I share so much of my external world with you; today, I want to share something that is completely central to everything I do and all that I am.....
Happy Easter!
He is RISEN!
Sunday, 27 March 2016
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
My favourite colour for woodwork and trim: Dulux Trade White Gloss
It's always tricky deciding which white to choose to go with a particular wall colour, don't you find? To the point that many people make the mistake of leaving this is an afterthought.
My all-time favourite paint for woodwork and trim is Dulux Trade White Quick Drying Gloss.
Well, when I say my favourite, what I actually mean is my mum's!!
Yes, this top tip that has been passed down from mother to daughter
(as all the best tips are...!)...
and now I can pass it on to you!
I've used Dulux Trade White Quick Drying Gloss in all the rooms I decorated in our last house, and I've used it again in our new living room and family room (reveal to come!!). It's a simple but super-effective way to create a connection between spaces that I find makes a home feel so much more of a harmonious whole.
 |
| The dining room in our old house |
I thought today I'd share some images of those rooms from our last house too so you can see what I mean...
 |
| The Master Bedroom in our old house |
Another really good tip, is to think carefully about what your chosen 'white' colour will fade to, as, unless you like to repaint every year, that faded version will be the colour you'll be living with the majority of the time...
 |
| The kitchen in our old house |
...and *not* the brand new sparkliness of a fresh coat of gloss, extremely lovely though it is!
 |
| The kitchen in our old house |
Dulux Trade White Quick-Drying Gloss ages to a lovely, gentle white, with a very subtle hint of cream....
Modern Country Style at it's best:
contrast and warmth.
Voila...
{this is Dulux Trade White Gloss after about four years}
..and here it is looking rather brighter and newer,
now that it's been used as part of
our new Living Room Makeover...
The TV cabinet was painted about five yeas ago. Can you see how it looks a little creamier than the spanking new high skirting board colour?
 |
| The shower room in our old house |
It blends so beautifully with natural material: wood, marble, stone...
We used it with Dulux Trade White Quick Dry Wood Primer Undercoat for a double layer of toughness.
Please never, ever use poor quality gloss paint, particularly on the skirting boards and architrave, which get a huge amount of wear. It needs to be able to withstand a LOT of wear and tear....
...Especially in our home!!
Images: Modern Country Style
Monday, 21 March 2016
Modern Country Hotels: No. 131, Cheltenham
Let's talk colour, shall we?
Remember how I showed you The Wheatsheaf Inn not so long ago?
The owners of Wheatsheaf, Sam and George Pearman, also own this cracker. It's another boutique hotel, named simply No. 131, also in the Cotswolds, but this time in nearby Cheltenham.
And it's Georgian, which, natch, gets a big ol' tick from me!!
They've taken full advantage of all those lovely Georgian details, the huge sash windows, the lovely sense of symmetry.
I'm completely in love with how the couple manage the paint colours they've chosen.
Yes, they've stuck to a very limited palette of chalky greys, sultry taupes and a nod to the naturals with sea tones of blue and leafy greens...but you're not left with a sense of restraint; instead, you'll be bowled over by a wash of harmony.
So many stunners, it's makes it hard to choose a favourite room!
Boutique hotels like this leave me dripping with inspiration...
Coming your way very soon: my all-time favourite paint colour for woodwork and trim...
{You're in for a surprise!}
Images via No 131, Cheltenham
Saturday, 19 March 2016
How I Got My PERFECT Fireplace!
My perfect fireplace story starts late last year when I was in full planning mode for our living room and thinking, in particular, about white marble mantelpieces with arched inserts (obsession described here!). I happened to pop into a Wesley Barrell and, hear those angels sing, saw this....
...I was, literally, instantly, smitten.
I thought at first that it must be reclaimed because it looked so authentic but on closer inspection I saw this sign:
It's from a company called English Fireplaces. The surround is the William IV and the arched insert (above) is called the Radley (Loving those classic English names!).
I had a good look at the English Fireplaces website as soon as I got home, and, readers, I fell in love!
Can you see why?
Is it all the gorgeous hand-carved (yes, hand-carved!) details?
Is it the classic period look of the William IV?
Is it the solid, high end feel of the hand-carved white Carrara marble?
Is it the incredibly reasonable pricing that knocked down my last bastion of resistance?
Is it the way the surround ties in so perfectly with our skirting boards?
Is it the way the soft reflection in our slate hearth makes my heart pitter-patter?
In truth, it was all of these things and more that led me to buying from English Fireplaces. This was a significant purchase and one I've not regretted for even an instant.
As I shared in my last post, I have a major obsession with period-style white marble fireplaces with corbels and the William IV absolutely nails it, design-wise. This is my Holy Grail of mantelpieces!
If you're in the market for a fireplace, either now or in the future, English Fireplaces could not come more highly recommended. If you'd like to get this particular fireplace, you can see how to 'Get The Look' here.
Images Modern Country Style
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