New Season Trolley Dash

I came back from holiday with a poor excuse for a tan and a great excuse for a shopping spree. A new season has arrived and fresh interior collections are dropping faster than crisp autumn leaves. The only trouble with this (for weak willed fashion bunnies* such as me) is that it is entirely possible to pop to the supermarket for a loaf of bread and come back with a whole new room update. I know, because I did.

Asda is bang on the money with its ever improving George at Home range. Avoid this isle at all costs if you also have the willpower of a gnat when it comes to lovely home accessories.

Here’s the result of my super stylish supermarket sweep:

Cushions, cushions, cushions. They are my achilles heel and at the risk of sounding like my mum, nothing makes it easier to ring the changes than a new set of cushions for the sofa.

Trace Geormetric cushion £7 www.direct.asda.com

This geometric trend is coming at me from every angle and I don’t mind at all. At £7 a pop, these cushions provided me with my new season colour inspiration for less than the price of a takeaway pizza. nom nom.

I had to throw in this hello sunshine accent cushion for a smiley fiver. Rude not to, no?

Scatter cushion £5 www.direct.asda.com

The nights are drawing in and there’s no escaping it. There are two options here: 

1) Moan about it.

2) Embrace the darker evenings by lighting up your home with gorgeous mood enhancing candles.

I won't judge you, but if option two sounds like more fun don’t delay in getting these babies in your trolley because I predict a sell out.

The geometric design tea light holder in glamorous gold on a white ceramic base is ridiculously cool and totally worthy of a designer price tag. Except from Asda it comes in at a pocket slapping four quid. Take me to church.

Geometric ceramic tea light holder £4 www.direct.asda.com

And finally, here’s a tip from one of the coolest Interior Designers on the planet. Abigail Ahern believes in lamps, like, everywhere. At least eight per room she says. I haven’t got enough sockets to see if I agree with that theory (although it’s safe to assume it works) but I do agree with her bizarre suggestion to put a couple of lamps in the kitchen. Somehow the unexpectedness of them sat amongst the crockery makes them magical. 

But frankly I don’t care where you put this glass bell jar, with its clear bulb and antique brass finish. It looks amazing in the kitchen, but could just as easily work by the bed or in the sitting room. Just do me a favour and grab one now before I buy them all up and declare my Christmas shopping over in September.  

Bell Jar lamp £25 www.direct.asda.com

And that’s it. Oh except for the bread. 

Freshly baked, delicious warm Tiger Loaf. It cost a whopping £62.75 but came with three free cushions, a lamp, three tea light holders and a matching scented candle ;-)

Wax candle jar £6 www.direct.asda.com

That’s Asda Price. Slap Slap.

Acknowledgements:

I’d like to thank my family for this experiment in grocery shopping. They have learned that sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to live in a super stylish abode and also that beans on toast is a totally acceptable and nutritious family meal.

*The term Fashion Bunnies belongs to Victoria Beckham. I just borrowed it and as she’s an avid reader of My House Candy I am absolutely sure she won’t mind... Vicky, if you’re on your way to Asda, grab me another cushion will you?

Happy new season all xx

Every Cloud...

Cloud shelf, £30 www.urbanoutfitters.com

It’s back to school time. But don’t worry, because every cloud has a cool geometric print lining. Well this one does anyway and it’s given my new nerdy work nook a new lease of life.

My Nerd Nook is a great place to keep the debris of busy family business all neat and tidy. It’s also given this awkward under the stairs dumping ground a very important purpose.

Lovers of vintage G Plan will be horrified to see that I painted this retro bureau trendy grey and white. Gah! I was foolish to ignore its iconic potential when my mother in law chucked it out 10 years ago, but whilst I loved its modernist shape, I loathed its boring brown-ness.

It’s been a couple of different shades now and though the older, wiser me would love it back in its original glory, I reckon this savvy little dresser quite likes keeping up with the latest trends too.

Writing bureau’s may seem very old school, but they still tick all the right boxes for space saving practicality. If you can’t find a cool vintage one and don’t fancy an up cycle job there are some beautiful contemporary writing desks out there too. This Origami secretary desk makes for a bright and cheerful work spot and may just be a future design classic too.

£767 www.thelongeststay.com

Nerd Nook Nic-Nacs

When I’m writing, I like to surround myself with inspiring objects for a bit of extra motivation. Here’s a few that have made it through the Bank Holiday edit.

This little fellow wooed me from a market stall recently. His job is to bestow me with his infinite wisdom. (Big ask for a little guy. Agreed)

A literary lol in a fun frame beats those dull desk photos right? This frame is from Marks and Spencer.

I’ve always wanted a light box and did actual cartwheels when I unwrapped this beauty for my birthday.  Such a great gift idea from the mecca of great gift ideas www.notonthehighstreet.com

My cut glass jar fetish knows no bounds, but look - they are useful AND pretty and there are worse habits right? This is one of many pencil pots that are dotted around the place. Cheap as greasy school chips.

Always, ALWAYS buy yourself a lovely notebook if you’re embarking upon a big new project or just want to encourage productive list making. I promise you that first-page-neat-writing feeling never goes away. 

I could write you an essay on stationery shopping, but as your time is precious I will cut to the conclusion instead. Paperchase and Urban Outfitters do some sick ones.

Notebook, £6 www.paperchase.co.uk

So that’s my new term nerd nook, fully restocked with fresh paper,  envelopes, paper clips, damn it there’s even a hole punch in there. A* for effort I reckon, but what for attainment? And more importantly, is the tuck shop open yet? 

Happy new term classmates x

PS There’s still time to vote for me in the Amara Living Blog Awards Best Newcomer Category and everyone that votes gets the chance to win another break from work/school too!

There’s a holiday for two on the beautiful Amalfi Coast up for grabs so whatever else is on your to do list, make sure clicking here comes first.

www.interiorblogawards.com/vote-now-to-win-an-exclusive-holiday-for-2-on-the-amalfi-coast/ 

Statement Walls and Artistic License

Mary Wallpaper www.blackpop.co.uk

Statement walls are back and I’m glad. 

I haven’t been shy to tell you of my love for wild and wacky wallpapers. In fact I'm guilty as charged for shamelessly flaunting my fashionable flamingos and stylish swans. But now I want to talk about a different kind of statement wall - the ones that don’t just say ‘look at me’, but get you thinking too.

I mentioned Blackpop in my post on Bohemian inspired wallpaper designs and briefly covered their National Portrait Gallery collaboration there (mostly because I couldn’t wait until now talk about it). Their full range of wallpapers and fabrics inspired by world renowned Tudor portraits launches at Liberty of London and Decorex this coming month. It's where high brow meets the height of fashion and results in a right royal riot for the senses. 

Henry Wallpaper www.blackpop.co.uk

Designer Maxine Hall has examined and reimagined over 20 works in the Tudor collection of paintings on display at the National Portrait Gallery to create this luxury range of abstract and contemporary patterned wallpaper and fabrics - perfect for this season’s decadent statement walls and bespoke soft furnishings.

Making a statement is a big deal. It’s you putting your personal stamp on your home so it’s kind of important to make sure it says all the right things about you. I’m hoping to cover my dressing room walls with this sumptuous Mary print very soon…

Beautiful, luxurious, artistic, intelligent…. why thank you sire ;-) 

The co-ordinating range of fabrics in The Tudor - Deconstructed range means that you can indulge your new post recession love affair with opulence to the max. 

At £120 per metre it’s delightfully decadent and ask yourself, would you want your individually styled, designer interiors any other way? 

I love a bargain; a charity shop scoop; a copycat high street find, of course I do. But when it comes to making a statement, I’m prepared to splash out. 

The Tudors - Deconstructed will be officially launched during London Design Week 19th - 27th September and Decorex 20th - 23rd September. For more information about the production of this collection and the design inspiration behind it visit www.blackpop.co.uk

Still pinning flamingos and swans to your mood board? Off with your head!

Elizabeth fabric www.blackpop.co.uk