The Garden Table

Summer has finally arrived in the UK, perhaps a little too much, and it’s hot hot hot! Which means of course it’s the perfect opportunity for some al fresco dining, and to enjoy those summer evenings. You’re may already have a table and chairs, and perhaps a seating area to relax in, but as with all rooms in the house it’s those little details and additions of accessories that make all the difference. Here are some lovely accessories and ideas that you could think about adding into your outdoor areas to create a charming and comfortable space.

Cotton Seat Cushion from H&M Home

Give your garden chairs a little bit of a spruce, style and comfort with a seat cushion. It’ll allow you and any guests to stay outside into the evening without getting uncomfortable as well as making more of a feature out of the furniture. These ones from H&M Home are fun and season appropriate and will help give the seats a little extra personality.

To create the perfect outdoor space, its about making it feel like a room in the house, and adding accessories is the best way to do that; you wouldn’t buy a sofa for you living room and leave it bare without a throw or cushions, so do the same for your outdoor area too! If you’re worried about weather damage, get yourself a little trunk or chest that can live near the back door to store your soft furnishings in. Give you seating area more substance with some playful cushions; this braided cushion from H&M Home has the perfect summer vibe for your backyard, and can be blended into different colour schemes.

Braided Cushion from H&M Home

Add some more botanical glamour to the seating area with this design from Designers Guild, its sophisticated and fun, and would work nicely with the H&M cushion above for a fresh contemporary look.

Palme Botanique Emerald Outdoor Cushion from Designers Guild

As well as being comfortable, being able to stay in your garden late into the evening also requires some good light sources. Creating the right atmosphere is an important part of any dinner party or special occasion, and lighting is a main factor. I love this outdoor chandelier found on Pinterest, it adds a romantic touch to an outdoor dining area, and it’s not your usual outdoor lighting, so gives your space some uniqueness.

Garden Chandelier from Sheer Luxe via Pinterest

For a different look, a few of these lanterns dotted amongst tree that hangs over a seating area, or along a pergola would look lovely. Make a statement look with them by hanging a few at different levels, or a sleek row of them.

Batur Hanging Lantern from Oka

If you want to add some eccentric style in your garden area, why not add a few of these flamboyant candlesticks from Angel & Boho. Their ornate design will give the space a little over the top charm, giving the area a fun and whimsical feel.

Petit Oiseaux Bird Candlestick from Angel & Boho

A seating area with a coffee table can be given a party makeover with a lighting addition like this one; a metal tray with tea lights floating in water will transform your day-to-day outdoor area into a dream land.

Candles Floating in Tray from Pinterest

Making sure you add the extra pieces to your outdoor area will make the space seem extra vibrant and full of style. Dining, coffee and side tables can be filled with extra home accessories to really put your own stamp on the space. Something like this mirrored tray from Angel & Boho is not only lovely and glamorous, but great for transporting drinks and nibbles, or sporting some candles when the sun goes down.

Gilt Mirror Tray from Angel & Boho

The idea might seem a little odd considering that your garden in probably surrounded with plants, flowers and wildlife, but having a vase at your table filled with a cutting of your favourite flower form your garden or just one you love, could be a really special touch; especially if it’s in a patio or decking area. A glass design to keep the space filled with light is a good option, this asymmetrical vase from H&M Home has a pretty look for an outdoor space.

Asymmetrical Vase from H&M Home

Of course you’ll need a beautiful set of dinnerware when dining outside, if you’re thinking about upgrading yours, this Naya set from Made is a lovely, contemporary design. The muted palette is perfect for showing off a meal of colourful foods.

Naya 12 Piece Dinner Set from Made

Finally, just as a little extra touch these candle holders from Garden Trading are just a really sweet addition to any outdoor table; especially with a little bit of sand placed in the bottom.

Wells Windlight from Garden Trading

It’s easy to not associate your garden as an extra room in your home, but when the weather is as good as it is now, it becomes the most important part of the home; so make sure that your space is comfy, stylish and suits your personality perfect so that you can enjoy as much time in your garden as possible.

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Get into the Groove

We’re always looking for creative ways to add interest into an interior, especially by using new and different design techniques. There are plenty of ways to add depth and texture to your interior, and one creative way to is to use carved and decorated pieces of furniture and accessories; from wood to metal. They are a popular style at the moment, with the patterns that these techniques create adding personality and texture into a room. I’ve picked some of my favourite pieces to share with you and give you an idea of how you could use the style in your home.

Starcarved Nightstand by Anthropologie

This simply shaped beside table from Anthropologie has been given a charming front design in a handcrafted star motif. If you don’t want your bedroom to be too busy; adding a smaller detailed aspect like this nightstand is a great way to insert some personality without being too distracting. The drawer and open shelf also give you lots of options for storage so that the top doesn’t get too cluttered.

Another beautiful piece of carved furniture is this sideboard from Loaf; the hexagon carved detailing at the front is an unusual style, making the piece feeling unique. If we were to think of carving details on furniture we might be tempted to think of rather traditional ornate designs, or the sometimes overdone oriental style, but these contemporary versions are a really fresh take on the technique. This piece would look elegant in a hallway or a modern dining space for storage.

Grand Orinoco from Loaf

Carved details are also fun to add to your accessories, like this wooden frame mirror from H&M Home. The white lines would really stand out on a dark painted wall; giving a contemporary look with a touch of bohemian style.

Mirror with a Wooden Frame from H&M Home

This etched detailed tray by the House Doctor, available at Amara, is a really subtle way to add in the carved style into your home. The brass tray is given an antiqued look from the etching; it would make a lovely feature on a dining of coffee table.

Carved Tray by House Doctor from Amara

A more natural interpretation of the grooved look is this driftwood headboard from Tikamoon. The uneven pieces are placed together to create a calming, relaxed design that still makes a strong statement. This piece would look lovely against a neutrally decorated room with a few extra textural details on the bed to make a soft bohemian style atmosphere.

River Driftwood Headboard from Tikamoon

This ceramic vase from H&M Home is a simple, contemporary way to include a carving detail into your interior. The asymmetrical top is an interesting element, making it a feature in a room even when empty.

Ceramic Vase from H&M Home

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, a pair of this wooden spoons would make a lovely addition to the table as salad servers. The wings have a great flair of personality and as well a playful sense.

Hand Carved Wooden Spoon from Rockett St George

Seville Sideboard from Swoon Editions

Moving back to furniture, this sideboard has a fantastic two-toned pattern, creating a really graphic, retro effect. The groove detail is the perfect design to catch your eye whilst still working harmoniously amongst the rest of your belongings.

Carved Black Resin Box from Graham & Green

This box’s pattern gives it a real sense of style, and makes it the perfect focal point at a dressing table. A great place to keep jewellery or those little bits and bobs you can never seem to find a place for.

This plant pot is a lovely balance between a simple and intricate design; the stretched diamond shapes are a lovely feature; this would make a great piece for a little bit of decking or on a balcony of an apartment.

Round Diamond Embossed Plant Pot and Tray from Graham & Green

Carvings, grooves and etchings are a great way to add in some details and textures into an interior, giving it more character and personality without being too over the top. Whether you want to go big or small, it’s a chance to get creative and play around with different techniques.

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The Nature of Wabi-Sabi

Every now and then, the interior world goes through phases of using traditional philosophies or ideas and relating them to an interior aesthetic and style. A few years ago Hygge, a Danish word for cosiness, became a huge lifestyle trend as well as a leading theme for interior design. This year, there seems to be a new philosophy style that’s surfacing as the latest interior trend; wabi-sabi. Wabi-Sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy that draws upon the acceptance and admiration of imperfections, simplicity and aged beauty. In interior design terms this supports the notion of using natural materials, with natural flaws and imperfections such as aging or signs of distress, or man-made items that adopt organic forms. Here are a few ideas on how to introduce wabi-sabi into your home.

Natural materials, such as linen, are already a popular choice in homes at the moment, and wabi-sabi opts for this fabric as well. To complete the look, keep the theme running with natural colours, and if you’re taking the full embrace of wabi-sabi on, a little crumpling of the sheets never hurt anyone! These rusty orange linens are just beautiful, creating a simple, natural statement out of your bed. For a similar look, try the H&M Home look below, or take a peek at The Linen Works for a whole range of simple colours.

Image from SF Girl Bay via Pinterest

Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set in Rust from H&M Home

The nature of wabi-sabi relies on embracing natural occurrences, such as lumps, bumps, ridges and cracks. Finding a way to incorporate organic materials, that haven’t had their natural composition interfered with, is a lovely way to introduce bigger elements into your interiors. This coffee table below is a raw edged slice of an old tree, revealing that bark and age lines and allowing these to be the feature of the piece. If you’re interested in your own live edge piece, there are many to be found on Etsy for your choosing, like this design from Konk Furniture.

Image from Planet Mag via Pinterest

Waney Edge Oak Dining Table from Konk Furniture

Take the idea of wabi-sabi to your lighting as well, avoid constricted, symmetrical designs and instead go for loose, soft fittings that give off an inherently relaxed theme. These free-form linen shades are a great example of a wabi-sabi conscious interior style, and they prove that a feature lighting piece doesn’t have to be overly designed or eccentric, but that you can in fact create a statement using just natural elements. You can learn to make these linen lampshades here, or for another idea, this delicate lampshade from Not on the High Street, also has a great wabi-sabi style to it.

Rustic Linen Lampshades from Remodelista via Pinterest

Nina Wire Pendant by Horsfall & Wright from Not on the High Street

Imperfect ceramic tableware is a way to easily get a little dose of wabi-sabi into your home. There was something of a heyday for perfectly coordinated table settings with immaculate precision and order, but now rustic charm has found its way into the grand scheme of things, and while we still want beautifully laid out tables for ourselves and our guests, there’s a little wiggle room for imperfect, uneven miscellaneous style. These plates below are a beautiful display of how raw materials are being used in stunning ways (and the collection they’re from is actually called the Wabi-Sabi Collection!) There is a strong trend for this type of ceramic design, so finding a favourite shouldn’t be hard; these bowls from Rockett St George are a good way to get started.

Wabi-Sabi Dinnerware Range from Made of Australia

Set of Four Earthenware Bowls from Rockett St George

A final idea for the inclusion of wabi-sabi in your home, using wild nature. Think less organised arrangements of flowers, and instead a wispy array of wold flowers and branches. I love the idea of collecting old thistles of branches over time to create a beautiful display; however if you can’t collect them yourselves, or want something that’ll last, a good quality faux branch will do the trick; like this willow twig from Neptune.

Image from Bauwerk via Pinterest

Willow Twig from Neptune

The wabi-sabi philosophy is a beautiful way of enjoying material things without being materialistic. Learning to appreciate the beauty in nature and bringing nature into your home offers a relaxing and simple environment; a peaceful foundation in which to add your own take on the style and story of wabi-sabi.

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Fringe Benefits

Fringed accessories are having a moment in the interior design world right now, and for good reason, it’s a really fun and playful way to add texture and an extra dimension to a room. Whether your go to style is bohemian, glam or contemporary there are some great ways to incorporate fringe into your scheme.

An easy way to introduce the fringe trend is with cushions; swapping them around, or adding in new designs is a quick way to update a room or seating area, whether it’s for seasonal reasons or to add in a trend you love. Fringed cushions are available in all kinds of styles; this cover from H&M Home is a great way to add some fun to your glamorous room. Whereas this design from The Conran Shop would suit an eclectic, contemporary look.

Fringed Cushion Cover from H&M Home

Dipped-fringe Cushion Cover Quince from The Conran Shop

For a more classic contemporary look, this graphic pattern cushion with a sweet fringe trim is a lovely modern look; perfect for accompanying a smart sofa or armchair. Of course the classic fringe style is the bohemian look, where the fringing looks effortless and rustic, especially on this cushion from Rose & Grey.

Malini Green Glacier Fringed Cushion from Trouva

Boho Fringed Cushion from Rose & Grey

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous with your fringe, take a look at some of these lighting ideas. 1^st Dibs always was a beautiful selection of vintage and antique pieces, and this fringed silk pendant is simple stunning. The ornate metal banding is a lovely detail, along with the pretty layers of fringing.

Fringed Silk Pendant from 1st Dibs

Rothschild & Bickers have designed a fun, retro glass and fringe pendant, available in different colours so that you can find your perfect combination; if you like the idea of using a fringed pendant in your home, these would be great for hanging over a dining table or as beside pedants.

Vintage Fringed Lights from Rothschild & Bickers

For something a little more modern and unusual look, this fringed lighting design by Lindsay Adelman is a gorgeous find, and becomes more of an artwork than lighting.

Cherry Bomb Fringe Flush Mount from Lindsey Adelman

A classic place you might find some fringing or tassels is of course on rugs. Rugs already add a textural element and some warmth to a room, so go one step further with some fun fringing. This Pom rug from Swoon Editions is a perfect buy for a modern bohemian style, with the multi-coloured tassels giving it some character.

Pom Rug from Swoon Editions

This Trapini rug from Mason du Monde is a really versatile design; it could work in a kid’s room or a bathroom.

Trapini Rug from Maison du Monde

Fringed accessories can make lovely additions to your home, adding a stylish light-heartedness into the mix. These fringed letter hooks from Anthropologie are so cute. They’d make great personalised hooks for kid’s room, or in a hallway.

Fringed Monogram Hooks from Anthropologie

For some extra glam in a bedroom, these fringed mirrors from Oliver Bonas are lovely! The two sizes and tassel colours means you get creative with how you display them, filling a large space with a mix and match look, or keeping a succinct look with three of the same in a row.

Nappa Fringed Mirror from Oliver Bonas

And of course who can resist one of this fringed baskets from Anthropologie, they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, plus they’re super handy storage.

Tahati Basket from Anthropologie

A few bits of fringe here and there in your room is a great way to add a playful and textural element to your home, so go find your favourite fringed piece!

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Bathroom Beautification

Just like any other room in the house, a bathroom needs a stamp of personality. With just the bare necessities, and even a lovely set of sanitary ware, pretty tiles and nice flooring, you’ll always needs a few extra things to make the room feel comfortable and lived-in. From practical items like hand towels, to fun accessories, there are all sorts of way to add your own personal touch a bathroom.

A quick update of your hand towels, bath mats or shower curtains can be an easy way to give your bathroom a fresh look and create a scheme that matches the aesthetic of the rest of the house. Patterned shower curtains can sometimes look a little garish, but this soft toned curtain from H&M Home has a relaxed, bohemian style that gives a bathroom an interesting look.

Patterned Shower Curtain from H&M Home

Adding some new textures to a bathroom really help to make the room feel less stark. A bare bathroom, especially one that is modern can feel a little clinical, so adding in textures can soften the room and give it a more diverse colour palette. These hand towels from Amara, have some metallic flair to give you bathroom a touch of fun glam.

Lark Hand Towels from Amara

A few candles in the room can not only help to add some ambiance, (there’s nothing worse than trying to have a relaxing bath in bright, glaring light), but they can also add style if you find the right ones. This candle wall sconce has a beautiful Moroccan style to it, and would look good as a pair framing a bath, or basin.

Medina Wall Sconce from Angel & Boho

If you have a large window sill, or a shelving area, a few pretty lanterns can make a really nice feature, as well as being a handy source of relaxing light. This lantern from India Jane has an aged iron frame, add it to a collection of mismatched lanterns for a romantic, bohemian look.

Bertucci Iron Lantern from India Jane

Sometimes little touches like keeping your liquid soap in a nice dispenser can make your bathroom feel clean and tidy as it means getting rid of all those mismatching and ugly branded bottles. This contemporary set from H&M Home is rather smart with the tinted glass and white label front.

Soap Dispenser from H&M Home

A mirror is not only a practical item in your bathroom but can be a decorative one too; finding a design that matches the look you’re going for will enhance the overall feel of the room. If the person who designed the layout of your bathroom rather stupidly put the basin in front of the window, you’ll need a standing mirror. I like this simple one from Maison du Monde with a thin, black frame.

Metal Table Mirror from Maison du Monde

Keep things like cotton balls in a stylish container like this one from Nkuku; it’s a great way to add instant style and personality to the room and to mundane household items.

Bequai Star Pot from Nkuku

The accessories don’t always have to accommodate items or have a practical use, just like in any room a few trinkets and treasures in your bathroom can really give it the finishing touch. A few glass vases that you can add plants and flowers to will help lift the room; if you get a lot of light go for fresh, but if not faux will do the job nicely. I like these jar vases from Pale and Interesting matched with these faux leaf branches from Angel & Boho.

Glass Jar Vases from Pale and Interesting

Leaf Branches from Angel & Boho

Or something like this zinc stand, with a colourful boutique in it, or you could use it as decorative storage, like storing soaps or bathroom paraphernalia.

Zinc Stand from Pale and Interesting

Artwork isn’t always something you might remember to include in your bathroom, but it’s actually a great place to hang it. You may want to go for something a little wilder than you might put elsewhere, as you don’t have to look at it call the time, or you might want to use your art as a way for your bathroom to stay in keeping with the rest of the house. This cactus print would make an interesting piece to have in your bathroom, or these little Hare blocks would look lovely on a window sill or shelving unit.

Limited Edition Botanical Art Print from Rose & Grey

Hare Standing Block from Cox & Cox

Bathrooms, just like any other house have a purpose but also need to feel like they have a personality and a uniqueness to them; adding in the perfect accessories to suit you, your taste and your bathroom means you will create a great space in your home.

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All Fired Up

Fireplaces can be a mistreated part of the home, especially in an old house that’s gone through its fair share of renovations. Gutted, over-embellished, given a heinous mantelpiece, or even boarded up, some fireplaces have been through it all. So if you have a slightly neglected fireplace, or are looking for some new ideas to spruce yours up, here are a few ways you can give yours a bit of life back.

If your fireplace is a little lacklustre, you can turn it into an attractive feature by updating the surround.  You may just have a simple mantelpiece that can be given a new lease of life with a lick of paint, which can completely change its look. I found this image on Pinterest of this traditional mantelpiece that’s been painted in Downpipe by Farrow & Ball; giving it a sophisticated and modern look. It’s an ideal solution if you’ve moved into a period property but want to keep the interiors contemporary.

Traditional Mantelpiece painted in Downpipe from Farrow & Ball from Emma Connolly via Pinterest

Another way you can update a fire surround, is by replacing dated tiles with a newer design. This image of a wooden mantelpiece juxtaposed with white tiles and dark grout creates an interesting look, allowing for a combination of old and new, soft and hard.

Wooden mantelpiece and contemporary tile from Apartment Therapy via Pinterest

For a similar look, I love this tile from Bert & May, the small hexagonal pattern in a light grey would look great next to a painted mantelpiece, in either a dark or bright colour.

Glazed Grey Daroca Tile from Bert & May

Traditional Fender around a stone fireplace by Acres Farm via Houzz

Having a fender around your fireplace has more than just a functional aspect, it can also look rather stylish and give the area a touch of glamour. The fender above made by Acres Farm has a traditional look, perfect for this large stone fireplace place.

If you’re going for an uber-glam and sophisticated looking in your living area, a pair of well-crafted dogs will look gorgeous, almost as gorgeous as a real dog lying in front of your fireplace showing his belly to the world.  These leaf style fire dogs from Chesneys are beautiful, working perfectly with the dark walls, modern art and crisp-marble mantelpiece.

Leaf Fire dogs from Chesneys from Dear Designers via Pinterest

Fire dogs can be a great way to introduce some avant-garde design to your fireplace, I love this abstract dog-like design from Jamb. They’ll keep your fireplace looking good even when it isn’t lit.

Large Linton Fire dogs from Jamb

Adding some extra fireplace accessories can give yours its own spark of personality, whether you want to add some contemporary coolness or a bit of extra glamour. A fire guard can really show off some character; it doesn’t have to be in the same style as the rest of the fireplace, if you have a period fireplace in your home, inserting something like this clear glass guard from Graham & Green can keep it feeling relevant.

Clear Glass Fireguard from Graham & Green

Keeping your logs safe and dry is a must for a successful fire, and what is a must for someone with a stylish home is that they are kept safe and dry in a fashionable manner. This steel open-basket style holder will look great next to a fire with the flames reflecting against the metal.

Burnished Steel Log Holder from Cox & Cox

If you’re style is more suited to the classic wicker log basket, this Holkham log basket from Grace and Glory has a simple but lovely design to it.

Holkham Log Baskets from Grace & Glory

A hearth is a great place to add some decoration to as well, if not you don’t need the roaring fire on, but still want the ambience, using candles can give the same effect whilst looking cosy and dramatic. I love this image of a collection of candles and trays, to equally protect the hearth and look fabulous, it gives the fireplace a playful edge.

Candles and Trays from Muus on Tumblr via Pinterest

Metal Tray from H&M home

H&M Home has a great selection of trays to choose from so you can experiment with difference looks without breaking the bank. And finally, I had to throw in this adorable fireside accessory from Graham & Green, these matches in a glass bottles are the perfect way to finish off your fireplace look.

Glass Jar Dark Green Matches from Graham & Green

Glass Jar with Dark Green Matches from Graham & Green

From big changes to little ones, there are loads of ways to get creative with your fireplace, you don’t just have to settle for what you’ve been given. It’s a great canvas to really show off your style with, and an interesting place to play around with colour, shape, style and decoration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bathe in the Glory

The bathroom is an essential part of any home, and a great place to insert some thoughtful styling. Whether it needs to be a place to relax or to have a sense of organisation, or be a room where you can let your creativity run a little wild, designing a bathroom that works in sync with your personality and needs means making the most out of the functional space. You may have just designed your dream bathroom and are now looking for those finishing touches to make it feel like your own space, or perhaps you’re like me who’s about to move into a house with a less than desirable bathroom and are in desperate need of accessories to improve the situation! There are some interesting ways to utilise your bathroom space and turn it into something of a sanctuary.

Bathroom Decorated in Plants found on Pinterest by user Katy101

For me the bathroom is a great place to keep plants, all that oxygen in the morning has got to be good for you, right? This image gives me all the incentive I need for a beautiful, overflowing plant haven. If you’re fully willing to participate in the plant-bathroom combo but are lacking some much needed space, a little window sill full of foliage can do the job nicely. I love this image below and how the green of the plants brings out the colour in the tiles, giving a warm welcoming feel to the space.

An Array of Pots on a Window Sill by Design Sponge via Pinterest

To recreate some of these looks you’ll need some gorgeous pots and planters (and of course the plants too!) Maison du Monde have a nice selection of hanging planters, an interesting way to display your plants, it’s also great to introduce more plants to your bathroom without taking up a lot of floor or wall space.

Selection of Hanging Pots from Maison du Monde

For a natural feeling to your pots, this earthenware collection by The White Company are a great range of colours and textures, as well as size, making them perfect for filling up with a whole variety of plants and flowers for your bathroom. They’ll sit nicely on a window sill or if you have the floor space, arranging some on the floor, stools and surfaces to create mixture of heights will give a lovely overall look.

Earthenware Collection from The White Company

Storage is a must-have in a bathroom, whether or not you have a lot of room to play with, there are ways to find space even when you thought you had none. If you can’t add any permanent solutions to your bathroom, you’ll be able to find a great range of non-permanent ideas to accommodate your needs. If you live in a rented house, and don’t have the option of changing your bathroom to your own style, you can use your storage to do this. This shelving unit from Ikea is simple and contemporary, and can let your accessories do all the talking. It’s an easy item to adapt to any style that your bathroom may already be designed in.

Molgar Shelving from Ikea via Pinterest

This glass cabinet is a great piece to have if you’ve got some room. It looks more like a display case than an ordinary bathroom cabinet, making a feature in the room, and allowing you show off your ornaments and accessories.

Bathroom Cabinet from Katie Hackworth via Pinterest

If you are really lacking in space, a small trolley with a few shelves is a sweet idea. This little number from Baileys lends itself to the industrial style, and would look great with a few plants hanging over the edge.

‘Work in Progress Trolley’ from Baileys Home and Garden

 

Wire Basket Storage from Decorating Your Small Space via Pinterest

I love the use of these wire baskets in this image, they’re a contemporary version of the woven basket that you so often find in a bathroom. They keep the space feeling light, whilst still being very useful. These copper versions from Habitat have a great shape and will keep your things organised in style.

‘Clissold Wire Baskets’ from Habitat

Another quick way to add some personality, as well as some organisation, is with a few trays, to help keep your products and toiletries at bay. I love this hexagonal wooden tray, it works as a blank canvas to show off any pretty toiletries or perfumes you might have.

Bathroom Tray from Kate Lavie via Pinterest

This metal tray from H&M Home is so sweet and has some lovely detailing in the border. A few of them would look great lined up on a shelf of a window sill with a few vases of flowers between each one or at the end.

Metal Tray by H&M Home

Accessorising your bathroom is a lovely way to give your space that extra added boost of style. It allows you to redecorate your bathroom even if you can’t really redecorate, turning the room into your own, individual space where you can really make your mark.

 

 

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Bon Appetite

If you love styling your home, there’s a good chance creating a beautifully tailored table setting is at the top of your to-do list. There’s no fixed way to create a gorgeous looking table, from simple, clean looks for more extravagant, it really boils down to your own personal taste, and your what your lifestyle requires. From day-to-day dining to those special occasions, a beautiful table setting is the key to turning even the simplest of meals into something of a celebration.

Contemporary Table Setting from Interior Decoration via Pinterest

This setting above follows a clear theme; showing that all your plates and bowls don’t need to be from the same set, as long as they co-ordinate. The simple colours tones gives off a contemporary feeling, and works as a great canvas to display your food. By having a simple foundation of tableware it can make it easier to introduce the stars of the table, like some gorgeous cutlery or a decorative serving bowl. For a simple setting like this one, I would keep to the minimal theme, but add in something to stand out from the rest, like these beautiful mugs from Arrow + Sage, a great way to add flair to your normal breakfast or a Sunday brunch.

‘Theory Mug No.21’ from Arrow + Sage

Giving your table some extra pizazz when you’re entertaining will not only make the room and table look distinctive, but make your guests feel like they’re getting the special treatment too. This setting really stood out to me as an innovative way to use your regular tableware and with just the a few small additions to make it seem like it was design especially for your event. With woven placemats, wooden handle cutlery and tan leather napkin holders, there’s a simple rustic feeling going on, and by simply placing a fern leave under a glass plate the table is given a flash of excitement. Although this might be a little over-the-top for some, keeping a table feeling fresh and lively with some plants and flowers is always a great idea.

Botanical Table Setting from The Perfect Palette via Pinterest

For a similar look, these place mats from West Elm are a great starting place if you want to create a rustic, natural styled table setting; you can choose to stick with the Natural finish, or mix up your look with either the slate or charcoal.

‘Woven Placemats in Natural, Slate and Charcoal’ from West Elm

If you like the idea of a glass dinnerware, I love this design by Catesby’s, the bobble detail on the rim is a sweet touch that can give your setting an individual feeling.

‘Glass Bobble Plate in Large’ from Catesby’s

You may want to embrace your inner theatrical side with a luxuriously dark table setting. This sleek black setup is simple yet oh so effective; the dark tones give off a sophisticated vibe, perfect for instantly switching from regular dining to a dinner party.

Dark Tones Table Setting from Vosges Paris via Pinterest

This rich bronze colour plate from The Conran Shop will add a beautiful, glamorous feeling to your table, and help to recreate this dark and mysterious look if it has you feeling inspired.

‘Organic Sand Dinner Plate’ from The Conran Shop

Tableware Selection from Suzanne Sullivan via Brown Paper Bag

Finding some stand-out pieces of crockery can really make your table look great. Whether it’s a large serving platter, or maybe a set of sweet side plates, discovering a design that really speaks to you will make your setup feel all the more distinct. This Aztec hand-crated design by Suzanne Sullivan is mix between bohemian and glam, making it the perfect unique piece to show off your style. By using an eye-catching patterned design for your stand-out piece, you can choose to have simpler, less expensive surrounding pieces, and still keep the table looking smart and stylish.

Glamorous Table Setting from Smitten Studio Online via Pinterest

This well thought out table has been given a really contemporary, luxe look. There is a perfect balance between the three main colours, black, gold and white, giving an overall crisp, sharp and glamorous look. This a small table, but its setup shows that you don’t need a banquet hall to make your dining area feel like royalty. To test the gold plate waters, a little number like this patterned plate from H&M Home, is a fun and stylish way to see if the theme is for you. And if you think you’re ready to take the leap, go all out with these devilishly glitzy plate from Amara by L’Objet.

‘Patterned Porcelain Plate’ from H&M Home

‘Alchimie Gold Plates by L’Objet’ from Amara

There are so many ways to creative with your tableware, from finding pieces to make your everyday a little more exciting, to thinking outside the box when it comes to entertaining and creating a statement. Your dining table is the perfect place to experiment or push your style and have some fun in your home.

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The Bed of your Dreams

Like any sane person, I love my bed, and if you don’t love your own bed, there’s a good chance it’s because you haven’t been treating it right. A good bed consists of more than just a nice frame and quality mattress, and though these are essential to getting a good night’s sleep, your bed and its surrounding area shouldn’t just be a matter of function. Kitting your bed area out in the perfect accessories that suit you down to a T will help to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when you walk into your room and see your bed. From throws, cushions, headboards, linens and even the surrounding furniture, everything plays an integral part of making the space feel like your own and turning it into an area that you can’t wait to get into at night and leaves you feeling happy when you wake up in the morning. Making cosmetic improvements to your bed is a great way to give your room your stamp of personality, while also creating an inviting and relaxing space. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you could change and how you could change it, with both high and low budget pieces, so you can treat yourself without upsetting your wallet.

‘Crushed Linen Duvet Set’ from Volga Linen’

That feeling of getting into bed when you have fresh sheets on is lovely, but what’s even better is having a brand new set altogether. It’s a quick and easy way to give your bed a boost in comfort and style. As a personal preference, I like to keep my covers simple to make way for more decorative pieces later, a pastel or white can be the perfect way to lay some foundations when it comes to covering your bed. For high quality, Volga Linen has some wonderful sets in some amazing colours. For linens that still look beautiful, but are a fraction of the cost, H&M Home have some wonderful designs up their sleeve. For the same simple look, the washed linen set are a must-have, and are a good price so it means you can invest in a few sets, in different colours.

‘Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set’ from H&M Home

Adding a headboard to your bed is a great way to give your space a sense of glamour and elegance, turning your bed into to a distinctive feature in your bedroom. Last year we combined a headboard from The Dormy House and fabric from Pierre Frey to create a gorgeous headboard for the master bedroom for one of our clients; the outcome turned an average looking bed to one of my favourite features in the house.

‘Regal Shaped Headboard with Stud Piping’ from The Dormy House with ‘Watom Juane Fabric’ from Pierre Frey

For something that has the same effect as a headboard, but is a lot cheaper, there are some easy ways to create a dramatic look for your bed without the dramatic price tag. With a little DIY you can create a beautiful head for your bed with a pole and a pair of curtains. An example of this is taken from Pinterest, which shows how a simple piece of sheer cloth can add a huge amount of glamour and style to a bed.

Taken from ‘MyDesignerMom’ via Pinterest

Above the designer has used a plain white fabric, but if you want to add in a bit of colour or a pattern, making sure that the fabric is light will mean that the overall look doesn’t get too heavy. These curtain panels from Anthropologie could be a great design to use in this way.

‘Adalet Curtain’ from Anthropologie

Creating a collection of cushions and a throw is a great way to tailor your bed to your own taste; whether that is piles of colourful cushions, or just a few understated ones. If you don’t want to break the bank when you comes to filling out your bed with cushions, many high street home stores have a great range in some interesting designs. I like these pastel, kilim style cushions from Urban Outfitters, they have a contemporary bohemian feel about them and will keep your bedroom looking light and relaxed.

‘Andanda Kilim Cushion’ from Urban Outfitters

To go the full nine yards when it comes to cushions, getting some custom made from some designer fabric will give you bed a luxurious feeling and a personal touch. By choosing this option you can also make sure that you have the exact design you want. There are an abundance of designers out there to choose from, for fun and colourful designs head over to Osborne & Little, they’re fabric patterns are perfect for making a few elaborate and eye-catching cushions; I love these styles from their new Masque collection, the Pageant, Carnival and Jester patterns are great for adding some vibrancy to your bedspread.

From Left to Right: ‘Carnival, Pageant and Jester fabric cushions’ from Osborne & Little

For that extra warmth in the winter and that extra style all year round, the addition of a throw will make your bed look and feel complete. It’s worth investing in a throw that will actually keep you warm as well as looking good on your bed, which needn’t mean spending the earth. Wool, Mohair and Cashmere are the best materials to use, and you can find good quality versions of these for reasonable prices. These Mohair Wool throws from Trouva have wonderful oversized fringing and look super cosy.

‘Cozy Living Forest Green Melange Mohair Wool Throw’ from Trouva

For super high quality and luxuriously soft throws, Biggest Blanket have got a beautiful selection. This Stafford throw has some rich, romantic colours and is perfect for curling up in when winter rears its ugly head again.

‘Stafford Wool and Mohair Throw’ from Biggest Blanket

Placing a rug underneath your bed will help to create a defining area, it can give your bed more of an impact in a room, plus it’ll be a nice treat for your feet in the mornings. Size is key when it comes to rugs, it’s important to make sure that it isn’t too small or it won’t sit right within the room. For high quality and beautifully designed rugs, The Rug Company never fails to impress, I love this Spider design by Neisha Crosland; the pattern has a careful balance between simplicity in colour and intricacy in design so that it will remain a staple and stylish piece in your home.

‘Spider by Neisha Crosland’ from The Rug Company

Unfortunately the bigger the rug, the bigger the cost, and if you don’t want to spend a huge amount of money you’ll need to find a company that can offer you a good sized rug at a reasonable rate. Swoon Editions have some lovely rugs in their collection in decent sizes that can help make the perfect bed area. This Kankare rug has a small pattern in a faded denim colour that can work a few different schemes to create a foundation in the bed area.

‘Kankare Rug in Indigo’ from Swoon Editions

A pair of beautiful bedside tables can frame a bed, adding structure and style to your bedroom. For a mid-century treat, a new addition to Chelsea Textiles furniture collection is this gorgeous piece; it’s elegantly designed with a timeless style that’ll last you for years.

‘Bedside Table Two Drawer, Wicker Handle, Brass Trim & Legs’ from Chelsea Textiles

If you want to save a bit of money, but still maintain some style, there are loads of less expensive options to choose from; this Ikea piece in a bright yellow will make a sweet touch to a bedroom, adding a splash of fun colour.

‘Hemnes Bedside Table in Yellow’ from Ikea

Finally, the way to finishing off your dream bed area, is with some lighting. The bedside lighting needs to be suitably chosen, having to accommodate functional needs like reading, but also creating a relaxing atmosphere as you get ready for bed. Keep things simple with this modern looking lamp from Habitat.

‘Dylan Table Lamp in Natural’ from Habitat

If you like things a little more flamboyant, this playful lamp from Graham & Green could be just the thing needed to complete a fun and bohemian styled bedroom. The birds are a wacky edition that will proudly show off your style.

‘Volieres Bird Cage Lamp’ from Graham & Green

When it comes to decorating your bed and its neighbouring areas, you have the luxury of getting to be a little selfish. It’s a place that’s just for you, or you and your partner. Many other spaces in the room have to accommodate guests, other family members, or be styled in a way that suits everyday life, but as for your bed, you can turn this area into a space that’s your perfect hideaway, just the way you want it.

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Quick Fixes

Over the weekend I went to visit my friend in his new flat, a lovely space in the centre of town, but just missing a little something. He asked me what I thought was the best, least expensive way to create a home that actually feels like home, even when it’s rented. While you can’t always do a lot of permanent changes, there are small but effective accessories that you can buy that will not only fill up the space, but will make it feel more cosy and inviting.

Candles, cushions, rugs and other accessories are a lovely way to add some individuality to a space that doesn’t belong to you. They will automatically create a welcoming space, and are easy items to pack up if you move. I’ve picked out some cheap, but chic portable home accessories to help turn your house a home.

‘Cactus Candle’ from Graham and Green

Candles on the whole are an easy way to change a rooms lighting and atmosphere, building a collection of candles in all shapes and sizes will show off your individuality and character. This cactus candle is super stylish and a fun decorative piece to have in your home. Make it a focal point by surrounding it with simple, long stem candles.

If buying a designer set of table and chairs seems like something you’d rather not do, you can dress up your existing set in a few simple ways. Getting some cheap and cheery seat cushions will make a creative space out of an ordinary one, so will buying a tablecloth, they’re both an easy way to inject some personality into a rented house and will make the whole space feel homier. H&M Home have some rather fun, contemporary and reasonably priced low-key items that are perfect for a quick fix. I really like their range of seat cushions and tablecloths, plus they’re cheap enough that if you get them a little messy you don’t need to feel bad about it.

‘Selection of seat cushions’ and ‘Printed tablecloth’ from H&M Home

You can create a more settled-in feeling in a house by decorating the walls, it’s a great way to show off your style and taste without taking up too much space. I think this round copper mirror and Barker and Stonehouse is something special. The copper tones will help make a cold space warm, and will complement some leafy green plants. It can also be made to work with contemporary and bohemian style interiors.

‘Round copper wall mirror’ from Barker and Stonehouse

For something a little more alternative and intriguing, an interesting art piece like this wall trellis from Habitat is an inexpensive way to add some style to a plain wall. You could even get creative and begin to add you own personal touch to the piece by weaving in some fairy lights or fake foliage.

‘Trellis wall art’ from Habitat

Display photographs or postcards in an interesting way with these brass picture frames from Rockett St George. You could use one as focal point among some simpler frames or create a whole feature wall by using a few in different sizes.

‘Brass picture frame with chain’ from Rockett St George

Rugs are just a great solution to make any home feel more inviting for both style and practical reasons. Firstly they’ll help make the room feel warmer, and they’ll also help to reduce an echoing sounds. Style-wise they’re perfect to introduce some fun to your floors, especially if you don’t want to spend too much or you aren’t able to change the primary floor materials. I like these two simple but sweet rugs from Ikea that are ideal for making a blank canvas a little less blank.

‘Ristinge rug’ and ‘Sommar rug’ from Ikea

And finally, add a simple floor lamp, with a softly coloured bulb and turn a cold corner into a warm happy place. These Rutbo floor lamps from Ikea will work in all sorts of interior schemes, get two in the different sizes to create some diversity.

‘Retbo floor lamps’ from Ikea

From lamps to rugs, there are so many solutions to making a house feel like your own, and so much fun to be had in the process!

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