My Home Makeover

So I'm harnessing all this Spring energy that is abounding and I'm turning it towards my home. There have been multiple changes around these parts lately (more in future posts!) so I'm feeling the need to make over my surroundings to ring in the changes. Anyone who follows my inspiration boards on Pinterest will know that my favourite colour scheme is white and grey with pops of colour in the form of art, cushions, flowers and kids things...

So my sitting room is going to be a pale grey shade with new wooden floors...dark or light? I'm still not sure. I think dark floors are classic and rich but paler wood is Scandinavian and cool...as yet undecided! One thing for sure is that I will be designing one of my very favourite things - a gallery wall! I love this one with all white frames and I love the idea of mixing the contents. Art, photos, poetry, maps...all gorgeous.

I love how fresh this colour scheme is...great floor, right? And those round tables? I die...

All my books will be housed in white bookcases just like these. And yes, I'll be arranging them by colour!

I love this white sofa and natural rug...not sure how practical with two tiny people also living here...but sometimes you have to have what you love don't you? (and invest in a spare cover!)

The kitchen will be bright white. It's an airy, bright room as it is but I want to make it even more so... I love this table and will be trawling through old furniture auctions to find something similar. How gorgeous is the yellow frame!

I will be painting my kitchen units a shade of grey too...doesn't the delph look great against it?

Grey and white...super fresh!

I love these tones, what do you think?

Wanna come over for tea when it's done?

(images via my interiors boards on pinterest - click through there for credits)

Whitewash Floors

I think it's the threat of Spring in the air that has me lusting after bright, white interiors. I love the Scandinavian vibe - so fresh and clean. Whitewash floors are a nice way to emulate the cool Nordic style...
 

Love this bed quilt from Urban Outfitters...great colour burst in a white room.

Again, the floor! But I also love the cool grey colour palette and retro table...

A Space to Create

Guess who's back? Why, me of course!

Hello there you lot, I'm sorry for my disappearing act. I've been figuring out this whole Mother of two lark...it's busy let me tell you! I thought I had it sussed with one - I didn't!

Anyway, more of that in future posts, for now let's resume regular service with some lovely interiors to swoon over. Seeing as I'm back in the blogging saddle and and also looking for more official writing posts, I'm returning to my desk. Unfortunately, it's not actually a desk; it's the kitchen table, but I would love a proper desk with beautiful things around to inspire me. Have a look at these gorgeous work spaces (do you spot the dog in the pic above? How cute.)

I've always loved a pinboard (hence my addiction to Pinterest) and this sweet workspace... In my mind this is where Ellie Loves should come from!

Love those shelves. And the table. And the frames...

How could you not get the creative juices flowing here? So pretty and arty and bright...

This Just Rocks!

...no need to explain why!

Recipe Wall

Isn't this a sweet idea? Old recipes hung in frames for a kitchen wall. Doesn't everyone have old recipes that they have kept from Mums, grandmothers etc? What a good way to keep them current.
My Mum makes brown bread every day and she copies her own Mum's recipe and technique...such a nice way to keep something alive.

Navy & Gold

It's a classic pairing for a good reason. They look wonderful together. I love the subtle shot of sequins above...

Dress down the sparkle with a navy woolly jumper from Zara...

Ooh, I love this DVF dress...how divine for a glam Christmas party!

There's nothing I don't like about this shot...blazer, bag, watch, rings...swoon!

Silk simplicity with a delicate chain...

Now, that might just be the perfect blazer...

Navy metallic smoky eye...the contemporary way to rock a dark eye.

How lovely are these earrings, I'd love them to dress up a plain white T...

And this necklace with same white T!

Navy and gold work so well in interiors too..

I love that gold backdrop...so unusual.

Gorgeous arrangement...

(pics via pinterest)

In Praise of Bookcases

I love how a filled bookcase makes a room look... it doesn't have to be filled with books alone; art, flowers, candles, lamps. All are good.

A multitude of cookery books...

I love this idea of hanging pictures on the frame of the bookcase... isn't this a lovely space?

And again... something I think I might try in fact!

{Thursday Home Loves} Bright White

Today is dark and dull. The clouds are low and full of rain, the lights are on and we're cooped up indoors. This has me craving bright, light interiors and sunny colours... Sometimes a white backdrop is the only way!

I love these painted bricks and yellow picture...

I love the light fixture and picture arrangement in this gorgeous bedroom...

Now that's where I would like to sit to write Ellie Loves!

This is an Expedit Bookcase from Ikea used as a drinks cabinet- nice idea!

This painting paired with the rainy day has inspired me to paint again (I used to do it all the time!) I think I'll buy a big canvas and get the creative juices flowing again...

(pics via design sponge & Sacramento St)

Seats Of Gold

I'm quite taken with this idea of painting chairs. It must be that nesting instinct again! I'm pratically stalking around my house looking for things to paint/fold/arrange. But seriously though, aren't these gold chairs amazing? I would love a set of gold Eames chairs like the one above from OkayArt.com. They would look so great around an old wooden table...

This is a vintage Arne Jacobsen Egg chair in old worn gold...Lovely

This painted armchair from Anthropologie is really rocking my world today...it would look so fantastic as an accent chair...

Blackboard Paint

I have a new obsession - blackboard paint! I love blackboards anyway, particularly in kitchens, but it's quite hard to find the perfect size and shape to make an impact. Often the ones you come across are too small - fine for notes and shopping reminders but not big enough to make a statement. That's where blackboard paint comes in! You can paint any surface; tables, walls, anything!

Fireplace surround!

Love this entire wall with chalk illustrations...would only work in a very bright room obviously, but it's pretty cool!

This is an excellent way of using the paint - big squares on a white wall - one for adults, one for kids drawings!

(pics via Red)

Splash of Colour

It's pretty easy to get stuck in the old reliable 'neutral' palette in interiors. But it is a tad boring, no? I'm a huge fan of a pop of colour. It makes you feel better, it's whimsical and unique...See where you could paint a wall or piece of furniture and watch your home become more of an art installation of sorts! I love this deep blue wall...

Paint something bright! I'm in the process of painting an old white chest of drawers a deep cherry red to store the new baby's clothes. Add a flock of deer and birds at your leisure!

As most of you will know, I am a devotee of gallery walls, but what I love about this one is the mix of colour and styles (including kids art) and the yellow chair with matching stripe in the rug. Lovely stuff!

Sweet Tweet

How adorable is this door stopper from Rockett St George? A million times better than those generic plastic things everyone has... Love it!