When the new Ikea catalog came this month, I knew I’d have to have this bowl designed by Ehlen Johansson.  Get what you love and it’ll always work.

This is the “Before.”  It took a whole day to dig out these Yuccas which are so sharp it’s scary. We did this part of the work a couple of months ago.

They’re almost gone now.

The 24″ x 24″ pavers we used here are SO heavy. Your back will thank you if you are precise with the level the first time.

All done and waiting for grass.

I felt brave enough to post progress shots thanks in part to Anna at Door Sixteen who’s working on a similar project. The fact is that it takes time and energy for stuff like this that we can’t always carve out of our daily lives.  I love summer!

I spent the whole day at the Tate Modern and it wasn’t enough time. The building was originally the Bankside Power Station before it was converted so it has a really cool, heavy, industrial feel. The lawn is lovely and is surrounded by rows of birches planted around the square perimeter. This river view from the Tate shows the Millenium Bridge and the Gherkin Building in the background designed by Norman Foster.  Visually pleasing day to say the least.

I could spend all day at The Conran Shop.  This is the one on Marylebone High St. in central London. Loved the painted green Thonet chairs paired with the farmhouse table and all of these fun wall clocks. Who could choose?

Remember the Portobello Road Market from the movie “Notting Hill?”  OK, Hugh Grant did not make an appearance on Saturday but there were loads of other people, antiques, food, you name it.   It has been around every Saturday since the 1800’s.