White Chocolate and Cranberry Christmas Cheesecake

OK, I know 1. its been a while ...I'll update on that in a seperate post (hopefully later this week) 2. The image is strawberry cheesecake and not the afore mentioned Chocolate and Cranberry cheesecake. But anyway, why am I writing about cheesecake on the blog ?

...The explanation....earlier this year I was 'discovered' on twitter by a great networking group called 'Mums the Boss'. One of the key pillars of their strategy (as Argos would have said), amongst it has to be said lots of other fabulous things such as raising awareness of charities and supporting business set ups and Mums working from home, is baking cakes ! (Yum) To celebrate this, they are organising a Christmas Baking Carnival http://www.mumstheblog.co.uk/2009/12/07/christmas-baking-carnival/ , the idea being that everyone blogs about their favourite Christmas cake and da daar...12 Bakes of Christmas....

I never baked...end of .. whatever I tried it just wasn't right, they flopped, they burst and covered the oven with gue or I forgot about them and they burnt. Until the arrival of my trusty friend the Aga. As part of educating me into how to use the Aga I went on a number of demonstration days - they are fab (even if you don't have Aga I would recommend them as you get to learn loads of recipes and eat lots of yummy food). One of the demonstrations was 'Christmas Made Easy', this to me previously meant do an Ocado shop and anything they don't have buy from M&S...oh how my cooking life was about to change ! It actually was easy and not too time consuming and the things that were time consuming you enjoyed doing anyway. So here is my Christmas Cheesecake recipe that even has the approval of my M-i-L who doesn't do deserts, just has a mouthful of everyone else's, so it can't be that bad! Hope you enjoy !

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE WITH CRANBERRIES

(Serves 6)

150g chocolate digestive biscuits, crumbled

50g butter

2 tubs of ricotta cheese

2 large eggs

200g white chocolate

300g fresh cranberries

120g caster sugar

1. Crumble chocolate digestives

2. Melt butter in a pan and add crumbled biscuits

3. Place biscuit mix into the bottom of a 20cm round spring form tin and pop in fridge to chill

4. Melt the chocolate

5. In another bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese and the eggs and then fold in the melted chocolate

6. Pour mixture on to of biscuit base

7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until or until set at around* 160 to 180 degrees or on the floor of a baking oven for the Aga

8. Whilst the cheesecake is baking place the cranberries in a pan with the sugar and cook gently until soft. Take off the heat and allow to cool

9. Pour the cranberry mix on top of the baked cheesecake and when cool release the sides of the tin

10 Serve with a little blob of cream - whichever takes your fancy...lush !

Wallpaper of the Week - Where has all the pink gone ??

http://www.lauraashley.com/Cerise+Pinks/TATTON-WALLPAPER/invt/3406700

"There's bound to be loads", I thought, what little girl has not at some point in time asked for a pink bedroom ? I was needing to source a wallpaper for above a dressing table - just 2 drops to add a corner of luxury to a functional dressing room. I was looking for something striking, something luxurious, something glamorous, something girlie ....it just had to be pink !

So I started with my usual haunts (as GB commented the other day on one of the rare occasions that he read this blog "looks like you're sponsored by Graham and Brown"...but they just have the lushest papers !) ...serious shortage of pink ! Various other sources tried but nothing that would tick all of the boxes. There were pale pink butterflies, pale pink spots, pale pink fairies but what about a serious pink - a pink that would stop you in your tracks, catching your eye as you walked through the room perceived to be no more than 'storage space'.

Then I found it, in Laura Ashley, a shop I try to avoid but keep getting dragged back into. (Bad delivery experiences, shocking customer service and a risk that you can very easily date your room based on their key design for the year that they do to death.) Anyway, that said, they are doing pink..."Cerise"... its the serious pink range I was searching for, its grown up, it makes an impact, in classic designs, with lovely iridescent inks that unfortunately its difficult to show off screen .... more to the point they had stock in store so I was able to collect immediately !

I went for their Tatton design, which I have to admit appears to be this years 'Do it to death' design but its for use in a secret corner, met all of my requirements and more to the point its on Save 1/3 as well as giving a donation to the 'Think Pink' Breast Cancer campaign. ....Bring on the glamour !

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer/

Wallpaper of the Week - Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?collectionid=116

I know its a while since I've done a wallpaper of the week so I thought it was time to update you on a new range that I have fallen in love with !

I made the mistake of discovering that there is now a direct train from MK to the Design Centre at Chelsea Harbour - its one of my favourite places, I just get all dizzy and excited with the sheer volume of scrumptious fabrics, delicious wallpapers and don't even get me started on the trims ! If you haven't been I'd definately recommend it as its open to the public Monday to Friday - its just where do you start ?

I started with my favourite wallpaper showroom - Cole and Son - I needed to place the order for the flamingo's ! I was on the hunt for a paper to go behind an upholstered headboard to make a feature wall in a master bedroom - in my mind this had always been a dark paper, taupe, chocolate, coffee ...for no particular reason it just had been. I was so focused on the pink birds that it wasn't until I was walking out of the showroom on a mission to visit Romo fabrics and match some linen's that the Vivienne Westwood Cut Out Lace literally made me stop in my tracks !

I have searched and searched for an image of this paper that does it justice and I'm afraid that the ones I have shown just don't show it off to its lushest ! (On the advert above its the second dress in) As soon as I have it in situ I'll post a photo in the meantime the link above will probably be your best bet.

Its called 'Cut Out Lace' and is available in 3 colourways, Charcoal Black, Off White Linen (shown above) and Ecru and Taupe. The design was apparently first used in her Spring-Summer '07 I Am Expensiv collection, developed from a fragment of antique lace. Despite searching for a darker paper I was instantly drawn to the Off White Linen that had a full wall of the showroom dedicated to it.

The colours and shades representing the lace, give the paper a depth and texture that is almost 3D. From some lights the overall feeling is that this is quite a light coloured paper with a few darker accents but from other angles you almost feel yourself getting sucked in ! It was love at first sight. I did the usual, spend the rest of the day trying to find an alternative but there was nothing for it ...decision made !

...sorry I know its just a wallpaper, I'll shut up and go and do some measuring up or something !

"Shall I just keep out of it and put the kettle on ??" ...."ooh that sounds like a good idea !"

We are on week 6 of the works on IvyH. That's 6 weeks of sleeping in the spare room. 6 weeks of dust sheets on the stairs. 6 weeks of no wallpaper on the wall's revealing an interesting combination of pinky / lilac and chocolate brown in the hall that I've now stopped noticing ! 6 weeks of "water's going off" 6 weeks of battling to clear up any dangerous clips of electric cable, carpet grips, random nails that prove attractive to 3 year olds ! ...6 weeks of me getting the teas in !!

As I am now thinking of adding this to my answers in the 'What is your Profession ?' box....Interior Designer, Mummy, Tea Lady....I thought I would share my tips on 'keeping everyone suitably refreshed' ! So here goes :

1. Before they arrive do a shop, you will need the following items :

1. Tea bags - lots

2. Catering pack jar of coffee

3. Milk

4. Sugar - I can't remember buying the previous bag - I'm on my second bag since they started work !

5. A small plastic tray - its not good trying to lug around a standard size one when you are squeezing along a landing dodging the decorators scaffold and the electrician's hidden among the floor boards - there just isn't the elbow room ! Mine is about 15cm by 25cm cost a couple of quid from Ikea and can fit 4 mugs on quite nicely.

6. A selection of cheap multi coloured stoneware mugs. There are a number of reasons for this one :

(1) How many men do you know who could tell you how much an Emma Bridgewater mug costs and therefore, why it should be treated with a little bit of respect ? Don't risk your everyday mugs its just not worth giving yourself something else to worry about.

(2) If you get different colour random mugs you can assign each person a mug dependent on their coffee / tea / number of sugar combinations removing any confusion as to which cup has 6 sugars and which one has 4 - allowing you to speed up your making and delivery time.

I'm not talking about a major investment I got 4 different coloured ones (quite nice shades of taupes, creams, charcoals aka white, mud and grey !!) for £1.50 each in John Lewis so there are definately some bargains to be had out there if they can do them for that price.

2. Frequency of Refreshments : I've assigned the following times as a suitable balance of frequency and quantities of liquid :

(1) On arrival 8.15am

(2) 10am - keep those sugar levels up

(3) 12.30 to go with lunch

(4) 3pm who doesn't need a 3pm nudge !

3. Cakes ! Cakes are for Friday's only as there is no way that I could give out cakes and not join in myself ! The exception being birthday's - I don't go in for the singing but Small1 is usually happy to oblige.

This was supposed to be a blog about where the works are up to but it seems I may have been brain washed into having the same priorities as the builders...talking of which its 15.05 so I'd best dash back to the kitchen !

Ideas, Hints and Tips for Choosing Children's Bedroom Schemes

More than any other room, I get the most queries about children's bedrooms - must be the company I keep ! (A sign of a certain age bracket...the 1st houses are done....the hen nights and weddings slowing down ...time to join in the school run rather than the rat race !) So I thought what I would do over the next few weeks would be to come up with some ideas, hints and tips that would hopefully be a start at helping with these queries ..I say over the next few weeks I thought of this 3 weeks ago and it was my priority for Monday this week - its now Thursday and its dark outside !

So, first off a few thought provokers :

1. Think about how quickly they change their mind on favourite toys and how quickly they grow out of clothes ? The same could happen if your scheme is too focused. Choose an adaptable base. Go for neutrals, especially for carpets and probably the majority of the walls using your accessories to provide the 'story'. One wall of feature wallpaper or colour is easily enough updated without incurring a massive cost when all of a sudden your 4 year old declares that princesses are for babies ! (I daren't mention Hannah Montana !) Having a neutral base enables the room to grow with the child or change its function without too much upheaval, emotional or financial !
2. Think storage, storage, storage - Its Father Christmas, Birthday's, hand-me-downs etc etc they seem to be magpies when it comes to 'stuff'. Priority should be easy to use i.e. can you throw in toys from the middle of the room enabling a full room clear up during the time it takes for them to come up with the excuses as to why they couldn't possibly help you tidy up the mess that they have created because their belly button hurts / their teddy bear has not cleaned its teeth properly / they are listening to the nee nor going past / they are busy practicing their yoga tree ? The slide in fabric drawers are a fantastic option, a sort of easy-aim toy filing system. Never under estimate the amount of storage you'll need and always have some under-bed-on-wheels-boxes ...if nothing else it removes the option of them hiding under there when they are supposed to be getting in the bath !
3. If the child is old enough to speak they are probably old enough to have an opinion - you need to choose whether you are going to go along with it or 'tweak it' but remember if you have asked their opinion they will remember their answer. This could then go a few ways, they'll either stick to their guns until the end of time, probably when the answer didn't meet with your approval or change their minds on a daily basis....in our current building site I asked Small1 what colour he would like the bathroom to be ? Blue! The look on his face when the bath was delivered ..."but its white Mummy I'm having a blue bathroom"... Manage their expectations, if yours are anything like Small1 the whole world will get told the plans, rather like birthday parties ! Let them know that if they have asked for blue that there will be some bits that are blue but some bits that are other colours too !
4. Try not to be too precious about it - after all it is 'their space' and when they insist on lining up a row of dolls in order of 'which-doll-is-best-friend-with-which' rather than your 'predetermined-colour-co-ordinated-height-order' you may just have to learn to live with it! This said, there are some practical times when you need to stick to your guns ...when they decide that the dress-up clothes stand "needs" to be within arms reach of the bed so they can jump out of the PJ's into the Spiderman outfit before you've had chance to realise, then refusing to take it off to go to school / granny's / Tesco's ! All I'm saying is choose your battles wisely.
5. Choose where you spend and where you save - if you are reading this you are probably quite house proud (or my Mum, not saying that she isn't house proud too) - and yes its one of those great rooms to work on, you can really get your teeth into co-ordinating this that and the other ...before you know it you can spend a couple of hundred quid on 'matching accessories'...your 2 year old will really appreciate the £8 you spend on the light switch cover that has a car on it because it will clearly be him that can reach up the 5 foot to switch the light on and off ...however, you will really appreciate the extra investment that you made getting the curtains black-out lined, meaning that you get the extra sleep in the mornings when the clocks change ! (I know the blackout lining will cost more than £8 but all the £8's add up scarily quickly !)

So, now we've covered a few ground rules what do you actually put in the rooms....well that's next on my To Do List ...and I'll get back to you right after I've re-ordered the Thomas the Tank Engine Trains into numerical order!!....first up ...Girls Rooms....

"New, No Faff, Interior Design for Everyone"

http://www.hogstyend.co.uk/Images/Ivy%20House%20Interiors%20Oct%2009.pdf

Just thought I'd update everyone on a promotion that I'm currently running in order to trial a slightly different approach to Interior Design.

I've become very aware over the past few months after speaking to various people, that there is a perception that 'Interior Design' is out of most people's reach, generally for financial reasons. I have decided that my latest mission is to banish this myth !!

My first step was to come up with an offering that is straight forward, self explanatory and with absolutely no room for any concerns over hidden costs. I took some 'inspiration' from the high street and similar to the likes of Laura Ashley and Fired Earth I have put together a package based around a 'Room Scheme'. Basically you show me the room, tell me what you like and don't like and I'll produce you a board displaying a choice of paint colours, wallpapers, upholstery fabrics, cabinet furniture, accessories etc etc as required. Quite straight forward really ?!

Next step was to call on the help of our fantastic local trade handbook 'The Hogsty End Handbook' (Hogsty End was the original name for Woburn Sands) and I have taken a double page advert that you can see from the link above.

The advert is launching the scheme with a £50 saving for all enquiries made before the 31st December 2009 and I thought it only right that I offered it to blog readers too ...that's an entire room planned out for you with no weekends spent dragging the begrudging other half around the shopping centre looking for curtains or blinds, no Sundays spent in Homebase spending a fortune on paint tester pots only to come home and find that you already had most of the colours from the last room that you decorated ! Just hand over the room to me and I'll get on the case on your behalf !

Call 07711 293320 for more details, thank you, SB

Can't think of wallpaper ..only of mayhem !

First day back from holiday, mountains of washing, ironing etc etc oh and a houseful of workmen ! Its 9.40 and I've only made one round of drinks but feel the next one may be expected.

In a change from the norm I thought that I would forego another week of Wallpaper of the Week - sorry none last week either as I was in cloudy Greece ! - and bring everyone upto date on the plans for my current project as I'm bound to be wittering on about it enough over the next few weeks !

This project is slightly different to others that I undertake as its my own house. Whether that makes it easier or more difficult I'm yet to decide. When working on your own project its tempting to fall into the trap of tweeking things as you go along rather than getting all of your plans really really clear and sticking to them. I'm being a bit more take it as it comes with this job and that has already entailed an entire day trapsing round various plumbing suppliers looking for someone who stocks in a 3 way shower valve - lesson learnt !

So the job ... replace en suite, block in doorway that leads off the landing into en suite (random), replace family bathroom, block in window from bathroom onto landing (also random), put fireplace back into master bedroom, decorate en suite, dressing room, bedroom, bathroom - inlcuding flooring, curtains, blinds etc. Then because of the structural doorways and windows we need to do the hall stairs and landings (2 of them) including replacing 57 spindles and staining the handrail - a job I have decided to undertake myself. Add into this renovating the original 1904 sash windows - ahem note the renovators have yet to arrive ! - and the jobs a good 'en !

My personal jobs today have included dustsheeting my 8 foot high bookcases as I'm refusing to clear them and plastic sheeting over the children's bedroom doors to try and minimise the number of nights spent listening to wheezy children over the baby monitors.

....will keep you updated on progress and add a few piccy's along the way but for now the tray of empty mugs has been delivered back into the kitchen ...think thats a hint !

WEEK 13 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

http://www.cole-and-son.com/collection_detail.asp?CollectionID=11

(you'll need to scroll to the right on the option below the main image to find the flamingo's - they won't let me do a direct link)

Tomorrow, the carnage begins ! After closing the door to IvyH behind the builders 19 months ago it has taken us this long to build up the courage to open it again. Tomorrow, what has been entitled "The Final Push" begins ! Out with 2 bathrooms, one doorway, one window, one bare brick wall, 57 spindles in the staircase and don't forget the hideous orange wallpaper that we've put up with in our bedroom since moving in over 4 years ago ! and in with .... yep you've guessed it - THE FLAMINGO'S !

I thought it may take more convincing than it did but GB has agreed (and he was given alternatives) that to have these Cole and Son Flamingo's living in our new 'grown up' ensuite will make a great feature wall. I'm sooo excited - about the wallpaper - not about the 3 month schedule of work that lies ahead of us !

Although I'm choosing to hide them away and keep them as my own secret luxury, I'll be making a habit of showing them off to people so maybe if others were to use them they might choose a more visitor friendly feature wall ! We've gone for the original pink flamingo's on the grey background to sit alongside the white suite and black floor tiles. Definately feature wall only - available in a range of colours, click on link to see more.

Off to take photo's for the 'before' shots, then get packing - everything into boxes hopefully to be taken out again this side of Chistmas !

Home is ...where there are memories ?

At 11.30am yesterday, at the end of a drive, at the bottom of a quiet cul-de-sac, a 33 year old could be seen swinging on a not particularly substantial wrought iron gate. Look more closely and behind the oversized sunglasses, tears were trickling down. For 33 years I had been told "not to swing on the gates" but this was the last time I was going to be able to disobey this rule.

My Grandma and Grandad lived about a mile away from the home in which I grew up. They were closer to school than we were. Looking back their house was simply a detached and slightly removed extension of my home...only in my memory (with the exception of swinging on the gates) we could get away with more there !

My memories of "26" as it is affectionately known are endless...playing bus on the stairs, putting rollers in Grandad's diminishing hair, dressing up in Grandma's hats, scarves, shoes ...., eating artic roll...I could go on...More than anything the lasting memory is playing "house" in their back garden on a paved area tucked behind the garage, surrounded by a make-shift low level wall made up of bits of broken paving slabs. See we had imagination - and a yellow melamine tea set !

I walked around "26" yesterday replaying all of these happy times and was struck that this really was a home. The decor may not be to my taste but even if I had gone with my work head this wouldn't matter. What is important is that for nearly 60 years this building had provided a base for my Grandma and Grandad to bring up my Dad and Uncle, welcome my Mum into the family and then continue to look after the generations with me and my Sister calling in to wreck the place every Wednesday after school.

I was reminded that although I can try my hardest to create beautifully decorated houses for people to live in, it takes memories to be created there before it can be called a home.

WEEK 12 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Grandeur by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen : 50003 : Graham & Brown

After last weeks rather 'loud' scheme I thought I would return to a more sedate offering this week. Designed by someone who probably wouldn't instantly come to mind as sedate, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has surprised me with this paper. A leafy flowing print, its calming and swirly and easy to look at (not adjectives used to describe the designer himself !)

Its your traditional wallpaper walls for this one, so hallway, living room, dining room or bedrooms. But saying that it is very flexible to a whole host of styles of houses or apartments. Its also going to be relatively straight forward to add into either an existing scheme or create a new scheme around it due to the neutral tones that it uses.

In fact I would say that if its your first trip into the wonderful world of patterned wallpaper then this is a good place to start. To put it into context its about £30 for a 10 metre roll and you won't need any other pictures / prints / accessories on the wall, just a packet of wallpaper paste and you're done ! You're going to make an impact but its not going to be possible to get it too scarily wrong.

My All Time House Wish List...

Porta Romana - Table Lamps

I know its a Tuesday and I don't usually ramble on at you all on a Tuesday but I'm attempting to clear my desk and came across an image of this table lamp to be stuck on my board that is reserved for the things that "I really really want". I personally think this lamp has everything. The shade is great proportionally and in such a timeless colour that it will go absolutely anywhere. And as for the base well it ticks all my boxes, quirky, interesting yet unobtrusive....just thought I'd do a 'Show and Tell' (I spend too much time with 3 year olds !)

WEEK 11 -WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Funky Floral by British Design Talent : 50015 : Graham & Brown

Yep its loud ! You're definately not going to miss this one, but its so 'happy' that I couldn't resist it ! Not for the feint-hearted or those prone to hang-overs but definately one for the young or young-at-heart. It needs to be used alongside furniture, fittings and accessories that are going to complement it not contrast with it. In that sense its not going to be the easiest of papers to use as you will need to be strict with yourself or its going to look a mess ...basically !

I'd go for the room grouping of girl's bedroom, family bathroom (make sure you Polyvine it to prevent it curling or staining) and utility room perhaps ? I like a quirky scheme in a utility room (mine is currently bright blue and I mean bright !) they tend to be easier to dress in a fun way than a kitchen and its always nice to open the door to the engine room of your house and find yourself smiling at your secret scheme than feeling glum at the amount of washing and ironing you have to wade through !

WEEK 10 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Fracto by Umbra : 60045 : Graham & Brown

This is so lovely and fresh, so much going on but done in a classy way. I love the green, it would be great in a room that gets the morning sun, preferably opening out on to a garden. Its so light and clean and works well when placed in a neutral scheme and teamed up with lots of fresh brilliant white woodwork.

Its going to make a feature without taking over and dominating and I love the addition of the sparkly cushion in the image above as it really sets the whole scheme off.

I would recommend this for a reception room as I mentioned earlier, if possible one that links to the outside world. So a feature wall of kitchen / dining room or a solid wall in a conservatory would suit it perfectly. Hmmm but thinking about it, alongside a squidgy satin quilt in ivory and a few sparkly cushions piled up on top of a bed it would look equally as lush in a bedroom - ooh decisions decisions...

WEEK 9 - WALLPAPER OF WEEK

Damask by British Design Talent : 14706 : Graham & Brown

Back to my roots this morning, a damask print, a classic ! This particular damask has such a lovely colour and scale. The lilac and charcoal colours give off a warming feeling in a colour scheme that despite being modern is not going to date easily.


I would use it wherever it will fit ! Unfortunately despite being beautiful its not that flexible. Its not going to be suitable for a low level building due to the height requirement for the rather large pattern repeat. But, give it a lovely high ceiling, preferably with a picture rail, good old pure brilliant white above the picture rail and on the skirtings and you've got yourself a stunner !


This is a definite contender for IvyH, I'm thinking behind the headboard in the master bedroom and if the living room hadn't recently been decorated it would be shortlisted for the feature wall in there....I do love a good damask !

WEEK 8 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Trippy by British Design Talent : 15195 : Graham & Brown

Woah there Mrs B - I've just taken us all on a dizzy trip back to the year of my birth! I thought I'd go for a complete change, something to wake us up on this grey Monday morning (just). Yep its retro and its orange ...and I'm back there in 1980 with our orange washing up bowl, brown kitchen tiles and avocado bathroom suite. But this is bringing it right into 2009.

I would go dining room with this one, on one wall, with dark brown wooden furniture, if you can source it then you want the real thing, 1970's originals. I've gone dining room rather than living room as you don't want too much else in there to around it and dining rooms do tend to be rooms that we are better at not cluttering. You can tone it down by using it alongside a very neutral scheme letting the wallpaper do the talking or you can complement it by adding accessories (as shown in the picture) to highlight it further.

Not for the faint hearted, not for a period home, but if you're brave enough its going to look fab !

"Woman in Business" ...or am I just playing house ?

So this is me...sitting at my desk...as I am right at this moment.

I have to admit that the contents of the desk are slightly different today... The stack of four Starbucks paper cups are looking like some kind of mini modern art sculpture but are more representative of a secondary school science project...The hair is scraped back in a Monday-morning-get-the-smalls-to-school-quick-before-they-stop-serving-breakfast knot but its still me 'working' all the same.

The photo was taken last week for an editorial that I was asked to feature in the Bedford Times and Citizen. ( http://bit.ly/K9Y2p ) When I was initially contacted I was enticed by the discounted advertising rates and the fact that they had contacted me and not the reverse, meant my message was getting out. The paper had 'found' me as a result of being a member of the networking group 'Mums the Boss' (http://www.mumstheboss.co.uk/) they're fab - look at the site, read the blog, follow on twitter.... All of the small but numerous things that I had been busily working away at to try and get various marketing plans underway with my limited marketing budget were actually starting to lead to something.

Or am I just playing ?....Do you have those moments when you don't feel real ? When you wonder where the time went and how you got from where you were to where you are ?

At times I can't actually believe that I am Mum to not just one but two gorgeous little small people, real people ...no longer a "Paul" doll and a Cabbage Patch Kid. I have a house, a proper house, not a Wendy house built with plastic poles that we could roll down the garden. (I have the mother of all mortgages to go with the proper house but am not sure there was a childhood equivalent of that in the early 80's !). And I now have a business, my own business, my own responsibility, not a little pretend shop with my Casdon cash register that had to be turned upside down to get the numbers to go back down, but a proper business delivering a service to clients, hopefully making people happy in their surroundings.

So to then discover that my editorial was to be featured under the header of "Women in Business" was scary on a few fronts. "Women" surely I'm not old enough yet to be classified as a "Woman" yet ? "Wannabe" yeah, but at what age do I / did I become a "Woman" ?

And "Business" ...well I consider myself incredibly lucky on that front. I don't think of my work as a business. Business was my 'Previous Life', managing millions and the stress and long hours that goes with it. Ivy House Interiors is a love, its a dream and having lived the two lives how the two can ever be related I'll never understand.

So, I may have been titled a "Woman in Business" but I feel more like "Little Sarah being a very happy 33 year old". (33 ...can you believe it ?)

WEEK 7 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Mackintosh Rose by Hemingway : 16088 : Graham & Brown

Its just so lovely and ...round ! I've got a thing for really tight flower heads, roses, peony's etc (blimey that makes me sound like a right green fingered little thing - I'm not !) I think its just because I like things to look neat and this wallpaper has it all for me. Its classy, simple yet has so much impact and will go with any colour scheme you fancy.

And the weekly question of where would I put it ? Anywhere, well pretty much. Think it would be best used as a feature wall in living room, or behind the bedhead in a master or guest bedroom.

To complement it add chocolates, taupes then probably go for a few bold contrast pieces such as cushions in a striking duck-egg, a shocking pink or a crisp white.

WEEK 6 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Eco Highway by Central Saint Martin's : 17768 : Graham & Brown

I love this -yep I know another one, I just can't help myself ! This has a bit of a 'do-good' story behind it, the designer was looking to encourage children to think about their carbon-footprint (probably a bit deep for most but I suppose we have to start somewhere). The futuristic cars apparently run on milk rather than petrol...wouldn't it smell ? especially in the summer ?

I like it because its a children's design that doesn't look like its been taken straight off the pages of CBeebies Weekly. The colours make a nice change from the typical 'Blue for a Boy', although that said a navy bedding scheme would go really well with this.

So is it limited to a boy's bedroom ? I don't think it is - I think it would also work well for 'slightly older' boys for a quirky twist in a study with white gloss furniture and grey accessories. Let me know your thoughts...feedback always appreciated

WEEK 5 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Taylor and Wood - Frames by British Design Talent

Something a bit different this week - I first saw this paper a few years ago and I still think its such a great original idea. Basically the paper is white but covered with back-to-back picture frames just waiting for budding artists to fill them with whatever design they like. Slight concern, especially living with a 3 year old, is how you would tell a small person they could draw on this wall but not others, but hey a small price to pay for what would end up looking like an amazing display of bespoke original artwork !

Where would it go ? More like where wouldn't it go ? I'd choose hallway (who needs a visitors book when they can leave a comment of a different kind) a downstairs toilet (for a bit of graffiti like the old school toilets) or a family room / play room somewhere where the personality of the house can really shine through.

I'm getting all excited about it - you could have a wallpaper / house warming party and get all the guests to fill a box with a drawing or bring something to stick in it. You could simply add photos...ooh the possibilities are endless !

WEEK 4 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Wallpaper Direct - Bergmasque

This week I have been looking for a wallpaper for a 'Fairy Princess Bedroom'. My Small2 has her first birthday this week and I have to admit that I have been looking forward to creating a little girl's room since we found out that the bump was a 'she'. There are literally hundreds of specially designed children's wallpapers featuring fairies, princesses, stars, spots etc etc and butterflies ... I'm sorry but I just don't get butterflies I think I'd be trying to squat them - anyway, personal preferences and all that ...back to business.

The paper that I have chosen above is actually a "sugar pink flock on a pale opal base" and it has a shimmer (If only I could get a touchy feely blog to let you all see it in real life). probably not what you would first think of for a small girls bedroom, but place it on a feature wall with a soft pink and neutral colour on the other walls. Add in white painted furniture (I'm loving the sleigh bed in Aspace), a sparkly chandlier, some floaty white curtains, a pretty pink and white bed throw and some shimmery cushions.

Hmmm... Small2 will probably request 'Teletubbies' and I'll have to move into that room instead - shame !

That Friday Night Glass of Wine ...

What is it ? That moment when the wetness ripples like the ebb of a stream across the tongue. The clean, cool, crispness of the honey-like substance, refreshing and tingling in the mouth, effervescing against the taste buds.

Or is it the fact that in the inhalation before taking the very first sip, just three words come into the mind "its the weekend". The next few moments are mine, all mine, to savour alone. One of the few things that a Mummy can have to herself.

Mine is already in the fridge, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Ara Composite), way below the recommended temperature just as I like it. So as Pete Tong announces the weekend, as he does at 7pm every Friday in our house, to shouts of '"Are You Dancin'?" from small1, I will be swinging open the fridge door and enjoying my Mummy moment - enjoy yours x

Leaving behind the 'previous life' and trying to live the Ivy House values ...

Some weeks ago I gave Ivy House Interiors some values (see earlier blog post below) and I've realised in the last day that what I have set as my company values aren't currently the personal values by which I live my life. I'm there with most of them but what I hadn't realised was that more than 2 years after leaving the corporate environment, how much I was still brainwashed into a 'must deliver as soon as possible at all costs' mind-set.

I made my decision to leave the rat-race while travelling in the back of an ambulance with Small1 at 3am one Saturday in December. I can't remember having a 'defining moment' ever before but this certainly was one. I had returned to work 6 weeks earlier and in the space of those 6 weeks, Small1 was on his 3rd hospital admission after developing pneumonia. As I sat in the back of that ambulance opposite his tiny little face, smothered in an oxygen mask, I was trying to remember what was in my work schedule for the coming week and how I was going to fit everything in around being in hospital 40 miles from home - then like the biggest coldest wettest slap in the face ever possible, I looked up and (I'm now blubbing) there he was, my baby. By the time we got out of the ambulance at the other end I met up with GB and that was it - from that moment on my life had changed. My family are my priority and it was a great opportunity to follow my new found love of interior design. How lucky am I ?!

So why 2 and a half years on have I taken myself back to that ambulance journey ? Well, small2 has the chicken pox ('pops' as they are know in our house). My first thoughts, after berating myself for thinking we had got away with it (Small1 had them 21 days ago), was everything that I had planned to do with regards to the business this week and how it was going to have to be done in the evenings / nap times and how I was going to have to re-arrange a meeting that I was really looking forward to. Cue 2nd biggest coldest wettest slap in the face !

I am still very ambitious and I am going to make this business work. It will deliver both the results for the customers and the WAHM lifestyle to be able to support the family. But that's just it - and I'm being honest - my family will come first and poor spotty, grizzly birthday girl-to-be is my priority. The values that I set were customer facing and I've realised that GB, small1 and small2 are more than deserving of the same treatment. So as I sit here, on the landing outside her bedroom, I have remembered how lucky I am ...and the fact that I am my own boss means that if I need to launch my new website next week rather than this week, then that's what will happen ! ...please bare with us it will be worth the wait.

WEEK 3 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Wallpaper Direct - Dandelion Clocks

I've been searching wallpaper books for backgrounds to use on the website ...watch this space ! and came across this design which I have fallen for big time ! My 'usual' preference is currently for sparkly damask prints but this one has really caught my attention. (Have just done a wander round IvyH to see where I could squeeze it in !)

I love the raspberry with the grey and the pattern is striking and yet unoffensive. Yep its not going to be a classic that will live forever, but for the next few years I think it will be a great addition to any room.

So where would I put it ? A nice sunny kitchen / diner teamed up with grey linen and raspberry accessories or a living room alongside charcoal sofas - give it a try !

WEEK 2 - WALLPAPER OF THE WEEK

Wallpaper Direct - Classic Brown


The brief for this week's wallpaper has come from a friend of mine Mrs P. She has a lovely modern home with a neutral base colour scheme and is looking to add a feature to a dining room that links through into a conservatory. The furniture in the dining room is a lovely chunky oak suite.

After trying out various colour schemes but remaining unconvinced, I have opted to recommend the attached wallpaper from the Raffi Collection.

This modern yet unimposing design will add interest and subtle colour variation to the neutral scheme. The glossy pale blue will work well in a room linking into the conservatory and out into the garden and the base colour will add a further tone to the neutrals without changing the overall feel of the room or making the space close in. I would then recommend the use of chocolate brown and pale blue cushions on the conservatory furniture and the dining chairs.

WEEK 1 - WALLPAPER OF WEEK

Wallpaper Direct - Pembroke Duck Egg



This is a gorgeous colour and very easy to use damask design - for sentimental reasons I have choosen it as it was the first wallpaper that I used professionally - in my first showhome. I used this wallpaper in the lounge as a feature wall, sitting behind a shiny chocolate brown leather sofa.



WALLPAPER TIP OF THE WEEK

To co-ordinate the rest of the room take a small piece of your paper to a paint colour mixing place (Dulux or Crown Trade Centres or Homebase) and get them to mix you a colour to match your favourite part of the wallpaper design.

Welcome along ...

I have itchy feet (bloomin' cold ones actual as its freezing today) while waiting for my website to launch, so I thought I'd cheat and skip to the next step and add a blog post first !

HMMM... THINK THEY'RE COMPANY VALUES ...

In preparation for the website launch I've been trying to come up with a brief for JW (my newly found web designer). So I decided to try and put into words what Ivy House Interiors means to me and what I want it to mean to others - from a non-design point of view - I suppose in a roundabout way what I have been developing are company values ...poor JW has got the thankless task of trying to take my garble and turn it into something that looks pretty, and funky,...and quirky,...and logical, ...and like the vodka site that I found !! So I thought that as a start point for the blog I'd share these company values - then you all have the right to keep me on my toes and point out should I ever not live up to them !

10 WORDS TO DESCRIBE IVY HOUSE INTERIORS

1. APPROACHABLE & FUN ... 2 words I know but they're my rules so I can break them
2. UNPRETENCIOUS ... preconceived ideas about Interior Designers perhaps ?
3. BRILLIANT ...you can thank Michael Heppell for that one (http://www.michaelheppell.com/)
4. HOMELY ...its about creating homes after all
5. PRACTICAL ...sometimes you just need someone to get the job done....
6. PROFESSIONAL
7. RELIABLE
8. HONEST...but lets face it if you are paying for something you want 110% service (hence 3 values)
9. DOWN TO EARTH ...I'm a Lancashire Lass at heart
10. FLEXIBLE ...we can't all wait in from 8am until 8pm at 2 days notice for the gas meter to be changed !!

That's it now published ...I have no escape route ! Off to 'live the values' and put the kettle on for a nice homely, down to earth cup of coffee (practical as cheaper than putting the heating on to warm me up)...at least I'm being honest !