Keeping it Realtor

Unusual wallpaper.

Many years ago my mother-in-law bought a new sweater, she told us she had been drawn to the pretty colours and the unusal design which covered three quarters of the sweater.  We admired the colour and the fit of the sweater but nobody in the family had the heart to tell her that the unusual design she so admired was actually  a repeat pattern of a shark with its jaws open to a quite phenomenal extent.  She wore that sweater quite a lot and it pretty much became the "shark in the room".  I was reminded about that sweater when I first looked at this wallpaper by Barneby Gates.  I mean you would think that the fact that it's called Deer Damask would have been a huge clue!  Anyway , just like  my mother-in-law,  I loved the colour and the design, the duck egg blue and gold is so soothing and the claret and gold is so classic.  Obviously on closer inspection I saw that the design was made up of a thistle and a deer scull but do you know what,  I still like it  It's a really classy, clever take on an old classic  What do you think?

PS.  We still think of Granny's shark sweater with a certain fondness,  if not admiration. 

Damask screen printed wallpaper and a dilema.

Black Heirloom damask screen printed modern retro wallpaper. 

I'm undecided about this wallpaper.  Part of me is admiting that it's stunning and wondering if I'll put it in the bedroom or the dining room. Then part of me worries that I'll get fed up with it quite quickly.  I know this is rich coming from a person who had a small toilet papered on every wall with wallpaper that looked like Wanted posters!

Anyway I thought I'd leave this particular damask dilema up to you.

Yay or Nay to this wallpaper?

Floor Sticker. Imagine.

I love the idea of this great floor sticker from Rockett St George.  It can be used on the floor anywhere in the house.  Actually it would look pretty spectacular on the wall too.   This fab "rug" won't slip or slide and you'll certainly not trip on it. 

Also, following on from the  theme we had last week, now called the theme that will not end, isn't this Imagine wall sticker just great?   I'm lovin' both stickers but if I had to chose well........ just imagine which one I like best.  

  

Fresh flowers, can they make a difference?

Getting your house prepared and ready to present to the market is always a tense time. Lots of people start de-cluttering and painting everything a fashionable shade of beige  (the paint will probably have a real  fancy name like "taupe o't morning" or something similarly weird,  but essentially it'll be beige).  All this is good though,  as you're presenting to the prospective purchaser a fresh, clutter free home.  It's a bonus too to be able to have on your property schedule the words "in move in condition". 

Now that you've de-cluttered and are happy that your home is in move in condition it's time to call back the estate agent to get those all important photographs taken.

Now's the time , I think, to go and buy a nice bunch of fresh flowers.  Quite apart from the colour they can inject into that "taupe o't morning" decor, fresh flowers will make you're home look more personal, more cared for.  I'm surprised that more people don't have fresh flowers in their homes when they're being photographed.  I've trawled through loads of schedules this week and I've saw loads of green plants but not a lot of homes with freshly cut flowers.  I think they add to a schedule.  Here's a selection.

 

I love the huge vase of flowers.  Not too sure about the two palm trees though!

 

Look how the blue flowers on this pot plant pop out against that  "taupe o't morning" paintwork.  I love this room. 

   

Fresh flowers on this desk makes the room look warm.  I wonder if they come from the gardens beyond. 

 

Not sure if these sunflowers just haven't opened yet, or, if it's a  case of "fresh flowers -  you're doing it wrong".  What do you think?

Iconic wallpapers by Lizzie Allen

These two new wallpapers designs have a retro look to them which is really appealing. What with the Union Jack chairs, Union Jack cushions and now these wallpapers you'd think we were back in the good old days of Cool Britannia.  We are still  "cool" Britannia but it's more about the weather than the image these days!   However, these  iconic black cab and red bus images of London have been captured and hand printed by young designer Lizzie Allen, using silk screening and hand-mixed colours.  Her "Changing  guards at Buckingham Palace"  wallpaper is also new for 2009.  These intricate designs take hours to complete hence the price tag of  £179.50 for 3 metres, but the overall effect is quite stunning.  A work of art in themselves don't you think?

                                                                                                                                                    

Glass Shutters & Splashbacks by Michele Oberdieck.

Now we've fixed out the book rest, wine holder and storage for the bathroom how about looking at beautifully unique window shutters and really lush and usual splashbacks?  Michele Oberdieck is a really gifted designer who not only designs for the home but for the fashion industry too.  Her designs can be found at Harvey Nichols, Colette, Selfridges, The Bon Marche in Paris and Bergdorf Goodman and Takashimaya in New York.  She has a shop in the Oxo Tower where her work is available for purchasing or private commissons.  Object of desire does not adequately sum up how I feel about these gorgeous shutters, panels and doors.  They are quite stunning.  Do they float your boat too?

 

Linen fused in perspex shutters

 

floral splashback

 

aqua floral splashback

 

linen in perspex shutters

 

Organza shower screen.

Picture Ledge

I'm lovin' this picture ledge.  It displays photo's, drawings or paintings in a new and versatile way.  All you need do is attach the narrow ledge to the wall and it's ready for any framed artwork that you want to show.  There are picture ledge  hangers available too if you want to make the display more interesting. 

I love the fact that you can have any amount or size of pictures on display in a neat and personal way. As long as you make sure the ledge itself is straight it saves all those arguments about whether or not the picture is actually straight too!  

It's available in chocolate, white or brushed metal so there's something to suit all tastes.  

If you like them  they're available at West Elm.. 

Telephone Box Wall Sticker

Isn't this just fab?  The red telephone box is one of the most  iconic images of Britain and they're slowly being replaced and in some instances taken out of villages entirely as more and more people have mobile/cell phones.  This fabulous telephone box wall sticker comes in a huge variety of colours and sizes and would look stunning anywhere in the home.  Imagine one in the bathroom!  Just one little grump about them - their name - "London Telephone Box wall sticker!" Well I never!  These telephone boxes covered the whole of Britain, why they even reached the Orkney Islands!

Enchanted Tree Wall Sticker in pink or black

Lovin' this Enchanted Tree Wall Sticker from Rockett St. George.  This delicate looking wall sticker comes in two colours pink and black.

I'm sure most little people would love an Enchanted Tree in their bedroom.  Its very name conjures up thoughts of something truly magical and it would be a fine starting point for any bedtime story. 

All the usual rules apply to this wall sticker, it's easy to use and can be removed without any damage to walls. 

Having said that though I expect the enchantement of this lovely tree sticker will be wanted for many, many happy ever after stories. 

It's so pretty. 

Chalkals or Decals with chalk

Wall decals have become hugely popular.  The fact that you don't need to be able to draw or mess with paint and stencils make them very attractive  especially to the amateur home decorator.  Also being able to create a whole new look to a room in just a few minutes is really appealing.  It is to me anyway. 

I think wall decals really come into their own though when you're trying to decorate a bedroom or playroom for a child.

Kids grow out of nursery themes so quickly and it can be pricey and disruptive trying to keep pace with their likes and dislikes.  With these cool wall decals you can update their room in no time. 

These  cool wall decals are actually called Chalkals.  They're decals that you can chalk on.  Doh!  Maybe you wouldn't want to chalk on them as much as the kids though. Although wouldn't they be handy for the universal "clean up your room" message?  The chalk wipes off easily and the Chalkals are easily removed if you, or your little person want a new theme.  Have a look at them here. I'm really lovin' the Mushroom set, and Lola the gorilla is so cute and I'm sure many a parent will love the silent drum kit!