My perfect hallway (just add dog)

I found this gorgeously grey country style hallway on Pinterest a while ago, but didn’t share it because I struggled to find the original source. I’ve now tracked it down (I should’ve guessed really – it’s the wonderful Ben Kendrick and Brent Darby for Country Living) so can post it last and we can all drool over it together.

{Brent Darby for Country Living}

I love it all – the contrast of the soft grey and red brick, the rough linen bench cushion, the touches of seagrass and rattan. It will be many moons before I have any hope of having my dream country home (although I’m happy to report I’m one baby step closer) but when I do, I would love to welcome my visitors into a hallway like this. All that’s missing is a dog!

Join The Room Debate!

Morning all – welcome to The Room Debate!

I have a rather vintage candidate for your delectation today – judging by the single bed I’m guessing this is a child’s room or maybe a guest room. I’ll leave that for you to decide…

As always, it’s easy to get involved. Just have a good look at the room photo below and leave a comment with your answers to these two questions:

One thing I like most about this room is…

One thing I like least about this room is…

{via Down and Out Chic}

I guess the question is, would you have liked this to be your bedroom growing up, or would you like to stay in it while visiting a friend?

Looking forward to hearing what you think! Have a lovely weekend.

DN xx

A whitewashed and woody Italian retreat

I’m suffering from a serious bout of Olympic fever here in London and am almost delirious with excitement, but if you’ve already had enough and are looking to escape I have the perfect spot for you.

This old mill belongs to Katrin Arens who designs and makes rustic furniture from reclaimed wood. It’s set in the Lombardy region of Italy, right in the north where it borders Switzerland. It’s not an area I knew anything about, but one look at this website and it’s now firmly on my ‘to go’ list – rolling hills, thermal waters and lowland rice fields producing the main ingredient for the region’s speciality saffron risotto… si grazie!

Given her job, it’s hardly surprising that Katrin made lots of the furniture in the house herself. If her style is your thing you should definitely check out her shop, where she sells lovely handcrafted, natural homewares.

I love the tiny flash of yellow in the picture on top of the wardrobe in this otherwise white/wood room. And I’m sure I’d sleep like a baby every night in the room below knowing I could throw open the window and start the morning with breakfast at the little table.

{via The Style Files}

You know what, this house might just have wrestled away the award of my dream home from this Cornish cottage – I can absolutely see myself living here. Forever!

Probably the dreamiest bedroom in the world

Fellow white-lovers, prepare yourselves…

{all Taverne Agency via Campagne Décoration}

Where to start?

The original shutters? The beautifully battered floorboards? The crumpled linens? The lofty ceiling? The easy-as-pie vintage book wall art? The Deborah Bowness wallpapers? I think I could happily live in this one room alone and never want to leave!

The lucky girl who gets to sleep here is coiffed interior designer Lyn Gardener, the creative force behind Australian interiors shop Empire Vintage. I’m sure you’ll recognise snippets from the rest of her home too.

Dreamy Whites (and a little bit of green)

I love the Dreamy Whites blog – if you’re into restful interiors with a relaxed, country feel I’m sure you will too. It’s packed with beautiful photography and inspiring styling tricks all year round but at Christmas, it’s full of simple ideas to introduce little festive touches throughout your home.

{all Dreamy Whites}

I’m a great believer that Christmas decorations don’t have to be over the top to create a special atmosphere. These ideas are so easy that you could add them without any fuss – a bunch of eucalyptus here, a length of red and white ribbon there – and after the big day there’s not loads of packing up to do.

Are subtle decorations like this enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, or do you see this as your chance to indulge in all the tinsel and sparkle you can lay your hands on? I’d love to know!