Heavenly hallways...

Can you remember way back when I shared pics of our living room in a post and said ' wait until you see how my style is changing as I'm gaining more confidence?', here is the post to prove it. ( Read the post on the living room reno here - I'm chomping at the bit for winter to come and allow me to paint this room dark now!)

So I really need to get better at taking 'before' pictures, unfortunately this is the best I have of our hallway previous to it's reno. Between it's 'all white' walls, red carpet (which it NOT ideal alongside a heavily molting yellow labrador I can assure you) and broken lighting didn't have much else going on. 

We thought to leave this space to renovate last as we didn't want to destruct it doing the other rooms, yet somehow Craig managed to have this AND the bathroom going at the same time (typical Craig). So for quite some time now we have been juggling the two, flitting from job to job in room to room. 

But now, 4 months later, we have a bathroom, and I can happily say, a beautiful hallway space that is beyond what I ever could have imagined it to be...

Again we used Abigail Ahern paint on the walls and floor, this time in Bedford Brown and Hudson Black. The brown is so gorgeous, it's comforting yet still classy. In some lights it even has a hint of grey.

 This felt VERY dark at first, and we lived with no lighting for a while as I didn't want to rush into buying for the sake of it which I'm sure you can imagine led to lots of disapproving "oohhh its dark in here" comments. BUT last weekend something MAGICAL happened...

We managed to bag some Laura Ashley chandeliers at massively discounted prices as they were getting rid of them; I was like a kid in a sweet shop as the manager was reeling out boxes of discontinued shop from the 'back'. This is a prime example of being in the right place at the right time.

We compromised on keeping the ceilings and woodwork white ( Craig was not having my Abigail Ahern inspired lust to paint it all out in the same colour), so I have brought white through into the scheme with accessories and lighting to keep it cohesive. I have to admit as much as I love her and agree that that 'knock it back' paint technique is visually brilliant, I am keen on how the white woodwork keeps the space looking timeless and crisp, and I'm possibly just not quite cool enough to pull off that dark, hunkered down feel anyway!

Pulling the carpet up in the hallway made the space feel instantly fresher. We decided to paint the floorboards and go with layered rugs to add different textures and pattern. I always thought floorboards required specialist paint, don't get me wrong it's out there, but I was advised by an expert in the field that as long as the boards were sealed with a varnish, plain old emulsion on the floor will do! So we did just that, two coats of emulsion in Hudson Black and two coats of clear, matt varnish on top. Bob's your uncle!

We also swapped out two naff white radiators that provided nowhere near enough heat to this space with one BIG DADDY of a cast iron number. The heat output from this geezer is literally amazing, and the smell you get from the  cast iron tops it right off! Again we got this from architectural salvage  in Tynemouth.

This little table was £15 from IKEA!!! I love the idea of having little occasional tables dotted around.  There is much more to be added to this space yet but we will hopefully collect pieces we love over time.

Rug above was from h and m. The white wall lights are Kartell, they act as a modern contrast between the classy glass chandeliers. The standard lamp below is Laura Ashley, I stole this from the living room to tie in the duck egg from that room scheme.

 This black mirror (which once was gold), was spray painted using plasticote spray paint in black gloss to make it much edgier. I am on with collecting art, pictures and anything else I fancy to create an interesting gallery wall along here, I've made a start with my bargain £10 zebra print and quirky MIHO Stag head from Liberty of London...

GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!!! The cut glass just shines AMAZINGLY, photos do not do these lights justice! They add a touch of glam to the space - who doesn't need a bit of that!

Mirrors in round or unusual shapes add interest to spaces - look out for something different to your average and you'll have mirror envy from all of your guests I promise. Also think about where you position your mirrors. With the one in the above picture, I wanted it placed low enough so that the chandelier's reflection (below) was in full view. Unfortunately my INSANE husband likes things in lines and when I told him this was in the wrong place he told me that 'it is exactly in the middle of the wall and the beam above'

 WHAT ON EARTH!? Who in their right mind would look at a mirror and think 'That is out of line with that tiny stump of wall at the top' 

NO ONE- that's who! 

So that mirror needs shuffling to the right a little so it looks in the middle of the wall BY EYE, and shuffling down a bit so that when you can't see the actual chandelier, you see its reflection. This trick is good with artwork too, use your mirrors to your advantage, let them bounce your cool things around your space.

Placing mirrors near lights will also bounce the light around your space really cleverly too!

Craig laid Yorkshire stone at the porch end of the hall. This creates a separate zone for the entranceway and also adds another dimension of texture.

I really am in love with this space and I have surprised myself at how a hallway can actually feel like a room in it's own right. I hope this too has inspired you to be a little more creative with your hallway/ entranceway. I certainly never dreamed I'd have one that guests, and us, stop and linger in. If I can do it, anyone can! Please feel free to leave your comments, and if you have any questions I'd love to try and help in anyway I can.

Happy hallway-ing.

XOXO.

Bringing the outside in, the unthought of accessory...

Good morning! It looks like it's gonna' be another sunny one - horrah! Lets pick up where we left off, Fridays post was full of promises, so here I am attempting to fulfil those.

I hope my rant about accessories got you thinking. I must stress that these posts are a total combination of the things I am picking up along my journey. Mainly from other bloggers and designers. Of course there is no right or wrong, but I am finding them to be successful in my home, and definitely feel like my own style is evolving from the hints and tips I'm reading. If you have any other ideas or thoughts I'd love you to share them too.

Anyway...

So this mystery accessory, 'TELL ME TELL ME" I hear you cry. Well I must admit, a year ago I'd never have thought I'd have done this but since I have read about plants in the home, yes you heard me, PLANTS, I think I'm becoming addicted.
They are a nifty little trick that lots of stylists (those magic makers who throw together the gorgeoussss images we drool over in the glossies), and designers use within interiors. When I first read about using them, the thought ' I'll kill them' sprung to mind, and Craig just looked at me like he had married a girl born in the wrong era. But seriously, we were in IKEA of all places and I literally thought,
'I'll pick some up while they are cheap and try it, what's to loose?'

I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK.

I went for cacti as I'd read about their texture which again adds intrigue and I remembered from being a kid that they didn't need much looking after. I had also seen some cool pictures of cacti on Abigail Aherns pinterest. I did opt for the real thing, however, many of these stylists and designers I speak so highly of really do champion faux.

They seriously add something to a space that no other plastic, metal, glass, you name it can add. Its marvellous! And not just plants but flowers too! Although this is something I haven't actually gotten round to yet. I'm desperate for some faux flowers though but I want to get the rooms a little more finished before I invest in some good quality ones.

So have a look about, I guarantee once you've tried a few you'll catch on to this. Our go-to girl Abigail Ahern does some AMAZING fauxs, obviously! But I did find IKEA to be pretty good, and cheap too. If you shop about online there are plenty of places selling them, and your trusty home retailers like M & S, John Lewis, and Dunelm all sell them. Steer clear of anything unnatural looking and from what I've found I'd say greenery is a safe place to start.

This is really not my area of expertise so even though I'm happy to share with you my advice on going for it and how it's inspired me, I'm not going to claim I'm an expert flower arranger 'cos I'm not! So I'd say if you try it and think it's for you, have a read of this blog. You could even speak to your florist about how to arrange displays and ask if they can get hold of some good quality fauxs for you. I'm off to see Rebecca at my local as soon as I get around to it - it's another job on the list!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, tonight I'll be sharing my pick of the best accessories for May/ July and a few tips on what to do with them in your home. I've popped up a few pics of the start of my collection, it is only very small at the minute but I'm planning on expanding :) I'm loving using them in bathrooms and you can't tell so much in the snap as it was a little dark this morning when I took it and we haven't finished with the lighting in there, but rather than fitting a blind I want to create a natural screen using lots of varying heights of plants.

XOXO.

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!!!

Decorators notebook...

Good morning, today I'm sharing a shopping spot, if you're hunting for lovely home wares and have an ethical conscience, look no further than Decorators Notebook. The brother sister partnership that created this unique little online shop search the globe for unusual handmade items made by real artisans, then they make it easy for you to buy them by bringing them altogether in one place.
http://www.decoratorsnotebook.co.uk
Products range from textiles to accessories to kitchenwares along with loads more gorgeous stuff. If you are always on the hunt for beautiful things, you definitely should give this place a look - if not only to sign up to their newsletter to assist their pledge to give children across the world a better education ( they donate one exercise book to UNICEF for every one person to sign up!!!- isn't that brilliant!) Head on over and shop til you drop, in the mean time here are my fave picks...

Double sided picture frames in a copper finish from £12.95 - I'm desperate for these for my hallway, thinking of making a gallery wall and these would be perfect with photos swell as memory clippings we've collected. 

Kenyan Basket collection from £18 - every room needs a basket, or three! baskets are useful little things that can be used for just about anything and will instantly ground a space and make it feel cosy and warm. These have the added bonus of being hand woven so your's would be completely different to the next shoppers!

Woodfired terracotta cups from £9.95. I am just desperate for some rustic ware like these ever since attending Abigail Ahern's design masterclass (www.abigailahern.org) and being served up gorgeous coffee in equally gorgeous little cups like these - made the coffee taste even better! 

Finally I couldn't miss this feather print cushion as I'm feather mad at the minute! It's neutral pallette and subtle design makes it a quirky little addition to any style of seating. It's a bargain in the sale at £30!

http://www.decoratorsnotebook.co.uk
XOXO.