Friday’s Fetish: Cosy vintage decorating

It’s not often I get myself into a pickle in a newsagents, but when I had the cover of Ideal Home July issue to my left and a magazine with Bradley Cooper on the front to my right, I simply had NO IDEA where to look!

See, this cosy lived-in living room oozes vintage charm. I think it’s just soooooo pretty, and love that (having got my hands on the issue) inside they have a fuss-free alternative for those who find the romantic fairytale vintage look a bit too much.

Faded, worm furniture pieces are mixed with faded fabrics and comfy seating packed with cushions.

roomenvy - vintage living room

And if you find romantic vintage too busy, go for faded vintage appeal with subtel colour and white-painted furniture. Included a mix of patterna dn texture and don’t go too overboard on the floral front.

roomenvy - leafy green dining room

Hallway decorating ideas for every style

So are you a modern, traditional or country decorator? Or a mix of all three? Housetohome are doing a series of ’10 of the best’ photo galleries for every room and EVERY style, so you can browse through everything from the best country bathrooms to the best modern children’s rooms. I when inspiration falls into my toast-crumbed LAP!

Today is hallway decorating day! I’ve flicked through their galleries and STOLEN by favourite idea (feel a touch guilty!)

Modern hallway – I love the sleek glass staircase and graphic print rug.

roomenvy - graphic modern hallway

Country hallway – a hallway with a LIVING ROOM where the coatstand should be, has to get my vote!

roomenvy - white country hallway

Traditional hallway – smart and sophisticated, this hallway makes a grand ol’ entrance.

roomenvy - smart traditional hallway

Bird wallpaper – the good, the bad and the ugly

It’s official, I’m completely torn by bird wallpapers. In some ways I find them adorable and the perfect finishing touch to a country-style scheme – especially a pretty little guest bedroom. However, in other ways I find them … well … quite frightening actually. The antique bird or retro bird ‘look’ just isn’t for me.

Here’s how far by bird wallpaper love goes…

The good - cute, country and destined for a guest bedroom, this simple bird wallpaper adds a welcoming touch.

roomenvy - bird wallpaper design

The bad – hmmmmmm, a retro bird feature wall isn’t for me, but I’d certainly give this Seventies-inspired print marks for an eye-catching focal point.

roomenvy - bird wallpaper design

The ugly – this is decorating hell for me. Too many birds, too many antiques, I would feel like I was on a period drama set, not my actual living room!

roomenvy - bird wallpaper design

Country garden ideas – oh for lazy days!

As much as I’m enjoying being surrounded by Christmas trees and mince pies this week, my eyes are still being kept on the summer garden prize! Check out these country garden ideas. I love the idea of spending an afternoon surrounded by relaxed canopies, floral accessories, and … well … a cupcake doesn’t hurt anyone!

Usher guests to the garden with a welcoming sign…

roomenvy - country garden ideas

Create a homemade sunshade by tying a floral voile to bamboo poles…

roomenvy - country-style canopy

Dress the table with a broderie Anglais cloth, colourful tableware and pretty lanterns…

roomenvy - pretty alfresco dining table

And relax! Sneak off with a good book to a hammock packed with cushions and throws. I want to be there immediately.

roomenvy - blissful garden hammock

Create the perfect utility room

The closest thing I have to a utility room is a cupboard under my stairs which, even if it could be used as such (or even a country pantry? … she says hopefully…), is being dominated by an ANGRY exercise bike that has been locked away so I don’t have to look at it!

Needless to say, I know there are plenty of you who have one, and I sure am gonna snap up some utility room design tips in case I ever do, so check out this video with Beautiful Kitchens editor, Ysanne Brooks – we quizzed her on her dos and don’ts of utility room design.

How to make a kitchen-diner work hard

Well I thought the BEST person to answer that question would be kitchen guru, Ysanne Brooks, editor of Beauitful Kitchens. I snuck into her office last week to ask her advice on all things kitchen-diners and utility rooms (post to follow!)

Whether it’s clothes, hairstyles or kitchen-diners it seems it’s all about making the most of what you have. Watch this videos for Ysanne’s top tips on kitchen-diner design.

Vintage rose wallpaper – yay or nay?

What do you guys think about vintage rose wallpaper designs? Here was I thinking that the only debates I’d hear in the lifts were about the guy someone was dating or about what to have for lunch, but THIS?

The interior world seems divided? Old fashioned but traditional vs vintage country charm? Only for country cottages vs retro statement in a modern pad? Homely touch vs man repellent? Oh it’s all kicking off! Who says the world of cushions, soft lighting and bathroom countertops isn’t full of drama??

I think this looks really cute, a real slab of kitch country charm.

roomenvy - vintage rose wallpaper bathroom

However, this frightens me … on the ceiling, too? A bit too much!

roomenvy - vintage rose wallpaper bedroom

Contemporary garden designs

Once you start flicking through garden photo galleries you just can’t stop – despite my efforts to limit myself to browsing just twenty designs! What do you think of these contemporary garden schemes?

I’m still holding out for a cute country garden myself, but I think these outdoor spaces are just as eye-catching. Here are my favourite three.

Eye-popping garden furniture and accessories…

roomenvy - contemporary garden ideas

Sunken walled garden and a cowhide rug…

roomenvy - walled garden

Smart alfresco dining area… but where’s the food?

roomenvy - alfresco dining area

Bathroom design ideas for families!

Not that this really applies to me … unless you count the ENDLESS amount of guests I insist come to stay at my house! I love these family bathroom design ideas from Housetohome though, they’re perfect for making the most of your bathroom space and creating a zone that’s as practical as it is stylish.

This is probably my favourite idea, but click on the image to see if any of the others take your fancy!

roomenvy - bathroom storage idea

3 ways to use a conservatory

If sharing her top tips on getting an organised home office, creating a cosy living room and injecting country style into your kitchen wasn’t enough, Country Homes and Interiors editor, Rhoda Parry also agreed to chat about her favourite wasy to make the most out of a conservatory – whether you use it as a living room, dining room or home office.

So here’s her final video of decorating. Wasn’t I greedy!!