Garden Reveal

Anyone else feel like the weather is turning? I thought I better share my garden reveal before everything gets all wintry and I miss the boat! Remember my moodboard from a few months ago? 

Garden Moodboard

Well here is the semi-finished result! 

The semi-finished result!

We bought the furniture from Argos. The quality isn't the highest but then it was far cheaper than any other similar ones on the market so beggars can't be choosers. I think it's fine for what we need it for but if you have kids or heavy handed friends, you might need something more robust.

I moved the rug from the living room into the garden for our garden party because unfortunately I live in Manchester and its rains - A LOT. The constant back and forth with the cushions is already wearing thin so throwing a rug into the mix might not be the smartest purchase. 

I already had some Sainsburys outdoor cushions from last year which I bought in the sale because I knew I'd have a reason to use them one day! Anyone else constantly doing this?! I added some H&M cushions into the mix and voila! In case I haven't said this before - H&M is fab for cheap cushion covers that are always on trend and they are great quality too, especially the conscious range! 

The lights are a hand me down from my Mum when she moved house - I'm still holding out for the festoon lights but I actually really love the playful pops of colour these lights bring! 

Next was a quick trip to Wyevale garden centre to purchase a herb planter and replace the bay tree we killed (sorry Ben's Mum) and that's all it needed to finish it off. I added sunflowers because sunflowers are always a good idea and some outdoor dinnerware for styling purposes. 

We're really pleased with how it looks and I have loved spending the heatwave out here sunbathing. I also love enjoying the light nights, batwatching with Bojangles and dining alfresco.

Alfresco Bojangles 

Another one ticked off the list! Now onto the next project - an interior designer is never finished! 

Cheap & Easy Ways To Create A Personalised Gallery

1. Mix your own photographs with shop bought prints.

Taking photographs when on holiday or even just on day trips and framing them means you can create a personalised gallery wall that no one can ever replicate. It also means the prints will be really meaniningful to you and remind you of good memories whenever you look at it. 

My Gallery Wall in the Living Room.

I have gone for Manchester based prints in the living room, using some of my photographs which I have mainly snapped on my iPhone and mixing them in with prints by local Manchester artists. A good way to get photos printed is to use Free Prints who give you 45 free prints a month! Its a simple app that can take your photos from your phone or social media accounts and they print 6x4 photographs. All you pay is postage! Absolute bargain. I constantly use them and if you want bigger or smaller sizes, it's only a small amount more.

Top Tip : Choose matt finish to get a more professional feel. 

Hallway Gallery Wall

In the hallway, I got a cheap world map print from Desenio and I'm currently building a gallery wall that will go the whole way up the stairs. I like to frame snaps from my travels. Frames needn't be expensive either - I usually get mine from Wilkinsons. 

2. Frame Cards

Merci Beaucoup & Manchester cards framed.

Another favourite thing to do is frame cards when you either love the design or the actual prints are too expensive. Most cards fit a 6x4 frame (although you might have to trim an edge off to get it to fit). Some of my favourite prints that are up in the house are actually cards I've bought from various craft markets or even Oliver Bonas.  

Oliver Bonas card framed.

3. GET A LETTERBOARD

A good way to refresh your wall art without buying something new is to invest in a letterboard. I got this as a birthday present from my friends about 2 years ago and I still love switching it up all the time. Quotes, song lyrics, messages to the OH - it's an endless way to change it up! 

4. FRAME & DISPLAY MENUS

Me and the OH, along with our friends are amateur foodies and love to go to fab restaurants. Most posh places will give you a copy of the menu and I like to keep them and frame them. They look great in the kitchen and dining room, bringing back good memories. 

5. Accessorise 

Wall art is not just prints and frames, it can be anything decorative. I like to mix clocks, fairy lights and any sort of ornament alongside my prints. Pictures ledges are the perfect opportunity to do this, you can prop anything on them. And they also mean you can switch it up all the time! 

Wall Art is not just pictures and frames. Use pictures ledges to add clocks, fairylights and ornaments to create an exciting display.

6. And Finally...

Fika Print on Kitchen Worktop - a great way to display art.

Art doesn't just belong on the walls. If you're in rented accommodation or have dodgy walls that flake, you can props art almost anywhere. I love to make use of any space - kitchen worktops, chest of drawers...anywhere is fair game! Mix it up with plants, candles and plants, and you have a really nice display without making any holes! 

Top Tip : Remove the covers off hardback books and you get gorgeous neutral props! 

Art on chest of drawers mixed in with books, candles and plants make a lovely display.

Happy Creating! 

Project Garden

I thought I'd share some plans for our garden - it's been a long time coming and the red bistro chairs that were originally bought as a gift when we had the tiniest of courtyards now look ridiculous in our reasonally sized garden. 

Garden Plans 

As usual I gather most of my inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram and my dream is to create a little space on the deck which is almost an extension of inside. I love the inside/outside living and because we've been enjoying pretty decent weather these last few months, we decided to take the plunge and buy a patio set. *Disclaimer* I am probably now single-handedly responsible for the end of summer and the most miserable July and August we will ever have!!! Don't sue me though - I don't have any money! ;) 

Inspiration...

Lisa Dawson's newly revamped garden 

Image Via Pinterest 

Lucy Ledger 

As you can see, all my inspiration involves brick walls, layers and lots of lights and lanterns. My dream would be to create an extension with crittall like these beautiful images from Devol - as always these guys nail it everytime. But alas I am not a millionaire so the uPVC will have to do for now...

Devol Kitchens - Bath Larkhall Kitchen with Sebastian Cox 

The Brick Walled extension and Bojangles of course! 

Back to reality - my kitchen extension gives us a nice brick wall, albeit with some weird black paint marks but it will act as the backdrop to the furniture. Originally the plan was to build furniture out of pallets but I've given up on that idea - neither of us can be bothered! So we have purchased an 8 seater corner sofa set from Argos. It hasn't arrived yet so I've no idea on the quality but I fell in love with it and with £100 off, it was meant to be! Hopefully. 

Argos 8 seater corner sofa set 

Festive Lights Festoons 

Next on the list will be some festoon lights that I will drape along the wall. I love these from Festive Lights so shall be purchasing as soon as payday arrives! Also outdoor rugs are everywhere right now and while they probably are very impractical, they look good so I will be purchasing! This adds to the layering I was talking about earlier - textiles are the easiest way to  add depth to any space. 

Maison Du Monde Outdoor Rug 

Anyone else loving the collaboration between Maison Du Monde and Debenhams? They have such a big space in the Manchester Arndale store - it's my new favourite place. I've only ever bought from them online before so it's great to actually be able to see the items in person. 

Maputo Black Metal Outdoor Lantern

Also on the wishlist is a fire pit to keep us warm in the evenings. This Garden Trading one is a beaut and not the most expensive one I've seen so it's a possible maybe. 

Garden Trading Idbury Fire Pit

H&M is a still my favourite place for cushions that are good quality and really reasonably priced. I'm still very much obsessed with rust colours (my hair is currently a shade of copper) so these cushions will fit perfectly. 

H&M cushions 

And finally all we need now is some hardy plants that will survive on their own because lets face it - I am not plant material. Cats I can do, plants just don't agree with me! 

Stay tuned for a garden reveal when it's all finished!