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We Have Moved!

Hi Everyone,

You'll have noticed a distinct lack of posts since last February, I cannot believe it has been that long! And the reason for that is because I became a mama to my first beautiful baby boy on 12th May 2016.

As I am sure you can imagine the past 18 months have flown by and I have been engrossed with motherhood and everything it brings, love, laughter, crying, endless nappies and sleepless nights, breastfeeding and weaning, cuddles and baby wearing.

When I fell pregnant I decided to leap and try something that I had wanted for a while, it felt like the right time for a change considering my life was about to change dramatically, I wanted to write a lifestyle blog. I wanted somewhere to share all of my passions not just my love for interiors. Somewhere that I could share my enthusiasm of food, my journey into motherhood and everything that I learn during this crazy and exciting new chapter of my life.

So, I have moved! But the core of my blog remains the same and in line with my interior design business (Laura Adkin Interiors) I'd like to introduce you to Laura Adkin Lifestyle.
If you also have a love for cooking and eating, interiors and adventures or you're a mama or mama to be (or dads) you might enjoy some of what I have to share and I'd love for you to subscribe and visit me over on my new blog.

Laura Adkin Lifestyle

Instagram@lauraadkininteriors

I hope to see you over there, I'd love to know what you think or if there is anything you would like to see feature!
x

Valentines: A table for two

I make no apologies for the fact that this week the blog is having a valentines make over. Food, cocktails and table inspiration will all showcase to help you enjoy a special evening with your loved one, so keep an eye open if you're planning a quiet night at home this weekend.

I'll help you keep it simple and stylish this Valentines, starting with the essentials for creating a romantic table for two...

Want to stay away from the cliche red this valentines, how about dusky pink and mint with a gold twist. A gentle, romantic colour pallet, pulled together with flowers, tableware and candles. And, even if this isn't your favourite colour scheme the below five tips will help create a special table for two, no matter what.

- Table cloth or runner
A quick and simple way to add a little luxury to your meal, I love the grey runner pictured, it adds sophistication and grounds the otherwise feminine pallet.

- Flowers
Valentines wouldn't be the same without them and they create a statement centrepiece for your table without requiring too much work. Tip: Keep flowers below eye level so you can hold a conversation over dinner.

- Candles
Use a mixture of tall candlesticks to create height, I have a gold set which would look at home with this scheme, and smaller tea lights and candles to create a soft glow. Remember, in design we work in odd numbers, 3,5,7. The same rule applies here, trust me, you'll make an impact with absolutely no fuss.

- Napkins
Go the extra mile this Valentines and add something special to your napkins. A pretty napkin ring, ribbons or a sprig of rosemary... And if you've got the extra time, two sprigs of rosemary joined together will make a fragrant heart.

- Set the table
Obvious, perhaps but set the table for two... plates, cutlery and glasses and you will have a complete table for two this Valentines. Enjoy!

Interior Design Styles - E Book

I'm very excited to tell you all about my first E Book which is now available for pre order.

Interior Design Styles: Popular interior design styles and how to identify your style.

Launch date: 1st May 2016

My new E Book is perfect for those of you who want to learn more about popular interior design styles from the comfort of your own home and is available to people all over the world.

The book will not only give you a detailed description of a number of popular styles but also hints and tips on how to create them in your own home, followed by a useful guide on how to identify your own style.

Best of all, if you order before 1st May, the book is only £5.00. What are you waiting for?

For further information or to book, you can visit my website here.

The Industrial Interior Design Revolution

Continuing my 'how to identify interior design styles' posts, I want to take a look at Industrial interiors. This particular style is instantly recognisable but what are the key principles which underpin an industrial interior?

I've got 5 top tips for perfecting an industrial interior whether you're renovating an industrial warehouse or living in a modest terrace house.

- Exposed Brick is trick No. 1
No industrial space is complete without exposed brick, of which you'll be in abundance if living in converted buildings, a converted warehouse for example... or if you're working on a smaller scale you may look at uncovering original features, when renovating a Victorian terrace I uncovered all the original brick fireplaces. There are also some fantastic wall coverings available now which allow you to replicate a brick wall if you do not live in a property with original features, take a look at Dreamwall wall coverings.

- Raw Materials
The use of raw materials is fundamental to creating an industrial interior...
Concrete
Wood
Copper
Iron
Steel
...They all have a place in an industrial interior and are easy to incorporate too, in some cases they are actually a very cost effective solution. Concrete floors for converted buildings or perhaps compromise with a worktop in your home, Copper bathtubs, unpolished wood furniture, galvanised steel chairs at the kitchen table... any table for that matter, they all sing industrial interiors.

*Top Tip for Bathrooms:
Use exposed copper pipes and handles for an inexpensive statement  in your bathroom, saving costs on hiding pipework and taps!

- Exposed Structural Materials
This will be a feature of many converted warehouses and you don't want to hide them, instead embrace the supporting beams, exposed pipework and create a focal point with them.

- Open Spaces
Essential for industrial interiors. Don't be afraid to knock down walls! Its not uncommon now to knock through to adjoining rooms to create larger, functional spaces and for vast areas you can zone them off with furniture to create 'rooms' within the space.

{IMAGES: PINTEREST}

- Unique Finishes
Along with raw materials, industrial interiors will use nontraditional materials and accessories. Some ideas may include:
       . Ladders in the bathroom utilised as towel rails
       . Scaffolding planks fitted as shelves
       . Exposed copper pipes instead of traditional bathroom taps
       . Vintage metal filing cabinets used for storage
       . Pallets converted into coffee tables
       . Photography lamps doing double duty as art and lighting

Industrial interiors come in all shapes and sizes, so be creative, you don't need a Manhattan loft or converted warehouse.

If you would like to know more, why not contact me laura@lauraadkininteriors.com or if you're interesting in learning about another style and want to see it feature on my blog, I'd love to hear from you.

www.lauraadkininteriors.com

Kitchen Lighting Tips

One of my current projects is a family kitchen extension. We are extending the existing kitchen and incorporating both dining and lounge areas.

If you are thinking about or redesigning your kitchen, I cannot stress enough the importance of lighting. It will transform your room.

As I am frequently asked about lighting, here are my top tips for kitchen lighting to help you make the right decisions.

1. Use different light sources
Ensure you use different light sources at different levels in your kitchen. Lighting has different purposes so consider what you'll be doing in your kitchen first and foremost and where it will be happening.
Spot lights are perfect over counter tops and for areas that should be well lit to prepare food and cook/clean, pendants and wall or table lamps are ideal for dining areas creating a softer and more atmospheric light.
The combination of lighting will be functional and create interest and focal points within the room.

2. Zone your lighting
Zone your lighting so that you can operate different areas independently. For example, when you're eating dinner, you can turn off the lights highlighting the overflowing sink and create a more intimate dining atmosphere. Depending on the size of your kitchen, lighting could work as follows and all working independently to one another.
Kitchen spot lights
Breakfast bar pendants
Dining table pendant
Lounge lighting

3. Dimmer switches
My top tip of all. I strongly encourage you to use dimmer switches in combination with the above in your kitchen. In addition to the zoning of areas, you then have the power to control the overall feel in a room, and rather than plunge areas into darkness, you can create a softer general light.

4. The power of three
As with everything in design, always work in odd numbers. If you have a breakfast bar in your kitchen, 3 hanging pendants are very stylish, not to mention practical, making much more impact than one pendant alone. With dining tables I may use one statement pendant rather than three pendants, my choice will depend on the style of the room and other light sources used but it will be just that, a statement, a focal point. Again, using different light sources, sizes and types will create interest in your kitchen.

{Images: Pinterest, deVOL Kitchens, Humphrey Munson}

Hanging Terrarium

The Urban Botanist 

Feeling inspired from last nights post, indoor plants, succulents and terrariums?

Want to know where you can buy your own terrarium from?

Well, here are my top picks and details on where you can purchase them from.

West Elm

Rose and Grey

Cox and Cox

Not On The High Street

Indoor plants, succulents and terrariums

{Image: Wildwood}

Indoor planters and terrariums are HOT right now.

Whether it's succulents, potted herbs or seasonal planters, indoor plants are back, and I love them.

I will always incorporate fresh herbs and planters into the kitchen, they are a match made in heaven. They serve a double duty for both styling the kitchen and actually serving a purpose - cooking! 

I like to keep kitchen design simple and these are a fantastic way to introduce colour and style with minimum effort but maximum impact. Especially when you work in numbers - 3's or 5 in a row! They're also a great alternative to flowers, which while beautiful, and I'll have all over my home, can cost a small fortune when replacing on a weekly basis.

So, what do you think? Will you be putting your green fingers to work and potting some succulents for your home this weekend? Side note: They will need very little attention and you can grow them easily!

{Images: Pinterest}

How to create a Modern Interior

With much confusion over modern and contemporary Interior Design, hopefully I can give you an overview of the difference between the two and how you go about achieving a Modern home.

{Images: Pinterest}

Contrary to popular belief these are not one of the same style and the terms cannot be used interchangeably. Contemporary design refers to design which is a popular trend, right now, ever changing, and not fixed to a specific style. Modern design on the other hand is unchanging and fixed to an era, eventually evolving to Mid Century Modern or ‘Retro’ as it may more commonly be known today.

Come on over to The Utopia Hub where I'll look at some of the key elements of Modern design, and how you go about create a modern home, just click here.

If you need any more guidance into Modern Interiors please feel free to contact me

laura@lauraadkininteriors.com

www.lauraadkininteriors.com

How to Identify Interior Design Styles?

Ever wondered how to create a particular style at home, what are the current styles or perhaps felt unsure about which style suits you and your home? 

Over the next six months I’ll be writing for The Utopia Hub and covering this exact topic, looking in depth at five Interior Design styles and helping you understand how to recreate them before the final post ‘How to identify your style’ so you can transform your home with confidence. There are many more styles out there and more being created so this isn't a definitive list, but a guide to some of the most popular.

My specialty area is Modern Country Interiors, so naturally this is where we start our style guide journey.

To read my full post on creating a modern country home, click here.

If you need any more guidance into Modern Country Interiors or indeed, Interior Design in general, I am happy to help and you can contact me here:

laura@lauraadkininteriors.comwww.lauraadkininteriors.com

What colour front door for my house?

Having recently inspired you (I hope) with Modern Country front doors, I have been asked to send some of my tops tips over to Door Deals so that they too can help their customers when choosing a front door colour.

If you're interested to learn more about choosing a front door colour, the rule of front door colour and not only my top tips but those of other designers, then head on over, just click here.

While we're at it... My house has finally started its transformation. Last month our decorator started work on all the doors and windows. We're almost finished and what a difference it has made. Why did I wait so long? Hoping that when I get home, we're another window closer to completion.

New Website & Branding!

Did you know that I have launched my new website?

No?

Well, why don't you go and have a look.

With a new brand - Laura Adkin Interior Design and style to boot, this is a very exciting time for me.

I'm also working on some very exciting projects so keep an eye on my blog and I promise to keep it updated with everything that is going on, right now!

http://www.lauraadkininteriors.com

Modern Country Front Doors

March... Thank you for bringing sunny days with you.

With the arrival of Spring, I feel inspired to jump outdoors with my Modern Country Home series. For me, the sunshine has brought somewhat premature thoughts of giving my cottage a facelift, it has looked a little tired over Winter and finally, painting all the window and door frames. I have the colour chosen, all I need now are a few warmer days to complete the work.

The front of your house is the first thing anyone sees when they arrive, so extend the same love and attention to the outside of the house as you would the inside and let's not forget when summer finally arrives, you'll want to spend all your time in the garden and can reap the rewards.

*Tip. Painting your doors and windows can have a huge impact on the style and appearance of your home, for a low cost transformation.

Modern Country Bedroom

A bedroom is a place to unwind at the end of the day. Somewhere to eat breakfast in bed with Sunday papers, a place you can hide under the duvet on a wet and windy day or bury your nose in a novel. Regardless of your interior taste, your bedroom should be a zone of tranquility and calm.

Keeping this in mind, I would encourage anyone to use neutral colours in their bedroom using different tones and a gentle pallet for finishes and accessories to create an interesting room.

To create a Modern Country bedroom, introduce some rustic charm, use wicker, natural or worn wood, big wool throws, keep large baskets with extra blankets for those cold nights and pair this with silk cushions, modern lighting... Again, it's about creating a balance between modern accessories and the warmth of old, vintage pieces.

Images: Pinterest