Enhancing your kid's room..a four point plan.

As we emerge from the cold and dark into Spring, I can't help getting excited about a spring-clean around the house. I must remember to pace myself though or I just end up with a bigger mess than I started with...!

And tackling a child's room can sometimes just seem like a mission impossible...take heart though, with the half-term holidays upon us, you might have some willing volunteers...!

It's useful to get the kid's 'on side' if you're planning a raid on their rooms so take advantage of the school break to get things started.

Try these simple ideas, from Dreams and Wishes, for spring-cleaning your child's room...

Assess the layout...Take a piece of paper and measure out a simple plan of the room. Make up paper shapes of the existing furniture and try moving the shapes around the plan for alternative layouts...let the kids have a go, you might be pleasantly surprised by their ideas.

Edit everything...Do you really need all the existing furniture, toys, clothes, etc.?

Take time to sort out the unwanted, unused and broken items and dispose of appropriately...car boot, charity, recycle....

Add colour...You don't have to go mad! Just a wall painted in a new shade will do the trick....or try painting a piece of furniture for a fresh feel.

Add new bedding...With warmer weather on the way...well, almost...keep an eye out for fresh designs. Use plain or gingham cottons for sheets and pillowcases and mix with funky themed duvet covers and throws.

There you have it...a few ideas to help you enhance the kid's rooms over the half-term holidays.

I will be putting these ideas into practice tomorrow morning as I start on a Dreams and Wishes project for a little boy obsessed with outer space! I love my job!!

Images from houseandhome, copenhagenfurniture and Designers Guild

A simple decorating classic...make your own bunting.

With festivals and fairgrounds being one of the trends for children's rooms this summer, here at Dreams and Wishes we've been looking at a simple idea that'll put you way ahead in the style stakes...

Take a look at these delightful examples of how a simple string of bunting can have dramatic effect....

Or, how about something a little more harmonious...?

How about having a go at making your own...it's a great way of using up scraps of fabrics from other projects...all you need are some fabric pieces, a length of bias binding tape, pins, sewing thread and scissors.

Using this template, cut out enough shapes to make the length of bunting you require.

Space out the shapes evenly along the bias binding tape, fold over the top edge and pin in place.

Sew each shape in place with a simple running stitch, leaving enough bias binding at each end to hang in place....you're done..easy!

Which is more than I can say for getting this blog done...I'm only 24 hours late..!

My computer was at a standstill most of yesterday evening and tonight has not been much better...but hopefully the wait has been worthwhile....

Images from Housetohome, Littlesooti and Designwali

Room sharing...inspirational kid's rooms.

If you're making changes to your home to accomodate a growing family, then I have a little treat for you... Take a look at these room-sharing ideas to get yourself motivated.

Short but sweet tonight...I am struggling to keep awake I'm afraid...and I'm not entirely sure why I'm feeling so tired...maybe its just one of those days where an early night is required... and who am I to argue...!

Images from Anita Kaushal, chachupa, gmbhuens and Tod Hunter Earle

Space saving book storage.

Books are an essential part of your child's room...but they do pose a problem when trying to keep things tidy.

Whilst most adults are happy to find a favourite book looking at the spine only, children prefer to see the front cover, recognising the pictures long before they can read...!

One of my favourite book storage ideas is based on a simple plate-rack style...they take up virtually no floor space and display books in a child-friendly manner...

Purchase ready-made shelves...or commission a bespoke space-saving design...

Even a small shelf beside the bed can be an asset...

A cosy nursery corner, complete with 'library' feature....beautiful!

Images from Martha Stewart, Storage and Glee and Etsy

Favourite kid's wallpapers.

The fashion for wallpapers continues unabated into 2011...with trends towards 'vintage' still strong for fashion and interiors.

Here's a few Dreams and Wishes favourites...

Lizzie Allen...

Aimee Wilder...

Studio Ditte...love the buttons!

Ferm Living...

Isak...bold...fresh....Scandi...!

Loving these genuine vintage styles....try Hannah's Treasures, Rosie's Vintage, Second hand Rose.

Cath Kidston...high street vintage!

Designers Guild...love the 60's vibe....

Fuzzy Felt re-visited...

There I was, looking through pages of craft ideas...for making Valentine cards...when I found these simple instructions on making your very own Fuzzy Felt...!!!

Oh, the hours I spent creating stories from little pieces of felt stuck to a textured board.

I can see how, in these heady days of hi-tech toys and games, this may seem a little sad, but try making this simple Fuzzy Felt board, from Martha Stewart for your little ones this weekend and we'll see who's hogging it come Monday morning...!

Image from Amazon

Classic window decor for a family home.

I have a dilemma!
How to allow maximum natural light into my house without compromising on privacy...my house fronts onto the street...so I'm usually drawing the curtains mid afternoon so that I can turn on the lights without feeling 'exposed'.
I think the solution is going to be a classic set of wooden shutters, and here's why...

• A clssic design that will fit any interior style, from country cottage to modern apartment.



• Fully adjustable to let in maximum light while maintaining privacy.



• Easy to keep clean and suitable for dust allergy sufferers.



• Helps with home insulation and can help reduce heating costs.



• Increases the sale value of your home.



• Reduces external noise levels.



• Hardwearing and durable so don't have to be replaced.

Need I say more...? Oh yes! They look absolutely beautiful...