Sweet dreams

One of the great pleasures in life, I believe, is really good bed linen and fresh sheets each and every day (not orchestrated by me) would certainly be near the top of my list following a spectacular lottery win. Slipping between very beautiful sheets not only helps towards a good night’s kip, it also makes you feel like a princess (or prince of course) and that in my book is pretty important.

I love this bedding from The Linen Works as you get the great feel of linen without the need to iron – the whole look is relaxed and feels better the more it is used. I also think it looks great when you mix the colours up – here is Parisian Blue and Cassis Rose – divine!

Silk bedlinen is not to be confused with nasty nylon. Silk is not only good for regulating body temperature, it is also regarded as a youth preserver as it does not absorb moisture from the skin and so helps to prevent aging. This beautiful 100% silk bedlinen from Ginger Lily is also fabulously glamorous.

What’s not to love about a bed strewn with flowers and ferns and this delightful bedlinen from Designers Guild adds colourful femininity to a bedroom in a fresh sophisticated way.

Flannelette has had a very bad press in the past as somewhat of a passion killer but let me tell you, that is not true. Flannelette is soft and inviting and perfect for snuggling up in, especially when it is chilly. This wonderful Chamonix bedlinen is from Cologne and Cotton and is shown here is single but more importantly is available in double.

Contemporary interiors can also take a little pattern and colour, if applied in a considered way, and this teasel design from the Secret Linen Store hits the mark creating a smart and luxurious feel.

Marimekko’s wonderful unmistakable designs translate perfectly into bedlinen and I love the mixture of patterns and restrained colours here that look oh so inviting.

Finally who can resist the mixture of pure linen and fair trade organic cotton that make up this bedlinen from Luma, ensuring that you not only sleep in style, you also sleep with an easy conscience.

Nighty night and sleep well

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Cycle Fever

The third stage of the Tour de France starts in the heart of Cambridge on 7^th July and I, for one, am excited. Now you would have thought that this excitement would translate into the crucial work of having the Angel and Blume bicycle serviced and the flat tyre and wobbly seat sorted out, but instead my enthusiasm has manifested itself into finding the best bicycle related interiors products. Kingsway cycles we will be bringing the Angel and Blume bike to you any minute, for the rest of you, here are my discoveries so far:

 

 

Bicycle cushion 30cm x 50cm Graham and Green £55

You know how I love a cushion, and this one from Graham and Green is not only very classy but fun too.

 

 

 

 

 

I love these prints from David Sparshott – they are beautifully detailed, absolutely charming and I suspect very accurate, although I am only guessing. The bike race support vehicles is my favourite – which is yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bone china mug from Ginger and French £10 for 1 or £74 for 8

I personally think that commemorative mugs need to be used advisedly, so these mugs from Ginger and French are joyously low key whilst reminding you of the great occasion.

Bicycle rug 120cm x 180cm £460 Graham and Green

Oh so beautiful – a little work of art for your floor! Find just the spot for this charming rug, either on the floor or on the wall.

Linwood wallpaper – On Yer Bike £79.90 per roll

Lovely wallpaper from Linwood, entitled ‘On Yer Bike’ put it in a child’s bedroom, a dressing room, in the back of a cupboard or wardrobe, or line your desk drawers with it. You will smile every time you see it.

 

Habitat door mat

45cm x 75cm £15

I’ve just ordered one of these – I couldn’t help myself

 

 

 

 

Aspace single duvet cover £45

And for your Tour de France obsessed children, a charming pillow and duvet cover set to ensure that they are wearing the yellow jersey in their dreams.

 

See you at the start line!

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Home Improvements

This blog first appeared on the Cambridge Evening News website.

The August bank holiday is so often ear-marked as a time for home improvements and with this in mind, we have put together a collection of accessories from some of our favourite designers and shops that we hope will inspire you to make those small but effective changes to your home, so that if the big DIY project doesn’t materialise, at least you home will be looking new and improved!

Lighting

Changing your light fittings will make a huge difference to your home. Add lamps where you can and select pendant lights that are beautiful in a room as well as giving the right kind of light for the space.

 

Single glass shades with black fabric twisted flex and dark bronze ceiling rose in purple, smoked olive, sky blue and yellow ochre. £262 www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Rugs

A new rug will add colour, comfort and style to a room and is a great place to add colour or pattern or both. Keep the rug as large as possible and don’t be afraid to sit the sofas and chairs (or other furniture) on it.

Niki Jones Lattice Rug  Hand knotted in 100% New Zealand wool. Available in two colourways, shown here in Ash Grey and Chartreuse Green £1250 http://www.niki-jones.co.uk

Flowers

Fresh flowers are a lovely accessory in any room of the home and will bring a welcoming, well-loved feel to your home.. Try to pick flowers and vases that fit in with the style and colours of your home but most importantly, pick flowers you love!

WildGarden Bouquet in Jug. Forget Me Nots, Anemones and Rambling Clematis. £65 plus delivery www.wildatheart.com

Cushions

I am a very big fan of a cushion or two as I think they add luxurious finishing touch to a space, not to mention a splash of colour and pattern. Try to add a selection of different cushions and avoid over co-ordination of fabrics.

Vintage Daisies and Roses Cushion Cover Approximately 50cm x 50cm, envelope back fastening with chunky shell buttons. £57 www.paleandinteresting.com

Bed linen

A new set of bed linen will not only make your bedroom look ship shape but will also be a wonderful reason to get an early night when the bank holiday weekend is over. I think some colour or texture (or both) in your bedlinen ensures that the bed is the centrepiece of your room but if you prefer plain white, a bedthrow will do just as well.

Andrew Martin Arrowstripe Duvet Covers, Multi from John Lewis

£99 – £125 Duvet cover for the duvet cover www.johnlewis.com

Mirrors and pictures

I am always amazed at the difference that hanging pictures and mirrors make to a room – they not only personalise a space but they also draw the eye upwards from the furniture to make a room seem bigger. If you don’t have a great art collection (or even if you do), well framed family photos, mirrors, prints and wall hangings will dress your walls in style. Think carefully about where each should hanging considering the background (paint or wallpaper), the lighting and the height that each piece is hung.

Graham and Green Grand Daisy Mirror 97 diameter £395 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Bath towels

A great way to get a bit of colour and luxury into the smallest room in the house is to splash out on some coloured towels. Remember to get a selection of sizes from little hand towels to big bath sheets and check to see if you need additional hooks or towel rails to save them from all being piled onto the towel warmer or radiator.

Designers Guild Saraille Lime Towels £5-£45 www.designersguild.com

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