Spring inspiration │ getting ready for spring

Spring time is nearly upon us, my favourite time of the year, everything starts to come alive again, animals shred their coats ready for the warmer months and we start shredding our layers of clothes exposing our pale and weathered beaten skins to the elements.

It's the time of the year we think about buffing, waxing and polishing our bodies, and we may even decide to re-decorate our homes, new beginnings.

 So we should be spring ready and start by spring cleaning our houses and get those windows open, let the energy and air flow again.

Bring some colour back into our lives

Natural deodoriser, Open up those windows, get the fresh air in. Baking soda is ideal for soaking up odours, sprinkle on sofas and carpets before you vacuum, great for getting rid of cat and dog odours.

Room freshener go natural grab a few bottles of essential oils and make your own. All you’ll need is a pump spray bottle, some distilled water and whatever combination of oils you prefer much nicer than those artificial ones. Use an oil burner to freshen up your home.

 Create a kitchen garden you cannot beat the aroma of fresh herbs so instead of growing them just in the garden, opt for a row of them on your windowsill. Basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary and lavender are good ones to start with. As well as smelling delicious, they’ll also be on hand when you’re cooking. 

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 Pot up some plants plant’s add life to a room and they’re also good for keeping the air fresh. Choose fragrant or floral varieties for an extra hit of scent .

Lemon is great for hygienically cleaning surfaces that can’t go in the dishwasher (e.g. wooden chopping boards). Simply cut the lemon in half and scrub, also helps to freshen up your fridge and get rid of those unpleasant smells, leave a cut lemon on the shelf for a couple of days. Or better still make some limoncello!

Another great way of getting rid of unwanted smells and bad energy in your home is a smudge stick which is made of a bundle of dried herbs, you can find these in natural health stores usually or alternative shops.

Maybe start to think about changing a room colour or maybe bring some life into that old piece of furniture and paint it.  Book now for workshops in spring at http://www.lulukleininteriors.com/workshops.html

 My thought for the day

Country villa in Spain

Rustic country villa in Spain. I like the exposed stone work on the walls and the flooring is just perfect, old stone blending with new stone floors. The pops of blue with the blue glass bottles on the stairs, adding interest and the colourful retro upholstered chairs a mixture of old and new, there is an eclectic mix of styles, French meets Spanish, with retro and modern pieces, all works, just lovely.

My thought for the day

Weekend inspiration │Brighten up your day

Well it's the weekend and it's raining again! So I am thinking about sitting out in the garden this coming summer, and found some gorgeous inspiring images to get me in the mood and to brighten up these grey days. I hope it helps to brighten up your weekend.

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 My thought for the day

Ibiza Style

The sun-drenched Mediterranean island of Ibiza has been a magnet for creative and glamorous people since the 1960's. It has become home to a vibrant mix of creative artistic residents who now live and run businesses there and who have created such inspiring homes, hotels and restaurants creating a varied a range of styles which we now call ‘Ibiza style’ Full of life, colour, joy and intrigue. 

  

 My thought for the day

French country kitchens

Here are some examples of some French country style kitchens with a mixture of old and new, these eclectic spaces are bright and interesting with anything and everything on show. 

My thought for the day

Celebrate Valentine's Day

A day of romance

I could not think of anything worse than going out to dinner on valentines evening, too many other couples!  Instead I would try and make it a bit more special, cook a nice meal together, decorate a table out in the garden be creative with some tea lights and some foliage from the garden, build a fire. You don’t need to make a gourmet meal, maybe keep it simple, share a bowl of soup some warm bread, toast marshmallows on an open fire, open a bottle of good wine or champagne, cuddle up and watch the night sky, what could be more romantic?  Or have a picnic in your living room, spread out a blanket and pretend you are outside. 

You don't need to spend much; it should not be about that, it's about showing each other you care, expressing your love, spending quality time together. Of course flowers are always nice but they don’t always have to be red roses, which are nearly three times more expensive on said day.

Instead of buying a card, make one and/or write a poem, be creative, be different, give a gift of a promise instead of expensive gifts. A gift of promise can be anything from promising to give that person a foot massage or cook them a meal and do the washing up!

And to be honest Valentine’s Day is more appropriate for couples who are just starting out and want to express their love for one another for the first time; for the shy person who sends the anonymous card and flowers, taking a chance on this day dedicated to love, and let’s face it we all like to think we have a secret admirer. Otherwise better to be spontaneous or celebrate on a day that matters to you both, like the day you both met, or had your first date, your first kiss or of course wedding anniversary. Happy valentine's day.

My thought for the day