What’s hot for 2010!!

Sttttttttoooooooooooooooooooooooop!! Before you revamp your bathroom, get stuck into a new kitchen, or transform your colour scheme, check out these trend videos.

I’ve been busy quizzing the experts for their top trends for the new year (aren’t I nosey!) and they were happy to share their inside knowledge … they even let slip a couple of style tips!!

Moben’s kitchenista, Terry Watson reveals the hottest kitchen trends for the new year.

Dolphin Bathrooms‘ guru, Geoff Wells gives us a sneak peak into what’s hot in the bathroom for 2010.

Crown colour expert Judy Smith spills the inside scoop on the sexiest shades to start off a new decade.

Hot new lemon kitchen from Moben

If you are physically able to move on Boxing Day (I know i’ll be weighed down by mincepies, but it’s worth a shot) then head to your nearest Moben for their half-price January sales … or just to have a look at their super-sexy brand new modern kitchen design for 2010. (I’ve sneaked a copy of the images to give you an idea!)

The Geneva kitchen’s zingy lemon is great for adding a splash of sunshine to those gruelling mornings, combine it with either their city-chic anthracite, or their chalk finishes for a kitchen to make even the most swanky of pad’s mouths water!!

What’s more, it fits perfectly with one of the top kitchen trends for 2010 – high impact colour. I’ve been busy quizzing the experts for kitchen, bathroom and colour trends for the new decade – but don’t worry, I got it alllllll on camera!

I’ll let you know when it’s up!

roomenvy - mellow yellow accents kitchen

I admit, it’s a bit modern for my taste, (a country-style fanatic), but I think it’s super sleek and has oodles of designer style (minus the price tag!)

roomenvy - city chic kitchen with a splash of sunshine

Glossy black bar stools + super-sleek island unit = funky breakfast bar (mine’s an espresso!)

roomenvy - kitchen multimedia station

Country-style lover or not, this unit MUST go in my kitchen!

Friday’s Fetish: wall stencils

I was completely inspired by Helen Morris, one of the faces behind The Stencil Library when I met her this week. She shared some fantastic tips with me about stencilling – especially for those of us who rent and don’t want to anger our landlords with a door surrounded by butterflies (I mention no names!) She shares some great tips on her blog, Design Inspiration.

Wall stencils are a fantastic way to  liven up your scheme and give it a truly personal touch. I just love them!!

1) They don’t have to be bold and brassy, these leaf stencils add a lovely delicate touch. Though to be honest, what’s going to make more a statement than having a TREE in your kitchen? They’re taken from designer, Di Overton’s kitchen.

roomenvy - kitchen decorating the natural way!

2) You don’t just have to use stencils on the walls, either. This funky home, featured on Design Sponge, proves just that.

Bring your floors to life! The hardwood floors in this dining room are given an update with playful pattern.

roomenvy - so much more than a floor!

And don’t let a simple radiator miss out on all the fun. Now this is what I call stylish heating!

roomenvy - turn up the heat with a colourful stencil

Which 90s TV show is this house from?

Does anyone else remember the 1990s TV drama Party of Five? I used to LOVE it! It featured a pre-’Ghost Whisperer’ Jennifer Love Hewitt and the effortlessly gorgeous Matthew Fox from Lost, as Charlie. Oh now you remember, eh?

I was browsing Freshome and came across the real-life Party of Five house! I must say, i don’t remember it being quite so glam? (Maybe it was all teen angst-filled plotlines.)

However, it’s certainly a dream home. Large windows and pale walls keep it light, airy and endlessly spacious, while mahogony furnishings and smart furniture provide oodles of charisma (much like Matthew Fox!).

roomenvy - smart and stylish kitchen

roomenvy - light and airy loft conversion

roomenvy - contemporary bedroom furniture

Love is a wall letter word!

Check out these ways with wall letters. It couldn’t be easier to give your room a cosy,  personal touch. What’s great is that they can easily be updated.

Personalise a girl’s bedroom by hanging her name on her door or above her bed

roomenvy - personalised children's bedroom

… or give her a nice message to see every time she goes to bed (nb. choose anything except the word ‘homework’). Rockett St George has some fantastic wall sticker designs.

roomenvy - say it with wall letters

And they’re not just for children. This kitchen gets a homely update with stencilled lettering above the cabinet. I imagine this message is a great way of prompting romantically-challenged other halves!

roomenvy - wall letter kitchen idea

Updating a kitchen alcove

A recent comment on my ‘updating an alcove‘ post really got me thinking about the best way to make use of your kitchen alcoves. While I appreciate Linda Paul’s views that alcoves look better  filled with artwork like the ones from her design studio, I often feel obligated to cram as much storage into them as possible? I see that spare space watching me, eager to have some purpose!

Personally, I prefer this kitchen alcove idea. Who knew a utility cupboard could be such a thing of beauty? Clever hooks and storage boxes make this the perfect place for all your essentials – maybe it’ll even make household chores easier? … if only!

roomenvy - kitchen alcove storage

3 reasons why I LOVE the Cath Kidston oilcloth lining idea

1) It pretties up the bespoke white Jali cupboard to create instant country cottage cuteness

2) It protects the shelf surfaces from the markings and stains of cleaning products (as if getting the stain out in the first place wasn’t battle enough?)

3) There is nothing that screams domestic goddess more than being able to match your apron to your storage cupboard lining!! If there is, i’d certainly like to hear it!

The perfect pantry

Now I’m sure I’m not the only one who dreams of a magical pantry filled with jams, veggies, plaid fabric and … well the odd bottle of homemade cider never hurt anyone, did it? Check out these cute ways to get the ultimate country-style store cupboard. And don’t worry if, like me, you don’t have the space to devote a whole room in your house to jams and chutneys, I’m going to start by hanging a pretty door rack and investing in gorgeous plaid fabrics and go from there.

See more ideas on how to get the perfect country pantry.

roomenvy - cute country-style pantry

p.s I’m note sure that there is anything more ‘Anne of Green Gables’ than having your own apple store, but I’m certainly going to keep my eye out for one.

roomenvy - apple store hallway

The ultimate accessory

I’m having fun asking myself the ‘who lives in a house like this’ question when I look at new rooms on the web. At first I predicted this house on Livingetc belonged to a glamorous French poet or eccentric travel writer, but it turns out it belongs to ultra-chic handbag designer, Lulu Guinness.

In hindsight it is everything I’d expect – it’s girly, it’s pretty … and, well, it fits more than just a lipstick and a bunch of house keys! It’s packed with gorgeous accessories and glamorous finishing touches, if only you could take it out dancing!

roomenvy - pretty in pink living room

roomenvy - ditsy florals bedroom

roomenvy - Parisien-chic kitchen splashback

I would love to recreate the flower mural behind her bed, let me at those stencils!

Want to see more? Take a virtual tour around Lulu’s gorgeous house on Livingetc.com.

Shake it up baby!

I LOVE shaker kitchens, and believe me, that’s nothing to do with my knowledge of 17th century American history. What’s great is that they’re really timeless and can be tailored to suit your style. So if you thought that to have a shaker kitchen meant you had to have an oast house in Kent with a golden labrador called Bonnie (was I day-dreaming?), think again!

So now for the all-important question – HOW DO YOU SHAKE YOURS?

Freestanding shaker-style kitchen – perfect if you get bored easily and want to rearrange your scheme. (This design by Plain English is perfect for the look.)

roomenvy - shaker kitchen for restless souls

Modern shaker-style kitchen - switch round door knobs for sleek metal handles and hey presto! (Visit Second Nature for more modern kitchen designs.)

roomenvy - shaker kitchens for the modern lovers

Wooden shaker-style kitchen - could work in both contemporary or rustic schemes, depending on the wood. (Crabtree has loads more shaker-style looks like this.)

roomenvy - shaker kitchens for contemporary cooks

Period shaker-style kitchen - ah the traditional country-style option, maybe invest in that oast house after all. (I just LOVE this design by Smallbone.)

roomenvy - shaker kitchens for country bumpkins

Colourful shaker-style kitchen – colour your kitchen happy by going for units in an accent colour. (Love it, too? Check out John Lewis of Hungerford.)

roomenvy - shaker kitchens for a colourful bunch

No room for white walls

There is nothing I love more than doing something creative with a plain white wall. Bold patterns, exciting textures and three dimensional fretwork can work wonders.

Check out this hallway from housetohome.co.uk – the perfect combination of detail!

A mixture of white lattice makes the most of the blue wall