pack it in!

I am such a hoarder, I hate chucking things out, you just never know when they could come in handy again. I spotted the image below of 2 crocodile leather suitcase in a magazine and it reminded me I had some in the attic!

I have had my 2 Vintage Suitcases in the attic for the last god knows how many years. I think they have moved house with us many times but I've never quite found the right place for them. But I have dusted them down and they have now provided a nifty storage solution for all my bedroom "stuff" like hairdryers and have become a handy showcase place for my vintage bags. I was starting to despair there is so little storage place in our house, I am glad that I didn't chuck them out, could just do with finding a few more now!



lisa@id-homes.co.uk
www.id-homes.co.uk

tick tock....

I love collections of things, mirrors, ornaments, whatever really that creates visual impact, or interest. If its a little bit quirky all the better. I spotted this image recently, this eclectic mix of battered and ancient alarm clocks is ever so sweet.

Lisa@id-homes.co.uk

http://www.id-homes.co.uk/

love where you live

the power of three

I am working in the dining room it feels a bit more festive in there than in my office. Need sunglasses though the light is really bright because of the snow reflecting off the ground outside, but it's a beautiful view to look.

Most thoughts of staying in during the cold weather revolve around cosy warm fires, lots of cosy colours and throws. In contrast this bedroom looks xmasy but in a wintry way!
I thought the room looked beautiful but a bit stark. Although I love the simplicity and perfection of the way the accent colours are balanced. A perfect styling example of the theory of the power of three. The off black connected in the woodwork colour, throw and lampshade, and the gold reflected in the lamp base, mirror and colours in the rug.
love the styling but it needs warming up, and so do I, I'm off to put another jumper on!

lisa@id-homes.co.uk
www.id-homes.co.uk

lover where you live

shelved

I think spring cleaning is so overrated its the pre and post Xmas clear outs which are the most thearaptic! A good clear out pre xmas to make room for all those fab pressies and the post xmas clear out to get rid of those less than usefull pressies!

My new years resolution (in addition to having an alchohol free month) is to master the art of de-cluttering. No more overspilling drawers and stuff falling out when cupboard doors are opened. So I've been having a clear out over over the holidays and rearranging my shelves and cabinets so for at least a few weeks my home looks show house pristine. It does require some willpower to put only the best of your belongings on show. But less is more!

Kitchens are the hardest to style, so much easier to leave applinaces, cups and hardware on countertops, but it can just end up looking like a student kitchen. A great strategy is to collect items that look great left out and you just can't go wrong with white crockery, glasse and wooden bowls. These images show just how stylish it can look

lisa@id-homes.co.uk
www.id-homes.co.uk

love where you live

recycled xmas

Yikes only a few days to go till Xmas. I am not very prepared having been foiled by the weather, that's my excuse. I did order a few presents but they're stuck in the postal system so I braved the snow yesterday and walked into town to get a few pressies. I managed to forget the wrapping paper though, what a twit. It made me improvise, I used some brown paper, string and I cut off the ends of the Xmas tree to add a bit of colour and stuck it through the bows .
It was fun having to be bit more creative, I think I am going to wrap the rest of the presents using newspaper and ribbon, thoroughly environmentally friendly!
I do love simple Xmas Decos. I Spotted this simple but pretty xmas styling idea as well, pine trees branches and candles to decorate window sills, very festive.

lisa@id-homes.co.uk
www.id-homes.co.uk

love where you live

xmas countdown

snowflake stickers

I haven't bought a present yet or even started a list, nor ordered the turkey. I am surprisingly calm about it. Living in Bath has that sort of effect on you, being 5 mins walk from hundreds of amazing shops does breed complacency. I know its going to be a breeze to walk into town and shop till I drop.

The Xmas trees are about the only thing I have organised, 3 this year! One for the upstairs living room and and one for downstairs living room, both colour coordinated of course and my daughter wants to decorate the third with edible decorations, marshmallow and pop corn garlands and gingerbread decorations, sounds like a tasty idea.

The simplest things make the most lovely Xmas decorations. A huge bowl of oranges or fir cones, simple white candles and freshly cut foliage. Or go for a simple theme, I found these lovely snow flake stickers and snowflake tea light holder on www.Coxandcox.co.uk. If you have some lovely Xmas styling tips post them on

facebook- interior design bath id-homes.

lisa@id-homes.co.uk

www.id-homes.co.uk

love where you live

all cozy wozy

I managed to sneak in a bit of shopping in when I was in London last week. I Headed to Oxford Street for a bit of shopping; window shopping only of course. Sooo lush, Zara in particular was full of the scrummiest Autumnal delights.

It all felt a little Ralph Lauren Home the colours were all caramelly, fudgy and lots of flashes of tartan and paisley. The textures were full on texturial porn, soft velvets, suede's and wools. I am loving the slouchy leather satchels and swirly plaid skirts, its all very modern and hunting and shooting set. I thought the colours and textures were quite inspirational and I predict that next winter will see a lot of these heading for the shelves of the home styling stores.

Its not been so much as autumnal feel at the moment but a Arctic winter feel, get those roaring fires going now! There are some lovely warm throws about at the moment I've been wrapping myself up in a lovely warm blanket from www.melin trygwynt.co.uk - warm as toast I am !!!

lisa@id-homes.co.uk

http://www.id-homes.co.uk/

love where you live

dark and sultry

Great minds think alike. I thought I was being brave going for a dark paint colour in the study but I was looking at some interior design blogs and found these lovely dark and sultry room schemes. Its a great wall colour and comes into its own in these long cold dark nights (Farrow and Balls Down Pipe or Off Black ). It creates a surprisingly cosy and comforting space. The bedroom room scheme above with its mix of retro bed and contemporary looks really chilled and fabulously sophisticated. Using a warm accent colour like yellow and red stops the schemes from becoming to serious. The bedroom rug is from the rug company and the study light is from Abigail Ahern.

lisa@id-homes.co.uk

http://www.id-homes.co.uk/

love where you live

ballroom blitz

I can't believe that the year is nearly over, it feels like it been all work and no play. Its amazing how unglamorous the role can be, infront of clients its all a calm well presented front, but on the coal face I have ended up in my scruffiest clothes mucking in to get a project in on time more often than not, hair and nails covered in paint.

I saw this picture and longed to get glammed up and hit the town for a bit of R&R. Sadly I am not sure Bath has anything so grand or glamorous.

Its Tom Dixon, one of my design hero's, latest offering, the Tasmania ballroom in Hong Kong. The owner wanted a Private club atmosphere without the stuffiness. The look is a very refined James Bond feel with retro-high tech, combined with a confident cool club atmosphere. The result is a exclusive and glamorous mix of pool club/night club/private club. Dixons key pieces include the cone, pipe and copper shade lights and off-cut stool.

Mmm I think a definite location for cosmos and laboutins!

lisa@id-homes.co.uk

www.id-homes.co.uk

love where you live

chop-chop

Inspiring and definitely unexpected this is not your typical Steak House Restaurant, its recently opened in Stockholm of all places. I love the way that the design company, Stylt, responsible for the make-over have created a really interesting homely atmosphere but have spiced it up with hints of travel, science and glamour. The brief was to create an eclectic interior mixing alchemy and mysticism. Hats off to the clients who had the imagination and bravery to go with such an unconventional look.

lisa@id-homes.co.uk

www.id-homes.co.uk