It's been my dream, for over a decade now, to create a small business around designing kid's rooms...and I've finally taken my first tentative steps on the path to achieving that dream.
It's been quite a challenge...I was a full-time police officer when the idea came to me...and, despite their protestations to the contrary, innovation and progression in any form is not supported.
I wanted to combine my idea with raising awareness over child abuse, having been a specialist investigator of such crimes for twelve years previously, but the police managers I encountered were not an imaginative group and couldn't see the potential...I'm reminded of the 'insanity' quote from Albert Einstein as I write...
But the dream didn't die there...in some respects it just grew bigger and stronger and clearer with each and every set-back...and there have been a few I'll admit.
But I didn't give up...chipping away, bit by bit until I'm here proudly letting you know about my beautiful, new website...and blog...
In the next few weeks I'll have to decide what I'm going to do with this blog...and wanted to let you know that I may have to let it go as I concentrate on the new one...is this the feeling mother get when their kids leave home for the first time, or am I just being a little over-dramatic...I think it might be the latter...
Here's the link you need to find the magical (hope you agree) world of Dreams and Wishes...
Sunday, 27 August 2017
Monday, 6 February 2017
Here's one I made earlier...
My technical frailties mean I've not quite finished the latest moodboard...so, in true 'Blue Peter' style, here's one I made earlier...
1. Cole and Son 2. Cox and Cox 3. Manzanita Kids 4. oeufnyc 5. EO Denmark 6. Fine Little Day
1. Cole and Son 2. Cox and Cox 3. Manzanita Kids 4. oeufnyc 5. EO Denmark 6. Fine Little Day
Sunday, 29 January 2017
Take one kid's desk...
How about the K Desk from Rafa Kids...
And create a fresh-feeling homework space....
Thursday, 12 January 2017
Take one wallpaper...
Hibou Home's delightful 'Portraits' wallpaper...
...inspired this simple kid's room theme...
...inspired this simple kid's room theme...
1. Hibou Home 2. String 3. Jielde 4. Blomkal 5. Maileg 6. Ferm Living 7. Ferm Living 8. Fiona Walker England
Sunday, 1 January 2017
Off to a good start in Get Organised Month.
I think I must have fallen into every trap of unsuccessful blogging in recent years...lack of technical knowledge, procrastination, content not good enough, content not consistent...you name it, I've done it! Not intentionally though, I hasten to add...!
But, still, it seems like a good idea to make a fresh start now, in Get Organised Month.
So, while I go off and sort out my blog-post calendar, I'll leave you with some easy ideas on how to organise some of those new Christmas toys...
1. FermLiving 2. Minene 3. lisasaysgah 4. Anne-Claire Petit 5. This Modern Life 6. Hobbycraft
7. The Basket Room 8. Play&Go 9. Rice
But, still, it seems like a good idea to make a fresh start now, in Get Organised Month.
So, while I go off and sort out my blog-post calendar, I'll leave you with some easy ideas on how to organise some of those new Christmas toys...
1. FermLiving 2. Minene 3. lisasaysgah 4. Anne-Claire Petit 5. This Modern Life 6. Hobbycraft
7. The Basket Room 8. Play&Go 9. Rice
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
March 'Makeover' winners finally get their dream nursery....
Way back in March Dreams and Wishes held a competition to win a 'Dream Nursery Makeover'.
The lucky winners had a great deal of decorating waiting for them when they moved into their new seaside home so we didn't get started on the nursery for several weeks...but now it's done...and judging by the new occupant's reaction, it's a great success...!
Our winning mum wanted a woodland theme so we started with a feature wall using Scion's 'Branch' wallpaper and painted the rest of the room in a matching chalky white...complimenting the existing furniture.
Additional colours were inspired by the cot-bedding, including hand-made gingham curtains and animal cushions for the tee-pee, made by a family friend...!
The Mimi'Lou wall sticker and SewHeartFelt fox rug continued the woodland theme...while the little crochet stool, from Anne-Claire Petit, echoed the bed-linen colours.
A hand-made lampshade from James Design, completes the makeover.
Our winner is delighted with the new room and says even her daughter's sleep patterns have improved since completing the makeover...great news indeed!
Here's just a peek...
The lucky winners had a great deal of decorating waiting for them when they moved into their new seaside home so we didn't get started on the nursery for several weeks...but now it's done...and judging by the new occupant's reaction, it's a great success...!
Our winning mum wanted a woodland theme so we started with a feature wall using Scion's 'Branch' wallpaper and painted the rest of the room in a matching chalky white...complimenting the existing furniture.
Additional colours were inspired by the cot-bedding, including hand-made gingham curtains and animal cushions for the tee-pee, made by a family friend...!
The Mimi'Lou wall sticker and SewHeartFelt fox rug continued the woodland theme...while the little crochet stool, from Anne-Claire Petit, echoed the bed-linen colours.
A hand-made lampshade from James Design, completes the makeover.
Our winner is delighted with the new room and says even her daughter's sleep patterns have improved since completing the makeover...great news indeed!
Here's just a peek...
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
A few highlights from the Spirit of Summer Fair...
Just a few of the many beautiful things on offer at the House&Garden Fair at Olympia in June...love the dreamy vintage feel...
Clockwise from top left; Scumble Goosie, Suziebee, Greige and Leporello
Clockwise from top left; Scumble Goosie, Suziebee, Greige and Leporello
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Monday, 1 February 2016
Faded pink romance for a kid's room.
It's the month of love and romance...so be inspired with faded pinks and gold hints for a girly kid's room make-over that's bang up-to-date...
Me? I'm a 'shabby-chic' kinda girl when it comes to pink decor...and love these examples...
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Charles and Ray Eames Exhibition...a personal review.
I finally made it to the Barbican last week...to see the Eames Exhibition...unfortunately, it wasn't the positive experience I'd been expecting. Maybe I'm just not 'arty' enough but I found the venue dark and depressing and the exhibition itself rather lacking the 'wow' factor, bearing in mind the huge influence this couple had on mid-century design.
Don't get me wrong, there were highlights...the original copy of a poem from former Prime Minister,Tony Benn, stuck in my mind for days after...
Yes...a whale!
Can anyone help me out with the significance of this strangely appealing creature?
I'm assuming he was in the exhibition because, as seen here, he originally lived in the famous Eames House in Los Angeles...any ideas...?
All told, a mixed review I'm afraid...a small collection of personal highlights hidden within drab surroundings...
I'll leave you with the sort of colour-burst I'd expected...
Don't get me wrong, there were highlights...the original copy of a poem from former Prime Minister,Tony Benn, stuck in my mind for days after...
And I discovered 'The Toy'...a building structure for kids that could be made into all sorts of play accessories...
And the exquisite examples of their handwriting...especially Ray Eames's tiny diary, open on the page that her husband died, and marked with just his initials...how poignant she died ten years later...to the very day!
And then there was this fellow...hanging in a prominent spot at the top of the stairs in the centre of the exhibition...!
Can anyone help me out with the significance of this strangely appealing creature?
I'm assuming he was in the exhibition because, as seen here, he originally lived in the famous Eames House in Los Angeles...any ideas...?
All told, a mixed review I'm afraid...a small collection of personal highlights hidden within drab surroundings...
I'll leave you with the sort of colour-burst I'd expected...
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Summer trend for kid's rooms...Cacti.
Yes, cacti...they were all over the place at the first trade show of the year in London...and trend analysts have been predicting the same for months now.
But we're not thinking 'Wild West'...this Summer it's Totally Tropical...
Colour is making a massive come-back after several seasons of white minimalism...think lush greens and blues teamed with exotic pinks for an exotic feel.
Dark or brightly painted woods, tropical leaf motifs and those all important cactus features are all you need to embrace this fun, lively theme...for boys and girls, baby to teenager, this theme works for all.
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Is this book the ultimate in clutter-busting advice?
I can't remember when I first noticed Marie Kondo's new book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying, but I'll confess I initially decided to buy it only on the basis that over 700 people had reviewed it fondly via Amazon, sparking my curiosity...
Now, you need to understand that I'm a wannabe minimalist with a hoarder's mentality and whilst I love things to be in place and orderly, that little clutter-loving devil on my shoulder often intervenes and chaos reigns!
So, a little sceptically, I settled down to read the secrets of effective tidying according to the KonMarie Method...and a few hours later I'd finished the book and thrown out three bags of clothes, by following this very simple process!
You've really only got to master two principles...discard first and designate a place for what's left..!
OK, that's a little too simplistic...there's some very good advice on how to 'let go of stuff' for instance...something I've always struggled with, more to do with practicalities than sentimentality...which meant I've had no regrets over my recent charity donations...well, maybe the neon pink wedges that, surprisingly, I'd never worn in the four years I'd had them...!
More telling is the feeling of liberation and motivation I've had over the first few days of a wet and miserable new year...now it might just be sheer chance that I've completed a number of long-standing tasks since starting my KonMarie clear-out but I can't help thinking Marie's claims that 'the magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life' could well be true!
I'll certainly be advocating the benefits of the KonMarie Method of tidying to Dreams and Wishes clients from now on...
Now, you need to understand that I'm a wannabe minimalist with a hoarder's mentality and whilst I love things to be in place and orderly, that little clutter-loving devil on my shoulder often intervenes and chaos reigns!
So, a little sceptically, I settled down to read the secrets of effective tidying according to the KonMarie Method...and a few hours later I'd finished the book and thrown out three bags of clothes, by following this very simple process!
You've really only got to master two principles...discard first and designate a place for what's left..!
OK, that's a little too simplistic...there's some very good advice on how to 'let go of stuff' for instance...something I've always struggled with, more to do with practicalities than sentimentality...which meant I've had no regrets over my recent charity donations...well, maybe the neon pink wedges that, surprisingly, I'd never worn in the four years I'd had them...!
More telling is the feeling of liberation and motivation I've had over the first few days of a wet and miserable new year...now it might just be sheer chance that I've completed a number of long-standing tasks since starting my KonMarie clear-out but I can't help thinking Marie's claims that 'the magic of tidying dramatically transforms your life' could well be true!
I'll certainly be advocating the benefits of the KonMarie Method of tidying to Dreams and Wishes clients from now on...
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Three favourite Christmas decor themes.
At the eleventh hour (yet again) the Christmas decorations are up and, so far, have been ignored by the dog...can's say the same for a certain box of licorice sweets that suffered a mauling...the sweets survived, the packaging didn't!
A couple of low-hanging baubles have also been sacrificed as a result of rather boisterous play, so it's more about survival than sophistication this year...!
Still I can dream...and these three white, blue and gold themes are top of my wish list...
Have a very merry Christmas....
A couple of low-hanging baubles have also been sacrificed as a result of rather boisterous play, so it's more about survival than sophistication this year...!
Still I can dream...and these three white, blue and gold themes are top of my wish list...
Have a very merry Christmas....
Sunday, 13 December 2015
Mini trend...kid's room house beds.
Are you looking for the latest trend in kid's beds?
How about one of these simple house frames...stand back and watch the kids turn it into a shop, a ship, a rocket, even a house...and then their bed!...
How about one of these simple house frames...stand back and watch the kids turn it into a shop, a ship, a rocket, even a house...and then their bed!...
Our favourite version, ready-to-buy is available at Smallable....
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Kid's rooms made for sleep-overs.
It's one thing to share a room with a sibling...it's something completely different to have the ultimate sleep-over bedroom...!
I'm sure all the kid's rooms featured here are 'fully-occupied' on a regular basis...but oh to be the envy of your mates when hosting an overnight party in these spaces...
I'm sure all the kid's rooms featured here are 'fully-occupied' on a regular basis...but oh to be the envy of your mates when hosting an overnight party in these spaces...
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Kid's rooms, a random selection of loveliness.
Sometimes there's nothing better than taking time to appreciate beautiful things...for me its kid's rooms...and here's my latest collection of favourites...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)