Keep out the winter chills with canopy beds.

There's been a distinct drop in temperatures this week and the search for spare quilts and bedding is on around the house to keep out night-time chills...

In the 'good ole days' before electricity and central heating, beds of the well-off were in the style of a four-poster...keeping the heat in!

These canopy and four-poster beds offer a modern take on an old theme....

 

ivillage

pinterest

 

thepapermullberry

coastalliving

byelisabethnl

 

douglasgibb

teenvogue

withtwocats

theessenceofthegoodlife

 

Keep the kids busy making Christmas crackers...

The Christmas lunch celebrations are just not complete without the crackers...but many shop-bought varieties seem a bit of a let-down these days...unless you're paying serious money for an item that will mostly end up in the recycling bin.

So why not get the kids to make some...!

Here's an easy guide on making crackers with the little ones....

White Christmas decor...

Need I say anymore...these dreamy images are gorgeous...and strangely warming!
Of all the decorating themes I've ever chosen, white has never been one of them...maybe 'cos I'm worried I can do it the justice that these images can...

annporter

belleblanc

bhg

countryliving

cuegly

desdemventana

hashai

indulgy

 

marleyandlockyer

minlillaveranda

thesimplyluxuriouslife

 

 

 

 

Go Kitsch with colour this Christmas...

The brighter the better, these Christmas schemes burst with colour....
Just let your imagination run wild...and add a few retro bits and pieces for the ultimate kitsch finish.

Keep the kids amused with making paper bunting...cut out diamond shapes from coloured paper, fold and glue over a length of string...

bolig

White trees look great with lots of colourful decorations....

flickr

Customise table-top Xmas trees with bright baubles...

etsy

Add a splash of colour to furniture and fittings to compliment the decorations...

homeklondike

Mix and match your trees....

inspirationforhome

Hang brightly coloured baubles over the dining table for festive feasts...

landofnod

Use paper-chains to add low-cost colour...

littlebigco

How 'kitsch' can you go....?

pinterest

Did I mention paper-chains yet...?

theprettyblog

 

Kids will love a festive theme in their own rooms too...

twinqu

 

I'm having so much fun browsing all these Christmas-inspired images...hope you are too...!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

twinqu

Designer 'doggie dens' to die for...

We're taking a little break from the Christmas countdown to show you these delightful dog houses...designed by 'proper' architects for a big charity event held in Austin, Texas each year!

If you have dogs...please do not let them see this...it could result in canine demands for better living conditions all over the country....

 

 

Meanwhile, my little pooch seems content with his basket....

It wouldn't be Christmas without a stocking or two...

Even if you haven't got a traditional fireplace to hang them from, no home is ready for Christmas without a stocking hanging form some vantage point somewhere...whether it be a bedpost or door knob, chair-back or stair-rail...!

Try these for a little inspiration....

allaboutyou

allaboutyou

 

athome kimvallee

shabbyapple

craftjuice

housetohome

athome kimvallee

southernliving

priceinspector

 

O.K....they're not strictly stockings...but how cute is this...

homeklondike

 

Keep the kids busy in the run up to the big day by making your own from these ideas...