Do some découpage!

Découpage looks like sooo much fun, I want to have a go!  It’s easy to pick-up a piece of old furniture from a second-hand store to practice on.  The thought of having a unique piece of furniture in my home which has been personalised is very appealing to me. 

Decoupage Kitchen by Jonathan Fong

I love this kitchen, although I can really only picture it working in a student apartment somehow.  Toning it down a little by just covering one or two doors would give the kitchen more of a family feel (and would be less of a shock first thing in the morning!)

Subtle and classy, this ceiling is proof that découpage needn’t be bright and colourful to make an impact.  See the how-to instructions over at Apartment Therapy.  If only Michelangelo had known, he could’ve saved so much time!!

Postage stamp table via Apartment Therapy

posted by Emily

The Swedish show how it’s done

This small Swedish flat is a great example of how to make the most of an area where space is limited.  It’s not often I can say I’d love to move-in straight away but there really isn’t anything I would want to change!!

It can be difficult to keep work and rest separate in small homes.  It’s so important to have a home office space separate from the living room furniture… even if it’s literally a desk and chair in the corner of the room.  Here, the ‘office‘ and lounge are open plan, yet the individual areas are clearly defined.  Notice how the room looks quite girly, however I’m sure this is purely because of the pink sofa.  What a difference one piece of furniture or colour can make!

 White gives the illusion of space as can large windows and plenty of natural light.

 Add definition with a feature wall

Love the idea of a wet room but not keen on the tiles used.  Although the striped shower curtain detracts from this

How delightful!

posted by Emily

The ultimate space-saver!

What do you think of these innovative space saving ideas, below?  These days everything seems to be getting smaller and more efficient and that includes our homes too.  I like how the raised ‘bedroom and office‘ area almost forms an upstairs in itself.  I’m not overly keen on the fact that the office space is so close to the bed… when do you get time to unwind?!  Work should really be kept separate but when you’ve little space perhaps you just have to compromise…

posted by Emily

Find the perfect console table

Console tables are perfect for small areas such as hallways, which tend to be quite narrow.  Whether used to store your bits and bobs or purely for decoration, these tables add a certain classiness and style to a home.  Add a lamp for soft lighting, use it to store small things such as keys or have your telephone, pens and address book all in one place.  Now you’re wondering how you managed without one, right?!

high gloss console table, from £465 by The French Bedroom Company

 Silbury console table, £399 by The Cotswold Company

Petworth console table, £585, by Oka

Marie Antoinette console table, £345, by The French Bedroom Company

white console table from the New England Range by The White Lighthouse, £230

posted by Emily