Playing changing rooms...

Good afternoon snoozers, or is that just us today? The Eastons are feeling pretty sleepy on this warm Sunday afternoon, I have just about managed to pull myself around to share with you a little post for some easy reading. 

I trust you read Monday's blog on brown furniture right? Well look what I've been up to this morning...

We were given (yep you heard me, GIVEN - how lucky are we) this gorgeous sideboard from a member of Craigs family. It's been sat at the bottom of our hall for some time collecting dust, so this morning, with Craig out at work (hence the rug under the sideboard - it was my dragging mechanism!)  I decided it was about time we put it to good use and I started to practice what I preach...

If you're a regular reader you probably know by know that I'm not most keen of our living room ( its way to bland and the paint choice was made before I crossed over to the dark side), but I thought I'd make the best of what I have. 

Below you can see on the left hand wall was a hand painted dresser in off white (snooze), and the rest of the walls look really bland too.

So I switched out the dresser to make room for the sideboard, and popped this in the right hand alcove besides the burner...

Are you ready?

Voi la...

I hung this big piece of cow art above the sideboard, and layered up some metallic finishes (mirrored frame and copper planters) with some greenery and our home bar to add a punch of 21st century quirk to the antique piece. As I mentioned last week, this helps make your brown furniture seem more 'eclectic cool' than ' dingy Grandma'!

What do you think?

   

I feel like the sideboard totally grounds the space making it feel much more complete than before, and by adding some interest at a higher level on the back ( log burner ) wall instantly the whole place seems more interesting. It's by no means perfect yet, but it's much better than before don't you think? And all of this was done using everything I already own - who'd have thought just a little effort can make quite a difference. As silly as it sounds, I feel great for doing this too and now I want to go sit in my living room rather than avoid the place!

I'd love to see how you've styled up your brown furniture, stick them over twitter or instagram and tag in @lilliandaph and use the hashtag #brownfurniture.

Happy Sunday snoozing folks.

P.S I'm working on some monthly features for the blog and some daily stuff too across social media sites (Facebook, instagram and twitter) So if you haven't already, give Lilliandaph a heads up over there, I think you might like what's in store.

XOXO

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!

Show me your best side (table)...

This blog post has been a long time coming - being caught up in the reality of timescales for uni work and a little design brief I'm working on has meant it's been tough to actually get this one down. 

It is one I have enjoyed writing though as it kind of speaks for itself and, for a change, means I don't actually have to do much gabbing! 

So I'm working on a little interior design brief that I'm quite excited to share with you all, however I'm going to wait until it's completely finished to show you the reveal and transformation. Along with very specific mirrors and wall finishes, I have been trying to source small occasional/bedside tables. 

These kind of occasional tables can be so boring yet if chosen correctly, can bring so much more than just utility to a room. 

Use occasional tables in hallways to create a really grounded SENSE OF SPACE, rather than it becoming a 'corridor' (zzzzzzz). 

OR...

dot them in unexpected places like besides your bathtub to house charming vignettes, or in the kitchen to display your cookery books. Wherever you put them, you'll find that they instantly transform your spaces - creating levels of intrigue way up the cool ladder.

Also if you choose tables that can work in multiple rooms within your home, they become the easiest and most brilliant way to instantly give your space a makeover. Frequently playing around with your furniture and 'bits and pieces' (or STUFF as Craig likes to call it) will stop YOU becoming bored of your home and will aid you on your way to creating one you never want to leave!

Here are my pick of just a few fab tables on the market - remember, don't just push them in the corner!

For retro cool go Vettra - Ikea £25

For instant understated classic vibes do Undredal- Ikea £95.

Theres place for country chic in most homes, practical and gorgeous - Manilla tray - Joss and Main £64.95

Love this leggy little number, simple and chic - Beat side table - Joss and Main £91.95

Totally in love with this quirky bird leg table, it's gold finish is the icing on the cake. Birdy urban outfitters £80

Add humour and charm to any room with this little fella,, also available in a beauty of an Elephant- Kare Bear Urban Outfitters £120 

C'est Chic! Timeless and gorgeous in any space, especially against dark walls!- Hexagon - Urban Outfitters £120

Add mono pattern to spaces with are full of colour or depth - Chevron table - Mia Fleur £150

Make a design statement with Lean to side table - Heals £95

Hit the copper trend on the head with this beauty, the hammered texture will juj up the dullest of spaces Orrico - Habitat £125

Girls' girls - this ones for you - Gold and Pink stripe  - Homes Direct £199.99

There is a little bit of something for everyone here, and as much as I genuinely love them all, I think you can't beat a little bit of quirk and glamour in any space so my faves are Kare Bear and Birdy Both by Urban Outfitters which have a huge selection of some of the best home accessories (credit cards at the ready girls).
 Which is your fave and where would you put it? Or if you have a pick to add to the list, let me know over on Facebook or Twitter.

Happy Sunday.
XOXO.

My Kinda Gardening...

After a busy weekend (when I say weekend I mean Sunday) in the garden, I'm late again with posting. Nonetheless we have major improvements going on around our existing patio and soon to be raised decking area - yay!

Craig is DONE with the house now the sun is shining so we're moving into the garden.

OKAY, SO I CLEARLY HAVENT HAD AN AWFUL LOT OF PHYSICAL INPUT IN THIS ONE, BUT THE IDEA WAS ALL MINE, I ASSURE YOU!

From our patio we lose the gorgeous view due to our conservatory being in the way, so I suggested we extend the patio area out over what is now garden (mainly a bush and plant area - don't tell my Mam I said that). This is hopefully going to create a lovely seating area from which the view can be really appreciated; this area gets the evening sun too which again the patio doesn't (it's not sounding a great patio here is it!) so I'm picturing an idyllic little fairy lit abode. 

Despite not getting my 'hammer on' with this one, I did however spend most of Sunday pulling out what I thought were weeds (mainly everything - again don't tell Sue!) and planting in some new bits that will create a 'cottage garden' feel come next year. This requires patience apparently, which I most certainly don't have when it comes to creating visual change.

Anyway, back on topic. I've been sprawling the internet for garden inspiration on this one and thought I'd share with you some garden ideas and tips. Keep reading for a few tips and head over to my growing pinterest board for images galore.

MAKING YOUR GARDEN FEEL LIKE PART OF YOUR HOME...

It's so easy to forget about 'designing' our gardens, especially over here in the great British weather, but like our gal AA says, your garden should be designed and accessorised just like any other room in your house in order to create an alluring and enjoyable space.

1. TAKE THE INSIDE OUT. Dress your space with soft furnishings; throw cushions on your chairs, seek outdoor rugs for your patios, hang mirrors next to planters and string enough lights between trees to give Blackpool a run for it's money.

2. ACCESSORISE IN THE SAME WAY. Remember the post on accessorising the home? Read it again, then apply it to your garden. Mix plants at varying heights, mix up planters in different shape and sizes, combine shapes and textures of plants and flowers and ADD LIGHTING. How can anything not look good when draped in fairy lights?!

3.  HIDE THE HORRORS. Use big wicker baskets or distressed wooden chests to hide away any garden tools or games if you don't have a shed or garage to keep them tidied away- let the focus be on your gorgeous things.

4. REFLECT WHO YOU ARE. So again this is exactly the same as your interior spaces. Make your garden personal. If you lean towards clean, crisp lines, continue this through your pathways and planters - just don't let this wind up looking boring and uptight. To avoid that remember to throw in the odd surprise element, something you won't expect to see. Or again use lighting and texture to soften it up. If you lean more towards natural, earthy designs go big on chunky wooden planters and accessorise with piles of logs in wooden crates. If like me, you can't make your bloody mind up about anything, throw in a bit of everything. Don't be scared to eclecticise (yep I just made up a word) your garden as well as your home. I'm thinking boho hammocks, rusty vintage wrought iron tables, a touch of Mediterranean terracotta and oodles of fairy lights.

5. COSY UP. Nothing beats a Summer evening watching the sun go down cosying up by a real log fire with a glass of vino in hand. How much do you love that winter ideal of snuggling by a coal fire with a glass of red? Well basically you want to create that same home comfort of a fire in the sitting room with a fire pit or chimenea outside. If your garden is one open space, use tall plants like bamboo to create 'walls' which will instantly zone your space making it more intriguing and cosy. Don't pouch everything to the four corners of your garden, bring your entertaining space central and build your garden around it, factoring in your needs and the space you have to play with.

I'm well up for this gardening lark now I've realised it's just like decorating! I'll keep you posted with our progress on the decking.

XOXO.

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.