home bargains…

At first when I take down the Christmas tree and decorations I really like how clean and tidy the house feels, so open and airy. But a few days later and I’m desperate to jazz every room up. Whether that be getting it cosy for the next couple of months or adding in a few little spring pieces to remind me that the warmer weather is not too far away. I just always feel that it needs some umph again.

Here are some of my go to tips to make your home feel updated:

• Add black. Honestly trust me on this. Add in a black bowl, a black table, a painting with black in it, a rug, or a chair. The fact is that black things turn spaces around.

• Play with texture. The minute you mix up your textures you will create the most inviting spaces. Velvet with linen, wicker with concrete, metal with wood.  Instantly cool just remember not to match anything!

• Another simple trick is scent, walk into any place that smells amazing and it instantly makes the space feel better and makes you feel at ease. As soon as I get up I put on my diffuser and mist out some of my gorgeous essential oils. In the evening I love to light candles. The soft glow they create adds to the look and cosiness of the room, whilst the smell sets the tone. I have the candles I have added below (my christmas pressies) and they are beautiful.

• Plants inside is the quickest way to not only green up your home but to transform any neglected area into something totally cool.

• To really elevate your interior ramp up the scale. Even just one oversized item will immediately transform your whole space. Add a large faux plant and you have an instant statement piece. Or try putting a side lamp on top of a heap of books to boost it’s height, take your largest house plant off the floor and place it on to a side table, or hang a large print over a small table. The results are always chic and dramatic.

• The quickest pick-me-up when youre stuck in a decorating rut is to show your coffee table some love. Stack it up with glossy mags or gorgeous books, (on my coffee table I have this book, this book and this book and I love them all) a sculpture, a fragrant candle, ideally a plant and it’s transformed! It really is that simple.

Hope these tips help if you too are in a decorating state of mind.

Shelley x