Why so serious?

Let's face it, life can get quite tough, with rising bills, longer work hours, stretched relationships and constantly trying to do better. *sigh*

So why do so many of us approach our living environments with such a serious and fixed manner?
With the obsession of magnolia and the patterned feature wall. TV as the focal point with all surrounding furniture matching, having being bought all at the same time during a manic over haul change of style, which won't change until the next total redecoration job.
OK, rant over, but I have a point.

I only say this because I recently over heard a lady saying how she has done all her finished decorating so that's that's, nothing else needed!
I find this attitude quite frustrating because I don't believe you ever need to draw a line under a room and say it's done. The constant alterations and reinvention is what keeps day to day life interesting. So why not apply this to your home?
A whole paint job can be exhausting and expensive, but just by altering the little details keep things fresh. Whether this is a change of lamp, cushions/reupholster, art work, or painting some worn furniture.

However I think we need to encourage having fun with interiors, playing with colour, pattern and form, injecting a bit of tounge in cheek into our worlds.

Don't just think 'fun' style is for kids play rooms but enjoy the benefits into the more grown up rooms. And why not! Life is too short to be conventional so take a look at my inspired interiors to show that taking a risk whilst decoration can bring some style and a smile to your home.

Recycle, reuse, re-love.

I am a firm believer about recycling and reusing objects and in the process creating new and exciting things! I believe when objects, furniture or even an entire interior design has history, a story, it gives it more meaning, whether it's an inherited antique or recycled crates forming an interesting shelving display, they will always have more personal value when creating a home.

I currently have a stack of discontinued fabric samples from a furniture shop which I couldn't bare them to just throw away. Then I will use them to make a pretty cushion, fashion accessory, or a sweet little critter. Not to mention a ridiculous collection of old jam jars which will be useful one day!
Apart from having a huge passion for sewing and making something new, I get more delight in transforming old useless things into something with a different purpose or simply a unique homemade addition.
Perfect for the Christmas season, as much as we all love new things, a homemade person gift will always be something special to us.

 What a sweet a colourful use of an old pair of clogs! Or even turn them into plant pots.





















This Christmas dinner use old scraps of paper or fabric sewn with buttons to create individual table place mats and napkin holders. Even ribbon can be tied around the cutlery!

For a 'sweet' and delicious Christmas decoration, munch your way through the inevitable box of chocolate, save all the wrappers and fill with paper to tie them back up, creating this colourful recycled garland.