sanded, undercoated and painted in Farrow & Ball's moles breath - when I get a chance. This is one of my favourite chilling corners - it's brilliant for when we're all ready to go out and then someone has to go upstairs because they've forgotten something and rather than getting annoyed, I just plonk myself down here for a couple of minutes and look at a mag until the faffing is complete (because of course I'm never the one doing the faffing!)
This is the view from the "green settee" into the rest of the room and down the garden. Close enough to the main action but far enough away to do something else instead.
But guess who has the best seat in the house? Surrounded by her Build A Bears and with remotes finely balanced so that she doesn't have to exert herself to change channels. Someone has it sussed far better than I have!
