Not a success

Oh dear, judging by the huge number of hits that I've had on my blog over the past two days (especially from the US), yet an unusually tiny number of comments, I guess that either the guest post idea was not greatly liked by my regular readers, or you have all been away for the weekend.

how peaceful and serene this bedroom looks

I fear the former.

love this eclectic mix of cushions and look at that gorgeous blanket!

I am sorry about that.

how cool is that mint green cooker?! and with the pink fridge!

So retro!

I ought to make it clear that no goods or money passed hands, it just seemed a good idea at the time to have someone else write a post with some pretty pics that you might all enjoy as you seemed to like the other interiors post I've done whilst I'm on a bit of an interiors kick (and I thought you might be getting sick of photos of my hall), the company (in the US) get some free advertising (and it is a good website as far as I've seen) , and I don't have to write a post!

how pretty and feminine is this!

(Don't think it would go down well with most hubbys or partners though)

this is so bold, I like the stripey chairs and the blue walls

simpe, but sweet, but I can't help thinking what a pain it would be, forever on my knees with the pasta server batting all the pet toys out from under the cupboards!!

So I'm sorry, dear readers, if it wasn't your cup of tea, I know better now, and I shall be back within a day or two with my Giveaway and a few piccies of what I've been busy painting over the weekend - and for once its not the hall!

what a wonderful riot of colour! I would never be brave enough to have violet windows though!

I hope you all have great weekend, and I hope you enjoyed these

few photos that I've found on my favourite tumblr,

Vintage Home

(I'm on the downstairs computer with no access to my photo files!)

All images from Vintage Home



Something a little different - A Guest Post!

Hi everyone!

 

Some one else has done all the hard work today!

I was asked a little while ago if I would like to host a guest post from Arcadian Lighting, a company that focuses on lighting for the home, and so today I am very pleased to welcome Susi from Arcadian Lighting with her guest post which has some fabulous interiors with lots of lighting ideas!

Taylor Wilson who asked me if I would like to host this guest post tells me that "Arcadian Lighting is the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products."

Why not pop over to their site and have a look!

I hope you enjoy Susi's post!

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a blog that focuses on lighting fixture ideas and trends. I'm so happy to be guest blogging here at Gillyflower today. My guest post is a collection of eight inspirational living rooms. These living rooms are full of great design ideas and are beautiful. Hope you enjoy!

This monochrome living room is an inspiring example of how layers of pale color and texture can create a sophisticated room in the absence of bold color and pattern.

I love the beautiful wall color and pattern on the chairs in this living room. Think outside of traditional colors for a unique look. Pattern adds color and interest so don't forget to add patterned textiles and accessories.

The floating seating arrangement in this living room is inspiring. Pulling the sofa away from the wall, then placing a sofa table and lamps behind it changes the flow of the room.

The dark moody living room in the London home of Abigail Ahern is an inspiring example of a dark and dramatic living room done right. Layers of texture with floor lamp add interest.

Mixing strong patterns can be daunting. This living room is a great example of how to do it successfully. A medium pattern on the walls and a bold pattern as an accent keep the room from feeling too busy. The orange against the brown and cream is beautiful.

Despite having navy on the walls, this living room feels light and open. Loads of white trim and stylish wall sconces give the room a fresh, crisp feeling. Don't be afraid of dark walls.

Simple, classic furniture like a tailored sofa and wingback chair are timeless pieces for a living room. But what is really inspiring in this living room is the floor to ceiling gallery wall filled with interesting art work.

Contrast between light and dark, solid and pattern, traditional and casual make this living room full of decorating inspiration. Tailored but not stuffy, this space is an elegant example of neo-traditional style.

What do you think of these inspirational living rooms? Comments are welcome! Don't forget to check out Arcadian Lighting for more lighting fixtures for your home!

Image credits: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |



Thankyou Susi!!!

Well, there are some brilliant interior and lighting ideas here which I shall certainly take on board - I especially like the idea of the floating seating arrangement, pulling away the sofas from the wall and having lighting behind.

I hope you enjoyed reading this guest post, please visit again very soon as I will be announcing my 150th follower giveaway, and then shortly after that I have another surprise giveaway to announce!

Here's a sneak peek at what's to come!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Making an Entrance

Having made the most of this lovely mild weather over the weekend by catching up on a little gardening, my thoughts now turn once again to inside the house, where I am (very) slowly turning my house into a home which reflects my tastes rather than those of the previous owners.



Note this is NOT my hall although I wish it were........

I am the worst kind of decorator in that although being quite competent with a sander and a paintbrush, I am very prone to acting on a whim and as the mood takes me.

Thus we have a very-nearly-almost-but-not-quite finished family room / dining room (really just the french windows to finish now, honestly that's all).

A half started study/bedroom ( two walls with one coat of paint only, so a long way to go with this one......)

And

a half finished hall

So it is with a sigh of regret that before I can honestly allow my conscience (and paintbrush) to tackle the living room, to rid the walls of their dark gold colour and replace with a paler colour (like in the images below).........

and before I can start to paint over the gloomy battleship grey cupboards in the kitchen and transform then into something like those in the the lovely kitchens below.........

 



I really must finish the hall first.

There's a staircase to prime/undercoat,  and then paint as it is currently stained dark brown.
Having stripped the newel post a while back and found the results not all that wonderful, I have decided to paint all but the handrail which I will strip and keep natural wood, along with the newel post.

Then there are the walls to finish - they've already had a couple of coats to cover the dark mushroom colour - and the woodwork - the picture rail and skirting board already primed and undercoated, just needing  a top coat of satinwood  - and then the 5 internal doors, thankfully only 2 left to top coat.

I think thats all :(

And so I thought I'd share with you some lovely photos of hall and entrance ways that I am finding helpful in making me grit my teeth and get out the dust sheets.

all images from Vintage Home

I think this last one would be a little hard to live with, albeit it makes a most cheerful entrance!

Thank you for all your interesting comments on my last post - I hope you enjoy these images too!

Inspirational Rooms

As you've all had an overdose of pictures of my home in the last few posts

as I've shared my furniture painting progress,

I thought it might be nice to have a look inside some other homes for a change!

So I've found some gorgeous interiors here from one of my fav tumblrs, Vintage Home, which I hope you'll enjoy

cushions to make a statement in front of an eclectic selection of artwork

a collection of colourful patterned bargello cushions displayed against a turquoise wall

more interesting cushions and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture

 simple stripes with a limited palette can add a real punch when woodwork is painted to match

an unusual but successful colour combination with a comfortable velvet chaise paired with bold wallpaper and natural textured rug

cosy little attic bedroom in zesty shades

simple country style using a limited palette of strong powder blue and off whites

I just love this chair in this simple room conducive to creating!

cheerful modern country style with limited palette - love the stripey sofas with that hit of colour supplied by the throw and flowers!

pretty country style entrance hall

love these colours and the beautiful painted cupboard

pure vintage mix

strong colours and bold prints here used to great effect

now what a clever idea to display all those old shirt buttons!

a beautifully colour co-ordinated yarn stash to die for!

And the cupboard's just gorgeous!!!



Hope this has stimulated your homemaking creativity a little!!

Or, at the very least, provided you with some eye candy!