Bedrom Ideas for Designs

Book Review: Farrow and Ball Decorating With Colour

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've </span><span style="font-size: large;">been </span><span style="font-size: large;">invited to join the expert panel of judges for </span><a href="http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/content/marketing/unloved_rooms/index.jsp?stop_mobi=yes&ecamp=unlovedrooms" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">B and Q's Unloved Rooms </a><span style="font-size: large;">competition; I've loved looking through the entries, searching for potential, reading the background stories and generally getting to be very </span><span style="font-size: large;">nosey </span><span style="font-size: large;">indeed! But look at what we have here....</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;">Oh me, oh my! Farrow and Ball have released a new book!</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/AVvXsEjebSEPaGZXwFplO0KOuxv952t2UOmsTke9Bic4f_hA3Ce_XO6xToRKTscUC0xmJJHV9iOeIE4gp7ogb7mNGcnRBbHusdCphKpaOtlcm9LuNkCnhnS1Uoug5zic3l7q5ox89CZfwHG5frLb/s1600/9781849754231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebSEPaGZXwFplO0KOuxv952t2UOmsTke9Bic4f_hA3Ce_XO6xToRKTscUC0xmJJHV9iOeIE4gp7ogb7mNGcnRBbHusdCphKpaOtlcm9LuNkCnhnS1Uoug5zic3l7q5ox89CZfwHG5frLb/s640/9781849754231.jpg" width="536" /></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;">Farrow and Ball Decorating With Colour by Ros Byam Shaw is published by Ryland Peters & Small and is available from <a href="http://www.rylandpeters.com/">www.rylandpeters.com</a></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/AVvXsEgH_UZxAVVjs50CU7J03RzLzIAScRA-Gidlbss_6T3Mg_fSF0MatQehAYEIF2lhpZ6R2A-p9Fda9j86I1LfL-4X8Cn3OQUeKdqN5_OnV1hD0AYqHvfbdveWazBGecdbUcfA1wLJhlYTaIBi/s1600/029_RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_UZxAVVjs50CU7J03RzLzIAScRA-Gidlbss_6T3Mg_fSF0MatQehAYEIF2lhpZ6R2A-p9Fda9j86I1LfL-4X8Cn3OQUeKdqN5_OnV1hD0AYqHvfbdveWazBGecdbUcfA1wLJhlYTaIBi/s640/029_RPS.jpg" width="528" /></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;">Ros Byam Shaw is back with another belter of a book. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A real cracker if I may say.</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/AVvXsEh4vULJoM1ZNO-1A7jUtzPbHJXCARe4ozj_I4k3uNp_U2yBraj27HNqJ9nfm7F8A1ckYqKOP03Q9Xo5vv0tSOz3VfEVdeX2zOyFUeJhzWvbE6SpV1TZ0iRJ7B3GBRMGJh3PBqcnm5rYcF_1/s1600/008_RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vULJoM1ZNO-1A7jUtzPbHJXCARe4ozj_I4k3uNp_U2yBraj27HNqJ9nfm7F8A1ckYqKOP03Q9Xo5vv0tSOz3VfEVdeX2zOyFUeJhzWvbE6SpV1TZ0iRJ7B3GBRMGJh3PBqcnm5rYcF_1/s640/008_RPS.jpg" width="408" /></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;">Split into three sections, Classic, Contemporary and Country, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1849754233/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1849754233&linkCode=as2&tag=modecounstyl-21">Decorating with Colour</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=modecounstyl-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1849754233" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />walks a very pleasing Modern Country line between the three. Ros has chosen a beautiful mix of effortlessly stylish homes, which are an absolute feast for the eyes.</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/AVvXsEjhfTp-p-hu6JNBXc4jQCUqITxgiCfUfpOLA7ivVa0Qs_r6Mt_I8KGAJm3YnUqs-P3uUCBb-Xu4kbrgPr8GTVATYsH4OX8-23uEuErs5y5wF12WrqBOqQkjwGh4L-hK-wd9stf8DPRgkApu/s1600/033_RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfTp-p-hu6JNBXc4jQCUqITxgiCfUfpOLA7ivVa0Qs_r6Mt_I8KGAJm3YnUqs-P3uUCBb-Xu4kbrgPr8GTVATYsH4OX8-23uEuErs5y5wF12WrqBOqQkjwGh4L-hK-wd9stf8DPRgkApu/s640/033_RPS.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;">As well as Ros' lovely text, there are gazillions of gorgeous photos to drool over.</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/AVvXsEgTuUfD1GqfNqr-jSJEC4rX6WNfAHfzQmmHfIDYz1bvvweym1wuBgwBAPoDYrr1u0LDx8HxNlW4MWLFzt_aqlPtnFMBPkHKRowIWICXTARrp2oeF_rLQ8OO6MWb1XJPn-3bghyphenhyphen_i3XFOtzm/s1600/015-RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuUfD1GqfNqr-jSJEC4rX6WNfAHfzQmmHfIDYz1bvvweym1wuBgwBAPoDYrr1u0LDx8HxNlW4MWLFzt_aqlPtnFMBPkHKRowIWICXTARrp2oeF_rLQ8OO6MWb1XJPn-3bghyphenhyphen_i3XFOtzm/s640/015-RPS.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;">Beautiful chalky shades, as well as warm jewelled hues, will have you reaching for your paint brush faster than you can say "I could literally eat every one of Farrow and Ball's hundred-and-twenty colours".</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/AVvXsEjENg4gOOlZed7nyGaED_PBW49bsm8s7btj9iCr-pRs9arSGGeoD2pKbsaFjYzuNvE9xl0W6hFuCWAX4rOlwod0I7HIJyt7k_p5PB1VjxZukJwV3J2RZs2gUEoL4Xv_B2rirMDYa_8QsHQ0/s1600/081-RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENg4gOOlZed7nyGaED_PBW49bsm8s7btj9iCr-pRs9arSGGeoD2pKbsaFjYzuNvE9xl0W6hFuCWAX4rOlwod0I7HIJyt7k_p5PB1VjxZukJwV3J2RZs2gUEoL4Xv_B2rirMDYa_8QsHQ0/s640/081-RPS.jpg" width="522" /></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;">One of my favourite features of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1849754233/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1849754233&linkCode=as2&tag=modecounstyl-21">Decorating with Colour</a> is the index at the back. It means that you can look up every single reference to the colour you're currently obsessing over. A colour-perfectionist's dream...</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/AVvXsEiQzGhLLw2G8uCic2znWEUOqfBap3ndjHYMEtDSkmP7Kk6zuKw6sh1azfEBkKpiwlEKF0Myh0I4XwGAKUP8P9vMFLBH6PsMrDNdTzTG76Kje8lksVPakb_rKl0MJp9f7ITrBnsFivGT5TWm/s1600/026_RPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzGhLLw2G8uCic2znWEUOqfBap3ndjHYMEtDSkmP7Kk6zuKw6sh1azfEBkKpiwlEKF0Myh0I4XwGAKUP8P9vMFLBH6PsMrDNdTzTG76Kje8lksVPakb_rKl0MJp9f7ITrBnsFivGT5TWm/s640/026_RPS.jpg" width="482" /></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;">Being a proud owner of their previous book, I one hundred per cent believe that this, too, will be a book you dip into over and over again.</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;">Worth its weight in sample pots!</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>

Book Review: Farrow and Ball Decorating With Colour

I've been invited to join the expert panel of judges for B and Q's Unloved Rooms competition; I've loved looking through the ent...

6:30 AM

How To Completely Transform Old Picture Frames

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I have a thing about picture frames. I find them peculiarly difficult to resist when I see them lying, unloved, in thrift stores or charity shops. </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/AVvXsEja85Uz8ElWLjPrGlkfFwu40Nd5hxOL2f4PRGmEH7FqDfIN2iJz_vFLQo6ACPW6n_BswKeIBvOHu_HwzMPfevS43wJ2lxiwk1Sxw8HmvQZ8WYVQmtkNuEp0tUhc9jQqYp5RvrCJXGDLWMYq/s1600/picture+and+anya+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja85Uz8ElWLjPrGlkfFwu40Nd5hxOL2f4PRGmEH7FqDfIN2iJz_vFLQo6ACPW6n_BswKeIBvOHu_HwzMPfevS43wJ2lxiwk1Sxw8HmvQZ8WYVQmtkNuEp0tUhc9jQqYp5RvrCJXGDLWMYq/s640/picture+and+anya+101.JPG" width="640" /></span></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;">They're spectacularly easy to transform into show-stopping pieces with a little know-how.</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;">Step this way, please....</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;">One tatty old frame....</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3eJZFk0-Ckp6R3sz6kfDPYioJWzPAjn9B8ZcGpyoBSMOO2jV3hK-HlrR4r1BRsC-1urlSCEGVhwxANS-NpPdlIzCLwXc7PQvsB7O1JC9qdHsp0UiGPvRg-Bbcw1ChjEAqrATf-5xoudL/s1600/picture+and+anya+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3eJZFk0-Ckp6R3sz6kfDPYioJWzPAjn9B8ZcGpyoBSMOO2jV3hK-HlrR4r1BRsC-1urlSCEGVhwxANS-NpPdlIzCLwXc7PQvsB7O1JC9qdHsp0UiGPvRg-Bbcw1ChjEAqrATf-5xoudL/s640/picture+and+anya+003.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;">However, underneath the scritches and scratches and knocks and bumps, this has good bones. Solid wood. Chunky and sturdy. Definite transformation potential.</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/AVvXsEjtQ9lSGVgVtT8rJ6X-g9JVALRAz7h_tXMtHMRKmRf9WxNWDY3zzrIqlfqFi-bpPdG_QqRXruyCkjalecs7Cif7DD-Cr5In-X4cfURlPPC5fNmAs8-VRSm2d3s9WZGebEM_TBq2iXFt7s-j/s1600/picture+and+anya+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ9lSGVgVtT8rJ6X-g9JVALRAz7h_tXMtHMRKmRf9WxNWDY3zzrIqlfqFi-bpPdG_QqRXruyCkjalecs7Cif7DD-Cr5In-X4cfURlPPC5fNmAs8-VRSm2d3s9WZGebEM_TBq2iXFt7s-j/s640/picture+and+anya+005.JPG" width="640" /></span></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;">I turned to my trusty can of <a href="http://www.autentico-chalk-paint.co.uk/" target="_blank">Autentico Nearly Black Chalk Paint</a> for a speedy lick of lusciousness. No sanding, priming or preparation necessary. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I've painted tonnes of little bits and pieces like this, plus the desk in the study and the tin is still pleasingly full-looking. A little goes a long, long way.</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI7U4GvYinwHSo_vt9RJfkPfuBJWjGYBGdxMit24D6QDJNMy2H8QHFwSyQ9K4ta_J8vU7C58l9MMVNq13KsySHX88Vm-Q0b-dICSHn5BuQIf1shw5rbJOVefwNLJsxLF-raoI8t7pSbBb/s1600/picture+and+anya+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI7U4GvYinwHSo_vt9RJfkPfuBJWjGYBGdxMit24D6QDJNMy2H8QHFwSyQ9K4ta_J8vU7C58l9MMVNq13KsySHX88Vm-Q0b-dICSHn5BuQIf1shw5rbJOVefwNLJsxLF-raoI8t7pSbBb/s640/picture+and+anya+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></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;">With this particular piece, I wanted the gently matte sheen that comes from <a href="http://www.autentico-chalk-paint.co.uk/" target="_blank">Autentico's Clear Wax</a>. This is so easy to apply.</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/AVvXsEhnqH7xFAoZEcptbPpke42-VtOC8SDdwTEO8D8AEYnxWXPJc7bRE3VBUWPjZkxoOARE3OA56EEgTGLaCGmK1jPEz0x0zm_WViqEFHzIyZWx-vvz_YnuRh8kaI3anWSSxzmmxYfI0RNCxYU3/s1600/picture+and+anya+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqH7xFAoZEcptbPpke42-VtOC8SDdwTEO8D8AEYnxWXPJc7bRE3VBUWPjZkxoOARE3OA56EEgTGLaCGmK1jPEz0x0zm_WViqEFHzIyZWx-vvz_YnuRh8kaI3anWSSxzmmxYfI0RNCxYU3/s640/picture+and+anya+022.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;">Following the clear instructions, brush the wax sparingly onto the surface of the frame, wait for the fifteen minutes it takes to dry and then buff with a brush, or cloth.</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOdEDN4A387gUFCD2HcpevFMy-nIEuTPO4MADvEwVc91bpp6Ak1A2LBJXu9L37Jj3giVuxB0QKMz_f5iwJGcjZyHOwwbpEmKKqHaTOQYnFE7dwTbdY8nE0aEiUdaNTmCqjZk0vG_TvPP3/s1600/picture+and+anya+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOdEDN4A387gUFCD2HcpevFMy-nIEuTPO4MADvEwVc91bpp6Ak1A2LBJXu9L37Jj3giVuxB0QKMz_f5iwJGcjZyHOwwbpEmKKqHaTOQYnFE7dwTbdY8nE0aEiUdaNTmCqjZk0vG_TvPP3/s640/picture+and+anya+105.JPG" width="640" /></a></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;">And, ta-daaaaa, this easy-peasy, cheap as chips way to utterly transform a frame from past-it to pizzazz!</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPBRBrazStfuxTXLePEFvLXe6MGEmn8TXb_7aumbluF7p5jmeG-D-_n757F8kMa3Kk9wutLuZo3L6gH0hSsyip6wWQ5txIpo3IAwT2X4IBR02V_5sTnwLkAL8Q6zZPkg1n0MmpJAFmZL6/s1600/picture+and+anya+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPBRBrazStfuxTXLePEFvLXe6MGEmn8TXb_7aumbluF7p5jmeG-D-_n757F8kMa3Kk9wutLuZo3L6gH0hSsyip6wWQ5txIpo3IAwT2X4IBR02V_5sTnwLkAL8Q6zZPkg1n0MmpJAFmZL6/s640/picture+and+anya+037.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;">The British Isles Typography print is from <a href="http://www.roseandgrey.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rose and Grey</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it gorgeous? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love the detail of all the different names...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">take a close-up look....</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28omC30RsWG3bSKbmRzP09m7hr4k3f44yeTgpY5r6rcVsLiEX47Yb1K3H3ATguYwcDVk_mJUIcPqqGtOApafoqpi9h-vmgGmRib_hyphenhyphen5Y852tfhL7_DAZbEi1ogem8XUnniRGd-zbtbWE1/s1600/picture+and+anya+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28omC30RsWG3bSKbmRzP09m7hr4k3f44yeTgpY5r6rcVsLiEX47Yb1K3H3ATguYwcDVk_mJUIcPqqGtOApafoqpi9h-vmgGmRib_hyphenhyphen5Y852tfhL7_DAZbEi1ogem8XUnniRGd-zbtbWE1/s640/picture+and+anya+085.JPG" width="640" /></a></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;"><a href="http://www.roseandgrey.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rose and Grey</a> stock loads of must-have quirky finds and, as quoted by The Sunday Times, </span><span style="font-size: large;">'upbeat, colourful home wares with a whiff of salvage." Yum!</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; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN-nO3DJVWMEmjee6tIPz_w8z_-3_A1LWDR2bMH1ZOITf5WUXVDeKsVoM7Rvjzfg6PDYzzmRcx851jFJD7GGXlIumCp5r8i4kzapfOmusX3SPPKoxqq1FWgZxw9lmv3laxsGPkGvPkE8r/s1600/picture+and+anya+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN-nO3DJVWMEmjee6tIPz_w8z_-3_A1LWDR2bMH1ZOITf5WUXVDeKsVoM7Rvjzfg6PDYzzmRcx851jFJD7GGXlIumCp5r8i4kzapfOmusX3SPPKoxqq1FWgZxw9lmv3laxsGPkGvPkE8r/s640/picture+and+anya+051.JPG" width="426" /></a></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;">This British Isles Typography poster caught my eye in an instant.</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/AVvXsEhb_0Ro5jpf0BioQTMSaexs-EyG6WCscw28vHEBq3Vb6MmosrEsAHGbnlMtElG5TwtpTpS3-TMSoPg5Mi_i_4WDzTo1ZNz8hUOZqBl64KKuZTS4Y7qQ1TktoB8T-oAjzUc6RDU3IQFdiU_X/s1600/picture+and+anya+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_0Ro5jpf0BioQTMSaexs-EyG6WCscw28vHEBq3Vb6MmosrEsAHGbnlMtElG5TwtpTpS3-TMSoPg5Mi_i_4WDzTo1ZNz8hUOZqBl64KKuZTS4Y7qQ1TktoB8T-oAjzUc6RDU3IQFdiU_X/s640/picture+and+anya+030.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 love the sheer slate colourway but it's also available in Duck Egg.</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/AVvXsEgbtXK33bj2HO4vk586sHiYtCvQghILE68-gdliHdKnrodRkrKul7QA7ICyWZgPsLv5YZakkzDZwQD4DYIr_tzFzx34gy4dSIvy-muoa_Bohs3gmULepHduGfnChGefwiF-IhrRkHY82QwD/s1600/picture+and+anya+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtXK33bj2HO4vk586sHiYtCvQghILE68-gdliHdKnrodRkrKul7QA7ICyWZgPsLv5YZakkzDZwQD4DYIr_tzFzx34gy4dSIvy-muoa_Bohs3gmULepHduGfnChGefwiF-IhrRkHY82QwD/s640/picture+and+anya+059.JPG" width="426" /></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;">A craft project that's good for the Modern Country soul, and for your bank balance...everyone's a winner!</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;"><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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

How To Completely Transform Old Picture Frames

I have a thing about picture frames. I find them peculiarly difficult to resist when I see them lying, unloved, in thrift stores or charit...

6:47 AM

Make It Yours: Romantic Getaway

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn't fancy a romantic getaway? A secret bolthole to find rest and serenity. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Next question...how many of us have one?</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mmmmmm, not so many, eh?!</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The secret is to create your very own space in the home you already have. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Particularly with </span><span style="font-size: large;">littlies </span><span style="font-size: large;">around, a special place for Mr MC and me to escape to, has been, not just a luxury, but a real necessity.</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://assets.uniquebookingservices.com/unique/data/1957/ib/31856-weblg.jpg" /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simple, uncluttered and calm are the keywords....</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and here's how I suggest you do it...</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3cLK-XT9Zu714KTeRZRdqH4NbcNgJw476y763o1uOMQ-LV1P9RGCsnjhT3C5fSJ6Qz5C0i1BNovNyFUHbO0HVud8dJeum4s-HVEGlGSrAGTYdjsHESmwxzihm37kU1tzgdbFTLmFutIH/s1600/romantic-getaway.gif1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3cLK-XT9Zu714KTeRZRdqH4NbcNgJw476y763o1uOMQ-LV1P9RGCsnjhT3C5fSJ6Qz5C0i1BNovNyFUHbO0HVud8dJeum4s-HVEGlGSrAGTYdjsHESmwxzihm37kU1tzgdbFTLmFutIH/s640/romantic-getaway.gif1.gif" width="456" /></span></a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Clockwise from top:</i> take time to pick out small luxuries, you want to be able to feel like a princess in an instant; choose a palette of soft, washed-out putty shades, such as the new greys from Little Greene: try Limestone, Fescue, Cool Arbour, and Serpentine, which are designed to work together as a palette; be ruthlessly sparing with clutter...accessories YES but clutter NO!; I love the ambiance that choosing natural materials gives: here, linens, then rattan baskets and wooden floors help to impart softness to the scheme.</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(via unknown, Liesbet Goetschalckx, unknown, Finders Keepers Market Inc)</span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img height="413" src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/1036.png" width="640" /></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;">These mood boards take inspiration from Unique Home Stays' Turtledove Cottage (see <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/cottage-tourmodern-country-hideaway.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/cottage-tour-part-2-modern-country.html" target="_blank">here </a>for more information).</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/AVvXsEhE1GV0gfcKeb2Q4rpvzCXMp4DSLZKOKYrSj9qt7za9qKU94vuYUxZtwg0Qjzq_kfeFWKjOMLyjfG0pKMwSuBozpRs3HxAQVjRPLfVEs9Ee_JkTvI0xTZ8f9NxcJ5Alom-deIG0nBu6xp1-/s1600/romantic-getaway.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1GV0gfcKeb2Q4rpvzCXMp4DSLZKOKYrSj9qt7za9qKU94vuYUxZtwg0Qjzq_kfeFWKjOMLyjfG0pKMwSuBozpRs3HxAQVjRPLfVEs9Ee_JkTvI0xTZ8f9NxcJ5Alom-deIG0nBu6xp1-/s640/romantic-getaway.gif" width="450" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This time I've focused on slightly more masculine greys. <i>Clockwise from top</i>: as there's only two of you to buy necessities for, you might want to splash out a bit so that even the everyday feels special; warm and snuggly are romantic essentials.....I shall say no more!; throws and cushions <i>always </i>in natural materials....utterly inviting; nothing should feel so perfect that it isn't practical; try Farrow and Ball Great White, Farrow and Ball Cornforth White and Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray for grays with depth.</span></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;">Enjoy your own Romantic Getaway!</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;"></div>

Make It Yours: Romantic Getaway

Who doesn't fancy a romantic getaway? A secret bolthole to find rest and serenity. Next question...how many of us have one? Mmmmmm, not...

7:57 AM

Cottage Tour Part 2: Modern Country Hideaway

<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;">Guess what? I've managed to track down some extra-gorgeous images of Turtledove Cottage aka Lovers' Paradise just for you</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/cottage-tourmodern-country-hideaway.html" target="_blank">see here for Part 1</a>).</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 listening to <i>The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face</i> as I type this so something romantic must be hanging in the air today.</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;">My favourite kind of day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/439.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/1918.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/935.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/1148.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/642.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/1036.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/736.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.homebunch.com/wp-content/uploads/543.png" /></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;">Isn't it lovely?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">big </span><span style="font-size: large;">question is, though:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How do you get this look in your own home?</b></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;">Guess what's coming up on Wednesday!?</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;">Images via Unique Home Stays</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>