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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The Gift of Giving

In light of Mother’s Day coming up, and any other occasion where you need a thoughtful gift, opting for something from the homeware department can go a lot further than just a scented candle. Buying gifts for the home can be a great way to give something that’s long lasting, sentimental and unique. Whether it’s a house warming present, a birthday or holiday, or just something to show someone you care, a thoughtful home accessory can be the perfect gesture.

There are two ways you can look at it when it comes to gifting home accessories to a close friend or family member; adding to their already existing theme of pieces and ornaments, or giving them something a little outside their comfort zone, something they wouldn’t ever get themselves. When giving homewares there is a chance to get creative, have a little fun and give a touching present.

Typically, when it comes to the big touches in a home, the owner will want to make that call on their own, so when giving homeware as a gift it’s all about the small, but special touches. This sweet blackbird tea towel from Angel & Boho is an ideal gift; the adorable print takes away the functionality aspect of the gift, making it a great addition to a kitchen, to be displayed as a bohemian design feature.

‘Blackbird Tea Towel’ from Angel & Boho

Sticking to the bird theme, a simple way to add some life to a garden is with a bird feeder. This rustic piece from Catesby’s is the perfect way to decorate a garden and entice from real birds as well. The piece is great for adding a little charm to an individual tree or a small garden or balcony area.

‘Hanging Bird Feeder’ from Catesby’s

The great thing about giving or receiving homeware as presents is that it’s an opportunity to get an item that you might not be able to justify getting for yourself. Buying something fun, with perhaps just a hint of kitsch that makes a fabulous finishing touch to a home. I love these pin-up candlestick holders from Ark, ideal for putting a smile on someone’s face and lighting up an area of the home, perhaps a table or dresser, giving the space a bit of humour and life.

‘Show Girl Candlesticks’ from Ark

As with many people my age, I’m just being to start a collection of homeware pieces that I’ll (hopefully) treasure forever, so receiving items that I can add to this assembly of ornaments is a great way to give the collection some diversity and give myself new ideas about what I like. Pieces like these multi-coloured candle holders from Habitat are quite a particular style, but if you have someone you know will love them, or someone you think can take on the challenge then they’re a great, creative gift that goes a step further than the typical candle themed gift.

‘Odela Multi-Coloured Ceramic Candleholder’ from Habitat

My mother has always had a love for flowers and nature, whether it’s in the garden or in the home, so giving her pots and vases has always been a sure-fire way of getting her something she likes (and will use), whilst still being able to get her something with an unexpected design or style. This speckled jug from Catesby’s is a versatile piece that can be used as its primary function, or as a vase. It would make a great accompaniment for some fresh spring Daffodils, with the electric blue and yellow contrasting perfectly.

‘Speckle Ware Jug’ from Catesby’s

For more of a rustic feel, these antique French pots from Baileys would make amazing gifts, for vases, planters or just ornaments. The individual nature of them means that you can give a few in an array of shapes, styles and colours.

‘Old French Poitiers Pottery’ from Baileys

If you have a friend, or maybe a son or daughter who has recently bought their first home, or renting their first grown up flat, they may need a few things to help get them started. Whilst a lot of necessities can be bought from places like Ikea, buying some pieces that can give the home a few special touches can make great presents, especially if it’s for someone who can’t justify getting it for themselves. A simple bowl like this one from French Connection is a great starter piece for those finding their style footing. It’ll look great against some simple chinaware sets and begin to add some character to a home.

‘Green Stone Bowl’ from French Connection

On the contrary, if you know this person has quite an experimental kind of style, and is always keen to try new things and be surprised, an item like this flamboyant tray from Porcupine Rocks is not only a fantastic gift, but also full of flair, making it a real statement piece.

‘Shine Shine Tiger Tray’ from Porcupine Rocks

Finally, if you’re searching for a gift for someone that already has it all, then something frivolous and fun may be just the ticket. This lollipop holder from Jonathan Adler ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a present with a sense of humour, individuality and a hint of madness. It makes the perfect addition to an already fruitful collection of eclectic ornaments.

‘Mohawk Lollipop Holder’ from Jonathan Adler

Buying gifts for loved ones is a great way to express your appreciation from them, and give them something they’ll love. Deciding to give them homeware means choosing something that they can treasure forever, giving sentiment to their home and help add to the collection of wonderful items. Whether it’s an antique item, something a little outside of their comfort zone, something sweet or an item that encourages them to walk on the wild side of interior design, there is so much fun to be had with picking out gifts, you’ll just have to refrain from keeping them all yourself!

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Three Lovely New Designers!

At Angel + Blume we love discovering new and exciting designers, and this week we thought we’d share three new companies we’ve come across that we absolutely love, Porcupine Rocks, Waybreads and Juliet Travers, each with their own authentic, original designs.

‘Africa Map Sofa and Shine Shine Cushions’ from Porcupine Rocks

Porcupine Rocks is an amazing company based in London that sources their products from Southern Africa, if you’re looking for some striking and vibrant designs this is the place for you. The cushions in the photograph above are from the Shine Shine range, the vivacious colours and graphics are beautifully intriguing and are absolutely perfect for adding a pop of pattern and colour to your interior.

‘Jackie So in Teal’ from Porcupine Rocks

I am in love with this Jackie So fabric from the same collection, its playful nature will bring a witty sense of style to a room, and it’s the perfect fabric for updating your scatter cushions or perhaps reupholstering a fading armchair for a real sense of contemporary flair.

‘Ananas Curtains’ from Porcupine Rocks

For something a little more subtle but equally as fun, this pineapple print is a sweet design that will really uplift a room and keep a warm, summer vibe all year round.

There is a real sense of originality when it comes to Porcupine Rocks, it’s the ideal shop if you’re looking for a ‘one of a kind’ sense of style, especially as they provide a bespoke upholstery service, allowing you to adorned a beloved sofa or armchair in a beautiful new material.

‘Selection of Scatter Cushions’ from Porcupine Rocks

Porcupine Rocks was founded by Paula Goodburn and her stock comes from artists who combine traditional craft techniques with contemporary designs, which makes for the perfect recipe, and don’t just take our word for it, their iconic ‘Qalakabusha Sofa’ design was used by the legendary Kit Kemp in her award winning Ham Yard Hotel!

‘Qualakabusha Sofa’ from Porcupine Rocks

 

Moving away from stunning African prints and taking a trip into the English countryside with the lovely company, Waybreads.

‘Ramsons Print’ from Waybreads

Waybreads specialises in hand printed wallpapers with some truly stunning designs, all influenced from the British countryside and all the wonderful things that grow there. Helen Morely the founder of Waybreads was inspired by “long wanderings in the English countryside and a deep love of our native flora and fauna”, and this inspiration is very clear in her remarkably high-quality products.

‘Oak and Honeysuckle Print’ from Waybreads

I absolutely love the stunning combination of this pattern and colour, it creates a mesmerising design, which is more than you’d expect for a somewhat traditional style. It would look amazing in a garden-facing room with the sun shining brightly, catching the beautiful texture of the wallpaper in all its glory.

‘Wayside Print’ from Waybreads

Waybreads designs are almost contemporary versions of William Morris prints and are perfect if you want to include elements of nature into a contemporary interior, or want to add a contemporary touch to a period property without veering too far from traditional designs.

‘White Bryony Print’ from Waybreads

There are seven wallpaper designs and a choice of twenty-five colours, ranging from neutral hues to vivid pinks and oranges, so there’s masses of arrangements to suit your home and your style.

Another designer making fantastic wallpapers and fabrics is Juliet Travers, her designs add a little bit of magic and spark to a home.

‘Secret Garden Wallpaper’ from Juliet Travers

This secret garden wallpaper is a lovely little wonderland that would truly light up a room, the contrast between the midnight blue background and dusty pinks and yellows of the flowers creates a beautiful effect.

‘Nakuru Wallpaper’ from Juliet Travers

Juliet Travers has some lovely hand drawn designs that epitomise laid back and soothing elegance, this Nakuru design is beautifully tranquil, even in hot pink!

‘Nakuru Fabric’ from Juliet Travers

I particularly love the sleepy style of these falling feathers pattern, which would create the perfect dream-like ambience in a bedroom, with the silver feathers catching the light exquisitely.

‘Free Fall Wallpaper’ from Juliet Travers

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know these designers as much as we have and you feel inspired by their remarkable designs!

For more information check out their websites!

www.porcupinerocks.com

www.waybreads.com

www.juliettravers.com

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