Winter White Ski Lodge Style

all images removed

Its that time of year when all the festivities are over, the weather is usually grey, wet and cold and all most of us want to do is curl up until spring arrives.  

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

The Utility Room Renovation - Finished

It's done ! Finally enough cash and time have allowed my very clever husband to finish the utility room.  You can see how it all began HERE and followed up HERE .  I am so thrilled with the end result and reckon we could give any DIY Makeover programme a run for their money. The utility room started life as an outside toilet and coal shed.  When we bought the house they were enclosed with  just a small conservatory tagged onto the back of the house.  We lived for ten years with a cold, damp space for our second toilet, a boiler that broke down all the time and nowhere except for our radiators to dry damp clothes.

NOT ANYMORE !!!

The handmade (by hubby - post to follow) Barn door slides open to reveal a great space for the washing machine, hanging space for socks, pants,smalls etc and storage of laundry basket and washing powders.  This used to be the entrance to the first outside shed and housed our old boiler.

We decided to take up the old wooden flooring and lay these beautiful slate grey tiles from Homebase.  Running the tiles through into the utility room makes for a much more stylish and seamless look.  These were budget tiles (you can see details in the previous posts) but they are really good quality and are a dream to keep clean with dirty feet coming in and out of the garden all the time.

The view through the door !  I LOVE IT ! My hubby did an amazing job. New toilet ! We now have 3 toilets.  That should be enough with four men in the house.  The shelving is from IKEA and the black and white photo art I made myself.  See the post on how easy it was HERE

It was really important to me to make the most of the small space.  A priority was to have somewhere to hang washing to dry when the weather was bad.  With my almost finished new kitchen dining room I did not want to go back to having wet clothes draped all over radiators around the house.  We found this fantastic modular system again at IKEA that you can build as many or as few shelves, baskets rails etc that you want.  Its perfect for what I wanted to do.    Because its a small space I wanted to make good use of as much of the wall space as possible, so put the broom and dustpan and brush on the wall.  The bag from The White Company holds old towels and rags for cleaning the floor and shoes .

Another thing that irritates me is chargers and plugs in EVERY socket around my home so insisted we had what we now call a  "charging station" ha!  Plug sockets and a shelf but it did the job.   It didn't take long to train them all to put their phones and tablets on charge in the Utility room.

Loads of storage baskets for balls and smelly shoes.

The new boiler is boxed in and has its own magnetic catch door for easy access.

That's it !

 All finished and an absolute dream of a space now.  

The Utility Room Renovation ( Part Two)

I say it often, but I really can't believe how talented my husband is.  The utility room is almost finished and it really is a transformation.

Habitat Jerry Chair and Birchbox Review

I was lucky enough to recently be sent the Habitat Jerry chair and Habitat Birchbox to review.  Having been around for a few years

DIY with the Boys - Black & White Bedroom

Is it really only a few weeks until half term !  This holiday my husband's shifts have worked out so that he is also off at the same time as me and the twins.  Think it might be time to get the boys involved in some DIY.  We gave their bedroom a bit of a makeover before Christmas but its just not working for them.  Both boys love the idea of a black and white bedroom so I got my thinking cap on to come up with affordable ways we could make them a cool room suitable for 10 yr old twins.  They are at that stage that they are not quiet ready to give up all their toys but also no longer want Thomas the Tank and the like.

A really straightforward and effective idea for their room is a blackboard wall.  These are really easy to do.  All major DIY Stores now stock blackboard paint and it really is just a matter of painting onto the existing wall.  Obviously you will need to make sure the wall is clean and is a smooth surface.  Also buy the best quality paint you can afford.  You may need several coats.  This is a great idea to get the kids involved, Who doesn't enjoy painting things BLACK !

PIC - housepic.com

I Absolutely love what they have done here and intend to also get the boys to help make a huge Ruler like the one shown.  Again something the children can get involved in and  looks wonderful on the wall.    As hubby is a hoarder of all things wood (he gives me a hard time for my love of stashing bits and bobs but you should see his garage/workshop ) !   There will definitely be a suitable piece of wood for this project lying around.  A leftover floorboard from when we replaced the flooring in the kitchen will be ideal, but to be honest if you want to get involved with some fun over the half term with the kids I am sure cardboard would work just as well.  I think the measuring for the wall will probably be the hardest part but will leave the technical side of things to the husband.  I'll let the boys (big and small) measure out the height lines.  I'm the ideas person in this house.

pic - potterybarn

I love this idea of also sticking Polaroid style pictures of what the boys look like at the different stages.

As my boys are total computer geeks, sometime will inevitably be spent online this half term.  I think I might get them designing some down loadable artwork.  Again very simple to do and all you need is a computer, a simple programme like microsoft word or wordart and a printer (no colour cartridges required) and some very affordable frames available from anywhere these days, even the pound shop.  Alternatively, I think posters and photos look great stuck on the wall with a piece of tape at each corner.

We might even get round to replacing the boys Wooden name letters hubby made for them when they were born and replace with something like this . Huge letter M on one wall above Milo's bed and letter J above Jarvis' bed.

I'll let you know how we get on.  What are you planning for half term ?  If you like my black and white theme for the boys bedroom you might also like my Pinterest board HERE

Scandinavian Style - Get the look

  

 Beautiful Scandinavian home decor has always been a firm favourite of mine. Decorating with cool whites and pale colours, pared down furniture and home wares.  It never fails to make me take in deep calming breaths.  Must be something to do with the state of my mind, I need a clutter free home because my head is full to bursting with thoughts, ideas and plans most of the time.
 
Having lived in our home for 10 years now and finally some spare funds to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room, we were able to  create the large open plan space I always dreamt of.  It is almost finished, just the new flooring and comfy TV seating area to sort.  Its a lovely bright space, furnished with a combination of reclaimed hand painted furniture, modern pieces and local independent artists.  All coming together to create a bright, light Scandinavian style space.

  Above is a hand painted chest of drawers (the only piece in our home I didn't actually paint)in palest grey.  A bowl and glass ball both found at a local boot sale.  The sand encrusted SEA letters were bought on Etsy.  The painting was very generously given to me by local artist Linda Bartlett whose work I used to sell in my shop.

The dining room view of the space.  Huge white table purchased from Ebay is solid wood with great leg detail. If all white is too much for you to contemplate, the Scandinavian style is also very much about beautiful blond woods.  This look is appearing everywhere on the high street at the moment.

 Pic Danish design store

After much thought and changing my mind I decided to go for the classic Eiffel style chairs in white.  I initially bought a blue Eiffel chair with blonde wooden legs but when we decided to go for a dark floor I felt the metal leg style would suit it better.  I'm really pleased with the look.  We also have  clear Philippe Starck Armchairs for each end of the table.  Not really Scandinavian style but they compliment the look.  I think its important to not just follow a look blindly, but to inject your own personality into your home.

Getting the builders in also gave us a chance to re-think the heating.  I have always loved the old style cast iron radiators and actually, considering they add to the decor and are not designed to sit unnoticed on the wall they were really good value for money.  Ours were purchased from B & Q but you can find many around these days from just £100 each.

What my heart really desires is the traditional Scandinavian style stove (below)  but they are WAY out of my budget.

 pic - pinterest


I really hate to have lots of "stuff" cluttering my work surfaces which is an ongoing trial with four men in the house.  Still its a great game of hide and seek I have !  Storage is important but also has to look good.  When I found these great ceramic house storage jars in the sale in Debenhams they reminded me of the tall house you see in many Scandinavian countries.  I've used them to store the tea, coffee and sugar.

pic - escapisttravel.com

Due to lack of money we decided to leave the existing kitchen units in place for the time being.  We changed the tiles and gave the walls a lick of paint and it looks fine.  A beloved find from my bootsale obsession is the set of beautiful plates and soup bowls displayed on a plate rack found at TK Maxx.   Have to admit they don't get much use but they look LOVELY !  Although they are Vintage English, they look very Scandi to me and fit the space beautifully.

If you want more inspiration for the Scandinavian style please pop over and follow my Pinterest board HERE.

Deck the hall (and everywhere else)

 I LOVE Christmas ! I love the anticipation, the excitement and the decorating.  I love the decorating!  This year as I'm no longer self employed I'm not so tired and distracted and it has become a pleasure again. We were really lucky to be sent a Christmas tree to review from Pines and Needles so the decorating started earlier than our usual week before Christmas, but today I finished it all off and I LOVE IT !

Knocking down walls

 

Taking inspiration from this picture I found on #Pinterest, I always wanted a wonderful bright spacious kitchen come family room in my home.  Unfortunately we never

Wardrobe to Armoire

Last year hubby and I made a long trip to North Devon to collect two wardrobes I won on Ebay (that is another story in itself).  When I laid eyes on this one I knew instantly I wouldn't be selling it.  It was perfect for us to transform into the French style Armoire with chicken wire I had been coverting for some years.

I think it turned out pretty well.

I gave hubby the job of taking the door panel out and putting in the chicken wire. 

Huge drawer at the bottom for storing all sorts of useful bits and pieces.  Sorry couldn't take a pic of it open as it is full of unattractive bits and can't possibly photograph them on om blog !

Hubby put two large shelves in to give me lots of room to store my vintage china.

Unfortunately I can't find my before picture I took of the wardrobe, but here is the picture as it appeared on Ebay.  

Looking forward to filling it up with wonderful white vintage finds. 

Back to Grey (or thanks for the free paint Helen)

One of the perks of people knowing I upcycle and paint furniture is I am often offered items they are throwing out and on one occasion two massive pots of virtually unused paint !  The paint in question is not your ordinary everyday kind of paint.  Oh no!  Its the top of the range Dulux Trade Diamond Matt in the colour of the moment Dove Grey.  This paint has superior durability, covers like a dream, as hard wearing as they come, can be wiped clean and most  importantly has a matt finish. (so works well if you like a chalk paint kind of finish).

Normally out of my price range I was thrilled to receive the paint from the very lovely School mum friend and set to work immediately on dark wood items that needed a solid undercoat.  Just about to start a commission for a customer, it was also a perfect colour for the job!

Once I completed the commission and still only halfway down the pot of paint ! (goes a long way does quality paint) I looked around for more items in my own home requiring a lick of paint.  With the twins away at Grandma's and No 1 son away on his holiday in Turkey, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do some decorating in the house.  Time to change the staircase (AGAIN).

AFTER

Newly painted staircase.  Intend to put the stencil back on them again and still toying with the idea of putting a white stripe up the centre but I'll wait until hubby finishes the new wallpaper before I decide.  Also think I might fill the very tall wall with bits and bobs I have collected on my thrifty travels.

Next I headed to the bedroom to start on the cupboard which houses my linens and has stared accusingly at me for the last few years.  A lovely piece of stag furniture in its day it just had to have a paint job I'm afraid.

                                                                               BEFORE

 AFTER

 Sorry about the dress dummy, I use her to display clothes I sell online and she wears this beautiful silk nightie and dressing gown to remind me to try and stick to a diet for my holidays !

 I even found these gorgeous grey candles on a recent (rare) trip to Ikea.

I am really pleased with the result.  It still needs a bit more wax and a buff, but thanks to Helen's paint it transformed this piece of furniture and really brings the rest of the bedroom furniture together.

 I picked this rocking chair up at a bootsale last year for £10.  I nearly passed out when I saw it and virtually ran over to the stall holder.  I have done nothing to it except clean it and absolutely LOVE it in all its chippy grey painted glory.

Found the grey slip ons in the Next sale for £14.  Not normally a shop I go into these days, but was pleased I did on this occasion.

Mirror found on Ebay about 6 years ago.  Paid very little for it.  Grey and white designer throw on the bed purchased for £30 from TKMaxx.  Silk (look) curtains purchased for a song in the sale at Dunelm mill.  Bedside cabinets found in the recycling centre, pair for £10 and painted in Helen's perfect Dulux paint.

There you go, amazing what one tin of paint can do.  Thank you again Helen ! 

Unique Stock instore

One of the best parts of owning my own little business is the shopping for stock !  I am asked on a regular basis where I buy from and of course I couldn't possibly tell !  But it is a selection of new and immaculate quality used items.  When I source new stock I will always sell it for below the RRP as I firmly believe in showing people you can have a beautiful home on a budget.

I found these gorgeous pieces this weekend and feel for sure they will not hang around for long.

 

Hand crafted in Portugal.  I have two sets of bowls, side plate and dinner plates.  All beautifully decorated in turquoise and cream, made from ironstone with a high shine glaze they are truly beautiful.

 

The bowls are £6 each (RRP £11)  the side plates are £6.50 each (RRP £13.50)  and the dinner plates are £8 each (RRP £16.50).