From blank box to homemade home...!!

My room when I first arrived:

House hunt over...for now anyway!!!

So I'm actually settled in a place now. It's been 3 weeks since I started my new job and after two weeks staying with a friend I have got a room in a house in Hammersmith. It's not ideal but it is if definitely nice to have my own space. I have only got the room for 6 months while the guy is working in Australia. I am going to keep house hunting but not for a month or so.

Home is where the HEART is...4

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Home is where the HEART is...3

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This week...FABRIC HEARTS:

House hunt 1..results

So... not all in all a successful trip unfortunately as the places I viewed weren't what I was expecting. I went back again yesterday and this time I had more luck and have found the place I would love to life...I have let them know, so it's just a waiting game now to see if they want me.

Home is where the HEART is...2

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Moving to the BIG city

So exciting news readers...I am moving to London. I have been offered and have accepted an exciting new job...I'm scared but it is more exciting than anything else...

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Storage solution 9: accessories hanger

Accessories...something that can complete and update an outfit in an instant, therefore most of us have tens if not hundreds of accessories.

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Inspired Idea: How to...tie the perfect BOW

So if you have read Curtain tiebacks and want to be able to achieve a beautiful bow every time........

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....here's how:

Home is where the HEART is...

Recommended Read: Ranking so far...

Recommended Read of April: Country Homes and Interiors

As soon as I saw the cover of this month's Country Homes on the racking in Waitrose I had to have it.

Storage solution 8: Blanket box

My favourite kind of storage at the moment has to be blanket boxes:

They are probably the most versatile kind of storage and come in such a wide variety of shapes, sizes and characters. Just as wardrobes, mirrors and chests of drawers vary depending on the time they were made, in just the same way blanket boxes were too and have previously been an important piece of bedroom and nursery furniture throughout history.

Inspired Idea 3: Curtain tiebacks

When I decorate a room, it is not complete without curtains, or in some cases a blind...although I am not their biggest fans, wherever possible I try to use curtains.

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Storage solution 7: Bathroom chest of drawers

Bathrooms are one of those rooms that can be a nightmare for tidy people. Especially if you live in rented accommodation with a basic bathroom. If you own your own home, and have been able to do it up you have probably utilised a clever solution that come with so many white suites, from bathroom designers these days.

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Few of us are lucky enough to have a bathroom that would fit this in it...

The perfect Mother's Day gifts

So...Mother's Day is drawing to a close but thought I'd share with you the success I'd had:

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My Day at the Ideal Home Show Part 1

Wow, what a day. Long, fun, interesting, tiring...

...after leaving at 7:15am I finally met my sister about 11 o'clock outside Earl's Court.

Storage solution 6: Letter boxes

When I was younger my dad worked in an antique shop and restored both a writing slope and a letter box for me:

Inspired Idea 2: Mug Wall

I love Cath Kidston, I love the colourful, girly, floral and child-like prints, and although a lot of her stuff isn't cheap these days I have built up a collection of her mugs.

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Storage solution 5: Keepsake boxes

We all have little things we just don't want to throw away, I birthday card, a photo, a cinema ticket...and finding a place to keep these can be difficult.

Recommended Read of March: Ideal Home Magazine

Each month I am going to buy a different home magazine and then review it with you. If I feel it is a good read I may even start buying it regularly...we shall see.

This month I am reviewing Ideal Home Magazine:

Storage solution 4: Buckets...of fun

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When I used to look at my shoe rack I hated that on each shelf there were piles of shoes and flip flops. I decided there must be a better way of storing they the flip flops, without putting them away as I love to wear them all year round, around the house.

Location, Location, Location

For over ten years now Kirstie and Phil have been going round the country (and beyond) for us. It is all about location when you are house hunting, whether it be London, the north, Spain or Cardiff, wherever you are moving to the location always has to be the first decision you make.

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Storage solution 3: Wasted wardrobe space

For me any space within a cupboard should be filled a) to de-clutter visible areas and b) to allow us to buy more (although my Mum would disagree with the latter my sister aka Shopgirl would totally agree).

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Inspired Idea 1: Vases

I love flowers, and I think they really can make a house a home. Luckily for me, working in retail means when working a late shift, I am able to purchase those flowers going "out of date" that day, for a reduced price. Otherwise they end up in the bin, and I can't bear the thought of that.

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Storage solution 2: Under the bed

Unless you have a divan, there is loads of usable storage space lurking under the bed, more than most if you have a bed like this one. Space for storing anything and plastic underbed storage boxes are in abundance from all ‘good’ pound shops.

Storage solution 1: Hat boxes

Each week I will aim to provide you with innovative and quirky storage solutions in order to de-clutter you sideboards and coffee tables without the need to throw away everything, because lets face it we love to keep some things. So check out the 'storage solution' label each week for these.

Solution 1: One of my favourite storage pieces in my bedroom is my slightly leaning tower of hat boxes, which contain a few hats but mostly other bits and bobs.

A successful second-hand spree

Well, what a successful trip. Both Mum and I came away with some real steals, and a car full of treasures. Firstly however I have to take back what I said about just coming away with things you planned to buy, I am usually so controlled but sometimes if you really fall in love with something and know you will regret not buying it you should get it, as there will always be a place in your home for things you love!!!

Second-hand flea fair shopping

"I challenge you to find a more enjoyable day out than second hand shopping at an antiques fair" (Kirstie Allsopp).

So...bright and early tomorrow morning I am taking my mum to experience the flea fair at the 'Three Counties Showground'. This will be my second visit but my mum's first. Now for anyone out there thinking about visiting a flea market or antiques fair here are a few tips:

1. Before you go have a good think about what it is you want, otherwise you could end up with lots of lovely things but things that wont fit into your home.

2. Next set yourself a budget of how much you want to spend, otherwise you will end up blowing your budget. 

Mum and I are going tomorrow to look for the following items:

For me:

- a bucket or basket to be used as a kitchen bin

- a wall mirror

For mum:

- some kind of hall stand (only smaller)

- a blanket box

Check back tomorrow to see how we got on, and for tips on haggling down the price!!

Who am i?

Who? What? Where? Why? When?

This is me...and my kitten Pingu, who is no more a kitten than I am a baby! (She is 17).

I am a girly girl who loves all things Cath Kidston, Laura Ashley, floral and typically english country. I love to sew, knit, paint and create.

I am a firm believer that you can make anywhere a home from a student room or van or boat to your own self built dream home.

I love ikea as much as I love my local flea fair, and purchases and findings from each mix together to create a home with both character and that says something about you without breaking the bank.

I hope you enjoy following my blog and subsequently my journey investigating interior design, flea market and second hand shopping and ultimately house hunting for my own home.