10 June 2015

Day Out at Grand Designs Live 2015

Last month I was lucky enough to attend Grand Designs Live 2015, which I'd been wanting to attend for such a long time. I love the programme so much, watching different projects unfold and really delving into different families dreams and seeing them come true. The show always celebrates innovative products and materials, as well as amazing designs that most wouldn't even contemplate on their homes! Can you remember your favourite ever episode? If you loved that show, then you should check out a new one created by Channel 4 and British Gas called Home Truths

I've got to say, however, that Grand Designs Live was a little different to what I was expecting - I was imagining different makeshift houses and rooms created with the best innovative products and designs of the future, but instead the show was much more trade based. But that doesn't mean I didn't find some amazing products - here's the ones that really stood out for me!
1. The most amazing sheds I have ever seen, which are called (you guessed it) Amazing Sheds! You may recognise them from TV's 'Amazing Spaces', being the brainchild of Amazing Spaces' very own George Clark and William Hardie from Studio Hardie. They really did look amazing (someone grab me a thesaurus!) in real life, being so contemporary and with every possible nook and cranny carefully thought about - I especially loved the enamel wall sink. They are all also completely customisable so you can create your very own perfect little haven, whether it be a workshop, home office or even just a little space to chill out. Definitely putting one on my future wishlist!

2. It's not something that I would actually get much use out of as yet, seeing as I still live at home, but I really think that Hive is the future for central heating and hot water! Working with all suppliers, Hive allows you to control your heating and hot water from an app on your phone, tablet or laptop so you could be coming home from work and turn on your hot water ready for a bath, or be across the world and decide you want to heat the house for an hour or two to prevent any frost, etc. Not only does it make controlling your hot water and heating so much simpler, it's also supposed to save up to £150 a year on heating bills! Plus, it's £199 and that includes the full kit and installation! 

3. How pretty is this cushion? It's made with William Morris fabric and is part of the Remade In Britain collection; a website that's dedicated to celebrating upcycled products. There's literally everything to find, from tea sets to large pieces of furniture.

4. For me, this was one of the coolest things I saw at the show - magnetic plaster, by British Gypsum and Rooms Made for You. As it is a plaster, it sits underneath your paint, so you can literally have any colour room you want, BUT you can also stick whatever you want to it! I'm just imaging the amazing feature walls I could create - over to Pinterest I think! 

5. I'm usually always a fan of more traditional, freestanding kitchens, however the designs by SOLA Kitchens are so beautiful, contemporary and Scandinavian I now find myself pining over an ultra-modern glass house overlooking the sea! 

6. I love pizza. So much. So I need to get myself one of these - The Original Pizza Maker, it cooks any pizza in 3-4 minutes but it's been designed to replicate a mini pizza oven so you get both the crispy base and soft, melted cheese topping. Not only that, apparently it's perfect for pancakes, fry-ups and fajitas. Check out please!  

7. In the next year or so, I'll be moving bedrooms and that means lots of inspiration needed! I'm very picky when it comes to wall colours, but Paint by Conran has been inspired by British landscapes, so they're all very fresh, beautiful and natural looking! 

8. If you're a lover of everything retro or vintage then you need to get The Vamp in your life! They're designed to transform any speaker into a modern, portable bluetooth speaker - that way you can salvage and upcycle any old and bulky speakers and have them play your chosen songs from your phone. 

9. Okay so not only are these floor tiles an unusual shape so you can create whatever geometric pattern you wish in your home, they also come in the most amazing colours and they're called RepTiles - what more could you want? Seriously, you should check out their website to see some of the designs they have as inspiration! 

10. Smithson create some truly beautiful and on-trend lights, that are either made from original vintage pieces or inspired by them. Their style is so industrial; think pendants lights, decorative filament bulbs and amazing machinist lamps! 

Have you ever visited a home show that you would really recommend? I'd love to know! Also, if you attended this years Grand Designs Live, what was your favourite product?

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7 June 2015

My Life in Print

Have you ever had a piece of clothing that is just so pretty and perfect that you want to wear it every single day as well as have it hanging up just so you can stare at it BUT at the same time you're a little scared of damaging it because it is just too perfect? (Nobody else, no?!) Anyway that's exactly how I feel about these culottes, from Oasis' collection in collaboration with the V&A - could there be anything more perfect?!

The collection focuses on some truly beautiful prints that are all inspired by eleven botanical 18th and 19th century designs, which gives each garment an exciting historical twist! As you know, I love everything botanical so I can't resist the collection. I especially love how Oasis have managed to take traditional prints and make them contemporary and work on trendy shapes, like the culottes. I knew I needed the culottes in my life straight away, with their feminine high-waist yet on-trend below-the-knee fitting. Plus, they seem to go with everything, from jumpers and denim jackets for cooler days to simple crop tops for the summer.

I headed to my local (and personal favourite) National Trust property, Ightham Mote, as I thought the rose gardens, beautiful old walls and hidden details would be the perfect setting to show them off! What piece from the collection have you made a beeline for?

 Culottes: Oasis 
 Grey JumperZara
 Denim Jacket: Topshop
 Heeled Espadrilles: New Look
♥ Bucket Bag: H&M
Sunglasses: Primark

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5 June 2015

Home Details: Flamingos!


I never thought I'd say this, but at the moment I just can't get enough of flamingos - but it seems that right now is the perfect time to get a little bit obsessed with the bright pink bird as they seem to be popping up everywhere! If you follow me on Instagram (@charlestown92) you will have seen my amazing new light bulb, complete with a miniature flamingo and palm tree inside, which I think may be my favourite thing at the moment! My mum bought a black flex and copper fitting for it and I'm planning to somehow screw it into my bell jar. If you've got any ideas, please let me know! 

Don't you just think flamingos are the perfect icon for summer? They're so tropical and kitsch but not too tacky! I might treat myself to the cocktail sticks for summer BBQs and I also so badly want to get my hands on the Flamingo float from Lark but it's very out of my price range, but the hot pink version from Prezzybox is just as cute!


1. Pair of Flamingos, from Rose & Grey - £26
2. 5 Flamingo Candles, from Topshop - £11.50
3. Prince's Trust Flamingo Cushion, from George at Asda - £7 
4. Pink Inflatable Flamingo, from Lark - $89.95 
5. Monogrammed Flamingo Water Bottle, from Karion Designs via etsy - £23.50+
6. Flamingo 'Rapido' Notepad, from Rifle Paper Co. via Holly's House - £6.50
7. Flamingo Fairy Lights, from Dotcomgiftshop.com - £14.95
8. Flamingo & Palm Tree Light Bulb, from Temerity Jones via Lisa Angel - £8
9. 'Playa' Flamingo Cover Up Dress, from Kate Spade - £100
10. Flamingo Tea Pot- £66 & Flamingo Teacup and Saucer - £32, both from Lou Rata London via notonthehighstreet.com 
11. Flamingo iPhone 6 Case, from Kate Spade - £30
12. Flamingo Tea Light Holder, from Matthew Williamson via Debenhams - £14.80
13. Flamingo Cocktail Sticks, from Rockett St George - £2.50
14. Flamingo Print, from Frost + Dutch via notonthehighstreet.com - £20
15. Hot Pink Flamingo Pool Float, from Prezzybox - £23.95
16. Flamingo Print, from Paper Planes, via notonthehighstreet.com - £16.75
17. Flamingo Cushions, from Graham and Green - £60

What do you think about the flamingo trend? Is there any key piece I've missed out - I'd love to see it if so!
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