Direct Wood Flooring - New Floor Part 2



Its official, I'm in LOVE !  Our new engineered wooden floor has been down for a couple of weeks now and it has completely transformed how the upstairs landing looks. 

Favourite #Over50 Style bloggers



I don't remember when I first became aware of "style".  As a teenager I had my fair share of terrible fashion faux pax .  

Direct Wood Flooring - New Floor Part 1


If you are a regular to my blog you will know that we have spent many DIY years working on our home.  We took on a run down 1930's house and have slowly transformed it into a lovely home over the last 13 years. 

Bedroom Style with Palms and House Plants


Here we go again !  Do you have a room that you feel never quite looks right ?  I feel that way about my bedroom. Its been blue and white, all white, grey and white

Top tips for a bedroom worthy of a magazine



image SHOPHADLEYDESIGNS

I am always really flattered when people comment on my home but more often than not they follow the statement with "I could never keep my home so neat and tidy" .  Believe me, I don't spend every waking hour cleaning and tidying my home, I think I've just learnt a few tricks over the years.

Wallpaper or Paint ?


Don't get me wrong I am a confirmed lover of an all white home but sometimes, just sometimes I have a yearning for a bright, patterned accent wall. 

Pine Wardrobe Makeover



It wasn't so long ago that my bedroom caught the grey bug.  I loved it for a while, but then, like always, I just had to go back to mostly white with blue accents.

A Very British Hygge




January, not a month most of us would consider our happiest month of the year.  For many there are the post Christmas blues and the long, long wait until the next payday comes around.  Not to mention the weather ! 

Winter White - Frith Rugs


Decorating our home for Winter is about layering textures and white tones.  White looks amazing in the Summer with the sunshine flooding the windows but can look cold and harsh in the Winter. 

Decorating with Neutrals for Christmas


Christmas , my favourite time of year.  I love everything about the anticipation, the build up, the special indulgent food, the time to rest and spend time with family and friends and of course, the decorating ! 

The Real Flower Company


I love flowers.  More often than not I have to buy them for myself these days.  Whilst rushing round the supermarket I might grab some value roses or our local charity shop often sells "past their best" flowers which will last a day or two longer and bring some cheer to my home. 

Lithophane Ceramics


image Lladro

Despite the rain today, I needed to get a breath of fresh air at lunchtime and luckily I live and work in Heavitree in Exeter.  Luckily, because there happen to be not one but five charity shops, all of which usually have a treasure or two. 

Take a few minutes ......

It's been a year, a year  since I received a telephone call late at night.

Hotel Chocolat Tasting Club


Winter is coming and that means its time to cosy on down.  If I was Danish, I would be thinking all things Hygge.  The pressure is off, I didn't achieve the beach bod over the summer (nor lets be honest, ever will again).

Retuna Recycling Gallery


image Retuna

I've long been an advocate of anything that can be recycled or re-loved.  So when I came across a facebook post of a friend showing the amazing Retuna Recycling Shopping Mall in Sweden, I had to take a closer look. 

DIY Halloween Decorations


It's that time of year again.  Although the twins are fast approaching 13. THIRTEEN ! How did that happen ? They just reminded me that they are not too old for a Halloween party and PLEASE can we have one again this year. 

Clive Roddy on Etsy


Balloon pin house by Clive Roddy

Etsy has long been my go to website to discover imaginative and beautiful design.  Browsing recently, I came across the breathtaking work of designer/maker Clive Roddy. 

Embracing the dark side


I love white, its a fact.  Always have , always will, but lately I have found myself in need of an injection of  colour into my home.  

Garden Makeover - Part One



A glimpse of the work so far - A lot of grey 

The Summer has been busy with school holidays and our wonderful once in a lifetime visit to Florida, so the garden makeover has not moved along as quickly as I might like.

Autumn Blues


Summer is on it's way out, so time to cosy up my home for Autumn.  I do this by changing the accessories around.  Cushions and throws are the easiest way to bring a whole new look to a room..