Saturday 27 August 2011

Decorating kid's rooms with clouds.

I've sat and watched the rain fall all day...but the good news is that it's inspired me to consider using 'cloud' images when decorating a kid's room....

This cloud print  bedding was designed by Gunilla Axen...and is available from Farg and Form...
Not too twee or easily dated, the design will work with lots of decorative styles.


Take a piece of fabric as an inspiration for the overall design...


These handmade cloud mobiles would make a delightful decorative feature by hanging two or three over a cot...and are a great idea for using up fabric scraps.


If you're concerned about over-doing the theme...keep the walls plain and add a few cloud wall stickers...



             le petit papillon                                                                                                                               cake with giants
 Beautiful illustrations hung in simple frames are another subtle way to use a theme without over-kill...


Cushions, cushions and more cushions...Such an easy way to make a statement in interior design...


Compliment your design with practical storage and display ideas in cloud shapes....

Use cool muted blue greys for large areas such as floors and walls...and to give the room a bit of a lift try adding a few spots of vintage yellow...

To start off your 'cloud' project, follow this simple craft idea.

Rainy days will seem so much better from now on...

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Midcentury style seating for your nursery.


A new nursery is not all about baby!
As a new parent, you'll be spending quite a bit of your time there too...and it pays to invest in a little comfort!

Dreams and Wishes loves this mix of modern and Midcentury inspired armchairs that would look good in a baby's room...and beyond!


Keep an eye out for bargains at vintage and antique fairs...or online auction sites.....



With midcentury design so popular at the mo...some furniture makers are enlisting popular designers to create new 'classics'...


Some have been making great pieces for years....


Invest in something that you love...pay a little extra for long-lasting comfort...and stick to a classic design that will adapt to new decor over the coming years....

Friday 19 August 2011

Weekend makeover...chest of drawers for a kid's room.

Take one rather uninspiring piece of furniture, paint, some Cath Kidston wallpaper....and, in a weekend, create a show-stopping addition to your kid's room.
Simple pine chests are easy to find in furniture charity shops, newspaper ads, Ebay, etc...
To transform your chosen piece....you will need...
Sand paper
Wood primer paint
Satin wood paint, white is a widely available option.
Paint brush.
Some wallpaper off-cuts, we've showcased Cath Kidston's 'cowboy' wallpaper here.
Wallpaper paste and brush.
PVA glue.
Scissors or craft knife.

Firstly, remove drawer knobs and sand down all the treated surfaces of your chest of drawers, including the drawers...dull and time-consuming I know, but essential for a professional, long-lasting finish.
Apply a couple of coats of the primer all over, leaving the required drying time between coats...you may need to sand lightly after each coat to maintain a smooth finish.
Apply the top coat all over...you'll need to decide how many coats you need depending on the finish you want. Leave the drawer fronts if covering completely with wallpaper....


To cover the drawer fronts, measure the surface area and transfer to the back of the wallpaper...try to use the same piece of surface pattern for each drawer to ensure a 'professional' look.
Using the wallpaper paste, apply the wallpaper pieces to the drawer fronts and when dry go over the top with a watered down PVA mix to protect from knocks.

The example below...photographed by Penny Wincer and featured in the book Homemade Home by Sania Pell has been decorated using a decoupage technique...small pieces of the overall pattern have been carefully cut out and stuck on to create an original scene.
As before, once your wallpaper pieces are attached, use a light mix of PVA to secure...
Paint the drawer knobs to match before reapplying.


That's it...a weekend well spent creating a useful, unique storage item in your kid's room...
Have you revamped any furniture in your home?
How did it go...got any tips you'd like to share...?

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Kid's room display shelving.

Despite all our best efforts to keep the clutter at bay, children like to be surrounded by their favourite things...even though those 'things' sometimes look like junk to us...!
Adding a simple wall shelf in their room gives kids a space to show off a few bits and pieces to make the room more homely.









Tuesday 16 August 2011

Win Green closes down this Summer.


We got a note in the post at the Dreams and Wishes office this week...telling us that Win Green was closing it's doors for the last time this Summer...
I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling a little sad about this news...their imaginative designs have been a popular addition to kid's rooms for ten years now and will be sorely missed...by stockists and customers alike I would suggest.
I don't know the reasons behind this decision...and don't want to speculate, but I wish everyone connected with the company the very best for the future...

 Just a small example of what we're going to miss out on....



Thursday 11 August 2011

Our first Dreams and Wishes craft idea.

Inspired by so many clever crafters online, I've put together instructions on making a little mouse in a cheese house...
All you need are a few basic sewing items, a couple of pieces of felt and a little stuffing!
Perfect for the kids on a rainy day in the holidays...


As a novice at this type of thing, it would be lovely to hear what you think of my efforts...
You can download a copy of the instructions here

Monday 8 August 2011

Go wild with wallpaper in a kid's room...

Forget about harmonious decor ideas...go all out with colour and pattern just like the wallpaper ideas in these kid's rooms....



This room belongs to the daughter of Petra Boase.







Friday 5 August 2011

Five tips for creating a kid's study area.

I know we're only a few days into August, but it won't be long before the new school year is upon us and the return of ...homework!!
Here are a few tips from Dreams and Wishes to help you plan and prepare an inspiring space for your little mastermind.
Start with the basics...a desk, a chair and some simple storage is all that's needed to start with.
Adapt existing furniture if you can, before buying anything new...but get your child to 'test' any items for long-term comfort.
Can you fit a study area into your child's room? That way any half finished projects can be left in place without affecting family life around the home.
Consider what lighting is required early on. Have you sufficient sockets for table lamps or would wall lamps be a better option?
Don't forget the storage! Plan for more than you think you'll need and keep it simple for quick tidy-ups.





Wednesday 3 August 2011

Our favourite animal lamps for a kid's room.

The beauty about decorating a kid's room is that you can have a bit of fun...!
Take these animal inspired lamps...they may not be the most functional for all tasks but they certainly add character....



Look at the expression on that Bulldog's face...beautiful!



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geek alerts
Oh...poor old Seymour the Sheep looks like he has the weight of the world on his woolly shoulders...



If this little woodland fellow appeals...follow the link to find instructions on how to make him...


Monday 1 August 2011

Hand made rag dolls by Jess Brown.

I've been whiling away the hours online tonight...without really achieving anything... A far cry from the last week or so, when the house has been turned upside-down with an abundance of 'recycling projects'.
The garage has been cleared of a number of pieces of furniture, only to be replaced with more well deserving items eager for a new lease of life...hence the lack of blogs recently!

Still my lazy evening has not been in vain...I came across these delightful rag dolls...I hesitate to use the term 'rag'...these dolls are hand made using cotton, linens, recycled and vintage fabrics and each is made to order.
Jess  Brown is their creator, having started out eleven years ago making dolls for her children.
Go to the website for more details and photos....



I love the stockings....

Even the small number of clothes and accessories are beautifully made...

A far cry from the examples I've made over the years...but a target to aim for maybe...!