There’s nothing like a vibrant splash of colour to brighten up your living room amid the “do I really have to go to work?” miserable weather. Colour is a great way to liven up your look without forking out on an entire new decorating scheme. I’ve been checking out housetohome for my favourite living room colour ideas.

Try a duo-tone colour scheme. This living room teams a rich jade feature wall with a bright and cheerful coral sofa for a striking look.

roomenvy - two-colour living room scheme

Liven up your alcoves. This living room is tickled pink with bright and sassy floral wallpaper, vibrant striped curtains and accessories to match.

roomenvy - totally tropical taste

Add definition with white. A dark midnight paint shade on the walls allows stylish modern furniture to stand out.

roomenvy - statement eclectic whites

Colour doesn’t have to dominate. Why not add accents of bright colours with accessories and wall stencils – that way, the look can easily be updated if you change your mind.

roomenvy - colourful accents living room

Pick a colourful statement sofa. If you team it in a monochrome living room it will stand out and stand proud!

roomenvy - a touch of mellow yellow

I can see a rainbow!

I’ve pretty much decided that I’m going to have a stab at homemade Christmas tree decorations this year … not that I’m not going to find style inspiration from the high street though!

If you’re still wondering what style to go for, check out this video of gorgeous Christmas decorating trends from John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Homebase. You might find the exact style you’re looking for without even leaving the house. I think Christmas present shopping on the high street is dangerous enough, so I hope this’ll make the decoration shopping a bit easier.

The vintage-style Christmas trend has GOT to be my favourite. I just LOVE the chalky pinks and homespun hearts.

Just when I had allowed myself to get excited about Christmas decorating (however premature that might be) I was invited to see get a sneak peak at Marks & Spencer’s spring/summer 2010 homeware collection – and it would be rude to keep it to myself!

However frightening it was to think about summer in the garden at the same time as I was thinking about all those mince pies, I was so excited to see their gorgeous new patterned cushions and tropically bright tableware.

You’ll have to wait til next year to get your hands on these beauties but prepare yourself for florals, florals and … more florals.

roomenvy - bedroom in bloom

roomenvy - dining table flower power

I thought I’d spare you the alfresco dining shots – in a season of darkness at 5pm, that’s just cruel!

Looking for ideas for Christmas decorations? You’ve finally decorated your home in your personal style and now begins the next challenge – finding festive accessories to match.

So what’s your Christmas style? Mine consists of trying to match every single one of ‘those cute decorations’ I see everywhere and want to buy, whilst hoping they’ll go with my white-painted floorboards. Who says modern fluorescent baubles and country-style won’t go?

Have a nosy in these real-life homes for decorating ideas for every room. I thought asking the owners for Sunday lunch was pushing it, though.

Get the log cabin fever with this beautiful Alpine chic Christmas house.

Glistening decorations and elegant Christmas table settings complete this Christmas contemporary home.

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

I’ve been on the hunt for more decorating trends on Homes & Gardens. I love this glamorous Parisian-chic look even more than I love the fact it’s Friday! Yes, it’s fairly high-end but that doesn’t put me, and my ‘not exactly a mansion’ house, off! There are plenty of great style ideas to steal!

Go for a sugared-almond pink shade on the living room walls and team with tightly upholstered & button-back furniture to get that glam Parisian look.

roomenvy - French-style glamour living room

Arrange furniture loosely and don’t be afraid to mix and match designs – it’ll add that ‘relaxed French cafe’ feel. Gold accents liven up the pastel green walls in this dining room.

roomenvy - pretty pastels dining room

It’s all about elegant upholstery and generous curtains in vibrant colours. A screen like this is ideal for breaking up a large open-plan space.

roomenvy - flamboyant soft furnishings

I’m not sure about this hallway idea though. I think green walls look great against the stone flooring, but a ship chandelier isn’t really for me – although, statement hallway lighting most certainly is.

The strewn scores of music are the best bit – nothing says Parisian glamour quite like imitating a restless 18th century composer!!

roomenvy - classic-style hallway

Some things continue to confuse me. Why do some girls wear high heels to watch the fireworks, for example? (for me it’s wellies all the way!) but nothing confuses me as much as this choice of kitchen decor.

I don’t know if they were going for the Eastern-inspired look or just really wanted metallic kitchen cabinets, but what I do know is that if you rub one of those cooker hoods, a genie will almost certainly pop out!

To their credit, it’s a sure-fire conversation starter. Check out housetohome’s gallery of ‘love them or hate them’ kitchens.

roomenvy - scary kitchen design

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

I’ve recently been invited to John Lewis on Oxford Street to indulge in some morning Christmas crafting! They’ve organised 3 days of ‘Christmas Tree Tutorials’ on the 18th, 19th and 20th December, where you can find your ‘Christmas Tree sense’ and make your own decorations to match. Book a place at promotions_oxford_street@johnlewis.co.uk.

I must say, I’m getting really excited about making my own Christmas decorations this year (I even dreamt about it the other day … should I admit that?). I’m going to stock up on ribbons, beads and buttons, pick one of those Sundays where it’s freezing outside yet sunny (conditions must be optimal) and snuggle into my pyjamas and get glueing.

Housetohome has some great Christmas craft ideas, like this super-cute toy sack.

roomenvy - homemade christmas toy sack

OOoooh and check out Martha Stewart’s ideas for homemade christmas decorations – they’re just fab!

I just LOVE this time of year! The fiery coloured leaves lining the path on the way to work, the excuse to wear wooly hats when your hair ‘just won’t go’, and ‘that’ smell of autumnal evening bonfires. Plus, it’s HALLOWEEN, which means 1) costumes, 2) an obscene amount of sugar and 3) scary movies!

I wish you all GHOULICIOUS Halloween weekend!! And if you need some last minute Halloween tips check out housetohome.co.uk’s essential guide. We’ve been busy gathering up party ideas, hunting out spooky Halloween events and putting together free Halloween decorations for you to download. I’m so excited!

And, if you fancy it, watch me getting down to some good ol’  pumpkin carving. I hope it’s helpful! And please excuse the cold – the one disadvantage with the autumn weather!