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10 Ways To Transform Your Home
We’ve been putting off moving for a year or so now, mainly because we have great landlords and the thought of moving house makes me feel physically ill – I’m not good at upping sticks, folks. Yes, I would love a spare room, private garden, bigger kitchen and a wood burning stove to cosy up to, but buying our own house isn’t a viable option and who knows if it ever will be. Moving to another rented property just for…
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Lately: letter to my 16 year old self
Dear Lisa, In approximately 15 years time you will begin to appreciate things that make your everyday life that little bit more pleasant. Like the little tags on tea towels so you can hang them up, freshly washed sheets, one-pot meals (little washing up) and shake n’ vac (it puts the freshness back). This doesn’t mean to say your love of PJ Harvey, words and films will falter, it won’t, but don’t be surprised when your day is brightened by a…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Ruth McAllister
Ruth McAllister is a self-confessed lampshade obsessive, with an eye for beautiful fabrics and a talent for making striking and unique handmade lampshades. After starting her business, Quincy Lampshades, she learned her grandfather also had the same talent and passion, making lampshades in the 1950s – what a discovery! With a clear passion for the craft, Ruth passes on her knowledge and enthusiasm by running 3-hour workshops across the UK. Be gone dull, beige lampshades (stares at ceiling with shame). To…
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Picnic Wish List & Top Withens, Haworth
Top Withens in Haworth, West Yorkshire has been named one of the best picnic spots in the UK by the team behind National Picnic Week – hurrah! This pleases me greatly as I live 20 minutes away from the scenic spot plus the Top Withens Farmhouse is supposedly the inspiration for the location of the Earnshaw family house in Wuthering Heights, my favourite novel. It’s a stunning walk, via the Bronte falls, and you can finish your day off nicely with…
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At Home: Retro Style In The Home
This week on the blog I’ve been focusing a lot on the home and how the littlest (and affordable) changes can make all the difference. Today I thought I’d take a peek into the world of retro inspired homewares and how they can give a home character and contemporary appeal, even if they are inspired by an era gone by. There’s nothing better than finding a mid-century modern piece of furniture or retro piece of loveliness at a charity shop or fair…
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10 Great Room Makeovers
It’s been great reading the other entries for the Room For Improvement challenge, so I thought I’d compile a list of my favourites. It really is very encouraging to see what you can do for under £50 (only a few were over) and how a space can completely change with just a little effort! Take a peek below for some great room makeover inspiration! { Claireabellemakes } { Wrapped Up In Rainbows } { Ohnorachio } { And then all…
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Room For Improvement Challenge
You may have seen a few entries across the blogging community and Twitter for the Room For Improvement challenge hosted by Money Supermarket? Well, I was also asked to take part in the challenge – to improve a room in my house for £50 or less. I like a challenge with a deadline and I like it even better when your spending someone else pennies, oh yes! So I happily took part and began scribbling in my notebook. I chose to…
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7 Ways To Sleep Soundly
Via Emmas Design Blogg 1. Keep a clean and tidy bedroom with empty floors and everything in its place. NOTE TO SELF. 2. Read books in bed before you go to sleep. I try to keep magazines out of the bedroom, otherwise I can’t switch off and inspiration takes over my silly brain. Escapism is key. Via Apartment Therapy and Better Homes 3. Have flowers by your bedside (as long as you don’t suffer from hayfever!). I find flowers relaxing and some,…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Catherine Tough
I like knitted goods. In fact I would rather wear a snug pair of lambswool socks and curl up on the sofa with my blanket than wear a pair of sandals soaking up the sun – draughty houses have accustomed me to such quirks, my friends. So imagine my delight when I stumbled across the cosy accessories and homewares of the London based brand, Catherine Tough, over my morning cup of English Breakfast. Graduating from the Royal College of Art in…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Nancy Straughan
Nancy Straughan is a textile designer specialising in eco-friendly homewares and accessories crafted from her own range of printed fabrics. Inspired by Scandinavian and 1950s textiles and influenced heavily by her creative northern upbringing, she now lives and works in London, with keen interests including illustration, printmaking, bookbinding, and photography. Look at her beautifully styled product shots… For more inspiration visit Nancy Straughan’s website or shop online at Etsy and Not on the High Street . Enjoy! ♥ P.S Explore the blog for more UK…
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Home Accessories: The Contemporary Home
You know those days when you receive the best post? I know, it is rare. But when it happens, it can change your outlook for the whole day. Firstly I received a bumper pack of magazines as a gift, then my own subscriptions arrived and finally, the lovely people from The Contemporary Home, partners of notonthehighstreet.com, were kind enough to send me some products to review and “ooh” and “ah” over. Which is exactly what I did when they arrived.…
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Best British Designer-Makers: Lovely Pigeon
It seems only natural, being an avid admirer of contemporary craft and working at the beautiful Heart Gallery, that I begin a new series on the blog celebrating the best designer-makers in the UK. From jewellery, ceramics and textiles to beauty, stationery and art – there is so much to discover on this little island of ours. If I can help a little by promoting these artists/makers of awesomeness, then that makes me happy. Plus I get to discover pretty…