Cosy Home Blog ~ Interior design blog: Helping you create a cosy home

Spring greens: 10 green wallpaper decorating ideas

May 13th

As a decorating colour, green can be fresh, calming and soothing, so it’s no wonder it’s a popular interior design colour choice.

Spring 2013 decorating trends are awash with inspiring greens – here’s a selection of our top 10 best green themed wallpapers for decorating your home.

1. Green berry tree wallpaper

Emerald green and lime berry tree design wallpaper, from the Melinki collection by Scion. £28.80 from Wallpaper Direct.

2. Dainty green wallpaper

Kantu green and white wallpaper, from the Options 11 collection by Sanderson. £35 per roll from Select Wallpaper.

3. Geometric green trellis design wallpaper

Harlequin Erin geometric patterned wallpaper, £39 per roll from John Lewis.

4. Rhododendron green flower wallpaper

Orla Kiely House for Harlequin rhododendron design wallpaper in green, £40.18 per roll from House Decor Interiors.

5. Green leaf design wallpaper

Miss Print leaves design wallpaper in absinthe with white colourway. £59.95 per roll from Eggcup and Blanket Interiors.

6. Ribbon swirl design wallpaper

Confetti ribbon swirl green and cream wallpaper, by P&S International. Reduced to £10 per roll at Home Flair Decor.

7. Fresh green stripe wallpaper

Riviera stripe design wallpaper in shades of green and teal. Reduced to £6.93 per roll at Homebase.

8. Green stylised flower design wallpaper

Wilko Sustain retro style flower image wallpaper in green, £8.50 from Wilko.

9. Green tree design wallpaper

Arthouse Boulevard tree design wallpaper in green and cream. A bargain at only £7.89 per roll from I Love Wallpaper.

10. Amy Butler green wallpaper

Amy Butler Georgia field design wallpaper, reduced to £14.40 per roll from Wilko.

Posted in Wallpaper | No Comments »

Top 10 afternoon tea essentials

May 10th

Afternoon tea has always been our favourite indulgence – after all, what could be nicer after a long, countryside walk than a pot of tea with homemade scones and jam? Make it even more of an occasion by investing in some beautiful crockery and accessories – it’s an oasis of calm in a busy world.

1. Ulster Weavers: Ducks tea cosy

Keep your tea piping hot with this tea cosy, priced at just £11 from Ulster Weavers. In duck egg blue and French grey, and decorated with a pattern of cheerful looking ducks, it’ll make any teapot proud.

2. Pots ‘n’ Pictures: ceramic bird bowl

This gorgeous sugar bowl, handmade and painted by ceramic artist Katherine Morton, is almost enough to tempt us to take sugar in our tea. A real conversation piece, it would be equally useful for jam or cream. £30 from Not on the High Street.

3. The Contemporary Home: Eclectic cutlery set

We’ve fallen in love with this mixed-up cutlery set from The Contemporary Home – it looks like we spent hours rummaging through the vintage shops to put it together, or maybe inherited it from a favourite but eccentric aunt. Add a little quirk to your tea table for £29.99 a set of 16 pieces.

4. Hanne Rysgaard: Cow face milk jug

Funny, nostalgic, stylish, practical – we like these milk jugs from ceramic artist Hanne Rysgaard so much, we’ve had to use four adjectives. Hand made in Bristol, they’re even microwave and dishwasher proof, for those who like afternoon tea on the MOO-ve. Find them at Hanne’s website, starting from £36.

5. Julia Davey: Dorset beach hut ceramic butterdish

This cute dish, hand decorated with stylised beach huts by ceramic artist Julia Davey, makes us think of afternoon tea in seaside cafés on sunny days. Accessorise with fresh scones and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore. £24 from www.juliadavey.com.

6. Portmeirion: Crazy daisy two tier cake stand

Daisy, daisy, give me your answer, do…

If you thought that floral cake stands were old fashioned, how about this funky, fresh design from Portmeirion? A modern twist on an old favourite, priced at £44.

7. Sibona: Beehive cotton napkins

Afternoon tea just isn’t the same without proper napkins. We love these hand embroidered napkins from Sibona – the cute beehive decoration makes us think of summertime, and fresh honey for our crumpets. £7.50 each, available from www.sibona.com.

8. John Lewis: Botanist Teapot

This classic teapot decorated with beautiful, subtle butterflies makes us long to take afternoon tea in the garden, complete with a rose arbour and the cast of Brideshead Revisited. Sigh. Priced at £25 from John Lewis.

9. Fairmont & Main: Little red dot teacup and saucer

With its simple design and enamel dot design, there’s something appealingly 1950s about this cup and saucer. Perfect for a proper afternoon tea, including hot buttered toast and seed cake. Priced at £9.50 from Fairmont & Main.

10. Izzy Design: Camellia Parrot Cake Plate

This stunning plate is almost too pretty to use! The design represents the three main tea producing countries – India, China and Kenya, and couldn’t more appropriate for afternoon tea. Designed and decorated by Izzy Design and Illustration and available from Not on the High Street, £18.

By Sara Walker

Posted in Crockery | No Comments »

Floral flower blossom cushion from John Lewis

May 3rd

Cheery cosy cushion

Do you change and update your cushions? A cushion or two is often one of the easiest and affordable ways of brightening up a sofa or bed and it’s amazing what a difference a change in cushion style or design can make, especially as we move from one season to the next.

This colourful blossom cushion is full of the joys of spring, with its vibrant depiction of floral blooms, and would be a great way of livening up a sofa.

The cushion has a handmade look to it and is sold by John Lewis.

Posted in Soft furnishings | No Comments »

Hang out the bunting: Beautiful fabric craft for Spring by Charlotte Stevens of Lottiemimi

May 1st

Textile homewares company Lottiemimi is the creation of Charlotte Stevens, a talented designer and crafter from Biddulph in Staffordshire, who specialises in designing and making beautiful fabric products ranging from bunting to bags. It’s a far cry from her previous career, working with lighting and production for the entertainment industry, and touring with bands.

While taking a break after finishing a tour with Westlife, Charlotte found that Lottiemimi, which she’d started a few years previously as a hobby, was expanding into a full-time job. She set about developing her range, taking bespoke orders, selling online and finding distribution outlets.

“I absolutely love having my own company and working for myself. Every day I get to design new products, source lovely fabrics, network with other companies and hang out with my dog.” she explains.

“I generally source my fabrics online, but I’ll never miss an opportunity to visit fabric shops, although that can be quite dangerous – some people like Prada, I like fabrics!

“I’m always creating new lines – my large make-up bags are my best seller at the moment. I’m currently working on creating a range of textile homeware which can be identified as a Lottiemimi brand – quirky, and with a designer feel but without the designer price.

“I’m inspired by colour. I love starting off with what looks like a very dull fabric, matching it with a second colour, either fabric or thread, and seeing it suddenly it come to life and turning into something completely unique.”

Here, Charlotte talks us through the inspiration and technique for making her bunting.

Step 1

Before starting a project, create a mood board and lay out fabric swatches to see how they work together. Personally, this is the part I love the most about working with textiles, as I’ll use different fabrics and threads to pick out certain colours, or mix bright and pale or clashing colours to see how they work. I’ll also choose my threads and trimming fabric at this stage – polka dot fabrics work well as a top trim, as they’ll help tie two colours together.

Step 2

Next, decide on the size and number of flags. For this example, I used eleven flags each measuring 16 cm across the top, and 21 cm down each side. The measurement from the middle of the top to the point of the triangle is 19.5 cm. Draw out your design, so that you’ll exactly know how each flag is going to look and where it’ll be positioned. Once you’re happy with the design, make a template, drawing a line 4cm down to mark the position for the top trim, and cut out the fabrics.

Step 2 – sketching out the design

Step 2 cont. – making the template

Step 3

Once you’ve cut out all the flags, lay them out in order to make sure you’re happy with the overall look. Then take your trimming fabric, fold in the bottom edge of the strip and iron it in place before sewing into place with a decorative appliqué machine stitch in a contrasting or matching thread colour.

Step 3 – laying out the flags in order

Step 3 cont. – sewing on the trim

Step 4

Next, cut out triangles of cream canvas, one for each flag, to use as backing fabric, which adds strength and gives a luxurious feel. Pin each flag, right side in, to the backing fabric and sew down each long side, leaving the top open. Trim off any excess fabric and turn the flag right side out. Once you’ve completed all the flags, iron each one then trim the tops so that they’re straight.

Step 4 – adding the backing fabric

Step 4 cont. – turning the flags right way round

Step 4 cont. – trimming the top of each flag

Step 5

Take the binding strip and measure in 20 cm from one end to give the position of the first flag. Pin the first flag in place, measure a 5 cm gap and add the next one, continuing until all the flags are in place. Sew a straight line along the binding to hold all the flags in place, then add a small loop at either end to hang the bunting up.

Step 5 – pinning the binding in place

Sewing the bunting

Step 6

The finished bunting.

For more information about Charlotte and her work, or to browse her product range, please visit www.lottiemimi.com or follow her on Twitter at @charlottiemimi. Prices start at just £1.20. Charlotte also exhibits at craft fairs in the Staffordshire/Cheshire area, please contact her via her website for event details.

by Sara Walker

Tags: how to make bunting
Posted in Crafts | No Comments »

Creating your Ultimate Cosy Bedroom

April 29th

For many people the bedroom is simply the place where they go at the end of the day to collapse and sleep; they don’t always spend a lot of waking hours there. But this does not mean that bedroom design can be overlooked.

Our surroundings have a massive influence on our moods and emotions, and in the bedroom this means the décor can impact on how well we sleep. Too much clutter and electronic gadgets blinking away all night do not make for a restful snooze.

So take steps to create a cosy bedroom and you’ll find you want to spend more time there, not only to sleep but also to get some well-deserved relaxing space. Read on for the Time4Sleep top tips on turning your bedroom into a stress-free haven.

Colours and textures

Too many dark colours can be overpowering and make a room seem gloomy, but used in the right way they can also hint at decadence. Use sumptuous deep pinks, purples and reds sparingly in soft furnishings and pictures to add a taste of romanticism. If the room is small, stick with lighter colours. These do not have to be wishy-washy but can invoke feelings of space and airiness.

Textures are key to cosiness. Fabrics such as silk, velvet and suede in your bed linen will positively lull you into bed and to sleep.

The bed

The key to a good night’s sleep may be a 10pm bedtime, pyjamas and a cup of tea, according to one survey, but the bed also has a major role. Your chosen bed should look inviting as much as it offers the right level of support.

Sleigh beds, for example those from Time4Sleep, are the ultimate in cosy style and luxury and can work well in all styles of bedroom, from traditional romantic to minimalist modern.

Get crafty

Nothing says cosy like homemade pieces in your bedroom. Even if you think you’re not a crafty person there are many tutorials and templates on the web for even the simplest creations. Try your hand at painting a picture frame or making a cushion cover if you don’t have a lot of creative juice. Those with sewing skills could branch out into new curtains or even a quilt.

Strike a balance

Too much clutter in your bedroom and it won’t be a relaxing place that aids sleep. But not enough of the things you love and it won’t feel special. Try to find the balance between displaying treasured possessions and maintaining a sense of space.

***This is a guest post from Time4Sleep***

Tags: guest post
Posted in Bedroom | No Comments »

What makes a cosy home? Tips from interior designers

April 23rd

What makes a home cosy? Sara Walker caught up with three top interior designers to discover their key ingredients for a cosy home.

Clare Turner of Tatty Gem

Bedroom soft furnishings by Tatty Gem

Clare Turner runs Tatty Gem, a specialist soft furnishings company based in the stunning surroundings of Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria. She covers the southern Lake District and north Lancashire, offering a high quality, bespoke soft furnishings and design service.

With almost 10 years of experience in the business, Clare prides herself on offering a very high quality service, working directly with customers on residential and commercial projects. Curtains, Roman blinds, cushions, bed throws, valances, box seat cushions and pelmets are all made by hand and finished with hand sewing for a top quality feel. She also offers a design service, taking into account customers’ specific requirements, and offering advice on what will suit the customer, their lifestyle and the space available.

Clare’s tips for a cosy home:

“The main thing that makes your home cosy is enjoying the space and feeling comfortable in it. You should be using colours and textures that suit you and your home – if you really love a space you’ll relax and enjoy it. If you like the vintage look, then your style could be lots of handmade cushions and interlined curtains for a softer feel.

If your home’s got more of a minimalist edge, try using curtains with very simple but chic headings and mood lighting to create a relaxed and cosy atmosphere that’s in line with a clean, modern design.”

Janet Cathro of Jaro Design

Dining room styled by Jaro Design

Janet Cathro, an interior designer with 20 years’ experience, runs Jaro Design and sister company Cushion Box in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. Her design company offers a full range of services, and she’ll only use products that are handmade in the UK to a high standard, including lamps, lighting, wallpaper, flooring, tailor-made soft furnishings, ‘amazing’ designer cushions and throws.

Janet specialises in finding the right design solution for any problem, and recalls a time when she was designing the show flat of a luxury block, and had to have all the furniture hauled up the outside on the building via the scaffolding, as the curved interior staircases had been built for aesthetics rather than practicality.

Janet’s tips for a cosy home:

“Cushions and throws are key to changing the mood of any room. Cashmere and merino wool throws give you that warm fuzzy feeling, while adding a touch of bling can bring its own glamour and sophistication while allowing you to put your personal mark on the interior.”

Jeanette Mercer of Fresh Traditions

Jeanette Mercer is a design consultant at Fresh Traditions, an interior design service in Horsham, West Sussex, and is also an approved consultant on the House Doctor Network.

Her company specialises in affordable interior design, eco-friendly interior design, home staging (for sale or rental), and services for landlords and property developers.

Jeanette’s tips for a cosy home:

“I believe that interior design should fit your lifestyle, not the other way round – kids, pets, muddy shoes, red wine and chocolate are all normal parts of life. Also, things should last – it’s kinder to the environment and to our pockets.

A cosy home is one which fits the personality and the lifestyle of the inhabitants – both humans and pets! It’s not about meeting some pre-conceived notion of ‘style’ or how much you spend. When all the occupants have space to store their stuff, be busy, play, feel safe and relax, it will be a cosy home.”

By Sara Walker

Tags: cosy home tips, interior design tips
Posted in Cosy Houses | 1 Comment »

Spring floral scented home candles from Monsoon

April 17th

Uplift and refresh your home with the scent of Spring, with these colourful and decorative floral scented candles from Monsoon.

For a green and fresh scent, and beautifully decorated candle, opt for the Butterfly planter candle, £9

Mixing warm spicy notes, on a base of floral jasmine and rose, try the Juliette print boxed tumbler, £12

The gorgeous scents of jasmine and wisteria will be released when you burn the Floral garden seed candle tin, £9 – it even comes with a packet of seeds, so you can grow your own floral blooms!

Evoke the sweet aroma of pink hydrangea, rose and jasmine, with the pretty Oriental flower planter candle, £9

Posted in Home accessories | No Comments »

Essential Upgrades for a Traditional Bathroom

April 16th

A bathroom can be far more than just a functional space in your home – it can be the main space where you relax and de-stress. As such, it’s worth considering a face-lift design for your bathroom that affects both its appearance and its feel.

A Victoria Plumb traditional bathroom suite is a good choice for those trying to break the mould. With the massive amount of styles and fittings available, making a bold bathroom statement is increasingly simple.

Traditional Bathroom Designs

Planning a bathroom that blends traditional elements with today’s modern style doesn’t mean that you must have minimalist clean lines and ultra-modern fittings. In fact, traditional designs convey a timeless elegance that works well in both modern, old and classic homes.

If you like modern materials, but prefer ornate and intricately decorated items with a wood finish for a traditional appeal, you can mix and match from a whole spectrum of products available at Victoria Plumb to build a ‘transitional’ style that is completely unique and unquestionably bold.

How to make a traditional bathroom statement

Unexpected use of colour can be particularly striking in a bathroom where white is often the central colour.

Bold block colours or monochrome black and white can be very effective. But sometimes you don’t even have to redecorate to feel the impact of colour in your bathroom, as you can gain elements of colour from bathroom fittings and accessories.

Your choice of bath, showerhead and taps for both basins and baths can add the timeless look to a traditional suite and is the perfect way to make a traditional statement.

For example, look to traditional taps, like the Antonio with elegant white handles (from £39). A lovely traditional rain can shower head costs less than £70 or a traditional slider rail kit is available for £59 – combine these with wood finishes, and you can create the perfect traditional bathroom look with just the right amount of modernity.

Your choice of bath can have the biggest impact on the room, so think carefully about the look you want to achieve. For a truly authentic traditional bathroom, a slipper roll top bath around £300 is the classic centrepiece and a brilliant bold statement.

If money and budget are an issue for your bathroom makeover plans, why not make small changes gradually, perhaps adding new flooring, tiling, lighting or additional bathroom furniture over time.

Whatever your needs, Victoria Plumb offers luxury bathroom items at affordable prices and you’re sure to find the product range extensive enough to cover every style choice or preference.

***This is a guest post from Victoria Plumb***

Tags: guest post
Posted in Bathroom | No Comments »

Top 10 garden accessories for Spring

April 11th

In spite of having the coldest Easter on record, we believe in the power of positive thinking, and we’re sure there’s warmer weather just round the corner. Now the clocks have gone forward, we’re starting to think about getting the garden into shape for some outdoor living, and we’re coveting some of these gorgeous accessories.

1. The Cotton Bunting Company: English Country Bunting

Hang up this beautiful, traditional cotton bunting, don a wide-brimmed hat and pretend you’re at a village fête; coconut shies and cream teas optional. Fully machine washable, the bunting’s available from The Cotton Bunting Company and starts at £12 for 5 metres.

2. London Garden Trading: Dragonfly copper garden stake

Almost as pretty as the real thing, this copper dragonfly, mounted on a 1m stake, will add colour and movement to your garden borders as it catches the light. Plant two or three by a garden pond or water feature for extra sparkle. Available from London Garden Trading, priced at £14.95.

3. Plant Theatre: Bee hotel

The cold weather has meant a hard start to the year for bees, so make their lives a little easier by installing this cutely-named bee hotel. Designed to mimic the ideal nesting conditions for solitary bees such as Red Mason bees, the ‘hotel’ is an attractive way of encouraging bees into your garden to help pollinate plants. Available from Plant Theatre, was £24.99 now reduced to £18.95, and comes with a packet of bee-friendly flower seeds.

4. Jo Heckett: Ceramic herb and vegetable labels

We love these handmade ceramic plant markers from Jo Heckett Ceramics. Available in a range of colours and plant names, they make us feel like planting a vegetable garden- or at least a windowsill herb box. Priced at £15 for three.

5. Simply Roses: Vintage bird cage

This birdcage makes us think of Victorian gardens, complete with fat, blowsy roses and tea in the conservatory. For a more contemporary twist, fill the cage with lavender and rosemary in square metal pots, or strings of fairy lights. £35 from Simply Roses.

6. Maggi Wood Art Signs: French wooden sign

We’re standing in the grounds of our French chateau, watching the sun set over the vineyard…well, we can all dream! This lovely shabby chic Live Love Laugh wooden sign will add a touch of Gallic charm to any garden. £35 by Maggi Wood Art Signs, available from Not on the High Street.

7. Lincolnshire Dovecotes: Hanging Bird Table

This beautiful bird feeding table is handmade in Lincolnshire. It’s large and sturdy enough to take a range of different food, and the hanging construction means birds are less at risk from predators. Handpainted in cream, white or green, it’s an attractive and practical addition to any garden. Available from Lincolnshire Dovecotes, priced at £90.

8. St Eval Candle Company: Lemon and thyme scented Tuscan candle

The British weather may be unpredictable, but you can conjure up the scent of the Mediterranean in your garden any time you like with this lovely hand-poured candle, perfumed with lemon and thyme. Just light the candle, close your eyes, sit back and pretend you’re in Tuscany (you might need to put a coat on as well). £9.80 from the St Eval Candle Company.

9. Garden Trading: Ceramic birdhouse

We’re all for quirky, and this slightly space-age birdhouse is a cut above the average avian des-res. Durable, attractive and costing only £8, it’s a perfect addition to a contemporary urban garden. Available from Garden Trading.

10. The Orchard: Kew Long Tom pot

We only need to hear the name ‘Kew’, and this lovely pot, with its classic fluted shape and crackle glazing, transports us to a stunning botanical landscape; if your garden is a slightly more modest size, it would also look stunning planted with thyme or rosemary and sitting on a patio. £26 from The Orchard.

By Sara Walker

Posted in Garden | No Comments »

Top Five Gadgets That Add the Finishing Touches to Your Interior Design

April 9th

Home gadgets can be fun, functional or stylish. If you’re lucky they might be all three, adding an unusual but useful flourish that complements and adds the finishing touches to your interior design.

To get your home up to speed with the latest gadgets, here are our top five.

1. Digital photo frame

These days, we take the majority of our photos on digital devices, whether those are cameras, phones or even hand-held games consoles. It’s always possible to make your own prints from a digital file, or to have it done professionally, but digital photo frames allow you to display your favourite pictures straight from a USB connection or memory card. You can choose to display a single photo or, on some devices, display various photos at different speeds – a great alternative to paying for multiple prints.

2. Coffee maker

You don’t have to be a barista or head for your local coffee shop to get an authentic cappuccino or espresso these days. There are a wide range of coffee machines available, all sleek and stylish and most of these would complement any designer kitchen. It’s a long way from the 60s teasmade (although they are enjoying a mini retro-chic comeback at present).

3. Plasma TV

LCD TVs have started to close the gap recently, but a good quality plasma tv is still generally held to offer the sharpest resolutions and less motion blur, making them ideal for watching sports or any other high speed, high action viewing. They’re also incredibly thin and the technology used allows for a much larger screen size than an LCD TV, with less appreciable loss of quality.

4. Robot vacuum cleaner

It might sound like something out of science fiction, but robot vacuum cleaners are now available from a range of sources. Equipped with sensors, they scan the room and automatically move themselves round, avoiding obstacles in their way and cleaning as it goes. Unlike a conventional vacuum cleaner, which tends to be hidden away when guests arrive, the robo-vac can be left out, or even left in action, providing a great talking point when entertaining guests.

5. Electric diffuser

If you’re a fan of scents but not keen on the idea of leaving aromatherapy candles burning, electric diffusers can safely and automatically release pleasant fragrances. Variations are also available, including a gently lit version which fulfils the basic function of the aromatic candle, providing a great option for those looking for a gadget which is delicate, attractive and practical.

***This is a guest post***

Posted in Gadgets and technology | No Comments »

Shopping sponsors

Pages

Categories

Archives

1. Green berry tree wallpaper

2. Dainty green wallpaper

3. Geometric green trellis design wallpaper

4. Rhododendron green flower wallpaper

5. Green leaf design wallpaper

6. Ribbon swirl design wallpaper

7. Fresh green stripe wallpaper

8. Green stylised flower design wallpaper

9. Green tree design wallpaper

10. Amy Butler green wallpaper

1. Ulster Weavers: Ducks tea cosy

2. Pots ‘n’ Pictures: ceramic bird bowl

3. The Contemporary Home: Eclectic cutlery set

4. Hanne Rysgaard: Cow face milk jug

5. Julia Davey: Dorset beach hut ceramic butterdish

6. Portmeirion: Crazy daisy two tier cake stand

7. Sibona: Beehive cotton napkins

8. John Lewis: Botanist Teapot

9. Fairmont & Main: Little red dot teacup and saucer

10. Izzy Design: Camellia Parrot Cake Plate

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Colours and textures

The bed

Get crafty

Strike a balance

Clare Turner of Tatty Gem

Janet Cathro of Jaro Design

Jeanette Mercer of Fresh Traditions

Traditional Bathroom Designs

How to make a traditional bathroom statement

1. The Cotton Bunting Company: English Country Bunting

2. London Garden Trading: Dragonfly copper garden stake

3. Plant Theatre: Bee hotel

4. Jo Heckett: Ceramic herb and vegetable labels

5. Simply Roses: Vintage bird cage

6. Maggi Wood Art Signs: French wooden sign

7. Lincolnshire Dovecotes: Hanging Bird Table

8. St Eval Candle Company: Lemon and thyme scented Tuscan candle

9. Garden Trading: Ceramic birdhouse

10. The Orchard: Kew Long Tom pot

1. Digital photo frame

2. Coffee maker

3. Plasma TV

4. Robot vacuum cleaner

5. Electric diffuser