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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Needlite? A Stylish Yet Practical Way To Light Up Your Workspace

What do you do when you work from home and the only space you have is dingy and poorly lit? Or when the existing window gives poor quality daylight?

You might be thinking LED striplighting at this point, or the largest angle-poise lamp you can find, but neither of these options is always conducive to a good working environment - particularly if you are working on detailed documentation, drafting plans or carrying out intricate hobby work such as crafting or model building.

Then there's the effect poor lighting has on our mood. Who wants to sit in a floodlit space or a gloomy cave? And what of those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

If you are lucky enough to hit upon the right solution, it's likely that it is not the most attractive one. How do you blend aesthetics and functionality, or design and practicality?

If you're going to be spending the greater part of your day at your desk, then it makes sense to create as attractive an environment as possible.

Enter Needlite, a small Danish start-up who entered the Nordic market in autumn 2015 with a pretty unique lamp design - a pair of lean and rather elegant desk lamps which shed a comfortable white light across your workspace with true colour reproduction and zero screen reflection.

Needlite's aim was to provide the user with an efficient work light but also provide the much needed daylight at the same time.

We are all aware of the lack of daylight during the winter months in Nordic countries but did you know that all over the industrialized world, people are spending an average of 23 hours indoors - and often in poor lighting - quite a staggering statistic!

We also know that a lack of light can have a severe impact on our performance: energy, mood, digestion, sleep and even our recovery from illness. Some people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, and seasonal depression, this is a condition where people who generally have normal mental health, start to exhibit signs of depression at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter.

Did you know that you need sufficient light to sleep well?  When night falls, the darkness tells our body to increase its melatonin production (known as the 'sleep hormone'). 

When the sun rises, the level of melatonin is suppressed and serotonin (one of the 'happy hormones') is produced. One of the functions of serotonin is to tell us that it's time to get up and get active. Insufficient light during the day will knock this cycle out of kilter.

Note that Needlite are not claiming their invention is a cure for SAD, however, as a replacement for natural daylight, it is likely to help.

The Needlite has also been designed, they say, to encourage use by making it simple to operate and attractive to look at.

The dimensions are width 100 mm, depth 100 mm and height 457 mm - a decent size which makes the Needlite a design feature as well as a practical item. The lamps are easy to set up - simply set the lamps at each far corner of the desk, ideally about 40-50 cm from your computer screen each side.

The design is both simple and modern but best of all it has a touch control on the top of each light which gives off an adjustable, yet no glare daylight.

The Needlite comes with a 2 year warranty and is so stylish that they are featured in the Danish Design Museum in Copenhagen!



There is also an iPhone app which controls the lamps and give the user feedback on light consumption and usage. It will even turn the Needlite off automatically when you leave your desk. You can also monitor your daily light exposure to make sure you are getting enough.

The app was an absolute boon to the Husband whose office is in our loft at the top of a rather rickety staircase. He can now use the Needlite to create enough light to work by in the evenings without the usual full glare which wakes the kids. It also means carrying a laptop and coffee at the same time is now a much safer procedure because he can turn the lights on remotely before he ascends.

One other benefit of interest to our niece who is setting up her own photography business is that the Needlite is highly suitable as a work light for photographers, art directors and other professionals working with pictures or graphics on screen who need to control the surrounding light in strength and colour. Needlite has the exact right colour temperature of 6,500 kelvin and is not reflecting in the screen or in the way when editing.

We found the Needlite to be a step above the traditional desk light.  Retailing around the £350 mark, its ability to create a pleasant working environment whilst adding some style makes it well worth the investment.

We are looking forward to testing it further when the clocks go back and the loft gets even gloomier. For the time being, the Husband's office is certainly a nicer, brighter place to work.

Find out more at Needlite.com and at their UK stockist www.wellworking.co.uk.

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Key Spring Interior Design Trends For Your Home

This Spring, say hello to geometrics and exotic motifs.

Spring is finally here, and with it the feeling that better weather is about to come, and with that, Summer! Colour, pattern, and plants are the key to giving your house a new look to welcome the season.

There is a whole new generation of graphic artists taking the design world by storm right now, and they are drawing upon influences that range from geometrics and primary colours to the 80s design movements. Think pop-art, and colours.

When it comes to colour a favourite trend of 2017 is the rise of rich jewel tones. These jewel tones go hand in hand with soft pastel colours. Vibrant greens, purples and ruby reds mixed with soft pinks and blues.

Pastel shades are a great way of introducing subtle colour into a room, they’re brilliantly minimalistic and set the tone for a Bohemian, Romantic style. If pastels aren’t your thing you can always for the bold side and choose earthy colours like powdery pink, terracotta, sand, ochre, or olive green. They will give a great exotic feel to the room and will go great with spring trends.

They provide a great way to introduce subtle colour into muted schemes, so they work brilliantly in minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired homes where brighter shades might jar. They’re both warming and calming, and they look wonderful offset against neutrals. They’re incredibly versatile, too: you could start small by introducing a few earth-coloured ceramics, or go bolder and paint the walls. The mood is all about fun and glamorous escapism.

Introducing Geometric Patterns

To meet the geometric trends of 2017 spring here are a few easy additions to the home that will change the feel without too much hassle.

I particularly like these geometric mirrors by Lisa Angel. With a minimalistic geometric design, they provide the perfect start to a spring refresh. These hexagonal mirror can be easily hang in your living room by their attached sting and are available in multiple sizes. Plus, their simple design means you won’t have to change up your room massively to accommodate it.



If you’re looking for a more bald geometric piece to add to your home, consider lighting. This statement lamp by Fabbian, it comes both with or without suspension and is a great way to add some personality into the room. Suspension lamps are coming back, and personally, They tend to give more style to a room than surface mounted lamps. This design in particular is bit pricey but there are plenty luxury lamps to choose from in LampCommerce.

Exotic and Botanical Themes

This is another favourite spring trend because it is bringing some great patterns with it, I’m specially excited by the Banana Leaf Patterns. I absolutely love, love, loveeeee (did I emphasise that enough) tropical wallpapers. I think, when used properly and only for details, they can really change a room massively by brightening it up and giving it life. Choose a wallpaper that has colour, but be careful with a heavy pattern. Bold choices can be good for a while but a simpler design with fewer colour or clutter will last longer.

If you don’t want to change your walls but like the pattern, why not frame it and hang it in your living room? Or consider instead pillows. Pillows are a great way to contrast colours, specially in living rooms. There are plenty of Banana Leaf Design pillows to choose from in vtwonen and etsy, and come in different sizes and patterns. Framed patterns or pillows are a great quick and easy change to make to your home decor which will make your room feel new without making an entire project out of it. 

A tip I would say is keep to a simple palette with accents, but be brave with texture and layering. Remember, you don’t have to make massive changes to your home to give a spring makeover.

Collaboration with Max Lami

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The Retro Interior Design Trends Devaluing Your Home

A recent study commissioned by Bathrooms.com of 2000 people aged 16 and above across the UK has discovered 10 retro interior design trends which might lose us money when we come to sell our homes.

Wood panelling, avocado bathrooms and built in bars were named as just some of the fixtures most likely to put UK homebuyers off.

It is estimated that 324,000 UK homes still have an avocado bathroom suite and, on average UK homebuyers would reduce their offer by a massive £5,000 if a property still has one!

Research into the nation’s most hated retro décor trends has discovered the 10 interior design trends most likely to devalue your home are:

1. Wood panelling (46% of UK homebuyers wouldn't buy a property if it still had old fashioned wood panelling)

2. Avocado bathrooms (44%)

3. Built-in bars (41%)

4. Woodchip (41%)

5. Artex ceilings (40%)

6. Heavily patterned carpet (35%)

7. Textured wallpaper (34%)

8. Crazy paving (33%)

9. Brick fireplaces (33%)

10. Built in wardrobes over the bed (30%)

According to the study, UK homebuyers would look to knock £4,877.46 off the purchase price of a property if it still had an outdated avocado bathroom suite. One in six of us (16%) would expect to pay at least £5,000 less and 6% of 25-34 year olds would seek a price reduction of at least £10,000.

Almost three quarters of the UK (75%) think avocado bathroom suites are ugly and three out of four people (71%) say if they bought a new home and it had an avocado bathroom suite, it would be the first thing they’d rip out. But despite this, a fifth of UK homeowners (20%) confess they’ve never updated their bathroom, and around a quarter of the UK (23%) admit to being embarrassed by their outdated bathroom when their friends come over to visit.

Have you got any of the 10 worst offenders?

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How To Make Your Space Your Own On A Budget

How can you make your space your own when you're living in a rented flat, bedsit or student accommodation?

Everyone needs a cosy pad to escape to so that you can recharge your batteries and regather your energy. But how do you do that when money is tight and you've bills to pay?

At this time of year in particular, making your space lovely and festive only adds to the enjoyment of the season.

So what to do?  And what do you do when you share your space with others?

Here are some tips you might like to try.

Create a mood board

You can find inspiration from the interior magazines like Elle Decoration and the Sunday supplements.

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

Try some DIY projects

Here's a way to make your own fabulous cozy headboard.




Display family photos

Create a photo wall or mix and match frames.  Visit your local printer to blow up your favourite prints to A3 or larger and frame them.

Update the curtains 

You could add a statement theme to jazz a room up or just replace with calming neutrals to dial the volume down.  If light is a problem, it's worth investing in black-out linings which will give you an extra hour of snooze time on light summer mornings and keep you warm in the winter.

Use seating in the bedroom

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

Add texture with throws and cushions

You don't have to spend a fortune.  You can make such a difference with soft furnishings such as throws and cushions. Buy the cushion pads and the covers separately or make your own covers if you can sew.

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

Hang String lights

These are 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.

Create a nook

If you've no room in the bedroom to add a chair, create a cozy corner in your main room - perhaps with a mini table or bookshelf and a lamp to read by.

Add light and reflection with mirrors

A decorating basic - make your space big by using the power of reflection.  You could make a large mirror a feature of the room.

Add plants / flowers

Nothing spruces a room up like a beautiful floral display and you can find some reasonable bunches in stores like Aldi.  Add an extra note of interest by displaying them in quirky ways, for example unusual china cups.

Light Candles

Very Hygge and there are so many types and fragrances to choose from at every price point. Candles are a really quick way to add coziness.

Make your own artwork

If you are the arty type, why not create a wall dedicated to your own artwork.  I have seen some pretty convincing paintings simply done with acrylic paint.  Or if you are into photography, why not display your work - I love black and white photography.

Replace the toilet seat or taps

No explanation needed on this one and is there anything more irritating than a dripping tap?

Display your make up / perfume bottles

If you don't have many ornaments, improvise.  Antique perfume bottles and some of the more unusual modern fragrance bottles make a lovely display.

Hat boxes in stacks also make a great display.

Use modular furniture that can be moved around

If you're investing in furnishings, it makes sense to buy things you can move from room to room - and take with you when you move on.

No matter where you live, it's easy to add your own personality to your space and create a home that is welcoming and great to come back to after a hard day's work or studying.

What would be your top tip?

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10 Quick Tips For Saving Money On Your Energy Bills This Autumn

After the mortgage, our utility bills are one of the biggest chunks of our monthly expenditure.

Many of us, of course, know that we should be shopping around for a better deal but, if you're anything like me, you suspect that any rises or falls in utility costs will eventually spread to all the other utility providers and even out over the long term and you find the thought of switching provider is just too much of a hassle.

But since Which suggest you could save up to £369 by switching your energy provider, it may be well worth while making the change.

In the meantime, there are lots of ways we can reduce our existing utility bills by making a few practical adjustments.

Here are some quick tips:-

*  Turn down your thermostat.  The Energy Saving Trust say you can save around £90 just by turning your thermostat down 1 degree.  Sweaters and hot water bottles can be your new best friends.

* Try a smart thermostat.  That way you can control your heating via the internet and could switch it on in time for your return from work, rather than keeping it on all day.  Have a look at Nest or Hive.

*Make sure the dishwasher is full before you switch it on or, if you hand-wash, use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £30 a year in energy bills.

* Fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £7 a year.

* Reduce your washing machine use by just load per week and save £5 a year on energy, and a further £8 a year on metered water bills.

*Check your windows for draughts. You can buy draught-proofing strips to stick around the window frames which are cheap, and easy to install, although they may not be a long term solution.You can get metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached which are long-lasting, but cost a little more. For windows that don't open, use a silicone sealant.

*You can also prevent heat loss by using thermal / black-out linings on your curtains (great at helping the kids to sleep too) or by fitting blinds from the company VELUX which have a special heat blocking aluminium coating on the back to retain heat in the room in winter and reflect solar heat in summer.

*Similarly, check your doors for draughts too.  Keep doors closed to stop cold air from moving into the rest of the house and if there is a gap at the bottom of the door, use a draught excluder.  You can make your own with some spare material or even a stuffed pair of tights.

*Draught-proof your front door by

 -getting a keyhole cover (a metal disc that drops over the keyhole)
- fitting your letterbox with a flap or brush
- blocking any gap at the bottom with a brush or hinged flap draught excluder.

*Don't leave all your gadgets on standby.  Switch them off to save £££s.

For more great ideas on how to save money on your utilities, go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

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Win A Yankee Candle Riviera Escape Votive Gift Set & £10 Voucher From lovearoma.co.uk

I've been thinking a lot lately about ways to improve your home without spending huge amounts of cash, although it has to be said the Hobbis Towers needs quite a bit of serious renovation.

Aside from changing the soft furnishings or lighting fixtures, a great way to add some pizazz and ring  the changes is by using home fragrance.

Caitlin and I absolutely love Yankee Candles and our Christmas treat each year is the Yankee Candle Advent Wreath or, last year, the Advent House.  There is something really comforting about the variety of scents you find in these and nothing like the romantic glow of candlelight to add atmosphere and a sense of comfort.

In fact, so obsessed am I by this concept that my Amazon wishlist currently contains "The Art of Hygge - How To Bring Danish Cosiness Into Your Life" by Jonny Jackson & Elias Larsen (available to pre-order).

But it is, of course, summer and to celebrate this Yankee Candles has released it's "Riviera Escape" collection of candles and accessories which you can find at Love Aroma, specialists in Home Fragrance.

As well as their online store, Love Aroma has a number of stores across the country and they stock a wide range of home fragrance products, from candles, to diffusers, lamps and accessories. They have also helpfully categorised their fragrances to help you pick something suitable by room, by fragrance and even by occasion.

The company also has a panel of experts in scent and style who have tested every scented candle, diffuser or room spray for its ability to fill rooms with fragrance and look stylish in the home. The panel members come from a variety of backgrounds including perfumery, wine-making, floral design, events, styling, interiors and baking which gives them a wide range of experience when it comes to advising on scent and style.

The scents in the Yankee Candle Riviera Escape Collection are divine.

There is:-

* Riviera Escape - summery, floral & fresh
* Sea Salt & Sage - warm sage with the clean fresh scent of Sea Salt
* Lavender - evocative of a beautiful garden - in England or abroad
* Summer Peach - sweet, comforting
* Sicilian Lemon - fresh, zesty and crisp
* Olive & Thyme - fresh, herbal, musky

Each scent is available in jar, votive or wax melt size.  My favourites are definitely the Sicilian Lemon and the Sea Salt & Sage.

You can also find a wide range of Yankee Candle fragrances in jar size, such as the delicious Mango Peach Salsa Fragrance which we were sent to test in the Medium Jar Size.  This fragrance is sweet and zesty with the scent of juicy mangoes and peaches livened with citrus, ginger flowers and pink pepper.

This was definitely Caitlin's favourite!

If you would like to try the Yankee Riviera Escape fragrances for yourself, I have a votive gift set to give away, together with a £10 gift voucher to use on the Love Aroma website.

I also have a discount code for Mother Distracted readers which entitles you to 20% off your first purchase at Love Aroma valid until the end of July.  Just enter "MotherDistracted" at the checkout page.  There's also free delivery on purchases over £30.

Entry to the giveaway is via the Rafflecopter widget below.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 8th July 2016.

Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Win A Beautiful Papilion Lightshade from KaiGami.Com Worth £67

Sometimes you want to freshen up a room without the bother of redecorating.  This is particularly true when you have kids. Just the thought of the mess, the dust, the upheaval is enough to make you think twice.

The beautiful Papilion Lightshade from KaiGami.com

A brilliant way to quickly change the look of a room is to play around with your use of lighting and perhaps invest in a new lightshade and I have discovered some beautiful, ornamental shades produced by KaiGami.com which are unique and would definitely be a talking point.

KaiGami is a British company which designs and manufactures functional, aesthetically pleasing, innovative and affordable products for the design-conscious luxury market, whilst exploring premium materials.

One of the things that makes the company different is that 90% of its designs are made using Laser Cutting technology.

Their motto is "The world around you creates you: fill it with beauty” and KaiGami, devised by Guillaume Lyons, draws inspiration from an ancient art form - Origami, invented in the Far East in China in AD 100.

KaiGami follows the principle of origami in the idea that one can create an object from a flat piece of malleable material. KaiGami pieces go beyond the ornamental as each is designed for a specific function and it is important to the company that they support the UK economy by having everything made in Britain.

To create a piece of KaiGami sculptural design a profile, either symmetrical or asymmetrical is cut from a piece of flat malleable material before the final process of creation begins. Once cut the profile is usually bent into shape rather than folded and it is this process that gives each design its curves and volume - quite unlike origami's angular ornaments.

KaiGami lightshades are so unique that they would make an ideal house-warming gift or a present for a design-conscious friend or relative.

KaiGami has kindly given me a Papilion Shade worth £67 to give away.

Inspired by the contours of a butterfly's wings, the shapes created are soft and easy on the eye and evoke the freedom of a butterfly in flight.

The shade is made from Polypropylene, a highly durable material, as are the rivets which hold this light shade together, so it can be easily recycled. The shade is designed to be used with a 60 watt equivalent energy saving lightbulb.

It comes in two sizes:  Large Papillion measures: L 50cm x W 50cm x H 30cm Small Papillion measures: L 35cm x W 35cm x H 25cm.  The shades come either flat packed or assembled for a small additional charge.

The shade I have to give away comes fully assembled. Entry is via the Rafflecopter below and the usual terms and conditions apply.  UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends on Friday 1st July at 11:59 pm.

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Make Your Bay Windows More Beautiful with Curved Radiators

Bay windows are a delightful feature in any home but until now they have also tended to limit the number of heating options available, especially when it comes to fitting the right type of radiator.

Image by Thomas Heyman via Flickr

With the advent of the curved radiator such concerns are truly a thing of the past. Curved radiators are well-designed and efficient and they also come with a dazzling array of colours, finishes and features that can really help lift a tired room to new heights.

Heating Problems Solved With Curved Radiators 

As many home owners with bay or curved windows have realised, it can be very difficult to find a radiator that strikes a balance between functionality, aesthetic form and a minimal footprint.

Large traditional radiators look obtrusive and clunky and due to the unusual angles inherent with bay windows, they tend to be installed too far into the room, stealing precious space.

The ideal radiator placement is below the windowsill or as close to a wall as possible. Bay windows and straight lined radiators have tended to make this difficult to achieve.

Curved radiators easily solve this dilemma because they have been designed to fit into spaces that are also curved. This non-linear solution is ideal because annoying dead space is no longer an issue and the room can also be properly heated and enjoyed as it should be.

A Look For Every Taste 

Curved radiators come in an incredible array of colours and finishes, meaning that there is certain to be something to suit every design situation. Whether your taste is classic and ornate, minimalist, sleek and streamlined or loud, bold and contemporary, the range of looks and materials on offer at Radiator Curving Ltd. makes it easy to find a perfect match.

Just a few of the finishes include subdued ivory, gold, copper and bronze metallic sheens, summery fresh yellows or stark blacks and charcoal greys.

Textured surfaces are also available that can help complement fabrics, furnishings and featured décor and there is even a pressed metal scrolled look that just oozes class and style.

Create A Cosy Reading Nook 

These beautiful curved radiators are so well-made that it would be a pity to hide them away but some people choose to do exactly that. With a bit of creative carpentry many home owners have built enclosures around their radiators which still allow their heat to be dispersed throughout the room, but also add an extra level of utility and flexibility to how the room can be used.

Reading nooks and window seats are a perennial favourite and coupling the right kind of radiator with the appropriate clearance and suitable timber, one can make a cosy seat over the top of the radiator right beside the bay window.

With adequate ventilation, such a set up can actually force the heat to be directed outwards instead of upwards and definitely makes for a toasty seat that takes the chill out of a cold winter’s day.

When seeking decorative heating solutions for bay windows, curved radiators are an innovation whose time has definitely arrived. These elegant and sturdy appliances will bring comfort, warmth and visual delight to any home in which they are installed.

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How To Perfect Your Indoor Lighting

How you choose to light up the inside of your property can either make or break your entire home decor style.

If you get it right, your lighting can make your rooms appear spacious and fresh, while failing to get your illuminations spot on can leave your spaces looking drab and dreary.

So, if you’re keen to up your brightness levels at home, here are some tips on how you can achieve indoor lighting perfection.

Update your fixtures 

Simply updating your current fixtures could help to enhance your indoor lighting and make a huge difference to the general look and feel of your home.

Worn-out looking fixtures and fittings can cause your decor to look outdated, so you could upgrade to give your abode an instant facelift.

For example, instead of relying on a hanging ceiling light in your hallway, you could open up the space by ditching this in favour of a couple of wall-mounted fittings instead.

Meanwhile, you could fix wall up-lighter models onto your dining room walls to eliminate the need for corner lamps that take up unnecessary floor space.

Browsing the products available from your local interior design store or from an online retailer such as The Lighting Superstore should give you plenty of inspiration before you consider making an upgrade.

Take control with dimmer switches 

Installing dimmer switches in your home is a great way to take control of your interior lighting.

Having this feature available on your more prominent fixtures allows you to decide on the level of brightness emitted and, in turn, enables you to create the perfect atmosphere in each room.

Whether you want to illuminate your living space of an evening or create a subtle yet romantic glow in your bedroom, dimmer switches allow you to dictate the intensity of your indoor lights.

Pay attention to corners

To ensure your home is perfectly lit, you’ll need to pay some attention to the smaller spaces within your rooms too.

While you may not think twice about the corners of your study or the alcove in your guest bedroom, leaving these areas in darkness could be putting a dampener on your overall interior look.

After all, if you made the effort to illuminate these crooks and crevices, you might find that the functionality of your rooms improves, creating a much more homely and attractive-looking space.

Creating a perfectly lit home could be easier than you think, especially if you take suggestions like these into consideration.

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Interior styling mistakes you need to avoid

Styling your home isn’t always easy, and if you’re lacking in knowledge when it comes to interior design, you could be making some mistakes.

A room is a blank canvas just waiting for you to unlease your creativity

Let’s take a look at three decor blunders that you need to avoid in order to create your ideal home.

1. Skimping on the finer details 

While it’s vital to ensure that your home is filled with essential pieces of furniture, it’s just as important to pay close attention to the finer details too.

For example, soft furnishings can help tie just about any room together, so you may want to focus on these home accessories first.

You could keep the room neutral and add a splash of colour using cushions and curtains as accents

Whether you decide to swap your shabby looking window dressings for some stunning eyelet curtains or ditch your drab duvet cover for a luxuriously soft and stylish bed linen set, you should find that there are a whole host of high-quality accessories available that can help improve the look and feel of each room.

With so much choice available, there is no reason why you should skimp when it comes to these finishing touches.

2. Failing to think about arrangement 

Regardless of whether it’s your bedroom or kitchen, failing to think about how the room is arranged could be seriously letting your home down.

Every room in your property has a different use, so it’s important to make sure that the way in which you organize each space is fit for its individual purpose.

For example, it’s likely that your living area is where you like to relax and occasionally entertain guests.

Add your personality with some quirky accessories

With that in mind, you could position your sofas to create a communal seating area, and perhaps place a coffee table in the center and add a couple of side tables for extra convenience.

No matter which room you are arranging, it pays to give careful thought to how you can make the space as comfortable and practical as possible.

3. Having too much on display 

From vases and photo frames to ornaments and candle holders, the chances are there are a whole array of home accessories that you want to show off.

However, having too much on display could be making your home appear cluttered and chaotic, creating a disorderly and distracting vibe.

Too much clutter creates a discordant atmosphere

It’s important to remember that less is more when it comes to trinkets and knick-knacks. To solve this issue, you could simply remove a few items, keeping your favourite pieces in prominent and visible places.

If you’re guilty of making any of these interior design mistakes, taking this advice on board should enable you to create the stylish home you’ve always wanted.

*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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Money Saving Tips For Bathroom Renovations

Credit

Are you thinking of doing up your bathroom soon, but worried you can’t quite afford it? If so, read on. I’ve pulled together some tips I have learned through experience and from plenty of advice I’ve been given over the years. Here are several things to think about if you want to save money on your bathroom renovation.

Clean your tiles

Nothing makes a bathroom look dingier and dirtier than stained grout. And, in all honesty, it’s the one thing that just makes you want to rip everything out and start again. However, you don’t have to go down that route if you don’t have to. In fact, if you find a good grout cleaner and are prepared to get your hands dirty, it can come up looking as good as new. You might have to replace a few tiles here and there if you fit a new bath or shower, but again, it’s an easy DIY job.

Reduce your tiles 

If you do decide to rip out the tiles and start again, just install less. The rest of the room can be painted cheaply in a colour of your choice. All you need to do is make sure that the wet areas are covered and sealed, and the rest is up to you. It might even be possible to get some nice stone tiling in there instead, with all the money you have saved.

Change heads and taps

Another way of getting an entirely new look from your bath fittings is to replace the taps and shower heads. It’s much cheaper than changing an entire unit, and it will freshen things up completely.

Replace old with new

Your bathroom as it is now might not look sparkling clean. And, you might need to buy a new bath, shower, toilet and sink. However, if you are strapped for cash, look for replacements that can slip straight in where their predecessors were before. One of the biggest costs of bathroom renovation is the plumbing. So, if you don’t move things around completely, you will save plenty of money.

Go second hand

There are plenty of places you can pick up second-hand bathroom pieces from, including antique stores, boot sales, and even scrap metal merchants. Take a look and see what you can find. You can get some beautiful old units for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Invest to save

Finally, don’t be afraid to invest if it means you will save money in the future. Two things spring to mind immediately. Firstly, if you want to save money on your utility bills, then trying something like dual fuel heating for your bathroom should pay itself off in five years or so. Secondly, if you are planning on selling up in a couple of years, then see your bathroom as an investment in itself. It’s one of the key areas that prospective buyers will look at, and can add value to your home.

Well, there you have it. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to save - do you have any more?

*PR collaboration

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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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The Easy Lock Portable Door Lock - Protect Yourself, Your Valuables, Your Loved Ones....

The clocks go forward this weekend and I am sure many people are now planning their holidays in far sunnier climes.

A portable security lock is a great addition to your holiday essentials

For young people abroad in particular, security is a worry for anxious parents left at home, so I was interested to come across a revolutionary new invention, The EasyLock portable door lock.

The portable, temporary security lock, The EasyLock

The Pink EasyLock with latchplate, stainless steel latch and travel pouch

This lock, the lightest of its kind in the world, will completely secure the majority of inward opening doors (as long as it is an inward opening door with a minimum 2 mm visible gap between the door and frame), anywhere on the globe.

The lock provides extra security especially for women travellers whether in their travel accommodation, away with the family on holiday, or wanting further security in their home. 

It is priced at a reasonable £24.95 and has already found favour with celebrities such as Fearne Cotton, Mel B, Abbey Clancey and Davina McCall.

The lock is as light as plastic, as strong as stainless steel, and can be fitted in seconds. 

It is small enough to fit in a pocket, and also the only lock of its kind in the world to allow individuals to open the door slightly, to check a caller’s identity, or to take a letter, whilst maintaining total security.

The EasyLock has a fascinating story behind it. 

It was created by 66 year old entrepreneur, Bob Fitzjohn who says:  “I wanted to create a solution that would keep travellers 100% safe & sound, no matter where they stayed. 

My thinking in creating the lock developed into wanting to provide complete security to all others that may find themselves in a vulnerable position”

So, how did I get on?  

The lock is really easy to use.  

You just open the door and place the stainless steel latch into the lockplate in the door frame.  

Close the door fully.

Place the lockplate in the door frame

Place the stainless steel latch into the lockplate in the door frame and press down until firm

Press down the lock until firm and check that the door is secured.

The door can be opened just wide enough to view ID or receive documents

To receive documents or ID, put a slight pressure on the latchplate, pressing towards the door. 

Lift the lock and slide back until the door is open, all the while keeping pressure against the door.

To remove the lock, put a slight pressure on the latch plate towards the door, lift the lock, slide back to the end of the latch and open the door whilst taking the lock off.

Full instructions are available on the website at www.the-easylock.com.

I would suggest a few practice runs before you travel with the lock so that you are confident with using it.  I can see that the EasyLock would be extremely useful, not only for travelling, but for added security in student accommodation and even for the elderly (assuming that they have not already taken the precaution of having a door chain fitted).

The lock I was sent for the purposes of this review is a glorious pink with a matching pink pouch but there is a silver alternative with a blue pouch.

The EasyLock portable door lock is so easy to carry, I will be taking mine to further road test in my hotel the next time I travel.

*A PR sample was sent for the purposes of this review.

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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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