Neutral bedroom decor with touches of elegance

Hi everyone,

Getting  the bedrooms ready for visitors this week has meant finishing the things that need doing.

Both daughters still have their bedrooms at home & this is the youngest bedroom that is used for visitors this week as she is away at university so won't be joining us.

Both girls have fab style & the starting point for this room was the two beautiful Ralph Lauren Polo banners we found some years back.  There was no doubt that they would frame her bed. At one time, the banners were probably from a runway or shop, but they look just lovely in this setting with their gold & royal blue details.

I have just painted a new mirror for the room as the previous one has found a home with A Wondering Star daughter in her gorgeous flat in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter.

The bedroom has a calm, neutral look - painted in Dulux Natural Calico which is a soft cream that provides a lovely background for the other items.

The solid bed, side cabinets and chest of drawers are all cosy painted furniture. The opposite wall has large built in wardrobes to keep the room clutter free.

The window has a roman blind made out of neutral Ralph Lauren fabric which is edged in an matching blue band;  the window is framed by generous cream curtains, tied back by chunky blue & gold tie backs - a lovely bedroom that is often used for guests.

Great grandma's bench came to us last year & it fits perfectly at the bottom of the bed with a new cream cushion I made for it. The girls have fond memories of squashing up on it for family meals.

Some lovely vintage suitcases provide under bed storage - I love the rich colour of the leather as it  contrasts with the cream colour.

Two more vintage cases - one leather, one not but very useful as storage & they look good too.

I always put several cushions out for visitors so that they can decide which ones to use. We have all had the experience of not having the right cushion & a restless sleep so a selection of soft & hard lets visitors choose.  I love this Laura Ashley bedding, teamed up here with IKEA cushions with pin tuck details ...  The feather lampshades soften the look ...

I think the bedroom is ready for visitors. Do you go around & do the additional jobs before visitors arrive?  Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed the glimpse around my home,
Dee ~♥~

A replacement mirror needs painting ...

Hi everyone,

I know that many of you are handy at decorating & love tinkering about the home.

The lovely mirror in one of the girls bedrooms made its home in Birmingham with A Wondering Star daughter. I was pleased that it is enjoyed in a different setting and I have been looking for a replacement one that is both a generous size and one that could be painted again.

Luckily, I found this large sized one locally and decided it would be a good replacement mirror.

I was not daunted by the silver colour because I knew it would need a make over. I rather liked the bevelled mirror & deep, generous frame.

I started by taping up the mirror to make it easier for painting.  The tape gives a neat edge without fussing about removing paint so is always worth doing.

The generous modern frame was painted in Annie Sloan's Graphite - the same intense colour which was used on the first one.

I decided to use the same Annie Sloan Graphite Chalk paint again & as the name suggests, it is the colour of pencil lead. As you can see from the state of the tin, it is a well used colour.

Goodbye silver, hello graphite ....

I love how Graphite brings out the curves of the shape of the frame as it highlights the details ...

Lovely frame depth & detail ...

Once the paint dries, it looks matt & not very exciting ...

Time for waxing - I want a deep colour so am using the dark wax.  You can see how the colour intensifies as soon as you wipe wax on it.

Smooth, shiny, dark finish once the wax is lightly buffed.

The frame was left overnight for the wax to harden before it was ready to be hung up in the upstairs bedroom above the chest of drawers.  You can see from this photos how big the mirror is - really generous, solid wooden mirror.

It looks perfect in the bedroom - another paint job completed!

Do you change things about & are you in favour of painted details? Thanks for stopping by & for taking the time to comment.
Dee ~♥~

Roses on Valentine's Day ....

Valentines Day ... I have shared my thoughts on several occasions & stand firm that it is what you do all the time, true love is not just one day; it is what you do everyday & how you treat your loved ones daily ...

A funny-little-thing-called-love

true-love-is-not-just-one-day

I-heart-valentine

what-is-love

Nothing says Valentine or love as much as Roses - Royal Albert's Country Roses ....

It is one of their most iconic patterns, instantly recognisable worldwide. This from their website 

My set was gifted to me many years ago when we still lived in South Africa by my husband.  I brought it back to England when we came to live here.  I still use it though not as often as it needs hand washing because of the gilt edges.

It is elegant, harking back to a time when every home would have a proper tea service and the roses speak of love - a set gifted with much love & used recently while packing up Christmas things  ...

 I teamed up Old Country Roses with modern roses ...

Whatever you do on Valentine's Day, remember that love is not just one day - make the effort everyday because nothing is promised.

True love, for me, is being there for each other; having each others back - always knowing that you have someone you can count on.

Love doesn't keep scores - it is give & take, always wanting the best for each other.

Love is giving each other space to grow yet being their safety net when needed.

Love is accepting each others families as your own - not asking the other to defend or choose ...

Go gently through life & show love everyday to your nearest & dearest & enjoy Valentine's Day - however you celebrate it.

Dee ~♥~

Pancakes with the Godsons ....

Pancake Tuesday has been moved to Monday due to commitments & my lovely Godsons joined me for a warming supper then pancakes for pudding.

Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday has to be a social event - half the fun is making them together & flipping them over without dropping them.

The recipe I have used today needs:
200g plain flour
2 eggs
500ml milk

Mix all together & leave to rest for a little while then add 2 tablespoons of melted butter when you are ready to start cooking them.

3 frying pans all on the go with Godsons confidently taking their turn to help out ...

Then it is time to head back to the table to enjoy them with these choices:

Fruit - always a requirement for pancakes - a selection ready for the pancakes

The lads love grapes so some for them to enjoy too ...

 Pancakes need a choice of ice-cream or yoghurt 

and then some sauces - the lads like something sweet with theirs so chocolate or toffee sauce or even a drizzle of maple syrup

Finished off with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar ....

 Godson opting for ice-cream & sticky toffee sauce ...

Mine with fruit, lemon yoghurt & lots of cinnamon sugar

With the fruit & sauces on the table, everyone can make what they like ...

and then it is ready to be enjoyed ... I hope you will be flipping (pancakes) this Tuesday, while thinking what you will be giving up for the 40 days of Lent ....

Dee ~♥~

Time for some pancake flipping ...

Hi everyone,

The UK really embraces Shrove Tuesday or pancake day in a big way! This year it falls on Tuesday 9th February & it is always time for communities, schools & families to bond over a pan ...

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday & the start of the 40 days of Lent when you are supposed to give up something until Easter.

I lOVE pancakes & we often make some small ones as a quick treat with whatever fruit we have to hand at home.

For small scotch pancakes I use my Mom's recipe

1 cup plain flour
1 egg
5/8th cup of milk (or more to make a thinnish batter)

For small pancakes, I cook 3 at a time in the pan, turning them when bubbles have formed on the top.

For thinner, large pancakes, I make the mixture a bit more runny with extra milk then use a soup ladle to spoon some in to a hot frying pan & swirling it around. I flip it over when it is done on the first side

Some favourite fillings include any fruit we have at home & Greek yoghurt. We always have lots of cinnamon sugar & a little maple syrup drizzled over it ....

Small or large ones?

Small or large ones?

Pancakes are good with any fruit you have to hand ...

A quick treat ...

How will you be having yours? Do you flip or slide them over? There are some lovely ideas here if you need it ...

After chats with my students this week, I was surprised to know that some bought in ready made pancakes!!!

What - I cried in surprise - WHY? Half the fun is gathering around the stove to make & flip the pancakes then carry them to the table to stack it  up with your choice of filling ...

I hope that is what you will do this Shrove Tuesday.  Do tell what your traditions are & which fillings you favour ...

Thanks for stopping by & for taking the time to comment,
Dee ~♥~