Sunday 18 December 2011

Twinkle, Twinkle like a Star!

Wow, one week until Christmas!!

After spending the last week in New York City with all the beautiful festive lights and displays, not to mention the Christmas tree, I am truly ready for Christmas. And after helping my mother in law *waves hello* this weekend inject some Christmas beauty into their cottage I wanted to share my favourite secret weapon for Christmas decorating - Twinkle lights and candles.

They are absolutely beautiful and I do not believe a home is complete at Christmas without both of these. They can hide a multitude of sins and cast magic throughout your home.

I am really looking forward to spending time at home leading up to Christmas amongst my very own wonderland complete with twinkle lights, christmas tree and cookies.
























































































































































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Friday 2 December 2011

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas...

Driving home from work, there are houses with twinkle lights glistening. Walking around a supermarket, Christmas songs are playing. I cannot help but have a silly smile on my face.

This past week I have been baking. A lot.  I have started hanging fairy lights in every room and making cute Christmas decorations for my new Dream Box Home venture, it really is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Here are some inspiring images from my week.

A treat for my husband when he arrives home from work.

Fairy lights hanging from our mantle - after we tore off the old surround and found beautiful bricks behind and fitted with wood.

A special gift of homemade biscuits.

After having my new cookie cutters designed especially to hang on the side of a cup/glass I couldn't wait to use them........ and my new stencils!

Fairy lights along our bed and my own handmade padded heart.

More Dream Box Home designs.

Be warned, this blog is about to overload with festive fun. It all starts this weekend, Christmas tree hunting, baking, chutney making, Christmas movies and hopefully lots of inspiration for you!

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Thursday 24 November 2011

Cute Corner Office

Another blog post inspired by another new friend.

This time we are looking at creating an office in a corner of your home, somewhere you can write, type and be creative. Where the desk and work isn't the focus in the room but rather compliments your existing design.



Tonight I have been looking at the classic bureau. A piece of art which doesn't age. A piece of furniture which is not only functional but beautiful. As soon as you have finished work for the evening, close it up. No would would ever know what was lurking behind closed doors.



Help your office integrate into your room and add some finishing touches. Now I know the below aren't all bureaus but I particularly like the idea of adorning the desk with some of your favourite accessories, a simple hanging heart, adding family photos or postcards and images that inspire you, a mood board. A collection of flowers or books.





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Wednesday 23 November 2011

Frosty Wednesday

Now, I know that officially winter hasn't started yet but this morning was the first real sign that it is on its way - Frost.

I am not particularly overjoyed at the prospect of de icing my car every day but I absolutely adore ice, snow, hats, scarf’s and Christmas! I am excited.

But, all this said, this morning when I woke up to this little monster taking up one half of the bed I just wanted to stay under the covers and snuggle.
Nothing says winter like, blankets and duvets, porridge, mugs of hot drink (my tipple of choice - hot chocolate and in the winter with a sprinkle of marshmallows or 10! you know me by now), wooly jumpers like your Nan used to knit, fires and books. So here are a couple of images to help keep you warm on this frosty Wednesday.

Roll on the weekend when I can laze around doing all of the above!


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Saturday 19 November 2011

Chalet Les Anges

This post is for my lovely Twitter friend, Stuart Wilson, AKA What Wilson Wants.

Stuart, like myself has a longstanding love affair with barns and chalets. Whilst reading his most recent posts 'Chalet chic - Inspiration for a cozy home' and 'Aspen Home - Winter treat' I remembered this spectacular Chalet I had seen featured in The White Book and had to share it with him!


Chalet Les Anges. Situated in Switzerland, this breathtaking chalet overlooks a small village, nestled in snow capped mountains and with floor to ceiling windows, it isn't a view to be missed.




















































The chalet perfectly combines creativity, luxury and tradition creating every designers dream (well, at least mine and Stuarts!)  There is no need for me to write many words, let the images speak for themselves, I think you'll agree they are something to admire.


























To finish; Imagine this. Christmas, family, snow and sipping champagne in the heated pool with this as your backdrop or how about a horse drawn carriage ride in the small village below.




















































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Cold Days & Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Today I am feeling a little guilty. I am very conscious of the fact that we are still in November but my Christmas spirit took hold today. This is absolutely my favourite time of year so I figured why not indulge a little?


























I set Michael Buble, Christmas to play and got creative. I had a plain black Ikea frame (above) which has been sat in our loft for far to long so I decided to paint the frame white and create a christmas mood board for my work room. I love the end result (below) it brings extra joy into the room and every time I see it, I smile.


















































































Then I decided it was time for some baking. As the fog took hold outside I was quite happy dancing in my kitchen, twinkle lights glowing, to the sounds on the stereo (well, Ipod actually but doesn't stereo sound more fitting?) mixing together double chocolate chip cookies. Once they were baked and cooled, not too much as you still want them to be gooey inside I snuggled down with a new magazine, a cookie and hot chocolate. Heaven, wouldn't you agree?




















































I'd love to know what you have been up to today and what do you do when in the Christmas spirit - next on my agenda is making jams and chutneys! 

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Friday 18 November 2011

A Statement Headboard

Happy Friday friends.

Tonight I wanted to follow on from my last blog; A Luxurious Bedroom - On a Budget! During this blog post I mentioned using statement headboards and I was so inspired by some of the images I found when researching that I wanted to share them with you.




































































































































You know me - I love these rustic headboards and what I love even more is that you can make them yourself at home. I can feel a new blog post coming on! Have a fantastic weekend.

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Wednesday 16 November 2011

A Luxurious Bedroom - On a Budget!

Luxury does not have to equate to expense with some clever know how and designer tips.

Here are some of my quick top tips to create a low budget luxurious bedroom.

1. Wallpaper. Adding wallpaper will dramatically change a room. Wallpaper does not have to be expensive and if you work with a feature wall the cost is reduced even further.



2. To create a luxurious style with impact op for paint shades such as grey or taupe. The deeper the shade the more dramatic!



3. A bed for Royalty. Create a show stopping bed to be the focus of the room. Layer cushions upon cushions and throws for that boutique hotel style. If everyones eye is on the bed, you won't notice the budget finishing touches.



4. Statement Headboard. If your bed does not have a headboard it is worth purchasing one. Large fabric and leather headboards are stunningly visual and finish your perfect statement bed. If you cannot invest think about creating your own headrest or back drop - watch this space to find out how!



5. Layer textures. Use a combination of cheap and 'expensive' cushions, throws and accessories no one will know the difference when combined.



6. Re-use! Rather than buying new try to re-use items which already exist in your home. For example, I required some glass jars and trinkets for jewellery and personal possessions for my pretty dressing table. I found some glass ramekins in my cupboard which we never use and have displayed those filled with pearls and crystals, cost - Zero!



7. Perception. Incorporate finishing touches into your room which people will perceive as being expensive. Such as glass, mirrors and crystals. Rather than buying new and expensive try local markets and sales for mirrors, they can be picked up at a fraction of the cost. Why not try your hand at sewing crystals to cushions too? Cheaper and rewarding.

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Wednesday 9 November 2011

Crate Addiction

At what point do you class something as an addiction?

Because I am certain I am addicted to crates! Since blogging a few months ago I am always on the look out for them, thinking of new ideas to incorporate them into the home, especially my own home, and you will have seen during my last blog post that I finally have one!



Earlier today I was looking at NotOnTheHighStreet.Com and before I knew it I was searching for crates, then before my eyes, pages and pages of beautiful crates appeared.

























I am so happy that I have found somewhere that sells them online and at a good price but if I am really honest, I still prefer to go out and about, into all those antique stores to see what treasures I can find. There is such satisfaction to finding a hidden jem and I love the idea of the history.



However, this said, if you have been inspired and want to know where you can buy a crate without the searching then look no further. Click on one of the below links or see the NotOnTheHighStreet button on the left hand side to start shopping.

Unique gifts from notonthehighstreet.com

Notonthehighstreet.com


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