The Candy Files

Introducing The Candy Files, where each week I'll be charting the highs and lows of a hopeless housewife.

This week...

Candylicious

Enough of the hibernation, fresh sheets smell of Spring. These linen-look lovelies are from www.heals.co.uk

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Fine and Candy

Essex? Too glam. Chelsea? Too posh. Paris I can do.

Reem Banter, French stylie... Totes Bon.
£11.89 from www.amazon.co.uk

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Candy Pandy

Fake tan spills suck. Protect your white bits people. Beauty is a messy business. 

What's going up and down in your world this week?

50 Shades of Fabulous

The new 50 Shades movie opens this weekend and I'm biting my lip with excitement. This calls for a refresher course on a few basic rules of S&M. Simple & Monochrome masterclass? Step seductively this way:

Rule 1) There are no grey areas. When you mix black and white, you get fabulous. Understood?

Rule 2) Invest in the right kit. This style is all about attention to detail. Visit on-trend retailers such as www.bodieandfou.com for art prints and accessories guaranteed to satisfy your needs.

Rule 3) Take it like a man. This can be a masculine world. If you like great big, flouncy florals, hit the panic button. 

Too harsh for you? Start soft and delicate. Think period details...

…and art print walls

Rule 4) Dare to bare. Naked windows, check. Stripped floorboards, check (all the better to hear those stiletto heels)  Leave your slippers at the door.

Rule 5) Keep it kempt. Monochrome maniacs are all about order. Books? stack 'em. Clutter? Clear it. Maintain some discipline, got it? 

www.boconcept.com has some awesome storage solutions that can help you get everything stylishly under control.

Rule 6) Look natural. You know you've nailed it when even your mess looks stylish. But beware - pared down minimalism is an art form. If you have to try too hard to look this good, you don't make the grade.

www.loaf.com Does a neat line in laid-back luxe to help you relax into the vibe.  

Rule 7) WOW me. It might be an expensive, state of the art music system, or the odd designer chair … (I will be disappointed if Grey doesn't own a Le Corbusier) £3,126 from  www. healssofas.co.uk

For actual take-your-breath-away beauty you really can't beat a bespoke chandelier… 

No billionnaire budget? Try this for starters: Only £90 from www.ikea.com

Rule 8) Know your limits. In the bathroom…

tiles by www.firedearth.com

In the bedroom…

Woods wallpaper by www.cole-and-son.com

The beauty of S&M is that you can take this theme wherever you want. But work it your own way for maximum effect. Not everyone can live with a zebra skin in the hall.

Walk on the wild side or go Moroccan monochrome here: www.made.com 

Rule 9)  Relax. 

Remember - you are free to leave at any time and return to your Cath Kidston bedspread. Simple & Monochrome is your choice and it's not for everyone.

Framed print also from: www.made.com

Some more S&M accessories to have fun with here: www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Rule 10) Absolutely. No. Lip-biting. 

Not ready to commit? Let's talk about it...

Concious Coupling

White walls, dark floor.
Original features, modern style.
Big windows, minimal dressing.

Just a few of the design combos that I know I can trust and that, over the years, I have returned to, again and again.

With Valentines Day looming I thought I'd spend some time identifying a few couplings that bring out the best in each other over on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/pairs

Sometimes the coolest collaborations are the ones that really shouldn't work at all.  And sometimes, a couple are so intrinsically linked that it's impossible to think of one without the other.

I've used Pinterest because this time it's easier to express my favourite interior love affairs with pictures, rather than words. But then as my go-to philosophers put it:

  www.pinterest.com/pairs 

Have you got any favourite interior combinations? It would be great if you could share the love here: