Spots are back it’s official. Marc Jacobs finished his A/W 2011 runway show with polka dots galore, the master has spoken, take notes now!

As I have never been adverse to a polka dot here, there and just about every where (see my Cath Kidston stair runner below) I am thrilled. Here are some ideas for using polka dots around the home. Go careful now, being too spotty is never a good look.

Marc Jacobs A/W 2011-12

My adored Cath Kidston stair runner

Vintage wall lights in our bedroom from Planet Vintage Girl

http://www.planetvintagegirl.com/

Just another excuse to show a Tim Walker photo

http://www.timwalkerphotography.com/

perfectly co-ordinated to your pet~I love that!

                         Brian Yates Wallpaper~so chic in this monochrome palette

http://www.tangletree-interiors.co.uk/wallpaper/brian-yates/belle-rose/belle-roses-and-dots/

Lexie Lightshade

http://www.johnlewis.com/Electricals/Lighting/Category.aspx

Pois Menthal Cushion cover

Shoes Cushion

http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/homeware/icat/home/

I’ve just been browsing the A/W 2011 runway collections and my favourite to date which I can see being instantly wearable is by Proenza Schouler. Obviously most of our budgets don’t stretch to those price tags but fear not, the High Street, as always have been quick to pick up the trend, which was influenced by the designers trip to Santa Fe.

As all things home made and hand crafted are a current big trend, I can see this collection being adopted by many of us. Below are some of my favourite finds from the High Street and online stores and as always vintage stores are a great source for hand knits, tooled leather bags and jewellery.

http://www.proenzaschouler.com/shop/

http://www.bebooted.com/

http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=12556&catalogId=33057

http://www.newlook.com/

http://www.plumo.com/

http://www.reddirect.co.uk/

The lovely Elaine from St Ives Cornwall,who I mentioned in my St Ives blog recently, has just informed me that she is now selling her delightful vintage wares through Etsy.

All Elaines clothes and home accessories are made from original vintage fabrics and many of the clothes are cut from vintage patterns. They are beautifully finished and are not widely available and you can be sure that each and every item is practically individual.

Check the link below for the latest of Elaine’s offerings.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EDITHandBERTHA

Like most people, I have dallied with the idea of having a tattoo quite often but have talked myself out of it every time, with some relief now I have to say. I am still a big fan of body art though particularly when some thought and creativity has gone into it and I am definitely going to order some of these temporary tattoos for the summer and enjoy pretending I am a little bit cool!

http://tatt.ly/

I have been reading in this months Mix Trends forecasting magazine that the colours purple and navy blue will be making a return to our interiors. As both colours are associated with royalty and nobility, it seems appropriate after a royal wedding and next years diamond jubilee celebrations, that these colours will influence us.

http://www.globalcolor.co.uk/mixtrends-expanded.php

I was responsible for designing the room sets for the photo shoot for the new Dulux campaign, featuring their Timeless Classics range of paints. The palette features two colours which would be perfect for the new trend, Breton blue and Pressed Thistle. All the colours are designed to withstand trends and fashion and would work perfectly in a period home. With names such as Bowler Hat, Engraved Locket and Antique Map and their chalky flat finish, they evoke the colours of a bygone age but without the hefty price tags of some other heritage style paints.

http://www.dulux.co.uk/products/info/timeless_classics.jsp