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Archive for the ‘Shabby chic’ Category

New shop discoveries:Freddie Freckle

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

small-pink-cake-stand

We’re always on the lookout for new shops and were pleased to discover Freddie Freckle recently. They sell lots of nice shabby chic and vintage homeware items, but what caught our eye initially was the fact that they sell both new and once loved items.

Their shopping site is easy to use and is split into sections, with the new and once loved items clearly distinguishable. The once loved items are great, as you never know quite what you’ll find, and it’s a nice online alternative to hunting out vintage and collectable items in a secondhand shop.

We’re particular fond of the Afternoon Tea area of the store, where there are all sorts of great tea sets, cake stands, cake plates and more. One of the pretty and affordable items in store now is this small pink glass cake stand (15cm diameter), which is perfect for small cakes or biscuits, and is only £4.95.

Why not go and explore Freddie Freckle yourself?

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Cath Kidston labels and stickers set

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Scrummy labels

Scrummy labels

I’m totally in love with this labels and sticker set from Cath Kidston!

I first found them in a little local shop and purchased a set as a gift for someone, but loved the idea so much that I’ve bought myself a set too (and another one as another present – can you spot a theme?).

The little flapover case opens up to reveal a plethora of stickers and labels – over 200 of them, in fact. Some are in the classic Cath Kidston patterned and floral designs, others are in plain colours, such as red, pink and blue, some have ‘to’ and ‘from’ on them, making them perfect for use on gifts, whilst others are left plain.

I’m planning to use mine as posh freezer labels, as I never seem to have labels to hand when I want to make a note of what I’m freezing, and for using on homemade jams, chutneys and other edibles. I can also see some of the labels as being useful for card making, but there are plenty of other possible uses too.

The labels and stickers set costs £6 if you buy it direct from Cath Kidston (and cost a similar price in my local shop), but savvy buyers should head to Amazon, where it’s available for the fabulous price of only £3.76. Bargain!

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This ‘n That storage box

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Store your treasures in style

Store your treasures in style

For someone who has a lot of bits and pieces, this This’n That box is the perfect way of displaying my treasures.

In a white shabby chic style, the box features lots of compartments to store all your goodies. There are six small cube compartments, two small rectangular compartments, five larger rectangular areas and one full length compartment at the front. The lid is topped with glass, so all your bits and pieces will be protected from dust and damage, and the lid is hinged for easy opening.

I’ve already got a list of ideas of what I’d put in mine – what would you use it for?

The This’n That storage box is available from Graham and Green.

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Camel and Yak decorative shelf

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Pretty decorative shelf

Pretty decorative shelf

This pretty decorative shelf would be the ideal place to display all your treasures and collectables, or to serve as a more practical storage solution in any room of your home.

The two painted shelves are lined with a blue/green damask, which works very well as a background, and it’s quite shabby chic in design.

The decorative shelf is available from Camel and Yak on Not On The High Street.

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Spotty metal Kitchen Craft housekeepers box

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Metal housekeepers box

Metal housekeepers box

I love this metal housekeepers box from Leekes. It’s the perfect storage solution for all my cleaning products and cloths and would make carrying them around the house so much easier.

It may even encourage me to do a bit more cleaning….

The spotty house keepers box has a removable tray on the top and is available from Leekes.

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14 Types of Wall Décor To Use in Your Home

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

octaganol-wall-mirror  

Walls are not just for painting or wallpapering – they can be decorated and enhanced in numerous ways. If you’d like to become more creative with what you put on your walls, then here are 14 different types of wall décor that you can use to pep up your home, add individuality and make it a cosy, welcoming space.

1. Wall Art

 blue-mist-triptych

 

Is your home space lacking something?  Why not try and pull your room together with finesse by using wall art. 

Home decor has gone beyond just having a few pictures hung on the wall.  Savvy decorators are now using interesting sculpture type art, wall art with moving parts and pieces that match other components in the room. In fact, wall art can be like another piece of furniture. 

Ideally, wall art should be interesting, colourful and well made and something that you’ll enjoy. A good piece of art will keep you happy for years to come.

Product idea: Blue mist triptych from John Lewis.

2. Metal Wall Decor

daisy-bunch-bronzed-wall-art

Metal wall decor is not just for neutral coloured rooms.  Newer metal wall decor features bright splashes of colour and makes a statement.

Other types of metal wall decor are made into interesting shapes or panels.  Hammering the surface of the metal or treating the metal with different chemicals gives it texture. 

When used appropriately, metal can make a room look warm and inviting.  Rectangular and square metal wall pieces can be mixed and matched throughout your living space to create a uniform look. Circular shapes grouped together bring a feeling of peace to any room.

Product idea: Daisy bunch bronze wall art from Artisanti.

3. Wall Sconces

candle-wall-sconce

A well placed wall sconce can lighten the layout of your living space.  Federal style and Asian influenced wall sconces will make your home sizzle with style.  You can have your wall sconce wired for electricity or use pillared candles to brighten any wall with warm light.

Product idea: Pair of candle wall sconces from Cox and Cox.

4. Wall Mirrors

octaganol-wall-mirror

Mirror tricks are important to know!  Wall mirrors can brighten dark corners, make a room seem bigger or a hallway seem longer.  Add a wall mirror next to a piece of art or let it hang by itself. 

Wall mirrors can come in a variety of frames.  Beautiful wood grains or even painted wood makes a lovely finish to a mirror.  Mirrors can be framed with ornate metal workings.  Pairing mirrors together, even small wall mirrors creates a reflective mood throughout your room.

Product idea: Octaganol wall mirror from Graham and Green.

5. Wall Clocks

black-gallery-clock

No matter what style your home is, a wall clock will fit in to your decor.  Traditional train station clocks, whimsical noise making clocks or odd shaped wall clocks are a beautiful necessity. 

Most wall clocks run on batteries and will last you forever.  Metal wall clocks are beautiful when they feature unique cut-outs along the frame. 

Product idea: Black gallery wall clock fromDebenhams

6. Wall Fireplaces

Mercury-fireplace 

A wall fireplace is perfect for creating drama in a room.  These fireplaces reflect the flames off the metal and bounce light and warm feelings throughout the room. 

Varying in size but equal in the ‘wow’ factor, wall fireplaces are a great choice for any decorator.

Product idea: Mercury wall fireplace from West Country Fires.

7. Architectural Elements

oak-waxed-floral-panels 

Looking to spark some interest in a drab room?  Add architectural elements to your decor. 

Antique pieces or faux antique pieces are a fabulous choice. Whether you choose medallions, wood panelling or crown molding, they can work together to bring a traditional feel into a room.  Just add one or two of these touches for instant home transformation.

Product idea: Oak waxed floral panels from Antiques, Furniture, Collectables and Interiors.

8. Bookcases

shabby-chic-white-bookcase

Big or small, wall mounted or free-standing, a bookcase is something you just can’t live without.  Bookcases with glass doors or even open faced bookcases are a smart, thoughtful touch to a room.

Wood finishes in a variety of stains bring richness and depth.  Go shabby chic with painted wood bookcases.  Keep your books and knick knacks safe in your bookcase.

Product idea: Shabby chic white painted bookcase with drawers, from Dooleys Furniture.

9. Wall Cabinets

display-cabinet

Tuck your goodies into your cabinets.  A cabinet hanging on a wall or standing alone could be just the space solution you are looking for.

This dual purpose home furnishing can be used as a table as well as storage.  Hanging cabinets give a room a feeling of cosiness.

Product idea: Monterey display cabinet from John Lewis.

10. Tapestries and Cross Stitch Samplers

 keep-calm-carry-on-sampler

Tapestries and cross stitch samplers have made a comeback!  Tapestries from around the globe vary from ornate pieces with hundreds of different coloured threads to simple two toned pieces and memorable statements. 

Tapestries and cross stitch samplers come in a variety of sizes and are a great alternative to a plain hanging picture. If you feel creative, you could even make your own!

Product idea: Keep Calm and Carry On cross stitch sampler from Miso Funky.

11. Picture Vignettes

antiqued-photo-frames

Personalize your home with a grouping of picture vignettes.  Portraits of your family placed in matching or similar frames will make your wall interesting. 

Mix different frame shapes, like round, oval, square and rectangular ones.  Also add a collage of frames that allow you to pull several pictures into one large frame.  Picture vignettes make a room personal and bring your loved ones to a place of honour on your walls.

Product idea: Set of three antiqued photo frames from Cox and Cox.

12. Wall Stickers

lush-swirl-wall-sticker

Wall stickers are a fantastic invention that allows you to put intricate or funky designs on your wall, with minimum effort.

A wide variety of design ideas are available, suitable for all styles and rooms. Be creative and choose a stunning bold design, or add subtle touches here and there.

Best of all, if you change your mind, colour scheme or style of decor, the sticker can be easily removed and you can start again.

Product idea: Lush swirl wall sticker from Aijographics on Not On The High Street.

13. Wall Fountains

flower-wall-fountain

Nothing says tranquillity quite like the sound of tinkling water.  A wall fountain could quickly become your favourite piece of luxury.  Some wall fountains also come with their own light. On an interior wall or an exterior one, it doesn’t matter.  Either way it’s a soothing addition. 

Product idea: Bronze effect flower wall fountain from Crocus.

14. Wreaths, Swags and Garlands

rose-flower-garland 

Bring the feeling of elegance to your home with a wreath, swag or garland.  Bay leaf swags or garlands, magnolia swags and even roses make a lovely way to accent the corner of a picture.  Or simply lay a swag on a shelf or double it up and hang it on your wall. 

Wreaths are the perfect way to greet guests.  Hang one in your entryway or on a front door.  Stay seasonal and use a wreath that celebrates whatever time of year it may be! 

Product idea: Rose flower garland from Anusha on Not On The High Street.

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Child’s caravan toybox at Pinks and Green

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Shabby chic toy box

Shabby chic toy box

Begone, plastic boxes!

Make way for this rather fabby caravan toybox made from raffia and available in turquoise and stitched with pretty fabrics.

It’s far too pretty to be confined to the children’s room and we think it would make a great talking point in the lounge.

 Prices start at £40 and there are other styles available.

Find it at Pinks and Green.

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GreenGate Mimi jug

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Shabby chic goes Danish

Shabby chic goes Danish

Why have plain glass when you can have an explosion of colour on your breakfast table?

Danish brand GreenGate is perfect for shabby chic fans that want their homewares to combine with modern living, so this 1 litre stoneware Mimi jug is dishwasher safe and handpainted.

Snap it up for £24.99 here.

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Cath Kidston Electric Flowers cushion

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Move over polka dots, hello flowers

Move over polka dots, hello flowers

It’s not hard to whip up a long list of wants when browsing Cath Kidston, the queen of shabby chic. We’d love to see this electric flowers cushion on someone’s sofa.

It would make a fab gift and aren’t the delightful pink, blue and yellow colours just pulling you towards spring?

Snap it up for £18 here.

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Blue cake stand spotted at Laura Ashley

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Perfect for afternoon tea

Perfect for afternoon tea

We love the idea of afternoon tea and you can’t possibly have one without a cake stand. Amongst all the pretty pink and cream offerings, we spyed this three tiered blue stand handpainted with dots and stripes which we think will do the trick.

It’s £25 from Laura Ashley where we found it in the 3 for 2 section, so you may as well purchase another gift and then a little something for yourself thrown in for free. Marvellous. Now, what cakes shall we have?

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