Adding texture to rooms- throws and rugs

When you first move into a house it takes time to create that homely feel. I've found that one way to add cosiness to a room is to add textures and contrasting fabrics, and the easiest ways to do this is by using rugs, throws and blankets.

This post shows some examples of where I've added accessories that bring texture to my rooms. I'm all about adding a luxurious look to a room without breaking the bank and it's possible to pick up some gorgeous and inexpensive throws that make such a difference to the theme of an entire room. They're also really easy to change, swap and re-arrange (you'll be aware that's my favourite past time if you follow my Instagram).

Here are some of my favourite throws and textures in my home:

1. Adding a summery/brighter feel to my living room

This gorgeous throw is from Babooshe. It's a hand woven Fouta and it is such good quality. I currently have winter textures in my living room and this gorgeous throw adds a spring feel to the room.

I have this throw in both grey and navy and they're amazing! Also perfect for a bathroom, or as a cover up on holiday.

2. Storing throws and creating a feature with different textures

In my opinion, there's no such thing as too many throws and when they aren't being used these gorgeous wicker baskets are a great storage solution. They also great a cosy feature in my living room.

The white baskets are from Ikea
The white throw is also from Ikea
The grey pom pom throw is from Matalan

3. Contrasting wood and rugs

I have this soft silver rug from Dunelm in the middle of my living room. It creates a lovely contrast against my wooden floor and the wood in my coffee table and I love it!

4. Faux fur to add luxury

My spot under the stairs is one of my favourite parts of the living room and the small fur rug I have added to the top of my Ottoman adds warmth, cosiness and texture. This rug is from Ikea and is a really cheap way of making an otherwise boring corner feel homely.

5. Using thick wool throws for a Winter look

I adore my thick 100% wool blanket from the National Trust. My living room is currently still in Winter mode and this wool throw always makes me feel cosy- a perfect way to warm up on a chilly evening and it finishes off the living room perfectly.

6. Adding textures to a bedroom

My velvet bed helps to crease a luxurious feel to the room and my fluffy throw breaks up my silk sheets and add some warmth! I got this throw from B&M a while ago so no online link is available unfortunately.

7. Small cheap rugs can finish off a room perfectly

I love the way that this Ikea rug (an absolute bargain, by the way) breaks up the cold wood floor in my dressing room- it really finishes the room off! It just adds that extra element of luxury and femininity to my Princess dressing room.

Lots of love
Ashleigh x

Make up storage

Hello you lovely lot!

I wanted to show you a product that I was recently sent and how amazing it is at sorting your make up storage! I recently had the pleasure of reviewing HerClutterBox.

Despite being a self-confessed make up addict I never really mastered the art of make up storage. Once upon a time (about 5 days ago) I was a make up bag hoarder and spent every morning rummaging through a messy bag full of products to find what I needed. Since using my clutter box I feel like a make up queen.

I wanted to show you all exactly what the box comes with and how I store my make up now- hunting through make up bags no longer need to be part of your day.

I have the 'Crystal Clear 5 Drawer' box and this is everything that it comes with...

All 5 drawers have so much room for different bits. The bottom drawer is larger than the others so it was perfect for my ridiculous nail varnish collection!! I have a terrible habit of using each colour once then never again. The bottom drawer would also be perfect for standing up foundation/ face products etc.

The drawers dividers are all separate so you can plan the box to suit your needs. I did some different things for each shelf depending what I store there- some examples are below.

The finished product.... I spent around 2 hours sorting through a total of 23 make up bags and storage boxes to fill my clutter box and it has literally transformed my morning routine! The box is so well built so it holds absolutely loads. I genuinely look forward to putting my face on each morning now...

I store my nail varnishes in the bottom drawer, and have them all standing up for maximum capacity. The dividers meant I could group them by colour which is so helpful as I ditch those winter colours and go for spring nails. This is also going to save me a fortune too as I'm so bad at buying a new nail varnish whenever I can't find the colour I need. This is the nail varnish storage dream!

Next I have some of my palettes and brushes. Having all of my brushes visible really helps me to keep on top of cleaning them too.

Eye make up is next and it's so nice to have everything all in one place. I was forever hunting for my eyeshadow blending brushes but now they all have their own compartment.

Face make up can be stored so easily too- foundation, contour, concealer and blush all in one place. I store my lipsticks and other bits in the top drawer- again with compartments to section off colour groups which is so handy!

If you're after some more make up storage inspo then check our HerClutterBox's insta page. Hope you love it as much as I do!

Lots of love
Ashleigh x

Holiday Home Buys

Hi Everyone!

I recently enjoyed a long weekend in the beautiful Lake District with my family. If you haven't been, the Lakes is one of the most beautiful places that the UK has to offer. I've been going since I was a child and the amazing landscapes, views and walks always feel so special.

Of course, being the home interior obsessive that I am, I also managed to build up quite a haul of home products while I was away. There are so many gorgeous independent stores and boutiques dotted around the Lakes and I would encourage anyone who visits there, or any part of the UK, to get out, explore and support our small businesses. I know that a trip to the Lakes to pick up some of these products might not be all that convenient, so I have included in this post some links to these products online.

Here are some of my home purchases while I was away...

1. I bought this gorgeous tartan stags head footstool from a Garden Centre in the small village of Grasmere, their website is here: http://www.grasmeregardens.com/. How gorgeous is this stool!? I just fell in love with it the second that I saw it and knew it would tie in perfectly with my living room. It's also a really good weight and feels really sturdy so I knew I had to have it. As with most things that enter my house, I decided to paint it white- I used a white egg shell paint to do this and I'm so please with the finished result.

If you want to order this stool online, then a few places do it. Amazon was the cheapest that I could see and the link is here.

2. I also got the below gorgeous 100% wool blanket from the National Trust shop while I was in Grasmere. It's so beautiful, warm and cosy and it makes my living room feel that extra bit homely. You can buy it from the National Trust website.

3. I found the cutest Unicorn ring holder at the Garden Centre in Grasmere. It's so gorgeous and goes perfectly on my bedside table. Again, I found this online on EBay here.

4. I also visited the little town of Bowness on Windermere Lake while I was away and stumbled across FAB Home Interiors. They have the most beautiful store there, and they also advertise their products on Facebook and Instagram. I got these crushed velvet cushions from themand it's like they were made for our master bedroom!

5. Last but not least I couldn't help myself but nip into the Laura Ashley store in Bowness. I picked up some of my favourite room scents as they had 40% off- love me some Floral Bloom and Fresh Linen & Jasmine.

Lots of love
Ashleigh x