Bigger isn’t always better: it’s often the case that smaller homes are cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain and less effort to clean. In fact, there’s a certain charm about living in a humble abode! But what can you do about your lack of storage space? Well, we’d start by taking a look at these quirky, inventive and ingenious storage hacks. Use self storage Forgive us for pointing out the obvious, but you’d be wise to consider storing some of your belongings if you’re running out of room. Companies like RSS could be an easy and cost-effective solution if you…
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If you’re keen to work your way up the property ladder, you’ll need to know how you can best maximise the value of where you live currently. From transforming your garden with Ashridge Nurseries to adding extra living space, below are five ways to add value to your home: Transform your garage If you don’t use your garage for your car, turn it into another living space. According to the Daily Mail, a study by RAC Home Insurance concludes that nearly half of Britain’s garages are no longer being used for their original purpose. Instead, they’re being used for gardening…
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I love this time of year. The sun is feeling warmer, the days are noticeably longer and I’ve been using my free afternoons when my daughter is at nursery to tackle some much-needed decluttering. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the winter months but there’s something about taking down the Christmas decorations and finding a home for all those Christmas presents that makes me want to have a big tidy up! I thought I would share my top tips for decluttering in case you want to start, but don’t know where to: Write a list of those areas you want…
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Autumn is a strange season in many ways. It is full of vibrancy, colour and life yet has a sometimes melancholic hint of the coldness to come. Autumn can be cold one day and t-shirt and BBQ weather the next. It’s a real mixed bag but that is what makes it so wonderful. It’s a season of impending festivity. Halloween and Bonfire Night kick off the end of year fun and just as Autumn starts to ebb we brighten up our lives with cheery songs, twinkling lights and hearty meals. Autumn is fantastic inspiration for interior design and a way…
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I had no idea what to call this post. Over the Bank Holiday weekend I finally had some time to update a vintage wooden sewing table I bought earlier this year. I found it in a charity shop, complete with dodgy 1970’s orange nylon quilted lining. I ripped out the cushioned lining and it’s been waiting for attention ever since. Vintage sewing table makeover I’ve been updating my daughter’s bedroom. She said she no longer wanted her dolls so we’ve cleared out all the beautiful dolls beds I’ve picked up and re-painted, her dolls, dolls clothes and feeding chairs, baths…
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A while ago I bought a cute vintage wooden 3 legged stool. I painted it with some Annie Sloan paint, didn’t like it and packed it away on the loft. My 3 year old is starting a new nursery later this month so we’re trying to make a fuss of her and give her bedroom an inexpensive makeover. DIY Miffy stool Guess what I made my un-loved vintage 3 legged stool into? A fantastically cool Miffy stool and my daughter loves it. At 3 years old her bedroom is rocking the pink look so I have made a subtle stool in…
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Today my daughter finished at her lovely nursery. She has a couple of weeks off before she starts at her new preschool. In September she will be spending afternoons at her new preschool. She’s really excited about this, especially the uniform and book bag for some reason. I’m also looking forward to it. She needs a new challenge and so do I. My challenge is probably not so fun as hers – de-cluttering the house and starting to think about going back to work. Our house is in need of some attention, much like my CV. Although blogging is a…
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I’ve had my Janone sewing machine for a couple of years now. I prefer to hand sew but often use my machine to finish off larger projects, especially my quilts. My sewing machine had a rather nasty plastic dust cover and I wanted to make something prettier to keep it clean. A couple of weeks ago I read about a fun competition where you could choose a piece of fabric and make anything you liked and I thought this was a great opportunity to make myself a new sewing machine cover. There were four fabrics from Hillary’s Roman blinds and…
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Every year we rent a gorgeous cottage on the beach in Devon. It’s the most amazing place and we would live there in a flash if we could. The children love to pick up sea glass and bits of pottery which has been washed onto the beach and we always bring back a pocketful to remind us of our holiday. We’ve already had our week by the sea and wanted to do something with our beach treasure. When I was in Hobbycraft I spotted the perfect receptacle – fillable wooden letters! How to clean sea glass First you need to…
