Warwick Directories - Ashbourne Life

I’ve really enjoyed writing this article covering broad hints and tips for all your decor needs be them large or small projects.

Thank you to Fiona at Warwick Directories for this months feature slot supporting small businesses in May’s addition of Ashbourne Life.

I hope you find it helpful, inspiring and enjoy a read. It’s the perfect time to get going with a new project or perhaps one you had on hold, if you’d like help then i’d love to hear from you. Head over to my services page for more information and get in contact. Use the links below.

My go to trusted trader for all your home decor and installation is Williams Decorators Derby Ltd.

Happy Bank Holiday weekend.

Creative Crafty Frame Days

In staying safe at home we’re looking for ways to occupy our time, perhaps trying something different or new! There’s been so much amazing sharing across online communities to help brighten our days I wanted to contribute something creative with some ideas for you to get crafty, suitable for both us adults and the kids in the hope they help bring a smile and fill some time.

We can utilise all those supplies we have at home perhaps hidden in cupboards, things we might overlook that can be made of good use for creativity and fun.  With that in mind i’ve created some picture frames with a thing I love, wallpaper. 

This took me back with the idea stemming from being a kid when I wasn’t particularly gifted at free hand drawing so i’d just draw lots of squiggly geometric shape outlines on paper and colour them in, whilst always cutting and sticking bits and pieces, including photos and drawing on walls much to the dismay of my folks, oops.

Here’s a breakdown of what I did with some tips and alternative ways and materials you might like to use in adapting them to your own personal style.

Wallpaper

I have this thing with wallpaper! I love wallpaper and all the dynamics it brings to a space, it makes me giddy alongside paint of course. I gathered my wallpaper stash samples left over from current and past projects and got cracking.

Gridding and Blocks. 

This is a form and structure I use often when creating conceptual designs for clients, for mood boards be it fabrics, wallpaper, adding hardware and mostly visually on the Mac to communicate design schemes and treatment options, I enjoy using a grid like system. 

On a good weight art paper I began laying them out and overlapping wherever it felt nice and natural, contrasting the patterns of bolder and neutrals. I added a fabric sample for some extra texture too. Then stuck them down to secure using a glue stick or a gun. Make sure you’re happy with the layout and line them up nice and tight to the edges before you commit to stick.

Geometrics and Abstracts

These forms done professionally are my current favourites. The variety available is insane, they look amazing and are so versatile in so many contemporary schemes. Print options are also a great cost effective way to easily lift a blank wall, bringing lots of personality.

Firstly I decided on my shapes, for the circular I used a marble ornament circle laying it flat and drew round it as I don’t have a compass to hand. For the triangles i just went straight diagonally across a sample sheet of paper. For the base, as previous just layed some contrasting patterns combined with the grid format. I’ve added a floral here too as a nice extra soften.

Play around with your shapes and layouts, there’s options a plenty.

Add backgrounds via spray or alternative paints too.

Getting ready to commit to stick!

All stuck down. Now onto Frames.

Painting Frames 

Following the wonderful online workshops over the last couple of weeks at Muck and Brass i’m pretty much ready to paint and gild anything and everything! Limited with my current supplies for furniture I’ve spruced up a couple of frames with what I have to hand.

I didn’t take pictures before as thought they’d just come out just ok and they’ve had their day. Pretty chuffed though, it’s amazing what a couple of coats of paint can do so give it a go before you throw. I painted the back of the larger frame too as the base was black. I’d of probably kept it an off white or a contrast to the outer frame had more paints been to hand. Alternatively fill the frame entirely as all shown in the final pictures.

Finished Results

Ta daaa! Done.

Overall I’ve used a neutral warm palette and pastel schemes here with lots of those I love, weathered distress finishes  concrete, antique bronze and steely finishes with tiling replications, lots of metallics, marble with a fashion cross over of snake print.

I’ll follow up with a list below of the papers used, these are just a small selection of those I love from the gorgeous Style Library.

Fill the frame or leave a border.

Hints and Tips;

Make it personal. Tailor them to whatever you love, be it florals, bold eclectics or even a juxtaposition if you’re feeling the need to make expressive statements and shout out a little!

• Be careful when cutting across wallpaper for shapes when going against the grain as it will naturally want to pull and rip. Use a Stanley knife on a solid surface versus scissors if possible. 

• Works really well with fabrics too. Make sure they’re not too thick for your frames and glass cover though. 

• Create on a canvas versus a frame.

• Create a rainbow - Using other materials to fill with papers, prints and fabric. The cutting and sticking helps fill that bit more time too. 

• Make it 3D - Using collectibles from holiday and our travels, coins, old notes, seashells or a favourite hobby. 

I hope they inspire for something else to get crafty with. Do tag or share with me your finished creations as i’d really love to see them.

Mostly have fun with it. Perhaps they can be nice keepsakes and a positive nod and reflection of the times when we had to stay safe and at home.

Lyns x

Solus Ceramics @ Grand Designs Birmingham

Solus Ceramics kindly gifted flooring for my Under the Stairs project set at Grand Designs Live October 9-13th 19.

It was a pleasure working alongside Mark to feature the Rock Face Geometric Design as previously fabricated and designed specifically for the Everyman Horsham Cinema project. It’s a dynamic, on trend statement solution for any hall and under the stairs space which can lead beautifully into a kitchen. It’s compiled of super large tiles which come pre-mesh cut for easy laying.

What I love about the fabrication service is it provides the ability to create a bespoke design for any client and their project working with a designer like myself i’ll create the pattern design initially. This provides a unique finish and brings lot’s of personality to spaces. I really hope to incorporate into future projects.

Thanks Solus Ceramics for featuring in my set at Birmingham, it looked gorgeous and also for this lovely write up after! :) Take a read below, including the lovely Horsham project.

Everyman Horsham

Replication of Horsham. As movie night became a more generic execution for the exhibition versus just one specific film, I leant on a mood board design that could have fallen into a commercial design space (See ‘portfolio’ for both boards and all set photo’s soon), I liked the cross over and saw this as an opportunity to push the boundaries on the finish combining elements of a residential and commercial space, we can take inspiration from places all around us and bring them into our homes.

As a side note, I love this gorgeous green it works beautifully with all the brass and gold accents for a super luxe indulgent finish.

House of Enki

A throw back Grand Designs London @Excel May, where I featured the Berno Tap by house of Enki to perfectly compliment the Industrial Developers room.

With thanks to House of Enki for the wonderful feature and write up in your monthly magazine of my set, it was a pleasure featuring this on trend slick piece which was most definitely a firm favorite for a good few of us.

Enjoy a read below.

Lyns x

Outdoor Feels

Outdoor Summer Feels

Welcome to the long weekend! Whilst the temperatures might not quite yet be soaring the Bank Holiday is a firm favorite time for us all to get planning our outdoor space, taking advantage of all those fabulous offers out there too. It’s always exciting gearing up for summer isn’t it? BBQ’s with friends, slow easy relax time, light nights and candle lit glow. Wimbledon on the grass with strawberries and PIMM’s o’clock of course.

So with all that said, here’s a few picks i’ve pulled for Summer alongside their offers…some sprees and some steals of course. Normally running till close Monday 27th May. Talking of timing and weather, on a another positive note….next weekends forecast is set to be around 22C, so you’d best get planning!

Now pass me the PIMM’s and put another shrimp on the Barbie. Here’s to a long hot Summer….

All image sources are product owners.

Made.

I’m loving all things rattan indoors and outdoors at the moment, with all the rope string intricate design details. The form and slick clean lines they give to the space so these definitely don’t disappoint.

The Copa comes in a variation of styles and few colours, i’d go with the classic stylish tonal grey because i’m about neutral fixes mainly but do check out the lime green pop online if you’re feeling bold and brave. These are my favourite of their picks. It’s a poly rattan which is designed to help keep you cool whilst also being really stylish. Love it.

Copa Garden Lounge Set £699

Copa Corner Tonal Grey £999.

Yuri Bench £299.

Lyra Chairs (Set) £179 - Great to shake things up with a different table design.

Heals.

Modern meets classic stylish mix of options available online so there’s something for everyone of course. All of their garden furniture is waterproof designed with durability, comfort and longevity in mind. Another rattan pick this time with aluminium frame for an industrial fix, love the slick bucket style seats and form of the wicked set. These gorgeous neutrals flow easy from inside out with any scheme. Investments pieces to say the least. Running 15% discount across all outdoor till Monday. 

Wicked 2 Seater Sofa, Now £2254. Lounge Chair £816.

Roy Cocoon £595

Cantania Umbrella £194

Barker Stone House

I love that they offer something for everyone. Lot’s of rattan of course but a great mix of modern and classic styles available. From the classic Hathaway in Oval for conversational relaxed comfortable dining to the luxurious styling of the Lario. Cleverly mixing low benching with high backs, I imagine they’re so great for excited kiddies who just want to eat then run off onto the grass to play. The Beach is a well balanced mix of rattan and table top crafted in gorgeous aged teak wood. Their running 20% until Monday too.

Hathaway £1599

Lario £2099

Beach £2099

Statement lounging for a shady spot in the Rosa Daybed £999

Cox and Cox

A broad ranges from country wood, steel frames to rattan. Love the T-Pee for a statement piece. Great for keeping the kids out of the sun in the shade for a spot of quiet time. The Bari with slick Scandi legs and weatherproof solid rattan stringing feels a solid piece. The Faro is a great budget friendly solution with a bit of a difference for a small seating romantic place in your patio or garden. Clean metal lines and comfy cushions for the San Antonio bring slick and airy vibes to your space. 

Hanging Bell Tent £950

Bari Lounge Set £1200

The Faro £250

San Antonio £1350

Homebase

The Montilla range is over all really well priced for a statement on trend fix too. The Acapluco chairs are so good coming in at £39 each! They look pretty comfortable to sink back into and relax. Various colours are available. Combine with an alternative table style or stool for a twist. The six seater table combo is a great price too with £100 off, as is the Bar set which is certainly one for some fun and mingling.

Acapulco £39

Montilla Tea for two £295

Montilla Six Steel Seater Now £449

Mali Grey Rattan Bar Now £350

Hope you like the picks and they’ve given you some inspiration for your shopping. Outdoors for me is just as much of an investment as indoors when selecting products, considering materials, quality and price points associated. It’s all circumatantial of course and everyones is different. Look after your buys no matter what you spend and don’t forget to invest in good quality covers. The ones that refuse to blow off in the wind, because quite frankly, they’re just really annoying!

Happy BH shopping all,

Lynsey x

Fringe Trending 2019

To Fringe or not to Fringe?!

Have you seen lot’s of fringe and tassel home accessories about and thought hmm ok, what’s with the fringe? Well it’s a trend that’s here and certainly looks set for the season. Personally I think it mostly has a high element of fun to it, one just to be enjoyed and not to be taken too seriously. What’s really quite nice about it is the opportunity to switch out some of our accessories for spring without necessarily breaking the bank, adding a little luxe injection with neutral or pastel hues here and there to brighten our days and mark a new season. It’s also a great way of adding texture to a room by layering pieces and finishes.

The fringe trend has influenced our Interiors from the catwalks of Autumn/Winter 2018 featuring high tassels and embellishment giving a playful and slightly indulgent cross over into our homes. It pairs brilliantly with velvet furnishings and accessories for a rich finish, which aren't going anywhere soon either. It feels so versatile but particularly plays well when combined with an art deco or constellation room scheme, or by adding a boudoir sense feel to a bedroom or a splash of luxe to a living space. You might add small elements of fun for a teen-age or children’s room via cushions and throws. And for a more neutral fix think palm holiday retreat in Spain, stone walls, clean lines, light, airy but with lots of earthy elements too. That’s a whole other post or mood board though!

A smidgen of inspiration below, some steels and some super sprees. They’re fab ways to combine this fun trend into your home for the coming season. For a bolder bright fix look for teals and yellows. Hope they’re right up your street!

Blush Lamp £115 & Nappa Mirror £24 @ Oliver Bonas. Scour for stock mainly sold out! Also in grey.

Fringe Mirror @ H&M £23

Don’t forget the candles! Great for gifting @ H&M £13

Go bold! Beautiful elegence combined with the brass. Amazing for a hallway. Aloha Fringe Chandelier @ Anthropologie £348

Products L-R > Grey Fringe @George £25, Olgia @Lighting Book £95, Shady Lady Vintage @Etsy £39, Lipsy Clarissa @ Next £85,

Adore an accent chair, particularly in velvet. The Shell Chair is big on the scene and pairs beautifully with deco schemes. Bethan Gray @ Anthropologie £598

Add a beautiful statement foot stool. Love the contrast on this. Blush Pink Stool @Rockett St George £95

Products L to R > Cushion @H&M £15, Bailey Smoked Lamp @ Matalan £40. Art Deco Lamp @H&M £50. Their new range of lighting is tip top!! Gold and foil white Cushion £25 & Throw £60 @River Island. Lamp shade, various styles from £130 @Decorharrogate. Pink Geo Cushion @H&M £8.99

Handy Andy?

If you’re a bit handy or know someone who can help, buy your own add ons and create bespoke shades and accessories. A cost effective fun way of replicating this trend.

Products L to R > Peacock Tassels £1.95 each @ My Vintage Charms. Middle two @Etsy from £6. Light Gold Tassel from £3.20 @Zipupzipper.

Should we finish with a fashion fix? Probably.

Whilst your sat enjoying your new fringing sipping a matcha or maybe even a cheeky martini, you might feel like sporting some extremely fancy sandals too? Like the Viola at a whopping £1,295 with white suede and crystals by Jimmy Choo. Ooh la la! Or perhaps just go and find a high street on budget fix?! Throw yourself a fringe party with your girls and get the cheese and pineapple on sticks out! Enjoy x

A few in Store H&M Picks of the week. Those candles!!

My Background.

My background is marketing within the retail & finance sectors always in the creative and design fields. Early days of catalogue production, commissioning photography, styling photoshoots through to the fast online movement of web design and production. Campaign, brand and project management soon followed. She’s a good all- rounder hey?! I’ve always loved interiors and a move to North Carolina, USA the furniture market capital, set my passion alight and it flourished. I spent my spare time sourcing soft furnishing fabrics for home projects, scouring antique stores, furniture warehouses and flea markets for one off pieces.

Working at Anthropologie styling and creating in-store visual treatments for their various campaigns (particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday, which are all made by hand) whilst providing a daily personal shopping and highly attentive customer experience have enriched my creativity and experience.

People commented on my natural flair and eye for detail. I’d been toying with studying, when a real estate agent told me my interiors and styling had sold our then home it sparked me to turn my hobby into better practice.

A move to Izmir, Turkey naturally lead me to the right time and place to start my interior studies, later qualifying with a Diploma. Now with a strong growing portfolio of exciting projects, here i am! 

And by the way, if you have never had the opportunity to delve into one of the Anthropologie stores…you really should. They’re ever growing throughout the UK and Europe. The sheer bliss of homeware, so perfectly styled and combined within clothing creates an indulgent, tranquil and fabulous shopping experience. Be sure to allow plenty time and take your card, you might be there a while….

Photography source : Anthropologie