Friday 15 October 2010

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

Middle row, L-R
4 - Gingoko Cushion in Slate and Pumpkin, £49.99, Roost Living
5 - Silk Velvet Cushion Cover in Damson, £29, Toast

Bottom row, L-R
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).

5 comments:

  1. A cosy autumnal collection. You have inspired me to create an autumn mood in my house. I love that water bottle cover.

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  2. Oh, i love it all! Especially the hot water bottle cover though. I'm in the process of knitting my first one...it's looking ok at the moment, so i hope it will be a success! xxx

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  3. absolutely perfect choices - I was leering at Diptyque candles in liberty today. Roll on Payday!

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  4. Cosy! I love Diptyque muchly, and those cushions are really lovely too. And this reminds me, must catch up on Mad Men...

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  5. Oh lovely, I've just seen you feature our Gingko Cushion! So glad you like it... What a cosy bunch of products!

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