When it comes to making the most of your décor try not to forget
about the hallway. Everyone is well aware of the old saying
that first impressions count, but despite this we
very often neglect to give the reception area and vestibule in our home the
style makeover we give to the rest of the house. A well-functioning and stylishly designed and decorated entrance hall can become a focal point for the home, making it more straight forward to leave the house with all the items (phone, gym kit, dog lead, shopping bags...)
that are required for day to day living. So stop putting things off and start to pay some
attention to your hallway. Wipe the front step to clear
away any small stones and leaves –
this will reduce the risk of them being brought indoors and creating dirt and
dust. Be certain
your front door closes firmly and,
if it does not, fit stick-on draft excluding strips, available from DIY stores.
Check the paintwork is neat and intact, paying special care around the key hole. If your door is UPVC, the best thing to do is wash it down with some
general household cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Clean glass panels so they
sparkle, and revive metal letterboxes, handles and door numbers with Brasso or
Silvo.Give your doorstep a facelift. If it's wood, apply a stain; if stone
or brick, try International Paint's Doorstep
Paint. Use a galvanised buchet to house your umbrellas, ready to grab
should it look like rain's coming. Sort
out a scarf, hat and pair of gloves for everyone in your family and pop in a
clear storage box under the stairs or in your hall cupboard. Thick winter coats
take up more room than summer jackets, so have a good sort out of your coat
stand, so there's plenty of space. Stash a pile of old newspapers out of sight
in your hallway - but still within easy reach - ready to pop muddy boots and
shoes on. Still on the subject of muddy shoes, buy a stiff brush and keep with
your shoe cleaning kit. Use to brush dried mud off outside, before it gets trodden
into your carpets. Be certain any
outdoor lights you have fitted are working properly - if it's a
motion-detector light, check it's coming on sufficiently early to cast its light on your gate or steps. And simply because the
weather has turned that little bit cooler do not neglect your pot plants Select winter-flowering pansies or cyclamen for colour. Make sure your hedge is kept neat and tidy – perhaps it
needs one more cut before winter well and truly sets in - you want as much
natural light coming through windows for the
longest amount of time during the day. If you have recycling bins leave at the back of your home – it may well be convenient to leave them by the front door, but
that is hardly the stylsh option, is it?! Finished outside? Close the
door and look at your hall the way a
guest would. And do not stop with the appearance of your hall – how does it
smell? Place a selection of scented candles around artistically
or perhaps a reed diffuser. There is plenty of choice when it comes to candles
but try to get the best you can, by which we mean brands like Yankee candle and
True Grace candles. Think of your hall as a room, not a space to pass through, and
style it as such.
The author is owner of the Scented candle Store where you will find a range of candles as well as other home fragrance items like the reed diffuser
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Keep Warm This Winter With A Throw
Now the weather is turning it is time to make sure we are warm and
cosy at home . Drape a gorgeous blanket or
throw over your armchair or sofa, so it's ready to keep you toasty . Lambswool or even cashmere are
perfect if you are feeling flush but if you are on a budget
there are still plenty of reasonable options out there . Who says winter has to be dreary ? Curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book under a
soft blanket is sheer bliss !
So, with the colder, darker days approaching , give your living
room a winter makeover with plenty of snug blankets for your sofa
and chairs to keep you warm . Surround yourself
with everything you need to keep
comfortable. Have a stash of books or magazines close at
hand so you can enjoy reading them in front of
the fire. Or if you have an e reader, keep it beside your
favourite sofa or armchair. Scented candles come
into their own at this time of the year. They are
popular all year round but there is something especially
comforting about lighting up a few of your
favourite Yankee candles or True Grace candles as you relax on a cold winter’s evening. But the main item on your agenda
should still be a luxurious throw . With so
many lovely designs to choose from, how do
you know what will suit your scheme ? Plain, chunky knits
add lots of texture while patterned ones bring colour and warmth to the
plainest of rooms. We've found many of cosiest throws and blankets, there's one
to suit all budgets. You can give your room a little luxury with a sumptuously
soft Plum mohair throw or team a throw in beige/brown with a chocolate brown
sofa for a snug autumn feel.
Here are some tips to look after your blanket or throw to keep it in
tip-top condition. Fold and refold to avoid deep-seated creases that will
inevitably happen over time, make sure you regularly refold your blanket by
swapping the main crease point every couple of weeks. Take care when wearing buckles or jewellery,
as they can easily get caught and accidentally pull a thread. If this happens,
simply thread a needle through the loose loop and pull it through to the
underside of the fabric, teasing the thread back into position. Some delicate
woolly blankets can shrink or lose their colour and softness in a tumble dryer
so should ideally be dried outside on a line. Not only will you lengthen the life
of your blanket but it'll also smell lovely and fresh. If you can, hang the
washing line out of direct sunlight to stop your blanket fading. In the summer,
keep it in a blanket bag to stop it getting dusty. But dion/t worry about it - after all it will soon be infused with the beautiful aroma of your scented candles!
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles and other home fragrances such as a reed diffuser
cosy at home . Drape a gorgeous blanket or
throw over your armchair or sofa, so it's ready to keep you toasty . Lambswool or even cashmere are
perfect if you are feeling flush but if you are on a budget
there are still plenty of reasonable options out there . Who says winter has to be dreary ? Curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book under a
soft blanket is sheer bliss !
So, with the colder, darker days approaching , give your living
room a winter makeover with plenty of snug blankets for your sofa
and chairs to keep you warm . Surround yourself
with everything you need to keep
comfortable. Have a stash of books or magazines close at
hand so you can enjoy reading them in front of
the fire. Or if you have an e reader, keep it beside your
favourite sofa or armchair. Scented candles come
into their own at this time of the year. They are
popular all year round but there is something especially
comforting about lighting up a few of your
favourite Yankee candles or True Grace candles as you relax on a cold winter’s evening. But the main item on your agenda
should still be a luxurious throw . With so
many lovely designs to choose from, how do
you know what will suit your scheme ? Plain, chunky knits
add lots of texture while patterned ones bring colour and warmth to the
plainest of rooms. We've found many of cosiest throws and blankets, there's one
to suit all budgets. You can give your room a little luxury with a sumptuously
soft Plum mohair throw or team a throw in beige/brown with a chocolate brown
sofa for a snug autumn feel.
Here are some tips to look after your blanket or throw to keep it in
tip-top condition. Fold and refold to avoid deep-seated creases that will
inevitably happen over time, make sure you regularly refold your blanket by
swapping the main crease point every couple of weeks. Take care when wearing buckles or jewellery,
as they can easily get caught and accidentally pull a thread. If this happens,
simply thread a needle through the loose loop and pull it through to the
underside of the fabric, teasing the thread back into position. Some delicate
woolly blankets can shrink or lose their colour and softness in a tumble dryer
so should ideally be dried outside on a line. Not only will you lengthen the life
of your blanket but it'll also smell lovely and fresh. If you can, hang the
washing line out of direct sunlight to stop your blanket fading. In the summer,
keep it in a blanket bag to stop it getting dusty. But dion/t worry about it - after all it will soon be infused with the beautiful aroma of your scented candles!
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles and other home fragrances such as a reed diffuser
Monday, 7 November 2011
Choose Grey For An Elegant Look
When you are
looking to decorate in an elegant stylish way then it is worth using neutral cool grey, because it is a tone that
seems to work very well with a variety of different colours. Do not be
tempted to think of grey as dull and boring – it is in fact very much on trend
these days, both in fashion and in interior design because it it looks so great when used with so many other tones.
Choose vintage-inspired dusky pinks and mix with
charcoal greys for a subtly elegant living room. If a statement wallpaper has
caught your eye, paper the wall behind the sofa as a focal point, then use an
equal amount of both colours in the rest of the space for a balanced feel. So
the next time you are thinking of decorating give grey a go – you won’t be
disappointed.
Begin by setting out a collection of grey swatches alongside each other. Those lighter grey tones take
on a Scandic feel and are perfect for a more modern contemporary
environment, while a
richer tone suits a more elegant refined settings better. As a general rule of
thumb, if you are decorating a larger room then it is
safe to use a darker colour and, when mixing grey with other tones, go for ones with the same tonal
balance. So, let your imagination get to work and
pick up on a few style suggestions from these gorgeous colour
combinations.
If your home features any exposed pale wooden surfaces such as oak, pine or
maple, dark rich grey tones make for a beautiful contrast. You
can create a dramatic backdrop for the rest of your décor by ensuring that the
walls are painted in the same shad as your choice of carpet or rug, and go for sought after retro-style furniture and accessories, like beautiful scented
candles created by manufacturers such as Yankee candles. Lastly, create a sense of style by
adding layers of texture rather than simply adding more colour so the grey and
the grain are the stars. One of the reasons why grey is now so
popular is because it makes it so much easier to come up with colour combinations
that match it or provide a striking contrast. No
matter if you are investing in a large statement piece of furniture or maybe a handful of accessories like candles or ornaments
it is usually simplicity itself to find something in a colour
which will work with grey. Take for instance Yankee candles. You could choose
from an endless variety of colours, but their blue or purple jar candles would
look great against a grey backdrop. Grey
doesn't have to be used on the walls - for something a little more daring try
combining exotic coral-pink walls with dark-grey furniture. The result is a
bold, confident look that's really warming and welcoming. Use floral curtains
to break up blocks of colour, while touches of white will help to calm vibrant
tones.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of beautiful scented candles including offerings from True Grace candles
looking to decorate in an elegant stylish way then it is worth using neutral cool grey, because it is a tone that
seems to work very well with a variety of different colours. Do not be
tempted to think of grey as dull and boring – it is in fact very much on trend
these days, both in fashion and in interior design because it it looks so great when used with so many other tones.
Choose vintage-inspired dusky pinks and mix with
charcoal greys for a subtly elegant living room. If a statement wallpaper has
caught your eye, paper the wall behind the sofa as a focal point, then use an
equal amount of both colours in the rest of the space for a balanced feel. So
the next time you are thinking of decorating give grey a go – you won’t be
disappointed.
Begin by setting out a collection of grey swatches alongside each other. Those lighter grey tones take
on a Scandic feel and are perfect for a more modern contemporary
environment, while a
richer tone suits a more elegant refined settings better. As a general rule of
thumb, if you are decorating a larger room then it is
safe to use a darker colour and, when mixing grey with other tones, go for ones with the same tonal
balance. So, let your imagination get to work and
pick up on a few style suggestions from these gorgeous colour
combinations.
If your home features any exposed pale wooden surfaces such as oak, pine or
maple, dark rich grey tones make for a beautiful contrast. You
can create a dramatic backdrop for the rest of your décor by ensuring that the
walls are painted in the same shad as your choice of carpet or rug, and go for sought after retro-style furniture and accessories, like beautiful scented
candles created by manufacturers such as Yankee candles. Lastly, create a sense of style by
adding layers of texture rather than simply adding more colour so the grey and
the grain are the stars. One of the reasons why grey is now so
popular is because it makes it so much easier to come up with colour combinations
that match it or provide a striking contrast. No
matter if you are investing in a large statement piece of furniture or maybe a handful of accessories like candles or ornaments
it is usually simplicity itself to find something in a colour
which will work with grey. Take for instance Yankee candles. You could choose
from an endless variety of colours, but their blue or purple jar candles would
look great against a grey backdrop. Grey
doesn't have to be used on the walls - for something a little more daring try
combining exotic coral-pink walls with dark-grey furniture. The result is a
bold, confident look that's really warming and welcoming. Use floral curtains
to break up blocks of colour, while touches of white will help to calm vibrant
tones.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of beautiful scented candles including offerings from True Grace candles
Thursday, 3 November 2011
How To Tackle A Major Renovation Job
The idea of taking on a project and moulding a home to my tastes
has always appealed, so when I first visited our future home on a bright spring morning , I
knew that beyond the embossed wallcovering, it had tons of potential . After seeing lots of pokey flats, I was also
excited about the prospect of being able to afford a house with a garden . As my sister, Helena, and I had decided to buy
a place together , it was great to finally be on the
property ladder after years of us both renting in London . Although my
sister and I were keen to begin the transformation, there was a bewildering
sense of what shall we do first? As I stood in our empty house, the realisation
dawned that it was going to take a Herculean DIY effort . With every weekend devoted to DIY, the bedrock
renovations took us about a year . It was a relief to get to the
stage where we could tackle some pleasant jobs – and for the next few months we focused on the bedrooms so we had
somewhere serene to retreat . We kept the paint tones earthy and had the floors fitted with seagrass for a natural feel . I went for a
calming Eastern theme inspired by my habitat cherry tree wall lights and Japanese prints I found in a junk
shop . We even managed to carry this eastern
inspired theme through with our accessories. We have always been great fans of scented candles, so we chose some by
our favourite brands such as
Voluspa, Yankee candles and True Grace candles. However our friend then introduced
us to a safer, more
convenient alternative to candles, namely the reed diffuser. There is something
very oriental about the way these look, with their thin
rattan reeds soaring upwards out of an ornate glass or pottery bottle, that
fitted perfectly with the look we were aiming for .There are lots of other ways to emphasise this slightly oriental look. Perhaps the most obvious would be to invest in some small bonsai trees which are so typically Japanese. Another good thing to choose is an Orchid. Although these are now grown all around the world they still have that eastern look about them that many people finds so appealing. Chinese prints or calenders are also a cheap but effective way to convey thart hint of eastern mysticism.
The author owns the Scented Candle Store, specialising in candles as well as other home fragrance products like the reed diffuser.
has always appealed, so when I first visited our future home on a bright spring morning , I
knew that beyond the embossed wallcovering, it had tons of potential . After seeing lots of pokey flats, I was also
excited about the prospect of being able to afford a house with a garden . As my sister, Helena, and I had decided to buy
a place together , it was great to finally be on the
property ladder after years of us both renting in London . Although my
sister and I were keen to begin the transformation, there was a bewildering
sense of what shall we do first? As I stood in our empty house, the realisation
dawned that it was going to take a Herculean DIY effort . With every weekend devoted to DIY, the bedrock
renovations took us about a year . It was a relief to get to the
stage where we could tackle some pleasant jobs – and for the next few months we focused on the bedrooms so we had
somewhere serene to retreat . We kept the paint tones earthy and had the floors fitted with seagrass for a natural feel . I went for a
calming Eastern theme inspired by my habitat cherry tree wall lights and Japanese prints I found in a junk
shop . We even managed to carry this eastern
inspired theme through with our accessories. We have always been great fans of scented candles, so we chose some by
our favourite brands such as
Voluspa, Yankee candles and True Grace candles. However our friend then introduced
us to a safer, more
convenient alternative to candles, namely the reed diffuser. There is something
very oriental about the way these look, with their thin
rattan reeds soaring upwards out of an ornate glass or pottery bottle, that
fitted perfectly with the look we were aiming for .There are lots of other ways to emphasise this slightly oriental look. Perhaps the most obvious would be to invest in some small bonsai trees which are so typically Japanese. Another good thing to choose is an Orchid. Although these are now grown all around the world they still have that eastern look about them that many people finds so appealing. Chinese prints or calenders are also a cheap but effective way to convey thart hint of eastern mysticism.
The author owns the Scented Candle Store, specialising in candles as well as other home fragrance products like the reed diffuser.
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Make The Most Of Your Bedroom
Before I made a start on my bedroom, I'd been living in my home for
four years . Although I knew what I wanted to do, when I moved in I
had a limited budget, so the rest of the house took priority . But as my bedroom was the last to be done, I was able to spend
time saving up, so I could have exactly what I wanted without scrimping . An interior designer
friend found the perfect wallpaper - when I saw it, I knew it was the one for
me and would be perfect for a feature wall . I
loved the plums, pinks and black, and the scrolling pattern with hints of gold But before I could start the transformation, I had to
get rid of some of the existing furnishings . The wardrobes no longer pulled along their track
and the mirrored fronts were bent and distorted. To get the maximum amount of
storage, I chose fitted, floor-to-ceiling cupboards to replace them ~ They were
badly in need of replacing and after considering a number of different options,
I decided to go with fitted wardrobes with mirrored fronts because they seemed
to be the best solution in terms of maximizing the space available to me. But
when I started to prepare the walls for them , I discovered a fake wall made of
plywood and lots of cracks that needed filling in . Luckily, I managed to
patch them up so the walls didn't need re-plastering. Anything I couldn't
afford to replace, I painted to suit the scheme. When I discovered a tin of
blackboard paint in the garage during a clear out, I used it on my dressing
table. I love the matt black finish - it looks so smart and modern. Despite all
these changes to my bedroom, it still didn't quite have that boudoir feel I was
aiming for. I knew that I needed to add some special finishing touches. Then I
found the button-back velvet headboard, which looks really dramatic, and that
made a real difference.
Inspired by boutique hotels that I'd visited,
I opted for a luxurious boudoir feel, with loads
of gorgeous~ ornatescented candles produced by manufacturers including Yankee
candles and Shearer candles.
The old cream carpet in this room was one of my first buys when I
moved in. It was long past its best, so I pulled it up. But the old underlay
had disintegrated and dust spread throughout the house. There seemed to be one
problem after the other. Inspired by the wallpaper, which I also used to
decorate panels on the wardrobe, I want for a deep grey for the other walls and
a paler shade for the carpet - although one that would hide marks and last
longer than the cream one. The black in the wallpaper gave me the idea to go
for dark furniture.. As I began to run out of money, I shopped around at places
that suited my budget for the perfect side tables and I found this black glass
pair I really love them. I also put up framed photos that I had been collecting
for ages. Now after four years of DIY
projects around the house, I'm so pleased that I saved up to get my dream room.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of beautiful candles as well as their more contemporary alternative, the reed diffuser
four years . Although I knew what I wanted to do, when I moved in I
had a limited budget, so the rest of the house took priority . But as my bedroom was the last to be done, I was able to spend
time saving up, so I could have exactly what I wanted without scrimping . An interior designer
friend found the perfect wallpaper - when I saw it, I knew it was the one for
me and would be perfect for a feature wall . I
loved the plums, pinks and black, and the scrolling pattern with hints of gold But before I could start the transformation, I had to
get rid of some of the existing furnishings . The wardrobes no longer pulled along their track
and the mirrored fronts were bent and distorted. To get the maximum amount of
storage, I chose fitted, floor-to-ceiling cupboards to replace them ~ They were
badly in need of replacing and after considering a number of different options,
I decided to go with fitted wardrobes with mirrored fronts because they seemed
to be the best solution in terms of maximizing the space available to me. But
when I started to prepare the walls for them , I discovered a fake wall made of
plywood and lots of cracks that needed filling in . Luckily, I managed to
patch them up so the walls didn't need re-plastering. Anything I couldn't
afford to replace, I painted to suit the scheme. When I discovered a tin of
blackboard paint in the garage during a clear out, I used it on my dressing
table. I love the matt black finish - it looks so smart and modern. Despite all
these changes to my bedroom, it still didn't quite have that boudoir feel I was
aiming for. I knew that I needed to add some special finishing touches. Then I
found the button-back velvet headboard, which looks really dramatic, and that
made a real difference.
Inspired by boutique hotels that I'd visited,
I opted for a luxurious boudoir feel, with loads
of gorgeous~ ornatescented candles produced by manufacturers including Yankee
candles and Shearer candles.
The old cream carpet in this room was one of my first buys when I
moved in. It was long past its best, so I pulled it up. But the old underlay
had disintegrated and dust spread throughout the house. There seemed to be one
problem after the other. Inspired by the wallpaper, which I also used to
decorate panels on the wardrobe, I want for a deep grey for the other walls and
a paler shade for the carpet - although one that would hide marks and last
longer than the cream one. The black in the wallpaper gave me the idea to go
for dark furniture.. As I began to run out of money, I shopped around at places
that suited my budget for the perfect side tables and I found this black glass
pair I really love them. I also put up framed photos that I had been collecting
for ages. Now after four years of DIY
projects around the house, I'm so pleased that I saved up to get my dream room.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of beautiful candles as well as their more contemporary alternative, the reed diffuser
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Make Getting Ready Part Of Your Night Out
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If you want to transform
your bedroom into somewhere stylish and elegant, but at the same time relaxing
and tranquil, commence with an ultra-feminine chinoiserie-style
wallpaper to decorate a feature wall.
Then pay close attention to detail when it comes adding lovely storage pots and
bowls. Try to find items such as an old mirror,
ceramic birds, clip-on butterflies and attractive old
fashioned perfume bottles – and always remember a bowl
of fresh flowers or a
number of aromatic
candles for a beautiful and stylish
spot to pamper yourself in. Do not be afraid to use your imagination and chooses something that you really like - after all it is your bedroom and your dressing area we are talking about - no one else. One thing you should try to do is to keep everything close at hand so that you are not searching endlessly in drawers for makeup, perfume and the myriad other thins you might be needing. A stereo or some sort of musicplayer will also help create a mood of calm - depending on what you are listening to. There are so many choices these days with just about everyone it seems owning an Ipod or other music player. But don't forget about a traditional CD player or perhaps take things a stage further and stream your choice of music live from the internet with ones of the great machines available such as an Sonos or something similar.
Spoil yourself with a dressing table that's perfect
for your beauty routine - our ideas are guaranteed to make you feel like a star
in your own bedroom. Place a few attractive candles by brands like Shearer candles or
Yankee candles on top. Just think for a
moment – when did you actually last have some fun preparing to go out on the
town for the night? Even if you had the time for pampering, does your make-up
and hair straighteners live in messy heap? Do you just find the whole process of getting
ready for an evening out is all a bit of a headache and not much fun at all?
Then maybe it's time to make space for a dressing table. Select
an eye catching style to transform your makeup area into a feature,
or paint an existing piece to match your current scheme. Remember there are a few other items that you cannot do
without – a bright light, a comfortable chair and a fairly large
wall-mounted or table-standing mirror. No space for a separate dressing table?
Line the top drawer of a chest and turn it into your make-up box with a
patterned off-cut of wallpaper. Just don't be tempted to overload the drawer
with too many buy-one-get-one-free deals! This is a great way to keep smaller
lotions and potions neat and tidy and, if you spill anything, it's easy to deal
with. Keep an eye out at boot sales and charity shops for a pretty fretwork or
metal design, adding a tray cloth or linen place-mat for a vintage feel.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of candles as well as the more modern alternative, the reed diffuser
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If you want to transform
your bedroom into somewhere stylish and elegant, but at the same time relaxing
and tranquil, commence with an ultra-feminine chinoiserie-style
wallpaper to decorate a feature wall.
Then pay close attention to detail when it comes adding lovely storage pots and
bowls. Try to find items such as an old mirror,
ceramic birds, clip-on butterflies and attractive old
fashioned perfume bottles – and always remember a bowl
of fresh flowers or a
number of aromatic
candles for a beautiful and stylish
spot to pamper yourself in. Do not be afraid to use your imagination and chooses something that you really like - after all it is your bedroom and your dressing area we are talking about - no one else. One thing you should try to do is to keep everything close at hand so that you are not searching endlessly in drawers for makeup, perfume and the myriad other thins you might be needing. A stereo or some sort of musicplayer will also help create a mood of calm - depending on what you are listening to. There are so many choices these days with just about everyone it seems owning an Ipod or other music player. But don't forget about a traditional CD player or perhaps take things a stage further and stream your choice of music live from the internet with ones of the great machines available such as an Sonos or something similar.
Spoil yourself with a dressing table that's perfect
for your beauty routine - our ideas are guaranteed to make you feel like a star
in your own bedroom. Place a few attractive candles by brands like Shearer candles or
Yankee candles on top. Just think for a
moment – when did you actually last have some fun preparing to go out on the
town for the night? Even if you had the time for pampering, does your make-up
and hair straighteners live in messy heap? Do you just find the whole process of getting
ready for an evening out is all a bit of a headache and not much fun at all?
Then maybe it's time to make space for a dressing table. Select
an eye catching style to transform your makeup area into a feature,
or paint an existing piece to match your current scheme. Remember there are a few other items that you cannot do
without – a bright light, a comfortable chair and a fairly large
wall-mounted or table-standing mirror. No space for a separate dressing table?
Line the top drawer of a chest and turn it into your make-up box with a
patterned off-cut of wallpaper. Just don't be tempted to overload the drawer
with too many buy-one-get-one-free deals! This is a great way to keep smaller
lotions and potions neat and tidy and, if you spill anything, it's easy to deal
with. Keep an eye out at boot sales and charity shops for a pretty fretwork or
metal design, adding a tray cloth or linen place-mat for a vintage feel.
The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of candles as well as the more modern alternative, the reed diffuser
Sunday, 30 October 2011
A New Bathroom Needn't Cost The Earth
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We recently bought a new house as a major renovation project.
The place was to say the least a little bit run down and we did not have a massive
amount of money to spend on renovating it. Having said all that we were very enthusiastic about the project, had plenty
of ideas we wanted to put into practice and we were pretty confident that we
could transform the place into the home we had always wanted. The first job
we decided to tackle was a major redo of the kitchen area, adding a small sized extension to give us a little
more space. But this ate up a large chunk of our budget, so plans for work on
the bathroom were put on the back burner while we saved up. Unfortunately this
was quite expensive, so it meant we had to put off our plans to renovate the
bathroom until we had managed to put by sufficient funds The bath and sink were in a bit of a state
and needed to be replaced, but fortunately the toilet itself was perfectly
serviceable as it had only recently been installed. To try to get ideas for the bathroom, we
visited lots of DIY shops and read plenty of interior
design magazines and websites to
get an idea of how best to use the limited amount of space we had available to
us. A shower was a priority for us, but we still wanted to have a bath, so we
went for a shower-bath to get the best of both worlds without compromising on
space. We both love getting involved with DIY, so we gutted the bathroom
ourselves in a weekend. The initial plumbing was so bad we thought it would be
best to hire a professional plumber to fit our new bathroom. He suggested we
swap a few things around, which meant we could have a power shower fitted and
the pipework could be hidden behind the wall. Within a few days he'd fitted
everything, including the lovely new heated towel rail, which means the room
stays really warm in the winter. As the wall units were meant for a kitchen
they were quite deep, so my partner took the backs off and cut them to the
depth we wanted. We decided to go for fitted units and had a few design plans
drawn up, this option was simply much too expensive
even
taking into account just how small the bathroom us. Luckily for us, my
partner, came up with the idea of using kitchen units for storage on the walls
because they could be quite inexpensive, and we could adapt them to suit us. By good fortune we found some which were discounted at our local
hardware store, which
worked to a teeand very reasonably priced. We also managed to pick up a
gorgeous square-shaped sink with a pedestal at the same time. Last but not least, I accessorized the room with vibrantly coloured towels, natural sponges
together with scented
candles by good brands like Yankee candles, Heyland and Whittle and True Grace
candles. For good measure I added a few decorative bottles and a reed diffuser
to give it a feminine feel. I'm really pleased with how it has turned out, it's
amazing what you can do with even the smallest space - it just takes clear
ideas and practical thinking!
The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a large range of scented candles by luxury brands like True Grace candles
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We recently bought a new house as a major renovation project.
The place was to say the least a little bit run down and we did not have a massive
amount of money to spend on renovating it. Having said all that we were very enthusiastic about the project, had plenty
of ideas we wanted to put into practice and we were pretty confident that we
could transform the place into the home we had always wanted. The first job
we decided to tackle was a major redo of the kitchen area, adding a small sized extension to give us a little
more space. But this ate up a large chunk of our budget, so plans for work on
the bathroom were put on the back burner while we saved up. Unfortunately this
was quite expensive, so it meant we had to put off our plans to renovate the
bathroom until we had managed to put by sufficient funds The bath and sink were in a bit of a state
and needed to be replaced, but fortunately the toilet itself was perfectly
serviceable as it had only recently been installed. To try to get ideas for the bathroom, we
visited lots of DIY shops and read plenty of interior
design magazines and websites to
get an idea of how best to use the limited amount of space we had available to
us. A shower was a priority for us, but we still wanted to have a bath, so we
went for a shower-bath to get the best of both worlds without compromising on
space. We both love getting involved with DIY, so we gutted the bathroom
ourselves in a weekend. The initial plumbing was so bad we thought it would be
best to hire a professional plumber to fit our new bathroom. He suggested we
swap a few things around, which meant we could have a power shower fitted and
the pipework could be hidden behind the wall. Within a few days he'd fitted
everything, including the lovely new heated towel rail, which means the room
stays really warm in the winter. As the wall units were meant for a kitchen
they were quite deep, so my partner took the backs off and cut them to the
depth we wanted. We decided to go for fitted units and had a few design plans
drawn up, this option was simply much too expensive
even
taking into account just how small the bathroom us. Luckily for us, my
partner, came up with the idea of using kitchen units for storage on the walls
because they could be quite inexpensive, and we could adapt them to suit us. By good fortune we found some which were discounted at our local
hardware store, which
worked to a teeand very reasonably priced. We also managed to pick up a
gorgeous square-shaped sink with a pedestal at the same time. Last but not least, I accessorized the room with vibrantly coloured towels, natural sponges
together with scented
candles by good brands like Yankee candles, Heyland and Whittle and True Grace
candles. For good measure I added a few decorative bottles and a reed diffuser
to give it a feminine feel. I'm really pleased with how it has turned out, it's
amazing what you can do with even the smallest space - it just takes clear
ideas and practical thinking!
The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a large range of scented candles by luxury brands like True Grace candles
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