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 .  

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.

stylish winter essentials #Over50

modelwirenetwork.com

Aspiring to buy and still look great in your clothes when you are over fifty, can sometimes feel like a real struggle.

Interior home magazine photoshoot

I've been approached on numerous occasions over the years to have my home featured in an interior home magazine but never felt it was up to the scrutiny of those beautiful glossy pages full of immaculate homes and stylish interiors.  

LSA International

I have a bit of an obsession with beautifully designed home wares.  Just when I think I have the perfect combination of new and vintage items arranged around my home,  I discover another piece of perfect white gorgeousness that just has to fit in somewhere.

Camerich contemporary furniture

I am still on the lookout for that one unique piece of statement furniture to complete my living room.  Its the one room left in the house that I feel has an unfinished look about it.  Because of the layout of the room and my reluctant agreement to a large screen tv (I do live in a house with four men) there is a limit to how I can position furniture.

Start-rite Shoes Review

A new school term and a new pair of shoes or three is usually the case in this house.  With twin boys, we find ourselves having to buy several pairs throughout the course of the school year.  

The White Bedroom

by Egger`s Einrichten

For me white is peaceful, its calm, its clean and fresh.  I can't think of a better room more suited to white than the bedroom.

The Industrial look Boys Room

Sharing a room when you are twins will always have its ups and downs.  Least of my boys worries though, is the decor. They really don't care.  Although their own personalities have crept into each of their personal spaces, they are happy for me to decorate how I see fit, Result !

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.

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,

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.

The Rochelle French Armchair from WITHIN

 

I've always loved French Style furniture, particularly carved chairs with over stuffed seat cushions.  We have a few in our home and they are as comfortable as they are beautiful to look at. 

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

Joseph Joseph Review

Joseph Joseph products, what can I say ! Absolutely divine.  Inspired design and colour combinations. You will not want to hide these beautiful items away in a cupboard.

MADE.COM FOR KIDS

 
I've long been a lover of the cool online store MADE.COM so when they recently contacted me

A new take on the night light

After recently discovering one of the twins downstairs at 3am in the morning, disorientated and convinced it was morning, I thought

February Style Wise

I've always loved clothes but more so when I find a real bargain.  For this months #stylewise  I have some great buys from this

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.

Outfit of the day

Holiday Outfits by the-white-approach 

Dickins Jones print dress
 - houseoffraser.co.uk (Purchased in the sale for £19.50) Whoop !

Miss KG orange shoes (love these, perfect for my holiday, cool and stylish)
 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Lauren Ralph Lauren orange purse (oh be still my beating heart - Adore )
 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kate Spade Ladies Cooper Watch 1YRU0189 | the Watch Hut
 - thewatchhut.co.uk   (Stunning and very this season )





Taking part in The Mad Blog Awards Outfit of the day competition in association with The Watch Hut 

I already have the dress and similar sandals, would DIE for the watch and the handbag to complete the outfit.

Fingers crossed.