Teal tension...

Well hello there! So much has happened over the summer, I almost feel like I've lived through a whole separate existence! Hence there has been very little time to devote to blogging, and I am only just catching my breath. My parents, sister and brother-in-law came over to the UK to visit, and for us it was a very special time spent making memories. Sadly we had two bereavements in the family, as well as that of a very dear friend, so life has dealt us a few blows too....But, it makes you appreciate every single day for the gift that it is, and you can't help but feel challenged to seize every moment of opportunity that comes knocking at your door...

Over the summer I have also been very fortunate to participate in a Christmas feature for Style at Home Magazine which will hit the shelves in November, but more about that later! As the children are back at school and the normal rhythm of life is returning, I thought I'd share a quick bedroom update with you today.

Last summer we re-decorated the master bedroom by injecting a bit of drama with a dark feature wall, and a few pieces of furniture was given a new lease of life with a lick of paint too. I have never felt completely at ease with the whole scheme, as I have always felt that something was lacking. So, after a little planning and tinkering, I have made a few inexpensive and easy changes that somehow makes it all look and feel more cohesive. The first thing I did was to rethink the most important element of any bedroom scheme...the bedding! I wanted something less sugary and pale than the existing pink floral duvet cover we had on the bed. I found a fabulous linen set that looks and feels more in keeping with the darker colour scheme. I think it is adding more depth and texture, thus creating a more grown-up feel.

I visited the Milton Keynes Handmade, Vintage and Retro Fair at the weekend, and came away with the most charming 1960's floral prints. They were an absolute snip of a bargain, but I am very aware that they would have been a considered purchase for someone back in the day, as people gave a lot more thought to any new item for the home in an era of frugal living. These now have pride of place on the wall behind the bed.

By adding a few new touches, such as some freshly cut sprigs from the garden, and a lush green plant, the room is feeling more inviting and 'pulled together'. A favourite tip of mine is to peruse the bathroom accessories isles in shops like Dunelm, where tumblers used for tooth brushing and rinsing come in all shapes and styles, and they won't break the bank. These are perfect little vases for small posies on the bedside table. They also look fabulous grouped together in odd numbers for a quirky display.

I am very pleased with the overall feel of the room now. It certainly is a haven of relaxation now, perfect for reading in and listening to some old records while daydreaming away...

As always this is a work in progress, but homes always are, aren't they?

Blessings,

Tania

Master Bedroom Reveal

Can you hear that crying? It's the sound of wailing walls! The master bedroom in our home has not been touched since we moved in nearly ten years ago, and it is crying out for a makeover! Let's do this....

And so I set to work...Inspired by a colour that I love, I decided to go for something a little bolder than I'm used to...Be gone Magnolia! Hello Teal...

I painted the main wall behind the bed this luscious deep teal, as well as the wall surrounding the main window. This way the room won't end up being too dark, as the light will shine from within, so to speak! The remaining two walls were painted in a crisp white to set off the teal. And I am so happy with the results! The light in here changes all day long, and the colour goes from blue to green, from light to dark. I love the various moods it creates...

I wanted to create a gallery wall above the bed, but when I spotted these metallic letters and wings, I knew it would add a little more drama. The gold accents work well with my existing gilt mirror and vintage swallows in flight, and creates a more cohesive look in what could be a busy scheme otherwise.

Now, I love the design of a skeleton lamp matched with an over sized retro bulb, but these can be quite pricey. I had a silk covered shade which I'd picked up from a thrift shop some time ago, so I stripped the cover off, and spray painted it gold. I found a discontinued lamp base in a Homebase in the sale...it cost me the total sum of six pounds, and is just perfect. It has slight accents of gold to tie in with the shade, and teamed up with a giant bulb, it was just the look I was going for. Design on a budget! All for under a tenner!

Apart from the walls, I have been toying with the idea to paint the furniture. But as it turns out, I really like the look of the pine bed against the teal wall, so for now that will stay as is. But, the dressing table really did need doing...Eugh...

It looked dull and worn, and in need of some TLC. I opted for a lovely fresh 'nearly white'...And a delectable glitter glaze by Craig and Rose. The result is fresh, clean and at night the glitter comes to life with a subtle shimmer for a bit of glam.

The built-in wardrobes were also looking tired. After a fresh lick of white satinwood, they looked fresh-faced, but a little bland. I decided to decoupage some wallpaper motifs on to the doors, and it is just a lovely sight to wake up to in the morning!

And of course, there will be no end of faffing and nesting to get every little corner looking just right...

I am so pleased that I didn't shy away from this colour in favour of a safer option. And I know that I can change and add to it as the mood takes me. I dare you to be brave next time too!

Blessings

Painting and pondering...

Well, the weeds have certainly grown in this little blogging patch, hasn't it? It has been a while! The summer term is always hectically busy as the school year draws to an end. The children need ferrying around from one place to the next, days are filled with school plays, sport days, work, transition days...the list goes on! Trying to find time for creative pursuits seem an impossibility! But, while the days are wrapped in warm sunlight, it seems more important to 'make hay while the sun shines'!

So, I have a rather long list of painting projects waiting to be tackled. Our master bedroom is in dire need of freshening up, as we haven't touched it since we moved in ten years ago! I am thinking drastic changes. It has always been a little 'safe' in it's decorating choices, with a theme of pale pink and pine running throughout. Now I'm leaning towards bolder, brighter colours! I have kicked things off by painting a little glass cabinet in a bright shade of  'Verdigris' by Grand Illusions Vintage Paints. It is utterly yummy! Here is the before picture...A vision of...well, dull...

And now...

I cannot recommend this paint highly enough. I have used several brands of chalk paint, and this particular brand goes on like a dream! You don't have to prepare the surface by tediously sanding it down. You just paint. Compared to other chalk paints, this one went on smoother, and had a much nicer, organic smell. I painted two coats, and then used a clear wax over the top. I don't like things too perfect, so I distressed it in places with sandpaper after waxing it. I am so pleased with the end result!

That is one tick off the re-decorating 'to-do-list'! Now, the real work begins! I am still pondering on what colours to use, and whether I will paint the bed and dressing table. At the moment it looks like this...

I am thinking of painting this wall behind the bed in a bold, dark shade of blue. Yes, I am! Watch this space...For now, I am scratching my head, planning, thinking and deciding...

I hope your summer is equally as relaxing as it is productive. But do remember to take time to smell the flowers...

Blessings

Going for gold

Today I'm thinking interior trends. And then I look at my home, the way it has evolved over time, and I cannot stick a particular 'style label' on it! I love so many different elements of varying styles...a little bit of shabby chic...country cottage charm...bohemian boldness...vintage and retro! It is unfortunate, as it creates a bit of a jumble, especially as I'm not particularly 'minimalist' in my ways! So, I think I'll opt for the 'lived in' look...A style (for lack of a better word!) that speaks of personal loves and collections gathered over time, a kind of personal 'storybook style', as it tells the story of our lives! Visitor's often refer to our home as a dolls house, as it clearly shows that I like to play house! I style and dress our home purely with things we love, nothing is too contrived or thought out. If I like it, I'll home it! Of late I have fallen in love with what I can only refer to as 'grown-up style', influenced mainly by the work of TV host and interior stylist, Emily Henderson. She is one trendy lady, and I like her mix of colour and textures. Here's a little taster of her own personal home...Oh, that chair!

Now, the trends for 2014 have incorporated bold geometric patterns, like chevrons and stripes, teal has made a real surge in popularity, and the mix of mid-century (1950's/1960's) and modern has had me pouring over the pages of interior magazines. It's such a vibrant, bold look, and I sometimes wish I could pull it off, wall to wall, ceiling to floor! But, that would mean a whole different change in budget! So, I choose to incorporate small changes of trends that appeal to me into our home, to lift things a little and create interest.

One of the most popular trends for 2014 has definitely been the use of metallic accents, be it copper, bronze or gold. I have never been a fan of dripping gold and opulence, but I do think that the use of gold accents can add an air of sophistication and freshness. I have tackled a few projects to show just how easily (and cheaply!) this can be done. I set to work, armed with nothing but a tin of gold spray paint and a bit of masking tape. The idea was to 'update' objects already owned, or cheaply thrifted ones.

First off...the mini globe...Sprayed with gold paint, and then covered in glittery snowflakes, it now adds a touch of quirky glamour to my dressing table...

The enamel bucket, beautiful in it's simplicity, is jazzed up with a touch of gold for an instant update...As is an old favourite Celtic vase...Simply mark of the area you'd like to add your gold accent to, and spray away!

And now for a little project I like to call 'glam-a-gnome'...Okay, maybe not THAT sophisticated, but certainly a bit of fun! A jewelry holder, perfect for stray earrings...

A few shells got the gold treatment too. They look lovely among unpainted ones in a bowl, or scattered neatly on the coffee table...

Will you be going for gold? Let's face it, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I'll take a few small trendy sips this week...

Blessings

Pastel polishing...

Hello my lovelies! Well, it's finally here. Sunshine, daffodils and brighter evenings! I revel in the changing seasons, as they are so beautifully and characteristically defined here in the UK. Every season inspires a little nest primping in our home, as I love to change things around to reflect the time of year. My favourite corner to dress is most definitely the dresser which sits in our living/dining room. Since we acquired it, it has always been styled with red accessories. Red is my favourite colour after all! But, for while now I have longed for a change, something a little more brighter, ethereal, springlike! It felt like it needed a bit of polishing...with pastels! And, what better time to tackle a change of mood than spring, with a little Easter celebration thrown in for good measure!

The dresser before...in red at Christmas time...

The dresser now...pastel spring colours of pinks, blues and yellows!

Some Easter chocolate bunnies in jars...

An old favourite...'E' for Easter...

Some decorative altered books in a stash...tied with velvet ribbon...
I cut out a display window through the cover, added some gold leaf, glitter and Scrabble letters...

Fresh flowers...

And a few favourite things...

A basket of eggs...and an egg box prettied up...





























And who said deer are just for Christmas?

I'm in love with the cheery lightness in this corner. It might stay like this well beyond Easter!

Blessings, Tania ♥

My retro soul sings!

And so I have waited...patiently...And I'm not the patient kind. But sometimes that's all one's purse allows for, waiting and hoping  that somewhere someone will want rid of that one thing that would bring the zing back into your home, without having to cut off an arm! And then I found it. A superb specimen of retro revelation... a magnificent 1960's teak McIntosh sideboard which I have longed for, for such a very long time! These retro sideboards have made a fierce comeback, and hence they are quite pricey. But my thrifty soul is singing, as I found one for an absolute song! Eventually...Why, I ask you, are they so sought after these days? Well, for me it evokes nostalgic feelings of a time when it seemed that time stood still. The pace of life these days leave little scope for reflection, simplicity and calm, and there is something quite calming about the structure of these retro pieces. So, there has been some re-shuffling, nesting and tweaking...

Finally, a resting place for old collected pieces, that breathes new life into them...somehow, they now fit...

And so the oak cupboard had to move, but it's found a happy spot!

Adding a few spring like blooms in blue...

A teapot re-purposed...

And with that done, I can now sit back, transported a little further down memory lane to the sounds of the Beatles, with 'Love me do' and 'Hey Jude'...My retro soul sings!

♥♥♥♥