With a plethora of television shows encouraging us to embrace the pre-loved and the upcycled, how easy is it to rejuvenate your space?
It can be hard to give advice on the matter without sounding condescending or painful - "Don't lose sleep over what colour you could paint that old book case" and "when does distressed just look distressing?"
The answer is just don't bother. Lets face it: when do we ever have time to tackle all these projects?!
I won't lie. I have given projects like this a go and I just ended up feeling disappointed. Plus one of the pieces I did a shabby paint job on was promptly drawn on by my daughter. Then it when from shabby chic to pre-school graffiti in seconds. Plus, I have a real love for insanely kitsch objects which my partner, instead of finding adorable like me, just finds plain creepy. I can't win.
Your Home, Your Style
If you're happy with your interior style enjoy it and don't feel insecure about the fact you're not using organic paint to rough-up a sideboard. On the other hand, if you're hoping for a little reinvention just start small by adding a few pieces to your décor - it can give the space a welcome lift.
Just be sure to never forsake your style, it's what makes your home individual and your home is your refuge. My addiction to crochet blankets and animal ornaments is a small price to pay to know that when I close the door on the world, I am truly 'at home'.
I am amused when watching one of the many television shows on how to sell your home the first thing presenters advise is hiring a skip and throwing all your personal belongings in it. De-clutter, hide family photos and paint everything magnolia - they would have a heart attack in my temple to Scandi print fabric and rabbit ornaments. When viewing a property, most people can see past one persons style and see their own, just as I can walk into a property and imagine my own armada of granny chic in it's place.
Tips for Reinventing Your Space
If you want to explore changing -up your interiors, take a look at Re's carefully chosen home accessories that will instantly add a personal touch. You can purchase anything from a chicken anatomy tea towel to wire toasting forks. This made me think of when as a child we would toast crumpets in front of our 1970s gas fire. Maybe not as romantic as a big Victorian open fire, but that's reality and it was no less awesome for the six-year-old me.
If you're ready to embrace a little bit of joyful kitsch then Flo & Stan is a wonderful place. A comfortable mix of modern designers like Rice DK and Orla Kiely nestle among vintage ornaments, coffee sets and prints.
I spent a few years living on the border of Holland and Germany, and Dutch markets and interiors shops became a refuge. The Dutch style is something I have always admired, and if you're a fan, too, I recommend the adorable Wood and Wool Stool and All the Luck in the World. They're a fine mix of the new, old, as well as hand crafted and thrifted items.
Your home is a reflection of you, and should be a celebration of individuality. Stand up for that picture your Mother thought was tasteless! I grew up in show home and would have to say this has had a big influence on my style. So, if minimalism is your thing I totally understand, perhaps you grew up in a cluttered home and now its your chance to rebel. Your home, after all, is your castle and should be full of things that you, not picky relatives, loves.
Photo © Louise Bush for BitchBuzz