Traditional to Chic

Having spent a few years using traditional elements in my home I wanted to add some glamour and introduce light as natural light is lacking.

The doors were stained in a dark oak gloss and I'd previously complimented this with traditional wooden frames and gold accessories.

from dark doors...

...and brown/golden accessories

I introduced light by painting the doors in Crown Fresh Milk White, adding a soft Camisole Pink from Craig and Rose to the walls.  

to fresh white and pink...

....to new chic accessories

With a splash of extra colour at the end of hallway with Summer Palace Wallpaper from Laura Ashley that contrasts with the same paper used in the lobby as shown in my blog, Plastic Wallpaper?

Summer Palace Wallpaper by Laura Ashley

the camisole pink background sets off the new white doors

I love my newly painted old CD rack that now is used to display a variety of items that mean a lot to me

Cup & Saucer - present from a friend.

cut out from wallpaper in a pretty painted frame

I bought this handbag for my Sister's wedding
- far too nice to keep in a cupboard!

this tiny "handbag" opens up as a mirror -
bought from car boot for 50p

Simple accessories bring out the colours of the wallpaper...

I love this rose hook & bathroom sign
- both from Laura Ashley

A lovely plaque bought by a friend sits against the skirting board

wrought iron and 3d image makes this message
stand out for all my guests

Plastic Wallpaper?

When I saw this wallpaper at Laura Ashley I just fell in love with the design and colours for my small lobby into my home.  I can be quite clumsy and wanted to see if there was a way of protecting my wallpaper somehow.

My investigations lead to The Plastic Shop, a supplier of made to measure plastic.  All I had to do was measure the area, select the thickness of plastic I required and stipulate that I would like holes pre-drilled.  

The sheet of plastic was delivered in a few days and by drilling some holes in the wall I mounted the plastic helping to protect the wallpaper when I walk in the door.  Its brilliant when the weather is wet or if I come home with lots of shopping. 

A must if you want some nice wallpaper and have children or pets!

If you look closely at the wall on the right you can
see the reflection of the light on the plastic which
covers the wall from external to internal doorway.

a close up of how the plastic is fixed to the wall
and how you can still see the wallpaper design!

Flaky to Smooth

With a little patience, time and the added help of Nitromorse Paint Remover this radiator has been transformed to give it a new lease of life.

peeling paint

Once the Nitromorse did its job the radiator was sanded using a light sandpaper, prepared with a good quality undercoat (we used Dulux White) followed by several coats of Plasti Kote Spray Paint.  All products purchased from B and Q

smooth and new!

Planing a "GARDEN" for you

When we say the word "garden" most of us conjure up a well tendered lawn, colourful flowers, decorative plants and striking trees.  However, in reality, to have a garden like this would involve an immense out of time each week.  When planning a new garden (or changing an existing one) consider the
following: -

Grow plants, flowers and trees you like and are able to nurture and maintain.

Always consider how much time you will spend per week.  An average garden in summer needs at least 2-3 hours per week!

Remember to draw a plan.  You can then research the best plants and budget accordingly.

Design areas with your lifestyle in mind.

Embrace the challenge and consider things you like and dislike.

Natural environments are key - encourage birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife by the plants you choose and the design you implement (i.e feeders / a pond).

Those with back yards or a small space outside their door can also embrace the "garden" feel by simply adding window boxes, filling pots or creating raised borders.

If you aren't that green-fingered then try out our advice in my post Fake or Real?  Even as green-fingered as I am I like to experiment with other ideas.

Back Yard transformed with decking and pot plants

An easy to maintain raised border with pretty lawn.
In the summer months I need to spend at least 2 hours
per week on this garden!

Beautiful lilly in my garden; the scent
each day is gorgeous

Decorate and be "CLEAN"

Top tips on why its a must to CLEAN before decorating.

COSTLY products work and look 100% better when used in a clean environment.

LEARN to know your home and change a room to embrace your lifestyle.

EXCELLENT opportunity to have a good clear out, re-vamp the old or move things to other places in your home.

ALL you need is sugar soap, hot water and a cloth!

NOT always necessary to paint when sometimes a good clean is all that's needed; saving you money.

You can buy lots of different variations of sugar soap from B and Q Cleaning  We prefer the cheap powdered sugar soap - just add hot water!

Can't be bothered to do it?  Haven't got the time?  Let Rainbow do it for you!

Re-cycled Greetings

I love to keep a stock of greeting cards for that just-in-case moment.  Having spent January writing out all my celebration cards for 2012, I still like to have some blanks to fall back on.

I love this cup-cake design. Using a cut out from a card received, I sewed sequence and beads to the card and topped it with a gold leaf in place of a candle.

Sparkly cup cake

Using cut outs from other cards I've also created these lovely designs....

A sophisticated card using cut outs and
ribbon from a Birthday card I received

I love the simplicity of this real flower card...a pansy
from my garden and pressed by me

Everyone loves Champagne! recycled cut out and
ribbon with jewelled "bubbles"!!

Memory Box

Recently I bought this lovely afternoon tea serving plate from Marks & Spencer at Home

Rather than throwing away the box, I've used it to keep all my memories from my recent trip to Kenya.  Adding some safari ribbon and a beautiful bracelet that was given to me on my journey I can now keep all my memories  in one place.

I love re-using things; especially when they have pretty patterns and the colour of this box matches my living room!

A Christmas Safari Soiree

Having a birthday on Christmas Day is rather rubbish so at the beginning of 2011 I decided to have the birthday to remember with a visit to Kenya and a party in the UK I would never forget.

My inspiration for the party theme came from the dress I purchased from New York Designer Dresses. 

Individual cupcakes for all the guests

My love for butterflies inspired me to have cup cakes made by a friend incorporating lovely summer colours that complimented those of safari.  I made the invitations to match the lazy summer theme individually adding guest names to the front.

Summer and Safari colours combined with butterflies

Individually handmade invitations with friends' names

The room with its rustic feel and soft lightening to compliment the safari feel

My guests were treated to a four course meal and on the table they each were given a gorgeous exotic flower adorned with a fabric butterfly and individually wrapped presents in a leopard print bag.  Each guest received a CD of my favourite music, a bag of "jungle" jellies, bubbles to blow at the party, a piece of jewellery and a matching tea cup, saucer and plate.  I ran a competition to see who new me the best; I hadn't realised my friends were so competitive!

Exotic flower and butterfly

Individual "party" bags for the guests with "luggage" labels for names

The rustic table adorned with safari textures

"jungle" jellies were available throughout the night

The night was so special and above all it gave me the opportunity to show my party planning skills, attention to detail and love for my dear friends who are all so very special to me.

Cheers!

My dress!

The colour is White!

Even though this bathroom suite is white, your eye is automatically drawn to the colours used on the walls and accessories.  By changing the unit door fronts and toilet seat colour, adding a matching shower curtain and elements of depth on the walls, this bathroom is far from "white".

I love the added touch of the orange stool, matching towel and the general accessories on the shelves above the WC.  If the depth is too severe for you it is easy to change the hue of the wall colour, swap the accessories for pastel shades or simply add one single towel colour.

Further details of this bathroom, close up photographs and other accessories can be found at Trendir

Our team of specialists can install a bathroom for you and create the finishing touches exactly the way you want it to look.

Butterflies, Bumblebees & Fairies

I've just read an article in this month's Psychologies Magazine, "Why do children make things up?" and within the article a little girl called Manon aged 5 says this,

"When I'm not in my room, my teddies have a party.  I know because sometimes I can hear them.  But as soon as I come in, they all go back to their places - they are naughty!  It's like fairies.  We can't see them, but they're the ones who paint the colours on butterflies' wings and the stripes on bumblebees.  Fairies and unicorns live in an imaginary world.  But that doesn't mean they don't exist, just that they're magic.  It's the same with Father Christmas.  He is real for the people who believe in him, like my mum and dad do.  If I don't, they won't exist then what would the butterflies and bumblebees do?

How adorable!

Flat to Rent

We would like to share with you a beautiful Quayside 2 bedroomed apartment owned by one of our clients who require new tenants.

Super location overlooking the River Tyne located on Gateshead Quays.

Visit Quayside Apartment for all the details.

Decorate and be "SMART"

We often hear people telling us that they hate decorating but can't afford to employ someone to do it for them.

Do you plan?  Planning is key when carrying out any project in the home that is out of your usual daily routine or comfort.  If you don't plan effectively you will inevitably become despondent,  make mistakes and rush the work.

We have FIVE decorating planning keys for you: -

Specific > give yourself a budget and be realistic.  It isn't just about the paint on the wall.

Measurable > are you being realistic with the time you have set yourself, the budget you have provided and the outcomes you require?

Attainable > do you have the correct skills and patience for the job?  Have you balanced how long it will take you against getting the professionals in?

Relevant >  ask yourself what really needs to be done.

Time > remember to take into account planning, collecting materials, taking time out to eat and tidying up.  Remember when you are working in your home it is very easy to become distracted.  Be focused!

Rainbow are always here to lend a hand.  We can help you with the planning, carry out any tasks you might not feel able to do and even offer you training.  Our prices can be reduced if you are willing to help!

We have a "Decorating Guide"; let us know if you'd like a copy emailed to you.

Enjoy!
Suzanne

Mucky Clothes?

We know it "cleans" the clothes but the washing machine does need a clean now and again...
Our top tips on keeping your machine in tip-top condition: -

• wipe with damp cloth after every wash
• remove soap powder tray every month and wash in hot soapy water
• use a general kitchen cleaning spray to clean the inside of the door seal - you won't believe how mucky this gets!
• annually use a cleaning agent in your machine, visit Dr Beckmann for more information and further tips

Choosing the Colour

When contemplating decorating does the idea of using colour fill you with dread?  Do you know what colour you'd like but don't know what shade to choose?

Colour, can to some, be very confusing and here's our few tips on how to get the best out of the colour for your room.

Take into consideration any items you are leaving in the room; you may wish to keep a favourite vase bought as a present. Let's pretend its the vase below, purchased from www.debenhams.com

Item No. 3040283165, £32 reduced to £25.60

Hopefully you can see elements of purple and green in this glass vase...so now you have your "colour" choice for your room.  You now need to decide on a hue.

If you visit Dulux Colour Index you will see how they show their "colour" and "hue" very simply.  There are so many to choose from!  We've snipped the purple and green section to show you.

Take your vase (or whatever item you are using as your colour incentive) with you and my advice would be to pick 3 of each colour...three green and three purple and buy the small tester pots.  Paint them on your wall(s) and live with the colour for a few weeks.  You need to see how the colour works in natural and electric light.  

Remember when opting for a dark paint colour you need to add the paint to walls at least three times the strength (i.e. three coats of paint).  

You don't need to be as bold as the colours in the vase but can take elements from that.  You may decide to paint the whole room with a tint of purple/lilac and choose a dramatic green wallpaper for the feature wall.  There are so many wallpapers to choose from these days and we love Tangletree Interiors who offer so many styles and colours and great hints and tips.  Here is a snippet of a wallpaper we felt would compliment our theme above.

Tangletree Interiors, FG065H154 Plum/Green Mulberry Home £65 per roll