So this post is inspired by a friends recent decorating dilemma, which upon hearing has made me think about this...

Lots of us end up lumbered with brown stuff that perhaps we didn't choose or maybe choose a long time ago before we all got super cool (we have inherited a brown leather bed, the thought gives me shivers, that Craig brought from his Dad's. You know the Argos type, he loved it when he was a teenage boy.)

By 'stuff' I'm talking things like big old comfy sofas and wooden tables and chairs that have been passed down from parents and family. Lets face it, we can't always afford to buy everything new when were changing up our spaces, and besides some of the brown 'stuff' can have the most character and charm - it's just knowing how to nurture it.

So we have a couple of options with this brown sitch:

1. We can change the colour of the stuff- So paint or re-vamp those old school, classic, built-to-last pieces that you pick up at car boots or had passed down to you. Not only paint but changing knobs and how you dress these pieces is all part of the tarting up process.

and

2. We can integrate the brown- so this is all about making the brown stuff work in your space in a cooler way. Adding other elements, offsetting with other colours and accessories, and throwing in more brown (yep you heard me -more brown) all helps to transform your brown stuff works.

Number 1 is mainly aimed at wooden furniture, (although I have come across painting leather and fabric on the crazy web I've not yet tried it myself, check it out here if your intrigued.) I adore cleaning up and painting old furniture it unleashes so much life into a piece that can be quite unbelievable, but this is going to be another post for another time. Today were talking how to work those awkward pieces into your scheme on mere integration tricks.

Add more brown 

Honing in on the hue with touches like cushions, accessories, artwork, wallpaper and even paintwork will stop your brown furniture sticking out like a sore thumb and create harmony through your scheme. Play around with tones of the colour to create an interesting feel rather than sticking to one which may leave it looking flat and boring. Be brave and try depths you might not have explored before - dark sludgy browns can add grandeur and really ground a space, where lighter tones will make a place feel more calming.

Compliment the hue 

Adding pops of other colours to offset the brown will help to update the look and modernise the whole scheme. Hit it up with brights like orange and pink for a really quirky contemporary vibe or go for greys for a more understated cool. Using lots of earthy colours (greens, neutrals and warm reds) can bring a relaxing element to your space, however for me this is kind of a bit predictable and 'been there'. This is all amount hitting up your 'stuff' with a big bag of cool. 

Go glam

If you do lean towards these earthy tones, think rustic glam and add shots of surprise in other ways. Super scale-up your shiny surfaces like mirrors and metallics, hang your lighting a little lower and layer up varied textile finishes. All of these things will stop your space looking as mundane as the front page of the Next home brochure and create extra WOW (I realise I may offend Next fans here, but I had to take the risk sorry guys. It's not that it's not lovely, but it's just not AMAZINGGGG.)

Mix it up

If your piece is old, clash it up with something uber- contemporary to create unexpected intrigue, a big wooden elephant per say. As I'm learning, this is what makes spaces exciting. Throw in the unexpected and not only does your space scream personality but it will fill your guests with decorating envy!

Play up pattern

Pick out patterns in your sofa or wood work detail and play on them. As long as your sticking to one or two colours, adding in even the most subtle of patterns will transform your space. I must admit, I'm a little bit of a pattern phobe, so I tend to add it in subtly through rugs and cushions in big prints that barely look like patterns.

Get rid of anything else uncool. 

Okay, sometimes we just have to be cruel to be kind (like the NEXT jibe). If your re-arranging or redecorating and keeping hold of your big brown 'stuff', it may be time to throw away any old pieces that just don't fit the bill. I tend to live by the rule of investing in the long term. It the same as with clothes, the more you spend on pieces the longer they will last. If you buy furniture, art or accessories for your home based on your true instinctive style, and not from the latest trend of a cheap homewards shop (I'm not saying you have to spend a fortune here- in fact sometimes the cooler stuff is cheaper - I have a big glass urn that I ADORE and it cost me eight quid from the charity shop. I also managed to pick up 4 ERCOL dining chairs for £90 in a charity shop - safe to say I was chuffed up!) then the more likely it is that you will never have to throw it away. Of course you can grab some good cheap bargains in these places that might see you through the next year, but be prepared to part with them once you're ready for a change. 

I hope these tips enlighten you, I'd love to see your brown transformations, or if you have a piece / pieces that you're not sure what to do with and would like a bit more help give me a shout!

XOXO

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Head over to pinterest for more inspiration!

Washed Up Glamour...

I'm not sure when I'll next write a blog post that doesn't start with "Apologies for the lack of posting...", things just seem to have been super busy since finishing Uni 7 weeks ago. BUT I am finished with my placement at Gillian Arnold and now I'm looking forward to getting stuck into my own projects.

SO I thought it could be a good idea to run my ideas by you guys, put the feelers out there so to speak, and kill two (or three) birds at the same time.

The summer months are not made to be decorating so I will be concentrating more on accessorising and pulling themes together until were all feeling a little more inclined to stay inside and stake out the paint brushes.

First things first I'm going to be spending today gearing myself up to get stuck into uni work next week, (I am planning to have a very productive few days, lets see how that works out!). I've been thinking about concepts and themes for a while but haven't had the chance to get down to business. 

I'M THINKING OF "WASHED UP GLAMOUR" (Title is a work in progress!)

I'm imagining a concept around the idea of how things change over time and the effects that the sea has on once very beautiful things, in particular bird feathers (I seem to have a new found obsession with bird feathers, you'll see when I elaborate and in the next post). Running parallel to this I'm thinking of how life does the same to us, and how peoples aesthetic and behavior changes as we age - sounds deep I know, but my Nana was THE MOST GLAMOROUS PERSON I EVER MET. God love her, she is ageing, her mind is not the same, her eyes are failing her and she struggles to pull off the immaculacy she once had - she does still manage her lipstick and copper/ red wig everyday though!!! I really wanted to make this project personal so thought what better way that to use my glamour puss Gran as concept colour palette inspiration!

Picture seaside textures, scrawny seagull feathers, mangled driftwood HIT UP WITH HUGE DOSES OF DEEP RUBY RED, EMERALD GREEN, AND SUMPTUOUS PURPLES, PEPPERED WITH MONOCHROME, ART DECO, AND DRAPED IN COSTUME JEWELLERY.

This concept needs a lot of work, but I really want to take the 'seaside' theme and throw it in a cocktail glass! My seaside surroundings have a big impact on me and I love that, but I get tired of seeing the same old stuff, especially interiors products, does anyone else feel that way? Whitewashed, blue striped and shell laden is not what I'm picturing here guys, this will be seaside with a difference.

While I work on my own mood board (which takes more time than you imagine!), here is my pick of the best home accessories to fit this theme if you like the sound of it - would perk up a bathroom or bedroom perfectly if you ask me!

P.S I am writing this post under the will of a reader whom I met out yesterday evening. I still feel surprised and sometimes even embarrassed when people approach me to tell me they enjoy my blog, it's such a lovely feeling to know that people are reading it let alone enjoy reading it. So I would like to thank you all and will hopefully continue to provide you with more content and easy reading! HAPPY SUNDAY, I'm off to the beach! ! XOXO

P.P.S Posts to come include:

OWN PROJECT WORK IN PROGRESS

CRAIGS DECKING PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION

LIGHTING LOW DOWN

TGI Friday...

Ahhhhhhhh, TGI Friday right?
Well I hope that's how you're feeling, but to be honest my weekend is going to be very much a weekend of work. I'm not complaining though as the light at the end of the tunnel is (kind of) near and it will be sooooo worth it in the end.

I'm loving using this blog as an escape from uni work and the routines of day to day life so I really hope you guys are enjoying it if even just a little too.

I thought I'd try a little theme for this weekends blogs, continuing from Wednesdays post about the little touches, it's a perfect time to chat home accessories.

This is probably one of the biggest littlest things I have learnt through reading up on decorating and DIY-ing; 

we all stop decorating too soon, FACT. 

We pour that much time and effort into choosing colour schemes and laboriously painting walls and woodwork that by the time it's all done we can't wait to get the sofas back in and slouch on down with a glass (or bottle in my case) of wine. It's time to reassess the stage we class as 'finished'. I am no stranger to this, our house is absolutely at this stage at the minute and it's driving me NUTS. It feels so boring and impersonal.

So basically what I'm saying is...

the more things in a room, the more stuff there is to look at and take in; and subsequently the more exciting the room becomes.

My style crush Abigail Ahern (along with may other interior gurus I am finding) is all about this idea, and I have found it to be completely true. Now when I walk into a room with bare walls and floors (my living room is quite the perfect example) I instantly scan it and think,

 'OK so that's it, fun OVER.'

Lets mix things up a little. Throw in some texture, some art hung in unexpected places (over the door perhaps), some personality and quirk.

Accessories can come however you'd like them to, it's your space after all. You should be longing to fill it with cool stuff that you (and your guests) never get sick of looking at. I'm talking lamps, rugs, cushions, throws, artwork, chairs, tables, flowers, photographs, candles, ornament, more lamps, more rugs. MORE STUFF!

 A biggie and the easiest thing is to fill a room with stuff that reflects you and your stories. That weird vase you picked up on holiday for example, get it back out of the cupboard! Then put it somewhere where you wouldn't expect to see it and watch the magic happen. 

I could ramble about this all night long but, besides a few insider hints and tips of arranging and styling (this post will follow!) , it really is dependent upon you and the style of your home. I'm going to show you a little example of how I'm muddling through this and kind of beginning to feel like I'm finding my way. Firstly we will talk colour with accessories, then posts will follow on arrangements.

So as is evident from the bedroom, hall and bathroom (the latter two are soon to be revealed!), I am well and truly crossing over to the dark side. I am fully embracing using dark colours on walls to create intrigue and cosy, grown up spaces. HOWEVER, despite my love for the lady, I cannot quite convince Craig (and admittedly myself wholly) to follow the wisdom of Abigail Ahern completely by painting the walls, ceilings and woodwork out in one colour - it's still a little scary.

So in order to make sure that the white ceilings and woodwork don't stand STARKERS against the darker colours, I am embracing white in the form of accessories and furnishings. You see, as I am learning, this draws the eye from the ONLY BIG THING in the room you've chosen to leave white, and helps to mellowly blend it in to the rest of the decor - are you following? (This stands true even if your walls are 'beige', the white ceiling will still stand out if it's the only white thing in the room.) So rather than it sticking out like a sore thumb, it is now completely in accordance with your well planned colour palette ;) I also find it gives a crisp edge to the darker colours rather than leaning towards too edgy.

Currently I'm going for mono. White, black, grey and of course a little metallic ( personally I love to mix up metallics. I see no wrong in pairing brass with aluminium or silver and gold) are my go to for accessories right now.

A little bonus here is because I have chosen to GO BOLD on the colour of the walls in my rooms, I can reign it in a little with the accessories. I am now finding myself accessorising rooms with similar palettes - yeah I hear what you're thinking, could be kind of boring, BUT at the same time makes it SO EASY to shop my own house when I get bored of seeing stuff in the same place. When I'm sick of seeing the white occasional table in the hall, I'll move it into the bedroom and use it as a bedside table. Clever no? This also gives a little continuity throughout the house.

Of course there is no right or wrong when it comes to colour, again it's your home, What I'm trying to say is 

ACCESSORISE YOUR HOME. 

I think it's something we so easily forget to do. Maybe if you can't bear the thought of abandoning your white walls ( god forbid - give me a month you will!), then add colour through your accessories. Stick to 2/3 different colours and go wild. Don't be afraid of pattern too. This is highly underestimated in the power to change stakes ( again by the old me ), as long as you don't let your colour palette get too out of control, try mixing up a few different patterns, it's all about creating interest. Although I reiterate, do watch your colours, we want interest not gaud. 

I'll leave you on a few pics of my growing accessory collection, which in the absence of an accessory I used to think only concerned old people, highlight how important they actually are. All will be revealed.

TGI Friday folks.

XOXO.
P.S when arranging your accessories, stick to grouping things in odd numbers. It's a little rule in design - much more appealing to the eye as my uni co star always reminds me.

P.P.S notice how bare the walls look, I NEED STUFF!!!

Is it only Tuesday?

Hey, I hope you are feeling more enthusiastic than I am today - I'm feeling totally 'feathered' out after already spending at least 6 hours sat at a sewing machine embroidering feathers for my final piece (which is due in in 2 & 1/2 weeks!!!). I can't believe it's only Tuesday; I'm shattered already and feel like I need a pick me up so I'm swapping out the lemon water for a Crabbies!

So my final is (hopefully) going to be a fully functioning hanging chair that will be covered in around 450 individual fabric feathers that I have made right from dyeing the fabric, to printing the feather through to embellishing. 

I want this piece to be a bit of a show-stopper, somewhere that 'cocoons' you as you hunker down underneath it's wings hanging from a tree, making you feel content and at peace with the world! The right now here is the reality - I'm loosing love for the thing! I'm writing this post (in between a crazy whatsapp message between my best girlfriends discussing our best friends hen do antics, as a result of her announcing today that she has provisionally booked her wedding venue!!!) as total procrastination to avoid getting the machine out for the night. So to help be prolong this blissful time out, I thought I'd share with you a few of my fave hanging chair designs that I have found as part of my research. The hanging chair is MOST definitely a furniture must have for this summer, whether it be for your garden, sun room or bedroom - a hanging haven is top of my shopping hit list!

I think this baby is a bit of a bargain - it would suit outside or in and you can dress it to your own style with throws and cushions, and they also do it in white too! Find it here on Etsy. (in fact when I've finished writing this I'm thinking of bribing Craig into letting me buy one - it would finish the conservatory off right?)

As we have had such a lovely day, I'm feeling summer garden vibes and this chair below just hits the patin G-spot perfectly. It is a little more expensive, but look after it and it's a very VERY COOL investment if you ask me. Find this here on Wayfair.

OK so this next one is a product that I have taken great inspiration from, as much as I like the product, it was the concept and the manufacturers passion behind it that grabbed my attention most. As a textile designer, the aesthetic is not AMAZING, but... 

...it is ideal for those who love the great outdoors as it is light and easy to erect so can be taken with you on this cosy camping trips this summer. Check them out at

'Hang-in-Out' here.

This cute hammock chair reminds me of holidays and who doesn't love that feeling!? It's the cheapest on the hit list at only £43.03 and would bring a summery,  aid back hippy vibe to either an indoor or outdoor setting. Pick this up on outdoorbg here.

And my final pick, just for the hell of it, cos' we can all dream can't we...

This gorgeous piece had been designed by Urquiola as part of Louis Vuitton's folding collection, "Objet Nomades". Ahhhhhh if only...

Happy chair hanging folks!

P.s I hit bargain store "The Range" yesterday, and of course went in for nothing much, and came out with a trolley load go goodies. I was really pleasantly surprised, they have quite an apt range of little finishing touches...I tried hard to reign it in, so besides surface cleaner and body wash, here is what I picked up, I think the Giraffe is my favorite...

Oozing inspiration...

PHEWWW! What a day...besides me driving a 2 hour round trip to Harrogate to visit the BCTF (British Craft Trade Fair), I'm pretty sure now, sitting here writing this post, is the first proper real sit down I've had all day - and it just feels lovely! (I'm easy pleased aren't I, tell that to Craig won't you!)

Despite feeling slightly yawny right now, today has been a good day! 

So we popped in to Harrogate for a quick whizz around a few fave spots, ( Two actually, we're slow OKAY) before heading on up to the show ground to visit the BCTF. I did manage to pick up a few bargains on our little journey...

James Brindley Interiors is just DIVINE, if you get to Harrogate soon get in here as at the minute they have some really good pieces on offer with good discounts too! I swiped this gorgeous vase that was previously £70, for just...wait a sec...£30! I couldn't resist it's beautiful shape.

I also picked up this lovely 7 piece set in OXFAM for only £4.99. I mean come on, no body has the right to serve up good coffee in awful pots with steals like this kicking about!

ANYWAY, lets get back to the REAL reason I was there. 

So the BCTF is basically a curation of beautiful craft that has being going strong for more than 20 years, showing off more than 500 exhibitors ranging from ceramics, fine jewellers, artists, textile makers, lighting designers THE LOT.  

I was really impressed with the level of talent and it was great to see whats going on in our industry and also to chat to the makers themselves and gain an insight and advice. There are LOADS of talented people at these things and I did manage to buy a directory so no doubt I will drip feed you some information from the loveliness I saw today over the coming weeks, but for now I'm going to share with you my favourite few.

Nicola Elks was a lovely lady who shared with us loads of advice and the thoughts behind her unique textiles all inspired by touch!

Swag and Tassel are a handbag label that I have spotted during my research, I didn't manage to get much from the stand as they were busy but their stuff is just lush!

 Lauren Scott is the one to watch I reckon! She makes amazing textile sculptures of birds and animals  from completely recycled, vintage fabrics and materials. Her attention to detail is STUNNING and is probably what gives her creatures their mystical, intriguing personas! GORGEOUS!!! Give her website a heads up, she's starting up a blog too! :)

And of course, Joanna Coupland! Whom we had the pleasure to with with through uni. Amazing whimsical work thats just irresistible. Theres no way you could walk away from her products without smiling!

Heres a few snaps I captured at the show of Joannas Stand...

Hopefully I'll be there one day, maybe as a buyer or maybe as a maker - who knows!

XOXO.

(All the images are taken from artists own website/ Facebook unless stated that they are my own.)

House reno. PART I...

Sorting through some photos on my mac I came across some 'before' snaps of the house. So for those of you who don't know, we've been busy renovating our house - its not been lots of major, structural stuff but still its been a bit of a long haul. Seeing these pics makes me realise just how much we've done, it definitely feels rewarding. We are almost there so more pics will follow, but in the mean time here's the living room and conservatory snaps...

The living room before we started, when we moved in we stripped a load of bright pink flock wall paper, and paired it right back. we opted for paper on one wall to compliment the natural colour of the  original fireplace. We ripped up 13 year old Karndean flooring and lived with painted floor boards for the 1st year, which I really quite liked at the time but looking back it was all a bit pale.

Then after about a year we made the decision to add a log burner, the house is pretty cold and with the conservatory being all glass its almost unusable in the winter. After a few domestic tifs about where the burner would go and getting past the complications of the glass roof , I finally got my own way and we decided to go for a through and through burner (means it is open in both sides), and we knocked through from the living room into the conservatory. My advice to anyone doing anything similar would be question the obvious. To me, this comes pretty natural, I question EVERYTHING, but my husband wasn't getting it and I was starting to feel a little ganged up on by men to say the least.

STICK TO YOUR GUNS. Yeah it cost a little more, but to me if I couldn't have it how I pictured then it wasn't worth having at all. Both my husband and the fitter were making faces when I asked if it was a possibility, but as soon as I heard him say "It's more difficult, but yeah", I snapped it right up! Don't just do things cos' it's the norm or cos it's all that your workman is capable of, if you visualise something in a certain way, PIPE UP and don't settle for less until you know that it's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE.

A stud chimney breast had to be built on the lounge side in order to create room for the chimney to be diverted away from the glass roof and out to the house roof.

We (I say we...Craig), knocked out the brick under the window, when we had new windows fitted through the house, we opted for French doors here. The idea here is that one day we will build a balcony along the back of the house...one day!

DRUMROLL....TA DAHHH!!!!....

 In the conservatory besides the log burner I'd say the game changer has been painting the mahogany woodwork. It's really lifted the space as well as modernising it at the same time. The walls look so bare on these photos and were crying out for a coffee table or ottoman in this space but I'm holding out to find 'the one'.

So were obviously not totally finished, the most important touches are still yet to be added but like Craig keeps telling me, we can collect those over the years we plan to be here. Like the conservatory the lounge walls still feel so bare and we definitely need some rugs going on. And like Abigail Ahern keeps on telling us, there should be way more lighting in this room- we do have a dimmer though so that's a bonus ;) Keep reading for updates on our very own house reno. and please feel free to comment ;) XOXO.