A touch of the Top Drawer exhibition...

A light dusting of the 'white stuff' was not going to put me off, so yesterday was a day of delight at the Top Drawer/Home show at London's Earls Court...

So much to see and experience that my head is still reeling this morning...but just a few highlights and bits that stood out for me!

The industrial look was everywhere....from soft furnishings, to lighting, to the exhibition stands themselves....

 eightmood

seletti

But you can tell summer is on the way...stands like Greengate (sorry, the camera battery died before I could get a snap) and Au Maison were looking forward to warmer weather....

aumaison

Everywhere you looked there was something to tempt the eye.
Powell Craft with their gorgeous knitted kid's clothes...with a touch of 1950's vintage!

 powellcraft

powellcraft

Corby Tindersticks...I never grow tired of hearing that name...had their felt weather maps on show.
Very appropriate at the mo...and definately an addition to the Dreams and Wishes shop in the very near future...!

 

 corbytindersticks

These humourous characters made me chuckle...

 

But my favourite of the whole show has got to be these guys...made in Cumbria and inspired by the local Herdwick sheep! 

They're not available till spring....but I'm aiming to be first with an order for Dreams and Wishes... they'll make delightful gifts for a newborn!

herdy

 There's our Dreams and Wishes taster of the first trade show of 2013...and it didn't disappoint...not that I ever expected it would do....well worth braving the bad weather for...

 

Off to Top Drawer on Monday...weather permitting!

Who am I kidding....a little bit of snow is not going to stop me getting to Earls Court this week to view hundreds of gift, toy and interior ideas from individual designers to multi-national companies...at the Top Drawer and Home trade shows...

 Here's a few I'm looking forward to....

 

corby tindersticks

Just the name is enough for me...

  seletti

I'm interested in checking out these tree trunk stools..with a knitted cover....!

 

 ferm living

This company has been a favourite for some time now...so looking forward to the new ranges.

 seletti

More great ideas from this Italian design company...

 

 au maison

Always on the look-out for funky bed linen, and this company have stars and dots in some stylish colours....

While I'm looking for these companies in amongst all the other beautiful products on show, I promise to snap as many photos as possible to showcase next week....that's if I don't get snowed-in...!

Inspiring Decopeques kid's rooms

I defy anyone not to be inspired by something on this wonderful site full of kids rooms ideas...
I can't understand any of the text but the images more than make up for my lingual inabilities.

These are just a fraction of the Decopeques images on show...go take a look!

Trends for 2013...industrial aspects.

 This interior style is not new I know, but it continues to capture our imagination when it comes to redesigning our homes...look out for industrial design features appearing in the hippest of High Street stores this year...they're calling it 'indust-retail'!

Here's a few of our favourite examples....

 afflante

heltenkethosmig

 

 kidsroomdk

 highendweekly

 icanlivewiththat

 interimoo

 khooll

 pinterest

 rdujour

 rafakids

 houzz

theeloquenceof

Trends for 2013...summer pastels.

It seems a little strange to be talking of summer so soon after the New Year celebrations...may I wish you a happy and successful year ahead...but retailers are already showcasing their spring/summer ranges. As previously showcased here, pastels are going to be hot, hot, hot! this year.

bloved

 

Avoid the 'saccharin-sweet' look by teaming with seemingly-ever popular mid century furinture and accessories for a modern twist...

 

pinterest

 

Or think of vintage colour-faded holiday photos and hazy summer days by the sea...

 

cassiabeck

etsy

 

Add a bit of punch with charcoal-grey accents and keep it retro for a fun, funky finish...

 

annesage

 



 

Find out more from the likes of Trend Bible and Sherin Williams....

And whilst it may be bleak and cold outside a few ice cream-sundae colours around the house will remind us all that the warm weather is on it's way...can't wait!



 

Kid's room decor ideas for under £50.

It's probably not the time to be making big decorating decisions right now...with Christmas almost upon us...!
So here are a few simple, low-cost ideas to spruce up the kid's rooms....take advantage of the January sales and grab a few bargains...

Add some bright cushions...

You won't need to go far to find something to suit your needs...pile up a few plain cushions in a range of clashing bright colours...or mix and match simple patterns.

skinnylaminx

Put pictures on the wall...

Put together a collection of frames, paint them a co-ordinating colour and fill with the kid's paintings for an instant gallery...

rosalindgracedesigns

Add a colourful rug...

A simple cotton rug will add instant colour to a kid's play area...and is easy to clean.

rosenberryrooms

Brighten up with lighting...

There's still a way to go yet before the summer sunlight brightens our homes...so get through winter with adaptable lighting.

pinjacolada

Replace tired bedding...

 Stock up on crisp new bedding in the sales...the best time of year to buy!

timeout

Put up some shelves...

Visit your local DIY store for a range of shelves that can go up in minutes...

pinterest

Use expensive fabrics for small projects...

A couple of metres of your favourite designer fabrics could make a roman blind, cushion covers or a patchwork quilt...so use wisely and save cash.

voyagefabrics

Be resourceful with your ideas...search the house for recycling projects, shop in the sales for homewares and check second-hand shops for cheap treasures.