At home this Autumn.

We have enjoyed some gorgeous weather recently so I thought I would start my blog with some jobs in the garden for us keen gardeners to think about over the next few weeks.

October:
If you haven't already, now is the time to lift and split flowering herbaceous plants and if the soil is still warm there is still time to plant hardy trees and shrubs, remember to prune climbers and tidy up any other trailing plants to protect from the autumnal winds. 

November:
As we move closer to November sweep paths around the house and rake the lawn regularly to keep them free of leaves, gather the leaves and use as mulch under shrubs. Start to plant Spring bulbs, tulip and daffodils so they are ready for next year and that long awaited first bursts of vibrant colour.









As the nights have started to draw in and this weekend we turn back the clocks, we tend to turn our thoughts to being inside the home and preparing for those long winter evenings ahead.

I think we all agree that the hub of any home is the kitchen; we do so much more in the kitchen today than just prepare and cook food. Every good party starts in the kitchen, doesn't it? Kitchens provide great communal areas where people, friends and family get together to eat, drink, interact, work, study, listen to music, read a book and relax...

Here are some ideas to make your kitchen that much loved room of the house:

The breakfast bar!
A great area and use of space in a smaller kitchen, a good area to gather at meal times, a quick snack or interact with the chef, they are also a great alternative to the table for extra worktop.

The island!
Similar to the breakfast bar but add more style to a larger kitchen, the island offers more functionality, they often house the hob or sink, they offer more storage and countertop space, which has many uses: for food preparation, baking, for party food, for serving drinks, using the computer for "Googling" those amazing recipes and for the children so they can do their homework.

The farmhouse table!
I personally love a traditional farmhouse style table. Today tables come in all sorts of sizes, colours and materials for any style of kitchen, whatever the size. There is nothing nicer than having the family or a group of friends around a table for that much loved Sunday roast and discussing the week that has gone. The table is great for any time of day and has many uses, they are a versatile piece of furniture.

The sofa!
For those who have a little more space, the addition of a sofa or a couple of comfortable chairs can make a kitchen more multifunctional. A place of comfort to relax and enjoy a good book, listen to music or have a coffee with a friend. Children also like to snuggle up on the sofa giving parents time to prepare a meal whilst interacting and keeping an eye on young ones.

Indian Summer...

We maybe experiencing some late summer sunshine but undoubtedly we can’t help but feel the evenings are now somewhat chillier. Keeping warm without turning on the central heating just yet is a bit of a challenge, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Keep blinds and curtains open during the day and enjoy the last of the summer sunshine, naturally the heat from the sun will warm the room. If you have wood or tiled floors then add a rug under your feet and a throw to the sofa to snuggle up with. After cooking your evening meal leave the oven door open to let the warmth fill the room, finally if you have a draught coming in from under the door use a draught excluder, there are many colourful ones available now in most home interior stores.

However, if you do decide it’s time to switch on the heating here are a few “must have” designer radiators both traditional and contemporary that will make your house look simply “Gorgeous” this winter.

                         

Summer blues..

I hope we have all managed to enjoy some rest & relaxation this summer despite the weather!! Sun, sea and clear blue skies is all we ever dream of when we plan our summer holidays. I love the coast and I'm always looking at new ways to bring the seaside home with me. So, to keep that revitalised feeling a little longer before the cold, dark evenings return, try some of these ideas to recreate that coastal look in your home. 

Choose a light coloured sofa and cover in a mix of white, blue and grey patterned cushions, add a seagrass rug, rattan furniture and glass lanterns. 

Add a throw for those cooler evenings to snuggle up with.

Create a coastal feature in the corner of a room or on the stairs.

White wash walls, add a large mirror, take a piece of furniture and add the distressed look by painting  the item in cool beach tones; a good selection of chalk paint colours are available by Annie Sloan.

And finally...

Add scatter cushions, white washed linens and throws over the bed.

#gorgeousrooms

Take time to relax..

Now Summer is well underway it's time to slow down and enjoy some relaxation. Revive those senses and start to unwind in the comfort of your own home. Forget the busy roads and noisey airports; take a deep breath and feel at ease with some Summer inspiration, creating a stylish, cool, calm and comfortable home.

Here are a couple of ideas to achieve this look:

In the Bedroom: 

A good nights sleep is sometimes difficult when the nights are warm and there is little airflow. However, if the bed looks cool and inviting to start with you are already half-way there for a good nights sleep. Fresh, white bed linen with accents of pale grey, add a throw, an oversized headboard and numerous cushions to create a cool but luxurious look and feel to any bedroom.

 In the Dining Room:

White wash an old wooden dining table or add a pure white linen table cloth, add floaty white voiles to large windows and french doors, this will create a fresh and breezy feel. Add Tolix style stools or chairs in galvanised steel or painted distressed white to stir up the feeling of the beach, finish with the largest bouquet of wild flowers from the garden or surrounding countryside to bring the  outdoors in.

Finally, light a few scented candles around the home to create the ambience of being on holiday; here are a few favourites of mine from The White Company and the St Eval Candle Company Cornwall:

Coastal inspiration..

Whilst enjoying a summer break on the North Cornwall coast I felt inspired once again by the coastal styles that many of the interior shops have to offer.

When one imagines being by the sea we conjure up thoughts of teal blue seas, white bleached driftwood and golden sand beaches scattered with shells. Many of the home styles I feel inspired by are a collection of both industrial Cornwall mixed with the cool refreshing look of the coast.

White washed walls and wood floors, seagrass rugs, local pottery, blue & white striped cushions and industrial style lighting are all a favourite of mine.

Here are a few ideas that provide an insight into my home styling that will create a gorgeous coastal room or beach retreat look.


Living Room

Dining Room

Bedroom

Bathroom

Accessories

Spring into Summer..

We have recently enjoyed some glimpses of warm Spring sunshine in between those heavy downpours and for many of us we have already started to tidy our gardens for the summer ahead. Lawn mowing, hedge cutting and Summer planting are now well underway. 

One way to enjoy your garden everyday whatever the weather has in store this year is to create a garden room. These come in all shapes and sizes to suit every garden style and budget.

Here are a few of my favourites:

The Orangery

 The Conservatory

 The Summer House

The Potting Shed

Be creative, turn a disused potting shed into a hobby room; did you know Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl and a few others all wrote their famous pieces from a shed!  

Of course, do check planning regulations as some garden rooms will require a planning application first.

April Showers...

Thankfully we have not seen too many showers this month and we have enjoyed some early warm sunny weather. So, talking of showers, I thought this month I would take a look at some of the different types of showers available for your bathroom:

Electric - ideal for minimal disruption to your bathroom and suitable for all homes. Water supply is provided  from the mains cold water and the hot water is achieved when the cold water is heated by the elements within the shower unit.

Mixer - these showers are simple and do exactly as the name suggests; hot and cold water is mixed to your ideal temperature. If you have a low pressure system a separate pump will need to be installed.

Power - these work similar to a mixer shower, the only difference is they have a built in pump to increase the pressure if you have a low pressure system. 

Digital - Technology controls the ideal temperature of the water, mixers are installed remotely creating a stylish and modern bathroom.

There are some amazing shower heads available today. Here are some of my favourites: