Autumn Home Styling Challenge

At this time of year, as daylight hours are squeezed ever shorter and a coolness is increasingly present to the air, I find that I get the urge to nest, to squirrel myself away at home of an evening rather than brave a long wait at the bus stop at the end of a night in (inevitably) inappropriate shoes.

It was this feeling that I turned to for inspiration when Helen from VoucherCodes.co.uk got in touch last week to see if I'd be interested in taking part in their Autumn Home Styling Challenge. Full details if you click the link, but the basic idea was to put together a collection of between 5 and 10 items, each of which must be under £50, that could update a room for Autumn. I created a couple of mood boards, but finally went with the items above, description and links below, hope you like it! :

A print (1), appropriately from the 'What to Look for in Autumn' Ladybird book, slightly retro and harking back to childhood, but I love the colours, the glow of the fire, the grey-purple smoke, the watching owl. Another owl, on a hook (6), perfect for hanging all those extra layers on once you step in from outdoors, discarded coats and knitted scarves. A scented candle (3) to evoke Bonfire Night, the smell of wood smoke, flickering light. A blanket (2) in earthy tones to snuggle under on the sofa, beautiful cushions (4 & 5) to nestle into, the latest series of Mad Men or Autumn period drama on the television, the night dark outside. A mug (9) of hot chocolate or warm spiced berry cordial, a simple wooden tray to put it on. And finally, a hot water bottle cover (7) whose proceeds go to a worthy cause, in case you need any extra warmth under that blanket, bonus points if you turn down the central heating too!

Top row, L-R

1 - Barn Owl and Bonfire Print, A4, £15, Ladybird Prints

2 - Laurence Blanket, £25.99, Zara Home

3 - Feu de Bois Diptyque Candle, £36, Space NK

Middle row, L-R

4 - Gingoko Cushion in Slate and Pumpkin, £49.99, Roost Living

5 - Silk Velvet Cushion Cover in Damson, £29, Toast

6 - Owl Hook, £20, Anthropologie

Bottom row, L-R

7 - Fairisle Hotwater Bottle Cover, £14.95, Amnesty International Shop

8 - Tiffany Tray in oak, £35, Habitat

9 - Pila Mug, £3.50, Habitat

If you want to join in, read the full details here, or just pop along to the main Voucher Codes website to browse their vouchers and discounts (currently Habitat and Laura Ashley are offering discounts amongst others).