New Year = New Looks in Children's Bedrooms

We all know that children grow fast, that's a fact of life – however, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that they'll also grow-out of the style of their bedroom as that's a natural part of growing up. It can come hard to some parents who have their hearts set on, for example, a princess styled bedroom for their little girl when their daughter actually wants the complete opposite!

Bright colours and children go hand-in-hand, therefore it makes sense to choose bright colours when decorating. Most children, toddlers and 'tweens also like themes – whether this is their current favourite TV character or a theme which shows an interest in their preferred play theme, for instance pirates, boats, ponies etc.

All of these themes can turn a bedroom into a great place to play as well as sleep. Finding childrens curtains with an exact match for your theme can be difficult, as such it's easy to make your own curtains by finding children's curtain fabrics online. Don't forget to use a blackout lining to help keep light out of the room day and night to help your child sleep soundly. A thermal blackout lining will also help to keep the room warm during the winter months.

Image: CosyHomeBlog

New Year = New Looks in the Living Room

If you have polished wooden flooring or tiles you will have probably noticed that during the winter your feet can get very chilly! Stating the obvious, but the easiest way to add comfort and warmth is to add large rugs in front of your seating area. You may even find that during windy weather the draught finds its way into your living room through the gaps in the floorboards.

Rugs can also be used to add a new colour to your living room or help ground your existing colour scheme. Available in a huge range of sizes, colours and designs rugs have found their way into our homes and few of us would never be without them.

Another chap way to bring a new look to your living room is to change your cushions – either make your own or look for the latest styles with wonderful tactile fabrics – during the winter go for those that give you a warm feeling such as velvet, crushed velvet or faux furs – may of us can't help but stroke these beautiful fabrics, so they also make an effective way to de-stress and relax without even realising it – in much the same way as stroking a pet makes you feel relaxed and peaceful.

Image: Small Place Style

New Year = New Looks in the Kitchen

I have to admit when it comes to kitchen designs I try and keep my feet firmly on the ground and be realistic in what's achievable, functional and practical. Kitchens come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and while may interior design magazines show plenty of inspiration the kitchens seem to be huge and nothing like many people's kitchens.

However, I'm an optimist and even the smallest kitchens can look stunning with a splash of colour and careful positioning of cupboards and white goods. If there's one thing I love about France and French homes it's their kitchens. They're focused around preparing good food and in the countryside you rarely find a fitted kitchen – their kitchens comprise of odd mismatches of free standing cupboards and plenty of surface space on which to work – the kitchen table plays a huge role in French lifestyles – they use it to prepare food and of course have family meals.

Window dressings are simple yet stylish with kitchens blinds being a firm favourite. Either roller blinds or Roman blinds are common place as in the countryside there's rarely a privacy issue – I assume if there was Venetian blinds, especially wooden ones, wouldn't look out of place.

The other aspect I love about French kitchens is flowers! They always have vases of fresh seasonal flowers as their kitchen table decoration – parfaite!


Image: Note to Self

New Year = New Looks in the Bedroom

If you're bedroom is a little lacking in style and oomph then now is a good time to think about altering it! With the 'bedding sales' in full swing you'll be able transform your bedroom for less, to leave you sleeping peacefully along with an up-dated bedroom to boot.

Usually we decide on colour schemes and then think about the soft furnishings – often finding that our 'fab' new colour is difficult to find coordinating bedding for. You could always reverse this and go against the grain so to speak. Why not choose duvet sets and bedspreads uk first and then build your colour scheme around them?

If you opt for a patterned duvet cover you'll be able to select your wall colours from those included within the pattern – I'd suggest going for duvet sets which have a pale background so that your bedroom doesn't become too dark. Go neutral and it will give you more accent colour choices, which can also be picked from those within the pattern.

If patterns aren't your cup-of-tea then plain reversible duvet sets will give you the freedom to flip them over – in theory giving you two bedroom looks for the price of one.

This may not be the conventional way to go about choosing a colour scheme but it can save a lot of time and hassle, as well as being an effective way to get coordinating colours for those who 'lack' the ability to find colours which blend and coordinate with each other – and without sounding contrite there are many people who don't have any design flair!

Image: Rooms of Inspiration

What is a Bed-in-a-bag?

I've been asked to explain what a bed-in-a-bag is – before you start imagining inflatable beds – it's not an actual bed but all the bits and pieces you need to dress (make) a bed all conveniently put together in a stylish bag to help you keep your linen cupboard (if you have one) or linen storage place neat and tidy; enabling you to grab your bed-in-a-bag when you change your bedding.

The concept is a great idea as it saves you time having to rummage around trying to find coordinating duvet covers, pillowcases, bed runners and cushion covers – it's all to hand make your life so much simpler and hassle free.

A bed-in-a-bag is also an excellent idea for spare rooms, especially if your spare bedroom is of 'shared' use, for example your home office or hobby room. If you have a bed-in-a-bag all you have to do is pull-out your sofa bed, add the bed in a bag bedding and hey presto! - an instant bed complete with all the matching accessories you need to make your guests feel welcome and not intruding on your precious hobby or computer room.

With some fabulous colours and designs there's a bed-in-a-bag to suit all styles of homes to a Tee.

Image: Trendy Designs

Up-Cycling Interior Design Trends: Patchwork 2

After carrying out some light research for my last post I've come across some amazing patchwork used to re-upholster sofas and chairs. There's something for all tastes including old denim jeans to upholster a chair for a teen's room.

Sofas are seem to be high on the patchwork 'list' and you must agree that reupholstering a sofa of chair offers a stunning end result. If you want to try your hand at patchwork I'd suggest you start small, say with a cushion cover and progress from there. Send off for free fabric samples to get you used to coordinating colours before you set to work cutting up your old curtains or clothes!

Once the 'bug' has bitten you can move up to more complex designs or more challenging projects. There's plenty of help via the internet and many forums and groups you could join if you want to share your idea or simply need inspiration and guidance.

Still don't like the idea of sewing or simply haven't got the time? - no problem as you could always purchase faux patchwork duvet covers to get the look and without close examination friends and family probably won't notice!

Image: ablindpash.blogspot

Up-Cycling Interior Design Trends: Patchwork

Patchwork has quite literally been around for centuries and made from China to America as a way to create warm bedding, especially quilts from pieces of pre-used fabric. The revival of hand-made soft furnishings has seen an increase in patchwork, particularly for cushions and bedding, however, in today's modern world you can get the look without having to spend time sewing as duvet sets with pre-printed patchwork designs are readily available.

In some ways you'll think this is cheating – and I have to agree to a certain extent, particularly if you're looking for ways to up-cycle and re-cycle unwanted fabrics and materials. You can make patchwork from just about any malleable fabric, from leather (I've seen a stunning patchwork rug made from old leather belts as well as sofas and chairs recovered in patchwork designs) to old curtains and clothing.

The 'art' of patchwork can be complex – the simplest forms being squares which are cut to size and sew together. You can even purchase fabrics which are sold as patchwork bundles where the colour and patterns have been selected to compliment each other – taking the 'guess work' out of finding similar colour shades to create a beautiful quilt. More complex patterns and designs command high prices due to the labour intensity and number of 'man-hours' it takes to make a stunning patchwork quilt or bed throw.

Image: First Sense