More of my IKEA buys.

Photography and styling Samantha Stansbridge

All Photography and styling Samantha Stansbridge

Armed with a few more flip top jars, bought on my recent trip to IKEA,  I've been busy  decanting up my muesli and granola dust.   Granola dust, by the way, can also be used for making great pancakes.
Maybe I'll make some over the weekend....

Large KOREN flip top jar IKEA, smaller one De Gruchy Jersey. White bowl Maxwell Williams from the White basics range. 

The Weekend In Photographs

We arrived in St. Malo on Friday at 11.00 am but didn't make it out of the harbour until much later that day,   Long story short, my daughter was transporting snakes to be rehomed in France, but  a mix-up with the paperwork meant that the French customs decided to hold us until 4.00pm!  The Jersey end had given us  incorrect documents for entering France with snakes, and the French didn't like it, so after  few phone calls to and from Jersey, a fine of 280.00 Euros, and a photo shoot of said snakes with what seemed to be the entire  French customs department, we finally got on our way at around 4.00 pm!  

We arrived at IKEA just after 5.00pm which seemed to be a really great time to shop because it was virtually empty and I have never known Ikea to be that quiet!  Perfect for taking  a few photos on my phone, for inspiration later. 

This sofa is now on my wish list, it's actually very comfy, I like the traditional feel of it but with an updated edge to it.

This photo collection caught my eye, something I might try out at home.

Images taken on Samsung Mini 3 Styling IKEA

I also managed to get most of the items on my shopping list, with a couple of exceptions, but all in all, I am pretty pleased with my little IKEA bundle of goodies that I bought, and totally enjoyed browsing around the room sets getting ideas and inspiration. 

Create a Bohemian / Traveller vibe

Wicker Tea Light  £5 Elephant £7-£10  Hurricane lamp £10 Triple wick candle £8.00

At the risk of sounding slightly repetitive, I've been to B&Q again (see here here and oh yes here,)  and spotted some more new items in our local DIY store which I'm loving, and in case you are wondering, no, I haven't been paid to go one about them, but I'm thinking of making myself a B&Q ambassador, haha  (it's my answer to IKEA here in Jersey, and if we had IKEA, I'd probably spend the other half of my time there too) I thought these pieces would be ideal if you wanted to add a hint of the bohemian / traveller vibe to your interiors. 

Unfourtunalty the Elephant had sold out already when I went back today to get it, but I did pick up the triple  wick  vanilla candle, which smells divine,  and the black wicker tea light, perfect for creating a little evening ambience.

Styling and photography by me!

Monday Must Have's Get the Look.

Foto: Alvhem Mäkleri & Interiör Photographer: Fredrik Karlsson J

Foto: Alvhem Mäkleri & Interiör Photographer: Fredrik Karlsson J

Foto: Alvhem Mäkleri & Interiör Photographer: Fredrik Karlsson J

I'm a sucker for those Scandinavian, Nordic Real Estate websites showcasing beautifully styled homes in lovely period properties, and I'm a regular visitor to the Alvhem website to check out the latest beautifully styled apartments, (I'm convinced somewhere in my family history we have some Scandinavian ancestors, I'm just so drawn to this style) and get some inspiration for my own home, and I'm checking out what is available closer to home in order to create the look, so I've been busy making this little mood board using some items from Wayfair.co.uk  the one with that catchy tune.

The Essentials for a Scandinavian look.

A period property (ideal but not essential)

Bare floorboards (or fake it) 

White walls

Lots of natural light

Mix old with new pieces

Big sumptuous bed

Mixed fabrics in linen, and furs

A touch of industrial lighting.

Natural Dyed Throw, Ladder bookshelf, sheepskin rug, round side table, Clamp Lamp, Art,  Cushion, Faux plants, Bed Spread.

Okay so you might not be lucky enough to have the period property or bare floorboards, but you can still achieve a pretty good look none the less.  Keep the colour palette simple, whites neutral and greys mixed with natural materials such as woods, linens, furs, textured throws and velvets.  Mix old and new together such as an old set of draws or a bureau,   add a splash of industrial with clamp lamps and concrete plant pots, place a ladder against the wall and use it to hang your favourite party dress on and some fashion magazines and you're about done!  

New Spring Collections From B&Q to Fall in Love With.

Images B&Q 

Last week we popped into our local B&Q for some light bulbs, (you'd think that an easy task, but have you seen light bulb aisles lately? thankfully a member of staff pointed me in the right direction) and as always I couldn't help but wonder around the aisles as you do, to see what's new. Needless to say, I left with an arm full of wallpaper samples (see which one I took a shine to on my Instagram feed) as the new spring collections are starting to filter into the stores, and I have to say I'm impressed with what's on offer, I'm loving the pastel shade and chevron accessories from the Summer Daze collection, (tops set of photos) but also love the nordic inspired look available in the Kasbah collection. There are two other collections in the series also, Meadow, which is all about bringing the outdoors in, and A Touch Of Luxe inspired by golds and metallics. Which is your favourite Look?

The Store, A new Shopping Experience.

The Store, (online coming soon)  a new shopping experience that is apparently  taking Berlin by storm. 
Interview by Carmen De Baets

Video and photography by Diogo Lopes and Pia-Nicole Sarkar

14 January 2016
Source Protein

Craft and Farmers Market.

Well the weather outside this weekend was definitely frightful, and I'd like to say that the fire in doors was delightful, but our heating system packed up and sprung a leak in the kitchen,  (we have a solid fuel Aga cooker) and we were left in the cold, but after bringing out the emergency electric radiators from storage, and draining out the rest of the heating system to stop any further leaks, we braved the wind and rain and headed to a Craft and Farmers Market  (renamed Simply Christmas for the time of year) to check out the local makers and shakers. and I bought this little decorative plate from Seymour Ceramics,  it's perfect for keeping my rings and things safe on my bedside table at night. 

Stylish Wireless Charging From Fonesalesman

I wrote about wireless charging back in March, when Ikea launched their collection of products for keeping our gadgets fully powered up, and ready to spring into action quicker than you can say 'where's my charger', and if you were lucky enough to visit the 100% Design Show last week, you may have already discovered the latest in wireless charging technology from Fonesalesman, They recently announced the launch  of the stylish FurniQi Side Table, a beautiful bamboo table infused with wireless charging technology. You simply place any Qi wireless enabled device on the charging spot and you are ready to charge, no more hunting for, or rummaging through bags to find your charger at that crucial moment in your candy crush game or music download..

Personally I love the whole idea of a multi-functional and stylish  piece of furniture like this, and I've said this before, but will say it again, the idea of a wireless charging table would be so handy in hotels don't you think, I mean who puts their knickers in the bedside set of drawers anyway?  Put a wireless charging table there instead! 

As wireless charging gains popularity,  more up to date mobiles and devices  will  have Qi capacity built in, and Fonesalesman already have a selection of wireless chargers available, but for older mobiles you can add a receiver to the back of your phone which then enables your mobile  to use wireless charging.  Check out this page to see if your phone is compatible for a receiver 

The FurniQi range plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign next month (October 2015) and to find out more, just head to www.furniqi.com  to be kept up to date. 

Have you picked up your new B&Q catalogue yet?

Decorating a home and bringing a style together is actually quite a skill, and when you are on a budget, very often your local B&Q/DIY store can be your first point of call to find budget friendly paints wallpaper and products, but being presented with rows and rows of items in packets can be a little uninspirational, particularly if you lack confidence or imagination in creating a cohesive style, and this is way I like the new B&Q catalogue 'Enjoy'

This year B&Q have pulled together a collection which has never been done before by B&Q, called the Neutral Collection, aimed at being a foundation of products  on which customers can layer and create their own style. In the catalogue as well as 'How To' videos on line you will find  ways of decorating with  products and items in new and interesting ways, such as using gabions as office storage,  creating  bespoke shelving, using rope and planks of wood, tapping into the crafting and up-cycling trend, and creating eye catching paint effects on walls. 

From the new Enjoy Catalogue 

The looks are bang on trend with ideas on how to use copper or creating the very trendy Scandinavian/Nordic look for example,  So if you are looking for some DIY inspiration over the Easter break, then why not pop along to your local B&Q,  pick up the new catalog and get creative! 

Budget Buys

Right now I'm loving the new Spring/Summer collection from Tesco Direct, I picked up a free copy of the catalog recently with a magazine and was impressed with whats on offer, and as I'm a gal who currently loves all things Scandinavian  I've picked out a few items that I think might work well to help create the look. 

     

Top row: Living by Christiane Lemieux, Glass, Hand-blown vase  £30.00 Maritime glass jar medium £11.20 Copper Picture Frame £30.00 Faux Fur Cushion £14.00.

Middle row:  Aztec woven laundry basket £30.00  Miami occasional table £29.00 Hammered copper-effect bowl £10.00

Bottom row: Moroccan Faux leather  pouffe £70.00  Solid Oak Pizza Cutting Board £27.49       Smoke Grey faceted vase £12.00

Introducing Wireless Charging From IKEA.

All images IKEA

This, I think is a pure stroke of genius from IKEA, lamps and side tables with built in wireless  ability to charge your  smart phone, I've lost count of how many times I have had to go in search of my charger, someone borrows it, or I've absentmindedly put it down in another room - and wouldn't  these be great in hotel rooms too! no need to pack your charger when you go away.  I've never though to IKEA as cutting edge when it comes to technology, but I really like this idea, and the pieces blend in with the home to, they don't look gadgety or techie either which I love.

So far the series consist of  VARV Table lamp,  VARV Floor lamp  RIGGAD Work lamp  NORDLI Bedside table   SELJE Bedside table, all  with wireless charger, then there are the  NORDMÄRKE Single pad with wireless charger and  the NORDMÄRKE Triple pad with wireless charger.

There is also the option to build a wireless charger into your furniture and worktops, the JYSSEN Wireless charger seen below. 

Available from Mid April in stores and online, but you will need a smartphone that supports wireless charging (Qi) check your phone for detail, it may just need switching on.