Quick and Easy Interior Design Tips - Week One Cushions

1. My living room cushions in a blue and white theme

I spend many hours in my home, both living and working, so I like to keep my décor fresh and interesting and often make changes. I am not talking about expensive changes with furniture items but smaller cost changes such as cushions, decorative items, lamps, rugs or artwork. Over the next few weeks we are going to look at how little changes can make a big impact in your home and how to achieve a designer look without spending a lot of money.

Pillowtalk - Ideas For Creating an Inviting Bed

Above: Anna Carin Design - Photography by Amanda Prior

Are you a stacker, or do you prefer your pillows upright? Do you mix and match patterns and textiles or prefer plain, do you co-ordinate or contrast? How many pillows/cushions do you prefer, four, five or more? Or, maybe this all sounds far too complicated. There is no right or wrong way to dress a bed, however there is definitely a way of making a bed look more inviting, so I set out to discover some well dressed beds.

Update on Master Bedroom - A Peek At My New Cushions, Headboard and Wall Colour

I promised an update of the progress of my master bedroom, I wanted to give you a glimpse of my new headboard and cushions. My shutters have just been installed, however I want to wait until the full reveal to share these properly.

Florabunda - A Celebration of Colour by Laura Ashley

Apart from my interest in interior decorating, I am also an artist, my subject matter is flowers and my current works are in oil medium, however in the past I used to specialise in watercolours. Watercolours have a special place in my heart as they are what inspired me to start painting. The liquid fluidity of the medium challenged me, however suited my floral subjects perfectly. Transferring this fluid, floral look onto fabrics with digital printing is a growing trend so I have been looking around for some inspiration.

Home Inspiration No. 2/14 - Homeware, Interiors & Delicious Deserts

Spotted last week a round up of new homeware products, interiors and recipes ....

Above: Small homeware items can still make a big impact especially in neutral areas. Emily Ziz's new art cushions certainly fit into this category.

A rug can be the perfect item to unite a room or setting. As we see a growing trend for our outdoor areas to become an extension of our interior, furniture and accessories are now becoming more indoor/outdoor friendly such as these rugs below...

Above: Starfish outdoor rug from Grandin Road, perfect for a coastal retreat.

Above: The chevron design indoor/outdoor rug above is available in several colourways at Ballard Designs

Above: Oxford stripe indoor/outdoor rug from Pottery Barn

I also spotted a few pretty interiors on Pinterest that caught my eye...

 Clever colour, via 

I must be loving lavender, it was the colourful artwork however that drew me to this image - Image via 

A beautiful light filled room. The chandeliers look stunning hanging between the beams - Image Via 

I can't seem to stay away from Hamptons style, probably because I am currently re-decorating my office in this style -  Image via

And now for couple of yummy treats...

Above: I haven't tested this recipe yet but these Meyer Lemon Tea Cakes with Pomegranate glaze look divine. Find the recipe over at Weelicious.

Above: I thought I would never be able to have a smoothie again because I am gluten and dairy intolerant, so imagine my happiness when I discovered this dairy free recipe for a delicious Raspberry Coconut Smoothie from Creme de La Crumb.

If you've enjoyed this weeks inspiration and want to see more, please visit my 'Weekly inspiration' page or use the tab at the top of this page.  I hope you've enjoyed this weeks inspiration as much as I enjoyed discovering it. Now I am off to the supermarket to get some coconut milk and raspberries and try the smoothie. 

Lee oxo


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DIY Showoff
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I Couldn't Resist Bringing Ralph Lauren Home - Blue & White

Last weekend I visited my favourite fabric shop to see what delicious bargains I might discover. I use the word 'delicious' as there is a Little & Friday cafe inside the shop and I never fail to give in to one of their fabulous cakes. So, off I wandered, weaving through the bolts of fabric with the promise of a treat at the end. I never went there with intentions of bringing anything home, honestly, but just as I turned a corner I spotted a row of blue and white fabric and there 'he' was, smack bang in the middle, the most gorgeous linen with his name, 'Ralph Lauren' stamped across the selvage edge. I didn't have to think long as I knew this linen would be perfect with my new, blue and white tropical cushions and I could see Mr Lauren sitting handsomely beside them.

Mr Lauren with my tropical print cushions

Part of my collection of blue and white porcelain 

My two new cushions in desperate need of some more blue and white company

I am currently in the process of a summer spruce up of my living room and will be sharing more images soon.

Lee oxo

Sharing this post at the following blog parties:

I should be Mopping the Floor
Alderberry Hill

The Dedicated House

A Stroll Thru Life

DIY Showoff

Savvy Southern Style

Not Just A Housewife

No Minimalist Here

The Real Housewives of Riverton

Colourful Patio/outdoor entertaining inspiration

If you live in the Northern hemisphere, it's not too late to put some thought into your patio or deck area this Summer and there is nothing like a little colour to brighten an outdoor spot. Maybe colourful furniture is not quite your taste, however, bright coloured cushions are a simple way to jazz it up. Your outdoor living should be an extension of your indoors, think carefully about furniture layout, colours and accessorise, creating an inviting area where you can relax alone or with friends. All these gorgeous images make me excited about upcoming Summer in New Zealand.

Nothing like a pop of pink to brighten up the deck

Snuggle down on those cool evenings with a beautiful  faux fur throw

Literally an outdoor room...Love it!

Recycling old pallets and drums to create an outdoor setting

A touch of Asia, lanterns are interesting accessories and fit perfectly in an outdoor setting

Laze away those balmy days in a fabulous hammock and a pretty striped light weight comforter to keep you cosy when the sun goes down.

Some vintage love

A touch of the Hamptons - black and white, always smart

A colourful umberella sets the scene

Image sources: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9 

It is hard to choose which one is my favourite outdoor setting, however if I have to narrow it down,  it would be image 3, which is your favourite?

I will be linking this post with the following blogs:

I should Be Mopping The Floor

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
 Stroll Thru Life

Its all coming up Roses!

I adore Roses, especially old fashioned roses such as Albertine and all the David Austin roses. Next month is the Parnell Rose Festival and I will be heading off with my camera to share their roses with you. I am also excited about showcasing two private Auckland cottage gardens that have previously featured in NZ Magazines. These gardens are crammed in every corner with beautiful old fashioned roses and English flowers such as Hollyhocks, delphiniums, foxgloves and many other English delights. 


My new house unfortunately has the tiniest garden imaginable, hardly bigger than a postage stamp and so the only claim to roses are two standard icebergs that flank my rear patio.  I've been watching my roses closely for their first buds but not close enough it seems.  I noticed that one rose was glossy and healthy with lots of new shoots whereas the other seemed to be sparse and straggly. On closer inspection I discovered all the new shoots had and were being munched on by tiny little "green fly". Its taken a lot of persistence but finally I have managed to get on top of the little critters and  slowly my rose is recovering from its Green fly beating, I am sure though that they will not be a patch on the ones I will see at the Rose Festival next week.


Today It's all about Roses so I have sourced some lovely products fitting for my "Rose" theme to share with readers today.

I couldn't resist this image and can imagine this pretty romantic table setting for a bridal shower - image source via pinterest.

These sweet Rose gift tags US$3.25 for 3, are available from Creative Visions an etsy shop specialising in French and vintage inspired paper goods.




Watercolour Rose Print Prom Dress made by Dig for Victory - 99.00 (UK Pounds) size can be made to order from Folksy

These gorgeous Arabella  antique Rose cushions in duck egg, 38.00 (British Pounds) are available from Peacock Blue,. Also available in cream.

Rosenholm rose pink throw pillow embroidered linen - Designers Guild US165.00.

This gorgeous throw pillow combines embroidered roses and soft vibrant coloured linen edged with beautiful cross stitched detailing. 100% plain linen reverse.

shabby Chic Rose cushion - US$17.90 from Little Joobie Boo

Fabric by Prestigious textiles of Yorkshire - US$34.00 for a pair (16" x 16") from Sally Lucas

 

1. Boxed Roses set of 2 mugs -  NZ$39.99 from Ezi buy on line.

2. Rose Bathroom Set (tumbler, soap pump and soap dish) -  NZ$99.99 also from Ezibuy.

The Rose products above will soon be available at Wallace Cotton. You can visit their website and add as a favourite, and they will email you when they arrive.  They also have a sweet little peg bag in the same delightful rose fabric.

Smell the sweet Roses!

Lee x

Rustic Country Crafts - Gorgeous burlap/hessian cushions

Addendum: Since publishing this post' Rustic Country Crafts' no longer have a website, however you can find similar products on Etsy where I initially discovered this company.

These gorgeous cushions are from Rustic Country Crafts, a small business based in Antrim, Northern Ireland. Lynsey makes lovely hessian (burlap) cushions.  I recently purchased two La Maison cushions and am thrilled with them.  Lynsey was quick to respond to my email enquiry and is happy to quote a specific size if your size is not available, also she is happy to make up sets if you require more than one.  Delivery from UK was just under three weeks but well worth the wait (we are the other side of the world after all).  The cushions are beautifully made and mine have an envelope style finish so you can simply slip your inner inside. The envelope is plenty deep enough so that their is no "gaping". I am delighted.  My two cushions cost me a total of NZ$50 including postage which was cheaper than purchasing two from a design store in Auckland.  

One of my new La Maison cushions from Rustic Country Crafts
(Please note the black and white Peony cushion was purchased in NZ)

Various designs 

My La Maison Cushion US$15 each (I ordered a matching pair) 

hand printed French postmark 10" x 14" US$20

Addendum: Since publishing this post, Lynsey no longer has a site on Etsy. However, you can find lots of similar cushions on the Etsy. site.