When I first started this blog, it was supposed to be a way of documenting my love of interior décor, my DIY adventures and things that inspire me. I’ve only ever really fulfilled part of my plan. As a creative, I find inspiration in everything. As an Art and Design Lecturer, it’s something that I try to push my students to try to do; to open their eyes to their surroundings and be aware of everything that they take in. Beauty can lie in everything.
In this new regular feature, I want to share with you my favourite finds from throughout the week… be it a gorgeous home accessory, a colour palette from my travels, or small changes I’ve made to our own home , I want to show you the things that inspire and/or excite me.
For those of you who have subscribed to the blog (a massive thank you!) I won’t be sending out an email notification each week, however these will still be still sent out for all other posts.
I really hope you enjoy this feature. It won’t be word heavy, rather a visual round up with a bit of my usual waffle.
Five Things…
The Coolie Lampshade
Long out of fashion, the Coolie lampshade has slowly been creeping back into interiors over the past few months. I’ve ‘pinned’ a few beautiful rooms where this sleek 80s throwback has provided a surprising contemporary twist to lighting. We’ve been so used to the drum shade for so long, it feels refreshing to see a different shape. It needs to be quite a sharp, sleek shape to work though. I found this one on eBay and have upcycled an H&M vase into a lamp, to create a piece of sculptural statement lighting.
Paper Flowers
I bought this book after spending all day stuck in a Pinterest loop, having stumbled across the work of Tiffanie Turner. How beautiful are these? Made entirely from paper and wire, these are an amazing alternative to plastic and will last a lot longer than the real thing. I think this could be quite a pleasant hobby. I’ve already gathered myself a stock of Italian crepe paper (found on Amazon) and have started fashioning my own. I have a plan. Now I just need time… I’ll keep you updated.
DIY Bottle Vases
Okay, so this really didn’t take much work. I have been in love with the Pols Potten bottle vases for a while now but just cannot justify the cost. A trip to Ikea was all that was needed, where I found their ‘Dagdröm’ decorative balls, that work perfectly as decorative stoppers on their ‘Pepparkorn’ Vase. The mirrored balls come as a pack of three different sizes so would work best on different scales of bottle vase. The tall brown vase is from Zara. I love these and I don’t even feel like they are the poor man’s version of the original…
Retro Tiles
I’ve passed these tiles in a shop doorway for years and finally got around to photographing them. I just love the texture, the chunky grout line, the colour combo… and that tile pattern. I would love these in a kitchen. Should we have these in our kitchen? If I could find that texture…
Charity Shop Sandra
And finally, this is Sandra…. She cost £2.50. Isn’t she gorgeous?
Love these, having just come across this post after seeing #2, I will be checking every Friday now.
Re Sandra: absolutely!
Re Friday posts: so we just need to come here to see your latest, right?
That’s right, there should be a new one every Friday. All other posts will be notified. 🙂
Always look forward to a email from you. I know that on a cold winter day if there’s a email from you it warms my soul. Please keep them coming. Your design aesthetics are always beautiful and inspire me. Thank you!
Aw Patricia, that’s so lovely of you! Thank you so much for such a lovely message. I’ve been getting so many unsubscribes every time I send out a notification that I decided reserving them for all other posts would be a good idea. I hope you understand. There will be a ‘Five Things’ post waiting for you here every Friday morning though. 🙂
I just love everything you do. It somehow has the most calming effect. Fab start to a Friday.
Aw that is SUCH a lovely message to read. Thank you so much. It really is warming to hear that you enjoy my blog 🙂 xx
Loved today’s post, inspiring as ever.
So in this para – ‘For those of you who have subscribed to the blog (a massive thank you!) I won’t be sending out an email notification each week, however these will still be still sent out for all other posts.’ – not sure I understand if there will still be emails like this one?
Hi Claire, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’ll still be sending out notifications for all other posts, just not my Friday round-up. The reason is that every time I send out an email notification, I get loads of unsubscribes and it’s quite disheartening. Not sure I fancy facing that weekly! I hope you understand. I REALLY appreciate followers like yourself. ❤️
That was lovely, very informative, very enticing and thought provoking, presented with just the right amount of words and pics. Thank you!
And those Paper Flowers! Fantabulous😍💐
Please keep us, your devotees, in the loop, regularly.
We are all busy, but your blog brings a little fresh air into my space.
Janne Davies – Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thank you so much Janne, for such a lovely comment. It is very very much appreciated. ❤️
The reason I’ve decided not to do a notification for the Friday post is that every time I send one out, I get dozens of unfollows. I’m hoping that by not making notifications for the weekly post it might stop that. It’s quite disheartening.
Thank goodness for amazing followers like you though. You make me very happy! Xx