It's the 1st of December!!! Some festive inspiration ....

beaded wreath and mercury tealights

It's the 1st of December!!!   Okay so we are about 24 days away from Christmas day and just less than a month to a new year!  So to kick off the month in the spirit if the holiday season here are some inspirational items from Cox & Cox (uk).....

bauble and silver candle holders...

stick on snowflakes ...

eucalyptus wreath ...

gorgeous outdoor tree....

Picture credits : All Cox & Cox UK

Accessories really do make a home.

an exquisite driftwood heartshaped mirror, surrounded by neutral accents...

Some say that a great piece of art is the starting point for a room, other's say it's a well chosen rug, with the right colours and textures. I say it's both and more ....

Effectively, it's the shell that ensures the pieces all work together as a whole i.e. your walls, floors, then you curtaining and lighting. In the end though, it's really how the sum is put together. And that's where accessories and finishing touches comes in.

note the wonderful neutral colour scheme and great array of textures

As with the other items in the room, when it comes to accessories, stick to a theme and colour scheme to ensure continuity and flow, and always keep like with like i.e. groupings of same or similar things. At present the trend is to go for very natural and neutral materials such as wood, driftwood, silver, glass and mirror, shells, textural fabric, stone, metal, amongst others. Take note of what you already have, see what works in your home, and then shop around for great accessories to tie in with what you already have and like. textured and patterned linen scatters on an African day bed ....

A great store for accessories (and gifts) in Johannesburg, is Lime Grove, which is situated in the newly renovated Morningside shopping centre (also Woodstock in Cape Town). Whilst walking past recently, I was so taken in by the combination of items that they had on display - the colours, textures and shapes (see pictures above) that I just had to pop in and take a peek at their lovely array of items.... Take time to go into the store if you are in the area, speak to Lindi (+27879403875) or Renay (+27825589986).

Happy "inspired" shopping!

Picture Credits : GenaD Photography taken on location at Lime Grove. Morningside Shopping Centre, Johannesburg

Weylandts - a store with a difference

Weylandts is a local (South African) homeware store ... i.e. they sell furniture and other gorgeous items for the home, from bedding, to scatters, rugs, lamps, ornaments, kitchenware etc.etc.

They source items and/ or designers of home goods, with a difference i.e. the design, the texture, the materials used, the shape, the natural look and feel. as a rule are normally what make a Weylandts item, a real Weylandts item! Their stuff is truly covetable!!! And, since it's weekend, here's the link, so that you can go visual shopping ... Weylandts: http://www.weylandts.co.za/ have fun!

And here, is a link to Chris Weylandt's (owner) article on decor - certainyl worth the read: http://www.weylandts.co.za/journeys-of-discovery/articles/expand-your-small-spaces

Picture Credits: Weylandts Website

The Impact of Candles

I love candles and I'm sure many, if not most of you, do too! I love the flickering, the soft lighting, which is both calming, relaxing and at times viewed in a romantic light (if you'll excuse the pun!). What I don't like is the awful mess that candles can leave - the wax drips all over the place, most of which are an absolute nightmare to remove. I've therfore looked at various options on how to enjoy the elegance, peace and tranquility of candlelight sans (without) mess .... Here are a few great examples:

Essentially these are all glass containes or vases in which pillar candles are placed - you still get the soft light, the flickers, the romance, if you will, but without the mess. In fact I've resorted to buying candles which are already in glass containers, or otherwise containers sturdy enough to handle candles .......

Another option of course, is to use fairy lights, over a picture frame, a mirror or even in a glass container, such as this example ....

Try different options and see what works best for you and your home, but always be careful with candles and do not leave them burning in an unattended room.

Pictures & Products : Linda Barker, UK see website: http://www.reallylindabarker.co.uk/