When I was cleaning my house the other day I found myself marvelling at the number of mirrors that feature in my home. This thought probably should have occurred to me before but the lamentable infrequency of my housework and the functional nature of mirrors have clearly led to me take mirrors for granted. This is slightly odd as I clearly chose each piece in the first place! Continue reading Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Tag Archives: interior decor
Using Wall Sculpture
Contemporary interiors feature clean lines, uncluttered spaces and little ornamentation. As a result it is all too easy to create rooms which lack character, depth and texture. Large expanses of plain wall are especially bland and so it is crucial to introduce decorative features which draw the eye, form focal points and at least bring some depth and colour to proceedings. Continue reading Using Wall Sculpture
The Problem with Small Halls
The hall can be the most difficult room in the house to decorate and furnish. Halls are often awkwardly shaped, small or narrow which can leave you scratching your head in despair as you attempt to evolve a decorative scheme and layout that will prove to be both practical and visually appealing. As the hall is a space that you tend to pass through rather than occupy, it is all too tempting to devote only minimal attention to the room. However, it is the first room that visitors see when they enter your home and so it is worth spending the time and effort to achieve something special. Continue reading The Problem with Small Halls
Tartan
Tartan fabrics are popular choices in both the world of fashion and that of interior design. The strong colours, heritage values and bold patterns all have their appeal and if you are Scottish or are decorating a Scottish home then tartan will probably be in the forefront of your mind. We all know what tartan is and that it is most associated with Scotland but how long have these designs been with us and were they a Scottish innovation? Continue reading Tartan
Messages from the Dark Side
I am thinking of getting a sign and I don’t mean a message from God (although that would be nice because I would make a fortune). Neither do I intend to erect one of those hideous boards outside of my house to tell the world that I am about to sell the property. Having just redecorated almost every room I think it would be prudent to stick around to enjoy the place for a bit. What I want is one or maybe a handful of those amusing signs that you can get for the house which convey your thoughts without you having to speak.
Being Blunt
The trouble is that what I really need is some quite blunt missives. I wonder if anyone makes a sign that says “Don’t interrupt me while I’m working because I am liable to stab you to death”? This would be my preferred choice to hang on the door of my home office which a certain person who will remain nameless thinks is actually a room where you waste time doing nothing of any importance. Clearly he must think like this otherwise he wouldn’t blunder in every few minutes when I am trying to concentrate on my latest Pulitzer Prize winning piece! Besides being quite keen to earn my living, I am also fairly anxious to avoid committing a murder although I would have plenty of time to write if I were serving a life sentence.
Going Nautical
Perhaps “Do not disturb” might suffice where the home office is concerned although I fear not. I really need something apposite for the spare bedroom too which is currently occupied free of charge by my friend. I decorated the room in the New England style and added a few nautical finishing touches so something nautical in style would be perfect. I have seen those cute driftwood signs that say “Gone to the beach” which would be rather charming if deeply unlikely in Berkshire, but something a little more personal would be even better. “Get up you lazy, freeloading git” sounds good or perhaps “I would have gone to the beach if my work hadn’t been ruined by constant interruptions”.
Being Bitter
Heavens I am sounding bitter! I will have to counterbalance my vitriolic outpourings with a few slightly more welcoming observations. Otherwise I am going to scare the living daylights out my visitors who will be reading my messages and expecting my head to explode at any moment. There are some lovely signs that say “home is where the heart is” for instance. This would be perfect except that my heart is actually somewhere on that sunny beach that I haven’t gone too because I am still working.
Toilet Problems
On a more serious note there are actually some really great signs for the home and I think every home would benefit from some useful signage or amusing thoughts. Especially one of my friend’s houses where people have a habit of walking into the broom cupboard instead of the loo. A one word sign would do the trick right there and I suggest that this word should be “Toilet”. In the case of my home I fear that the sign most people would like to see is “Exit”!
Article by Sally Stacey
How to Fragrance Your Home
It doesn’t matter how nicely you decorate your home if the general ambiance is ruined by unpleasant smells. This is a particularly important issue if you are trying to sell your property or are anxious to make a great for impression for any reason. Even if you don’t suffer from nasty niffs, it is always better to welcome visitors with a pleasing aroma and life is much more pleasant for you if you are surrounded by your favourite scents. Continue reading How to Fragrance Your Home