The Elephant in the room


Just a little under 40 years ago whilst walking home with friends from school, we came across a group of boys one of them stood out to me, a tall beautiful blonde.  

The advent tree





It goes without saying I adore Christmas, certainly since having children it has become more magical.  Sadly this year we have

Botanics and Teal


The botanical trend looks set to continue into 2016 alongside all things teal.  So the combination of the two in this stunning luxury bedding set from Christy is sure to be a winner.

Food on the go with GoEat


Always coming up with innovative new products JosephJoseph have designed the perfect range for busy people.  

New Winter Warmers & Old Favourites





One thing I love about Winter is the dark nights, the excuse to curl up on the sofa with a glass of something and a good film.  So to discover Echo falls have a new range of red fusions and that I get to try them out ! 

The innovative new Leesa mattress


Not sure how much I believe in coincidence but hubby and I were recently discussing the need for a new mattress.  We have had ours for about 6 years and according to the experts you should change your mattress between 5 - 10 years.

Sorry can't wait .......


I've never been the most patient person.  If I want something, I have to have it now.  If I need to do something, I need to do it now !  This has had varying degrees of success in my life.

The perfect sofa!




I've been looking for the perfect striped sofa for a long time.  I had in my head exactly what I wanted, a relaxed deck chair striped look in blue and white to continue the beachy theme in my living room.  Something that was comfy

Stenvall Interiors


As well as adoring white all my adult life, I have also been totally in love with the design and style of the Nordic countries.   From discovering IKEA whilst serving in Germany in my 20's to the beautiful antique Mora clocks of Sweden,

Tips for Decorating with White



When people see my home for the first time they always exclaim "how do you keep it clean"  or "I could never have an all white home with my children" . 

ROADS luxury Candles

 
 
Advocating luxury craftsmanship and unique, exquisite scents, ROADS fragrances are extending their range of premium perfumes to include an equally luxurious range of candles.

Duckydora Autumn Dining


Autumn has arrived and this usually means heating on, wrapping up in coats and scarves and bracing ourselves for the cold.  We have been lucky to have a more gentle start to the season this year but today I can feel the nip in the air.

Trend - Decorating the house for autumn


Autumn is here (despite the glorious weather).  Always in the past one of those seasons for me that was just the in between stage from the fun of summer to the excitement of the buildup to Christmas in winter.

Winter Preparation - House and Garden



So Summer wasn't all that this year and now that its officially Autumn, its time to start thinking about cosying down for the colder months.  If you are anything like me,

Moda in Pelle AW15 Trend - Primal Craft


Lets face it, who doesn't love shoes !  So when Moda in Pelle contacted me and asked me to chose  ANYTHING from their new AW15 collection, there may have been dancing on

Front Door Makeover


How long have I been married ? and blogging ?  and how often have I reminded my husband to PLEASE take before photographs if he is going to embark on some DIY when I am out !

George Nelson Style Wheel Clock


The offer of a clock to review from Vita Interiors came at just the right time.  With our new kitchen /dining room complete,

Shopping the shops


Working full time in a "proper" job these days leaves me very little time to go bargain hunting. Having spent over £300 on new uniform, shoes and other

Boot Sale Treasure


Hubby is working today and I needed the car, so what else is there to do after dropping him at work at 6am, but pop along to the bootsale at Matford in Exeter.

It's finished ! The kitchen / dining room Renovation






 When we moved into this house ten years ago this month, life seemed like it couldn't possibly get any worse.  We had lost our main source of income, I was on maternity leave with six month old twins

Iconic Lights - Poul Christiansen Style Light


 I have to admit to having a bit of a "thing" about beautiful light fittings.  They really are the finishing touch to a room.  No matter how much time or money you spend on your home, if you don't get the lighting right it can ruin the overall look.

Art for art's sake

Art for art's sake, what does that line even mean ?  It is attributed to a Frenchman in the early 19th Century who adopted it as a slogan. The literal meaning of which goes over my head I'm afraid. 

Slim Pickings !


I don't know if its because I am no longer looking to buy stock to sell or because there just wasn't much around today, but for the first time ever I came away from the bootsale with hardly any treasure.  Not impressed having dragged myself out of bed at 5.15 this morning !


I did find this vintage crock bed warmer that had been painted white and given a pretty decoupage heart.  Lovely condition and a steal at just £2.  I'm going to use it as a door stop for my bedroom door which refuses to stay open.


How many times have I said this "I LOVE BUYING FROM MEN" Seriously !  THEY GIVE STUFF AWAY !  Next up this gorgeous Portmeirion Botanic Blue Jug.  Absolutely immaculate and soooo pretty.  50p !!! 50p !!! What was he thinking ! 50p !  I ALMOST told him to keep the change from the £1 !


So Pretty.  Looks lovely in my kitchen and there it will stay, oh yes it will !






I am always on the lookout for baskets or wooden crates.  I have a little obsession going on.  Snatched this huge log basket up for £4 !  Great for all the apples ready for picking at the moment from the old apple tree in our garden.




Going to keep this basket in the house, not sure what to store in it as we have no open fires in our home but love the Rustic look of it.  Its, clearly been around for a while.

So that was it !  Nothing else found today.  I was a bit reluctant to leave the bootsale convinced that I must be missing the treasure and that SOMEBODY must have something.  But, no after several trips around the market nothing else appeared so off home I went.

 As I needed to go food shopping I thought I would also pop into The Vintage Trading Centre on Marsh Barton.  I hadn't had my fix of bargain hunting and I usually find an unusual treasure or two in there.  I wasn't disappointed.  Found this little darling.


LOVE IT ! Solid wood vintage rack with immaculate ceramic and wood canisters for Tea, Coffee and Sugar.

So, all was not lost.

Maybe better luck next week (although hubby was pleased as we have just got the house decluttered ).

Recreating the Vintage Appearance of Your Period Property



 

                       image #Pinterest


Three Top Tips for Recreating the Vintage Appearance of Your Period Property

Period properties have a charm that simply cannot be emulated. The cumulative effect of a hundred or more years of rain dashing against the stones,

Video of the Utility Room Barn Door

My first attempt at adding a video to my blog.  I have no idea how to make it bigger so any advice would be gratefully received !  Please excuse the shocking Birmingham accent but do admire the amazing hand crafted skill of my husband.