The Bae Suite for Robert by Tiffy Belle

The Bae Suite is at the villa house on St Chad’s Road, South Shore. It is situated on the first floor at the front of the place. It’s just the most romantic space. Light and airy. High ceilings with all the original architraving and SKIRTING. Deco BEVELED walls. The windows are embellished with the Lancashire Rose cut glass detail. Wooden vertical made to fit blinds.

It was the last room to be renovated. The bathroom didn’t exist. There was a communal shower room and cupboard in the hallway. We knocked that through into the bedroom and created a doorway. Thus the bedroom became a suite with luxurious bathroom. It was a lot of work.

I had a kindred spirit to The South, named ‘Robert’ for many years. A reassuring comfort that totally got where I was going with the chaos of Blackpool. We hooked up distantly throughout lockdown. Invasive circumstances got in our way but you can never break a bond. I guess it just gets stronger for us but in bigger ways with art and often pain. Injustice is a cowardly thing when there’s a blot of hate on the privacy of life.

I called the suite The Bae Suite. Bay (window) as in Bae, and Bae as in ‘Sweetie’. And I have no regrets. I am not ashamed to show my true feelings. I am not afraid either. Otherwise, cross signals become distorted. They are so very misunderstood. Make it clear who you want around. Specify who you do not want around. Then it’s resolved as far as I am concerned. I guess this attitude would go a long way in the world of stalkers and the bored. They would understand it if they read it in ‘black and white’. This is opposed to scheming up stuff that only exists in their imagination.

The Bae Suite was a tribute to Robert. However, it was very much influenced by all the sentimental and quirky artefacts. I had not yet found a home for them in the house. It was my favourite room to style and by now I had absolutely no budget. Everything in this suite tells a story. And Danielle was hugely helpful with the project. So The Bae Suite sort of morphed together with a lot of community findings, artwork from me and Northern artists. The walls are a popular colour by Dulux. ‘Polished Pebbles’ and even the tiles were inherited from another job. But it all works like a blissful family. You can put any style or colour of bedding here.

I love this space so much. And will be adding more images here over the coming days. They’re all over the place because of issues with my data. Also, my laptop is currently not functioning well for the same reason.

It’s disappointed that self development is able to provoke resentment in the modern world. But I guess that’s also ‘doing something right’. Some people hate progress. I hope I never become one of them. Life’s too good to be twisted.

Robert is diverse, artful and rebellious. I love his groove. Those with him are lucky to be there. Carpe Diem you wonderful lot.

Tiffy Belle. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Music and Crafting go hand in hand by Tiffy Belle

I find comfort in music. It’s a mood changer for all of us. I have a varied taste. I love soulful tunes. Sometimes Hip Hop. House. Chill. But mostly these last few years, it’s been Jazz. It’s proven that Jazz music calms our minds. And with so much responsiblity and sometimes tough situations, music really helps get me through the day.

I try to avoid over thinking or falling toward a negative mindset. Jazz puts things right in my focus and I can tick along with tasks if the atmosphere is mellow. Other times, especially late at night, I crack open a beer or have a glass of wine and enjoy some dance tunes.

Here’s some songs that run deep for me. I told my kids, when it’s my time. Don’t do me any funeral. I just want you to play these tunes then forget about it all. Not that I am in a hurry to go anywhere, but the world can be a dangerous place, so it’s always best to prepare.

Although much of life is full of love. And our best talks are with strangers we meet through work or out on the streets, a supermarket isle, etc, etc. Or to be in the comfort of our tribe. Likeminded chill people inbetween projects.

I am an advocate of eye contact. You can tell a lot by a smile and the sincerity of the eyes. Our sensories are imperative tools to find a natural chemistry. And with the right music, we find the equilibrium. Sometimes we just need to slow down, take a break to let the right moment catch up.

Sound can be as good as prayer or meditation. It’s about inner calm or a source of invigoration. It’s our right to dance in the kitchen or around the bubbling pot. I miss it. A ‘should be’ private thing for all the sisterhood. Not so for some. Music is universal. It can unite and transpire toward so many portals to be felt within the network of source. Women need dance that goes undisturbed. And no man has the right to take that from her spirit without consent.

Tiffy Belle. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper

The Chill Out Room by Tiffy Belle

It is the hardest thing to put into written word or an image, the magic a space can hold, such as my lounge area at the Guest House. It’s full of light and innocent magic. The wall mural was lovingly crafted by a dear friend of mine Seca One. Seca is an exceptional grafitti artist who is Blackpool born and bred. I felt honoured when he agreed to work with me.

The wall art is the lotus flower with a backdrop of pastels. The entire room consists of salvaged and second hand furniture. There’s windows each end of the long and large space. The counter is the original from when I walked into the house. I have witnessed confessions of true love in this space. Marriage proposals. Engagements. Happiness across all genders. It was an area that manifested pure magic. Danielle my former housekeeper, kindred spirit and hard working mum of three bought this whole concept alive with me. And although the design was all my own making. The inspiration and energy.

The love and endurance through such challenging times, and the grafting level of cleanliness. The fond memories of something so beautiful, I am humbled to know Danielle. Her partner Gee and their well kept children. No person should ever judge poverty until they have lived and walked amongst it. The Guest house, a dwelling for those who work hard to enter and experience by agreement the positivity within the walls and foundation put together with teamwork and respect.

The tables are dated, but they were from Golden Sands (over the road). And the metal chairs I purchased from Tender Paws Cat Rescue. The old dresser I sort of painted in a hurry, and like many bits about the place, I sourced it for £100 from The Regent Emporium in town. The Regent is probably the most magnificent building full of collectables and vintage furniture in the world! And it has revived the old cinema, there’s a marvellous cafe there too.

But anyway … as I say, the lounge area at the hotel is not so aesthetically pleasing with images, as actually being in the space. You can visit a room based on perception and be hugely disappointed. But with my designs, the photography does not do them justice. I don’t think it helps I do them all myself with a mobile phone and often, not a lot of a time and poor lighting.

Finally folks, a bit more about Seca. And his frankful account of a brave journey toward success following drug abuse and depression. He’s now an international artist recognised by prolific names in the world of street art. With respect.

Tiffy Belle. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper

Wild Comfort by Tiffy Belle

Wild Comfort is at the top of the house to the rear. It’s a cool room (as in temperature, but otherwise also.) This and the bedroom next to it were once three bedrooms. So much renovation work has taken place over the four years since occupying ownership. I can’t even remember how it was before. My mobile storing all the pics was taken from my bedroom. This happened when I owned a lease over the road. As you will find, my data and privacy have been somewhat of a disturbing issue. This has been especially true these last years, mainly from distant sources.

I wanted to craft a room specifically in admiration for wild animals. I guess in their memory, since many are becoming extinct. And the main global agenda now is to focus on war and discrimination. If only we could unite as mankind and stop further decline to our natural world. One of which many take so shamelessly for granted. I feel so sad to think of this matter.

My passion around Wild Comfort was inspired by the wallpaper. Elephants. Rhinos. Zebras along with tribal nature. So with mainly silver I used a blue and neutral palette. I love the pinhole legged desk and italian, free standing light. The perspex chair and china antlers. There’s so much detail here. It’s a modern yet cosy room that guests have loved to get comfy in. Last but not least. Check out the ceramic buffalo skull. It’s too beautiful for words. I have called him Chester. I got him from an independent outlet in the town and sadly it’s shut down. A shame as it had some really unique pieces. Support local! It all comes together.

The bathroom prints I found outside a student house, whilst out at work with my son in Leeds. I can never part with them. They’ve been on quite a few walls since being adopted by me.

The cushions and two elephant sketches in frames were from The Range in Blackpool. An affordable haunt for locals. There’s many branches around the UK. The Range is a Northern chain. It’s well worth a visit. Something for all budgets. Their towels and bedding are great quality too.

Tiffy Belle. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper

The Tiffany Suite by Tiffy Belle

The Tiffany Suite is on the first floor of the villa house, to the rear. It was once three badly laid out bedrooms. The new bathroom is one huge space and the bedroom area used to be two former rooms. It was a risk, since had it remained as three bedrooms, it would have possibly made more money. But it’s quality over quantity.

This suite has received 10/10 feedback from guests at the hotel. Particularly with honeymooners and special occasions. There was never a huge budget to furnish the hotel as the funding came from the sale of my small terrace house in Leeds. And finding workmen during lockdown etc, was a bloody nightmare. I did however spend more than I wanted on the french style bed, drawers and bedside table in this room.

The glass table and two dining chairs chairs were on sale at FAB Interiors. I love them. The artwork is mostly from charity shops, apart from a couple of prints I just had to have in the room. And whatever bedding I have in here, it works as the decor is neutral. I can highly recommend ‘Egyptian Cotton’ by ‘Dulux’. It’s just so earthy and neutral. Although the king brand of all paints is ‘Farrow and Ball’. Dulux comes a close second for interiors. And I always take a matt finish.

Bold colours date so quickly and will make a space shrink in. It’s best to stay safe if you like a lot of prints and patterned textiles. But then … I do love wallpaper as you will see with other projects. Prints or paper, there’s a balance. The Tiffany Suite is prints and with the feminine. Holistic womb talk. Empowered by our softer flow. It was always my dream to deliver children in the tub here. Maybe that’s something, somewhere, for the future. Water and a space of love = life abundance.

The bathroom is indeed lush. Initially, I didn’t want the huge relaxation tub, but it was in clearance and when it arrived they just left it on the pavement outside. I urgently called my son who drove from Leeds and we had to smash a wall down just to get it in the building. There are many tales about the formation of this little guest house by the sea. It’s been a journey of a life time. Truly, it has. And I am grateful to have met so many colourful people and animals along the way so far. In particular Buddy the dog, Billy the cat, then Percy and Gloria the seagulls. All of which I rescued (as they also saved a part of me.) One needs the other. Rescue and Healing. Real life values are completeness and rescue work helps us respect the intricate nature of life at its best.

The Tiffany Suite is such a light and airy room with a gorgeous feel to it. As with all the hotel, there’s loads of crystals beneath the floorboards and I believe they play a big part in energy enhancement. The place is full of love and happy vibes, best felt by the wonderful guests for which I will never forget.

Tiffy Belle. X

by Tiffany Belle Harper