Quick Tips To Freshen Up Your Living Space This Summer

Everyone wants to stamp their individuality on their living space, don't they? But how do you do that without spending a fortune or resorting to homeware items from the major retailers which, although lovely, might appear on many a coffee table, shelf or nightstand?

Making the most of your budget has never been more important and, whilst we might not have the cash to completely overhaul our living space, there are cost-effective ways to add a bit of verve and pizzazz.

Sometimes a bit of shopping around is all that's needed and with a bit of ingenuity you can completely transform your space and incorporate your own decorative style.

Here's some quick hits to freshen things up.

Change your bedding and curtains

New bedding and curtains can make such a difference and give a room a fresh new look. Now that the weather is hot, crisp white linen or bamboo sheets are best to wick away sweat and keep you more comfortable.

Curtains with a thermal and black-out lining will help your sleep because not only will they keep the room dark, but they will help keep the room cool during the day.

Change your artwork

This doesn't have to cost a fortune.  Why not find some quirky postcards and frame them in ornate photo frames?  Or how about using wall vinyls to create your own, unique, feature wall.  You could use family photos or, if you're a keen photographer, some of your favourite nature or holiday snaps.

If you're artistic yourself, you could create your own artwork - why not try using acrylics to create a textured canvas or get the kids to create a collage.  If you don't mind a bit of mess you could even create your own artwork featuring the children's hand and foot prints.

Change your living room soft furnishings

A very easy way to reflect the new season's trends without blowing the budget is to change your cushions, throws and rugs.

For example you could change your throw pillows (or even just the covers) to reflect the new season's colours and textures.  I am particularly fond of doing this at Christmas when we go all Hygge with festive cushions, candles and faux fur throws, although that doesn't really bear thinking about in this current heatwave, does it!

You can even invest in new mats for the front and back door to add a bit of quirky fun - although I'm not sure I'll be getting the one with the Batman insignia Ieuan has his eye on.

Go vintage

You don't have to buy new of course.  Scouring flea markets and antique fairs is a lovely way of passing a Sunday afternoon and you may find some fabulous new treasures.

Adding a vintage throw to your bed or an antique vanity set to your dressing table can make your bedroom look really special.  

Again, you could find vintage or retro prints and frame these too.  

Change your colour palette

Sometimes a complete change from one end of the spectrum to another can really ring the changes. An easy to way to lighten and brighten is simply to repaint in a white (or a tinted white) or a neutral and add accents of colour via soft furnishings.  This will make your rooms look bigger too.

Or a beach theme is quite easy to do - bright white, navy and shades of pastel blue in stripes.  You could use your favourite seaside souvenirs or even, if your kids are like Caitlin, their vast and ever-growing shell collection.

Don't forget flowers

As you know I am a huge fan of fresh flowers and tend to avoid fake ones as they tend to collect dust. There are great bouquets to be had from the major supermarkets these days - and we usually find a bargain bunch or two at Aldi or Lidl.

Make them extra special by using a quirky vase or ornament and don't be afraid to try a row of single stems rather than the more traditional arrangements.

Decorate the garden too

In this hot weather, your garden becomes an important part of your living space so it's worth investing in some exterior decorations to create a little outside idyll.

Create atmosphere with strings of lights, either battery operated or solar, cute statues and even a fairy garden.  Caitlin has been asking for one of these for ages.  If you have room, the sound of a water feature is always calming and soothing.  You could even create your own meditation corner with a Buddha statue or just a lovely sculpture that talks to your mood.

If you are looking for something a little more unusual, take a look at online retailer, uncommongoods.com who offer unique jewellery, designer decor, tabletop items and handcrafted gifts.

They offer a great platform for artists and designers and each item listed has a link to information about its creator so you understand the thinking behind the piece. And over a third of their collection incorporates recycled or upcycled materials.

I think we're all a lot more thoughtful about our global footprint these days, aren't we?

Will you be freshening up your living space for summer?  

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Quick Ways To Upgrade Your Home This Spring (& A Giveaway!)

It's Spring and there's nothing like the reappearance of sunlight to make everything in your home look a little, well, drab.

All those DIY jobs you've been putting off start to gain an urgency - painting the skirting boards, fixing that leaking tap, repainting, mending curtains. Our list is already quite long - and that's without including the garden!

But there are some quick ways you can freshen up your space without spending a fortune and add some of those finishing touches that make a house a home.

Read on because I have a great giveaway at the end of this post!

* Repaint - but if you are renting you might want to follow these tips to avoid upsetting your landlord!

* Display family photos - you could create a photo wall or mix and match frames.

* Change the curtains - perhaps ring the changes by swopping to a roller or venetian blind.

* Create a cozy corner to read in by adding an armchair to your bedroom. 

* You can also add character to your bedroom with bedding in different textures, colours and fabrics.

* Hang String lights -  pretty at any time of year. Stuff strings of battery operated lights into glass vases to add a cozy glow to corners and mantle pieces or drape over the kitchen or your bed to add some atmosphere.

* Match soft furnishings - it’s amazing how soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, rugs, lampshades and curtains can brighten a room and complement the interior design of your property. While vibrant colours such as red, green, pink, purple and light blue work well against plain décor, blacks, greys and creams can also look stunning in a minimalist environment.

Once you’ve got an idea of what colours work well together, you can then start getting creative in each room giving each part of your home a different style and twist. You don't have to spend a fortune. You can make such a difference with soft furnishings such as throws and cushions. 

We recently discovered the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, an online retailer of upholstery fabric, where we selected this lovely plush large cushion in a soft shimmering grey - Geneva Luxury Fabric Crushed Velvet Cushion In Silver Colour. It's a great size and beautifully made.

I suspect Caitlin has laid claim to my new cushion!

Based in West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Fabric Shop has a warehouse full of upholstery fabrics suitable for sofas, chairs, cushions, boats, beds and whatever else you can imagine. They have 1000's of fabrics rolls in stock and also offer free samples to help you decide on what type or shade of fabric you need before you commit to buy anything. You can also visit their warehouse if you are nearby.

As you can see there is a wealth of fabric choices available.

and we liked the helpful cushion finder.  You can choose from pre-made cushions or select your own fabric and have them hand made.

  

I tell the Husband regularly that you can never have too many cushions.  He doesn't believe this but I am working on him.

Cushions come in 4 sizes - small (28cm x 28cm), medium (43cm x 43cm), rectangle (50cm x 30cm) and large (55cm x 55cm). Prices are around £45 for a small and £65 for a large.

Each cushion has a handmade reversible cover with a zip and a cushion insert filling made from hollow fibre.  You can have up to 6 free fabric samples before you order and you can also buy the same fabric by the metre.

If you want to change the look and feel of your home's soft furnishings, you'll definitely find some new ideas here.

The Giveaway

Now to the giveaway.  Yorkshire Fabric Shop are kindly giving away one large (55cm x 55cm) cushion in the fabric of your choice worth over £60 (the same size pictured above).

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 30th April.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Snuggle Up With Taylor or Johnny Tonight - ChattyPillow Pillow Case Giveaway

If the love of your life is unlikely to be with you on Valentine's Day this year, then why not snuggle up to Johnny Slept or Taylor Sleep?

Johnny Slept - £12.00

These quirky ChattyPillow pillowcases are made by fun sock company ChattyFeet from 100% cotton and are sure to brighten up the most lacklustre of winter evenings.

Do they remind you of anyone?

They would make an ideal gift for the hopeless romantic or the positively love-lorn. Each pillow case costs £12.00 or £22.00 for a pair and I have a pair to giveaway (one Johnny Slept and one Taylor Sleep).  Details of the giveaway are below.

Taylor Sleep - £12.00

Chatty Feet also make a great range of socks featuring characters such as Prof. Brian Sox and Kate Middle-Toe Socks!

Prof Brian Socks - £7.50

Kate Middle-Toe Socks - £7.50

The socks also come in children's sizes from 12 months up to 10 years.  Adult sizes are from UK4 up to UK12.

Much more interesting than plain black socks and a definite ice-breaker.  Plus, they'd make really good sock puppets to amuse the kids.  Bonus!

Now to the giveaway and I'm asking - which is your favourite sock character from the ChattyFeet range?  Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below.  The usual terms and conditions apply. UK entrants only. The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Monday 8th February.  Good luck!

The Giveaway Prize

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Like this giveaway?  Please share with your friends by clicking the social icon buttons below this post. Thank you!

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How To Make Your Child's Bedroom More Fun

I’ve heard a lot of parents say that kids bedrooms should be neutral spaces so that they’re easy to redecorate as they grow up. However, I am a big believer in making children’s bedrooms places that are as fun and enjoyable as possible. It is their bedroom after all, so it should be somewhere that they love spending time in. Plus, if your child likes their room, they’re more likely to sleep in their own bed, instead of yours.

Your child’s room should not only be a fun space but also, somewhere that is creative. That’s why, when it comes to the decor and design, you need to think like a child. Ask yourself what is your child’s favourite colour? Who is his or her hero? What games does he or she love to play? When it comes to designing a space your child will like, it’s all about thinking like them.

To help you design a bedroom that your child will love spending time in, here are a few tips and ideas.

Incorporate bright colours 

Picture source: Flickr 

For a child’s bedroom, bright colours are a must. If you design a bedroom that’s a dull, dreary space, the chances are that your little one won’t want to spend time in there. However, if you pack the space with colour, they’re bound to love it.

The easiest way to add colour to the space is by painting the walls in a bright shade of their choice. Or using wallpaper, to add extra colour. However, if you live in rented accommodation, the chances are that you’re not able to use paint or wallpaper.

The fact that you’re not allowed to make any permanent changes doesn’t have to affect how colourful the space is. As instead, you can add colour with accessories. Bright and bold curtains, rugs, wall art, bedding, and storage space, can be all it takes to create a beautifully colourful space.

For decor, use kids toys

Instead of using ornaments for decor, like your would in an adult space, use toys. This gives the room a more fun and child-like vibe. As well as using actual toys as decor, look online for decor that is designed to look like toys. For instance, you can get storage space that is designed like a race car or a fairy castle. Or, rugs that are shaped like a football or flower.

On the walls, instead of hanging wall art, consider using board games. You’ll find plenty of sites online sell board games that come with hooks and can be used as an alternative to wall art. These can make the room feel more fun and more child-friendly.

Pick the perfect bed design 

Image credit

When it comes to choosing the bed, it’s a good idea to think carefully about the design that you opt for. While it’s true that a plain frame design will grow with your child, it’s not as fun or exciting as a bed that’s a little different. For a bed that will allow your child’s imagination to grow, check out these unique cabin beds from Cuckooland. While they might cost a little more than a regular bed frame, they are ten times more exciting.

Be creative with lighting 

For lampshades, get creative. Don’t just opt for boring ones, think outside the box. Instead of a normal lampshade, how about one shaped like the globe? To get an idea of what lampshade designs there are to choose from, have a look online. If you know where to look, there are some excellent novelty ones that kids will love.

Little kids are often scared of the dark, so it’s important to be creative with lighting in their room. On the ceiling, pop glow-in-the-dark stars, so that even when the lights are off, they can still see what’s around them. It’s also a good idea to add a nightlight beside the bed, so that if they wake up in the night, they’re not scared.

So if you want to design your child a bedroom that he or she loves, take note of the tips above.

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Creating A Welcoming Care Home - 3 Crucial Decorating Points To Consider

Many of us 'baby boomers' find ourselves sandwiched neatly between caring for our children and caring for our elderly parents.  And, looming on the horizon is the possibility that we may one day have to make some emotionally difficult decisions about our parents' long-term care.

Nobody would want to live in a sterile, unwelcoming environment. Much can be done with clever decorating to create a place which fosters a feeling of security and comfort - and these are the type of places we would prefer our loved ones to inhabit when home care is no longer an option.

If you own a care home or any other type of residential home, the following tips are worth considering for the benefit of your residents and staff.

Creating a welcoming environment in your care home isn’t just about employing friendly, warm and dedicated staff; you also need to set the scene with well-considered decoration. Safety and hygiene need to play a part in the decision making process when it comes to interior choices but that needn’t be at the expense of the aesthetic appeal of your care home. It’s important to get things right for the residents and staff who will spend a lot of time in the same areas every day and to impress visitors to the premises to help your business stand out.

Here are a few crucial decorating points to consider…

Colour and light

You don’t need to be familiar with the seven chakras to engage in colour therapy to recognise that different colours can impact our moods. When you are choosing the colours of your walls, furniture and soft furnishings, this can help you make calculated choices to improve the daily experience of your residents. Yellow is a warm colour that is said to have positive connotations and research has found that it works to wake up the brain. Red, another warm colour can be associated with aggression and feelings of anger whereas pink is actually used within some prisons because it has been shown to lower confrontational behaviour.

The cooler colours of blue and green are said to have a calming impact upon our moods, but did you know that diners have been shown to eat fewer calories when eating in rooms where blue dominates? This is thought to be in part because of the low occurrence of blue foods in nature. This means the shade may not be an ideal choice for your dining room!

Choosing the right colour can make such a different to the atmosphere

It’s not just colour that can improve our mood, having a good presence of natural light is crucial in a care home where guests may not be able to go outdoors as much. Choose window dressings that allow light in while maintaining privacy and consider using bi-fold doors both externally and internally to allow light to flow throughout the building. There’s no need to stick with modern PVC if it doesn’t fit in with other elements of your design scheme, Creative Doors Direct have some nice oak options.

Choosing furniture

Ease of cleaning, comfort for guests and ability to withstand wear and tear; care home furniture needs to meet higher criterion than items used domestically. When selecting items such as arm chairs you’ll need to consider breathability of fabric, how easy it will be to remove spills and other stains for infection control purposes and whether the fabric will withstand constant cleaning too. Lookout for stain resistant fabrics and designs that incorporate spaces for easy cleaning as well as mechanisms for helping individuals rise and lower themselves where needed.

Surfaces such as chests of drawers and tables should be sturdy and easy to wipe clean. Where possible, choose designs that are free from sharp corners too. For dementia sufferers, furniture items that allow visibility of items stored inside can be particularly helpful. Drawers with gaps that allow easy access and visibility of the contents and wardrobes without doors or with partial doors are good examples.

Finishing touches

It’s often not practical to allow residents to personalise lots of areas of the home, though many homes allow to residents bring their own duvet set or hang their own curtains along with displaying personal photographs and art. This can help residents to feel more at home and also plays an important part in retaining happy memories. Retro decorating takes this element to the next level. The term describes the practice of decorating areas in furniture, soft furnishings and wallpaper or paint styles that residents are familiar with from the past.

Finishing touches can make all the difference

This type of environment is kept free from modern gadgets and might feature items such as old style dial Bakelite telephone. Similarly, toilets may use the monochrome style design with black seats that have long been used in public spaces. Decorating in this way can help some dementia sufferers to feel more confident and comfortable in their surroundings, though it’s obviously tricky to strike a balance for residents born in different decades or in some instances, different countries.

Have you recently decorated a care home or another type of new business premises? What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? I’d love to hear about your projects, so please share your tips!

Like what you've read?  Why not join me on the Mother Distracted Facebook page, tweet me on @lindahobbis or follow me on Instagram.

*collaborative post

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How To Care For Your Poinsettia - THE Christmas Plant

Some of us are not very good with houseplants.  In fact, some of us find keeping a Spider Plant alive a bit of a challenge.  I am proud to say, though, that I have a Poinsettia which I have managed to keep alive for nearly 3 years.

Poinsettias come in a variety of colours

So I was a little miffed to hear claims in a recent report from Thompson & Morgan claiming Poinsettias have fallen out of fashion in the UK.

This 12th December has been declared International Poinsettia Day and, Stars For Europe (SfE), a marketing initiative founded by a coalition of European Poinsettia breeders are striking back.

They say that sales of this classic Christmas plant, which comes in white, coral and 'spattered' colours as well as the traditional red, saw a 15% increase in UK sales last year.

If you follow a few of Stars For Europe's care guidelines (#1 remember they HATE cold and draughts so keep away from doors and windows) then they should last until Christmas, and after that, just chuck it away or, if it's like mine see how many Christmases you can make it last for.

The Traditional Red Poinsettia Is THE Christmas plant

How to Care for your Poinsettia (from Stars For Europe)

* Inspect before buying. Dense foliage and yellow-green flower buds are a sign of freshness. Don’t take any standing in breezy entrance areas.

* Keep them in a bright, warm spot (around 20° C). They can even be close to a radiator, but not in direct sunlight or near draughts – so keep away from open doors and windows.

 * Don’t over-water them by leaving a pool of water in bottom of the pot or saucer they’re sitting in. Only water when the soil is almost dry (preferably with lukewarm water).

* To keep your poinsettia going long after the festive season, do not fertilize during its flowering period. Afterwards, fertilize monthly using conventional nutrients.

* To produce colourful leaves for years to come, keep the plant in complete darkness for at least twelve hours per day for several weeks.

Did you know that Poinsettias got their name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the man who introduced them to the US in 1828.

Poinsettia Day is 12 December, commemorating the death of Poinsett on 12 December 1851.

Poinsettias originate from Mexico and have been associated with Christmas since the 16th century.

Poinsettias are not just red! You can get them in cream, pink and vintage apricot.

Poinsettias make great cut flowers. Immerse the stems in hot water for 20 seconds and they’re good to go!

Poinsettias are grown in black-out conditions for days so that they develop their colourful leaves.

I'm off to put my Poinsettia in a dark place to see if I can get the leaves to change colour......

Like what you've read?  Why not join me on the Mother Distracted Facebook page, tweet me on @lindahobbis or follow me on Instagram.

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Review: Get An Autumn Glow With PartyLite Candles

As you know I love autumn, not least because it's a brilliant time to annoy the Husband with the threat of new cushions, throws and scented candles.  There is nothing like candles for adding atmosphere and a warm comforting glow.  Any meal becomes more romantic by candlelight and of course it is well known that candlelight is flattering to your skin. (Or at least you can't see wrinkles in the dark).

Two lovely mini glass jar candles from the Just Desserts range - £15.95

Candles are part of our winter meal times too - the kids love watching the flickering flames and usually argue over who gets to blow them out.  Of course, we make sure the matches are well hidden.

We also keep a selection of scented candles to mask cooking smells and to just freshen up a room and Caitlin loves to choose her favourite fragrance.

But all scented candles are not made the same and you can end up spending a small fortune on a candle that doesn't scent the room and, most annoyingly, has a wick that burns out long before you get anywhere near the end of the candle.

I was recently gifted a selection of lovely scented candles from PartyLite to try and I have to say that both Caitlin and I are impressed.

In case you have not heard of them PartyLite sells an extensive selection of candles, home fragrances and accessories and has over 68,000 PartyLite consultants in 18 countries around the world.  The company was begun in Cape Cod in the early 1900's by a school teacher, Mabel Baker who began crafting candles from the wild bayberries that grew around her.  At first she gave them as gifts to friends and family but soon her entreprenurial spirit took over and she was one of the early female entrepreneurs!  PartyLite aims to remain true to Mabel's key values of honesty, integrity, fairness and quality.

Our PartyLite Candles arrived well packed with no damage to the delicate glass inside.  We received two mini scented jar candles from the Just Desserts range, "Nutcracker Sweet" and "Sugarplum Fairies" (£15.95), highly appropriate since Caitlin is dancing in The Nutcracker ballet at Christmas. The candles in the glass jars are guarded by cute pink and purple soldiers. "Nutcracker Sweet" has notes of cinnamon, mulled spices, nutmeg and vanilla.  "Sugarplum Fairies" is a blend of plums, berries and pomegranates.

Forbidden Fantasy Scented Mini Candle Trio - £27.50

We were also sent a Forbidden Fantasy Scented Mini Candle trio in "Blush", "Kiss" and "Flirt" (£27.50).  The scents are gorgeous and I will be smuggling one of these into my suitcase for our half-term excursion to the wilds of Tetbury.

Blush has notes of white grapefruit and violet, Flirt is a blend of white florals with rich fruits and musk and Kiss combines fresh notes and light florals with the warmth of amber and sandalwood. The fragrances are strong enough so as not to be overpowering or sickly sweet.

Lastly we were sent the very pretty Warm Hearts Tealight Holder - £13.95, made of glass with an antiqued silvery finish which looks lovely on a mantelpiece or bedside table.

Warm Hearts Tealight Holder - £13.95

PartyLite has an extensive range of candles and home fragrance products and some gorgeous items for Halloween and Christmas.  I find our American cousins approach both these celebrations with a good deal more gusto than we do here in the UK.  If you love Martha Stewart, then you're going to love PartyLite.

The link to their latest Autumn / Winter catalogue is here.

They offer over 50 exclusive fragrances, in different categories such as Herbal & Woody, Edible & Spicy or Floral so you are bound to find one that appeals, plus some great ideas for making your Christmas table a stand-out event this year.  (We spent ages trying to find a gold runner for the table last year, much to the Husbands chagrin and don't get him started on 'decorative stags').

If you would like to order candles, why not host a home party where there are discounts and incentives for the host or hostess (and you can also become a consultant).

Further information about PartyLite is available at www.partylite.co.uk. You can also find PartyLite on Facebook or Instagram.

*PR samples were received for the writing of this post.

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Great Purse-Friendly Home Gifts For Mother's Day From Terrys Fabrics

Terry's Fabrics, the Home Furnishings Specialists who promise to "transform your house for less" have a great range of purse-friendly home gifts for mum this Mother's Day. 

With an interior design centre, a huge stock of products online and stores in Staffordshire and Stockport, there's certainly plenty of choice. 

 

Flutter Printed Duvet Set £9.99 - £17.50 

Lily Luxury Quilted Bedspread £26.90 

Distressed Love Sign - £8.20 

Love Table Lamp Cream - £15.99 

Lovehearts Filled Boudoir Cushion - £9.99

Distressed Home Sign - £8.20 

Emily Throw Eau De Nil - £29.99 

Terrys is not a name I had come across before but their online store is certainly worth a visit.


Further information at www.terrys.co.uk or telephone 01782 566666.

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