Light Bright Kitchen

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Light and bright does not mean you have to do head to toe white! If you are looking for a nice bright kitchen without it being completely whitewashed, here's a little inspiration that can help:

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A light natural wood will never steer you wrong! It goes great with the light and airy feel and looks clean too.

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Not into wood? A simple gray or tan can keep your kitchen nice and bright and pair's nicely with white accents for a timeless feel.

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If you are dying for a little color stay on the pale end of things. this light blue is almost white but it's not! Paired with white upper cabinets and a blue back splash make this kitchen feel colorful, light, and airy.

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If you have more of an eclectic style you can use a variation of different natural hues that tie together to complete that bright kitchen you desire. 

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If dark hues are more your style, go big on lighting and natural lighting. Nothing is brighter than the sun! 

White & Wood

FREE IMAGES Although I have a love for a white crisp room, sometimes too much white can feel bland. So to add on to my love of white and neutrals, here's a great idea to give white rooms a little more character without taking away from the white.

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Natural wood really adds some character to the white without taking away from the crisp clean look!

The Tunbridge Wells Shaker Kitchen

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Today I wanted to show you a Tunbridge Wells Shaker Kitchen that stands out to be a little different than the rest! With most Shaker kitchens, the appliances are hidden behind painted doors to give a simple natural feel to the kitchen, but in this one they are out for all to see. I feel like they did a great job making this one a little different for those who would rather the appliances be out in the open. 

This kitchen is a mix of natural and contemporary but it feels so fresh! 

I am not usually one for open cabinets but these cabinets under the barstool area really make for great home decor as well as extra storage where there normally wouldn't be!

They did a great job maximizing this small space. With a lot of people downgrading on square footage in this economy, keeping it simple and working with the allotted space really makes a difference. 

They did a great job pairing these with great details like the countertop and farmhouse style sink. I also love that the pendant lights don't take away from the rest of the room but they bring a little character at the same time. 

These hand painted cupboards stand out to me, they look amazing! I also love how they almost just blend in with the wall. It makes it feel like they don't take up much space and it looks so clean.

Brick & Wood

FREE IMAGES Although I haven't been in the rustic mood lately sometimes I find a space that has brick and wood mixed together so perfectly, I could imagine falling in love with the space and living there. Here's a few reasons why I love the mix:

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It looks so natural and with the natural materials brings the neutral colors which makes it easy to furnish however you like!

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It can really be dressed up to look luxurious! You don't have to go rustic with it. There's something about mixing it with some high end materials can give it a very classy look.

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Not a fan of the red brick? White washing is always an option. It still looks amazing and can add a little brightness to the room as well. 

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Go all out with some great detail by mixing the brick and wood in the flooring! This look has so much character but it doesn't take away from the rest of the house either. I absolutely love it!

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Decorating for the later years

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As we grow older, there are many things we need to consider. From what we’ll do with our time, to how we’ll stay fit and healthy, the options at our disposal are endless and that can leave us a little unsure about what to do.

In particular, how we approach decorating our homes can be a tricky thing to manage. It may seem relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things but the appearance of our home can have a profound impact on our attitudes, emotional health and general well being.

No one wants to spend their retirement staring at four unsightly walls and here we look at a few tips for decorating your home in your later years.

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Shelf for success

From books and ornaments to films and music, you’ll undoubtedly have a lot of need for storage in your home. Wall-mounted shelves should be at an accessible height and not contain anything too heavy. Anything you require regular access too should be stored at a comfortable height on freestanding bookshelves or display units. You can always arrange items by color for something artistic and playful.

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Spare a thought for cleaning and maintenance of these though. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get some help with this. For example, retirement property for sale from leading firms like McCarthy and Stone offer domestic cleaning services with some of their developments.

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Get it framed

Whether you’re a proud grandparent who wants to show off pictures of their beautiful grand kids or someone looking to take a trip down memory lane through old photos, it’s important you get them framed.

There are many styles to choose from but popular favorites include collage frames which display multiple photos in a large frame or single frames arranged in a symmetrical or eclectic pattern. This set-up can also be applied to artwork as well as to personal photographs.

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Go minimalist

Accessibility is an important buzzword as you age so make sure your decorating takes this into account. Keep walkways clear to prevent the risk of falls and embrace minimalist styles that promote clean layouts and minimal furniture. Combine natural woods with light, neutral colors for a stylish contrast.

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