Isolation Trends - Ways to Update Your Home Without Breaking The Bank

Hello! How are you? It’s been a while since I wrote anything here. First up I want to say I hope you and your family are as safe and well as can be in these times.

I’ve been thinking of what to write about during Isolation and how anyone can be interested in Interiors. But our homes are our sanctuaries at the moment and more than ever we need them to feel calming, nurturing and safe. And also places we want to be and hang out in.

So I have teamed up with a few fellow Insta pals to show you ways you can update your living spaces without breaking the bank and adding to the “non essential” shopping list. Hopefully this will inspire you to get creative - some are really easy, some require a bit of DIY and others might just leave you admiring them from the comfort of your sofa.

Hope you enjoy!

1. Rejigging Shelves

I probably sound like a broken record but one of the easiest things you can do to give a room a “fresh” feel is by rejigging your shelves, wall art, furniture arrangement. Anyone else used to constantly switch their bedrooms up as a child? I think that’s the sign of an Interior Stylist right there! Seriously though,rejigging a shelving unit can instantly change things up.

Start by stripping back all the objects and giving it a good clean. Then slowly start adding the items back on, change up the positioning and maybe try adding some new bits from elsewhere in the house. Take some things away or just simply mix up the order of the shelves. It will all help to trick the eye and the brain into believing it’s brand new and fresh.

I’ve included examples of my shelving units over the year and how certain things have stayed put, some bits were added in and others were just mixed up.

2. Create Your Own Artwork

Take inspiration from Jessica at The Middle Terrace who has rediscovered her love of painting art. She used leftover paint from the hallway revamp to create a gorgeous “red thread” linking the hallway to the dining room. Mixed in with other “shop bought” prints and photos, you could create something truly unique to your home. I’m definitely going to give it a go as soon as I can get my hands on some paper.

3. Support Your Local Artists or Frame Cards

There are some many local artists on Instagram and Etsy, selling handmade prints for really reasonable prices and some will even design bespoke ones for you. Another fab idea which I’ve written about before is framing cards. I love doing this - see the “Merci Beaucoup” card I bought especially to frame. I recently had a birthday and got many “topical” cards that I’m definitely going to frame to remind me of these times. I wrote a blog a few years ago with other cheap and easy ways to personalise your gallery walls which you can read about here.

Framing cards is the best way to update your gallery walls cheaply!

4. Paint Your Kitchen Cupboards

I recently had a kitchen revamp but I used a professional, partly because I’m lazy and partly because I’m no expert, but the lovely Kate from @copper.and.me has just completed it herself and it looks AMAZING! She used Lick Paints which are the newest paint company in town. Kate was particularly impressed with the handle and screw lid and the fact that it is self priming! It meant she only used 1/2 of a tin to cover the whole kitchen! It’s the perfect, cost effective way to switch up your kitchen! Head over to her feed to see more of how she did it here.

5. Plant, Plant, Plant

Looking after my plants is providing the perfect distraction when I get a bit anxious. I am definitely not green fingered so if I can keep them alive then so can you. Sunflower seeds, for example, are so easy to grow and can be kept on a sunny window even in the smallest of flats. Mine is currently thriving, having grown 10cm in 2 weeks. I was also gifted this cute little basil seedling by my Father-in-law for my birthday and I’m making it my mission to keep it going into a fully fledged plant. If you have more than enough then why not gift some to neighbours or those self isolating? I promise you it will cheer someone up.

6. DIY In Your Garden

Create a haven in your garden

It’s typical that as soon as lockdown hits we get the best weather of the year so far, but I have to admit it is making it much easier for me. I am enjoying working on my tan with a book in the garden most afternoons.

Alice from Simply The Nest however is the Queen of DIY and lockdown is no exception. She has just recently made her own outdoor seating area from items she already had in the house. Having thought about an L-shaped seating area for around 4 years, lockdown has given her the time to finally see the plans comes to life. Using a couple of old doors that were taking up space in the cellar, screws, paint and joist wood that were also left over from previous projects, she has created a zero-cost furniture item. Alice is fab at showing exactly how she completes DIY so head over to her page to see if anything else floats your boat!

7. Use Leftover Paint

We’ve all probably got tins and tins of leftover paint from old projects sitting in sheds, garages, or in my case - under the stairs. This is such a good time to dig them out and give some furniture pieces a revamp. That old wooden chair? The chest of drawers in the spare room? Or even plant pots. Anything’s fair game as long as you’ve got a paint brush. I painted this ikea step stool a while back and I still love it! Currently eyeing up my fireplace and some ikea shelves in the living room so I will report back!

Using left over paint to paint furniture items.

8. And Finally…If In Doubt…Bake!

Because we’ve not seen enough baking pictures and stories ;) Even the least skilled baker can make banana bread - trust me I’ve tried. And because of the flour shortage I uploaded my expertly made chocolate nest cakes that a five year old could probably do a better job of. But they filled my heart with joy and reminded me of my childhood so give it a go - you won’t regret eating them I promise!

Baking in isolation - Easter Nest Cakes

So there we have it! 8 ways to update your home in Isolation. Hopefully that has inspired you to get the paint brush, the drill or the duster out. Failing that, I hope it’s passed ten mins of boredom! I would love to see some of the bits you create so tag me in them! And also go check out all my lovely Insta pals, big thank you to them for allowing me to use their pictures!

Stay safe!

Colours Of The Year 2020 & How To Use Them

With Christmas dominating interiors at the moment, it’s hard to imagine what’s coming after that but soon the interior world will be full of new season trends for 2020. This can be overwhelming and by no means should you follow “trends” if you’re not actually that keen on them. But if you are thinking of refreshing your home in the new year, here are my top picks…

Pantone - Classic Blue

Pantone Colour of the Year 2020

First up is the big one which was just announced this week - Pantone’s Classic Blue. I was so relieved when I found out as I have been telling clients it will be a blue for a while! Classic Blue, Purist Blue, New Blue has been popping up a lot in my trend research over the last few months. It is seen as a "solid and dependable" hue bringing calm into our lives. We are entering a new decade and feelings of instability feel at an all time high across all areas - politics, environment, technology. Returning to a classic colour is a definite reaction against this and I feel like it’s a running theme across many colours for 2020.

Image Via Dezeen

Ways To Use It

Blue kitchen cabinets are a really popular choice at the moment and exciting things are happening for my own kitchen in January so stay tuned! The blue works well for both contemporary slab doors and traditional shakers and can be paired with a variety of worktops and tiles to give a truly unique feel every time.

Virtuoso kitchen by Mowlem & Co

If you want to add small amounts, you could try adding it to your next sofa, or a feature wallpaper and even smaller would be bedding like I have done in my own bedroom. Textiles are a fabulous way of introducing colour in small amounts without breaking the bank.

Jo Cowen Architects

Bauhaus Wallpaper

John Lewis - Loch Blue Bedding

Dulux - Tranquil Dawn

Image via Dulux

Following on the same theme of calmness, Dulux have chosen a lovely minty green as their Colour of The Year. The colour is inspired by the morning sky and reflects our desire for calm. Dulux also say it has the “Human Touch” which I feel is a reaction against the never ending technologies which are becoming more and more dominant in our lives.

Image Via Behance

Ways To Use It

Tranquil Dawn feels perfect for a Spring living room refresh which can sit really well with your already existing grey sofa and warm wood cabinetry. Paired with a soft pale pink and the space immediately becomes a lovely little haven.

Image Via Dulux

It also looks really good in a bedroom which layers of teals and greens. The bathroom is another good place as minty tiles can help even the smallest room feel fresh and new as seen in my dinky bathroom! On a smaller scale, ceramics are a good easy introduction to Tranquil Dawn and it will fit in with your existing collections.

Image by Dulux

My Bathroom

Jotun - Serene Blue

Graham & Brown - Adeline

For the bolder of us, Graham & Brown’s Adeline is a deep rich bottle green hue which can be used all over or as a statement colour pop, and it works amazingly either way. Again taking inspiration from nature this feels like a regal green which evokes feelings of history and balance in these uncertain times.

Image Via Graham & Brown

Ways To Use It

I love all over colour rooms where everything is one colour - the walls, the woodwork, the window frames. It gives a sense of unity in a room and even the brightest of colours will become the neutral when done like this. Of course this lovely forest green wouldn’t be complete with lots of plants and greenery to create an overall sanctuary.

Images via Graham & Brown

This green looks really good when mixed with blues and natural materials too. Of course I would highly recommended a lovely velvet accent chair to act as a colour pop. Mine is from made.com and although it’s a couple of years old now, it still looks fresh in our space. I have talked before how rattan and cane-weave will continue to dominate interiors for the next few year and this green is the perfect backdrop for it. Look how amazing it also looks which the bold red chair too - it’s such a versatile green.

Jotun - Free Spirit

My Made.com Green Chair

Images Via Haymes

So those are my top picks from the Colours Of The Year 2020. Which one is your favourite?

Ways To Use Tiles In Your Home

Paid Partnership With Tile Giant

I am delighted to be back working with Tile Giant creating some new mood boards for Autumn/Winter 2019 and Spring/Summer 2020. Ever dreamed of having a polished concrete in your extension or hardwood floors in the hallway but found the price way out of budget? Well concrete and wood effect tiles are the perfect alternative as they are incredibly hard wearing and can be a cost effect way to incorporate these natural materials into your home.

1. Concrete Effect

Commix Grey 600x600

First up is a refreshing bathroom scheme epitomising everything I have seen over the last year at all the big design shows. Be braver and bolder with your bathroom decor and one way to do this is incorporating colour. These Commix Grey Tile have a concrete effect to them, acting as the perfect neutral backdrop to the pops of colour. As I have previously mentioned sunset colours have been huge in 2019 and look set to continue in 2020. From sunshine yellows to sun down rusts, when paired with matt black accessories, the yellow becomes sophisticated and less garish. I’m also loving pairing the yellows and greys with powder blues and pinks as seen in the CP Hart Showroom in Manchester.

C.P. Hart Showroom, taken by myself. Terzo Piano. Domus Group.

2. Wood Effect

Eterna Arche 105x600

Next up it’s time to hunker down and embrace all things Nordic. Tile Giant’s Eterna Arche is a gorgeous cream glazed tile which is matt finish, making it a great choice for creating a wood effect style. To create a Hygge environment with these tiles, you should pair them with lots of layers and textures. Reindeer rugs, faux fur throws and candles create a really cosy environment for the winter months. Add some brass and fairy lights and you have the perfect space. Don’t forget the white walls, logs and black accessories for the mood too!

Outdoor house & garden. Adventures in Cooking. Shot styled by Pella Hedeby and photographed by Kristofer Johnsson.

3. And Just Because…

Last but not least I picked this Milan Rose tile because I still see pink being big next year. Pink becomes the perfect neutral when teamed with dark blue kitchen cabinets and copper accessories. Warm woods and terracotta tones come alive in the kitchen and the Milan Rose can act as the best kind of back splash. The tile can be laid in a traditional metro pattern, vertically or herringbone and give a different effect each time.

Cote Maison. Floors of Stone.

So for all your tiling needs, have a look at Tile Giant and see if there’s a tile for you! Happy Renovating!