The Beat That My Heart Skipped – A blog dedicated to daily design inspirations. By Rohini Wahi.

I was out propping last week and stopped by one of my favourite shops in London Atelier Abigail Ahern – for me it epitomizes quirky and cool Britannia. A lot of the good design stores in London stock much of the same thing – but Abigail Ahern seems to have a monopoly on the oversized and eclectic produce not seen in any other store. From neon lighting in the silhouettes of traditional lampstands to oversized sculptural chain links…she sources the beautiful and the fantastical. Abigail is a stylist and interior design who has certainly forged her own path with her unique style. See Abigail’s home at Design Sponge…although i believe this is a recent re-style as her previously styled home was originally featured in Elle Decoration a few years ago.

I love her store in Islington, its so dark and dramatic yet cosy – i would imagine it would be cool on a summers day and snug on a wet windy one!
I love how everything seems to float in a surreal fashion in the darkness of the store! My favourite is definitely the neon three dimensional floor candelabra which is custom made and retails at £2.950.

Thin Hammered Gold Ring $78

I’ve been thinking a lot about my grandfather this morning…and the flat has seemed extra quiet and calm today. It’s been so bright outside, that with our shutters and bedposts i feel like i’m in Calcutta on a hot afternoon when everyone in the house is having a snooze. I just want to curl up in the middle of our bed.

Mid-afternoon coffee…

*Last night when David got home i noticed London:The Biography by Peter Ackroyd had suddenly appeared on our coffee table!!! As i flew into an excited and spluttering frenzy (this is what happens when i receive unexpected books) he appeared not to know where the book had come from…

I suspect David had very sweetly bought it for me from my Amazon Wishlist because i had been talking him to death the last few evenings out of sheer boredom, and he wanted to keep me well occupied…i think picking the one book on my list with an epic count of 848 pages will do just that! Thanks Dave! x

Once upon a time when i had dreams of curating my own online store, i knew that i would stock Bailey Doesn’t Bark’s hugely imaginative collection. Having briefly blogged about their products before i wanted to find out a bit more about the brand. It’s founder Re Jin Lee, originally from Brazil, but now based in New York Re Jin creates humourous designs in paper and porcelain. Re Jib lives with her most loyal companion and the company’s namesake Bailey…who incidentally doesn’t bark : )

Her newest designs are so creepy but pretty – who would have thought ants would make such a lovely pattern?

Ants on my Spoon $12 each

Ants on my Creamer and Sugar Bowl $45 for the pair

Ants on My Cup $30 each