This twin bedroom is somewhere most people wouldn't mind waking up in. I love this room for its old-fashioned simplicity. The wallpaper harks back to yesteryear without being overpowering.
The room is fairly easy to recreate. The walls could be painted apple-white instead of using wallpaper and if you have an old wooden bedstead it could be brought back to life with a coat of hard-wearing paint - if it has seen better days and had a few knocks all the better.
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Kiva fireplaces are just adorable. It reminds me of my short stay with friends a few winters ago in Mexico. We spent many evenings sat round the Kiva fireplace with homemade margarita's and tapas sharing awful jokes! My friend had a home where you had to kick off your shoes and put your feet up and explore the fridge yourself if you wanted a snack. Great fun.
I love Kiva fires because they are usually in unpretentious homes. The kind of homes where it doesn't matter if you happen to spill things or leave a few items strewn around - makes it look more homely.
These fires really do work and they are usually tucked away in a corner of the room and so tend not to overwhelm spaces yet they look wonderful too. Apparently the fireplace is quite weighty and so you would need to ensure you have solid floor foundations. If in doubt get expert advice before trying to install one yourself, which could be done without too much fuss.
Do you like these fireplaces as much as I do? Or maybe you have one - tell us what you like/dislike about them.
Only one phrase: Simple decadence.
See more beautiful interiors at studioluxe.com
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A wooden kitchen cannot be beaten in terms of the look and feel of wood. Here the owners of this kitchen have exhibited their love of wood in the sink, the drawers, the worktops and accessories.
If you are buying wood do try and ensure it is eco-friendly, i.e. from renewable sources and not hardwood from the rainforests. There are so many eco-sources available now so we have no excuse.
This kitchen would suit a small space where a 'wow factor' was required without spending a fortune. If you have a larger space then this could be the spare sink in the corner or in a utility room. I think it is always preferable to have a double sink as I find them much more practical but it is all a matter of taste and space.
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Is this not the ultimate luxurious bathroom?
Imagine a cold wintery day and you arrive home after a hard day of work and have the ability to sink into a bath of warm silky bubbles with a glass of wine in front of the glowing embers of the fire.
Bliss!
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This garden is special and yet is easy to manage. The outdoor space has been split into an area for seating and entertaining and also a fountain area surrounded by a mass of foliage and soothing, scented plants.
You could recreate something similar, even without the fountain, in your own garden. Keep it simple. Consider your particular garden and the amount of sunlight it receives at different times of the day and seasons. Don't be afraid to add large planters as features but start with a few items and then build up gradually.
Visit the garden nurseries and find plants that you like and that will do well in the soil you currently have. I try to ensure easy-to-care for items are top of my list in my garden, but there is no point in having plants which are easy yet won't grow in your garden.
This garden makes for a wonderful space for outdoor living - wouldn't you agree?
If you are trying to brighten up your home without too much expense then why not add Moroccan-style lanterns to your home. The brighter the better! Consider the decor in your chosen room and focus on a toning or contrasting colour to add a splash of zing.
A friend of mine has a 'snug' room where she has seven lanterns in various places around the room, a huge squashy sofa, pouffes, soft rugs and a multitude of cushions all around a low ornate wooden coffee table. The colours all clash and meld together wonderfully and I have attended her gatherings where 10 of us are all slouched in the intimate space, enjoying strong mint tea, snacks from the Middle East and North Africa and great conversations. These lanterns remind me of and prompted me to highlight how wonderful lanterns can be when used boldly. Unfortunately, she is a perfectionist and refused to allow me to take pictures of her great space as she is not happy with the wall colours and is in the midst of choosing new colours.
Safety tip: Lanterns with scented candles also add to the ambience but choose carefully and ensure they are safe for your particular lantern in terms of size, height, etc. Oh, and don't leave lighted candles unattended.
If you are looking for quiet kitsch then look no further! You may not like the cover design but imagine them in a burnished leather in an unusual colour. Or with legs stained dark.
If you happen to see a classic or old unusual chair or stool don't focus on what it is but on what it could be.
I love this style and think it would fit in well with a plain room which required a little bit of zing to finish it off. Don't forget this set offers comfort and style. See more chairs, sofas and stools like this at Conran.com or at my perennial favorites, the thrift stores, yard sales or even Craig's List and classified ads. They are out there and you can save thousands of dollars and personalise them to your own decor and taste with a new covers.
