Nordic House

Seeing as we've been talking about garden entertaining this weekend I thought it would be nice to share with you where you can purchase some of the beautiful garden accessories, rather than keep them all to myself!

My all time favourite, I have been buying these lanterns in all sizes for display in my garden!

We're going to start with a favourite of mine, Nordic House, an interiors boutique specialising in gifts and decor............ with a scandi twist! Fancy a little background into the company? Of course you do, I loved learning more abut this super fabulous company so I'll share. Based by the sea in Cornwall (sigh) with a female only warehouse (yes! women power) and run by a husband and wife team who fell in love with scandi styling after working in Sweden. Isn't it nice to now who your buying from?

Here's a round up of my favourites currently being sold and there's a summer sale on! Just click HERE and voila, the sale is at the end of your fingertips, literally. Happy shopping and keep an eye out for more shopping secrets!

All Images; Nordic House

Garden Entertaining

Yes! Hello weekend, time to kick back and relax. With all the great weather I've been feeling inspired and after 'designers block' have had lots of ideas for the interior design of our new house and this includes the garden. So, now seems like a great idea to share some tips on garden entertaining and my ideas for my new garden, even if the sun is currently hiding.

Treat the garden like you would any room of your home, with love, consideration, colour, pattern, texture................

Create a magical environment as dusk falls with different light sources, my favourites are fairy lights, lanterns and jam jars filled with candles and a tip from Abigail Ahern, an old candelabra suspended from a tree or similar but filled with candles rather than bulbs! What a focal point.

Be creative with tables and 'dress' them with as much care as the dining table - it transforms a space in the drop of a hat. Add layers and finishing touches with flowers, candles, whatever takes your fancy.......

I plan on developing not one seating area but two or three, a practical seating area, where friends and family can gather around a table to eat and a squishy, comfy area for resting after you've consumed too much food and drink - we all know that feeling.

Happy sunny weekend. Here's hoping the sun returns here soon.

Moving House

Happy evening all,

So, exciting news....................

WE'RE MOVING HOUSE!

A dream that we didn't expect to happen for a few more years yet! And we've been mad busy the past couple of months with it all! So much paperwork and we were still completing building work when the first viewers came so had to complete this work too but everything is now progressing nicely and hopefully next month will be the big move.

It was a complete accident, we weren't looking to move, we were still working on our current house but it came up, we went to visit and fell in love! It was a whirlwind from there, we thought what's the harm in having our house valued and within ONE WEEK had sold it!

So, do you want to know a little more?

We're moving into a cottage, original features included, out in the sticks. Perfect, a dream come true. The current owners have restored the house beautifully so all we need to do is decorate and settle in.  And there's more................
Dream Box Interior Design will have her very own studio. Yes! A studio! Out in the enchanting garden which after visiting last weekend has sprung into life, filled with colour and offering a new adventure for Bobby Cat. Here are some sneaky pictures..............

Country Life

I have some exciting ideas for the new Studio and Dream Box, I cannot wait to share them with you after the move.

Hope you all have a great Friday and weekend, I'm wishing I was already in the new house, pottering around the garden and BBQ's with friends and family, instead, we should really think about packing!

One Day Projects: Brightening up your Bathroom

Need some bathroom inspiration, look no further as Helen has got some solutions for you....................

So your bathroom’s looking a little tired and you want to freshen it up - but you don’t need a complete refit because the bathroom suite was bought to last and it’s still in good condition. Simply adding some streamlined storage and refreshing your decor is a straightforward way to update a bathroom that’s fading through overuse. And when I say straightforward, I mean it - one day of hard work might be all it takes...

Begin by planning your new look. Spend a bit of time on this: make a mood board if you have loads of ideas, as this will allow you to figure out which of your favourite colours, patterns and textures will work well together. And plan your decorating day, too: knowing in what order to tackle all the tasks you want to complete will make the job much easier.

On ‘the day’, a couple of coats of paint might be all it takes to refresh that dated decor. Get your first coat on as soon as possible so that, even if you end up needing three or four coats, you’ll be able to get the last one done before you put your feet up in the evening. Tile paint and stick on tile ‘tattoos’ will brighten up tired tiles, and don’t forget to refresh your grout lines with a grout pen.

Images: Pinterest

Images: Anthropologie

If you’ve got bathroom furniture, you can give your wooden cabinets an overhaul by sanding them down and re-waxing, re-staining, or painting their surfaces; modern melamine furniture, meanwhile, can be given a new, up-to-date finish in record time with some high gloss spray paint. And the finishing touches are just as important: treat your cabinets to some new (or ‘new to you’ vintage) handles - it takes mere minutes to change a few handles, but the results can be striking.

Images: Pinterest

To add some pattern to your bathroom try wall stickers, stencilling, or adding feature wallpaper - bright, bold designs are great for adding a decorative punch to an alcove or other small area; something a little more muted works well if you plan to paper more of the room.

I loved the pictures Laura recently posted of her bathroom renovation because the touches she highlighted are exactly the things I think can make a huge difference. Storage in particular is vital, especially in a small bathroom where the tendency to clutter is all the more obvious......... and let’s face it, few of us have bathrooms that are as large as we would like!

Images: Pinterest

Built in storage space is ideal if you’re starting from scratch or don’t mind some disruption while work is in progress - but it’s outside the scope of our one day makeover. Adding a simple shelf with some storage baskets or boxes to keep all your grooming products neat and tidy, and within easy reach but out of sight, can make a world of difference to a space that currently feels cluttered and overused.

Images: Etsy

And for that final injection of personality in your new space, try adding some wall art. At  better bathrooms, we’re huge fans of personalising a standard bathroom suite with small ‘non-bathroom’ touches. Either buy ready made prints or have a go at designing your own - something like the ‘life is a beautiful ride’ artwork that Laura highlighted recently would look great in a bathroom - it’s not too overpowering but it’s fun and would go with a range of decor styles.

This article was written by Helen Davies who is a keen blogger, Pinterest addict and freelance writer. 

Rugs: Inspiration

During my sourcing I came across some great rugs but they weren't suitable for my room; Black and white chevrons and stripes are very on trend at the moment and I love them but I needed something with colour to lift the space, so the hunt continued. But, here are some of my favourites rugs, perhaps you'll find some inspiration..........

1. The Rug Company, Haveli Chevron Blue Rug

2. The Rug Company, Haveli Chevron Black Rug

3. Ikea, Blue & White Stripes Rug

4. The Rug Company, Africa by Suzanne Sharp

5. John Lewis, Trek Rug

6. Urban Outfitters, Bauhaus Rug

Etsy Art

My living room has a wall designed for art! A 'relatively' large white space, where art can stand out, say 'hello, look at me'! And while on my hunt for the perfect rug for this room I've also been thinking about what I want with regards to art work! I know it will be a collection, a mixture of artists, styles and photos. And I know that Etsy has some amazing artists! If you haven't yet come across Etsy, where have you been? And shame on you! Not only does Etsy connect you to fantastic items and shops but it is all handmade or vintage!

Images: Etsy

Images, left to right:
1. Vintagraphy, Beautiful ride typography poster
2. DomesticNotions, typography poster
3. DallowayPlace, typography poster
4. etchedandsketched, modern art bird print
5. WhatsNew, ballerina pencil drawing
6. Lizkapiloto, love birds watercolour 
7. AdventuresWithLight, geology art
8. AdventuresWithLight, oars
9. BreadAndCircuses, seascape 

So, Here we are, today I wanted to share with you some of my favourite pieces on Etsy; above but also offer some art inspiration for your home!

 

Now, trust me when I say if you haven't visited Etsy yet, go and do it! I would say now but I know all too well that you'll need more than 5 minutes - you will get lost in a wonderful world! And as for art, original work at some great prices, this designer will certainly be shopping here! Oh, I'm also very aware I'm yet to show you my favourite rugs!! Will do, sorry! Something to look forward too. X

Rugs

After completing the renovation on our kitchen and living room and arranging the main pieces of furniture I am now sourcing the final touches - the pieces that make it a loved home, inject personality and character into a room.

Images; Pinterest

Rugs have the power to complete a room, bring everything together and create a finished product. I am currently trying to find a rug for both the living room and kitchen. Kitchen I hear you say! Yes! Our dining table is part of the kitchen and although I created a lighting plan which incorporated a pendant over the table to zone the space, the rug is another way which I can divide the space between the function of cooking and pleasure of dining; it will also feel more luxurious underfoot. And while on my quest for the perfect rug, I thought i'd share some inspiration. Not only do I adore these rugs......... the second image below would be perfect but the art in these images are stunning!

Images; Pinterest

Patterns are definitely big at the moment, especially black and white stripes and chevrons but whether you love plain and classic, bold and boho, stripes, circles or squares?! there is a rug that will make your home! I've been saving all my favourite rugs while product sourcing and although i've not yet found my perfect rug (well, within budget) I'll be sure to share them with you this week!

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