Author

Sara Solomon

Bringing a baby into this world and the loving embrace of your family is one of life’s greatest blessings, and we’re all excited for you and this new chapter you have turned in the book of life. Along with the never-ending joy of waking up at 3AM every night to feed your little bundle of joy and lull them back to sleep, you also have to prepare everything well-before the munchkin arrives.

This means that you’re in for one heck of a decorating project, transforming the guest room in your home into a nursery equipped with everything a modern mom (and dad) could need. The importance of functionality notwithstanding, there is also a need to create an enchanting setting with colors and decor that will portray a dreamy nursery you and the baby will love. Let’s dig in.

Going neutral with pastel accents

Choosing a neutral foundation for the walls and ceiling is always a great idea, as it gives you the unimpeded freedom to decorate and accentuate to your liking. After all, everything goes great with white and off-white hues.

What’s more, you can easily complement such a backdrop with quirky pastels in the corners, on the windowsills, on the floor, and everywhere in between. That said, a neutral foundation is not your only option, as a modern nursery design can truly come to life with a backdrop that tells an enchanting story.

baby room 2

Creating a fairytale-like backdrop

Painting the walls in interesting scenes and patters is another great idea that never fails to bewilder, enchant, and amuse the observer, no matter how young the baby or how tired the parent might be. If you’re not skillful with a paintbrush – no problem. There are plenty of professional and amateur artists that would relish the opportunity to bring a fairytale-like setting to life. You can also simplify the entire process and paint the wall in a solid hue, such as aqua blue, and then add some creative decals to achieve a similar effect.

baby room 3

Complementing the furniture with photos

Every nursery needs three essential features: a crib, a changing area, and a nursing nook. But that doesn’t mean that the decorating should stop there. Quite the contrary, this is your opportunity to enrich the space with beautiful accents such as family photos.

Picture frames look amazing when overlooking the crib or the changing table, gracing the wall and bringing in a beautiful motif imbued with love and happiness. One great aesthetic idea is to keep the frames identical in design, but different in size to give the room a clean yet creative look.

baby room 5

Setting a theme the baby will love

Of course, there is no rule that forbids you from decorating the room in a specific theme, so all of you Star Wars fans, fire away! Even if the force is not strong within you, there are plenty of interesting design themes to choose from.

You can start by choosing an overarching theme that will allow you to decorate and complement the setting accordingly. So, for instance, the nursery could enjoy a detailed space theme, boasting stars, planets and galaxies on the walls and the ceiling. On the other hand, you can choose to bring nature in and decorate with paintings of trees, animals, whole valleys even – the possibilities are endless; just let your imagination run free.

Bringing functionality and aesthetics together

Lastly, it can be pretty easy to get caught up in all the decorating and forget about the importance of functionality. The nursery needs to be a place of comfort in every sense of the word, so you need to find the best layout that offers capaciousness and maneuverability.

baby room 4

To that end, consider placing the crib next to the wall at the door, then move to the second wall where the changing table and shelves will be, and then introduce a nursing nook in the corner and a reading area in the far corner of the room. Be sure to leave plenty of space in the middle of the room for playing and don’t forget to baby-proof the floor with a fluffy area rug.

Designing a dreamy nursery for the whole family to enjoy is an easy and rewarding task you and your partner can take on together over the weekend. So, let this simple guide help you decorate and arrange a dreamy nursery your baby will love.

Tis the season to be jolly and decorate your home. But sometimes, we know you don’t just want to do the same as last year. Sometimes, it’s fun to try something different.

If you’re feeling the need to try a new trend, or begin a fresh family Christmas tradition for your home, we’ve got five of the latest decorative styles to hit the UK this 2017. Take a look and see if you see anything that could really give your home that extra Christmassy something you’ve been searching for!

“Christmas is a great time to add some sophistication to your home with the perfect Christmas decorative display,” said Pimlico estate agent, Andrew Reeves. “Or, if you want to be a little more playful, then you could go down that décor route, if you prefer. Pretty much anything goes, as long as it makes you happy and helps your Christmas a special one.”

A Peruvian twist

Add some Peruvian flair to your Christmas décor this year, with lots of animals and bright colours, pom poms and fun. It might be a little different from your typical colour co-ordinated tree and matching ornaments. But, there’s just something really fun about just choosing your favourite colours and animals to change up your usual Christmas theme.
peruvian decor

Light it up

Few of us are strangers to Christmas lights. But, how about adding some light in a slightly different way? Instead of the typical string lights with different shaped bulbs, you could opt to light up a favourite scene or corner with some hidden lighting. Illuminate favourite Christmas ornaments with some discreet lighting behind them. Light and shadow boxes are different options, too.

“Lights are always popular at Christmas, so add a new element to your lights display this year,” said Fulham estate agent, Lawsons & Daughters. “Illuminations are a traditional part of Christmas, but by presenting it in a different way, you’re sure to add some lovely touches to your home”.
decor and lights

Have a retro Christmas?

Christmas in the 70s and 80s was a shiny experience, full of tinsel. If there’s no such thing as too much tinsel for you, then you’ll be pleased to hear its making a big come back! Go tinsel crazy and drape that shiny stuff everywhere! Your nod to nostalgia will be fun for you and your family too!
retro christmas decor

Metallic magic

If you love the metallic trend that’s current interior design favourite, you’ll be pleased to hear tis ready to make an appearance at Christmas too. Metallic colours and Christmas decorations abound in 2017, so why not use it as an excuse to buy even more fabulous new decorative items? From different metallic shades for baubles, to some show stopping lighting options, you can have a very on trend Christmas with this theme.
metallic ornaments

Rustic and ribbons

For those of you who prefer something a little more rustic, there’s plenty out there for you, too. Dress your real Christmas tree up with lots of natural wooden ornaments in the shapes of hearts and stars. Then, top it all of with some bows made from gingham ribbon! It’s a lovely look that suits every kind of home regardless of the styling elsewhere.
wooden ornaments

“Whether decorating for Christmas is done with military precision or a dash of anything goes, it’s a time of year to be happy and enjoy your home,” said Proskips. “So, choose items and colours you love to ensure you love the finished Christmas decorative article, this year.”

For me, every meal tastes better al fresco. If you agree and love preparing and eating food outside, it’s time for you to expand your living space and invest in an outdoor kitchen. It will allow you and your family and friends to spend time outside while making tasty lunches or hosting fun dinner parties. In case you don’t know where to start with your design, here are some outdoor kitchen design tips for every outdoorsy chef.

Carefully plan the location

One of the first rules of building: location, location, location! Probably the most common mistake people make when designing their outdoor kitchen is not looking at the wind pattern in their yard. You don’t want all the smoke and smells to get sucked into your home every time you’re using your outdoor kitchen, so place the grill and smoker accordingly. Also, people often place their outdoor kitchen too far from the inside kitchen, which makes carrying heavy platters and drinks quite inconvenient. Additionally, if you love the view from the inside of the house, don’t block it with the outdoor kitchen. Instead, place it to the side or pick an angle that will not ruin your view.

Choose the right materials

Your outdoor kitchen needs to be a bit sturdier than your indoor kitchen in order to resist the elements, such as winds, rain, snow and extreme heat. So, during the process of designing your outdoor space, opt for materials that are weather-resistant and easy to clean and maintain. Stainless steel is always a good option for countertops because it’s tough and durable, easy to clean and looks very sleek. If you want something more rustic and warmer, you can opt for tiled countertops. Tiles come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and they require minimal maintenance. Also, pay attention to your floors. Tile and marble floors can get very slippery when wet or greased, so you might want to skip them. Concrete, brick and natural stone, on the other hand, are much safer and they will give your space a stylish look.

Opt for high-quality appliances

No matter how well you’re planning to equip your outdoor kitchen (some only opt for a grill, a sink and a small fridge, while others include beer taps, smokers and even warming drawers), you have to make sure your appliances can take both rain and sun. Stainless steel works great, requires little maintenance and is quite popular nowadays. Additionally, hire a licensed electrician to install your appliances and make sure everything is up to code.

Provide storage

Like every kitchen, your outdoor kitchen also needs storage for cooking tools, gadgets, food, and drink. Also, the outdoor storage should be waterproof and well insulated to endure temperature changes. With some storage, you’ll always have things on hand and your countertops will be clutter-free.

Build shelter from the elements

If you don’t want the weather to stop you from enjoying your outdoor kitchen, you should build a shelter that will keep the elements away from your grill. A tall roof, pergola or even some simple umbrellas will allow you to show off your culinary skills ever in the rain or scorching sun. You can also equip your outdoor kitchen with a fan for the summer and a heat lamp or a fire pit for the winter. Additionally, if you live in an area with pesky mosquitoes and a lot of flies, you can equip your kitchen with repellents and bug zappers that will keep them away from your food.

Install good lighting

Good lighting will allow you to prepare food when natural light is scarce and it will provide your outdoor space with a soft ambience that’s perfect for relaxing. You will need overhead lighting for food prep (hang the light from the roof or install a pole yard light) and add some string lights or tiki torches for ambient lighting.

Add comfort

An outdoor kitchen isn’t just a place where you cook food. It also serves to enjoy those delicious meals you make and for entertainment. So, make sure you put out some chairs, tables and decoration that will make your outdoor kitchen the star of your home. Choose durable pieces and weather-resistant fabrics so you can enjoy them all year round.

Once your outdoor kitchen is finished, get ready to break out your spatula, tongs and fork and prepare the perfect BBQ for all your family and friends.