Nice Home Live

If you’ve recently started work on a ‘do-er up-er’ you are probably feeling like the renovation work will never be over. There is always a lot to be done, and more often than not additional jobs surface once you get started that are impossible to anticipate – areas of rot for example or perhaps unsafe wiring. It can all get very frustrating.

Photo: j l t

The most important thing to remember is to get the work done in a sensible order. There is no point decorating the hall, landing and stairs with delicate wallpaper and then moving all your heavy furniture into the upstairs rooms – damage would be inevitable. Similarly, the jobs which create the most dust and mess should also be tackled ahead of fitting carpets and soft furnishings. Read the rest of this entry »

Well here we are in the middle of another typical British summer and it is raining again. The sky is grey, the lights are on at home in the daytime and the play park is deserted. There is only one inspirational thing to come of it if you as me and that is what all this unwanted water does to the natural colours all around us. Seeing as we are all stuck in the house, thoughts have turned to interior design home improvement projects and I am picking my palette straight out of the window.

Photo: visualpanic

Stone becomes beautiful in the wet: slate takes on a greenier shine, deep red brick is astonishing and all the crystal facets in limestone seem to sparkle. Translating this into a wall finish I am tempted to marble an end wall using some glittery and super shiny touches so that the overall finish almost moves as it catches the light. Metallic double beds backed by this kind of look will appear to be all at sea and the only safe place in the storm. Read the rest of this entry »

With the warm, summer weather upon us and the windows open at night to try and get some air into our stuffy bedrooms, do you thrash about under a winter duvet or sail through the season under a cotton blanket? There is nothing worse than being short of sleep so make yourselves comfy in bed with this pick of the best summer sleep ideas:

Photo: jamelah

1. Pure cotton sheets. Natural fibres are more breathable so invest in some good quality cotton and feel the difference. Read the rest of this entry »

Did I say ceiling? Of course I meant wall… or did I?! A mirrored ceiling instantly conjures up unpleasant images of a dodgy 1970’s film with an oval bed covered in horrid red silk sheets, or at least it does for me – perhaps I am showing my age. However, I have recently seen small square mirrored tiles in a guest bedroom used in a funky pattern that spread up one wall and continued onto the ceiling. The effect was quite striking, and whilst you might not want to sleep in there all the time, it would probably be fun for the odd night.

Photo: qwz

The interior design for the room was mainly black and white and featured twin sofa beds piled high with faux fur cushions offering a tongue-in-cheek nod in the direction of the 70’s kitsch. On the wall opposite the mirror feature was a huge flat screen TV and the room was clearly set up as a den or second sitting room primarily with the sleeping arrangements thrown in as a clever extra. Read the rest of this entry »