This week's inspiration: comfy sofas, lush beds and wall displays

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039140935/

I don't know about you, but I have started to get the woolly socks and winter blankets out of the cupboard. We had a great warm and sunny few days up here in Aberdeenshire last weekend, but I think that really was the last bit of summer. Flipflops can be put away (as if we ever wear them here in Scotland! ;-), winter boots can come out.

On Pinterest I have been pinning some nice photos of colourful interiors lately and since we'll be spending more time indoors now summer is over, I am sharing some ideas on how to bring warmth and happiness in your home with colourful lounges and bedrooms and great wall displays. I hope you like them.

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416038835886/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039127189/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039127187/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039116621/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039140937/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039127183/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416039140936/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416038784839/

http://pinterest.com/pin/255086766363515988/

http://pinterest.com/pin/173036810653362833/

Valentines Day...how about adding some red to your life?

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037518052/

I'm not big on Valentines Day myself, but I do love a bit of red! I have gathered some inspirational images of interiors with red furniture, red artwork, red fridges, red walls, red doors and red anything else.

Hope you like it. Spread the LOVE.

http://pinterest.com/pin/68719846607/

http://pinterest.com/pin/20266267042644029/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037848142/

http://img4.coastalliving.com/i/2009/06/redwhiteblue-9-l.jpg

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037848140/

http://spookyhome.tumblr.com/post/4108147260

http://designismine.blogspot.com/2010/05/interior-inspiration-random-rooms.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88092887/patchwork-cushion-cover-red-apples-and

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037848153/

MERRY CHRISTMAS !



JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY

CHRISTMAS DECOR!

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Grey boring? How about sophisticated - and a great backdrop for colour?

http://pinterest.com/pin/379977431/

A lot of people choose natural colours like beiges or browns when opting for a 'neutral' and safe colour scheme for their homes. Grey is often seen as too cold or depressing and not on every person's radar when standing in the paint pot alley of the DIY store.

I've collected some examples today of rooms where grey actually looks rather sophisticated and stylish, when used in combination with the right colour accents and accessories. Much better than beige (or worse even, magnolia...)! And hey, you can start off simple - try one bit of wall for starters. Perhaps around the fire place or in the hallway to make a mirror, painting or piece of furniture stand out.








Grey teams very well with yellow, teal and mustard. Imagine if these splashes of colour weren't added to the decor pictured below... They really lift the room. Loving those knitted floor cushions.

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037586270/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037591235/

Grey is also excellent with more 'girly' colours like red and pink - if yellow is not your cup of tea. That grey becomes the perfect background for your favourite pink accessories - just add cushions, throws, curtains or just a bouquet of roses to the room.

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037591534/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037593603/

Loving this chesterfield sofa... http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037591995/

http://pinterest.com/pin/301590063/

And if you really can't detach yourself from your beiges and browns, why not combine grey with a bit of 'neutral' after all - and add accessories in natural materials like wood, wicker and jute? Add some natural wooden furniture, pieces of driftwood as accessories and of course don't forget that lovely natural wooden floor as a basis.

Oh my - now THAT looks like a cosy seat! http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037593612/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037574949/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037584118/

http://pinterest.com/pin/259027416037593594/

http://pinterest.com/pin/381739864/

DIY craft project tutorials - for a homemade Christmas

Felted garland tutorial from Small Bird Blog

I have been asked by my friend and artist Fenneke of Fenfolio to sell some of my handmade cushions and vintage wares at a Christmas Fair she's organising in November and I am SO excited about this! It will be the first time I am going to officially be 'out there' with my business and goodies, other than just being online. Eeek! In addition to selling my home decor items I have been browsing the internet loads to find inspiration and cool ideas to create handmade Christmas decoration to sell as well. I have already made some lovely fabric rag wreaths, but am also going to have a go at making tree ornaments and anything else that is beautiful but relatively easy to make. After all, my maternity leave is starting next week, so an ideal time to get cracking with those crafts!

As you're probably not all going to be able to rush down to my stall at the Christmas Fair (but wouldn't that be great!), I thought I share some of the DIY projects I found with you so you could have a go yourself at creating a 'homemade Christmas' this year. Enjoy!

• Fabric covered polystyrene/styrofoam ball
  This is one of the things I will be attempting soon; baubles covered in fabric squares. Endless possibilities here with your favourite pieces of fabric! Go to the tutorial

• Using vintage papers
  Clear, glass ornaments decoupaged with vintage papers, sprinkled with glass glitter and tied with "Noel" made on a printer. There's no real tutorial here, but I guess it's using the decoupage technique and glue such as Mod Podge to get the paper to stick to the ornaments.
  
  

• Clay ornaments with doily print These are super simple to make but oh-so-elegant. The one pictured is featured on the beautiful website of Marley and Locker.
  
  1. Use air-dry clay, roll it out so you have a thin even sheet (about 3-5mm thick).
  2. If you want start by pressing a piece of linen or cotton onto the clay to create a textured effect.
  3. Press a doily or piece or lace into the clay and carefully take it away to reveal the imprint.
  4. Take a small round glass or other shape you like and press it into the clay to cut out the shape. Use a nail or similar to pierce through the ornament so you can put a ribbon through it later.
  5. Use rubber stamp letters to create a word or Christmas wish.
  5. Let the ornament dry completely.
  6. Paint the ornament with white acrylic paint or leave it natural.
  7. Fill in the imprint of the word with a darker shade of paint.
  
  
  
  
  

• Clay doily bowls
  If you really getting into this technique, why not try these gorgeous little bowls as well?
  Go to the tutorial

• Fabric rag ornaments
  Couldn't quite find the tutorial to go with these, but aren't they lovely? My guess is cutting out thin equal strips of fabric, then using pins to hold them in place on a polystyrene ball. I'm gonna give this a go...Please let me know if you've discovered a better way of doing this!
  

• Branch candle holder
  No Christmas without candles, so of course I am including a tutorial for a candle holder! This one is made with little twigs and will add a bit of rustic beauty to your home. Go to the full tutorial
  
  

 

What are you going to give a try? 

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Plum, my new favourite colour for the home

http://pinterest.com/pin/239810624/

http://gallery.me.com/bellanottelinens#100705/20100503_bnl_059&bgcolor=black

Do you have that sometimes, that all of a sudden you're drawn to a certain colour, one that you never really gave much attention to before? Well, lately I am loving plum. The slightly dusty, deep purple that can turn living rooms into lush luxurious lounges, bedrooms into boudoirs and outfits into sophistication. Combine it with duck egg blue and it lightens up. Combine it with dark greys, blues and black and it becomes seductive and mysterious. Team it with yellow and it becomes autumnal and slightly vintage. Plum...yum!

I have just finished and put up in the shop a lovely patchwork cushion in plum and yellow, made with Michael Miller retro fabric and an old merino wool jumper. Very upcycled and unique! Ready to be shipped to your sofa or bed ;-)

http://ninasapartment.bigcartel.com/product/handmade-unique-upcycled-patchwork-cushion-plum-yellow

http://pinterest.com/pin/204206309/

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