Happy January everyone! I hope that the January blues haven’t come knocking at your door.
I’ll be honest and tell you that I’m not a massive fan of January because it never feels like a positive fresh start – I always feel like I have a festive food and drink hangover and that there’s not much to look forward to. For me, it’s a time to be kind to myself; eat well, clean the house (I know that doesn’t sound very kind but it makes me feel better), get some exercise and plan nice things that I can focus on.
I have tried to represent that essence of being kind to myself in my styling this month. I actually styled this pocket string shelf in exactly the same way for a magazine shoot last month (it only stayed like this for a day) and then I changed it up again for the festive period. I have changed it back to how it was for that shoot because I wanted to take it easy, not fuss around too much, not cause mayhem around the house and to keep things simple, which is something I find really important at this time of year when I can feel a bit fragile.
I love the freshness of these objects, which is something I also think of when it comes to January; I’m craving fresh food, lots of water, fresh air and new, fresh beginnings, too. I hate setting resolutions, but I do think it’s a good idea to reflect on the year that has passed and think of things that I can do differently or try new ways of doing things. This styling is a a bit of an experiment for me as I normally go vintage where I can so it feels exciting to be playing with modern ceramics and bright colours.
In another way my ‘shelfie’ represents my longing for lighter and brighter days now the festive novelty of dark, cosy evenings has worn off. Let there be light!
What does January mean to you? Charlotte and I would love to know and see your styled surfaces. It is such a lovely thing to stop, reflect and re-style a surface in your home, clearing what was a dumping ground, especially after all the festivities and house guests – I promise it will make you smile every time you walk by or sit and look at it so please do join in! Tag me and Lotts and Lots and use the hashtag #StylingTheSeasons – either write a blog post or post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Also, you must pop over to Charlotte’s blog as her January post is simply beautiful! I think I gasped when I first saw it.
Happy January styling everybody!
Katy x
Pocket string shelf – Haus, Panda plate – from a Conran pop-up restaurant years ago, House Doctor vase – The Hambledon, The House of Rym cup – Tea and Kate, Design House Stockholm Dot bowls – Occa-Home, Hay matches – Heal’s, Tea pot and jug – Lisa Stickley, no longer available but try Lisa’s new collection Betty and Walter.
I love your shelfie – it’s so calm and peaceful! Perfect for helping get your head straight after the craziness of holidays! I recently came across Styling the Seasons on Instagram and I’m excited to start participating… you can see my first one on my blog here: http://ghostmyst.blogspot.co.nz/2015/01/styling-seasons-january-2015.html
Happy new year and I hope brighter days aren’t too far away!
I love your post, Ruth! Made me smile so much x
Gorgeous pieces, Katy. I really like the freshness of your display and the approach you’ve taken. I’ll be sharing my Styling the Seasons post in the next week or so. 🙂 Happy new year! Leanne x
Ooooh, can’t wait to see it, Leanne! x
This is so gorgeous – the soft mint and white shades are so fresh! I took the photos for my Styling the Seasons post this morning before work and will be sharing them next week. I hope you had a lovely January! x
Gosh, that’s dedication for you, Kate! I think I only ever managed to take photos before work twice when I was still a teacher! Looking forward to it muchly x
I love this, its so crisp and fresh! Thanks for you kind words too. x
XX
Happy New Year, Katy and thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on January. You have entirely echoed my own feelings and reminded me that a) I’m not alone and b) it’s OKAY not to go rushing headlong into the year, but to be kind to myself and take things slowly if that’s what’s required. As always, I love your styling. I’ve just done a little of my own, which I’ll post soon. Thanks again for your timely words of inspiration. Sue x
Yes and Yes, Suzy! Happy new year! x
Oh this is beautiful. I think it might be my favourite one so far. I love light and bright. And it’s quite perfect at this time of year. We might not get a whole lot of light at the mo but the winter skies can often be brighter than those of summer. It’s perfect x
Thank you so much, Rachel! What lovely comments xx
I really love the simplicity and freshness of this, and that teapot! I relate to your feelings about January, but it will be spring before we know it xx
Thank you, Emma! Can not wait for Spring – imagine all the joy you will have with all those spring flowers xx
Minty fresh! I love this selfie and I’m with you…let there be light! I’d massively appreciate the wider time window for taking photos too 🙂
I can’t remember the feeling of not having to kill myself to get everything done in time to take photos in the two hours of light each day!! Love your STS post, Teri xx
I love how fresh & different this feels & yet so very you…perfect to ring in the new. Yes please to more light, and be good to yourself x
Yay! So glad you like it and that you think it still feels very me – love that x
Love the light, bright colour scheme so much. That Lisa Stickley teapot! x
That teapot is my absolute fave! Love it. Thanks for the lovely comment, Helen x
What a lovely idea #stylingtheseasons is! I would love to take part! For me January is about beginning to look forward to the Spring. I love the fresh feel of the colours you have used on your shelfie!
We would love for you to take part, Sam! Such a lovely way to refresh the hoe and make it feel like new x
Love the blues in whits shelfie Katy! And that light blue bud vase #wantitnow 🙂 So I’ve been following #stylingtheseasons for a little while now… and I think it’s time to make the jump to participate! Not sure if I can fit in Jan but I’ll try my best! So inspiring seeing everyone’s stories and beautiful images!
And by *whits*, I meant “this” 😉 – woops, way too ahead of myself, well at least my fingers were – haha!
I am so excited that you have decided to join in, Helen. And thank you for leaving a comment because I have now discovered your blog and I love it! Can not wait to see the progress you make on your home xx
Your string shelving is always the bomb!!!
Loving your ceramic collection. The tea pot is gorgeous.
It was fun joining in again. I seem to always do my office space but both September and January are sort of ‘new beginnings’.
xx
I love these colors! I added some blues and aquas to my kitchen as well, because they make me think of summer!