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 !