Mi-Septembre Giveaway!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's giveaway time at Modern Country Style today. <a href="http://www.mi-septembre.fr/en/7-classiquecollectionen" target="_blank">Mi-Septembre</a> are giving away two of these Classique pouches for YOU! One is right here via Modern Country Style, and the other over on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Modern-Country-Style/190813577612552?ref=hl" target="_blank">Modern Country Style's </a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Modern-Country-Style/190813577612552?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. Both competitions are open to Europe only. A winner will be announced in one week</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtiLoMO9foUyUXiMtAhPi7S8C7u-XrtHxK4Qx0UM6uBxNeUQrxXAonWNC2ynqg4qOjtXOM8LJgeNzzUoKTP5vMzhvSOFCp85iLEGQ2VQEULf-Z66sKpIB-lf_3SZMlhJp-vGMkWGROkI/s1600/mi+septembre+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtiLoMO9foUyUXiMtAhPi7S8C7u-XrtHxK4Qx0UM6uBxNeUQrxXAonWNC2ynqg4qOjtXOM8LJgeNzzUoKTP5vMzhvSOFCp85iLEGQ2VQEULf-Z66sKpIB-lf_3SZMlhJp-vGMkWGROkI/s640/mi+septembre+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These Classique pouches are stunningly presented, wrapped in delicate tissue with their own presentation box. <a href="http://www.mi-septembre.fr/en/7-classiquecollectionen" target="_blank">Mi-Septembre</a> have combined linen, cinnamon, star anise and the most delicious fragrance you can imagine. All the loveliness of Christmas plus a touch of autumn crispness is how I'd describe it. So scrumptious!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_uWgNLFYtZzZTGWUSgziE1xGP9iSCfk2q7xGLPJEvR72phy-PDgr4nk_Fb0LZz7i0ReYnGSK3e1Hk0HekQ0xnRtqmVJP_xtGhUll1aHGjL9Yv4KkfdhYvh2adrl9XTCdDxSZS3AkYc4/s1600/mi+septembre+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_uWgNLFYtZzZTGWUSgziE1xGP9iSCfk2q7xGLPJEvR72phy-PDgr4nk_Fb0LZz7i0ReYnGSK3e1Hk0HekQ0xnRtqmVJP_xtGhUll1aHGjL9Yv4KkfdhYvh2adrl9XTCdDxSZS3AkYc4/s640/mi+septembre+067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">All you have to do to be entered into this competition is to 'Like' <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mi-Septembre/186938681424375" target="_blank">Mi-Septembre on Facebook</a> and leave a comment here letting me know.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKb1ypYcaVREWiDpDIuZyvqsK8Ib8Tu9vee0HMhBnDvRI7eEzWGt1oQTy74KaHOFAb5Yb9s0Rh8IFzXUGjD42eMpVx9E_dqK-__vQ1U_4zfMwgpeM4Afa6Cc8r0GFIO5VyoUrhDvxhTE/s1600/mi+septembre+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKb1ypYcaVREWiDpDIuZyvqsK8Ib8Tu9vee0HMhBnDvRI7eEzWGt1oQTy74KaHOFAb5Yb9s0Rh8IFzXUGjD42eMpVx9E_dqK-__vQ1U_4zfMwgpeM4Afa6Cc8r0GFIO5VyoUrhDvxhTE/s640/mi+septembre+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>{To be entered into the second competition, simply visit my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Modern-Country-Style/190813577612552?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook </a>page for details...}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simples. Non?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Mi-Septembre Giveaway!

It's giveaway time at Modern Country Style today. Mi-Septembre are giving away two of these Classique pouches for YOU! One is right her...

Read more »

Keep It Tidy Tip Number 2: Pretty Things Work Wonders

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Two of our girls share a bedroom, so, as I explained </span><a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/our-girls-bedroom-snuggly-beds.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">here</a>, <span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to make their beds a special private space. After <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/our-girls-bedroom-snuggly-beds.html" target="_blank">this</a> post, I had lots of questions asking about the bedding we've used.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvja8rxpybzlnUpA0gZhKjUfH3Nmyfbmp6fEOJpHHEWlbOg78ySyKRAnf2qOG_h7CcgefFS26DVaY0gXQd8p75sEtwDgRU6MtFhfsLKvK2x5POtSj2FgJr7SZ3iT12CL5iNVOlDzDzHlY/s1600/girl's+room+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvja8rxpybzlnUpA0gZhKjUfH3Nmyfbmp6fEOJpHHEWlbOg78ySyKRAnf2qOG_h7CcgefFS26DVaY0gXQd8p75sEtwDgRU6MtFhfsLKvK2x5POtSj2FgJr7SZ3iT12CL5iNVOlDzDzHlY/s640/girl's+room+010.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bedding is from </span><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">The White Company</a><span style="font-size: large;">. We chose the </span><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/gifts/great-ormond-street-charity/milly-quilt/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Milly Quilt</a><span style="font-size: large;"> plus </span><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/white-company-originals/white-company-originals/pink-reversible-gingham-bed-linen/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Pink Gingham duvet covers</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/white-company-originals/white-company-originals/pink-reversible-gingham-bed-linen/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Oxford pillow cases</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-0I9e4JMkYMND8Rvh3gPmMlBp7_qYbhHQW3KtlOioYfmDTyM0pOrqohqFnVLBQ9TR9MpiBoxT11UGldzbu9mtu_EFexlvg9xvgS7WA87g8dFTtmhS7UgX_6VYlALE66aSeqWTlCBnE0/s1600/girl's+room+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-0I9e4JMkYMND8Rvh3gPmMlBp7_qYbhHQW3KtlOioYfmDTyM0pOrqohqFnVLBQ9TR9MpiBoxT11UGldzbu9mtu_EFexlvg9xvgS7WA87g8dFTtmhS7UgX_6VYlALE66aSeqWTlCBnE0/s640/girl's+room+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now on with the Keep It Tidy Tip....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something I've found pleasantly surprising with my littlies is that they respond fantastically well to the idea of having lovely things in their rooms once they've learnt to keep their space looking mostly presentable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaM19SH-2TI-By_ksvsYxDMEy639a4oNxaiPWNwTNyuCUcxzhPldrSrKMWmGNY_uo0hj1RdugR8IsurGTm08TkDo5LB7HGhrVBcJfTrqm3DjBdh0M8UFsEehxm63tHZi4FMfOHgSXZgg/s1600/girl's+room+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaM19SH-2TI-By_ksvsYxDMEy639a4oNxaiPWNwTNyuCUcxzhPldrSrKMWmGNY_uo0hj1RdugR8IsurGTm08TkDo5LB7HGhrVBcJfTrqm3DjBdh0M8UFsEehxm63tHZi4FMfOHgSXZgg/s640/girl's+room+080.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I make it clear that when they keep their bits and pieces tidy like big girls do </span><span style="font-size: large;">{<i>ahem</i>}</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> then...and only then....could they have the big-girls room they were asking for.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ta-daaaa.......it worked a treat!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPSWMzwY5OUXDHchW8b8__-_TpKbKnfkow-BN21T8pDcpPP8QKkH9cBhXzxoypiyot-7WcN4ezqje0htWVBI84a8gTUHOdL-pizowHdgzgmF3KsA2DNPgeCDQJTzNBMNDo1VUJMxVqYU/s1600/girl's+room+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPSWMzwY5OUXDHchW8b8__-_TpKbKnfkow-BN21T8pDcpPP8QKkH9cBhXzxoypiyot-7WcN4ezqje0htWVBI84a8gTUHOdL-pizowHdgzgmF3KsA2DNPgeCDQJTzNBMNDo1VUJMxVqYU/s640/girl's+room+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not so much a bribe, rather an incentive, I like to think...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I find </span><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">The White Company's</a><span style="font-size: large;"> bedding to be absolutely the best value for money. The quilts, in particular, are beautifully made. Plus they are machine washable, for any accidents that may come my way. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>{Didn't I say <b>no </b>felt tips in the bedroom? Gaaaaah!}</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOl1ZZwGas1GdGxgjEuf7k5p8nUWivI4Eibq7GEs09qWHeMulOX6Y4uze1guJFmAoqhhMZK1vHgC4PSGVrycQKlKldj6bmxb6rTOWS1jy43PGXnkEzEr3IxEcnX-brfuWU6BQEV2yt2I/s1600/girl's+room+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOl1ZZwGas1GdGxgjEuf7k5p8nUWivI4Eibq7GEs09qWHeMulOX6Y4uze1guJFmAoqhhMZK1vHgC4PSGVrycQKlKldj6bmxb6rTOWS1jy43PGXnkEzEr3IxEcnX-brfuWU6BQEV2yt2I/s640/girl's+room+037.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking of very pretty things, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">there's a Modern Country Style giveaway </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">from <a href="http://www.mi-septembre.fr/en/" target="_blank">Mi-Septembre</a> coming your way on Friday.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Keep It Tidy Tip Number 2: Pretty Things Work Wonders

Two of our girls share a bedroom, so, as I explained  here ,  I wanted to make their beds a special private space. After this  post, I had l...

Read more »

Keep It Tidy Tip Number 1: Building Routines Into Family Life...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As anyone who's ever had to look after children will tell you, without tidying techniques the kiddiewinks will win the <i>they-make-a-mess-and-you-tidy</i> battle hands-down. I don't want to make out that our house is perfectly ordered at all times: it isn't....but I <i>do </i>want you to know that there are ways to make your life <i>much </i>easier when it comes to keeping on top of the messiness that family life brings....<i>shoes, bags, dirty laundry, toys, books, games, wet towels......</i>the list goes on and on, doesn't it?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8nn_w4yzz1zVpDfYtiwHguPnHbHVwIm5e3vC3iQ3AzVC8G5I4uWnCuBHl6nbb_4v9T39XQBnnWTqq55vADIeSo-NLCkf6OSkPVc0qWMo04CwgBJzvkbH5ZhwwkwZHrasYQW70UrhsyI/s1600/bbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8nn_w4yzz1zVpDfYtiwHguPnHbHVwIm5e3vC3iQ3AzVC8G5I4uWnCuBHl6nbb_4v9T39XQBnnWTqq55vADIeSo-NLCkf6OSkPVc0qWMo04CwgBJzvkbH5ZhwwkwZHrasYQW70UrhsyI/s640/bbc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images via BBC</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">When we first started having children, I soon realised that,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> unless I wanted to spend my entire life either picking up after the family, or feeling miserable at the mess that might ensue if I didn't, I needed to</span><span style="text-align: center;"> make sure <i>everyone</i></span><i style="text-align: center;"> </i><span style="text-align: center;">got in on the act so that keeping our home shipshape became a family job. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zCd0ypKNZsY9V9Sae6uRC215Tmbqt7B4gJMETbatnYYDQJxdbSHEnY73EduweC-VsLfgB9oguVl9Gsh2K4m3_11QLC7lX0Gi78bfeHFNfpr4r0g-Nz5Wak-ljZ3DysqPzidqQ1vxPxA/s1600/family-life-mess+Health.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zCd0ypKNZsY9V9Sae6uRC215Tmbqt7B4gJMETbatnYYDQJxdbSHEnY73EduweC-VsLfgB9oguVl9Gsh2K4m3_11QLC7lX0Gi78bfeHFNfpr4r0g-Nz5Wak-ljZ3DysqPzidqQ1vxPxA/s640/family-life-mess+Health.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via Health</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A key part of helping our family run smoothly is building in tidying routines. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the spin-off benefits, aside from the security of the same-</span>ness<span style="font-size: large;"> that routines build into our children's lives, is that it makes it much less stressful to keep on top of the mess that children seem to magically breed wherever they go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, my first tip for keeping on top of children's chaos is this:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Don't Try To Do It On Your Own</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Get <i>everyone </i>to help as part of the daily routine....s</span><span style="font-size: large;">o, for example, when we have our evening meal together, I cook, and the others take it in turns to lay the table, clear the table, load the dishwasher and wipe the surfaces. It works so well, even littlies can get in on the act. When patterns are established for every day, there's never ever moaning. It just becomes part of their world, which makes your job MUCH easier....with more time for the best bits like cuddling and playing and baking and reading together...living the full pleasures of Modern Country life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGqV9rlQTXCgn4ER9NCVDTUgnDTJGpaiDtR-CJj5nhEFXuG45WbjUEoJuWMxqB2a3VE9qg2B_GjZsRsaK9U87S8Qs1zJnC44DrnJwgcgv0CAuM3byto244Gktdqg1MUsrA9BH-uyelZ8/s1600/frugal+law+student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGqV9rlQTXCgn4ER9NCVDTUgnDTJGpaiDtR-CJj5nhEFXuG45WbjUEoJuWMxqB2a3VE9qg2B_GjZsRsaK9U87S8Qs1zJnC44DrnJwgcgv0CAuM3byto244Gktdqg1MUsrA9BH-uyelZ8/s640/frugal+law+student.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via: Frugal Law Student</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Think about stressful times of your day and see whether building in a routine could help, whether that's first thing after school or bath-time....and do let us know how you get on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Keep It Tidy Tip Number 1: Building Routines Into Family Life...

As anyone who's ever had to look after children will tell you, without tidying techniques the kiddiewinks will win the they-make-a-mess-...

Read more »

If you've ever had to tidy up after a child then this one's for you....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We can't possibly cover all the ins and outs of doing up our girls bedroom without talking about the nitty-gritty of keeping things looking pretty...once the camera turned off, I mean. Let's get real: most likely, those wellies have been entangled in the chandelier in an innocent game of catch, bringing the whole thing crashing down...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>{don't tell me you can't see that happening...}</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVQrQMo1l8xFzYNz9L5kWrZM4J1EjLQkbhoDeYB1_FX0kTpKJjNZCl_t1UD3lmY_izIlBMTt82pSqB9Tp5jO83n0GtKuXnhZxBR1jF-SIolU_2iStjLmki-GtOCdY9w6oNdeNWc-LJk/s1600/house+to+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVQrQMo1l8xFzYNz9L5kWrZM4J1EjLQkbhoDeYB1_FX0kTpKJjNZCl_t1UD3lmY_izIlBMTt82pSqB9Tp5jO83n0GtKuXnhZxBR1jF-SIolU_2iStjLmki-GtOCdY9w6oNdeNWc-LJk/s640/house+to+home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If only the toys that children leave around the </span><span style="font-size: large;">house </span><span style="font-size: large;">looked like this,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>boots neatly paired, car parked just-so, </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">there would be no need for </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">super-tidying solutions.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But they don't so there is....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You should know that we have five children </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">so when it comes to keeping mess at bay, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm pretty much a pro!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Drop by next week and see </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">the very best problem-solving tips I've found </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">for keeping things ship-shape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Image via: House to Home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

If you've ever had to tidy up after a child then this one's for you....

We can't possibly cover all the ins and outs of doing up our girls bedroom without talking about the nitty-gritty of keeping things look...

Read more »

Sheepskin Rugs and Throws: Eighties Throwback Or Tactile Heaven?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure that's there's much in life that is more </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">deliciously tactile than sheepskin.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHF9K9PNobaIWEnOObS5HZWyaTINV4LCgpB3ki3l1iNW2CyG99cuCruV5NKwUTBNDdaSqrfbn7zqpij7HHgLhx1hgzO8NF9oRRXrT-1z8xeDJKv_6CVh28WgYwDy59Ax_D6XMQmcPVGw/s1600/strawberry+hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHF9K9PNobaIWEnOObS5HZWyaTINV4LCgpB3ki3l1iNW2CyG99cuCruV5NKwUTBNDdaSqrfbn7zqpij7HHgLhx1hgzO8NF9oRRXrT-1z8xeDJKv_6CVh28WgYwDy59Ax_D6XMQmcPVGw/s640/strawberry+hills.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just look at these lovely images.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't they make you want to </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">dive in head-first to the deep, shaggy pile?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To bury your face into the luxurious softness?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TPlXFVdGbpxVWGPkkN7ZcQ28bajcY5h9muWj1QerR78jFWn1S8OV82zb750VlskXEOtmodVLVL3uB8A9ddaw5VDmRx3VwZu7w9b3KcjPwesFBe2n2GjHSMFYRpFZ3vySKI6e7a96M6k/s1600/1_crystal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TPlXFVdGbpxVWGPkkN7ZcQ28bajcY5h9muWj1QerR78jFWn1S8OV82zb750VlskXEOtmodVLVL3uB8A9ddaw5VDmRx3VwZu7w9b3KcjPwesFBe2n2GjHSMFYRpFZ3vySKI6e7a96M6k/s640/1_crystal.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They did go through a rather sad phase of looking terribly dated but, <i>huzzah!</i>, they're back with a vengeance, looking as classic as ever but, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the wonderful thing is, they're bigger and better than before.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlb51Yh2HegQAvtHahmDEk_thlhE7Tp5o7F8HOcD9uMHgK5v2i00S0DFu5XRRkDPd_RRHmpnBABI8g9eozwEh6JHXxu5LI4bWPj9g7_6ADi6AnjG6eEGZ8tKQwvnhuJNzLW_rCoTWyJo/s1600/design+loft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlb51Yh2HegQAvtHahmDEk_thlhE7Tp5o7F8HOcD9uMHgK5v2i00S0DFu5XRRkDPd_RRHmpnBABI8g9eozwEh6JHXxu5LI4bWPj9g7_6ADi6AnjG6eEGZ8tKQwvnhuJNzLW_rCoTWyJo/s640/design+loft.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can buy sheepskin in a whole range of colours, either dyed or from rare breeds, which can give beautiful fleeces like these:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvt_isM79f-kTxuXtUo0Yi73H0JYz0UN2giTU1Gdb0ceATfjRbtF5YChLqXEFKEQozh7lGzhskGj8Et-rmLNhpbcQsqEkO-sFrI3Z3qBpNmqF-xa0QeVu59Jg2lRFJjBXXIBtB77C3G0/s1600/kingdom+of+style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvt_isM79f-kTxuXtUo0Yi73H0JYz0UN2giTU1Gdb0ceATfjRbtF5YChLqXEFKEQozh7lGzhskGj8Et-rmLNhpbcQsqEkO-sFrI3Z3qBpNmqF-xa0QeVu59Jg2lRFJjBXXIBtB77C3G0/s640/kingdom+of+style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwvVWJ688w1ShmhXkkEJFok7pAf5Qahpw1ZGyz7hrtkWbBT6wPie_jGPUBhRAUFeK02mXF4UoLFntJnxla5y9m8KAahdbYx7aouWZXawGzWTI_IORtPmZGHXAvGnwDrRhQgYx2xPIATI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+1.20.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwvVWJ688w1ShmhXkkEJFok7pAf5Qahpw1ZGyz7hrtkWbBT6wPie_jGPUBhRAUFeK02mXF4UoLFntJnxla5y9m8KAahdbYx7aouWZXawGzWTI_IORtPmZGHXAvGnwDrRhQgYx2xPIATI/s640/Screen+shot+2011-09-02+at+1.20.00+PM.png" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sheepskin is so beautifully natural.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's an easy way to rock the rustic vibe.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking to add a little more <b>Country </b>to an otherwise <b>Modern </b>space, then sheepskin may just be the answer you're searching for.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuqCU63rnG-3ZaPVGIizvlNqafRe5wXVF9PvNLOS0uPqOGqLZNEBnJoGup4mEx8DtkKR8S33eT5_9t2kOsddEnvq5505KqCnvgwzn-7uux2LQIubJ6Rf3gvJ6wczAuEYm2Ocl8IAMSwQ/s1600/domino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuqCU63rnG-3ZaPVGIizvlNqafRe5wXVF9PvNLOS0uPqOGqLZNEBnJoGup4mEx8DtkKR8S33eT5_9t2kOsddEnvq5505KqCnvgwzn-7uux2LQIubJ6Rf3gvJ6wczAuEYm2Ocl8IAMSwQ/s1600/domino.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And size-wise, the sky's the limit. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fleeces can be carefully sewn together to create one enormous sheepskin. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Wooooah</i>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCJqvp4YR10lCTfvfXpm5qJ9TtL2CeeXCHv78GVAKsD82p1sabGMxH8VswPOcy9m4w7drvNsyciYAKtLpHl0eDoYOCmaNZlr846H7qpNZz_dQMK1Cwv3HTmZeHbYOgqskltzBTonD6Pc/s1600/speciality+linens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCJqvp4YR10lCTfvfXpm5qJ9TtL2CeeXCHv78GVAKsD82p1sabGMxH8VswPOcy9m4w7drvNsyciYAKtLpHl0eDoYOCmaNZlr846H7qpNZz_dQMK1Cwv3HTmZeHbYOgqskltzBTonD6Pc/s640/speciality+linens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are loads of options too. Whether you use sheepskin as a rug...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WKrWyNcczL7R315WESNTlKMaT1FS3PcxdRaZDTJnjDTqvcGdpiuFLS0FpS75QkKA6WQaZFEuu9EIka332qvX1eERIrju6Z5GukdARG3ShtTdxGJTUwgQz3Wii1ogSSmUHcTas984z5Y/s1600/ikea_inspiration_sensommar_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WKrWyNcczL7R315WESNTlKMaT1FS3PcxdRaZDTJnjDTqvcGdpiuFLS0FpS75QkKA6WQaZFEuu9EIka332qvX1eERIrju6Z5GukdARG3ShtTdxGJTUwgQz3Wii1ogSSmUHcTas984z5Y/s640/ikea_inspiration_sensommar_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">a throw....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEQzg8I7jGQmigKc9lMmxDxlZPPZom6186gmXVXJYR2TGu-5w0b_8mtSGzVUHzAsSvR9znV1K2imDSmcuyhSclmPbGzWZKtV8fxJbolt36TB7YkNha9GMtYswPEYSiivga5q7FFfS8Qg/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-10-29+at+7%5B1%5D.56.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEQzg8I7jGQmigKc9lMmxDxlZPPZom6186gmXVXJYR2TGu-5w0b_8mtSGzVUHzAsSvR9znV1K2imDSmcuyhSclmPbGzWZKtV8fxJbolt36TB7YkNha9GMtYswPEYSiivga5q7FFfS8Qg/s640/Screen+shot+2010-10-29+at+7%5B1%5D.56.30+AM.png" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnyuf2HL43_HtnNV_ArDZc4H4RJs6EsIf66x67vv8YbuUPlA-ClWYA2jOCNIa0mTxDt59K4w_kHts2CncjegZmnx0-8dM121MzRXZP7oLNdGtTfCufygLWl9DELrOcX_0Muh3Hiehycg/s1600/emmasblogg_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnyuf2HL43_HtnNV_ArDZc4H4RJs6EsIf66x67vv8YbuUPlA-ClWYA2jOCNIa0mTxDt59K4w_kHts2CncjegZmnx0-8dM121MzRXZP7oLNdGtTfCufygLWl9DELrOcX_0Muh3Hiehycg/s640/emmasblogg_.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">or simply as a cushion....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnmZXpxvYrTBoWW7pX-NF07brvgYSfMWpKYt949YM8QFFtoCxz75Dc1EBtOE-C_dAlSdjIkkA4KjQ9R_oXuTy0O11aY2Z6_JOiuhqFM2UuGGnMnnP4gqOnHwRU4nn8F1-RiZ2RqTjrgU/s1600/occa+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnmZXpxvYrTBoWW7pX-NF07brvgYSfMWpKYt949YM8QFFtoCxz75Dc1EBtOE-C_dAlSdjIkkA4KjQ9R_oXuTy0O11aY2Z6_JOiuhqFM2UuGGnMnnP4gqOnHwRU4nn8F1-RiZ2RqTjrgU/s640/occa+home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllqiDWg7NG_EuEGxudCHCn46kDHDWFT43wN3Uck1QF23A2APsFO9rSo7r7FAKwylLgrDmZ4l4aG94tDz0s1d4HejctkLf-LwuaYHuHBmHZzNr6CwwtnJ5hgSn2AhyE7gxVbxESvXWzvQ/s1600/white-company-sheepskin-range-846a-092210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllqiDWg7NG_EuEGxudCHCn46kDHDWFT43wN3Uck1QF23A2APsFO9rSo7r7FAKwylLgrDmZ4l4aG94tDz0s1d4HejctkLf-LwuaYHuHBmHZzNr6CwwtnJ5hgSn2AhyE7gxVbxESvXWzvQ/s640/white-company-sheepskin-range-846a-092210.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...it's</span><span style="font-size: large;"> a brilliant way to add natural texture to any room. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, what's more, they're relatively cheap too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Yy_iRVAFE3ZdsOQAl_fZeJVyTWo3LHAYARcwOKbishiclvht1CNspe9tOQEQSW-s34JoUEhNs8ngNFQLbq2aavAUIHEKEU8BjkFioEQaq8hvuIQH6Rgdpx9vhDnYmmPywFQGAT-zz0/s1600/Picture-1932.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Yy_iRVAFE3ZdsOQAl_fZeJVyTWo3LHAYARcwOKbishiclvht1CNspe9tOQEQSW-s34JoUEhNs8ngNFQLbq2aavAUIHEKEU8BjkFioEQaq8hvuIQH6Rgdpx9vhDnYmmPywFQGAT-zz0/s640/Picture-1932.png" width="520" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's all good news today, my pumpkins.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytsVsjjIb4km_oj3szuaiOAlssxk3NOt_jZISOjySIXeo49mqvYPXa6m2iwYhdz8HD7jiCrw9E8syJVzxjxZr2jnLtV8IN04uPY0fl_8BKtm0iQLbtcOKCxoU0b4gQjpsendokKLGmo4/s1600/diana212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytsVsjjIb4km_oj3szuaiOAlssxk3NOt_jZISOjySIXeo49mqvYPXa6m2iwYhdz8HD7jiCrw9E8syJVzxjxZr2jnLtV8IN04uPY0fl_8BKtm0iQLbtcOKCxoU0b4gQjpsendokKLGmo4/s1600/diana212.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Especially a certain girlie bedroom.....?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Images via: Strawberry Hills, Unknown, Design Loft, Kingdom of Style, Unknown, Domino, Speciality Linens, Ikea, Unknown, Emma's Blog, Occa-Home, The White Company, Unknown, Unknown</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Sheepskin Rugs and Throws: Eighties Throwback Or Tactile Heaven?

I'm not sure that's there's much in life that is more  deliciously tactile than sheepskin. Just look at these lovely images. Don...

Read more »

Ten Ways To Get Your Curtains Looking Fabulous

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are my top ten tips for </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">making sure your curtains look </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">completely fabulous.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsF9NyRx7VPl-yym-BWvOq-Wg07ejt3tuQ0jeafbQe_kyRLhPBhTAgvwquTplZZMr43N1RlrJ8AeyAQDKzhdphTM9kgETuJqL0F9_Q9JVzWhDHB5O0-bOvvBQu6KtraxgZfG0wWIuzno/s1600/girl's+room+259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsF9NyRx7VPl-yym-BWvOq-Wg07ejt3tuQ0jeafbQe_kyRLhPBhTAgvwquTplZZMr43N1RlrJ8AeyAQDKzhdphTM9kgETuJqL0F9_Q9JVzWhDHB5O0-bOvvBQu6KtraxgZfG0wWIuzno/s640/girl's+room+259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Choose the right material.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was worth waiting to find the perfect fabric for our girls bedroom. Even if you have a fairly small window, like ours, the right curtains can make a real impact. We chose <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/fabric/floral/hatley-pink" target="_blank">Cabbages and Roses Hatley</a> in their pink colourway. It was love at first sight. From the moment the parcel arrived, wrapped in delicate tissue paper, to the final hanging of the curtains, Ha<span id="goog_1457059851"></span><span id="goog_1457059852"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>tley is utterly <b>Country</b>, with this beautiful floral pattern, yet, because of its fairly sparse, monochrome design, utterly <b>Modern </b>all at the same time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Hatley Pink" height="480" src="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/0/r045038_-_pink.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2. Before buying, hold material up to the light.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't be fooled by sample books. When your fabric is hanging up, light streaming through the window will change how it appears. You can see from the two photos below (first on an overcast day and the second with glorious sunshine) that this <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/fabric/floral/hatley-pink" target="_blank">Cabbages and Roses</a> fabric does change a little with sunlight, despite being lined and interlined.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Wl94w0VWzdlIFcDu-HTsih4b3fcqTDCD-i9u8szfZ90A0gkswnoHZTLXsGT1QD3oDbrfGvmXZ85_uu2L0WaQ_qxhiuZ8giKWBh-5Qz1Ea8IsDXF280Py7kom7kh5lZN0LLmdZ57v74/s1600/girl's+room+260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Wl94w0VWzdlIFcDu-HTsih4b3fcqTDCD-i9u8szfZ90A0gkswnoHZTLXsGT1QD3oDbrfGvmXZ85_uu2L0WaQ_qxhiuZ8giKWBh-5Qz1Ea8IsDXF280Py7kom7kh5lZN0LLmdZ57v74/s640/girl's+room+260.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GQOhHEkJOAgwx30NFjukC6MtP7cqCdW76Lky6yH3KwAhRE6Ims2LvPeJmP_F7gkSDzLKPhx2olfYfS5uBIg5hOms8lzCCco6mkZ4f8-3rZo17XcrL9ePXvr4_Hn4y7X3B1xM4a9Cq7g/s1600/girl's+room+261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GQOhHEkJOAgwx30NFjukC6MtP7cqCdW76Lky6yH3KwAhRE6Ims2LvPeJmP_F7gkSDzLKPhx2olfYfS5uBIg5hOms8lzCCco6mkZ4f8-3rZo17XcrL9ePXvr4_Hn4y7X3B1xM4a9Cq7g/s640/girl's+room+261.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Don't skimp on interlining.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unless you want a deliberately floaty appearance to your curtains, it's absolutely worth forking out for good quality interlining. This is a layer of blanket-like material which is sandwiched between the main fabric and the lining. Interlining creates a feeling of additional richness and weight to the curtains that can't be imitated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt_4Gm3K4X41Ww_LYy4awjudq8af3eRi80vi-Xbbm79CPC0qhBLY-Ab3C3z_H5J_dTuQKqTCTUBkmGUxoCIxng0WLcNjshY_gs_4f67NEiNZLDHAet6cYtOlBsYpzYSetmJ4lb9-EClE/s1600/girl's+room+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt_4Gm3K4X41Ww_LYy4awjudq8af3eRi80vi-Xbbm79CPC0qhBLY-Ab3C3z_H5J_dTuQKqTCTUBkmGUxoCIxng0WLcNjshY_gs_4f67NEiNZLDHAet6cYtOlBsYpzYSetmJ4lb9-EClE/s640/girl's+room+262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4. Choose lining colour carefully.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although it may look beautiful from outside your window, if your lining is too bold, it may show through, affecting the appearance of the curtain fabric. Always, <i>always </i>test!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4DDSiKZmZWodLHRYrCptGc9sthRz8zsITL_gCrsSHKIL9dIdFwOkq5FXWls-vJ8rjlAfWLGuL-rSJpdSMCDgiWOCOtJSPtBozfi6cx9c0trYm5m8f_948JbQ1Iijd-0B-wH4HbWBk_0/s1600/girl's+room+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4DDSiKZmZWodLHRYrCptGc9sthRz8zsITL_gCrsSHKIL9dIdFwOkq5FXWls-vJ8rjlAfWLGuL-rSJpdSMCDgiWOCOtJSPtBozfi6cx9c0trYm5m8f_948JbQ1Iijd-0B-wH4HbWBk_0/s640/girl's+room+110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5. Pick good quality blackout lining for bedrooms.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheap-as-chips blackout lining is a false economy as it can start to peel, which looks ugly and stops its effectiveness. Not good!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>6. Ensure the pattern matches across both curtains.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If your curtains are patterned, make sure the pattern falls at the same position on each curtain. A mis-match would look awful, of course, but a completely precise match is what to aim for.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXJZZ4s7R1EqEMG36wGc2QRa3tMh207gmVWVyj0F2-ZLDxqtoDjEpHv6W8JKmvW3ZU0kCKiG5_42esOGDNtXEtBismuLx3gUgPtYc5m_k8sr1usExfF5z2ONLuVGrazv4LeuX3MjrScU/s1600/girl's+room+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXJZZ4s7R1EqEMG36wGc2QRa3tMh207gmVWVyj0F2-ZLDxqtoDjEpHv6W8JKmvW3ZU0kCKiG5_42esOGDNtXEtBismuLx3gUgPtYc5m_k8sr1usExfF5z2ONLuVGrazv4LeuX3MjrScU/s640/girl's+room+267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>7. Choose an appropriate header.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We've used a simple metal track here to prevent too much light getting in when the curtains are closed, as it keeps the curtain next to the wall, so we kept the pleat very simple too. This finish is called a pencil pleat but, if you want something fancier, there are plenty of options. In general, the grander the window, and the smarter the pole, the larger the header should be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHzT6XoWUkX5x8zfnoBAGaIisKYqUVD7A9hg5aU9pw1CArJDkrNpyZ1cV1aCv2snIjCU8hkZ_FJ2Eo2G-JtQPKnOysmCsuxozIxtgiy6hApURDyhu60bIMNos2bNZKDQPnT-t9QutsfM/s1600/girl's+room+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHzT6XoWUkX5x8zfnoBAGaIisKYqUVD7A9hg5aU9pw1CArJDkrNpyZ1cV1aCv2snIjCU8hkZ_FJ2Eo2G-JtQPKnOysmCsuxozIxtgiy6hApURDyhu60bIMNos2bNZKDQPnT-t9QutsfM/s640/girl's+room+096.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>8. Add weights to corners.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another trick for adding a feel of sumptuousness to your curtains is to add purpose-made weights to the corner of each curtain. These are sewn in, so aren't visible, but help the fabric to drape delightfully without pulling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmueVvXONNtr8xvOUk1DiIYL-4bvi_FB38e43hY1R6a6d0aW3-5_VZt4QGZ7lDyzef_ihIbr5a_spnHCJyN9-IPqlnpicQYy7z2iqMfTREmM8cSxJS575knkMsH0TusdyXdU9r2CZy5I/s1600/girl's+room+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmueVvXONNtr8xvOUk1DiIYL-4bvi_FB38e43hY1R6a6d0aW3-5_VZt4QGZ7lDyzef_ihIbr5a_spnHCJyN9-IPqlnpicQYy7z2iqMfTREmM8cSxJS575knkMsH0TusdyXdU9r2CZy5I/s640/girl's+room+115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>9. Check how the curtain will look when pushed back.</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curtains spend as much of the time open as they do drawn so remember to see at how your fabric looks when it's fully pleated. In our girls bedroom, <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/fabric/floral/hatley-pink" target="_blank">Cabbages and Roses Hatley</a> still looks super-pretty when the girls draw the curtains in their bedroom each morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV5ACzKm_J_-hjWqMDkPSvdT4VSsx616DRSmt2GWhbD2USqhpNmavmlHLdH3FJ7eRcZKtn6m3nUpLl11RSzxwNa7FnEp2bPO95T18Rip2Wnuk2FUg4nXHOVmdEywdrm0zIIlkhAqyl4Y/s1600/girl's+room+258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV5ACzKm_J_-hjWqMDkPSvdT4VSsx616DRSmt2GWhbD2USqhpNmavmlHLdH3FJ7eRcZKtn6m3nUpLl11RSzxwNa7FnEp2bPO95T18Rip2Wnuk2FUg4nXHOVmdEywdrm0zIIlkhAqyl4Y/s640/girl's+room+258.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>10. Tie in your fabric with the rest of the room.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In particular, ask yourself, 'how does it combine with the other soft furnishings?' and '</span><span style="font-size: large;">how does it combine with the walls?' There's no use having gorgeous fabric, if the rest of the room doesn't act as a foil to enhance its loveliness!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_SdfG3z1MPTm8OETzHF76XKhJWqEvnbe37nRLDsKugU09Kjb5usaGCdkhXAhsoInam-6bCz9II8x7o18GJErmoX3-Jhb2yQn0UenkNtq9Orz2KJTYC0cJ3ah_kmVM_4WhGzooBpDilw/s1600/girl's+room+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_SdfG3z1MPTm8OETzHF76XKhJWqEvnbe37nRLDsKugU09Kjb5usaGCdkhXAhsoInam-6bCz9II8x7o18GJErmoX3-Jhb2yQn0UenkNtq9Orz2KJTYC0cJ3ah_kmVM_4WhGzooBpDilw/s640/girl's+room+129.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you checked out the <a href="http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/fabric/floral/hatley-pink" target="_blank">Cabbages and Roses</a> website? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for Modern Country fabric then you're in for a treat! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thoroughly recommended!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm linking to <a href="http://www.freckledlaundry.com/" target="_blank">Freckled Laundry</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4JFrX3krRbi6guh2rlxEzQMAVqwURmP_QsTjEaHLhJCkup8I7zlujJ7eAkJUBxW821rGoYYoe3o4H1ksGNxTQdsjbCWTDtgZtAKk1zrV1VK_TBmNVAVMEbkD-Hhf7lDiq5CT-pPrhBk/s1600/911BDF1E66C2C8003D62774447FCC1C0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xfi351MsyndAYUmxHRkGj61sLDTTHthxjmqP_EqC0iadkaUpjrQDkUditdqsJUO44UYzJMr2L30-6QhSw3rOMyvnZOXIIuWdzCpbKvYZuRqn1fyarc_9lLE6E5bIUsmzFpoY5i9Ie40/s1600/2052BBEDE343AF4A73F6A61C3820B007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Ten Ways To Get Your Curtains Looking Fabulous

Here are my top ten tips for  making sure your curtains look  completely fabulous. 1. Choose the right material. It was worth waiting to fin...

Read more »

Patricia Gray's Tips for Making Colour Work in Your Interior

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbL6CYawpL7u5ziJgHEmxL-UaL51m4IAg62rDK0Tk7Af0FQdwvwsRk6uGNn-YecLZGNnIx5a0bD8KDRFUQCbFZ61q0Wjg2P84S0sR4JmwMwF8LcAw2T4eVEw_iRBVSB3vJgKl7s-mbn9x/s1600/Patricia+Grays+Tips+for+Making+Colour+Work.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbL6CYawpL7u5ziJgHEmxL-UaL51m4IAg62rDK0Tk7Af0FQdwvwsRk6uGNn-YecLZGNnIx5a0bD8KDRFUQCbFZ61q0Wjg2P84S0sR4JmwMwF8LcAw2T4eVEw_iRBVSB3vJgKl7s-mbn9x/s1600/Patricia+Grays+Tips+for+Making+Colour+Work.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeosmqHIBVuI7lJC-pi63MD-iDWwAwBjm_ig81hxWaCrIGQhlC9kXJQ0_jO0nqHl9AdBRveZTgZo5ojrLDELSN94uJ8VwBjpk5TbBF_fQ5eWKISuefvmSVV_QVOnwlg1vZZhZ16t-15BYS/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeosmqHIBVuI7lJC-pi63MD-iDWwAwBjm_ig81hxWaCrIGQhlC9kXJQ0_jO0nqHl9AdBRveZTgZo5ojrLDELSN94uJ8VwBjpk5TbBF_fQ5eWKISuefvmSVV_QVOnwlg1vZZhZ16t-15BYS/s1600/1.png" /> </a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to use colour. Have fun and use colours you love in the accessories,  </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">which don't cost a lot </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to change out. If possible, change them seasonally to keep </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">        your interiors fresh.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">  </span></span></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zmsKLkvEIUNbLuxm6o8yFyusNc0uX-rxK8a1CzpWsCb6ElRmSHWP8ZKA_6qS8dUOs7VLoDJao8Eo8nprrrS1glPeBm0X3Dll3vrsg9vFAf9PIIlP0Bwuo4WWfn1ynHp6FlqFjvBkWhh1/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zmsKLkvEIUNbLuxm6o8yFyusNc0uX-rxK8a1CzpWsCb6ElRmSHWP8ZKA_6qS8dUOs7VLoDJao8Eo8nprrrS1glPeBm0X3Dll3vrsg9vFAf9PIIlP0Bwuo4WWfn1ynHp6FlqFjvBkWhh1/s1600/2.png" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> White is a wonderful colour for kitchens. Just as simple white plates are a beautiful </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> way to display food, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">everything looks delicious against white counters, cabinets and </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">        </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">walls.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">  </span></span> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2kCAl_xa9CL_3BiWR6jk3Xwz6K-2AKPDZuZ0XM_MYAEEfqcRND6QmwX72EngAeBNDC39t1EAdZhQNl_oQ4Z4yH6_6QyD_2tHr9wO1-TJw7n9rO8P92Nh8L0DlkAJCoA3jkWZGmzFa9tH/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2kCAl_xa9CL_3BiWR6jk3Xwz6K-2AKPDZuZ0XM_MYAEEfqcRND6QmwX72EngAeBNDC39t1EAdZhQNl_oQ4Z4yH6_6QyD_2tHr9wO1-TJw7n9rO8P92Nh8L0DlkAJCoA3jkWZGmzFa9tH/s1600/3.png" /></a></div><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Before you commit to a colour, try many. Buy sample pots and large poster boards </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and paint the boards. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Move them around the room so you can see how the colours </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">        </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">change in different light depending on the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">time of day. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCGaHv0_KgMUrDYBcdzqgp3xXaIXJvtbAJh6Cjp61PFmRB6V6IWSjXDC_CGiv2HVhPNRhfoOSS2VO1ryKngDc4WaIS9ytFR0j3kalKP54aMp8Ds6LWuc5pesFdzZ1kxABgY1mgmEY38aF/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCGaHv0_KgMUrDYBcdzqgp3xXaIXJvtbAJh6Cjp61PFmRB6V6IWSjXDC_CGiv2HVhPNRhfoOSS2VO1ryKngDc4WaIS9ytFR0j3kalKP54aMp8Ds6LWuc5pesFdzZ1kxABgY1mgmEY38aF/s1600/4.png" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Two perfect blues: Heaven on Earth and Under the Big Top, both by Benjamin</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Moore. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw21wXkoFuAbwqrmM8kgs-s468hqpUiJ-8f4tSDEK-da0dg6deo860wCjfNlds4fKnyO3X-vW-x5QOWqTeXI6tkbkU9h6_uXj6qbY_-uZGO7sJ6W5uZc48XKTMn4AbyxV8PAVbKZo-h-L/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw21wXkoFuAbwqrmM8kgs-s468hqpUiJ-8f4tSDEK-da0dg6deo860wCjfNlds4fKnyO3X-vW-x5QOWqTeXI6tkbkU9h6_uXj6qbY_-uZGO7sJ6W5uZc48XKTMn4AbyxV8PAVbKZo-h-L/s1600/5.png" /></a></div><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Choose original artwork you love and then look to that artwork to create layers of </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">colour. Pull different </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">shades and vary them in throw pillows, accessories like blown </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">        </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">glass, flowers and fruit.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">  </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyekQJEM48mND0gS80Bfqp66ccG4LGrzkaWzFXCbGrDhoy0_Fm6rPn9j6F61DjyK5wC8E9Dj_oxXemGySE5SvBvYbZK87rluDBdy1hNlpMUzmOazJLSNb1CkYZPUWYypJYQU_st-m5AI2H/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyekQJEM48mND0gS80Bfqp66ccG4LGrzkaWzFXCbGrDhoy0_Fm6rPn9j6F61DjyK5wC8E9Dj_oxXemGySE5SvBvYbZK87rluDBdy1hNlpMUzmOazJLSNb1CkYZPUWYypJYQU_st-m5AI2H/s1600/6.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep accent colours in a single family for a unified, sophisticated result. Editing is a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">part of the process. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> With too many objects in a room, you don't appreciate any one </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thing</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.   </span></div><br /></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3pjxBjRmAAiZ4qvG-6LNVuywuV7LVquy8yRYPwq6wmuLO4Jcsn5iMuxHxrJ2K-fK5dWWljFBiq-glBHx702OXBjo2i8fG3Owe1aXi1TVh7bLohaCRziuJdq9D3-qL6yhjh2V70L3Coa5/s640/LAUREL+8448B.JPG" title="Patricia Gray | Interior Design Vancouver " width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Accents of citron and ultramarine blue pop against a neutral backdrop of beige, taupe and brown in the family room. Photo: <a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Gray Inc.</a></span></span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6lvlFuAyT7eBWocewkUc5HJMLLnTPDKmSiUyFcHqAMqeACLpO_RWhyphenhyphenHmInrJIaxXwppwjkPtZIfHvrB1ndrrSACn_Y2rzkgiI7_T235SdH2rAeVWT9Cft9qtgjv6nq2QOkEoXiLiVLFu/s640/LAUREL+8393.JPG" title="Patricia Gray | Interior Design Vancouver " width="627" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A soothing shade of warm taupe on the walls is a perfect backdrop for art and accessories in the den. Cushions pull a shades of brown from art by <a href="http://www.davidedwards.ca/Welcome.html" target="_blank">David Edwards</a>. Photo: <a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Gray Inc.  </a> </span></span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1sjE1GViTPvLOw5InekqQSFLW_SmRPxOcFg2fKQrP3V3JkNhLt6RTOxIWplTCS9E6_553e0q07oNCallcrvuFCt-njmPGLQEmWAIm6ZyCwZKu769_9t3RM-GNVLfj6fbi45v87ZnFUgI/s640/LAUREL+8502B.JPG" title="Patricia Gray | Interior Design Vancouver " width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The master bedroom, painted a delicate shade of pure summer sky, imbues the room with a relaxing atmosphere. A vintage Louis chair received an update with silver paint, white leather upholstery, and nail heads. Art is by <a href="http://www.karenlorenaparker.com/" target="_blank">Karen Lorena Parker</a>. Photo: <a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Gray Inc.</a></span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/docs/Patricia-Gray-Home-by-Design.pdf" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqZvKdQi9CZZii0Gy-Gn-s5UdaeoSl6m0rDAvdVzgK788rOPECZqx4Y7DiKSLjYA-KvHBMx_0aBoilWmn9fA_kQGA0WHJc4qEMF-IsxqTyP7dQTutnC5gMblAbMARkD5gjMftLGSvh9c3/s200/pg0.jpeg" title="Patricia Gray | Interior Design Vancouver " width="150" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/docs/Patricia-Gray-Home-by-Design.pdf" target="_blank">Click to read the whole article</a><br />Patricia Gray's Tips for Making Colour Work In Your Interior</span></span></span></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" style="color: #777777; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">PATRICIA GRAY INC</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 17px;"> is an award winning interior design firm in Vancouver. Here we write about lifestyle</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/" style="color: #777777; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2012 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</a></span></div><br />

Patricia Gray's Tips for Making Colour Work in Your Interior

  Don't be afraid to use colour. Have fun and use colours you love in the accessories,   which don't cost a lot  to change out. If p...

Read more »