Decorating inspiration – petal pinks

I love these decorating ideas from Housetohome – little floral flourishes can look really pretty in an otherwise neutral space. I would suggest using them as accents though, to keep husbands’ stress levels to a minimum.

Make the bed the focus with a panel of fabric framed with a bold border.

roomenvy - flower power bedroom

Pick a mix of pink shades for the alcoves to create eye-catching storage. Here, they’ve used dark raspberry, mid-toned bubblegum and a light blossom.

Blossom accessories, prints and fauz flowers really tie this living room together.

roomenvy - cherry blossom living room

Take the look from girly to glam with a white crystal-droplet chandelier, as seen in this dining room.

roomenvy - rosy dining room

And my inspiration for this post? I’m going to see Sex and the City 2 tomorrow, and this is one of my all-time FAVOURITE Carrie Bradshaw dresses!

Craft ideas for the long weekend!

Woooohoooooooooooo another May bank holiday weekend, time for barbecues, sunbathing and sitting in the park … only its due to rain? What a pickle! I’ve found some great country craft ideas for those of us who aren’t blessed with sunshine this weekend – they’re the perfect afternoon activity!

Add coastal-style to your home with these summery craft ideas …

roomenvy - coastal craft ideas

Make a pretty apron … for the rest of your crafting!

roomenvy - country apron craft idea

Make a box pleat tablecloth – it’s perfect for when the weather starts to pick up again!

roomenvy - how to make a country tablecloth

Make a cute cafetiere cover with this step-by-step guide. Breakfast in bed? If only!

roomenvy - cute country craft idea

Friday’s Fetish: summer meadow decorating

Waaaaaaaaaaaaft! I can smell the wild fields, cow parsley and buttercups from here … well I can squint my nostrils and imagine it at least.

If you want to drown out the sounds and smells of city life, be inspired by these country decorating ideas from Country Homes & Interiors magazine … or, failing that, you could also start bringing your lunch to work in a wicker hamper! I’m definitely tempted.

Use a vintage cupboard to display your colourful crockery …

roomenvy - pretty pantry

Brighten up bedtime with bold florals and a sunny feature wallpaper …

roomenvy - sunny bedroom

Choose a vibrant table linen to create a cheerful country kitchen table …

roomenvy - country dining room

Invest in a swing seat so you can relax in the ‘garden’ whatever the weather …

roomenvy - fresh summer garden room

I love a window seat! Dress yours with pretty fabircs and cosy it up with gingham and embroidered cushions …

roomenvy - welcoming hallway

Garden ideas – style from The States

I’m getting a bit obsessed with Apartment Therapy‘s ‘My Great Outdoors‘ section! It basically involves gardeners proudly (and so they should be) sending in shots of their outdoor spaces and chatting a bit about their project.

Here are two of my favourites …

I love how this New York City homeowner has made the most of their roof terrace, in fact they’ve made SO much of their outdoor space – with an alfresco dining area, outdoor kitchen and lounging zone.

roomenvy - urban garden roof terrace

… and onto a less urban garden design, this pretty Portland patio is perfect all year round with an alfresco dining table and a shaded lounge area that’s perfect for cocktails in the evening.

roomenvy - cute garden patio

I heart Lisa Stickley’s vintage accessories

I mentioned the other day that I had raced (faster than I’d care to admit) to Debenhams to see Lisa Stickley’s new range of vintage-style products for Debenhams. I just love their nostalgic feel and how easily they can be incorporated into a country or modern-style home.

I’ve snuck some preview shots of the new designs, so feel free to lust after them! Plus, get to know the designer a bit better with this video. As much as I love chatting about decorating styles and inspiration, there are just some questions that must be asked … like ‘what would Lisa Stickley save if her house was on fire?’

roomenvy - Lisa Stickley kitchenware for Debenhams

roomenvy - Lisa Stickley bedlinen for Debenhams

My favourite garden from Chelsea Flower Show …

Not at all influenced by the fact that I got to try out L’Occitane‘s new beauty products on the sidelines (so much so that the designer walked straight passed me and I was comPLETELY distracted), but The L’Occitane garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was definitely my favourite.

Designed by James Towillis to recreate the sights and smells of Provence in true L’occitane style it represents the natural ingredients found in their products, and was packed with the colour and textures of the south of France. And, with the weather being so dreamy, I was transformed from Chelsea to Provence. (Not that I’d mind living in uber-glam Chelsea of course!)

The Country Homes & Interiors team took a fab photo.

roomenvy - The L'Occitane Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2010

Hallways designs with animal instinct!

First came butterflies, then came the birds, so I guess it was only a matter of time before other creatures started crawling into our decorating schemes. At first, I wasn’t a fan, imagining a living room covered in duck memorabilia or a horrifying shark feature wall (imagine?), but I have seen some cute designs using pretty creature comforts.

I found these animal-inspired hallway designs in Country Homes and Interiors, and I think they’re just adorable.

Turn a country-style bench into an inviting seat with bunny scatter cushions, a bunny doortstop and a cute rabbit wall stencil.

roomenvy - rabbit hallway

A smart-dog print wallpaper adds interest under the dado rail in this hallway design. Complete the look with a framed row of doggy silhouettes.

roomenvy - doggy hallway

This is a bit too formal for me, but I think the subtle pencil sketch wallpaper is very pretty – it adds an elegant touch without overpowering the scheme.

roomenvy - horsey hallway

Living room design ideas – Scandinavian-style

I LOVE these fresh and fuss-free living room designs from Ideal Home magazine, almost as much as I love the Scandi-chic look in general.

Use Gustavian-style shades of white and cream to make your living room feel larger and lighter, and team with subtly patterned wallpaper and natural flooring.

I love this traditional Scandi-chic design with splashes of red on the blinds, cushions and faux-flowers.

roomenvy - touch of Alpine living room design

… or if you prefer neutral and blues, try this living room design idea. Team pale woods and neutral shades with retro print floral fabrics on the curtains, blinds and cushions, and pick out the blue from the curtains for your sofas. It’s smart, contemporary and sassy!

roomenvy - contemporary Scandi-style living room design

Sex and the City 2 – ENVY!

I would say I wasn’t jealous of the clothes, the shoes, the handsome men and now the beautiful and luxurious hotel that’s featured in Sex and the City 2, but it’s not in my nature! I’m full of envy!

Has anyone else seen the super-swanky resort the girls stay in in Morocco? It’s called the Amanjena Hotel, and apparently rooms start at over £1,000 a night … in case you were wondering …

We’ll have to wait and see why they’re lucky enough to go there (from a writer’s point of view, I’m baffled as to how Carrie can afford it!)

roomenvy - luxurious hotel exterior

roomenvy - oh so relaxing bedroom

roomenvy - Amanjena Hotel dining hall

See more pictures of this beautiful hotel (and book a room if you can!) at grandluxuryhotels.com.

Garden ideas – cute alfresco dining spots

It was when I was sunning/burning myself at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show while working/eating ice cream that I decided ‘this is EXACTLY what I want from my summer’. Sunshine, plentiful food, (a sneaky Pimm’s or two) and of course, a cute outdoor dining area where I would have the aforementioned fun!

I think these garden dining ideas are just so sweet, whether it’s for sitting outside with a book ….

Planning a romantic evening meal with the fella … (ahem, invited for a romantic evening BY the fella …)

roomenvy - garden dining area

Getting some piece and quiet at the end of the garden (and at the beginning of the set of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village it would seem) …

roomenvy - garden seating area

Or enjoying a sunny afternoon with the family …

roomenvy - alfresco dining area