Planning Our New Kitchen

(L-R 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10)

It's finally time for us to put a new kitchen in our house and I couldn't be more excited/concerned for my bank balance but let's just forget about that for now because we're getting a new kitchen! Craig and I moved into our cottage almost three years ago and in that time we've firmly put our stamp on each room not to mention adding all of the essentials like new windows, doors, a damp proof course... We've done everything, except the kitchen and I’m keen to get my ‘we-completely-renovated-our-house’ badge so let’s get cracking.

Our current kitchen is frankly an eyesore and while is serves a purpose its certainly looking tired and don’t get me started on the world’s most pointless dishwasher or the corner cupboard which invites you to remove a shelf anytime you want to put anything in it – clearly the old owners/kitchen designers wanted to make our lives difficult but onwards and upwards. For our new look kitchen we’ve got our eye on sage green cupboards with wooden worktops, modern and minimalist isn’t really our style and we’re keen to create something that fits with the style of our cottage. With Craig and I both working in tiles its one part of the design that we’ve both had strong opinions on – I’m feeling white elongated brick tiles in a herringbone pattern in between the units while Craig fancies exposed bricks so we’re thinking of meshing the two looks together. For the floor however we’re both in agreement on this swoon worthy wood-effect tile (seen top right) which we’re hoping to run throughout our open plan downstairs to keep things cohesive. 

I’ve not thought too far ahead in terms of those all-important finishing touches but I do know that I’d love my botanical flower print on display, hanging lights, a touch of greenery to bring the outdoors in and the non-negotiable concrete topped Conker table from furniture genies Loaf which we fell head over heels for on our last London trip together. I’d love to add some of their bowls into the mix too as I’m an absolute fiend for imperfect, could-be-hand-thrown ceramics so it goes without saying that a little somethin’ somethin’ from grey suit clay will have to complete our kitchen round up. I’m all about supporting independents and this is one business I’m keen to own a piece from, pronto.

Now excuse me while I go sell my entire wardrobe on eBay in order to pay for it all...

What do you make of our kitchen plans? 

The H&M Home Haul

I was tempted to title this post three ways to rock a succulent but didn't think it'd have the same pizazz. I was never really aware of H&M Home until I started reading blogs and now I can't get enough of browsing the new in section, especially when most items are less than £10. With a need for somewhere to store Sadies toys my weekly browse turned into a checkout situation and after waiting for delivery (standard H&M online) I couldn't have been happier with the pieces that arrived at my door.

First up is the marble chopping board which I discovered in the sale section, winning. Now before you call me a blogger cliche I've been a long time lover of all things marble, particularly since my parents put freestanding marble topped cabinets in their bathroom. While I won't be chopping vegetables on it anytime soon I will be using it for displaying all my perfumes or maybe even putting more delicate pieces of jewellery on it. Pretty huh?

The main reason for my spree was storage and after eyeing up this standard goods box for ages I knew it was time to take the plunge. This fits perfectly on our built in shelving unit and houses all of Sadies brightly coloured soft toys. From storage I took a December themed u-turn to all things Christmas and fell head over heels for these super inexpensive tree decorations. I'd link them and share the festive cheer but they've sold out so get to your local H&M home store pronto if you fancy some yourself. Speaking of which did you know a H&M home concession has just opened in Selfridges Manchester Trafford? I'm planning my trip as I type.

Are you forever browsing H&M home? What do you make of my picks?

Lifestyle: Getting To Know Nest

I may not have an abundance of hobbies but blogging is one that's up there although recently I've struggled to find the time - raising Sadie, planning a wedding and running a home is a full time occupation so whenever I do have a spare moment I find myself doing the necessities like washing pots or tidying up. That doesn't mean the blogging world stops though, the wheels keep on turning and it's easy to feel left behind so when you're invited to an event that manages to reignite your passion for blogging whilst eating the most divine cake you know you're in the company of good eggs.

Step forward Nest, a design led interiors brand founded in Sheffield yet available worldwide. With a Pinterest worthy website and a beautifully curated, on point showroom (when can I move in?) you'd be forgiven for thinking team Nest were part of the sometimes pretentious and often exclusive design world but that couldn't be further from the truth. From the moment you enter the showroom the team welcome you with open arms and you get the impression that nothing is too much trouble, from free at home interior design consultations to social media messaging with overseas customers these guys go the extra mile to make sure you're making the right purchase for your home, Sheffield hospitality at its best.

One thing that was really apparent at Nest HQ was the passion and enthusiasm the staff have for both design and the brand itself, something that is unfortunately lacking on todays high street - if only I could bottle it, I'd make a fortune. This coupled with the seriously aesthetically pleasing product choices, think simple Scandi design against infamous Vitra pieces and you'd be on the right track make Nest an independent interiors force to be reckoned with.

Now all that's left to decide is when we can repaint our bedroom so I can get some Hay bedding in my life...

Have you ever shopped at Nest before? Do you support your local independents?

Lifestyle: Five Tips For Flying The Nest

Bonjour mes amies, good bank holiday weekend? It feels like forever since I sat down and brought you a chatty somethin' somethin' so here we go. Today I'm dishing out my tips for one of the most daunting things around, moving out for the first time. Now you might make a lasagna or two when you're at school (my bestie and I actually made smash in food technology, yes really) but no one teaches you the life skills and general day-to-day things you need to know for when it's time to run your own four walls like planning meals and budgeting for the unexpected (surely this should be in the curriculum?) so here are just some of the things I wish I'd known when I first moved out of my family home.

1. Make it personal - Whether you're renting your space or buying my top tip is to make your new living quarters your own Pinterest worthy haven. Fill your domain with your favourite photos, quirky prints (find my Bonjour number here), fresh flowers or all of the above to make things feel homely. I remember having a real homesick moment when I first rented with Craig (yes I cried) and getting all my belongings in order made our blank canvas of a flat feel like home.

2. Bills, bills, bills - The phrase by failing to prepare you're preparing to fail couldn't be truer when it comes to matters of money. Keep things simple and set aside all your household monies, along with a cheeky buffer (everyone needs an emergency stash) each month so you know all the essentials are covered. Food will be one of your biggest expenses so scout out the online shopping codes and get your groceries from all of the supermarkets.

3. Decorating can be all kinds of fun - If you'd of told me I'd be steaming wallpaper and rank plastered headboards off the walls the day we bought our first house I'd of laughed. Now I won't lie, the novelty of steaming does wear off after the first few hours or so and things get pretty sweaty but the sense of satisfaction you get from completing a room yourself is like no other.

4. Know when to call in the professionals - Painting can easily be rectified but tiling, electrics and plumbing can go horribly wrong when you don't know what you're doing. It might cost more in the short term but I promise it'll be worth it in the long run. If you're not a natural at household duties then don't fear, LightBulbs Direct* found that one in four Brits don't know how to change a lightbulb. I'm pleased to say I can manage it but it's another story when it comes to wattage and bulb types.

5. Don't let the bricks grind you down - See what I did there? Moving into your own pad is the best but at times things can be tough - household chores can get on top of you, DIY can take what seems like forever and you might end up spending all your spare cash on a damp proof course (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything) but I promise it's worth it. For times when it doesn't feel like it get out of the house and enjoy yourself - even if it's just a walk around the park, that tiny bit of downtime will make all the difference. 

What do you wish you'd known when you moved into your first abode?

*In collaboration with LightBulbs Direct.

Lifestyle: Grey & Copper Accents

(L-R) Conker Kitchen Table from £745 - Shine Like The Stars Cushion £7 - 4 Aperture Copper Frame £16 - Titch Side Table £165 - Tom Dixon Candle £35.75 - Hexagonal Metal Pot £12.99 - Do Great Things Notebook £15 - Home Letter Rack £10 - Grey Horseshoe Chair £99

With our house practically complete it only seems fitting that we'd start another project, yes we're that couple. If welcoming Sadie into the world wasn't enough add planning our dream wedding (April 2016 baby) to the life list and we'll soon be getting the ball rolling on project extend-our-cottage. What can I say? We like to keep busy. I'm already jumping the gun and dreaming of pieces that'll slot into our soon-to-be expanded kitchen/diner with the only exception being that cute as a button side table from furniture-making-favourites Loaf. That baby would be perfect in our living room NOW.

I may seem like a cliched blogger with my shades of grey and metallic copper tones but I just adore the simplicity of this subdued colour palette. I can already envisage pictures of our family in the faux gallery photo frame, a herbaceous plant sat on the window sill in the hexagonal copper planter and I have no doubt that Sadie and I would be incredibly comfy in that grey occasional chair* watching daddy make breakfast. At less than £100 pounds it'd be rude not to be spectators on pancake Sunday right? For entertaining with friends the concrete topped kitchen table is swish and practical (can you tell I'm a mum now?) We might even light that Tom Dixon candle, if our guests were special enough that is. Props have got to go to Nest where I found this Pinterest worthy scent thrower, those guys know how to make a website.

Now all that's left to do is actually build this extension, my ideas of family life might have to go on hold, for now.

What do you make of my grey and copper picks? 

*In collaboration with George Home, all opinions my own.

A Living Room Overhaul

Since buying our cottage nearly two years ago the renovation process can only be described as a labour of love - while we knew our home needed some serious TLC we never dreamt how much blood, sweat and tears it'd actually take. Today I can happily say we're pretty darn pleased with every room in the house, there's just the kitchen left for us to make our mark on but as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day. I know it's rude to pick favourites but I'd be lying if I said the living room wasn't my favourite right now, it's undergone a huge transformation and I couldn't be more proud particularly as it's the room we spend the most time in. Damp proof courses, new fireplaces and French doors aside the rest was purely cosmetic.

After our amazing joiner made us new doors for the cupboard under the stairs and built shelves in our alcoves to host our TV, books and keepsakes we got to painting in Farrow & Balls Skimming Stone before moving on to lighting. As much as I tried to buy purse friendly options we found ourselves investing in these antique brass wall lights, finding aesthetically pleasing wall lighting is no mean feat #cottageproblems. We also plumped for the Zella floor lamp although it's a tad more gold than the antique brass we hoped for but hey, we quite enjoy the eclectic mix of metals. The piece de resistance in our newly transformed living room? Our new pieces of furniture from Loaf, after much deliberation in their London showroom (read all about it here) we settled on the Cloud four seater and love seat, the Wally rug and the Bumper footstool with cheeky hidden storage, perfect for hiding a naughty Kez - I jest, I jest.

Like any home it's the personal pieces and finishing touches that really make a space your own, shout outs to our engagement photographs, Rob Ryan vase and Bernie the bear, also known as one individual footstool. Don't get me wrong I'd switch up our curtains for wooden shutters in a heartbeat, make our shelves a tad more Pinterestable (there's overcrowding in the book department) and I'd add this side table into the fray but right now I'm seriously happy with our lot.

What do you make of our newly overhauled living room? 

Giveaway: The Sofa Bed Sofa Cushion Giveaway

If you're a regular around these parts you'll know how much I enjoy jazzing up my home, maybe it's a sign of getting old when you're more excited about home purchases than clothing related ones? Don't answer that one. While our living room is almost complete our new sofas aren't here yet so for todays post I took a little trip to my brother and sister-in-laws to snap their lovely living room and more importantly these darling cushions from Sofa Bed Sofa*.

Sofa Bed Sofa may not be a brand you've heard of yet but that doesn't mean they're new to the homeware arena - hand making sofas and stunning cushions for the last 30 years in the UK these guys know a thing or two about creating sumptuous sofas, super comfy sofa beds and design led scatter cushions. Do you love the ones I chose as much as me? They're super practical too with removable covers, perfect for my inner messy self and there's an abundance of designs available. 

Now I'm not one to flaunt cushions in anyones face so how do you guys fancy picking two scatter cushions to jazz up your own living room? Well you're in luck as I'm giving two away thanks to team Sofa Bed Sofa. To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is leave a comment below telling me which cushion you'd like to win. Simple.

The competition will run until 12 midnight on Sunday 5th April so get commenting now. Good luck!

UPDATE on Wednesday 8th April - A huge thank you to everyone that entered & massive congratulations to the winner Jade Wimsey!

*These cushions were kindly sent to me by Sofa Bed Sofa.

Sofa Shopping At Loaf, Notting Hill

With our living room finally decorated, see ya bare plastered walls our attentions turned to the elephant in the room, our sofas. While they've been an absolute God send (we were completely seat less when we moved into our cottage) they really do stick out like a sore thumb now our decor scheme is coming together - think greys, slate, antique brass and a hint of cottage homeliness. 

Sofas have been on my radar for an age so there was no doubt in my mind where we'd buy from, in my eyes Loaf are the kings and queens of sofas, as well as a load of other Pinterest worthy furniture goodness. While almost 70% of Loafs customers buying online thanks to their excellent reviews and no quibble returns we decided a trip to London wouldn't go amiss, any excuse right? Situated just a stones throw from Portobello Road Craig and I were like children in a sweet shop, eager to explore...

We quickly found the land of beautiful sofas, not before falling head over heels with the Conker table with it's stunning resin top and the Wobbler ceramic bowls (one for the wedding list?) 

The only way to really try sofas is to hop on them all, so that's what we did. Originally we'd fallen in love with the Crumpet (pictured below) but on parking my behind something just wasn't right, it was almost too squishy and the back a tad low for us tall folk. With the Goldilocks style search firmly on we enjoyed Innocent smoothies and bounced on potential sofas galore until we found Cloud.

Cloud couldn't be a more fitting name for our 'just right' sofa, not only is it exceedingly comfortable but it's the perfect Hannah and Craig mix with its higher back and instant sinkability - what more could you want in a sofa? What I love about Cloud and all of the Loaf sofas is that they're made locally in Long Eaton, Derbyshire in a family owned business and the selection of fabrics come from good stock, made by the likes of Designers Guild, Ian Mankin and Romo. Pretty good for the price point huh?

We've now got between 6 and 8 weeks to wait for our sofa, rug, foot stool and matching love seat to arrive. Well you didn't think I'd stop at just a sofa did you?

Have you ever perused the Loaf site? How did you find sofa shopping?

Wednesday Wishlist #19

It feels like an age since my last Wednesday Wishlist, if I'm completely honest it's been a while since I've had a proper online perusal with house renovations, baby browsing and wedding pinning all taking priority. I'm now 24 weeks pregnant so while I should be concentrating my efforts on maternity ware it's pretty dull, even if my mum tells me it's way better than when she had my brother and I. So instead of going cray, we all know how much I love my clothes, I'm picking classic pieces that can be worn after the baby arrives along with a few homewares that have caught my eye too. Can you believe we only have the nursery left to decorate? Hallelujah! 

(L-R) Grey Felt Basket £6 - Asda Home isn't somewhere I regularly browse but after spotting this felt basket on Abbys blog I was enchanted. I love the idea of buying a couple of these for our living room shelving unit to hide any unsightly items, or even for storing smaller items in the nursery.

London Map Canvas £16.99 - Dunelm Mill is full of unsung hero pieces that really bring that extra somethin' somethin' to your home. I spotted this canvas on Emilys blog and thought it looked incredibly chic. Craig and I have been looking for a map print forever and while he'd prefer a map of the world I'm sure he could be convinced otherwise, especially at £16.99.

Utility Pocket Dress £130 - Whistles never fail to astound me with their easy to style, timeless pieces, something I'm always keen to add to my wardrobe. I love how this could be styled in an understated way with sandals and a large tote for Summer or with tights and ankle boots now.

Small Wooden Tray £9.99 - H&M Home never miss a beat and while I certainly don't need an occasional wooden tray with a hint of pastel it doesn't mean I don't desire it. A lot.

ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand £110 - I've tried and tried to get this waving wand out of my mind but it's not happening. I'm yet to see a negative review against this curl creator and I love the undone curl it produces, it seems pretty easy to use too. One for the birthday list?

Flower Satin A-Line Dress £70 - Two months after bambino is due I have two weddings a week apart.  If I'm feeling back to my usual body confident self I'll be reaching for this floral number which is the same shape and cut as that striped number Bey and I both own. You know the one (I'm wearing it here) plus the pattern would hide baby sick. Thinking like a parent already.

Tab Side Tunic £38 - This top. If I could insert a heart eyed emoji I would, maybe there'd be two. From spotting it on the Topshop site to seeing both Barbara and Lily look sensational in it, the need for this tunic is real. It's not something I'd usually go for and I think that's why I heart it all the more.

Split Back Duster Coat £79 - Akin to a Chanel bag macs are one of those staple items every girl should own. Throw one over any ensemble and things get a touch smarter, never a bad thing especially if you're sporting a jeans and tee combo. I've had my current mac for nearly ten years so a second, more relaxed style could never be a bad wardrobe addition. Right? 

What are you lusting after right now? Which item is your fave?

Lifestyle: It's All In The Detail

With a baby on the way I've found myself nesting. Gone is the daily searching of the Topshop website and in it's place is Pinterest roaming, wall light searching and Farrow & Ball lusting. My new Kate Spade notebook finally has a purpose as I've been writing down everything that I'd like completing before our new arrival is here, let's just say I've used quite a few notebook pages! While there's a few large ticket furniture* items I'd love in our home, namely a new dining table and chairs (why are the chairs always priced separately?) I'm thrilled at the small changes we've made so far that are making all the difference.

Welcoming wallpaper - Long time readers or followers on Instagram (holla) might remember this Next frames wallpaper from my blogging room aka our soon to be nursery. With frames soon to become clouds I decided now was the perfect time to introduce the leftover wallpaper into our bedroom, something I fancied when we first decorated our bedroom. It's crazy how much of a difference this little addition behind my dressing table has made and I feel like I've fallen in love with our room all over again. This step may have also inspired my next quest...

Hello gallery wall - Why have frames on one wall when they can be on two? My perfume print has been hanging lonely on this very wall for some time so thanks to two Christmas presents I've now got a collection of prints sitting proudly on the wall, which are adding even more interest to our room. Simple, not too expensive yet stylish ideas rule plus who'd of thought I'd be so into monochrome?

Adding life - Now I'll confess this snap wasn't taken at my abode but my friends instead, doesn't she have the most wonderful succulent collection? I may have bought her the purple one as a housewarming gift. I love how her rustic arrangement of candles and tonal succulents add a real sense of character and personality to her living room. Now when can I make that Ikea trip?

Do you enjoy making changes to your home? Which little details scream you in your abode?

Wild at Heart print - Lipstick print - I have enough shoes print

*In collaboration with Homebase. All ideas and content my own.

Giveaway: The Country Living Christmas Fair, Harrogate

Image credit

We've made it past the middle of October (where has this year gone?) so I reckon it's fair game to talk about one of the most exciting times of the year and no I'm not talking about Halloween or Bonfire Night (also one of my pals birthdays). I'm talking about Christmas guys, does anyone adore the festive season as much as me?

To get you well and truly in the mood for the most wonderful time of the year I've teamed up with the Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate to offer you the chance to win a pair of tickets to visit the dreamy Christmas extravaganza on either Thursday 27th, Friday 28th or Sunday 30th November. With opportunities to buy Christmas gifts, delve into the crafting rooms and the chance to get your guru on in the theatres of cooking and lifestyle there seems to be something on offer for everyone. I cannot wait. Hopefully see you there?

To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

You've got to be in it to win it right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lifestyle: The Story Of Our Home

2013 was a special year, after months and months of saving Craig and I bought our first house, dating back to 1825 our cottage is something a bit special (if I do say so myself). It used to be a bakery and after that it was turned into three individual cottages before it became the house we own today.

Walking in for the first time as home owners was the most daunting thing and I think we both thought what have we done, we knew we had a project on our hands as the last owner had let things go but I don't think we realised quite how much work there'd be. Just over a year on and I think we're finally getting somewhere, the upstairs is almost complete and the downstairs, well it's looking better.

Welcome to The Cottage...

There's no set style in our home, it's a case of what we like goes - eclectic I think they call it. I adore fresh flowers in my Rob Ryan vase, who wouldn't want to bring the outside in?

You'll have to excuse our almost complete surround but I just had to share our new log burner with you. Craig lovingly crafted our hearth, tiled it and made our fireplace, he's a handy one. Anyone who knows me well knows just how much I love candles, my current burner is Jo Malones Blackberry and Bay, just beaut.

I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to photo frames, so long as it's eye catching it's a winner in my books. An awesome housewarming gift was our Scrabble inspired art (thanks Lauren, Matt and Freddie) and can you believe that sepia photograph used to be our house? My how things have changed.

A new addition to our soon to be painted shelves is this ceramic ridge vase from Country Baskets*. I can't fault its original shape and I thoroughly enjoy the subtle fawn meets grey shade. This vase wouldn't look out of place in the home department of M&S or Next yet it costs less than £5 (no joke). 

While our sofas aren't the ones we want forever (thanks ma and pa for the loan) our selection of cushions and cosy throw help to make them a little more us. No your eyes don't deceive you, that is a bear in our living room, Bernie was a birthday present for my twenty fifth and while some might find it crazy he certainly makes a reliable foot stool/emergency seat. 

One amazing feature of our home is our double French doors going from the living room into the garden. Craig is rather green fingered as has single handedly transformed our green space into something pretty and sorta self sufficient - we grow our own apples, rhubarb and berries (two types) don't you know and don't get me started on our selection of herbs.

Working in the tile industry it'd be criminal to still have the bathroom we had when we first moved in, I'm talking apricot walls and a grotty lockable first aid cabinet - I think you'll agree this one is a huge improvement and our bath is my absolute fave.

Just like my wardrobe our home is filled with a high low mix, some pieces have been investments while others have been purse friendly. In our guest bedroom is Ikea bedding, a Primark and a Selfridges cushion plus our wooden Buddha which we picked up on a holiday to Kos, where we vowed to put it in our first home together. The chandelier light fitting below was picked up from Dunelm Mill for just £20.

My dressing table from Feather & Black is one of my favourite pieces in our bedroom although I can assure you it's not always this tidy.

While our home doesn't look exactly as we'd like it to yet (it doesn't help that I'm one messy individual to live with and hoard everything) our renovations are one true labour of love and both C and I have plenty of ideas as to how the finished product will be. Most importantly it'll be cosy, inviting and us, exactly what a home should be.

Have you enjoyed having a glimpse of our home? What's the story behind your home?

Read more inspirational home stories or submit your own here.*

*Vase kindly sent to me by Country Baskets. 
Content sponsored by Hillarys Blinds, all thoughts and opinions my own.