In Landmark we trust...

So, the Landmark Trust have rescued another forlorn building and turned it into drool worthy unique rental. This week's offering is Astley Castle in Warwickshire, which strictly speaking is a fortified manor rather than a castle. The Grade II listed building is located on an ancient moated site in Warwickshire and during the 14th and 15th centuries became entangled with the succession to the throne of England through Elizabeth Woodville (wife of Edward IV), Elizabeth of York (wife of Henry VII) and Lady Jane Grey. It is also said to have inspired George Eliot and is believed to be the model for 'Knebley' in Scenes of Clerical Life. During the second world war it was requisitioned for convalescing servicemen and it was later turned into a hotel before suffering fire damage in 1978 and falling into ruin.

Flat envy...

Not quite envy, as it's a little Scandi-bland for me, but a quality renovation nonetheless, and I love the black framing around the doors in the living room. The Parisian flat is owned and designed by Pierre Yovanovitch.

Book porn...

If books do furnish a room (and they most certainly do - almost as much as a burmese cat and a Pasmore print) then these divine hardbacks by The Folio Society are the room equivalent of Kelly Wearstler. 

It would take a lotto win to replace my manky, dog-earred tomes with these shining bastions of literary-meets-graphic greatness, but I should be able to stretch to a couple as Chirstmas pressies.

Peculiar porcelain...

Quirky teaware by Natalia Gruszecka of Endesign. These little milk jugs have such expressive little legs I'd be concerned they'd scuttle across the table when I'm not looking.

They remind me a little of my favourite Blaue blume bowl. I've scrubbed the "sugar" off mine and use it as a butter dish. 

And now a selection of other quirky tea sets:

House envy...

Now I'm not a beach person, and the West Coast of America has never really appealed as a permanent place of residence, but this Malibu beach home is pretty scrummy. And I'm obsessed with the black stair balustrade!

Stylish celebrations...

As it is my birthday and the weather is divine, and next year I should have a garden, I thought I'd daydream about being grown-up and having a proper celebration. Some magical dining inspiration:

Fly me to the moon...

Want some full moon action without candy crazed kids? A more grown-up form of spooky design:

LED Moon light by Nosigner

 They also make stunning hanging moons

i3Lab probably leads the pack when it comes to lunar designs. Their glow-in-the-dark mats, beds and cushions are de"lightful". Sorry.

 And speaking of things which glow, there is this stunning cabinet by EnneZero

The La Lune coffee table by Liane Yaroslavsky  

Photographic food bowls by Chilean artist Sebastian Errazuriz