All posts tagged: accessories

Bah Humbug

Published by Karen Knox

So yeah, it’s December. Which for me is a bit stressful. Apparently, we have to have loads of random stuff hanging up in and around our houses? Kept that quiet everyone, i’ve barely heard anyone mention Christmas at all…. Being a bit of a minimalist, clean lines, no faff etc, means the festive season leaves me torn. In a slightly Natalie Imbruglia-esque way. We all like a nice carol don’t we? A bit of mulled wine and a mince pie. But, my memories of Christmas, as a child at home are giving me flashbacks. Flashbacks of tinsel, shiny plastic bells, flashing lights in every window, angels, more angels, nativity scenes, candles, tinsel on banisters, hanging from the ceiling, wrapped around anything that was wrap worthy, blu tac, yellowing sellotape and these bloody things that we systematically had to fix back to the ceiling. Every morning. I’ve managed to get away with not really doing the full on Christmas thing so far, despite OH wanting shiny stuff and twinklies so bad. I’ve gotten away with keeping it …

Home Office in a Day

Published by Karen Knox

I was recently set a challenge. Could I update a currently unused third bedroom from a room of storage chaos to a sleek and super cost effective home office? In one day. 8 hours. Let’s have a look-see…. Well yeah, of course I can. They don’t call me Karen “make-over in a day” Knox for nothing you know. Bah! Firstly, this rather large and unnecesary sofa needed to get the hell outta there. The room is about 2x3m so this took up more than a third of much needed space. A “free sofa to anyone that could collect” Gumtree ad worked a treat, giving me a near empty room and someone else a much needed free sofa. Perfik. The CD towers, old cushions and a spare light shade were getting sent to the charity shop but everything else in that room needed a place to live. I had a budget of £150 to spend on the entire room. Eek. I needed to purchase: A desk Filing drawers Drawers for the existing Ikea Kallax unit A chair …

My 4 from Society6

Published by Karen Knox

Norsu Interiors A particular artist has been haunting me this past year. I’ve seen their work dotted around in many interior shoots, styled to perfection. The art taking centre stage. Bold yet delicate. Desire to Inspire I first saw the black and white lady in profile hung in this kitchen found on Desire to Inspire. I actually chose this image above to feature in a recent article on The Lux Pad by Amara where 63 Interior Bloggers (including moi) chose their all time favourite kitchen design. Great article by the way, full of gorgeous design eye candy. This was my eye candy. I think perhaps because of the black and white lady in profile. “Marianna” Ruben Ireland I didn’t actually know who this piece was by or what it was called until last night when I discovered Ruben Ireland and finally put a name to the face. Marianna. I’d bobbed onto Society6, specifically looking for an Alex Garant print. I wrote about her stunning work a little while ago. You REALLY should take a look. It will …

An empty space. Full of green possibilities…

Published by Karen Knox

The Sherwood Forest project is coming along nicely and now we’ve got to the fun bit. You can catch up on its intro here. The room is empty! (ish) Curtain poles down. Skirting ripped out (where it needed to be) and doors being sent off for a good ole stripping. The old fireplace has already been removed and remodelled. You can read all about how that went here. Carpets ripped up and out. Floorboards booked to be repaired, replaced where needed, sanded and stained. Such a large space to redesign on a budget, so it’s all about the colour. Using a bold colour is the best and most cost effective way of getting a high end design look for a price that doesn’t bust the bank. Valspar’s Sherwood Forest and Storybook Sundown made the cut. And a sample of the gold velvet which is being used to make the enormous full length curtains for the bay window. My clients have already got some key pieces of furniture. Like this oak Art Deco cabinet which is …

Mid Century Score – Pt 3

Published by Karen Knox

It’s a Saturday quickie peeps. I’m full of cold and feeling properly sorry for myself. Mainly because it means I can’t gorge myself on Halloween fun and drink tonight. Unless it’s something tasting of paracetamol and lemons. Eugh. Just wanted to show you my eBay find in situ which I mentioned in a previous post last week. My Mid Century walnut drawers looking rather resplendent against the dark teal walls. A colour that I still can’t capture very well. This photo shows the wall colour better. I so wish I could invite you all around so you can see it in real life. Anyone?? Also some pieces i’ve been collecting over the last few weeks to dress the room. Two metal vases/pots in a distressed finish. £3 for the large and £2 for the smaller one. £5 for two. From Netto. I know. Good eh? And that little coppery brass tray was two squid. I bought two for drinks/candles as I think coasters always look a bit cack. Trays are a little more thought out …

Halloween Styling x 2

Published by Karen Knox

You don’t need to buy a load of new stuff to add a bit of Halloween vibe to your abode. Take a look around your house. I spent about 20 minutes having a quick nosey and found enough to show you two different ways of styling your home for the spooky season. Let’s go… Halloween Styling No 1. I’ve gone for rich autumn tones here. Burgundy, oranges, mustards and the pop of copper, punctuated with strong black accents. And the obligatory plant to break it up with some greenery. All styling vignettes must include either flowers or a plant. It’s like the law. Say hi to Montell. The only new thing I purchased. A copper skull picked up from TK Maxx at the weekend. He’s such a dreamboat. My new favourite accessory. Bought in honour of Halloween, but will remain in our living room as a permanent fixture, fo sho. I think skulls are kind of beautiful. My mum does not. Skull print gone, added a throw and changed the cushion colour. A little experimenting. Better? …

Midtown Magic Bedroom

Published by Karen Knox

My bedroom. As it was a few months ago anyway. It was lovely. Light, bright, clean and simple. Good enough for a magazine shoot might I add… but it never really floated my boat. I’ve been itching to get this room more up my street for over a year now, but every time I even mentioned it to the OH, he would wince. a) It’s a big job to sell all that furniture b) and BLOODY expensive to replace it all. Wardrobes were always the sticking point. The ones I liked were always upwards of £600. And we needed two. So there’s £1200 straight away before i’ve even got all creative with my shizzle. During a quick evening session on Gumtree (am always on there hunting down furniture and decor finds for local pick up, don’t forget those 1930’s chest of drawers I picked up for £10), I came across a brand new in box, never built or even opened, LEDGER wardrobe from Made.com. RRP £600. It was on Gumtree for £300. And it was four …

Ode to Tretchikoff

Published by Karen Knox

Did I tell you i’m re-doing my bedroom? Well I am. None of it needed doing, I just fancied a change. A big one. Part of the complete re-design included some new art. Blue Lady, Attasit Pokpong I wrote a piece a month or so ago about some new artist discoveries i’d made. One in particular by Thai artist, Attasit Pokpong had the kind of inky teal tones I wanted my new room to be covered in. Well, after extensive research that particular piece wasn’t available as a print and the original was also enormous. And sold. **sigh**. So the search continued. I started looking for something like the classic 1952 painting, The Chinese Girl by Vladimir Tretchikoff. Also affectionately known as The Green Lady. You’ll all have seen this one doing the rounds in charity shops for the last 20 years or so. Well now it’s considered a bit of a cult classic and this one above was for sale at The Vintage Home Show a couple of weeks ago in Leeds. I was very tempted …

The Whole Kit & Kaboodle

Published by Karen Knox

Yesterday I had a proper day of hunting. Yes, another one. I know. I am currently re-designing my entire bedroom (which doesn’t need doing at all) but it involves mixing new with old, but specially selected old. Not just any old charity shop find. No siree. After a trip to Otley Car Boot sale, which was enormous, but disappointing on the furniture and vintage front, I drove over to The Whole Kit and Kaboodle, in West Leeds for a mooch “A Kaboodle – : Is an old fashioned term meaning group or collection. A Kit – : Is a set of objects, as in a toolkit, or what a soldier would put in his kit-bag.” (Pic from Facebook) Here’s Simon, who runs it all. He was most definitely a magpie in a former life and thrives on finding the most amazing/vintage/random story filled items he possibly can. See him on this vehicle? I think that sums him up perfectly. I took some photos of my visit, because this place is a real treasure trove. So many things to make you smile. Antiques, …

Original Design with a Story

Published by Karen Knox

There are not many businesses out there that spend as much time and care sourcing unique and ethical design as these guys. Such & Such was founded by a brother and sister originally from the Peak District. Meet Ali, who in a previous life was a lawyer and Nikki who was a creative professional. In 2011 they both began to get itchy feet, feeling the need for a serious career and life change. Ali and Nikki with her daughter, Bessie After almost too many ideas, lots of research and a serious period of reflection, Such & Such was born in 2013. Nikki and Ali are clearly passionate about design, quality and craftsmanship. They offer a meticulously curated selection of homeware and lifestyle goods, whilst telling the stories of the designers and makers behind them. This is not a shop selling you “stuff” or a place providing a quick design hit. It’s a place to find those “cherished belongings that you will keep for a lifetime.” The collectables of the future. “Such & Such goals are to search for well-designed, cool …