Adding a flourish of Winter style

December 8, 2015December 7, 2015 hansjonesLeave a comment

I love living in the Countryside watching the seasons change – from the fresh green leaves that appear on the trees in Spring, the bright sunshine yellow of the corn fields in Summer, the fiery red of crisp Autumn leaves and the frosted mornings in Winter.

Although it has been unseasonably mild so far in my little village, I still embrace my seasonal living and have changed up my Autumn displays for some sparkly and festive decorations.

I’m not able to go full out with Christmas decorations as its Mr PB’s birthday in December – if I had my way, the tree would be up on December 1st……between you and me, I’ve been listening to Christmas songs on the quiet since the beginning of November.

However, adding a flourish of Winter style feels more appropriate when we open the first window on our Advent Calendar.

My greatest hack this year as been the coffee table display – a wreath purchased from TKMaxx (surprise, surprise) with a small centre which fits this hurricane vase with complimenting gold candle. A perfect centrepiece requiring little work from you but still draws the eye.

20151207_160551967_iOS 20151207_160639975_iOS Something that does require my creative flair is my main wreath. Soon becoming a Christmas tradition, a fabulous friend of mine hosts a wreath making class at the beginning of December. Run by a very inspirational florist called Lynsey from The White Horse Company, she takes us through step by step in creating the most beautiful wreaths. You certainly don’t need to have any knowledge other than a keenness to create….and here is this years end result! Using a base of pine fur, I gradually built height using a variety of green foliage. Two dried hydrangea heads draw your eye with a splash of colour from some thistle and japonica. The bow completes this country wreath.

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My final Winter addition is the centrepiece on the dining room table. With artificial flowers purchased from…..you guessed it, TKMaxx, I simply applied basic floral arranging techniques of placing each piece with the vase in the centre of the table and constantly turning it, ensuring I achieved a 360degree display so that all guests get to enjoy from their seat around the table. Using bright white, rose gold, deep purple, taupe and some glittery trailing ivy, I love the variety of height and textures. The subtle sparkle glistens like fresh snow making it the perfect Winter addition to any centrepiece.

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Please share how you have added Winter style into your homes. Follow the links to the right of this blog to find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

x PB x

When is a photo frame not a photo frame…..

August 6, 2015August 5, 2015 hansjonesLeave a comment

A brief blog for a Thursday but I was keen to share an exciting re-purposing in the hope that it may inspire you too.

I have been hunting for a long time for a shallow decorative tray that I could stand a candle and flowers on in our kitchen. With fresh flowers picked from the garden and the scent of my favourite candle burning away, I was keen to make this more of a feature on our worktops.

I had searched Pinterest for inspiration and found plenty of similarities online but most options where around £20 which I felt was just a little excessive.

You will know by now that when in doubt, head to TK Maxx. I was hopeful that I would find buried away at the back of a shelf my ideal decorative piece – preferably glass and wrought iron perhaps or dark timber. I was shocked and saddened when TK Maxx didn’t come to my rescue……or so I thought…..

An idea popped into my head. How about a deep set or 3D photo frame? Sat on the floor with frames around me, I lay the frames down to see how flat they sat and then grabbed a candle and vase of similar measurements to home and displayed on a unit….TK Maxx must love me, they must think I’m planning to move in. Great tip – don’t be afraid to use your surroundings to check you are buying what will work best. Department stores always have furniture on display so help to style them up whilst you shop!

Anyway, I found a perfect option! A deep set surround, plain in colour but large enough to hold a vase and candle without being too tight. I haven’t yet removed the back stand because it actually sits quite flush to the worktops but that is an option if you find it is off balance. And, of course it was a bargain – £6!

I then had to consider what to place inside the frame. I did originally plan on a plain sheet of white paper but then it struck me….we still had some photos of our wedding with one photo in particular I was keen to find a home for…..my treasured wedding flowers.

So ta dah! Here it is!

Hope that has given you some inspiration on re-purposing a photo frame. This idea would also work well with the more ornate frames – perhaps a single 8×5 size with a pretty candle? I would love to see your photos if you choose to take on this little project. Click the Instagram or Twitter button and share away!

x PB x

How to add Country Cottage style on a budget

July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 hansjonesLeave a comment

Since moving to the country, my love for home accessories has evolved. I would even go as far to state that I have found interior peace with the purchases I have made and the way I style them up. I know what looks good in our home, what accessories would enhance a space and the colour palette that compliments our surroundings.

However, as with most of my style posts, you don’t need to spend £100’s to achieve that Country Cottage charm.

Here are my top 5 ideas that you can re-create in your own home:

1. Re-use a jam jar as a vase and fill with sweet peas, roses or hydrangeas – preferably ones cut from your own garden! I picked these morning – how delightful.

2. Convert an old photo frame into a chalk board by painting some card in chalk paint. This would look cute hanging in a kitchen or utility room

3. Fill small terracotta planters with artificial moss and individual flowers (can be found in Hobbycraft) – arrange them in groups of 3 on a shelf to add that rustic charm

4. Buy blank cards in the £1 section and hang them from a piece of twine with basic wooden pegs. Creates a cute backdrop behind a bed. Add some fairy lights for extra sparkle.

5. Place teacups and saucers (great ones can be found in a charity shop) and issues of your favourite magazines or coffee table books on a wooden tray . Add a vase of flowers for height and colour and place on a footstool. Always add Jo Malone for some added style!

x PB x

Shh…I have another love….don’t tell the stationery!

June 18, 2015June 20, 2015 hansjonesLeave a comment

Unlike my long lasting love of Stationery, my other passion for interior design has grown more in my later years – particularly since I became a home owner.

I take great pride in making my house a home – a cliche for most, but for me, I truly believe this. To walk through my front door and see a collection of accessories, furnishings and decor that has evolved from many influences has a great feeling of satisfaction.

I say that this has developed more as a home owner, but I do vividly remember decorating my room at University with limited resource, money or scope to paint the walls! I signed up one weekend for my room to be used on the University tour for Open Days and certainly received a healthy amount of positive vibes from those visiting. I’m not sure what I did other than make my room feel like home, creating a haven to come back to.

I have continued to do just that in each place I have lived in. Having, last year, moved into our forever home, the collection is steadily building and giving each room an identity is a long term project.

Whenever something new is added to a room, THE question is asked – how much? And actually, I always surpise Mr PB because I honestly don’t spend alot. Most of my finds come from high street stores, charity shops, antiques fairs or friends having a clear out.

And the truth is – you don’t need to spend the earth to make something look high quality. It will always come down to what it looks and feels like to you and if it fits with the room’s personality.

This is how easy it is…….how much would you think this floral display is?

Ok, so a leading question because you will know it didn’t cost £100’s. But before I tell you how much, I’ll share how I achieved it. I wanted a centre piece for my dining table to add some height into a fairly open room. I measured the height I wanted and then costed up semi-professional arrangements – that was a no go!

So, opted for the DIY option. Tape measure in hand, I headed to TKMaxx. I am frequently hunting in the home section! I found a cheap vase in the clearance section! Then onto Hobbycraft who have a great selection of very, very reasonably priced artificial flowers that I arranged in the vase whilst I was there to ensure I achieved the look I wanted. The shop assistants thought I was a little strange but did comment that they thought it looked lovely…..The stems varied in length and some didn’t quite meet the bottom of the vase so to cover that up, I added a piece of burlap into the bottom of the vase to add depth and character. Total cost, £23. Pretty impressed even if I say so myself.

So, I will continue to share when I find treasures and how I have settled them into their new home. I am very aware that not everyone’s tastes are the same and you may purchase something that not everyone likes or see something on my blog that makes your eyebrows raise. But……who cares. If you can live with it and it brings a smile to your face, that is what is important.

Do you have a bargain that you are super pleased with or a piece of creative DIY? Please share your photos via my social media sites.

If you would like me to share hints and tips on anything in particular, please comment below.

Love x PB x

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