While transitional dressing and new season boots would normally fill my mind at this time of year, there’s definitely a new shift in terms of my shopping priorities. Although I’m trying to hold fire on all the big furniture bits until building work is a little less…dusty, house accessories are definitely my weakness as my debit card twitches in my hand!
Decorative ladders, statement lamps and rose gold trinkets are filling my Pinterest boards and online moodboards as I play around with textures and themes in a bid to try and find the right house accessories to pull the room together. I’ve discovered that while I lust after the sunshine hues on The Frugality’s Instagram and the earthy tones of Tuula Vintage, I’ve finally realised the importance of creating a home that’s truly personal. One that brings you peace and happiness in even the most stressful times or dreariest of days.
With a hectic schedule and the unwavering habit of taking on too much, I want to create a home that Toff and I can use as a place to relax, unwind and leave work at the door. Ambitious, I know, but with all the beautiful hotels we visit, the one thing they all have in common is the ability to take us away from the daily grind and just be. With that in mind, I’m looking for house accessories that don’t fill a nook or cranny for the sake of it, creating more tat to dust but that actually bring something to the room. So, if you’re looking for house accessories that make your bricks and mortar come alive, these are a few pointers to get you on your way…
MAKING MEMORIES
One of the most important factors which makes a house a home is the memories we surround ourselves with. We all, to some degree, live our lives virtually. In my industry, creating a digital footprint is important but it can also mean that we can’t appreciate the memories we’re making on a daily basis. I’m in front of a screen for 85% of the day, I don’t want to depend on Facebook to recall that amazing holiday or wait for 3G to kick in to show my nan where Toff and I got engaged.
I want to surround my home with the people that mean the most to me so I can look and appreciate them when I have my cup of tea in the morning or when I’m having a down day. These photos at my sister’s house are of my grandparents and I love looking at them every time we sit and chat in the lounge. These are the people that ground us and remind us of where we came from which
FUNCTIONAL FEATURES
If there’s one thing I’m obsessed with at the moment it’s finding gorgeous, clever storage ideas. Our house is surprisingly big for a Grade II property but it really lacks storage and I don’t want to start building things that bring the room sizes in. This is why I will be snapping up all kinds of amazing wardrobe bits from Ikea (I NEVER thought I’d say that but they really are good!) and thinking of ways to make a feature of my stuff instead of hiding it all away.
While I want to maintain a clean and minimal space that doesn’t clutter my mind, these hat hooks are a brilliant alternative to artwork or a mirror on the wall and give a home to all the trilby’s and fedora’s I have stashed away. Hats really are the trickiest accessories to store and this keeps them neat and tidy!
STAND-OUT PIECES
Although I’m drawn to all those beautifully contemporary pieces like abstract coffee tables and gold drinks trolley, the reality is that they wouldn’t suit the style of the house. House accessories can be a real style statement and, if you’re not careful, can steal the limelight wholeheartedly from the room. They need to draw the eye but sit within the room without much effort. Ceiling lights and side tables are great pieces to be a bit more adventurous with as they’re small and discreet items that can tie a room together without being too in-your-face. But, if you’re abode is more modern with light and airy rooms you can have so much fun with some stand-out pieces. Whether it’s an oversized dining room table or a brightly coloured sofa, as long as you’re mindful of the space as a whole you can go to town!
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
Living in the UK means that being outside isn’t always feasible. Grey days and unpredictable climates can leave us feeling fed up and de-motivated compare to when we’re on holiday in warmer conditions. Toff and I are lucky enough to travel a lot and are always at our happiest by the sea or as close to nature as possible. When I saw the office’s of Sincerely Jules (take a look here), I knew that this was the perfect way to introduce house accessories in a really organic way.
With a serene, spa-like vibe in mind, I’m drawn towards earthy, neutral tones and materials that bring a light, relaxed atmosphere to the house in a fuss-free way. Indoor plants and succluents have been proven to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the home and purify the air leading to higher productivity levels and a healthier home. Who doesn’t want that?! The best ones to buy are
Aloe
Spider Plant
Rubber Tree
Bamboo Palm
Golden Pothos
CANDLES, CANDLES, CANDLES
There is not enough time or space to describe how much I love candles. Totally overpriced ones that I’m too scared to burn usually, but any candle will do. The homely glow and that familiar scent when you enter the room is what really gives a house a homely feel. Whether it’s lighting them on a cold winters night, a balmy summers evening or just when you get in the bath with a glass of wine at the end of a stressful day. There’s something about them that looks chic and inviting on a windowsill or mantle that I can’t get enough of.
If you need a little bit of candle inspiration you can see here and here for all my favourite brands and scents whatever the season.
