Festive
Merry Christmas everyone
I’m taking a break for Christmas so I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a brilliant new year!
I’m taking a break for Christmas so I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a brilliant new year!
This Christmas I was lucky enough to write about a beautiful period home for Reclaim magazine so I thought I would share a little about this pretty property with you over the festive season.
Today’s home tour of a converted barn provides plenty of Christmas decor inspiration for creating a minimal and modern interior that’s full of festive touches and cosy details…
It’s now easier than ever to create your own Christmas light design or neon sign at home. Here’s the step-by-step DIY guide to making any festive design you like using neon EL wire…
It would be nice to enjoy a bit of family time over Christmas but, these days, it’s more likely that each member of the family will be glued to their own phones or devices rather than spending time together. Here are a few suggestions to get your family to spend some quality time together this Christmas…
You may think that going without heating for as long as you can is a money-saving solution to the cost-of-living crisis. However, the impact of a cold home on your health and on the property itself means you really should heat your home whenever you can. But that doesn’t mean spending a small fortune on energy. Here are some ideas to help you cut costs AND stay warm this winter…
Houseplants are great for health, productivity and positivity. They brighten a room, release oxygen into the air, remove toxins from the atmosphere and add character to your home or office. But they do tend to cost money. Here are some ways to still grow house plants, without the hefty price tag…
If you want to dress your dining table for a special event, here are some thrifty tips & easy DIYs you can use to create beautiful party place settings and festive tablescapes…
Take inspiration from Pamela Shaw’s dark and opulent farmhouse interior to make your winter decor feel super cosy and rather glitzy, too!
It can sometimes be a challenge to find a gift for teens that isn’t tech-related but I’ve come up with a few present suggestions to help encourage your youngsters away from their screens and to start interacting with fun activities…
There’s nothing more festive than a real log fire burning in the grate of a fireplace. However, many homes have had their fireplaces removed over the years and no longer have that cosy Christmassy feel. So, if you fancy reinstating your fireplace this winter, here are some facts to consider…
If you’re looking for special gifts for the children in your life, this gift guide has some of the most adorable, fun and educational gifts available this year. So, if you want to want to teach kids about recycling, magnetic forces, bees or being creative, here are some ideas to inspire your shopping.
If you’re planning a Christmas gathering at home and want to make your garden look just as inviting as your interior, here are a few ideas for decorating your garden with fairy lights to create cosy ambience and festive feel…
A home filled with rich colours, creative upcycling projects and plenty of glinting gold touches. Take a tour around ‘Hardcastle Towers’ to be inspired by this unique interior and learn some of interiors writer and Instagrammer Joanne’s tips for creating a cosy home this autumn.
If you’re shopping for gifts for the grown-ups in your life, why not buy handmade pieces or shop with indie businesses this year? You’ll support a small company or independent maker to stay in business and can treat your loved one to a unique gift at the same time…
If you have a property that you’re not using, why not consider renting it out for a duration of time? There are many ways you can make an extra income from your home without investing too much time or money to make it happen. Here are some ideas…
How do you update a period school house without losing its character and charm? Take a tour around this 1890s home belonging to Abby of @another_old_school_house and be inspired by its cosy interior and elegant ambience.
If you’re thinking of investing in thick duvets, squishy pillows or soft bedding to help you stay snug this autumn/winter, why not make your choices more sustainable? Here’s how you can make your bedroom more eco-friendly this season…
Why not turn an old piece of furniture into a drinks cabinet so that you’re ready to host plenty of fun parties this festive season? Here’s a step-by-step guide to DIY a funky bar from any kind of old writing desk or bureau…
With a glut of pumpkins and squashes at our allotment, I thought it was about time that I came up with a recipe to cook them. Here’s my latest attempt at making a creamy pumpkin soup and, thankfully, it turned out absolutely delicious! Here’s how I made it…
Wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to bring a whole new look to your interior. Just a roll or two can make all the difference with a feature wall that brings impact and colour. Here are three of the hottest trends, and different ways to make them work in your home…
This Long Island home is packed full of mid-century pieces, vibrant colours and retro details so take a tour of Kate Pearce’s home with me to be inspired by her style…
It can be an exciting time when you’re starting up a small, independent business however, there are certain things you’ll need to consider from the off, such as paperwork, finance and operating factors. Here’s a handy list of the things you should look at when you set up your own business…
Many budgeting articles will advise you to give up lots of your favourite things if you want to save money. However, it IS possible to reduce your monthly costs without missing out on the essentials for a happy life – here are some pain-free ways to make savings on your bills…
As we head into a new season (and begin to prepare for the busy festive rush!) I’ve come up with a list of lovely beauty treats that we all deserve to enjoy this autumn. Whether you need hydrating skincare for the changing weather or even just relaxing day to yourself, these treats are recyclable, cruelty-free and natural. Enjoy..!
When you’re self-employed or running an independent business, there are so many things that you need to consider when forecasting and recording your expenses. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to cut down on the costs associated with the vehicle you use for work – here are some ideas…
If you’re spending more hours in the office than out of it, you might as well make it comfortable and an enjoyable place to spend your time. Whether that’s your working-from-home office or your small business office, it IS possible to create a homely feeling while you work…
If you’ve been trying to save for your future home and now the cost of living crisis has hit, you might be thinking that it’s no longer possible to put aside any cash for your deposit – or for any other goal you have. But there ARE still ways that you can keep saving and organise your finances to make your homeowning dream a reality…
An eco-friendly home can actually save you money in the long run and there are so many things you can do to make your property more sustainable – from DIY tasks to impressive installations. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
If you’re planning a wedding for this autumn or next, congratulations! Whether you’ve got a defined budget to stick to or simply want to create your dream wedding for a fraction of the cost, here are some thrifty tips to help you achieve that…
We’ve had a bumper harvest at the allotment this year – especially with our fruit trees, squashes and tomatoes. So, I’ve been preserving as much as I can and I’m sharing some ideas for your using and storing your allotment produce today…
If you’re tackling a home revamp this year, why not consider shopping secondhand for your furniture? It’s certainly a great way to save money and lets you put your own stamp on your interior by creating something completely unique to you. Take inspiration from these talented interior Instagrammers and their 5 amazing upcycles…
Take a tour around mompreneur Gbeke’s gorgeous USA-based home and let the bright and airy interior inspire you to create restful spaces in your own home…
September is the ideal time for an early autumn gathering. It’s not too hot and not too cold – the ideal Goldilocks weather for an outdoor meet-up with your family and friends before the winter comes. Here are some ideas for hosting a cosy garden party this autumn…
After many months of wrangling with pests, birds, bugs (and even bunnies!) at my allotment, I’ve decided to try out some tunnels to see if they can help us to grow bigger and better veggies…
Today’s blog post will help you to see the light – both metaphorically and literally – as your home’s lighting can be a key factor behind what atmosphere it generates. Here are a few particularly surprising ways in which you can take advantage of this…
When you want to treat the family to a tasty dessert but have a budget to stick to, these 5 recipes are easy to make and are super-low cost…
If you want to add a little colour and personality to your interior, why not try a wall mural? It’s a thrifty way to decorate using leftover paint and lets you create a design that’s unique to you. Here are some amazing ideas for wall murals from top interior design bloggers and Instagrammers…
We all want to enjoy the summer holidays with our families but the costs involved can soon add up. Whether you’re taking day trips or enjoying a staycation, here are some simple ways to save money during the school holidays…
If you’ve got a glut of blackcurrants in your kitchen garden or allotment, now’s the time to make some pots of jam for the coming year. It’s a great way to preserve your produce and makes a lovely gift for family and friends…
You might not realise it, but there are many different types of debt – and not all of them are bad. It’s therefore important to understand the kinds of debt available so that you can make informed decisions about the best ways to borrow money when you need to…
If you’re temporarily moving for work, have inherited a property or have even saved enough money to invest in a second home, why not make the most of your situation and rent out the house or rooms? Here are some questions you should ask yourself before putting your property on the rental market…
So, you’ve been on a lovely day out with your family, you’ve celebrated a special occasion or you’ve enjoyed the trip of a lifetime – and you took plenty of photos while you were there. But what do you then do with those snaps? Leave them languishing unseen on your phone? Maybe now’s the time to do something creative with them instead…
I’ve noticed something that almost all the allotments near me have in common. They’re all packed with upcycling projects. In fact, you’d probably find it hard to find anything new! Here are some of the interesting and amazing upcycles I’ve spotted at the allotment…
If you’ve accumulated a loyal following through your social accounts, blog or vlog, that’s wonderful news. You’ve got an instant audience for anything you get up to, so why not tap into that resource and try to earn some money? That cash can help you to continue making content for your followers and give you the extra time and resources to do so – here are some ideas…
Our homes are our castles, but sometimes we’re missing something that could make our space more comfortable or safe. From draft excluders to socket covers, there are many items we never think to buy but that could make a big difference. Here are 6 low-cost innovations to consider…
Around the UK the summer holidays are starting and families have a long six weeks of fun stretching out ahead of them. So, what can you do with your kids to fill those days with entertaining, educational and fun activities? Here are some ideas…
Whether you’re heading to a wedding, looking for the ideal birthday gift or simply want to show a friend how much you care, a gift hamper is always a winner. It’s a thrifty way to treat that special someone AND it can be customised to suit their interests. Here’s how to make one yourself…
Even though we’re at the height of summer and it’s time to harvest the results of all that spring planting, there are still some crops you can plant in July to make the most of your allotment plot. Here’s what I’ve been sowing and my shed plans…
If you’re looking for storage solutions to tidy up your bathroom but don’t want to splash the cash on brand-new accessories, here’s an easy way to DIY your own driftwood-style laundry bin and sink caddy using upcycled pallet wood. Let’s get started…
Take a tour of the home of designer Melanie Lissack’s beautifully renovated period home. It’s full of upcycled furniture that looks perfectly in-keeping with the Georgian details and some surprising IKEA hacks that you won’t believe were ever flat-packed…
If you want to find a little more money to cope with the cost-of-living crisis, why not look to your hobbies to find a way of earning more while still doing the things you enjoy? Here are three ideas to get you started…
Something that I’m really pleased with on my plot is the insect-proof mesh tunnel that we’ve built using old water pipes. It has been really helpful in keeping my brassicas safe from ‘brassica massacre’ – here are the latest pics from my plot…
If you’re growing cabbage, broccoli or spouts in your veggie patch, you’ll know how difficult it is to keep the cabbage white butterflies (and the very hungry caterpillars they produce) off your plants. Here’s how to DIY an insect-proof mesh tunnel to prevent brassica massacre…
Flooring is an often overlooked part of our homes but it’s also one of the things that really makes a room look tired if it’s not kept in good condition. Here are some tips to maintain your floors and save money in the long term…
With UK house prices rising for the 5th consecutive month, it’s clear that owning your home is a good investment. However, how do you even get on the property ladder in the first place – especially when property prices are reaching record highs? Here are some ways to start your home-buying journey…
With students returning to college, 6th form and university for the summer semester now seems the ideal time to share some studying tips for exam season. Here’s some advice for completing your coursework and timetabling your revision this summer…
Take a tour of Amy Shepherd’s four-bedroom stone cottage, which is full of historic 1900s-inspired touches and industrial yet homely decor with sustainability at the forefront of the design.
Five years on and my bathroom renovation is still going strong – and we revamped the room on the tightest of budgets. Here are some tips on how to save money when you’re decorating the smallest room in the house…
I’m back with another allotment update and today it’s all about my new (old) greenhouse. It took quite some doing but we’ve been able to move the ivy-covered, cracked-glass frame to my veggie plot and have made some improvements…
The Jubilee may be over but there’s no need to bin the bunting just yet. In fact, royal-themed homewares are having a moment in the world of interiors right now. Here’s how to make regal style work for you all year round…
With energy prices already increasing and set to rise even higher this winter, now is the ideal time to start making plans to reduce your costs and budget for your bills. Here are some ideas on saving energy (and saving money) to get you started…
Playing in the garden and getting really messy is one of the joys of childhood. So why not help your children to enjoy playing with sand, mud and water outside by constructing this DIY ‘mud kitchen’ from old pallet wood…
Take a tour of Elle Collins’ mid-century style home, which became an indoor jungle after her houseplant collection thrived in the airy vaulted space. Here are before & after photos of her interior revamp plus lots of pics of her gorgeous cat Mia…
My little allotment is coming along nicely so I thought now would be a good time to share a quick update. We’ve been tidying the plot, making some repairs to the fence and shed, and have even planted some veggies – here are some pics of progress…
With the promise of a long hot summer to come, now is the perfect time to get your warm-weather essentials sorted. If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to find the best (and lowest!) prices on the things you need to survive the summer…
Wouldn’t it be great to make some extra cash on side? Even if you don’t think you’ve got the skills to launch a creative business, I’m here to show you otherwise. Here are three side hustles you can try out and maybe make a bit of money from your creativity…
For many schools around the UK, the half-term holiday begins on 28th May so I thought I would share some activities to keep youngsters entertained. Here are some ideas for imaginative play, indoor and outdoor fun and even some educational activities…
This gorgeous period property in Dublin belongs to Darran Heaney of Old Victorian New and he has kindly allowed me to share some snaps of his renovation project – from the before photos to the completed home tour. Let’s step inside…
The Norfolk & Norwich Festival takes place this year from 13th-29th May so I’m sharing a round-up of some of the free and family-friendly events you can enjoy…
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