Over the past year, I’ve found myself completely drawn to home decor.
I blame Pinterest.
Actually, when I really think about it, I’ve always loved home decorating programmes. Does anyone remember Trading Spaces on TLC back in the early 00s? It aired in America while I was growing up and I was obsessed. That’s probably where I got my first taste for what renovation and decorating professionally looked like. I loved seeing the process from start to finish. Watching the experts give their opinions, learning how they put two and two together.
From Trading Spaces (which is apparently coming back to TV this year!), I moved onto my love of watching HGTV and their home programmes. My mom and I love home shows. It’s like a little peek into someone’s life without actually peering in through their windows. Maybe we’re just nosey.
We’ve lived in our London flat for well over three years now. But I typically don’t show too much of it online or on Instagram. I think it’s because I’d been trying to perfect the aesthetic for that long. Our bedroom is completely devoid of light. It’s never been a space I’ve particularly loved. It came half-furnished, so I never had a chance to pick my own bed or wardrobe. And because London is temporary living, we decided that we’d keep it that way throughout our tenancy.
Our living room is another story entirely. I’ve slowly crafted it into a space that I completely love. It’s small, don’t get me wrong. And even still, we’re stuck with the kitchen along one wall of the room too.
My style could be described as vintage luxe. My flat is structured around warm colours set alongside bolder darker tones. You can expect golds, coppers and pinks mixed with green velvet and dark prints. It took a long time for us to get it exactly as we’d like. London living right? It’s tough to get it exactly as you like with such limited space to work with.
So just like my favourite home shows, I wanted to give you guys a peek into my home with the help of Amara, who finally helped me get it looking exactly as I want it. And my tips for making your small space feel more creative.
A good tray goes a long way
This one is a total splurge purchase, but there are budget friendly trays you can find to keep your costs low. Whether it’s adding it to your sofa so you can enjoy a cuppa whist reading, or for it to hold all of your makeup in one gorgeously aesthetic place. And I love to have a good couple of them in the flat, different shapes and sizes and patterns. I love a good tray and having a totally unique one can completely update your living space.
Keep it cosy
I am obsessed with having cute pillows and blankets throughout our home. I drape blankets over the sofa, over chairs, on our ottoman. On everything. And the same goes for pillows. It’s an easy way to add in colour and creativity to any space, while staying super cosy too.
Start a collection
I’ve forever been obsessed with MacKenzie Childs (blame my mom and all of my aunts for this one). And adding quirky mugs like these are definitely a do for your home. Back in the states I have a couple of MacKenzie Childs pieces and eventually when we buy a place, I’ll have a solid assortment of them that all go together. Whether that’s MacKenzie Childs or any other collection, find one that works for you. (Fun fact about me: I also happen to collect sausage dog items, tea towels, salt and pepper shakers, a door stopper – you name it).
While Amara have their own brand on their website, they also stock plenty of other home decor brands as well. Good for an all-in-one destination home and lifestyle shop.
Take your time finding your pieces
It’s been over three years and only now am I starting to feel like my space has come together. My gallery wall is in no way complete. And I’ve only just found the perfect ice bucket for my bar cart. I’ve found that adding slowly means you’re making the right purchases. A vintage find might catch your eye and it could be the must-have piece you’ve been waiting for. Sometimes it means your space doesn’t feel complete, but I think that’s the joy of furnishing a home. It doesn’t happen all at once.
Some of my favourite items in the flat all have a story associated with them. Like the vintage mirror we got from Portobello Road and had to fit in an Uber (who was NOT happy with us about it). Or the time we carried our bar cart all the way down high street. Um, or the sofa that we had to get into the flat through the window.
It’s all about the details.
Not your average tumbler glasses, these are cool tumbler glasses. Translucent, delicate glasses that sparkle with every sip. They make me feel extra elegant. Add in fancy bold coasters and it all ties together. Finally.
And even switching up your average white boring plates with a more unique set. I fell in love with these stoneware plates and gold cutlery. (PS. I’ve linked to the set, but I just ordered 2 sets of spoons, forks and knives – we didn’t really need six of each at this point in time and you can order them individually – yay!). I definitely feel like it adds a little something extra to our kitchen table.
Work with what you’ve got
I know it’s hard to accept it. But when you’ve got a tiny space to work with, you’ve just got to make the most of it. I spent a long time hesitating about what to do in our living area. Once I made the decision to make our space more unique, I started feeling better about being in the flat. I started to feel like it was actually ours.
Make it an illusion
And my last tip… You probably already know this, but mirrors make everything look a bit more spacious. Add them in where you can!
Of course, just as I’ve perfected my living space, we had the news that we’re moving out of the flat much earlier than anticipated.
On the one hand, I’ll be sad to leave this space behind. But in another way, I’m know I have a base of beautiful home decor that I’ve built up over the past few years.
And it’s nice to know exactly how I want our next flat to look… and I’m excited for it!
Kelly xoxo
PS. This has been a sponsored post in collaboration with Amara. All opinions, photographs and items selected have been my own. Seriously, I wish I’d know about Amara right when I moved, because they have everything you could want and then some!