Window Box

I lived in a small apartment for a while and yearned for a large garden yet living in a big city often meant I had hardly enough time to breathe never mind tend a garden. I decided that I would bring a little bit of greenery inside and outside my home. First I decided to utilize my window sill as much as possible without detracting from my kitchen. I bought a small terracotta trough with a matching waterproof tray and planted tomatoes, Tigerella, actually. Beside that I grew mint, basil and parsley - because they were easy and I used them a lot. I had a tiny area outside and added a few pots with hostas and lavender.

Would you believe: Now I have a garden that is far too big I remember that small space with fondness!?

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Wooden Floor

Nothing beats a solid wooden floor in terms of beauty, style and feel. Carpets are fine but can look very grubby rather quickly, are expensive and need replacing after a certain period of time.

In my last home I had beautiful hardwood floors and in my current home solid oak floors have been installed and the old carpet consigned to the skip! I truly love it although if you are in a cold area you might want to consider having underfloor heating as well as your wooden floor.

The initial expense is worth it and the value it adds to a home could be more than 10% if completed properly.

Oh, well - on with the rest of the house! 

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Bedroom

This is an excellent example of how to manage a small bedroom. This room is long and narrow yet it has a very large bed which doesn't overwhelm the space. The high ceiling, brickwork and light-fitting, which adds a very slight sense of drama, work together very well.  

Do you agree?

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Wallpaper and Flowers

If you are someone who goes the whole hog then you will appreciate this combination - the bold and the beautiful!

I think this could work as an accent area, that is, on a wall or small area of the room - behind shelves possibly. There's a certain shabby chic feel to it and this is easy to achieve. Be careful with the pattern as you wouldn't want it to overwhelm everything or make a small dark space even more so.

 A beautifully simple floral arrangement works and you could use pale yellow or white or red.

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Outdoor Lighting

Am I the only one to think there are less BBQ parties happening than before? The recession seems to have affected the number and frequency - but I could be wrong.

Last week I attended a small, intimate BBQ and the outdoor lighting was very similar to these. The glow cast by them was truly lovely and I found myself transfixed - wandering around checking every detail! 

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Sink

I have tried to feature sinks which are unusual and this is an example. Approaching this sink in someone's home, preparing to wash your hands... your thoughts would be??

Watching the water flow from the tap, over your hands and down the plughole. Interesting.

What do you think?

White Bedroom

Although it might not seem so, but it takes thought and restraint to  keep a room white. 

A relative of mine has a living room which is primarily cream and ivory and I initally  felt very tempted to recommend splashes of duck-egg blues and pale greens just to add some interest. But after spending some time there the need disappeared. Using pale colors can be so soothing and if done well it can work.

Waking up in this bedroom must be glorious. 

Toilet Seat

Usually I showcase items that I like for various reasons. Here is an example of the opposite.

The toilet seat rates very highly on my 'yuck-factor' scale!

Taste is personal but the overall effect is one that is not pleasing.

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Drain House

Would you prefer to spend a night in a drain house or in a tent on the same patch of ground?

Such an unusual bedroom space. I think spending the night here would be such an experience. Do you agree?

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Living Room - Art Deco

Cool, classy and chic. This room oozes nostalgia and the art deco period is one I am particularly fond of. The craftsmanship evident in so many items from that period ensures longevity and high prices. What do you think?

Dining Room-Office

If space is at a premium and your dining room must double as an office, utilizing the walls as storage is a very good idea. Just bear in mind that if you have guests the last thing you want to do is move bulky files and other office-related paraphenalia. Buy a filing cabinet from bargain stores or garage sales and after preparing the surface, paint a colour which blends into your decor - use the cabinet to store your out-of-sight items. 

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Mosaics

Kaffe Fassett is someone I have been in awe of since receiving one of his needlework kits as a gift as a teenager. His bold eye for color never fails to thrill and challenge me. Here he has created a wonderful entrance to his studio - I think it works beautifully and recommend you wander around his site and notice just how many mediums he works in. A confident artist.

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