And the winner is...................

Tonight we drew the lucky winner of Katryoshka's first monthly give-away to win a fabulous one-off maxi dress. We will be filming each event and the lucky winner was Eden Daphne Frangos-Ellis! Congrats and we will be reveal the next fantastic prize in two weeks time. Also, a new rule was invented, family followers who win get a 'second' prize, [sorry Winnie Stubbs, you can have another dress of your choice. I have a green leopard print number that's perfect for you], Kat x

Margaret Stubbs Part 1 - Wallpapers

This is the first in several installments dedicated to Margaret Stubbs - sadly departed resident of White House West. Alongside raising five children, the youngest being Emma, and helping to run a large farm, she dedicated a lot of her time to her interest in both fashion and interiors. Her 'eastern eccentricity meets country chic' personal and home style was renound throughout the county during a time when people were only beginning to explore the possibilities of creating their own fashion statement.This lead to many of those around her, including later myself, being heavily influenced by her astetics. Below are a selection of some of the wallpapers, mostly William Morris, that adorned every wall during Margarets time at White House, a taster for future posts about the woman who so many people in this family look to for inspiration, Kat x

This is my favourite wallpaper - an original Liberty print that was also found adorning other soft furnishings including a beautiful chair.

This is a William Morris print, 'Strawberry Thief'.

Acoustic weekend

Just returned from a fabulous weekend at The Acoustic festival, a small, friendly gathering for music loving families. The mini-me's, Alpha male and I had some much needed quality time in a fabulous fantasy setting and stay in our newly refurbished Carlight Caravan for the first time. Made in the 1960's it a legend and really deserves a blog post all of its own as its come such a long way since we bought it as a wreck off local gypsies. Unfortunately this morning I managed to end the weekend on a sour note by setting off on the school run with a rather hazy head, the result of which meant I didn't realise our lovely new van was still attached to the car and twenty meters later I took rather a sharp corner and threw the van against a large gate post, ooops. Alpha male was VERY cross and who can blame him, another classic Kat style drama resulting from my tendancy to speed through life at a million miles per hour with little time to stop and spot a caravan attached to my rear, Kat x

How much is that puppy in the window?

Just updating you all on Shirley's puppy that was unexpectedly born almost four weeks ago. Pudding as we have appropriately named her is, to be frank, FAT. She has had no siblings to compete with so plenty of Mummy's milk. She is adorable though and I have suggested the possibility of keeping her to Alpha Male. Luckily he thinks more with his head than his heart and reminds me that's six dogs are enough at White House Farm, Kat x

Chopping Boards preview

3 vintage chopping boards of varying sizes hand painted in a mis-match of folk art styles; referencing Mexico, Russia & the English Garden. Sold as a set they will make a colourful & highly original adornment to a kitchen wall. The larger of these rustic boards was purchased in Spain in the 1970's & has not only been authentically distressed by years of use in the kitchen prior to health and safety rendering it as obsolete but, I note with interest that it was used latterly as a target for my son's air rifle as it appears to be peppered with lead shot...all contributing to an authentic patina of battle worn history.
The medium sized board came from Habitat in the 1970s & was part of a set if 6. I recall there was a period where rustic living was all the rage and a tough slab of steak & baked potato would be served to horrified guests on these wooden boards. Still, it is a pretty shape but not good for gravy.
The third & smallest of the 3 came from The Best Shop In The World (this is according to mine & Kat's spectrum of retail therapy awards). In the tiny village of Dwight, Ontario , 'Treasures'is the original Cornucopia of AMAZING retro- crap that Kat & I seek out on a full time basis. We want to buy it all but are limited by luggage restrictions (sort of). Anyway, the little chopping board is rustic & no doubt has a history all it's own that we can only imagine. 
Each one has been hand-painted with pleasure in my kitchen & if not purchased soon a space will be made for them on my wall!
PS. I am going to get the Habitat steak boards reproduced as I really want to have a retro steak board dinner party....
 From Emma. x

The tree house project

When alpha male returned from his recent trip to New Zealand he declared he was going to take up a new hobby - DIY! Imagine my sheer delight and lists of chores literally writing themselves before my eyes. He has just completed his first project which has been a tree house for the kids, excellent..........next! Kat x

Katryoshka's first monthly give-away!!

After some very excellent advice from one of our treasured followers we decided to launch Katryoshka's monthly give-away. Then the question, what to give? Of course it has to be a piece of Katryoshka so each month we will be giving away something made by our own fair hands, sorry no painted caravans in the near future but you never know.........! This months give-away is a floor length bespoke Maxi dress, billowing and VERY 1970's so bang on-trend. Que impromptu photo shoot in the croft featuring Camille, Emma's daughter followed by Anya, my daughter, gate crashing and exhibiting some major limelight stealing behaviour, you go girl! Alas, it wasn't a particularly warm evening but there was a delightful north wind which I was certainly excited about knowing the dress would develop a mind of its own. The size is up to a UK size 14, it it loose fitting and has  ties so you can draw it in below the bust to create an empire line shape. The sleeves also have ties so you can make them the right length for you. I will adjust the hemline for the lucky winner to whatever length they would like. We will wait two weeks from this post and pick a name from our followers, lucky dip style. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning goodies every month is like us on Facebook and follow our blog. Good luck everyone! :) Kat x