Vintage Creations

Creating your own individual pieces of homeware is a lovely way to get a little bit crafty and give your home something special. I love the idea of using something old, and creating a whole new function for it. I’ve been trawling through Pinterest to find some inventive ways to re-use vintage pieces and give your home that one of a kind feel.

Antique book Display from Stitch Design Co. via Pinterest

Antique books are always a pretty edition to a shelf or display; the old fashioned covers and spines can look lovely lined up together. But if you’ve got a large collection that you’re hoping to do something a bit different with, I love what someone has done above. Take your books, opening them to pages with your favourite quote, or a pretty illustration, and create an art piece of the book montage. Not only will it be an unusual artwork, it’s also a great way to display your books in a new and exciting way, and for you to be able to share favourite parts with friends and guests. It would make a wonderful piece to have in a study, stairwell or a bedroom.

If the idea of using the pages of a book intrigues you, the image below rather inspired me, using the pages as wallpaper. The idea might seem a tad gimmicky, but in the dining room below it looks rather elegant and sophisticated. The trick is to use pages from the same book so that the layout remains the same, so that when you take a step back, there’s a flowing pattern. This could be a great idea for a bathroom, or a smaller room that you want to try it out on first.

Antique Book Wallpaper from Country Living via Pinterest

Vintage prints and charts are a thing of beauty and if you love that style, they make wonderful pieces of art to have in your home. But if you want to get a little more creative than just hanging them, there other ways of making them more of a feature in your space. Fitting the prints into something like a plain room divider will not only dress up the piece of furniture but give your prints a distinct presence in a room.

Vintage Print Room Divider from Comfortably Carried Away via Pinterest

Vintage and antique doorknobs are lovely little ornate things, that sometimes you can’t resist purchasing even if you have no place for them, or that not in that good condition. But there are loads of ways to use a rusty old doorknob as a display piece, either in your home or garden. A lined up in a row, the doorknobs can become great hooks, or here they’ve used them in a garden as a display for some wild plants.

Antique Doorknpb Display from Home BNC via Pinterest

Someone has used old doorknobs to create name card holders for the dining table; this would be a perfect way to make guests feel special at a dinner party.

Door Knob Name Card Holders from Save on Crafts via Pinterest

Mounting plates and trays on the wall is a great way of displaying them, especially as antique trays are so beautifully decorated. If you stick to a particular style or era it’ll create a really beautiful and dramatic look for a kitchen or a wall that connects a kitchen and dining area. I love these different shape and sizes metal trays that really give a distinctive touch to the room. I also like the drama of the black trays placed together in a random order.

Metal Trays from Pinterest

Collection of Trays from Remodelista via Pinterest

Old postcards and photographs are something I love to collect, whether they’re of people you know or random ones you can find in vintage shops, they’re really interesting to look at and read; they can also make great display items in your home, especially if you have a large collection. Often people want to pack away big collections of things, but some pieces are meant to be shown off. I like the idea of using some old drawers of a dresser or chest of drawers that’s perhaps beyond salvage, but using the drawers as open displays for a coffee table for example.

Postcard Drawer Storage from Martha Stewart Weddings via Pinterest

Some vintage photographs of your ancestors can be made into a really special display by placing them in glass bottles to put on your window sill, mantelpiece or shelf.

Photographs in Bottles from Father Rabbit via Pinterest

I love searching for ideas and getting inspired by other people’s creations, thinking about how I can rework an idea to fit into my own space and in my style. It’s these little additions to your home that make it really special and unique to you, so go out and find your next craft project!

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Pink & Green

Though we don’t always like to follow the latest trends of interior design, we do like to keep an eye on them; and it’s safe to say that the combination of pink and green is definitely having a moment right now, and frankly it’s too lovely to pass by. After gushing at some gorgeous ideas on Pinterest, I’ve pulled together some creative ways to use the combination in your home, on big and small platforms, so you can either go full steam ahead with the trend, or just try it on for size.

I saw this image on Pinterest and fell in love with it, the mixture of the blush pink walls, and dark green tiles with the plates thrown in for extra measure is just a thing of beauty. It’s a great way to give a kitchen its own spark of personality, and a design scheme that can lend itself to various kinds of styles; this image gives off a bohemian vibe, but you could easily adapt this look to a more contemporary version.

A Pink and Green Kitchen from Lush Home via Pinterest

If you want to create your own pink kitchen, you’ll need to find your perfect version pink that goes with your own taste, and one that you’re kitchen space can handle. I love the dark, rich tones of Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball; it’ll add depth and interest to your kitchen, but if it’s too dark for the walls, you may want to consider using it for the lower cabinets so that you keep the colour but not lose the light.

Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball

These porcelain plates from Zazzle are a beautifully rich green, they’ll add drama to your dinner table, and your cupboard; and a pink backdrop will only show them off more.

Dark Green Porcelain Plates from Zazzle

For just a touch of pink to your walls, these pink seagulls would look gorgeous on a dining room wall, giving the room a distinct personality, keeping things feeling soft and welcoming without compromising on the drama.

Feathr Wallpaper Portuguese Seagulls in Dusty Pink from Rockett St George

This bold half green wall settles perfectly between the crisp white on the other half of the wall and the rosy pink sofa. The strong green wall is enhanced with extra-large leafy plants, while a balance between the green and the pink is levelled out with the use of the neutral coloured cushions and rugs.

Bold Green Walls and Pink Sofa from Blog Lovin’ via Pinterest

This Tribeca sofa and armchair from Made come in a dusty pink colour, but have classic mid-century features, meaning they’ll stand the test of time. These paired with a deep green will really give your living room a burst of style and freshness.

Tribeca Sofa and Armchair in Dust Pink from Made

If you’re looking for a smaller way to experience with the pink and green trend, a few home accessories could be a great way to test out the colour combination. What I love about this trend is its ability to be romantic, calming and interesting all in one helpful package; which is a lovely trio for your bedroom. If you want to play around with the colours, try switching up your linens and decorative cushions on your bed. This gorgeous bed linen from Piglet is a crisp, pretty pink, and with this textural green cushions from Trouva added you can create a contemporary look.

Blush Basic Bundle from Piglet

Army Green Quilted Throw and Cushions from Trouva

You can also play around with lighter tones of pink and green, whilst still creating a charming effect. These baby pink coloured candles from Cox & Cox would make a sweet addition, placed on a tray, on a sideboard, keeping the room feeling bright and fresh. And with these green hydrangeas next to them in a clear glass or a grey one this below will complete the look; the two colours put together will create an uplifting atmosphere.

Blush Candles from Cox & Cox

Faux Hydrangeas from Cox & Cox

Confidence is key for the next look, as it incorporates the two colours in a very bold and bright way; neon pink and tropical green. I found this image on Pinterest and thought it was a super fun way to make a living space feel modern and youthful. The large palm leave prints wallpaper is given an extra burst of life with a quirky neon pink sign.

Tropical Green and Neon Pink from Baba Souk via Pinterest

I love this neon heart from Graham & Green, it’s an accessory that exist purely for fun and can be an interesting way to brighten up a dull corner of a landing or hallway, or even a small bathroom. And paired with this sumptuous wallpaper from House of Hackney, Babylon, it can create a care-free, happy-go-lucky area in your home for you to enjoy.

Pink Neon Heart from Graham & Greeen

 

Babylon Wallpaper from House of Hackney

From kitchens, to bedrooms and wherever else you’d like to insert a bit of on-trend fun, there are an abundance of ways to use the combination of pink and green in your home, and while some trends might be fleeting, I think the interior world may always have a little soft spot for this one.

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Dress me up

A beautifully made dresser can really transform an area, be it your kitchen, dining room or hallway. It’s a piece of furniture that provides not only storage but a space to display treasured items and decorative accessories. Whether you like to have your dresser brimming with bric-a-brac, or keep it clean and crisp, there are all kinds of ways to get creative and use your dresser to show off your style. Here are some ideas to get you thinking…

from The Jungalow via Pinterest

I love how this dresser is overflowing with plants, it really draws you in, especially as the natural green of the foliage bounces off the green paint. Dressers are the perfect location to display fresh flowers and plants, as well as some interesting vases that’ll still catch the eye when empty. This Kassandra vase from Holly’s House has an interesting design with individual slots for each flowers, I can see a few wild flowers sitting in this beautifully.

‘Kassandra Vase Tall’ from Holly’s House

Something that might sit nicely on one of the shelves of your dresser is this unusually shaped vase from Nordic House, showing how you don’t need a whole bouquet of flowers to make an impact.

‘Reclining Clear Vase’ from Nordic House

from Vintage Rose Garden via Pinterest

These lanterns hanging off a dresser shows how you can get creative with both your lighting and your dresser. Although it may not be advisable to have any open flames on your dresser, it can be a nice way to display larger candlesticks when they’re not in use, ready to place on the dining room table at a moment’s notice. I like this contemporary brass candlestick piece from Holly’s House, which would sit beautifully on the surface of a dresser.

‘Move Brass Candlesticks’ from Holly’s House

These carnival tea light holders from The Estate Yard are an amazing collection of fun designs that’ll look great placed sporadically on your dresser.

‘Carnival Glass Tea Lights’ from The Estate Yard

Curating your dresser to work perfectly for you is all about finding the right pieces, and the right amount of pieces, to display. The key is to create a range of items, in all shapes and sizes to really give you something to look at. As a backdrop to your accessories I like the idea of fixing a few small mirrors onto the your dresser, this will not only give the impression of a touch more space, but will also give the dress some extra character. This collection of brass framed mirrors from The Estate Yard are the perfect assortment of shapes and sizes, and their style will work with a whole range of schemes.

‘Brass Mirrors’ from The Estate Yard

You may also want to think about what other decorative type things to add, some with a function and some just because they look pretty. This jars from Maison du Monde are a great style piece on their own, but also handy storage in a pinch.

‘Abelia Glass Resin Pots’ from Maison du Monde

 

from Mademoiselle Poirot via Pinterest

With an array of pots, bowls, plates and jar this dresser is covered head to toe; showing how a dresser can both store and display items beautifully.

One of the best things you can display on a dresser is a beautiful set of plates. From ones you’ve collected over the years, to maybe a special sentimental set, or just some really beautiful designs, on a dresser they’re safe from harm’s way and can be admired on a daily basis. Anthropologie always do some striking pieces of tableware, I love these botanical plates, they’re fresh and eye-catching and will instantly improve your mood. So will these pretty plates in a range of bohemian patterns.

‘Jardiniere Melamine Dinner Plate’ from Anthropologie

‘Adele Dinner Plates’ from Anthropologie

Finally, I had to add in this dramatic photo of a dresser displaying a collection of portraits. This is quite a bold look, but dresser are still a great way to display photos of your loved ones, especially in something as lovely as this photoframe from Plumo, which would look gorgeous on a dresser.

from Remodelista via Pinterest

‘Mustard Frame’ from Plumo

A beautiful dresser can be made even lovelier with the perfect accessories to go with it, tailoring to both your needs and your style is a great way to turn a functional piece of furniture into a thoughtful display.

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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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Window to my Soul

Sometimes the window sill can go a little neglected, sure we adorn the window with a lovely pair of curtains or a suitable blind, but then what? In my house, window sills are often the place where things get put because we haven’t decided a location for them yet; a passport that needs to be put in a safe place, a mirror that needs to be hung, or more often than not a plant on its last legs that we’re hoping a few more rays of sunshine might save, these are all the things that are currently on my window sills at home. Actually, a window sill is the ideal place to get a little creative, it is in itself the perfect canvas to display beautiful objects, it’s a framed area that can avoid the hustle and bustle of daily life and just be there to help create more interesting surroundings.

For starters, you may want to consider the colour of your window frames and sills. We often keep our windows a simple white, or off-white colour but you can always get a little creative. You often see a lot of exterior window frames painted in jazzy colours, particularly if you stroll through the quieter streets of Cambridge, many of the sweet terraced houses are given their own sense of individuality with a bold door and window colour. This can be taken inside as well, after all you spend more time on the inside of your home rather than the outside. Whether you want to go bright or dark, painting your frames a colour that contrasts or stands out against you walls will really make your windows feel like a conscious design factor.

‘Painted window frames’ taken from Pinterest

I love this bright yellow frame found on Pinterest, it adds a bit of life to the interior, and no matter how lousy the weather is outside, it’ll always look a little brighter when looking out this window, and if your view is less than desirable, a brightly painted frame will cheer it up in no time. I also love this electric blue number, again found on Pinterest. The blue has been perfectly match to the blue in the tiling, and given an extra boost by a few blue accessories, really completing the look.

‘Painted window frame’ taken from Pinterest

Another idea you might want to think about is an alternative to the typical curtains or blinds, using shutters as an alternative, or as an addition can give you windows are extra bit of style and character. You may want to put some up in your kitchen, perhaps café style for an extra bit of privacy, or just like below, use in a bedroom to create a diverse look. Here, the bed frame and décor are distinctly romantic and gothic in their style, but using some shutters instead of heavy drapery whole room looks dramatic without being over the top, and is given a clean cut without being too clinical. All together the look runs seamlessly, while also working with every day, modern life.

‘Tier on tier’ from The New England Shutter Company

Once you have the foundations of your windows sorted, you can start to think about how you want to embellish them. Depending on your tastes, you can really play around with the way you dress your window sills. Unlike other surfaces, which may constantly need to be arranged or moved in order to make way for other things that come up in day-to-day life, a window sill arrangement can be somewhat left in a permanent state. Other than opening a window, or some gentle dusting, window sills often get left alone, so you can make a wonderful arrangement to suit your home and your tastes.  An easy way to start the process is with a few simple decorative pieces, such as candles. If you like your contemporary interiors, these ombre candle holders from Bonnie & Bell would make a nice, simple addition to a window sill. Once lit they’ll make for good atmospheric lighting, and will continue to look the part even when they’re not in use, you could opt for a row of one colour or mix and match with a selection of the four different choices.

‘Cement Glass Ombre Candle Holder’ from Bonnie & Bell

Another interesting candle set, this time from Holly’s House, are these candle mouldings that incorporate the shape of the candle holder for a really interesting effect. The candles come in either coral, lilac or grey, which again could be combined for a colourful look, or you can use one of the colours to create an attractive accent in a room.

‘Tallow Candle Holder’ from Holly’s House

A great way to decorate your window sill is with a beautiful bouquet flowers, but first you’ll need something to put them in. Picking out some vases that have a permanent place in the home, whether they are full of flowers of not, is a good idea as it will help to create a coherent look in a room and you won’t end up buying a piece that doesn’t fit or work in your house. While clear glass vases will look elegant placed on a table, by the window sill you may find them getting a little lost in all of the surrounding window’s glass. Choosing something with a little colour to it will give your windows some life and character, and will keep the whole area looking fluid and collected. This purple glass vase from Out There Interiors will look wonderfully with the sunlight glistening through it. Equally, this Olivia vase from LSA International will do the exact same. Both are great options and can accommodate different ranges and types of flowers and plants.

‘Ring Bottle or Vase in Purple’ from Out There Interiors

‘Olivia Vase’ from LSA International

If real plants aren’t you thing, finding some faux greenery will look wonderful in your windows, and allow you to live a life where you aren’t worrying about the amount of sunlight or water your plant should be getting. They’ll especially perk up your windows if you don’t the nicest of views. I think these little trees are quite sweet, their rough stone container gives them a bit of an edge that contrasts nicely with the well pruned tree itself.

‘Angel Vine Pleached Tree’ from Oka

And if you really can’t handle plants, real or faux, these ceramic cactus and succulent pairing might just do the trick, particularly if you like to add a bit of quirk and humour to your interiors. Collect a few and dot them around your window sill in between other items, or even to bookcase real plants!

‘Bloomingville Deco Cactus and Shining Succulent’ from Out There Interiors

A window can be a great place to hang something of importance to your, or just something you think is beautiful. These glass frames from Not on the High Street are an interesting way to frame items without blocking out the light. Filled them with an interesting print, or postcards like below, or something different altogether; I bought a glass frame from my mum, who filled it with pretty feathers she’d collected on walks, which worked rather effectively. If you have window that stares out onto a blank wall, this might be a good way to give yourself something interesting to look at as you pass by, but if you want to keep the view, you may want to opt for one of the smaller versions.

‘Glass Hanging Frame’ from Not on the High Street

There are hundreds of ways to get creative with your window sill, soon you’ll be looking less at the view and more are the wonderful way you’ve decorative your frames!

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Angel and Blume on Pinterest

We may have been a bit slow to jump onto this particular bandwagon, but here at Angel and Blume we have acquired a sudden case of Pinterest interest.

We are in the midst of filling our inspirational Pinterest page with all things interiors, including photos from our own projects as well as things that we see and love!

So follow us at www.pinterest.com/angelandblume/

 

 

 

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