To Kitsch to Handle

Do you ever get that mixed up feeling when you come across something that is so disgusting and uncool but you're still drawn to it and the more you look at it you realise that for some unexplainable reason you absolutely love it! It makes you cringe slightly but you want it at the same time! That is what kitsch is. 

Kitsch is my (very) secret obsession but although I love weird and wonderful bits and pieces I'm still not brave enough to kitsch-up a whole room. Kitsch is cheap, cluttered, loud, a mix match of randomness and oddities and colourful but it radiates personality, intrigue, interest and stories (how can you not love that?).

I mean what are these and why do I want one so much!!!??

1. Absolutely Beautiful Things 2. Design Sponge 3.Better Decorating Bible 4. Abigail Ahern Poodle Lamps

No Ordinary Door Mat

I am completely and utterly in love with these colourful, cut out door mats! How amazing are they? I'm drawn to the orange one as its slightly more toned down than the others but the green would be great to come in from the garden to.

They're from Camel & Yak, cost £34.99 and can be delivered to you in time for Christmas!

Here are some other pretty/ interesting/ creative ideas for door mats to jazz up front doors and give people a warm welcome!

 1. Conversation Pieces 2. Martha Stewart 3. West Elm 4. Dutch By Design 5. Chiasso 6. Fellow Creatives 7. Urban Outfitters

Tribal Print

Tribal print has to be my current favourite pattern, it's a great way to add some bold texture and colour to the house. Designers take influence and inspiration from Africa, Latin America and Central Asia to create fluid patterns that give depth and brings a room to life. Whether the pattern is more modern or has stayed true to its cultural heritage, tribal print with its rich vibrant colours and soft details can make a punchy statement but still manages to feel delicate. On pillows, throws or head rests, the bedroom is a favourite place to use tribal patterns as they can make a bed inviting, quirky and fresh. But stepping outside the box and placing a tribal rug in the centre of the room or hanging it across a wall can make an impact in a minimalist dining room or shiny white bathroom. 

Urban Outfitters have some beautiful tribal rugs and pillows in at the moment and high street clothing stores always stock patterned scarves that could be framed, hung, sewn, thrown and used in any other way you can think of. 

So try splashing some tribal vibe around!

1. So Haute 2. The Home Look 3. Urban Outfitters 4. See Saw Designs 5. Elle Decor 6. Unknown 7. Out Came The Sun

Stuff made from things

Some people are just so creative! I get such inspiration seeing a 'thing' that has been made from salvaging one object, reusing and redesigning it to make something new and even more amazing. It really shows off that persons personality and just makes a room so unique and quirky. And so many of these sorts of ideas are easy enough to steal and replicate yourself but gives you something that is meaningful to you...

Clockwise from top right: Design Files, Pinterest , Pretty World, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Domestic Ease

Bright Bathrooms

So many of us (me included) decorate bathrooms so they end up very white and possibly a little bland which is fine but it's nice to add some personality to a room that can generally be very plain. There are some great ways to add colour to a bathroom making it less sterile and way more interesting. Patterned tiles, detailed wallpaper, interesting mats, colourful curtains and even large plants all brighten a bathroom whilst still allowing it to be a clean, relaxing space. 

1. Brunch At Saks 2. Design Sponge 3. Bright Bazaar

Funnily enough when we bought our house the bathroom was exactly the same colour as the one above. It looked hideous but this one works so well. The candy floss pink walls are balanced with the vintage cabinet, coat hangers and leather armchair and the large brilliant white bathtub and sink remind you that its still a bathroom not a child's room. I'm slightly regretting repainting our bathroom now!

Caught on Camera

Vintage and quirky looking camera's are such great things to jazz up shelves, dressing tables and desks, adding a bit of character to a space.

There are always loads of amazing vintage camera's at car boot sales and on Ebay that are generally pretty cheap. I bought a beautiful Zenit (a 1950's Russian camera) from Ebay last year, it was only £7 and I even used it for a bit but now it's retired and on our dining room shelf just looking pretty alongside a Lomo Fisheye camera. And I think the more the merrier so I'm always on the look out for other unique and interesting ones.

Clockwise from top right corner: The Design Files, DesignSponge, Lauren Conrad, Ingenuity On Display, Paper Garland, Paper Garland, DesignSponge

From Bloomsbury

My favourite shop at the moment is Bloomsbury. It always has really quirky and unique little things for the house, everything from mugs to garden tools, stationary to jewellery, a great place for presents and finding a selfish present for yourself. Here are my fav things in store now....

1. Scotty mug, £7.95 (because apparently my boyfriend looks like TinTin)

2. Wild & Wolf Tea Pot, £14.95 (purely for decorative purposes of course)

3. Marmite tin jar, £5.95 (I am a seriously lover of Marmite so really feel I need this)

4. Scrabble letter pillow, £19.95 (so I can clearly mark my side of the bed/ space on the sofa)

5. Seletti porcelain milk jugs, £9.95 (classic white or modern gold, it would be a hard decision to make)

6. City of London Transport Print, £21.95 (I just really like this illustration and its colours)

Circus Lights

I have been pining after a line of circus style, commercial string lights. Taking away the coloured bulbs and replacing them with softer white bulbs makes them really simple but an interesting way to light a room. They can delicately light up a whole wall or evenly cover a dining table, bed or entrance hall way and are obviously perfect for hanging over a patio. I know that they're fairly similar to the popular fairy lights that lots of people have but I just much prefer these. They're more grown up, modern and have a feel to them, like they are still hanging from a funky New York roof top garden party. 

The problem is I can't seem to find anywhere to buy them from, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know!

Left picture from Apartment Therapy. Right pictures from Bright Bazaar

P.S. Note the amazing globe light on the bedside table, love it!

In Perfect Symmetry

I guess in some ways symmetry is something that we are drawn to in our everyday lives, it is ingrained in us. Apparently we are attracted to people with very symmetrical faces and basic design foundations are built on the principles of symmetry, it is supposed to be more aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.

At home, symmetry can be used (in a much less serious and philosophical way) to create order and a focal point within a room. It can give a space balance, harmony and proportion, making it more interesting and a beautiful place to spend time.

1. Regular, ordered picture frames over a sofa make a space look bigger.

2. I really like it when bedrooms are really symmetrical like this one. The mirrors, lights and circular net above the bed look lovely.

3. This is such a simple, beautiful idea. The dress adds texture and depth to a room and by being placed over the couch i lines up the room.

4. Spaces with lots of detail and different things can easily be tidied up by creating symmetry with a few bits and pieces.

5. Even side draws can be organised with a bit of symmetry using frames and books stacked underneath.

6. These similar photo frames that hang across two walls in a series create a mirror effect, almost like an open book. It also makes this dining area really cosy and its own space.

Unfinished Inspiration

I would LOVE to live here...

This bare brick, barely finished apartment is absolutely amazing. The designers have contrasted the textured, uncovered brick with delicate materials on the bed and floor, soft lighting and gold, metallic colours. And the painted wood floors, chandelier and detailed cornicing finish the bedroom really well. There's enough femininity to soften the rooms, making them cosy and warm but still maintain the brick as a feature.

The Decorista

Basically if it ain't broke, don't fix it!