Wales at Home

2009-05-26T20:55:00.002+01:00

HAY FESTIVAL 2009
A rather unexpected trip to the Hay Festival this year means I'll be listening to Kevin McCloud talk about sustainable building and the pleasures of contemporary architecture...and sadly, a few days late to see Sophie Dahl talk about her new cookery book.

Flowers for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2009-05-19T20:30:00.008+01:00

With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opening it's doors today it got me in the mood for...you guessed it...flowers! I adore these gorgeous images from top interiors photographer, Holly Jolliffe...good enough to frame.

2009-05-08T00:09:00.004+01:00

Was honoured and absolutely delighted to meet Lucy Fraser today, an artist based in Bristol that created a lovely piece of artwork I bought in St Ives last summer. I've never made such a quick purchasing decision which took all of five minutes when I saw 'Instinct' hanging in 'The Gallery on the Square' in St Ives and adore it more every time I look at it.

She says of her work, 'I’ve long been fascinated by the work of the great natural historian and collector, Darwin and much of my work references his theories of evolution. Birds and insects, their flight patterns and behaviour and our emotions towards them are subjects that particularly excite and inspire me to make art. I am especially interested in depicting British species and frequent visitors to the British Isles; our ‘home-grown’ beauty.'

Check out her website for more inspirational art, www.lucy-fraser.co.uk.

2009-01-26T10:22:00.012Z

SANCTUARY SHOPPING: BAILEY'S HOME & GARDEN

After a trip to the NEC last week, scouring the design shows for the latest hot interiors products, we stopped off at Bailey's Home & Garden for a mooch around and to purchase a few essentials...after all...who can live without their soothing 'Fig Candle' or incense sticks to restore calm to a busy family home at the end of the day? Certainly not me...although I also have to admit that the pleasure of wandering around Bailey's in the quiet but oh so stylish ambience that it offers is pure relaxation in itself.

As we were on a mission to meet the children from school, Alex and I didn't extend our stay this time to stop in the highly recommended organic cafe to sip cappucino's and enjoy homemade cake. Instead, we used our 'child free' time wisely, scouting for must have products that we could tell you about, as well as advising you not to miss the fantastic January sale with many reductions.

And, if like us, you simply adore this chic Aladdin's cave of wonderful interiors treasures from past and presnet then take home a more permanent reminder in the form of their book, 'Recycled Home', by Ryland, Peters & Small, £19.99, for the perfect anti-dote to coffee table magazines full of bling and plastic.

2008-11-15T08:37:00.008Z

GORDON RAMSAY´S CHRISTMAS TONIC

Every magazine we pick up this month seems to be full of words of wisdom for those domestic goddesses out there, fretting about the ´big day´ as the festive season approaches, and we thought we would add our two-penneth in!

No, we haven´t written you a column on how to deck the halls here at Wales at Home, (that will be coming next month), but instead we´ve managed to get our hands on two pairs of tickets to visit Gordon Ramsay himself at his annual ´Taste for Christmas´ event at EXCEL, London, from 4th to 7th December.

So let us take just a little stress out of the run up to Christmas and enter our exclusive Wales at Home competition to win a day out full of Gordon´s festive cheer.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER and visit the Wales at Home website.

2008-11-13T14:10:00.004Z

UBER COOL CHILDREN'S PARTY CAKES

Always on the look out for gorgeous girly treats for our little ones, we were so excited when we heard about a brand new cake company making delightful designs for birthday treats.

Just launched, Lu Lu & Grace, www.luluandgrace.co.uk, is the brain child of owner, Lucy Brierely, who spotted the gap for tasty treats that weren't covered in cartoon characters. 'I just wanted to create something attractive to children without playing on the themes that you find in the shops. Children love bright colours and these appeal perfectly to their senses.'

Lu Lu & Grace also design cakes for other special occasions such as Halloween, Christmas, Christenings or naming days and can discuss with you how to tailor your very own designs.

We've already placed our orders for all the children's birthdays in our homes. Click here to visit the Lu Lu & Grace website.

WALES AT HOME NEWSLETTER

2008-09-12T08:45:00.012+01:00

Don't forget to register for the exclusive Wales at Home newsletter - your weekly round-up of the latest interiors news and home inspiration from website of the month the the latest designer wallpaper. We'll also send you seasonal trend predictions, hot offers and topical newsletters such as 'what are the must have buys for my home this season?' or 'how do I decorate my home stylishly for Christmas?'

Find the 'Newsletter sign up' button on the top right hand side of Wales at Home!

BRAND NEW ECO CHIC HOMEWARES

2008-09-03T22:03:00.007+01:00

It just wouldn't be right or fair for me to keep this new gem of an interiors brand all to myself...check out Ochre&Ocre, www.ochreandocre.com, a truly gorgeous, stylish and beautifully created website selling equally well designed and sophisticated home accessories with that effortless French style.

Created after chance meeting in France between Tess and Fiona, the result is a dining collection of organic cotton table cloths, napkins, runners, placemats, expanding into a kitchen range including aprons, oven gloves, gauntlets, pot holders, tea towels and shopping bags. They also have a few gifts; Cotswold lavender bags, beeswax and soy wax candles and FSC certified giftwrap should you wish to send a housewarming, birthday, Christmas or wedding gift.

With the best quality 100% organic cotton the range uses a warm and earthy colour palette of Ochre colours to create the signature Ochre & Ocre look. Who could resist? My favourite are the suede backed gauntlets and the aprons big enough to wrap right around you with a handy mobile phone pocket. Being in the kitchen has never been so stylish!

www.ochreandocre.com

WHITE FLOWER TREND

2008-08-12T08:21:00.009+01:00

Running interiors website, Wales at Home, www.walesathome.co.uk, we are lucky enough to hear about some great new products, websites and retailers that sell the best there is to be had in the creative and inspiring interiors world.

Although every now and again we get sent a press release about a product that really makes us want to rush out and buy it and this was our reaction to The White Flower Company, www.thewhiteflowercompany.com. Set up by florist Chris Woods, the creative force behind the new Waitrose lines of flowers, Blossom & Bloom, Chris's own website focuses on the colourless variety of flowers and we think his creations are fantastic.

Our top product and absolute 'must have' would have to be these white hydrangeas from £39 - right on trend and quintessentially English but visit the website for more gorgeous creations.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

GRAND DESIGNS TICKETS UP FOR GRABS!

2008-04-18T13:56:00.002+01:00

GRAND DESIGNS 2008: 5 PAIRS OF TICKETS UP FOR GRABS!

As the UK´s No.1 consumer show for anyone interested in design, interiors, shopping and house building, Grand Designs Live London offers it all.

Visit live builds in the Grand Village, try your hand at DIY, shop for the latest homewares, browse the UK´s widest range of kitchens or bathrooms or simply find inspiration for your latest renovation or decorating project. With great free advice from over 450 exhibitors, there are also celebrity experts on hand; catch a seminar in the Grand Theatre or drop by the Information Hub for that insider tip.

Grand Designs Live 2008 runs from 3 May - 11 May 2008 at ExCeL and will be televised on Channel 4. The show is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Wales at Home has five pairs of tickets for Grand Designs Live 2008 up for grabs and to be in with a chance of winning a set simply tell us why you deserve the tickets and you will be entered into the free prize draw which closes at midnight on Sunday 27 April 2008. Click here to enter and complete this sentence: ´I would like to win a free pair of tickets to Grand Designs Live 2008 because…

Winners will be selected at random and will be notified by email. Tickets will be sent by Royal Mail 1st Class post on Monday 28th April.

Good luck and we´ll see you there!

Milk and Honey giveaway with Homes and Gardens

2008-04-06T12:45:00.000+01:00

Since I last blogged about Milk and Honey they have teamed up with Homes and Gardens magazine to offer newsletter subscribers the chance to win a Sucre Glace duvet set.

Simply visit the Homes and Gardens website and enter your email address in their subscription box to be in with a chance to win!

Wales at Home newsletters

2008-04-06T12:36:00.000+01:00

From when we first launched before Christmas it has taken us a while to begin sending out our regular Wales at Home newsletters but you'll be glad to know they are now fully functionning and ready-to-go!

Sign up at www.walesathome.co.uk for interiors news, advice and top tips!

Facebook for interiors

2008-04-06T12:20:00.001+01:00

Since it's launch earlier this year I have to admit to being completely addicted to brand new interiors website, MyDeco, www.mydeco.com.

What I have termed 'facebook for interiors', is a lively community full of interiors enthusiasts (yes, I class myself as one of them!) who exchange design ideas, create jaw-dropping room sets using the rather clever 3-D design tool and generally 'chat' - whether than be about the latest product launch or DIY project. Weekly newsletters keep you updated on the latest offers and most highly rated room designs.

It's completely addictive from the fun and creative side but also incredibly useful as a 'design portal' for those working within the industry. Watch out for regular blogs and posts from Wales at Home or join our very own 'Wales at Home' group shown on the community pages!

Luxury white bedding

2008-02-26T13:29:00.000Z

MILK AND HONEY
I have just discovered a brand new interiors and lifestyle boutique based in Wales called Milk and Honey, www.milk-and-honey.co.uk, delivering the best quality white and cream home textiles.

Milk and Honey pride themselves on selling home wares ethically produced within the European Union and under strict production guidelines which is what we want to hear! No longer palmed off with third world factories and low wages customers now want to know exactly how their products are made and that workers are being paid fairly and I like the transparency of this brand new British brand.

Recommended products: Sucre Glace Contemporary Duvet

www.milk-and-honey.co.uk