I thought I’d start sharing some basic styling tips that I use here at Little House. I’ve picked up some great ideas over the years from my days art directing interior photo shoots and just generally enjoying faffing with and styling up the rooms in my own home. I’ll talk about things that work for me and help me with the Instagram photos I post. I plan to try and do a few tips a week, I hope you like them and will find them useful.

Textures, layers & patterns

I love to layer! whether it be cushions, sheepskins or blankets, putting textures and patterns together seems to add such depth to a space. Don’t be afraid to try patterns together that you never imagined would work, you might just find they compliment each other. Choose a colour palette like I have above and then add in pieces bit by bit. I’m obsessed with sheepskins at the moment and find they look fab in every room.

Colour crush

If you’re anything like me, chances are you go off and on colours quick as a flash. What with current trends, the mood your in and even the seasons. My tip for this is to keep your base colour scheme fairly neutral, especially if you don’t have a decorator on tap or the funds to keep changing things. I keep my walls grey or white and my furniture fairly neutral too. I’m not saying by any means don’t buy that fabulous yellow sofa, I just know how quickly I get bored of a colour. So as and when I see a colour I love I buy one small thing in that hue and pop it in a neutral zone, then if I like it I gradually add in more. I do this with throws, vases, wall hangings and cushions, that way I find the colour truly pops! I’ve then achieved this in an inexpensive way. Above you can see my current love of yellow and green.

Don’t be afraid of an up-cycle

I was! So I know how easily this can scare, but its a great budget idea and also very rewarding. I’ve found Annie Sloan paint very versatile and great coverage with a no sanding benefit. I’ve painted a table and a belly basket and I’m just planning a stool thrift project and a height chart ruler next. I get a little happy pang every time I look at my projects and of course there’s the added benefit that I find it enjoyable. I also get the kids involved, they love a paintbrush like me. It’s also teaching them that not everything is just so ‘throw away’ in this modern world.

Go with the faux

I used to turn my nose up at artificial plants and flowers, but recently I’ve discovered how great they can be to add an organic pop of green or colour, and with an obvious perk of me not being able to send them to plant heaven! I purchased some faux eucalyptus stems, orange gold roses and an oxalis plant from Artificial green and I’m loving how fabulous they are looking in my photos and home. (see above)

Useful links

Fabulous ‘colour pop’ accessories at Hema www.hemashop.com

Great sheepskins at www.solitairerugco.com

Annie Sloan www.anniesloan.com

Artificial Green www.artificialgreen.co.uk

 

If you like these tips scroll down to leave me a comment and I’ll try and do some more next week 🙂