The kitchen

The kitchen by bridget-s on Polyvore

So there were plenty of stored Kitchen pictures to choose from. Clearly I like open shelves, light colours, white subway tiles and natural wood but I also love the personality that comes from little colourful details - like the vintage sign, the patterned tray and the fresh herbs. I like that these kitchens all felt clean and airy without being sterile. I spend a lot of time in our kitchen so I want it to be a place I enjoy and all of the pictures I had pinned all seemed home-y without being twee.

B

Bathroom

Bathroom

We've lived in our flat for the past 3 - nearly 4 years - and we're itching to buy our own place. We've been lucky in that our landlord has been supportive of us redecorating our flat but it's still not quite the same. For me, this means I'm spending hours pouring over properties {that we aren't in a position to buy yet}. Slightly less tortuous, and probably more productive, is the time spent on pinterest working out what I would and wouldn't like in our home. I thought I'd share some of the clear ideas that have come through for different rooms.

With bathrooms, it's all about the roll top bath {I would kill for a proper working bath right now!}. Greys and whites give a calm, spa-like feel, whilst pops of colour from the green would still make a big impact. Wire baskets for storage and some feminine touches in the vintage mirror and the gold accents would finish it off perfectly. Hopefully the wire accents and the masculine colours from the floor and walls would stop it from being overly feminine!

What do you think?

x

Home vs house.

{pinterest}

We live in a rented, furnished flat, like many people. This situation is unlikely to change in the forseeable future with property prices being as they are, and deposits being as their current, huge amounts {though that doesn't stop me from aiming to own my own property before I'm thirty}. The flat in which I live is very much my home - I share it with someone I love dearly and we are gradually filling it with things that have particular meaning to us. However, for all I feel like it is my home, it is most certainly not my house.

Now I am unable to be buying furniture to replace the pieces that are currently here - I can neither afford to do so financially {a sofa is a big commitment at 23!} and the logistics of storing furniture and moving it in and out seems over the top. This niggles me when I'm scoping gorgeous design blogs, but for the most part I can move past it - filling our home with personal momentos is having enough of an effect in terms of personalising the place. However, with regards to my interior design tastes, our landlord and myself have somewhat conflicting views. Namely, I like my walls to be a mix of chic muted colours that act as a backdrop to accent colours, whereas he very much enjoys a bold punch of colour {it's like living in a Skittles bag}. Any changes to this interior decoration would be purely cosmetic because lets be honest, it's not as if the walls are falling down around me or like I don't have a roof over my head {so I'm aware it's a pretty privileged problem to begin with}. So my options lie in either asking the landlord to paint the walls {which I have, though I'm not holding my breath} or doing it myself which requires both a financial commitment as well as a commitment of my time.

I've already spent a large chunk of my Saturday painting the wood work in the house because I'd finally decided to do something about the chipped paint and whilst not an unpleasant task, it did require both a financial {albeit minimal} and personal commitment and thus made me consider the implications of redecorating a property that is my home but not my house {landlord permitting of course}. 

Do you invest your time and money into your home solely because it will be your home for the forseeable future, or do you just make do with its current decoration because you would be wasting money improving someone else's house? Granted, I'm speaking from a position of limited disposable income right now, so maybe that would alter my perception but it has definitely divided opinions in our home. I personally, would love to decorate our home, but I'm more and more being able to comprehend my boyfriends argument against fixing up someone else's house. I'm intrigued to know your opinions on this too, please share: I'd love to hear from you!

Love B x

Frankincense & Myrrh Candle

I am absolutely obsessed with this candle from Marks & Spencer. I bought it embarrassingly early {for a Christmas candle} but just couldn't help myself, so you'll have to excuse the fact it has clearly been burnt! It smells gorgeous - really Christmassy - and for £6 it's great value for money. They're on 3 for 2 at the moment too. They do seem to sell out quite quickly though so I'd recommend moving fast - I'll be stocking up as soon as pay day rolls around. I'm not as keen on this year's design {I kept mine from last year as glasses} but they do a hammered gold version that looks even prettier, and would be perfect for storing bits and pieces or as a small vase, as you've burned out the last of the candle.

I'm intrigued by this Christmas Spice candle too. I'm quite particular about how my candles smell though, so I think I'd need to go check it out in person! If it's anywhere near as lovely as the Frankincense & Myrrh one however....

Candles are such a cheap, effective way of setting the mood in your home. I love coming home when the nights are dark, closing the curtains and lighting a few of the multitude of candles that we have dotted around our home. It really does make things so much cozier! They're even better when you hit upon a good value, lovely smelling one.

Love B x

Jenna Lyons & UK Vogue

How is it the weekend again already?! Not that I am complaining but I truly had all these good intentions and to do lists this week and before I knew it, it had flown by. I'll be spending my weekend working through some of that list, including catching up on this blog!

I may as well start with something beautiful, and Jenna Lyon's Brooklyn home is just that. Shot for UK Vogue by Todd Selby, I'm desperately hoping I'll come across some more photos soon. I would love, love, love my home to look like this. Definitely going in the inspiration folders. That chandelier in particular is to die for!

{photos from UK Vogue via A Lovely Being}

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned!

Love B x

House Numbers

Isn't this a clever idea? I spotted it when I was out walking. I barely noticed it at first. Once you do though, you can't miss it  - a bit like those magic eye 3D puzzles {anyone know the ones I mean?}.  I think it makes a great departure from your average house number. Again, excuse the rubbish BB photo, should've taken my camera with me! I tried to find some more examples online but can't? Maybe I'm not looking in the right places? That or it's pretty original!

Love B x

Dining

I love this space.  It's saved in my inspiration folder though and I can't remember where I came across it - any ideas? Anyway, like I said, love it: the dark wood table with the pale grey sofas and bright cushions makes for a brilliant combination that looks as inviting as it is stylish. The light fitting as well, is to die for. What a gorgeous place to sit and eat breakfast. I love the mishmash of vases too: I find fresh flowers always lift a space.

And don't get me started on the dog. In my head a pet always takes things from house to home.

Love B x

Zara Home

As a follow up to the H&M home post a did a few days ago, I quickly expanded my search to Zara Home. I am a huge Zara fan. It's style, quick turn around of trends and accessories range all mean I could quite happily kit myself out mainly in their clothes {throw in some Whistles and Reiss and I'd be seriously happy}.  Anyway, their home range is no exception when it comes to making me lust after it.  I wish wish wish we had a homeware store near us.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but off the top of my head any I've seen tend to be abroad in Europe {perhaps further afield?}.  Anyway, this is when I am grateful for the invention of internet shopping {my credit card, not so much}. I love that their signature simple, elegant, yet stylish look is carried over equally well into their home line.  Again, here's a round up of just a few of my favourites:

I love these little place name holders:

Chic salt & pepper dish:

Canapes anyone? {Don't really have much of a use for a canape dish but thought it was too lovely to leave out!}:

Perfect tray for holding all your knick knacks.  Maybe by the front door {a new key bowl?} or on your dressing table for removing all your jewellery at night:

Love this ikat print frame:

More chevron anyone?

This rug would be perfect in our hallway. It's entirely turquoise {I know} and devoid of natural light so I'm trying to lighten it up with my accessory choices:

Perfect to hang hand towels in a bathroom:

If you're like me, you're constantly chilly. It gets on my nerves having blankets thrown over armchairs all the time so I thought this would be perfect to roll them up in:

As soon as we have both the need and the space, I am desperate to do this DIY that did the rounds a while back. Wouldn't this make a chic addition {though not quite the price I was looking for!}:

They have a brilliant sale on as well at the mo, so it's definitely worth checking out!  I think it has just that right mix of chic, subtle colour palettes with interesting patterns and design details that make for lovely little additions to your home.

What do you think?

Love B x

To clarify, this post was even more image heavy to begin with. I've cut it right back, meaning I didn't include my other 9 million favourites that I could easily have added. The site is definitely worth a browse.

H&M Home

I love H&M.  Despite the fact that you often have to trawl through rail upon rail of {often random} clothes,  it often comes up with some absolute gems as well as being a reliable source of basics.  What I have found slightly infuriating was watching the prices creep up, but I suppose that is true of almost all high street retailers.  Regardless, I was mega impressed with the price point of their home ware range. There were plenty of lovely pieces, all at reasonable prices.  Fabulous for the little touches - cushions, place mats, towels - that you add to your home but might want to swap out.  From my point of view, we live in rented, furnished accommodation in a property with a lot of character {no sleek modern interiors here} so anything I buy for this home, I want to be able to pack up and take with us when we leave.  Here are a few of my favourites:

What do you think? Does anyone know what the quality is like {or should I just assume hit & miss?}. My personal favourite are the black and white chevron cushion covers and the graphic cutlery tea towel. Looking at the images collectively I do seem to have gone a bit chevron crazy, oops! I'm a big fan on the simple, graphic black and white. All of the above are available here for between £2.99 and £15.99. Hopefully they'll be winging their way to me shortly...

Love B x

Serene

{via}

How peaceful does this home work space look? So light and calming.  What a brilliant place to work from home {and an even better space to stop and reflect in}.  I love the light, airy feel the room has and the simplicity of it all.

Love B x