The first big new purchase

Well despite the fact that the builders are still there and still trying to finish things off. Let's just say they haven't been entirely successful in that bit. Since they had invaded last weekend we decided to do the next big thing on the list and decide on our couch. So off we went to sofa.com. We knew that we wanted a small sofa that didn't look like something out of the Ikea catalogue. The only thing we hadn't decided was if we were going to go standard and neutral in fabric or "go crazy".

So several hours later we finally finished moving pillows around the showroom, talking about colors and being generally non-commital. So we handed over the credit card and bought a 2 seater Yanna Sofa in Broad Weave Linen in Undyded. Here's a picture:

We got mahogany legs without the casters on it. I think it'll look great! The nice part was that they threw in two large cushions in striped green velvet, which I think will really tie in to the green tones in the room. So definitely really excited about this! 

We also saw two fabulous chairs that we fell in love with, but they are going to have to wait. We don't want to end up with a super cluttered room again so sofa first and then everything else. Not sure where anyone else'll sit when we have people over, but we'll just play it by ear. 

A throne is just a bench covered in velvet

Now Napolean Bonaparte may have said this (or something close to it in case I have quoted it wrong), but he probably wouldn't have turned his nose up at a lovely pillow or two to cushion that "bench" he sat on while attempting to take over Europe. While looking for throws I came across some great pillows that I would love to buy if I had a home for them in this house. Judging by the fact that House to Home claim scatter cusions as one of the top 10 things men and women fight about I'm just about ready to strap on my armour for these ones.



These are all from John Lewis and range from £18-£45. Now I for one will say that I was very surprised by all of the great pillows they've got. I know that they are the gold standard for quality and I am minorly obsessed with their kitchen and china department, but I never expected all of the great stuff they have. In fact, if I'm honest there is so much I liked I would have to put the entire selection up there and take out a second mortgage. So the above is just a small sampling. Anyone else I should check out?? Let me know!

Inspired by a fireplace

Well you would think that with the kitchen and bathroom in and well and truly broken in we would be sitting back and enjoying ourselves for a while. How untrue that is. We've just finished having the roof replaced and let me tell you none too soon. Winter seems to be coming on strong here and in celebration we turned on the gas fire today for the first time. There is something very warm and cozy about having a fireplace with a real fire in it (not least because it gives heat). So this got my mind thinking about how we can show off the fireplace when we re-do the front room in the spring.

I think the term that "real" decorators use is feature wall for this type of idea. So I though that since there will be cupboards on both sides (painted white) and we're planning on keeping most of the other stuff in the room neutral a really nice bold bit of wallpaper would look nice. I know I've ranted about wallpaper on here before, but really that's just because it's bad wallpaper. I mean bad taste is painful, but even more so when it's permanently stuck onto your wall forever. Ugh.

So here are a few options we're looking at. I think we are leaning towards the third or last option. Let me know your thoughts: