1 May 2015

INTERIOR TIPS FOR A HOME THAT GROWS WITH YOU

Earlier this week I was excited to have a photographer spend the day with us in the flat, creating beautiful shots of the space we call home. About a month ago I'd been contacted by Style at Home magazine asking if I would take part in an Interiors Feature and I excitedly agreed to the shoot and interview for an autumn edition of the magazine.

While I spent the day fussing around the photographer and styling a few shots, we got chatting about how things evolve once you have children and how your home needs to grow with you. This got me thinking about how I've styled our home and how it has slowly changed as F grows bigger year by year, from creating that first safe baby space which was warm and nurturing to a slightly more independent space that can be enjoyed by a young child and how it might change again as he gets ready to start school.


So I thought I share a few Interior tips that I keep in mind when doing anything to our home. 

1. Declutter
This is one of my key rules and we do this on a monthly basis. Do you really need that mug you got at a work Christmas party raffle three years ago? No? Didn't think so. Let's just take it down to the charity shop shall we and leave a bit of cupboard space for something you really need. Ensuring everything in your home is useful, beautiful and needed, allows you to look after the things you have and create space for things you'll need in the future.

2. Buy Smart
When buying a piece of furniture think about how it will be used. Buy furniture that will grow with your homes needs, will that nursing chair move into the lounge and make a great reading chair later in life? I bought an Eames RAR rocker when F was tiny and spent every night nursing him while rocking him back and forth, now it's in our lounge with new cushions and throws and is a great place to sit with friends.

3. Upcycle
Before you think about buying new furniture is there any way you can modify it to fit your needs? With I bought F's chest of drawers I kept away from the cutesy nursery child colour palettes and opted for a simple oak piece knowing that when the time came I could paint it a dove grey or simple white and change the handles to create a scandi-style inspired storage sideboard for the hallway. 

4.  Consider your colour palette. 
When decorating a home with young children I would always consider neutral tones and add colour through accessories. Whites walls can create a calm and light space which you can add colour to with prints in the lounge or decals in a child's room. With fabrics I tend to gravitate towards greys for sofas and chairs as it hides small marks made by sticky fingers and you can add colour using cushions and throws. As long as the fabric is machine washable or at least dry clean, it's easier to change cushions then it is to change a sofa.

5. Storage 
Using smart storage that allows you to keep bit of adult space in a house is key. Use woven storage baskets with lids around your lounge to keep your child's toys tidy. During the day they can play to their hearts content in a sea of plastic but once evening falls you can reclaim the your space and create a calm and stylish environment by popping the toys away and relax. 

Harvey's Furniture asked me whether I would like to share some tips on creating a home that grows with you, especially for those with young children, as part of their national survey and a chance for you to win a sofa and £500 to update your living room.  

Wild & Grizzly has been shortlisted for the Style Category in the Brilliance in Blogging 2015 awards.  It would be wonderful if you could take a moment to vote for me here. Thanks so much for your continued support. xx 

*this is a collaborative post


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29 comments

  1. You have a beautiful home and I can not wait to see more of it. My home is not beautiful, but it is our home and I love it

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    1. Thnak you :) I think if you love your home then you're doing it completely right :) x

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  2. This photography is stunning and your home is beautiful, it inspires me to make my own home more beautiful

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  3. Great tips! How exciting to have a photo shoot in your lovely home - when's the feature out?

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    1. Thank lovely, I think it's out in August (?) maybe September...I'll find out and let you know. x

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  4. Beautiful photos and the fireplace is just divine x

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    1. Thanks I love the fireplace, grey marble is so lovely x

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  5. You photos are lovely, your fireplace the tiles are beautiful, dont even change it, its a stunning, a fabulous focus point. I really need to declutter, I have been in my kitchen this morning, feeling proud I throw away a lot of stuff. I need to do my frontroom now, I live in a shoebox and as a family we have too much stuff.
    Great Tips there! How exciting to be in Style at Home magazine.
    Thanks you

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    1. Thanks for your comment and I'm glad you liked the tips :) There's nothing better than a good declutter. x

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  6. I do like the idea of monthly decluttering. Having a timetable is a great idea.

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    1. Ooh I love the idea of a declutter timetable, or at least a timetable to keep on top of the house :) x

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  7. What some beautiful pictures, you home is stunning - thank you so much for your tips. x

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  8. Oh I want your fireplace! And the mirror above it ;) Your house looks so beautiful, I hope that when we can finally buy our own place I can make it look nearly as good.

    You have some great tips there - I do decluttering once in a while, always amazed how much unnecessary stuff I always find!

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    1. Aw thanks lovely! We just rent at the moment and I can't wait to buy something to do up :) Decluttering is so satisfying isn't it :) x

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  9. Your home is really beautiful. You must be very creative as you have coordinated everything so well. We have a lovely home but I am not very good at giving it that "wow factor".

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    1. Thanks :) I do love interiors so it's nice for me to be able to do this at home. x

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  10. How exciting for you! And what a lovely home, I love how light it looks!

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    1. Thanks I can't wait to see how the photos have turned out :) I think light is the main reasons we rented this flat. x

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  11. You have a lovely home and sometimes I dream of having less stuff, but then I know that I love my stuff and won't get rid of it - decluttering isn't for me!!

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  12. Gorgeous home - I really need some more storage that looks great

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  13. Lovely decor, very stylish. I so need to declutter, you'd have a heart attack if you came round here! Hehe

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  14. Your home is lovely! I find that with small kids you need higher and higher shelves, and then as they get a bit older you can start bringing your precious things back down nearer earth again!

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  15. Lovely picts of your home- how gorgeous is your fireplace? Great tips - I defo need to declutter and love what I have - so hard when you love everything you have!!! argh… great picts too

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  16. How exciting to have a photo shoot in your home! And I agree with all the others- your home is lovely. Mine seems to be a mess at the moment and about 15 different styles as my tastes evolve quicker than I can redecorate! One of these days I will find a way to bring it all together :)

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  17. This is such a great post. I definitely need to take some of your advice. I really need to declutter our house. I start and then Harriet gets into mischief, then everything comes to a swift halt. (It usually involves my makeup or something else she shouldn't have!) You have a beautiful house. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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  18. Some great idea and tips especially the de clutter one.I agree white is veratile and you can create colour themes with adding colourful accessories.

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  19. Wow, love your house, especially the fireplace. My whole house is in need of a revamp! Kaz x

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