Be back soon !

I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment working on the launch of the white approach online shop.  I will be back to blogging as soon as its up and running.

If you haven't yet subscribed to the new website shop you can do so at the bottom of the home page HERE

Subscribers will be the first to know about all the new stock, special offers and discounts.

Exciting times!

Thank you

Karen X 

The White Approach Candle

I was just a little bit excited today when a delivery arrived.  It was a box full of beautifully scented candles for my soon to be re-launched website.

the white approach online shop

Returning to work in a "proper job" leaves me very little time these days to indulge my passion for bargain hunting and tracking down stylish affordable items for the home.  When I do find something and post it on my social media, I am often asked where or if it can be bought.

Pinterest for Independent & Small businesses

Family map art watercolour by Miss Design Berry

As I Have run a small business myself I know only to well how hard it can be to find money for a marketing and advertising budget.  Today, more than ever there are a wealth of free resources available, especially through social media.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Well, the first six months in my shop have flown past.  It's been a roller coaster of ups and downs, doubts and highs and I am learning everyday.  I plan to write regular posts this year on what is is to set up and run a small bricks and mortar business in an age of recession and internet shopping.

I am running a sale in my shop at the moment which, is frankly driving me insane as it looks cluttered and jumbled and totally out of line with the look I am trying to achieve, but, I am distracting myself with the plans and sourcing of stock for the Spring look which will consist of the ever popular :

Nautical style.  Living by the seaside and having my shop in a coastal holiday destination I have many customers interested in nautical  products.

White, White and more White .  I love white, no matter how I try to diversify I always come back to this wonderful , calm colour and I will be sticking very firmly to my guns with my furniture this year.  More and more people are (finally) coming around to what I have been preaching for most of my adult life that white is THE only colour to use in your home for many reasons.

French influence.  Again another style I adore, although in recent years it has become harder and harder to buy authentic French homewares at reasonable prices.  I hope to accent the shop with French inspired items and where I can find them for a good price, authentic pieces.  There are hopes that we might even fit in a trip to France !


In the meantime please pop over to my facebook page to see the daily updates or take a peak at my Pinterest page for work I have carried out for customers, images that inspire me and what I think the trends in homes will be.

Happy New Year and may 2014 bring you all that you wish for.


Karen xx

Busy, busy, busy

It seems an age since I last blogged.  It's a combination of things, a little bit of lost mojo but mainly down to spending time concentrating on what makes the money.  I also have a few exciting projects in the pipeline, including a new combined online shop and blog, renting shared space in TWO new local Vintage shops and more.  So life is pretty busy at the moment.

My reloved furniture is being really well received, selling most pieces as I put them up for sale either on facebook or at Topsham each Friday. 

Here are a selction of recently completed items, hope you like them.

The Berkeley Stool

Two customer orders - works in progress

The butler shelf unit

Mirror, Mirror

The Lexy side table

Mad Blog Awards Finalist

 

I'm thrilled to say this blog made it into the finals of the 2012 Mad Blog Awards ! I am over the moon as there are just 77 finalists across 20 award categories.

There were 52,000 nominations for over 3,000 different blogs.  So its a BIG deal.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everybody who nominated me.

If you would like to vote for me to win you can do it really quickly and easily  Vote Here  Just scroll down to the Best Home Category, click on the please choose button, select The White Approach, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter !

Please do keep following and reading my blog, lots of great ideas are coming soon.  I have made some big business decisions over the last few weeks and I would love you along for the ride.

Thank you so much once again for all your support, encouragement and great comments.  This blog would not be what it is if it was not for you.

Karen

XXX