Utility Rooms- My top decorating tips

Sick of the sight of your washing machine? Why not get the kids to help decorate it with removable stickers? It will add instant colour to a dull space and look great at the same time. I love the red spray of flowers added to the silver washing machine, and i'm sure there are other patterns you could choose from.  Have a look at www.designersguild.co.uk for other stickers for ideas.

Pretty country laundry rooms. Make the most of a small space with a country style sink, and built-in shelving for cleaning products. Floral pictures and tongue-and-groove panelling keep the look pretty.  Either keep it white or make it a pretty vintage pink with shabby chic bottles and beautiful jugs.  Old fashion taps would complete the whole look creating a wonderful atmosphere to be in when doing the laundry - enjoy enjoy!!

Inject some colour into your laundry room like pink by choosing one tone and picking out complimentary accessories - this pretty pink shade isn't too over whelming thanks to the deep raspberry towels and a floral ironing board.  Whether it be towels blankets throws or linen, they'll look totally gorgeous by colour coordinating them throughout the unit.  Baskets and boxes can be used to hideaway all those bottles and sprays.  I love love love the ironing board cover, it's so lush and works lovely with the rest of the room you just wouldn't want to hide it away would you.  Display and show how proud you are of your special utility area!!!

Get organised in your utility room, especially if space is tight. Fit shelves above the sink for storing vases and keep taller flower buckets in the cupboards underneath.  Utility rooms don't have to be dull. Add interest with a bright blind in a graphic print. The blind fabric is Connections in Chilli, John Lewis.

Go for an all-purpose storage unit where you can if free standing. When it comes to housing a utility room sink, a large open storage unit is ideal. With extra worktop space, hidden storage and shelves, you'll have plenty of room to get your jobs done, all the while keep your cleaning products and laundry essentials close by. A great look for all those stunning accessories near by and on display.  The tap is a fav of mine too, that's on my list of items to get eventually for my kitchen.  Especially good for utility rooms as once pulled out you can move the tap around to suit you instead of  having the awkwardness of squeezing it in the bowl to get the water.  Have a good look in Ikea is my best advice.  www.ikea.co.uk

Anodised aluminium shelves are great for storing laundry products. Make them unique by personalising them with paint.

It's all white with the best all white kitchens

Nothing is more chic than white interiors, and I've come up with an array of themed white kitchens. From minimal kitchens to country kitchens, here’s how to add personality to all-white.  An all-white kitchen can be brightened up with subtle pops of colour. Crockery and accessories in bold lime green or hot pink will inject some life into the room without spoiling the overall theme.  Love the white shelves, I have some like that in my kitchen and I display my favourite pieces for people to see.

If you want to go all-out with all-white, the minimal look is your best option. Clean and sleek, this kitchen positively glistens, while pink flowers on a table add some character. I love the blue and white stencil for an effective background display of jugs and plates, just brilliant!.  Just goes to show how effective by adding block colours or items sets of the whole theme of the room.  Place some bright pieces of fruit in bowls or arrange them on the work tops so they set of a great contrast.

A piercing shade of lemon is used with restraint on the kitchen stools to bring dazzling sunshine into a room without it hurting the eyes. The combination with white and blonde wood is fresh and clean.  Letting lots of light into the kitchen will bounce off the white interior opening the illusion of space if needed.

Pastel shades of pink and yellow can look modern when used with plenty of crisp white. I wouldn't go too overboard as the simplicity would disappear. Alot of people seem to be going away from cupboard units and are having the freestanding units and centre island with built in storage and drawer space.  I like the idea above of sitting at the worktop space and being able to socialize and eat at the same time. Im a big fan of white and this a great idea.

The white wooden cupboards make it a very modern yet homely kitchen design I feel. If you love cooking and accessories then why not have them out to display with proudness for everyone to see. They'll look gorgeous whatever colour they are against the blank canvas behind.  A bit of your personal character put into your kitchen is what makes it a great place to be in, to be around , and to change around as much as you like.  Maybe one season colour coded and the next with bold patterns and shapes.  The world is your oyster with a white kitchen so enjoy whatever you do with it...and dont forget to love it!!!

Barn conversions luxury interiors full of character

Oh my days......what I wouldn't give to have a place like this!!!!! Okay, so maybe this luxury barn is more than anyone should expect, but the owners have transformed a traditional living space into a dream property with modern features like a hidden 10ft project screen cinema, central sound server distributing sound to each room in the home, CCTV security and recording, fully computerised lighting system with ''mood changing'', secure remote access to control and monitor the barn from anywhere in the world, Creston control system, iPod and iTunes integration into the home audio system and a house ON and OFF feature that allows the owner to turn the entire house on and off from a single button including the lights, tv's and other appliances. Just utterly breathtaking.

Just look at this space for the staircases and landing inside.  I'm a great lover of quality wood finishings and grand stairscases,  what with the open space inside these converted barns it's so intriguing to see where they go to, where does it lead?? Very exciting.  I also love the idea of looking over the banisters to below where the views of either kitchen or sitting room is taking place.  Space creates calm and personal fulfilment to achieve  the perfect atmosphere and it certainly does in these pictures.  Beams beams beams they're so beautifully english and cosy!!!  Keep everything neutral for the effect of further space.  As for the high ceilings and amzing looking beams, just sit back and enjoy the view....what more can I say.

The kitchen should be gorgeous when you have space to play with like this.  No expense should be spared on the kitchen, very important to have such quality looking units and flooring.  I like to see the original wooden beams in here which sets off the overall look i feel.  Modern stainless steel appliances and open space as much as possible is a plus point.  Centre islands and all the very best mods cons you can think of.  Love the charcoal granite flooring too which blends in so nicely with the granite worktops.  Kitchens are the heart of the home for me, a social, loving, personal space to share with friends and family.

Whether it be brick, wood, or whatever material you choose to have exterior to build your home, first appearances do count.

So whether you have the kinda money to build, buy or restore, I definitley would having the chance to create your own home, your life, your space to share to own and to create a project that you can be reminded of for many years to come and something which you can be proud of every day when you wake up and walk around and say......yes I love my home xxxxx.  If you have read this and feel the same then you must know what i'm talking about, must be so satisfying to do and yet so rewarding.  And at the end of the day, most importantly of all .................look absolutely fabulous !!!

Home collections on the High Street Autumn/Winter 2011

John Lewis,  Designer's Guild Charlottenburg Duvet Cover, Pink.                                                                   
A bold print duvet cover from Designers Guild featuring a vibrant, large-scale pink and green peony design on a fresh white background. Made from 100% cotton, this 200 thread count percale fabric is beautifully soft. The reverse has a co-ordinating stripe in pink, white and green, offering a stunning contrast to layer your bed.

 

Ok we have a proper little miss bedroom here.
This gorgeously girly duvet cover is a patchwork collection of pretty polka dots and flower buds in bloom. The broad bands of contrasting pattern and colour are sure to raise your spirits, not to mention the bursts of neon pink and baby blue. Cosy, cute and undeniably cheerful, this design cannot fail to make you feel at home and snug in your bed. I love the roses mat working against the rest of the rooms patterns and styles. This is also available from John Lewis. my fav department store ever.





We move onto Matalan, another fav of mine for gorge accessories and homeware. These are a practical contemporary storage space for all your magazines brochures and news papers. This Basket style magazine rack is a stylish addition to any room. Check out the rest of autumn leaf storage range for a perfect coordinated storage solution. 

I love the style of these and they would look lovely in a living room with a lovely autuminal feel to it with its leaf pattern.








The below is a great storage unit with subtle leaf print design. Easily access open handle drawers are great for clothing bedding clothes or create a home office or filing system with real style. 

The square boxes can be stacked or arranged either way and look fabulous.  Lets not forget that these prices are affordable and makes it easier for us all to buy the whole range.

          

Decorate your home with H&M this autumn with cosy cushions and throws in different colours and qualities! May I suggest shiny materials and velvet or graphic prints and harmonizing earth colours? Make it warm and cosy and look inviting and comfortable so that friends and family feel like they never want to leave. Sit infront of that blazing fireplace with your hot drinks MMmmmmm.