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

A happy place to be...

September is here, and we are all trying really hard to hang on to the hem of summer's skirt! But, as the kids are going back to school this week, I know it won't be long before the nights draw in and autumn descends on us in waves of yellow, rust, orange, red and gold. It is a good thing that I am rather fond of the chillier weather, as I know it lasts for an awfully long time in the Northern hemisphere! Normally I'd like to think that I am quite organised, and usually at the dawn of September I have managed the pre-winter clear out of cupboards. Preparations are usually under way to get everything ship-shape before school starts, in real squirrel fashion thinking of the busy months ahead. But alas...this year I am well and truly dragging my feet! However, I have made a little effort this weekend to kick start things!

I was given a writing bureau some years back, and it is definitely one of my favourite pieces of furniture. There is something very 'Jane Austen'-like about owning a bureau. Sometimes I imagine myself sitting there on a crisp morning, winter rays pouring through the window, cup of tea steaming away on the foldout leaf, and pen in hand jotting down all my deepest thoughts. Or, equally, in my imagination it comes to life by candlelight, as I pull out my diary at the desk, and put the world to rights on paper with my best calligraphy pen. Ha! Reality is a very different story though! No such romantic past times has it yet encountered! I did give it a fresh lick of paint a few years back, but since then it has lived a rather non-descript life, and has been the dumping ground for discarded mail, and all manner of  'I'll-sort-that-later' junk.

I think the reason why I haven't used it as intended, is because it felt a little dated, even though it had been given a lick of paint.

I had only painted the outside before, so this weekend I decided to tackle it on the inside too! I painted it a fresh green, with a top coat of glitter glaze. It is utterly yummy! At night time it twinkles and sparkles! If think that if I can manage to keep it tidy, I can leave the foldout desk down and this way I will use it more often. A few new flourishes later, mixed in with some retro touches, I find it a happier place to be!

I used my favourite weapon to brighten things up too, a can of gold spray paint! I had a dull elephant sellotape dispenser which I'd picked up from Tiger stores, a standard black stapler,a black pencil holder and an old vintage jelly mold that I thought I could use as accessories on my desk. I tackled these with the paint, and voila! A little co-ordinated girly glamour!

Some quirky pencils and stationary add a bit of fun, and I am looking forward to spending more time here getting organised. Who knows...I might even write that book I keep talking about!

So, although the rest of my abode is still off colour, at least this one little corner is as it should be! Here's to some more squirrel tinkering getting ready for the long, cold season ahead!

Blessings