Morning, big huge thank you to everyone who attended my weekend class, both Friday and Saturday were fabulous days with so many passionate, inspiring funny people, I loved it. Today we’re putting more classes online for next year as well as creating a gift voucher for the classes since we’re getting emails in by the sack full asking about them for Christmas, fear not all online later today.
In the classes I talk about layers and the importance of them (here she goes again I here you cry), stay with me, as this idea is as simple as anything. If you’re room is feeling a little bland and needs a tad more personality start introducing books into your space. I’m talking about plonking them on consoles, mantles, chairs, shelves even the floor. Pile them up into little groups, plonk a posy of blooms on top, a scented candle, a decanter of whisky, a plant and wham bam you’ve suddenly given your room a little soul. They don’t by the way have to be posh arty tomes, catalogues, magazines, novels all do the trick. Infact just yesterday in from spending most of the afternoon in the garden I felt I needed to ramp up the height of one of my lights, a couple of books later they elevated it to a new status (and height).
Below a lovely collection of images showing you just how books can transform a space, I cannot take any credit for the compilation, all images from, http://mirrormirror.typepad.com
Very excited for Friday, the retail masterclass
x
Please can I have arrival and departure times and postcode?
I am arranging transport from Leceistershire today
HI Annie, hopefully the team has contacted you so you know where you are going. See you Friday
I am totally with you on layers and soul. Without them, my apartment is bland and boring. BUT. I am now faced with a totally new (to me, that is) dilemma.
My man is about to move in with me, and he cannot stand the layers I have (relatively few, in my opinion, mainly books and some candles and flowers and ceramics).
I wanted to make said man feel welcome, so asked if he would want to change anything to feel at home. And he said, I am quoting now: ”Well, you have a lot of stuff on your surfaces. I do not like that, it bothers me, but we can always put them away.” Cue my sad face.
Of course I am half joking in asking this (had to explain, don’t think humor is conveyed so well online), but still: any ideas? If I do put them away, how to give my space soul, but in a way that will not seem like clutter to him?
Simple answer I hate to say is that without stuff you can’t tantalise and give a space soul its impossible. As soon as you put everything away you take away the interest, sorry
Just as I thought. Thanks Abigail!
Well, I will have to try and convince the mister that I need this atmosphere around me to feel my best and to be creative. Which is true (and also benefits him).
It does indeed, best of luck
Thanks for this tip Abigail. Now I can say the stacks of books on every flat surface in my home are designer approved and not a total lack of shelf space!
P.S. Going to Paris this weekend and had to trade a day at Disneyland with my 12 year old for a trip to Merci so I hope it’s worth it!
You will love Merci, although I think they shut Sunday’s might be worth checking first
As way of introduction my name is Lesley Muscat and my company is Anatolian Cushions, quite a new company and the website is currently under construction. However as new company there has been much interest in my product and I hope you like them, each cushion is unique in that there are no two the same, the collections are selected to mix and match and are the ultimate luxury accessory for your home.
Happy to chat more or provide further information. Let me know what you think and if you would be interested in featuring in on your blog.
Hi Abigail, my friend swears by your post and says that you’re the oracle when it comes to interior design and ideas. I have a question totally unrelated to this post but maybe you can help? I have a big window in my bathroom with my bath right next to it, and currently i’m currently using a shower curtain to stop the window from getting wet and keeping my dignity but it looks unsightly. I have been looking for waterproof shutters or shower roller blinds but i have been unsuccessful. Can you help?
You can get PVC roller blinds although they are pretty plastic looking. In my book Girls Guide I make perspex blinds (very inexpensive plus they let the light thru) which would work or you could use yaughting varnish on wooden shutters which will also do the trick, hope that helps
You are a star! I’m heading to the bookstore in my lunch break to purchase your book. Thanks x
More than welcome
I LOVE this idea! Mine, though not as glamourous are stacked in front of the fireplace as a part of a vignette http://www.designgratislondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/better-late-than-never.html
(photos at the end of post)
Fab thanks
Hello! I was at the Friday masterclass – it was a fabulous day and I met some lovely people!
I mentioned it in my blog! http://foundinbrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/abigail-dawn-and-sue.html
Thank you very kind of you to mention