Hall of fame

I have a dining room with an under-stairs alcove, that I’ve been wondering what to do with for a while – we’ve eventually decided to put a sideboard there and use it as a bar-type area, complete with drinks tray and swish glasses. It can be an awkward space to decorate though, which is why I thought this hallway space, below, is my ‘room of envy’ this week.

Stencilled leaves trailing down the wall in that under-stairs alcove make a great alternative to plain paint or wallpaper, and the chair isn’t just decorative but practical too – there’s times we all need to sit down to tie laces/take shoes off, etc.

The pillar at the left corner of the picture adds a Grecian-style touch to the space, and it’s a great way of showing what can be done with a small, awkward area the size of a postage stamp!

Laurie

SAVE THE DATE! Walls webchat this Thursday, 1pm

Ok so, I might not feel as rested as I could be after a busy weekend, but if anything’s going to snap me out of the Monday tiredness it’s the prospect of stealing wow-factor wall tips this Thursday lunchtime.

Wall stencil guru and co-founder of The Stencil Library, Helen Morris, is popping into Housetohome.co.uk for a Wow-Factor Walls Webchat at 1pm, and is sure to reveal some fab tips and advice – so much more fun than standing in the queue at M&S!

Click here to sign up for an email reminder and get those niggling questions ready!!

roomenvy - create wow-factor walls with top wallpaper and stencil tips

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