I just love Christmas. I love buying presents for family and friends, I love planning all the food and drink, I love sending and receiving cards, but probably most of all I love making the house come alive with my own original country Christmas decorations.

Every year I try to do something a little different from the year before, whether it is an overall theme or simply new and exciting materials. Filling our home with great branches of greenery, trailing ivy, plump red holly berries, cheerful poinsettia plants, bunches of spicy cinnamon sticks, pine cones and lots of candles is when Christmas really begins for me.  Since I enjoy it all so much I thought it might be nice this year to share some of my country Christmas decorating ideas with you. Continue Reading »

I am often asked how, and if, the right kind of lighting can change the look of room. In my humble opinion lighting is one area of interior design that is all too often overlooked, in favour of more obvious changes. However there are so many ways that lighting can enhance both the look and function of your house that I thought it was time I spoke out about home lighting that can so greatly enhance the ambience of your surroundings. Continue Reading »

I am totally in love with my kitchen; it would not be an exaggeration to say it is the focus of our household; a welcoming space where the whole family rush in and out of, helping themselves to snacks, catching up on news and generally relax. In many houses, especially in the country, the kitchen is the very heart of the home and ours is no exception.

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When it comes to making changes to or decorating your home it is important that you develop and follow your own sense of style. This is because the way in which you arrange and decorate your home is also the natural way you outwardly express your individual style.

Personal style is always closely linked with your outlook on life and your personality. A walk round your home will reveal, even to a complete stranger, a glimpse of your genuine spirit and character. Therefore the secret of developing your own sense of style is to be true to yourself and follow your own instincts and desires.

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Last week I took a couple of hours out for a coffee and catch-up with an old school friend. We go back a long way and share many memories so it wasn’t hard to sense straight away that she was a bit down.

“What’s up Sue you seem a bit distracted – are the kids OK?”

“Oh yes thanks Karole, the kids are great but my mother-in-law has asked to come and live with us, she doesn’t want to be on her own anymore. Frankly I’m dreading it as I feel my life will never be my own again! We’ve now got to turn the upstairs attic room into the perfect granny flat.”

I’ve only met Sue’s mother-in-law once but I soon recognised that she is a difficult woman who demands the best at all times and what is more expects it.

“Oh God Karole how am I going to turn that plain attic room into somewhere that ‘Godzilla’ will be prepared to accept as her new home? I just couldn’t cope if she hung around with the family all day. We need our own space and so does she if this is going to stand a cat-in-hell’s chance of working out.”

“OK Sue I can imagine how worried you feel but you’ve got three things on your side. First of all ‘Godzilla’ has asked to come and live in your home so YOU call the shots – not her. Second I’ve seen that attic room and you’ll be surprised when you clear out all your old junk, you’ll find it’s actually quiet large, it’s got a great view over the fields and best of all it gets lots of natural light. And last but not least you’ve got me, your professional interior friend; so between us we’ll create the perfect granny flat.”

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I simply love flowers in all shapes and sizes. I love huge cabbage roses from the garden, the first primroses, dotted on grassy banks, the scent of damp bluebell woods, great bunches of ambrosial sweet peas and pretty country jugs stuffed with mixed garden posies.

Bringing the garden indoors transforms almost any room in the house, especially where plants or cut flowers can reflect the style of the fabrics and furniture. For example a beautiful vase of old-fashioned roses can make a real statement if it is placed in a window dressed in traditional glazed cotton rose-printed fabric.

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I’ve been asked by so many people how to get the nursery design that I did for my little Oscar that I thought I would give you a few hints and tips.  Obviously it had to be blue!!  Although desperate to do a Pink room I had to restrain myself from anything girlie.

The starting point was the blind.  Simply blue and white check will last through many years of growing up.  It is perfect at any age!  Later on you can add more interesting colours and patterns to the room if you want.  Maybe boats, cars, aeroplanes or whatever the little one is ‘in to’!  I kept it simple with a blackout lined Roman Blind as this is easy to pull up and down with one hand if need be!  A Swedish Blind would also have look gorgeous but needs two hands free to roll up and as, inevitably, the new Mum will be hold the baby this might not be practical.

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Hi Everyone

We’re very excited here at CC as this is our new and first Blog.  Not only do we have this new addition to our site but we have a new family member on board - the gloriously cuddly little bundle of joyous fun called Oscar.  He was born to our son,  Zander, on 12th June weighing in at 9lb 10oz.  He was never going to be tiny as his Dad weighed 10lbs (now 6′4″) and so did his uncle (now 6′6″).  His Mum is a tall 6′ so little Oscar will grow up to be big Oscar!!!

Oscat 1 day old

We never thought we would have such pleasure from a little bundle but he keeps us all running around serving his needs - although we don’t mind in the least.  To be honest any excuse to see and cuddle him!!!

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