Make Your Own Tranquil Garden Fountain

versailles. The White House. The Taj Mahal. Each has an outdoor space with one thing in common: a water feature.The sound of running water instantly brings a sense of relaxation to any setting. And while most of us don’t have palatial spaces (or unlimited budgets) to work with, you can achieve the same effect with a simple DIY project.

Punchy Purple Interiors

My passion for white is sometimes called to question when I see beautiful purple bedrooms which really pack a punch! Who'd have thought of using purple in an older style of home and yet it works beautifully. Despite the fact the purple can often make room dark and gloomy by choosing various shades and keeping the floor light chic style can easily be achieved.

Full length purple curtains look stunning against the chocolate brown walls and coordinate beautifully with lilac and lavender bedding. I also think that it's fundamental to good interior design to incorporate a variety of textures. Opposites work well for fabrics and materials as well as colour choices. Look for cotton duvet sets and use a soft velour bed throw; if the floor is carpeted use wooden furniture, giving the soft-hard opposites; tactile fabrics will also make a bedroom look more welcoming and homely.

You should also think about which fabrics make you feel safe – in much the same way as a child finds a comforter such as a corner of a blanket or a soft toy. This psychologically provides a safe environment in which to sleep – you may not consciously think along these lines and yet the type of bedding materials you select can say a a lot about your sense of harmony and contentment.

Punchy purple interiors make a welcome change from the more usual bedroom colour schemes of beige and more beige! Be daring and try packing a punch in your bed room by using purple as your colour scheme/

Image: Simplified Bee Blogspot

Beautiful Blue Bedroom Ideas

Calming and serene this beautiful blue bedroom is a great example of how blue can be used to create a bedroom which has both masculine and feminine qualities. Blue, traditionally associated with boys and men, can also be used in such a way that it becomes sexy and girlie!

The shade of blue is the key, mid-tones or those with a paler hue are easier to work with, however, you can also add femininity buy choosing bedding which has soft textures. Superking duvet covers with embroidery or a satin trim bring a feminine touch, co-ordinated with bed throws in chenille to include a snugly soft touch.

The masculine aspects can be bought into the room by using dark wood – for flooring window blinds and the bed-frame. The hardness of the wood works as a juxtaposition between the two extremes of tactility, resulting in a bedroom which is stylishly simple and yet demands to be noticed.

Another fabulous and easy interior design idea is not to try and fill-up your entire floor space. Opt for the less is more approach, no clutter and enhance features such as windows and flooring to give the room an open and informal look which oozes chic styling. Okay, your bedroom may not be enormous, but if you want to get the look apply the principles and scale things down to fit.

Image: Kagozi

Keeping Things Mellow and Calm

In today's fast paced life it's nice to come home, slow things down and relax. Although we talk about using colour to bright our interiors sometimes natural colours are ideal. Neutrals and natural colour tones don't have to be boring and lifeless – natural wood colours are soothing and relaxing and can be used to create great living spaces.

We can take inspiration from the Scandinavians who use wood in just about every room in their homes. While Scandinavians have a tendency to use white as the main wall and floor colour, soft tones such as 'hints of' are perfect for taking away a sterile look. Peachy tones are perfect for complimenting light coloured woods such as ash, beech or light oak. Use wooden window blinds and an orange shade for a table lamp and you'll create a natural warmth which is mellow and calming.

Duck-egg blue is another great colour choice for creating a calming ambience in bedrooms and living rooms. Use this as your accent or team with soft peachy hues and pale coloured woods to get a country cottage look which is homely and mellow.

Rather than devoid your home of any bright colours keep these for kitchens and dining rooms where the hustle and bustle of everyday life is most seen. Brighter colours in dining rooms will help to promote conversations, while splashes of red will help stimulate appetite!

Image: Small Place Style

Spicing Things Up with Pops of Colour

In contrast to my last post today we're going to spice things up a bit using bold colour ideas for bedrooms. You can still use plain white superking duvet covers - actually these are ideal because if and when you tire of a bright accent your duvet cover sets will still be usable – the colour pops can be added to your bedroom via piles of cushions on the bed, rugs for both the floor and to use as a wall hanging.

I love the idea of using patchwork quilts (scroll back to White Bedrooms with Style) or rugs as wall hangings. They add colour and texture to a room and either make a great substitute for a conventional styled headboard.

Spicy paprika, cayenne are just a couple of gorgeous colours which will give you colour bold colours without them being too bright and garish. Bed throws or blankets can also be laid across the bottom of the bed for an informal look – for those of you like a little more formality neatly folded bed throws or trendy bed runners are the way to go.

Don't forget your window dressings which can also be in spicy colours, cheap curtains or window blinds in co-ordinating colours will add a natural warmth and glow to a bedroom.

Image: An Indian Summer

Chic Bedrooms using On-trend Jewelled Tones

We may be struggling to see summer, however you don't have to wait until September to create an Indian Summer in your bedroom. This year's trend of using jewelled tones enables you to bring together intense ruby reds, amethyst purples and pretty pink sapphires (sapphires don't have to be blue!) set against white and pink walls.

Plain or patterned superking duvetcovers, and bedding with a soft satin sheen and texture will add a luxury look to these opulent colour combinations. It may be wise to keep the ceiling white to help radiate the colours around the room and prevent it from becoming to dark and gloomy looking. Cheap curtains in hot pink tourmaline or fuchsia can be combined with blackout roller blinds so that you can have lightweight or sheer curtains and not be troubled by unwanted light while you sleep.

Include pattern to add richness and depth to the room. Matching bedside table lamps, with glass bases or a trim with droplet faux gems will help bring the room together and create a place of tranquillity and calm. If you've got carpets which aren't the right colour large area rugs are a good substitute and much cheaper than replacing an entire fitted bedroom carpet.

Image: Simplified Bee

Go Light & White in your Living Space

Summer is the ideal time of year to go light and white in your living space. With long summer evenings and plenty of sunshine during the day (we wish!) a white living room can lift the spirits and the improve style of your home.

We can take interior design ideas from our neighbours across the pond who have some great coastal living rooms, which are predominately white. If you don't fancy a coastal theme travel to Scandinavia and be inspired by their beautiful white living spaces.

White doesn't have to be boring, hostile or clinical looking is you include plenty of pattern, albeit that they are subtle ones, and plenty of different textures. Mix and match rough with smooth and highlight your living space with accessories in a dark contrasting colour – this could be a dark slate grey or a natural dark oak.

If you have wooden flooring wooden blinds will compliment each other beautifully. Look for whitecurtains which have a subtle repeat pattern – if you're using grey as your accent silvery scrolls or trailing foliage will add sufficient interest to highlight your windows without them being too dominant.

Image: A Life's Design

Punchy Purple Interiors

My passion for white is sometimes called to question when I see beautiful purple bedrooms which really pack a punch! Who'd have thought of using purple in an older style of home and yet it works beautifully. Despite the fact the purple can often make room dark and gloomy by choosing various shades and keeping the floor light chic style can easily be achieved.

Full length purple curtains look stunning against the chocolate brown walls and coordinate beautifully with lilac and lavender bedding. I also think that it's fundamental to good interior design to incorporate a variety of textures. Opposites work well for fabrics and materials as well as colour choices. Look for cotton duvet sets and use a soft velour bed throw; if the floor is carpeted use wooden furniture, giving the soft-hard opposites; tactile fabrics will also make a bedroom look more welcoming and homely.

You should also think about which fabrics make you feel safe – in much the same way as a child finds a comforter such as a corner of a blanket or a soft toy. This psychologically provides a safe environment in which to sleep – you may not consciously think along these lines and yet the type of bedding materials you select can say a a lot about your sense of harmony and contentment.

Punchy purple interiors make a welcome change from the more usual bedroom colour schemes of beige and more beige! Be daring and try packing a punch in your bed room by using purple as your colour scheme/

Gorgeous Green Interiors

In interior design terms the colour green opens a whole world of fabulous shades and hues to use within your home, either as a main base colour or as an accent in soft furnishings and accessories.

Associated with new life and regeneration, green is a fabulous colour to decorate your rooms with or use as an accent for soft furnishings; it's also associated with jealousy, so use this to your advantage and create an interior that your family and friends with be green with envy over!

In today's modern world if you mention 'green' it shows that you care about the planet and are prepared to do your bit towards recycling and are pro-actively trying to lower your carbon footprint.

Whichever way you want to think about it, I think it's fair to say that we all have a touch of green somewhere in our homes. If you think about floral patterns they'll have green somewhere within the design. Maybe you have on-trend sea-foam as your accent colour this also has green undertones as well as blue. We must also remember that to make the colour green you mix blue and yellow – so if you have yellow as part of your interior it will also have undertones of green and blue.

With jewel tones being bang on-trend this year, emerald green is the shade to go for. Use it in luxurybedding, window blinds, curtains and large rugs to create a bedroom which is regal, refined and elegant.

For those of you who say you don't like green take a look around your home – even if your have fresh herbs growing on your kitchen window sill, or a vase of cut flowers in your living room means that you have the colour green in your home – even if it is by default!

Image: Things That Inspire

A Splash of Summer Colour!

At last the sun is shining and we can throw open our windows and let the light and warm air drift through our homes. I have to admit that I love the sunshine, the flowers, the colours and the warmth! Although we add colour to our homes and it's there all year round there's something about the sunshine which makes your home feel alive and invigorating.

It's not just lounges that can be fresh and colourful, bedrooms can also be brightly coloured – as you know I'm a lover of white, but I also can't resist including pops of colour into every room; whether it's by adding a vase of fresh seasonal flowers or bed throws and cushions. Somehow the colours bring a smile to my face, which in turn makes me happy!

Interior design should be about making you happy, after all you have to live in your home and without some colour rooms can quickly become depressing and quite frankly boring. Use luxury bedding in bright summer colours and if needs be tone the colours down a little when autumn has arrived by using deeper richer hues of red, gold and forest green.

There are plenty of colour combinations you can use and if you can't decide which then add a splash of many different colours – it will certainly brighten your home and the eclectic mix of colours and patterns will add character and interest to your home.

Don't get caught in a colour trap, try something new – you'll be surprised by the end results and what's also great is that by using cheap curtains, windows blinds and bedding a new colourful look can easily be achieved even on the most modest of budgets.

Image: decorology

Window Dressings for Kitchens

I think it would be fair to say that every kitchen has a window, and therefore finding a practical and versatile window dressing is a must. Window blinds have been a staple form of window dressing for kitchens for many years and they do tick all the right boxes.

However, there's a new kid on the block (well, relatively new to the UK) and that's café or bistro styled curtains. Theses pretty curtains are inexpensive and very easy to hang, you don't even need a drill as spring loaded tension rods or net curtain rods can be used due to the lightweight fabric of café curtains.

This style of window dressing is also great for kitchen doors with glass panels as you can achieve a coordinated look. This style of cheap curtains is placed at the bottom half or bottom third, depending on how large your window are, leaving the top half (two thirds) undressed. This allows plenty of light to flood into your kitchen.

Today you can also find café curtains as part of a fully coordinated kitchen ware range, with full size curtains, valances and tie-backs being used to give you privacy at night should you need it. Teamed with matching table linen and quirky extras such as oven mitts a country cottage look is also most instantaneous.

Image: New Home Interior Design

A Brief look at Velux Skylight Blinds

It wasn't too long ago that the only type of skylight blinds you could find were roller blinds. These days however, you'll find a wide range of skylight blinds including Velux Venetian blinds which have been designed to fit their skylight windows.

Other innovations include motorised blinds, ideal for roof blinds that are far too high to reach; blackout blinds are also available and while you may think this is a little strange for windows which face to the sky the amount of unwanted light pollution can make sleeping difficult, not forgetting that a full moon and a cloudless sky can also make an attic or loft conversion bedroom surprisingly light.

One of the biggest advantages of skylight blinds, especially the Venetian styles, is the ability to reduce heat build-up and before the Venetian styles, it meant that if you wanted to keep cool the room had to be plunged into darkness. Of course Velux Venetian skylight blinds give you the same light control as standard Venetians simply by altering the angle of the slats. Colour is another area where skylight blinds have been bought up to-date, although colour choices are still a little restricted at least nowadays you have a choice!

Image: Interior Designing

On-Trend Window Blinds

Window blinds have been around for centuries, in fact they are believed to be, in the rawest terms, the first window dressings used. The first curtains or blinds were used to keep nosy neighbours from seeing inside homes in much the same way as we do today. They were also used to keep dust levels down and to cool homes, as these first blinds or cloths were hung at windows damp – don't forget there were no windows as we know today, just holes in walls (but you didn't go there to draw money out!).

Today there are a plethora of different window blinds available, from traditional wooden Venetian blinds to the latest skylight blinds which have blackout properties and, like the purpose of cloth window coverings, have the ability to reduce heat build-up in attic and loft conversions – thankfully we don't have to keep them damp for them to be effective!

Roller blinds have also seen somewhat of a resurgence in recent years with pattern and plain coloured blinds being used as the sole window dressing in living rooms and bedrooms rather than being teamed with cheap curtains.

I must say that no matter what the style your home is there's a pretty far chance that you use blinds in at least one of your rooms. As window blinds have quite literally stood the test of time they are still a fabulous way to dress your windows.

Image: Decorology

On-Trend Wall Art

I don't think I've ever seen or been in a home that doesn't have some type of wall art. The type of art you choose for your walls should be representative of your interior design style and also link in some way to your colour scheme. If you live in a grand mansion then you may have fine canvass oil paintings!

For most of us, we have art that we've chosen because we like it and it adds the finishing touches at our rooms. Plain walls can look very boring which is another reason we add art to them. The latest pixilated images and chalkboard walls where kids can draw are bang on-trend. We also have the choice of printed wall art, hand painted and designer wall art to choose from and nowadays they're all very affordable.

Stencils, stickers and silhouettes are also great ways to add interest to walls. In bedrooms printed images of a single bloom are divided into three equal sized individual pieces so that you can have a slight gap between them to create added interest to feature walls. Photographic style images are also on-trend, in kitchens enlarged photos of everyday foods are a great wall to keep the art suitable for the room.

Image: Material Girls

On-Trend Bed in a Bag

We all love new interior design ideas and trends that's why I like to share my finds with you! I've heard about a bed in a bag, and I've also heard differing views and opinions on them, so I thought I'd investigate, do a little research and share my findings with you.

The basics:

A bed in a bag isn't an actual bed, nor is it a pump-up (inflatable bed). The term 'bed in a bag' is used to denote the bedding that is needed to make (or dress) a bed. In other words the bag includes a duvet cover, matching pillow slips and in some instances bed runners.

Pros and cons:

I also found that a bed in a bag isn't solely bedding for children, double bedding sets are also available. While some pooh-pooh the concept I can see why having all the bedding items stored in a bag can be very handy. Let me explain, in the past most houses had a airing cupboard, where linen and bedding were stored (and of course aired), however, many of today's modern houses don't have airing cupboards so there is a problem of where to store bedding when it's not being used. As a result of lack of storage space each separate item of bedding can easily be separated – (a bit like always finding an 'odd' sock!) - this is where a bed in a bag comes into its own as all the items are stored together in a handy bag which can save on valuable storage space and keep everything together. To be honest I can't think of any cons or disadvantages of using them.

Conclusion:

I think the bed in a bag concept is ingenious and certainly saves you trying to find matching bedding for guests or when you do the laundry – all in all I give a bed in a bag the thumbs up!

Image: Blog Styleathome

On-Trend Pretty Patchwork Bedding

I make no bones about the fact that I love patchwork, and if I had more time I'd actually get round to producing even the smallest cushion cover – poor excuse I know, but I'm sure I'm not alone! Luckily you can get the look without the hard work, which suits me to a T! Pretty patchwork bedding is ideal for throws and even duvet covers; cushions, throws and trims on pillow slips are also on-trend as we continue with the re-cycling and up-cycling as part of interior design this year. The great advantage of using patchwork

duvet covers is two-fold; firstly the cost, it's surprising how much money you'd have to spend if you bought new fabrics and secondly is time (something we don't all have enough off), buying patchwork bedding gives you an instant look, whereas large patchwork projects can take months, if not years, to complete and I know which I'd rather opt for! I know that pretty patchwork throws can be passed from generation to generation as part of family heir looms but for those who like me, simply can't wait, patchwork duvet covers are the easy, cost-effective solution to getting the look. Image: Patchwork Harmony Blogspot

Why? Pink For Girls And Blue For Boys!

Choosing the right colour scheme for babies and toddler's rooms continue to use the colours associated with each gender, namely blue for boys and pink for girls! But where did this stereotype originate from?

After searching and delving the history associated with these colours I have found it fascinating! In a nutshell:

Prior to WW1 it was common to dress boys in pink and girls in blue! After WW1 the colours reversed as many military uniforms were blue, this became the predominant colour for boys as it showed masculinity and strength, whilst advertising campaigns encouraged women to show their femininity and wear pink!

As we strive to reduce stereotypical assumptions, many nurseries are using pale green or sunshine yellow, however it remains 'habit' for splashes of either pink or blue to be added according to the gender of the baby!

Green tab top curtains coordinate beautifully with pink, as such these colour combinations are being found in many rooms of people's homes, not just nurseries and children's bedrooms. Whilst boys bedrooms are rarely pink, interior designers are using bold colours such as post office red, orange and even black to create inspirational kid's rooms which break the boundaries of use of colour without treading on the toes of those who remain steadfast in their stereotypical assumptions!

Image: Belle Maison

Why Not Get Your Bedroom Ready For Summer?

With spring well and truly on its way, maybe you would like to give your bedroom a makeover to create a fresh, bright interior, all ready for the warmer, sunny days ahead? Even if you don’t have the time or budget to re-decorate completely, a few simple changes and up-dates will make a huge difference.

One of the quickest and easiest things you could try would be to invest in beautiful new bedding set, with a duvet cover and matching pillow cases. You could even treat yourself to some wonderfully smooth cotton sheets or perhaps a stunning bedspread or throw.

Whatever, your budget, you are sure to find a bedding set which is just right for the lighter, brighter feel of spring and summer. You may be looking for something floral and pastel or maybe a bolder geometric design, but still with a nod to sunshine and warm nights. Gingham and embroidery are also very popular choices for summertime bedding sets.

Coordinating bedding sets are available for single, double and king-size beds and it is often possible to buy additional items such as extra sheets or pillow cases separately.

So why not get your bedroom ready for summer? Throw open the window and let the sunshine in!

Image: two ellie

When 3 Become 1

Using three completely different eyelet curtains ready made really appeals to me! What a great way to add different patterns, textures and styles to a window dressing and of course being ready made, the eyelet curtains can be simply slid onto curtain poles and hey presto! an instantly dressed window!

The key to achieving this delightful style is of course to make sure that the colours tone together well and compliment the style of the room and the furnishings. It's a great way to get a completely new look and if you bought pairs ready made curtains, then you will have exactly the same for putting in place whilst the others are being laundered or use them in another room – a cost effective way to have a bespoke look at your windows!

Ideas such as these are what interior design so varied and interesting as well as showing new and unusual ways to stamp your own identity on your home so that you can really say 'this is mine'! Fabulous, intuitive a lots of fun as this window dressing creates such a chic style which is very informal and perfect for modern lifestyles.

Image: Decorology

Tips to Beautiful Windows with an Asian Theme

If you are going to decorate a room with an Asian theme, you will need to pay attention to any accessories that you place in the room. Whilst for the most part these accessories should be of metal and glass, but they can also be fabrics. Silk curtain fabric is ideal for bedroom curtains as they'll provide a soft look which is practical, yet gentle on the eye.

If you need privacy blackout curtains are a good idea and even lightweight curtains can have blackout linings added – however, you will lose the billowy, floaty effect. Try using tab top curtains to hang from a bed frame; these won't be a 'proper' mosquito net but it will give you a feeling of hot sultry nights!

If you place mirrors in your room, you will find that this will create a sense of openness and at the same time will bring in more light. If you want to bring in positive energy you will be able to do this by using such charms as the laughing Buddha and you also might like to think about a Chinese dragon or even cheap table lamps with an Asian theme.