Hi All,
The minute the sun makes an appearance in this country, we all start to think about our gardens. Here are some simple tips to get your garden Summer ready.
Bring The Inside Out!!
Bring cushions and throws outside for a lovely cosy Summer vibe:
Get Out The Paint Brush
Lovely bright paint can really add something to jaded fences and patio furniture. There are lovely bright options available in all DIY stores now so don’t be afraid to go for a lovely bright option:
Make A Feature Out Of Your Garden Shed
The garden shed is a focal point in most gardens. Don’t be afraid to decorate your garden shed in style. Paint it, hang some flowers or pretty signs and if you’re feeling very adventurous, experiment with some stencils:
Create Some Unusual Planters
Think outside the box when it comes to plant containers. These can make a great talking point and will look very eclectic also. Think teapots, chairs, jugs or watering cans to mention a few:
Outdoor Dining
Al Fresco dining is a lovely Summer activity. Decorate your table in style using a rustic or country theme:
Night Lights
Night Lights are such a lovey idea for Summer entertaining. Hang over or on tables or place along your driveway to welcome guests:
Lets keep our fingers crossed that the sun will stay shining so that we can all get to use our lovely Summer gardens this year.
Until Next Time
Olive:-)
http://www.thehomebarn.ie
All Images From: Pinterest.com
Hi All,
I can’t believe Mother’s Day is nearly upon us. Some might say it is a commercial opportunity but I think it is nice to have at least one day in the year when we let our lovely Mums know just how much they mean to us.
The Home Barn has loads of lovely gift ideas for Mother’s Day. We will gift wrap and can delivery directly to your lovely Mum if you won’t see her on the day
TEA LOVING MUM
What Mum doesn’t love a cup of tea?? Indulge this passion with these lovely tea inspired gifts.
HEARTS FOR MUM
Show your Mum how much you love her with these heart inspired options.
FLORAL MUM
Instead of the traditional bunch of flowers choose one of these floral designed gifts. They will last much longer too!!!
CANDLE LOVING MUM
We all love candles and these vintage style options from Loveolli come in a lovely vintage designed box and even include a little box of matches.
FOR MUM’S KITCHEN
Help your Mum to add a little bit of functional style to her kitchen with these lovely storage options from Garden Trading.
SLOGAN MUM
For those who like to give gifts that make you giggle, these slogan aprons and mug from Catherine Colebrook are perfect. All of these aprons are currently reduced to €14 from €28.
You will find these and loads more gift ideas at: http://www.thehomebarn.ie/greatgifts/forher/
GIFT WRAP
Don’t forget we will gift wrap your Mother’s Day Gift also. Just drop us an email after you order to let us know that you require this service.
I would like to wish all the lovely Mums out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Kind Regards,
Olive:-)
Hi All,
Firstly I would like to extend every good wish for 2013 to you all. It’s that time of year again when we are all thinking about new year resolutions and how we can improve our lifestyle in 2013. Your home should not be neglected in these plans. Make a little list of all those things that you would like to do to your home in 2013 and think about how they can be achieved. Sometimes the best part is shopping around and checking out magazines and the internet for inspiration. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
1. Paper That Wall
Is there a wall in your house that you have always planned on papering. With the winter sales on, now is the time to do it. When choosing wallpaper, look at the room as a whole. If the curtains, furniture or flooring are too busy opt for a very plain wallpaper and if the opposite is the case, you can go a bit mad on the walls.
2. Upholster That Chair
Have you inherited a chair from your Mother’s house, found a lovely second hand option that you loved the shape of or are you just sick of your existing options?? Don’t dispair, upholstering may be the answer to your problem. Decide where you are going to put this chair before you choose a material. Is it going to be used a lot or is it going to be in a spare room just for show. This will determine the quality of material required as well as the favoured colour scheme.
3. Paint That Furniture.
You can completely change the look of a piece of furniture by painting it. Chairs, lockers and shelving to mention but a few can all be painted to look like new. There are some great furniture painting courses available all over the country at the moment, many of them in conjunction with shops that supply Annie Sloan chalk paint. If you live in Cork check out http://thepaintpot.ie/ for workshops.
4. Look for Easy Storage Solutions
Storage is always a popular topic at this time of year. Most of us have a little bit of time over Christmas to clear out presses and wardrobes and putting away the decorations always makes us think about storage.
- Be ruthless. If the item of clothing or pair of shes hasn’t been worn in the past 12 to 18 months, chances are it will never see the light of day again so give it away to charity or host a swap night with friends and family.
- The same goes for household items such as pictures, vases and lamps. If they are collecting dust in the attice or taking up much needed space in storage cupboards, give them away.
- Charity shops are always looking for books and unless you are 100% sure you will read that book again, give it away.
- Invest in some vaccum bags. They are a great space saving device.
- Have you any alcoves in bedrooms that could be cordened off with a small curtain. This is a very cost effecient way of hiding storage.
- Check all storage items in your home and ensure that they are being correctly utilised. Is there a blanket box full of toys or clothes that can be cleared out and placed in a bedroom for example.
- Invest in some inexpensive storage bags that will look great if placed in a bedroom or playroom
- Think about placing overdoor high shelving in utility rooms or bedrooms
5. Get Crafty
Get your DIY hat on and try using stencils to decorate furniture and walls or making something simple like a coat hook.
6. Buy Some Flowers
Make it a new year resolution to have fresh flowers in your home. They will instantly change the feel of the room and brighten your mood.
What are your new year resolutions for your home??
Until next time
Kind regards,
Olive:-)
All images from Pinterest. You can follow The Home Barn at: http://pinterest.com/thehomebarn/
Hi All,
Those of you who read my halloween blog from last year will know that I am not a big fan of scary halloween decorations. I prefer the more friendly variety and have had a look around for some friendly halloween entertaining ideas for those of you who are hoping to have friends over this halloween. Think Autumn style, pumpkins, candles and friendly witches and you have a less scary Halloween style. When entertaining at this time of year it is always nice to have a few talking points in your decor to show that you have thought about it and made an effort.
Your front door very important. It will really set the mood for your halloween entertaining. I love these simple ideas below using pumpkins, brooms and even a witchy looking pair of shoes. It doesn’t have to be skulls and zombies to create a halloween ambiance.
If it’s just for lunch, try decorating your table in this lovely Autumnal style with very simple linens and a seasonal centre piece. This time of year is all about the harvest so using this theme when decorating works very well.
Scoop out pumpkins and use them for holding olives or other snacks for a novel talking point. This is a really cute idea for serving your starter or nibbles and will really get your guests in the halloween mood.
Decorate jam jars with tea lights and acorns to give a nice Autumnal feel to your entertaining decor. These would look lovely in your hall or bathroom.
Take some inspiration from these gorgeous Autumnal tables for dinner party decor. Go all out if you are having a dinner party at this time of year. Think Autumnal colours, pumpkins, candles and simple style.
These beautiful arrangements would make the perfect centre piece for your table. The first one could be easily adjusted for Christmas also. Use popcorn at the bottom of candle holders for a lovely Autumnal design. Use dried leaves to decorate your centre piece or candle arrangement (never leave unattended though!!)
If you really wish to get into the halloween spirit, decorate your table like the one below. Get some black tissue paper for your tablecloth and dress the table legs with old tights and a pair of shoes. This will really impress and is just funny, not scary. Helium pumpkin balloons are a really easy way to decorate a reception table too.
Don’t forget to decorate outside. Welcome your guests with lots of lit up pumpkins lighting up their journey to your home.
I hope I have given you some ideas of how to entertain in style this Halloween without the scary decor!!
Happy Halloween and Happy Halloween Decorating.
Until Next Time
Olive:-)
Hi All,
The season has changed I think it is always lovely to reflect this change in your home. Autumn / Winter is all about long nights, short days, cosy fireside and home cooked food. There are a few very small changes that you can make to your home to make your decor cosy and inviting.
COLOUR
Change your accessories to deeper hues. Cushions, tablecloths, bedding and even curtains can take on an Autumn / Winter vibe in lovely rusts, reds and cosy greens.
BLANKETS
We all have loads of blankets and rugs hanging around the house. Use them in the Autumn / Winter. Fold them over a couch armrest, place on a beanbag or over a bed for a quick cosy fix. This is functional decor too as there is nothing nicer than cuddling up in a blanket on the couch on a cold evening. You could also keep a nice rug in your porch for cuddling into when sitting outside.
CANDLES
Candles create a lovely cosy mood. Place them on manlepieces, window sills or dressers in the kitchen, bathroom, livingroom or hall (out of reach of children of course!!) to give a lovely cosy ambiance to your home. T-lights can also be placed in your fireplace if you are not lighting it to create a cosy mood. Scented candles in cinnamon, pumpkin or berry options will really add something to your home also.
FIRESIDE
We all have some form of a fireside be it an open fire, gas / electric option or stove. Make it a cosy focalpoint with candles and lovely fire accessories.
SMELL
Take in all the senses with seasonal candles and home baking which will all add to the Autumn / Winter ambiance in your home.
FEED THE BIRDS
Don’t forget the outside. Paint the garden bench, plant some Autumn / Winter bedding plants and start to feed the birds again. There is nothing nicer than lots of birds in the garden when the leaves have gone.
Winter Bedding Plants will look great from indoors also.
Until Next Time,
Happy Cosy Decorating,
Olive:-)
Images: pinterest.com
Hi All,
I hope the ‘Summer’ is treating you well. Our Summer holidays were spent in France and I thought their gorgeous interior style was worthy of a blog. We many not get the sun as they do but you can still introduce elements of their gorgeous style into your home to bring a little bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ to you interiors.
Rustic Style
Rustic is the best way to describe French style interiors. Rusted metal furniture, light fixtures and furniture coupled with old world charm and a welcoming feel is the desired theme.
I love the brick wall and steel finish to the sink in the image above. The image next to it has a lovely shabby chic vibe which is very French in style.
The above image has it all, the beams the rustic sink and fresh flowers. It’s just beautiful.
The tiled floors above perfectly complement the rustic candleabra as well as the fresh white soft furnishings.
Natural Materials
French style is all about natural materials. Linen cushions and bed linen, Brick walls and Tiled Floors all spell this theme so well.
Dining Table
The dining table both indoors and out is a very important part of French homes. Buffed wooden tabletops are often found but they can also be covered by brightly coloured tablecloths especially ones with French style motifs such as the rooster, sunflowers, lavender or olives.
Shutters
The French love their shutters. They have a practical use in their hot climate but they use them as a lovely design feature also. They are often coloured bright colours or some opt for a shabby chic finish.
Flowers
Flowers are everywhere in France. They grace window sills, town centres and road sides. Geraniums and Lavender are the most common and are also 2 of my favourites and wild flowers grow everywhere in the Summer.
A LITTLE BIT FRENCH AT THE HOME BARN…..
Until next time…..Vive La France
Olive:-)
Images from:
Own Images
housetohome.co.uk
myfrenchcountryhome.blogspot.ie
cactuscreekdaily.com
raisedincotton.typepad.com
Hi All,
You might not always think it if you’re living in Ireland but the Summer is here and one Summer trend that I absolutely love is the Nautical trend. It is always on trend for this time of year and even if you don’t have a home overlooking the sea, you can still introduce elements of this Summer look to your home.
The Nautical Theme
Boats, fish and shells all spell Nautical. Anything that you would expect to find near to the sea really. The 2 images below show lovely ways to introduce these elements into your home.
Shells can be used very successfully to make a lovely table centrepiece or mantle piece decoration also.
The light fittings, signs and lovely pastel colours work very well at achieving the coastal mood in the below kitchen images.
Nautical Colours
Red, Blue and White really spell Nautical. Stars and Stripes really lend themselves to this trend also.
The 2 images from Lexington below show these colours in use very well. Lexington does this trend very well and I think the patio image below is just beautiful. The tablecloth and distressed cladding on the house are both great examples of how to achieve this look.
Nautical Maps
A nautical map is a great way of introducing this trend into your home. You can do this through nautical prints or wallpaper.
Distressed Wood
Distressed wood especially in the outdoor space is a great way of achieving the Nautical Trend. It is very New England and gives the impression of wave and weather beaten materials. The gorgeous kitchen below shows how the distressed wood look can also be brought indoors and the hammock below is another lovely nautical feature.
HOMEMADE LEMONADE
Is any nautical theme complete without some homemade lemonade. Here is a very simple recipe to try:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sugar (can reduce if you feel it is too sweet)
- 1 cup of lemon juice
- 1 cup of water
- 2 to 3 cups of water to dilute
- Heat the sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved
- Squeeze 4 to 6 lemons until you have enough juice to fill one cup
- Place the sugared water and lemon juice in to a jug and add the additional water to dilute (dilute to taste)
- If you still feel it is too sweet add some more lemon juice
- Place in the fridge for 30 to 40 mins
- Serve with slices of lemon and ice
NAUTICAL AT THE HOME BARN
Happy Coastal Living!!
Until next time
Olive:-)
Hi All,
I have been trying to get around to this blog for a while so here goes. I love the whole industrial decorating vibe so I decided to look into this very trendy style a little bit more. Industrial decor takes elements of industry into your home. The colours, elements and furnishings all nod to those you would expect to see in industrial warehouses but are softened down for the home. It is all about raw rough surfaces, unfinished walls and steel furnishings.
The above rooms use natural wood and brick to achieve the industrial look. The kitchen has steel light fittings and furnishings to further embrace the trend and both use the industrial neutral colour pallet. The look is softened by colour and the gorgeous white bath in the bathroom. It is very important to soften the industrial look with upholstery, flowers or pictures. A slightly aged look such as the worn counter top above is another important element of this style.
This bistro style kitchen uses recycled shelving and even filing cabinet effect storage to achieve the look. Recycling is a very important element of industrial design. Old filing cabinets, vintage school desks or old steel sewing machines will fit in well to the overall scheme.
This very comfortable living room uses rugs and cushions to soften its industrial base.
The above living room is mixing country and industrial trends. The lighting and filing cabinet effect storage unit is very much industrial and fits in very well with the otherwise country style decor.
This very industrial style loft has also embraced vintage style by adding pop pink accessories and a smeg fridge.
Blackboard walls work well with the industrial trend also.
I adore the exposed brick in the above kitchen. This look is industrial yet very warm. The second image is more clinical with white tiles and industrial steel lighting. A bit of colour would add to this room I think.
The exposed brick gives this bedroom the industrial vibe. However, all other furnishings in the room spell comfort showing that industrial does not have to mean cold. Different styles can be mixed very successfully and in this instance an exposed brick wall is enough to add an industrial vibe to an otherwise country style bedroom.
These clocks from Nextime would add a quick shot of industrial chic to your home:
This lighting from Garden Trading also available through The Home Barn would also add to your industrial style:
I’ll be back soon with my Father’ s Day Blog for all the lovely Daddys out there….
Kindest regards,
Olive:-)
Hi All,
There was definitely a bit of Summer in the air in Cork today so it got me thinking (at last) about how to bring a bit of Summer into your home. It’s really nice to make a few changes to your home with each season and accessories make it so easy to do.
In The Bedroom.
All it takes in the bedroom is a crisp floral or bright coloured duvet set. These light colours will complement most wall colours. A few matching cushions or a throw will finish the Summer look. I loved the examples below. They just make you think of long summer days and longed for sunshine.
In The Hallway or Porch
This is the first area of the home that people see. A nice floral cushion and seasonal sign will go a long way to bring Summer into this area.
In The Kitchen
You could go as far as to change your wall colour with each season. However, if you are not that dedicated, a new seasonal tablecloth will do the job very nicely. Light colours, polka dots, stripes or floral designs will all work and a few seat cushions will add to your theme. Fresh flowers are also a must for Summer. You may be lucky enough to have them growing in you garden. Otherwise invest in a bunch regularly throughout the Summer. It’s a great way to bring the outside in.
In The Living Room
Pick a summer colour that will go with your walls, couch and flooring and invest in some cushions, a throw, a candle or a vase in variations of this colour to give your living room a Summer splash. You could also invest in Summer curtains. It’s a really nice change and it doesn’ t have to be a huge investment. Ready made curtains with a nice summer feel will work a treat and it really changes the look of the room.
Just because you are not lighting the fire does not mean that your fireplace needs to be neglected. Place a bunch of flowers in front of it along with some of your favourite accessories or candles to Summer it up a bit. I also loved the flower arrangement below. The lemons are a lovely touch and make you instantly think of homemade lemonade.
Nautical Theme
The nautical theme is so on trend this year. Accessories in blue and white stripes, with stars, with boats and with sea gulls will all infuse this popular trend into your home. A white background and shabby chic style form a really good base for this style as does a splash of red. I am planning to dedicate a full blog to this trend in the very near future so keep an eye out for that.
Paint A Chair
If you’re not getting the Summer Feeling in your house and feel that there is a piece of furniture that is dampening the mood, get out your paint brush. Give a chair, table, shelving unit or dresser a new lease of life and the great thing about upcycling is that is is very cost effecient. I just love the green chair below which is a great example of this trend.
To The Garden
We all hope that we’ll get to spend a bit of extra time in the garden over the Summer months. Us Irish really take advantage when the sun does come out and you’ll smell the barbeques when the first ray of sunshine appears. Invest in some cushions for those fine days. They will liven up a weather beaten bench and are more comfortable too. Paint that shed. It can be a really nice feature in your garden. Get a nice sign for it or if you are feeling very adventurous decorate it with nice curtains, bunting and bedding plants.
And then there is al fresco dining (when we can). My facebook followers will recognise the 2 images below. I loved their simplicity and they would be so easy to replicate using existing items in the home. I especially like the use of a throw / quilt as a tablecloth in the first one. Fresh Flowers, lanterns and bread baskets have all been taken outside also.
Summer At The Home Barn
Happy Summer Decorating!!
Kind regards,
Olive:-)
Hi All,
When you are living in the same decor for a long period of time, it’s hard to see what changes need to be made to give your decor a bit of a lift. The kitchen is especially guilty of this. That dirty wall or worn out worktop just blend in with the decor, never identifying themselves as the problem. The best thing to do is to break down your decor and pick out the offenders and see how you can best change them economically.
Paint Your Kitchen
Walls, architraves, doors and even furniture can all be painted. Paint is the quickest update tool out there. You can paint all walls or can mix colours by painting one wall a different colour to the rest. Pantry Green from Dulux is a particular favourite of mine for kitchens.
When painting kitchen presses, get good advice or leave it to the professionals. There is a bit of work in it and it does have to be done right to look great. You can think outside the box here too and not stick to traditional cream. There are gorgeous shades of greens, blues and greys that will really impress.
The Dulux images above are a great example of h0w different paint colours can totally change the look of the same room.
Change Your Tiles
You can change all the tiles in your kitchen or just the backsplash. This can be a very inexpensive way of updating your kitchen.
You can see how the options above and below really brighten up the space.
Change The Door Knobs On Your Presses
Kitchen door knobs are often the first sign of age in a kitchen but they are so easy to change. Bring your old ones with you to the shop and pick a similar size option. I would advise buying one and bringing it home and trying it out on one press before investing in door knobs for the whole kitchen. Leave it on the door for a day or two before finalising your decision.
Change Your Counter Top
If your worktop has seen better days, change it or paint it. I came across a new product recently called Giani Granite which is a granite paint for countertops and is a very cost effecient way of achieving that longed for granite look without breaking the bank. It seems to come in a DIY kit and can be used on most countertops including formica. I have not tried it but would love to hear if anybody has. You can check out the website at www.gianigranite.com for information and stockists. The below images are from their webite so it looks fairly impressive.
Create A Blackboard Wall Or Door
I love this idea. If you have a fairly bright kitchen and have a small spare wall or door you can always paint it with blackboard paint. It is a fun and practical way to update your kitchen and the kids will love it too. Blackboard paint is available in most good DIY stores or online. You can also buy magnetic blackboard paint which allows you to affix notes with magnets also.
Wallpaper The Back Of Display Presses
I have tried this option and it is so easy yet so impressive. Use some left over wallpaper or invest in a roll and stick to the back of your display press with bluetack or any sticky material. It really brightens up the look of the press and makes the items inside stand out more also.
Change Your Accessories
Possibly the easiest way to update your kithen is to invest in some new accessories. A new kettle, toaster, bread bin, clock or even picture can make all the difference. You could also invest in a new shelf to display some existing or new accessories or storage jars. This will add a new dimension to your kitchen and will bring life to a bare wall.
Quick Kitchen Updates At The Home Barn (click on images for more details)
Until next time….happy updating!!
Kind regards,
Olive:-)
thehomebarn.ie 