Botanical Abode

Using a botanical element in your home, whether it’s big or small, can really make an uplifting difference to your interiors. It’ll give you a constant fresh and light feeling, so that even on a rainy day there’s a little life in your rooms. There are some great ways to get creative with botanical interiors, and something to suit everyone.

Botanical Leaves in Frames from The Lovely Drawer via Pinterest

A collection of cuttings from real plants and bushes is a beautiful way to create a botanical presence in your home and fill a wall or room with some alternative artwork. You could use a whole garden of different types, or stick to one plant, using varied sizes of frames and cuttings for an interesting look. Nkuku have a wonderful selection of glass frames in, Antique Brass, Zinc, Copper and Silver finishes, so you’ll sure to find whatever look your trying to create.

Antique Brass Kiko Frame from Nkuku

Botanical prints are also a great way to introduce the theme into your home. They’d look lovely as a feature in a bathroom or guest bedroom. I love this print found on Pinterest; a vintage find which looks like it straight from a textbook or poster showing the different types of plants. It’s also an interesting look combining the botanical print with real-life plants, giving a 3D and interactive effect.

Vintage Botanical Print from Vibeke Design via Pinterest

These days you can find beautiful vintage prints on places like Etsy, or if you have a good root around some antique shops. I found this colourful print on Etsy, and would make a lovely base to a vintage collection or situated over a writing desk or console.

Botanical Chart from Bonnie and Bell at Etsy

A botanical print doesn’t have to be vintage though; if you’d prefer a contemporary take on the style, you could use something like this eucalyptus print from Desenio. It’s simple and elegant and would look gorgeous put in a set of three on a wall.

Eucalyptus Poster from Desenio

Go one step further than prints and really make an impact with botanical wallpaper. If you want to make a statement in a room a bold botanical print may be just what you need. Little Greene has the most glorious pattern, Upper Brook Street in Minuit will really light up a room. The pink and green really grabs your attention, while the dark background makes it amenable with a larger design scheme.

Upper Brook Street in Minuit from Little Greene

If you’ve fallen in love with the succulent trend that’s been happening over the last few years; take it one step further with this playful wallpaper. It’s got a slight Western feel to it, and would back a great little print for a downstairs loo.

The Rediscovered Paradise Succulents by Mind the Gap from Rockett St George

If that’s all a little too much for you, and you want to take things slow, introducing the theme through some cushions can be a great way to start off. This Fern print cushion from Rose & Grey is cool and contemporary; the perfect companion for a mid-century leather armchair.

Fern Printed from Rose & Grey

Finally, why not create a real life (or almost) botanical display with these faux roots and stems from Angel & Boho. A lovely way to create a unique botanical display in your home.

Rooted Branch Specimen from Angel & Boho

A little bit of botanical charm is good for the soul and your home, so find something that’s perfect for you and enjoy your fun and creative interior.

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Kitchen Character

Just like any other room in a house, creating the perfect kitchen is all about making sure that the final details are in place to make it feel like home and full of style. A few final kitchen accessories that are both pretty and practical, and will help give your kitchen that individuality it may be missing, giving your kitchen that all important character.

Tansui Glass Bottles from Nkuku

These beautifully shaped glass bottles from Nkuku are perfect for storing your olive oil or balsamic vinegar and they make a lovely companion for a rustic or country style kitchen.

I came across these ceramic spice spoons and instantly fell in love, what sweet little designs! Hang them in a row above you cooker, so that they’re in a handy spot but also become an interesting but simple design feature.

Ceramic Spice Spoons from The Future Kept

If you want to give your spices and herbs even more individuality, empty them from the store jars and into some fun like a vintage jar; there are loads of Etsy, both in sets and single items. I love this emerald green pot, which would like great on the counter, and could be even be used for other kinds of storage.

Vintage Poole Pottery Spice Jar from Annascupoftea on Etsy

To accompany your jars, a handy utensils pot won’t go amiss, this one from Garden Trading is made from raw marble and looks fantastic; a great option if you want a minimal look. Your utensil holder will be the perfect place to store these beautiful gold serving spoons, they’ll look good on the table and in the kitchen when not in use.

Utensil Holder from Garden Trading

Brushed Gold Serving Spoons from Not on the High Street

I love this silky looking sugar bowl from Holly’s House, the pearl-like coating and cute gold button handle make it great for everyday use and pretty enough for those special occasions. It also has a matching pot and milk jug if you want to complete the look.

Powder Sugar Bowl from Holly’s House

Who could resist this little dotted pepper grinder from Anthropologie, the gold dots give it a playful nature against the cool marble.

Gold Dotted Marble Pepper Grinder from Anthropologie

Tea towels are made for practical reasons, but sometimes you just need a very pretty one to look at, like this adorably designed Clarke dish towel from Anthropologie.

Clarke Dish Towel from Anthropologie

Finally, for when you need to keep your cool whilst trying out a new recipe, or preparing a meal with all your family surrounding you, keep your cookbook firm in place with this gold wire stand from Rockett St George.

Gold Wire Cookbook Stand from Rockett St George

From big decisions to small accessories, making your kitchen special is all about finding its personality and presenting it to the world and yourself; as well as making it a fun, stylish place to be in.

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A Stair-studded Affair

They often tend to be forgotten about, but stairwells are a prime bit of decorating real estate. As long as the basic function of your stairs isn’t compromised, you can have pretty much a free reign on how you’d like to utilise the area; turning it from a passing space getting you from A to B, into a beautiful feature in its own right. Whether you’re thinking big and bold or simple and sweet, there are loads of great ways to style a staircase, and the individual parts of them that you may not have thought about.

Your stair risers, the vertical part between each step, is often an underrated part of your stairway, and it’s a great place to add a little stylistic element, especially if you have narrower stairs that can’t afford to give up any surface space. Depending on your style, and the style of your home, there are all sorts of ways to get creative. Using tiles to decorate your risers can be a lovely way to introduce a pattern or colour into the area, and can really give your stairs some extra flair. This monochrome mix of tiles leading up the stairs really adds some personality, turning the stairs into a main focal point.

Hand Painted Tiles on Stair Risers from Eva Rees Flickr via Pinterest

I love this idea of introducing to developing a theme with the tiles you’re using, these Gatsby tiles from Fired Earth has an Art Deco style, and could give a staircase a really beautiful, smart finish.

Gatsby Tile from The High Society Collection from Fired Earth

If you live in a rented property, or just what to try out a style, using decals is a simple and easy way to add a pattern to your stairs. This geometric pattern has introduced a bit of flavour to a clean and contemporary case of stairs; it works perfectly with the dark wood of the steps.

Stair Decals by Stickers Colouray at Etsy

The wall leading up the staircase is an optimal location to hang a collection of artwork, big or small, especially if you have a few pieces that don’t quite go with the style of your living or bedroom, but you love them anyway. A stairway is well suited for this as it means you’ll see your pieces everyday but not all day, every day. You might want to create some synergy between your artwork, sticking to similar style frames and the artwork itself, or use the space as a miscellaneous heaven, with a collection you’ve been compiling for years and can continue to add to.  I like the black and gold theme of this collection below, it gives a sense of matching tranquility, as well a glamorous feel.

Collection of Prints with Gold and Black Frames from Apartment Therapy via Pinterest

If you have a collection similar to this one, creating a beautiful wall display on your stairs may be the best way to show it off. Displaying it on the stairs means both you and your guests will find new discoveries as you’re coming and going.

Collection of Curiosities from Remodelista via Pinterest

In the same way a collection of art works wonderfully on your stairs, so does a gang of mirrors, or ornamental frames. Whether it’s a contemporary, vintage or traditional style you want to go for, a selection of mirrors moving up the stairs can make a beautiful feature. I love this collection, they’re all different, but kept in sync by their white frames.

Antique Mirrors on the Stairs by Turquoise, Tulips and Bliss via Pinterest

Somewhere in between artwork and antique mirrors lies these gorgeous glass frames from Anthropologie. With their ornate detailing, tassels and space to put prints, postcards, leaves and memorabilia, they’d make a beautiful feature on your stairs.

Royal Theatre Frames from Anthropologie

If you have a wider case of stairs, or perhaps a landing between two flights, you have the opportunity to use of a bit of surface space to decorate. A simple way to give this area a bit of life is with some pretty lanterns, which are always sweet and can be found in a whole variety of styles. If you’re worried about a fire hazard, you can always get some good quality LED candles that’ll still keep the ambience going, without you having to check on them every few minutes. I love these lanterns below, they’re a soft brass colour, which really pops against the stark white or the rest of the interior.

Staircase Lantern Decoration from Anne Sage via Pinterest

For a similar look, these brass lanterns from Mia Fleur will do the trick nicely, the different sizes with help create a nice flow as you move up and down the stairs.

Brass Lanterns from Mia Fleur

For a contemporary take on the Moroccan style lantern, coming soon to Maison du Monde are these fabulous Breme lanterns. The curved glass panes are a nice design feature, and would look beautiful contrasting a white wall, or embracing the drama in a darker interior.

Breme Metal Lantern from Maison du Monde

Your staircase can be more than something you just run up and down when you’re in a rush in the morning; instead it can be a glorious array of style and intrigue, full of creative ideas and interesting items that you pick up over time, giving you an excited new space in your home.

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The Little Things

After moving into a new house recently, it’s become apparent to me more so than ever that filling a house with just the ‘big stuff’, like sofas, chairs and tables, can only get your so far, and even though your house might be full there’s still something missing. For me, in order for a house to truly feel like a home, smaller items, the accessories, must play a prominent part to turning a blank space into one filled with life, soul and character. I’ve pulled together some thoughts to give you (and me!) an idea of how best to give your home that stamp of personality.

Small decorative items and ornaments are great way to show of your style, as well as your memories and souvenirs, and although some people may start to get that hoarder’s grimace on their face, the idea of small items equalling clutter can be avoided as long as you find a good place to store and display them.

Old Printers Tray from Flickr via Pinterest

I love this way of displaying small trinkets and treasures collected over the years. We have a lovely one in my family home, full of pebbles, stones, feathers, things we collected as children which my mother kept. Left to their own devices they might look rather like a mess, but placed together in this museum display case sort of way, they begin to tell a story, making them all rather sweet.

Though the actual objects are something you’ll need to find on your own, there are plenty of printer trays available from places like Etsy, ready to house your collection.

‘French Printers Tray’ from Vintage Foggy on Etsy

I love the idea of displaying items in irregular places, especially if something can be hung on the wall instead of occupying that ever valuable surface space; this is also a great way to not only create a feature in a room, but to avoid a sense of clutter! This decorative weave baskets and plates are a lovely bohemian style, whether you’ve picked them up in a foreign land, or seen one you loved in a store, they’re beautiful and handy!

Decorative Weave Baskets and Plates from Simply Chi on Etsy via Pinterest

I love this simple design from Porcupine Rocks, it’ll look great with some smaller more colourful ones surrounding it.

Block Weave Large Platter in Black from Porcupine Rocks

Both real and artificial flowers and plants are a must-have in a home for me. A bunch of brightly coloured sunflowers will instantly give a room a bit of life, and some elegant hydrangeas can be the perfect accessory for a sideboard or end table. Adding plants or flowers to a room will make the room feel bright, and can create an interesting feature, or an accent of colour in the room.

Floral Arrangement from Cate Burren’s book ‘Secrets of a Stylish Home’

For some of the best faux flowers around, Funky Bunch has a beautiful selection of florals so that you can make your own beautiful arrangement.

Delphiniums in Blue from Funky Bunch

Cushions are one of the easiest way to add some detailing to a room. Whether you want to insert colour or texture, or both, cushions can instantly add some fun to a room. These brightly coloured cushion dress up a formal sofa, drawing attention to the space, and at the same time picking up on the surrounding area’s colours.

A Vibrant Sitting Room from Pinterest

For an interesting addition to a sofa or armchair this quirky design from Graham & Green will really spice things up.

Angel Pom Pom Cushion from Graham & Green

An interesting and stylish lampshade will help bring some intrigue to a room, as with all lighting, you can use lampshades to get creative and think outside the box. I really like how these wire lampshades take a traditional shade and turn it into something rather contemporary; a fun way to create a feature in a bedroom.

Wire Lampshades from La Maison d’Anna G. via Pinterest

You can change a room’s whole theme with a quick swap of the pendant shade. This wire number from Trouva is full of colour and fun; a lovely way to spruce up a playroom or kitchen.

Multi-coloured Wire Lampshade from Trouva

Coasters aren’t just a useful way to protect a beloved table, but they’re also a nice way to add accents of colour or a hint of pattern to a room without going over the top. These wooden coasters give off a lovely rustic feeling, and with each one sporting a different flower they have their own personalities.

Rustic Coasters with Flower Detailing from Country Living via Pinterest

If you like the idea of a wooden coaster but want to add a hint of glamour into the mix, these petrified wood coasters from Curiosity Home are stunning.

Polished Petrified Wood Coaster from Curiosity Home

While large mirrors are obviously useful to have in the home, and can be oh so pretty too, smaller mirrors are great for grouping together and making a beautiful feature wall. Compiling a whole range of styles and shapes are really create an enchanted feeling. I love how this bathroom has a sweet ornate large mirror in the centre, which is then decorated by an array of smaller, intricate mirrors as well.

Collection of Antique Mirrors in Bathroom from Design Sponge via Pinterest

There are really so many styles you can opt for when it comes to collecting a range of small mirrors for a display, I love the idea of using a convex mirror as well, like this little one from Rockett St George.

Little Aged Black Convex Mirror from Rockett St George

From little projects, to treasured memories and adorable buys, finding the small things that make your house feel complete are the items that you’ll end up loving the most, as though they may be little, they’ll have the biggest impact.

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Sky’s the Limit

A lot of the time when you look up at someone’s ceiling, you’re most likely to a plain white one looking back at you. Now while there is absolutely nothing wrong with a beautiful, crisp white ceiling, I always sense that in most home, the ceiling goes a little neglected. There are some wonderful ways to play around with the vast space that is your ceiling, and here a just a few ideas, from wallpaper to lighting.

If you’re style tends to lean towards the more traditional side of interior design, a beautiful cornice could be just what you need. A well-crafted cornice will give your home a little grandeur and glamour. For timeless style head over to Stevensons of Norwich, they have something to suit everyone from simple to embellishment.

‘Stevensons National Trust mid Georgian Cornice’ from Stevensons of Norwich

The ceiling rose dates back to as early as the 17^th Century in England, and has been a prominent feature in a lot of English homes ever since. Whether you have one that’s looking a bit crumbly, or you don’t have one at all, the addition of a ceiling rose, especially in a traditional or period home is a lovely touch that will add a bit of character to your ceilings. Stevensons of Norwich have some beautiful ceiling roses, in all sorts of styles, I particularly like the art deco designs they have in their collection. They would make a fantastic feature, either painted along with the ceiling in a dramatic colour, or if you’re feeling adventurous painted a contrasting bright colour to your walls and ceiling.

‘Art Deco Ceiling Rose B’ from Stevensons of Norwich

Maybe you’re into a bit of bling in your interiors, and want to go full Renaissance, marble mansion-esque style but aren’t really looking to re-mortgage the house in order to kit it out. Instead of breaking the bank, why not go for a modern, playful alternative to the real thing. Wall decals are excellent ways to create a big statement in an easy, fun way. This gold stencil, available on Etsy is a great idea if you want to add a bit of neo-classical luxury to your ceilings.

‘Ceiling Stencil’ from Cutting Edge Stencils via Etsy

A great way to add a bit of colour, character and charm onto your ceilings is to wallpaper them. Whether is a bold colour or an intriguing patterns or imagery, you can begin to create your very own Sistine Chapel. For a contemporary take on the conventional cloud-like design, this wallpaper from Designers Guild is superb! Turn a bedroom or a den into a dreamy heaven with this little gem up on your ceiling!

‘Ceil Liberte Aurore Wallpaper’ from Designers Guild

For an industrial, distressed style, this tile wallpaper is fantastic way to give your home a bit of an edge, it replicates the tin tiles that were all the rage in North America from 1890 to the 1930s.

‘Brooklyn Tile Wallpaper’ from Trouva

High ceilings are a blessing to those who have them, and they invite all sorts of fun and creative decorative ideas. If you have the space in an indoor room, or perhaps a conservatory, filling the ceiling area with gorgeous lanterns is great to tick the decorating and lighting boxes. Keep them all white for a sophisticated look, or create a playful environment with a range of colourful lanterns.

‘Chinese Lanterns’ from Featherology 2 via Etsy

If you like the idea of the lanterns, but maybe think they’re a little too feminine for your style, why not go for something like these black, grey and white star lanterns from Bodie & Fou. They had a cool, contemporary edge, and if you’re living in a smoky city, seeing the stars at night won’t be a problem anymore!

‘Selection of Stars’ from Bodie & Fou

The perfect ceiling accessory if of course a pendant light, just like a wonderful pair of earrings it’s a fab way to complete a whole look. For something rather special these tassel pendant lights from Rockett St George are a little bit magical. They’re made from smoked olive teardrop glass shades and one metre of tassels. The perfect companion for a stairwell.

‘Long Tassel Glass Light’ from Rockett St George

And lastly, for a bit of colourful fun, and a great way to quickly brighten up a room, this rainbow shade for Rockett St George will do just the trick in giving your ceiling a bit life!

‘Rainbow Lampshade’ from Rockett St George

Whatever your style, or however brave you’re feeling just remember that your ceiling is a blank canvas just waiting to be covered in all kinds of wonderful treats!

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Knock on Wood

Wood can be used in all sorts of unusual and exciting ways, from furniture, to art, to lighting there is all sorts of ways to play around with wood interiors. Wood has always been a homeowner’s best friend, and in the world of interior design, we are always finding new ways of using the material to create character and intrigue. I started to fall in love with wood interiors and discovered more and more how adaptable the material was, and how much fun you could have with it.

Tom Raffield is a fantastic company, located in Cornwall that specialises in creating finely crafted wooden delights. I particularly love some of their pendant designs, using nature as both a material and inspiration each design is crafted with care and thought to create contemporary wonders. The Scots Light by Tom Raffield takes its inspiration from the woodland surrounding their design studio, taking the form of a fallen pine cone and made from individual cuttings of wood. It’s a wonderful piece to help celebrate high ceilings and make a beautiful statement in the middle of a living room or hallway.

‘Scots Light’ from Tom Raffield

Another beautiful pendant from Tom Raffield’s collection is inspired this time from a butterfly in flight, its pendant uses its own shadow to enhance its design further, making it a delicate and elegant way to introduce wood into a contemporary interior.

‘Giant Butterfly Pendant’ from Tom Raffield

From the skies to the walls, decking out your walls in a wood motif is a great way to create some drama. Take this dark wood wallpaper for example, though it’s technically not real wood, it uses all the characteristics of wood, creating a dark and moody atmosphere. It’s a contemporary take on a traditional log cabin type style of interior and the burnt, black colour really gives it something extra.

‘Burnt Wood Wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek’ from Rockett St George

To incorporate wood onto your interior walls it needn’t be just by wood effect wallpaper, wall art such as this lovely piece from seller, ArtGlamourSligo from Etsy is an exciting and unique way to use wood in the home, and turning it into art is certainly a way to turn heads.

‘Fighting River’ from ArtGlamourSligo via Etsy

Unto This Last is beautiful London company that focuses their talents on creating wonderful, eclectic pieces of plywood furniture. They take an ultra-contemporary stance on design and create some spectacular pieces. This CD storage shelf is more of a work of art, creating a three dimensional, minimalist piece of furniture.

‘CD Round Shelving in White’ from Unto This Last

Another Avant Garde design from Unto This Last is the rather special skeletal-like chair with a fluid and wavy structure. This is the perfect chair if you’re looking to make a statement, use just as an occasional chair dotted in the corner of a room, or if you think your room (and you!) can handle it, go the full whack and get a set.

‘Spline Chair’ from Unto This Last

For a less dramatic, but equally beautiful wooden chair, this safari chair from Rockett St George is rather gorgeous. Great to pop around a dining room table or in a study, it’s an elegant piece with a hint of the exotic element.

‘Wood and Safari Chair’ from Rockett St George

If you want a lighter wooden touch in your interiors, perhaps something that isn’t permanent or as big of a statement, try going for a few lovely wooden accessories to kit out your home. These mango wooden plates from Holly’s House are rather adorable and an unusual form of tableware. They’re a great idea if you want to create a more natural vibe on your dining room table.

‘Mango Wood Plates’ from Holly’s House

Another interesting find from Etsy seller ArtGlamourSligo is this bespoke reclaimed wood headboards. If you enjoy the industrial look, or are in the mood for something with a robust, rustic edge, a piece like this headboard could be perfect.

‘Reclaimed Wood Headboard’ from ArtGlamourSligo via Etsy

If you love an item that has an interesting or exciting story or method of creation, take a look at these cardboard lanterns from Houselogy. Although there is a little debate on whether cardboard is technically wood, these lanterns are so lovely we had to step around the technicality! Their intricate design is created by combining layers of cardboard, the end results being a beautiful piece reminiscent of the moon. The individual layers and nature of cardboard material means that floods of light with come bursting out of each gap in the pendant, creating a gorgeous effect.

‘Graypants Moon Pendant’ from Houseology

There are hundreds of exciting and wonderful ways to get creative when incorporating wood into your home, and the possibilities can stretch for miles. Soon you’ll be turning your home into a beautiful woodland!

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