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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Exciting news! I’ve just got my first ever allotment! I’m super-keen to get started on preparing and planting the plot and I’m going to take you along for the journey…
When you’re decorating a bedroom – whether it’s for adults, teens or children – there are some key factors you should consider when choosing the colour scheme and wallpaper patterns. Here are a few colour theory tips to get you started…
Now, I’m not talking wood-chip wallpaper here although, that said, embossed pattern anaglypta wallcoverings ARE making a comeback in period homes. Instead, I’m talking about bringing subtle, natural textures into your room with a variety of contemporary finishes, all of which can be achieved with wallpaper…
If you want to grow your own veg but without the hard labour of digging over a veggie patch, here’s a quick and easy DIY video that’ll show you how to build no-dig beds for your garden or allotment…
Whether you’re renovating a fixer-upper home or simply want to refresh your dated bedroom, there are always ways to save money on your redecorating project – here are a few ideas that I used in my own home…
Your home is not just a roof over your head, it should also be a safe place and a sanctuary. It’s one of the main factors that affects your health both physically & psychologically so how can you create a cosy home that also improves your wellbeing?
If you’ve got old, faded and stained plastic chairs that are in need of a revamp, here’s a quick and easy way to renovate those vintage vinyl seats…
Since my kitchen makeover is complete and all the rooms throughout our fixer-upper home have been decorated, that only leaves one area that I still need to work on – the porch and outbuilding. Here are my plans for the outdoor space…
After years of talking about it, months of planning and weeks of installation, my newly remodelled kitchen is complete! Of course, I tried to save money at every stage of the renovation process so here’s how I got the floor of my dreams for a fraction of the cost…
It’s the perfect time of year to revamp your old bird boxes and pop them up in the garden. Why? Well, now that it’s February, your feathered friends will soon be looking for a nice nesting box to make their home for the spring…
There’s nothing better than an old family photo to bring a sense of history to your home – but what if those ancient snaps are damaged or discoloured? Here are some ideas for repairing them and including those precious memories in your interiors…
Even though I’ve got a very small bathroom compared to many other homes, we’ve managed to make it a bit feel more spacious with some easy design tricks that give the impression of a bigger room – here’s how…
Painting feature walls has been a popular option for a very long time but, recently, the usage of wallpaper in interior design has increased – I’ve seen more patterned wallpapers on interiors Instagram accounts than ever before. Here’s why it’s become such a popular choice…
Today is the 4th article in my series of blog posts to help you achieve your New Year’s goals and it’s all about clearing your home of clutter and getting better organised this year (one of my personal goals!) Here are my top tips for creating a tidy and peaceful home this year…
If one of your new year’s resolutions is to save a deposit and buy your own home, this article will help. I’m going to talk you through all the things tips I discovered when buying my first home so hopefully, you’ll be able to achieve your goal this year…
If you too have recently installed a new kitchen, you’ll probably want to inject some of your own personality into the room so here are a few different ways to make your new kitchen feel more homely…
Okay, I know it sounds like I’m encouraging you to turn your home into the set of Strictly Come Dancing (and who doesn’t want that??) but I’m not suggesting you make your walls as glitzy as a glitterball. The new trend for glitter wallpaper is so much more subtle than you might imagine. Let me explain…
Take a tour around artist Katharina’s cosy and Christmassy German home to inspire your own festive decorating this December…
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Beyond The Barn’s gorgeous home in the past so I’m super excited to see it decorated for Christmas – here’s a mini house tour to inspire your own festive decor along with a sneak peek inside See Suffolk’s winter issue…
At this time of year I often start thinking about redecorating my home. With the darker days I like the idea of adding dark colours and feature walls, but I know that it won’t work for the rest of the year. So, how do you create an interior that looks seasonal but all works all year round?
Although there haven’t been many things to harvest this month, I have still been out in the garden preparing the veggie plot and planting our over-winter crops…
If you’re planning a bedroom revamp, here’s why it’s a good idea to choose natural materials and shop secondhand…
If, like me, you’ve become used to doing your own hair and beauty treatments over the past couple of years, you may well want to continue enjoying spa-like sessions at home. Here are some ideas to pamper yourself this autumn…
This month, I’ve been preserving my apple harvest so I’ve shared a recipe for cinnamon apple jam below if you want to give it a go. Plus, there have been a few vegetable latecomers this year…
Buying your very first house is a joyful time but the truth is that it’s never cheap and often there’s not much money left for the interior. That was certainly the case for me when I bought my fixer-upper home!
I want to make the most of the warm autumn days by getting outside and relaxing in my garden, so I’ve created a copy spot for a cuppa on my decking with a DIY living coffee table planter…
Did you know that shopping seasonally doesn’t only apply to food? When you buy any product there will be a cheaper season to buy it and you can make some impressive savings by purchasing at the right time of year. Here are some items that you’ll definitely get a deal on in September…
Late summer/early autumn is a lovely time of year – the weather is still warm (but not too hot) and there’s plenty of plants still blooming in the garden. This combination makes it an ideal time for outdoor entertaining so here are some tips to make sure your gathering is cosy and fun…
During August we’ve been enjoying the fruits of our labour with plenty of veg to harvest but we’ve also dealt with blight, non-ripening peppers & fruit trees desperate in need of pruning. Here’s how we got on & more info on the DIY greenhouse we built…
With the soaring price of wood and a need to create more growing space in my veggie patch, I’ve come up with a way to make a low-cost planter out of pieces of furniture that were headed for the skip. Here’s how…
With the sun shining and summer still in full swing, I thought that today would be a great time to share a garden tour of Isatu Chaborn’s incredible property, including a ‘before’ and ‘after’ of the epic transformation.
We’ve all been spending more time in the garden lately so, if your garden furniture that could do with sprucing up, here are some tips to restore your outdoor furniture so you don’t have to replace it, but rather extend the life of your garden items…
If, like me, you’re renovating your kitchen, my recent research might help you to decide which window treatments to choose and how to save money by going for the DIY option of wooden shutters…
I can finally report that we have been enjoying some veg from our kitchen garden! The plot is doing well, so much so that we’ve had to start freezing the excess produce! Here’s an update on this month’s bumper harvest…
Incorporating antiques is great way to add personality to your home. However, most of us haven’t inherited family heirlooms so, if you want to buy a special vintage piece for your home, here are some tips for going antique shopping on a budget…
Do you know how hard it is to plan a new kitchen? I can’t believe just how many things there are to consider. To help you if you’re planning a kitchen revamp (and to help myself, TBH) here’s a list of everything you’ll need for a top-to-toe makeover…
That first couple of days when you get the keys for your new home are the best – you’ve not yet unpacked so it’s a rare opportunity to thoroughly clean (& even decorate) your home before settling in. Here are some tasks to tackle…
Although I’m a keen DIYer, home renovations are not the same as home repairs, so it’s certainly something that needs a little more planning than simply getting out your toolbox! Here’s a guide to organising your next DIY project, step-by-step…
FINALLY. Things have started to happen in our garden. Vegetables are growing – and I’ve actually eaten some of the produce from our plot woo! And there’s even been a harvest of our autumn crop. Here’s my monthly garden update for June…
Moving house can cost thousands of pounds so, in the spirit of thriftiness, why not stay where you are and put that money to better use? Here are some fab home improvements that’ll increase your home’s value & help to you enjoy living there too…
Epic home tour of a stunning 19th Century swing-beam agricultural barn, packed full of rustic features and vintage collections, which was rescued and renovated by April and Andy Hershberger…
Here’s a quick DIY video that shows you how to upcycle scaffold boards and offcuts of pressure-treated timber to create your own outdoor bench seat for your garden. Using scaffolding is a low-cost source of timber and you can upcycle old planks too…
I’ve been looking for sustainable & natural flooring for my kitchen. It needs to be moisture resistant, easy to clean, simple to install and hardwearing. Is that too much to ask?? Here are some of the products I’ve discovered during my search for ‘healthy home’ flooring…
When the sun’s shining and the weather warms up it’s wonderful to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season – whether that’s in your garden or from inside your home. Here are 4 ways to achieve that indoor-outdoor vibe in your own home this summer…
Little ones grow up so fast and their needs change quickly – so if you’re buying new items for every stage of baby’s development, the costs soon add up. So, how can you save money & even get freebies while bringing up your little one? Here are some ideas:
I’m sure it’s the same for everyone but I feel like our garden is SO behind compared to last year! I’ve finally been able to plant out some of the hardier veggies but we’ve also built a DIY cold frame from pallet wood to keep growing our seedlings…
If you want to put up some nesting boxes and attract birds into your garden, why not upcycle them with fun colours and patterns before you install them? Here’s how I created my colourful cluster of bird ‘apartments’..!
When you’re searching for an affordable rental there’s much more to consider than just the monthly cost of rent. Here are 8 things you should factor into your budget when you’re moving into a rental property for the first time…
What do you do when you’ve got a shed full of tangled tools and a spare pallet in the garden? Why, pull it apart and build a tool silhouette storage board, of course! Here’s how to DIY your own shed hanging system to organise your essential tools…
You know how something isn’t a problem until you notice it? A feature so functional that you barely see it but then realise it’s not to your taste or could be improved? Well that’s how I feel about my front door, which is why I’ve decided to revamp it…
