HAPPY NEW YEAR

                                             

Another year draws to a close & what a wonderful year it has been once again. Finishing Touch Interiors has now been in business for just over a year & has gone from strength to strength with the launch in November of the boutique. There is so much more I have planned for 2012 starting with some products designed by myself for the boutique including tea cups & mugs for The Pink Rose Appeal to raise money for the breast cancer unit at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge. I will also be holding a pink rose tea party in March as well as running a half marathon to raise money for the cause. There is many more plans ticking away in my head too.
I have been so inspired by so many wonderful blogs & connecting with so many talented blogger friends. In January some of those wonderful friends will be joining me every Monday for a moodboard challenge, I am so excited about these inspiring ladies coming together so watch this space for what's to come.
               Happy New Year
                 Sarah xxxx

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Friday Bedroom Inspiration

I saw this gorgeous bedroom & had to share this bit of inspiration. I am completely drawn to the tree trunk posts there's something almost magical feeling about them. They would look perfect in a little girls room with a real woodland fairy theme. I also love the cute seating arrangement at the end of the bed. Happy Friday xxx

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Real Homes -House Tour

This cosy Cotswald Cottage has beautiful period features including ancient beams in the living room. Extended to create a comfortable four bedroom family home, it is a light & airy house with a real modern/country style. I love the mix of the pastel check cushions, cow rug & antique furniture pieces together. A cosy corner with a simple white sofa scattered with floral and heart-motif cushions & black & white prints on the wall behind makes a perfect reading corner.

This painted family farmhouse style table with a mix of natural wood against cream is beautiful & cosy against the light painted walls.

The kitchen is perfectly designed with plenty of preparation space. Both light & spacious feeling its a modern country style with some pretty kitchen accessories that works brilliantly.

  

 

I adore the main bedroom its light and tranquil feeling with a mix of pale colours against the warmth of the natural wood beams & the chunky pine wardrobe. Its certainly a wonderful space to relax & unwind at the end of the day.

How sweet is this children's bedroom? Again a light & airy & relaxed theme here & the Christmas decorations fit the rooms style perfectly.

The guest bedroom has cosy appeal, a bit more colour than the other two bedrooms but still with a subtle country feel. The heart cushion really draws my eyes in to the bed.

In the en-suite bathroom a roll-top bath painted in light blue completes the classic country look.

Image credits - House to Home

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There's more, much more to Christmas
Than candle-light and cheer;
It's the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the year;
It's thoughtfulness and kindness,
It's hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding
And for goodwill to men!
       xxxx

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Deck The Halls

Add a bit of festive fun to your hallway with these decorating ideas. Its the first space your visitors see so why not create the start of your winter wonderland. The banisters are a great place to hang garlands or even mini stockings & if you are lucky enough to have a table in your hallway clear it to make space to create a fun Christmas tablescape.

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The Christmas Stocking

I can't help but adore this cute image of a contemporary alternative to stockings. I think I will have to dig my pink wellies out of the cupboard. This image got me thinking though about where the tradition of the stocking came from. In many European countries children leave out shoes often old or peasant shoes. Another tradition in some countries is to leave a box under the bed.



        So where does the stocking come from?



Well there are several versions of the legend here is one of them

Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried what would happen to them after his death.

Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St. Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldn't accept charity. He decided to help in secret. He waited until it was night and crept through the chimney.

He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl. As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and off he went. When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and were of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.

The legend then led to the tradition of children leaving out their old socks or shoes in the hope that saint Nicholas would stop by & leave gifts. The tradition started in Europe & over the years a special Christmas stocking was created. 

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Festive Scandi-Chic

Create this years popular Nordic Christmas theme with a traditional red & white colour palette & cute Scandi-Chic decorations. 



This cosy Nordic living room is very warm & inviting. I love the updated armchair with the snowflake designed fabric. The red & white decorations look stunning against the traditional Christmas tree & match perfectly with the white walls & red accessories of the room. The cute little red hearts & stars garland above the fireplace are beautiful finishing touch.

The Alpine style of this Scandi-Chic bedroom is festive feeling in itself with its white walls & white painted bed. I love the beautiful crisp white & red bed linen with the deep red throw here & the cute knitted stockings complete the look. Scandi-chic is a popular & winning style this Christmas.

 

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Create A Magical Christmas

Today is the last in the Monday series of 'create a magical Christmas' ..... as in 6 more sleeps Santa will be coming down my chimney...yippy!! 

Well heres a couple more last minute decoration ideas for those of you that havnt quite got round to getting those decs up yet, but even if you have theres always room to squeeze in a few more. 
 
Make little fake presents for the tree or your mantle piece. How about using matchboxes for super small & cute parcles. Just cover them in the left over scraps of wrapping paper & ribbon & hang them in the tree. cute hey!

Get the scissors & glue out & get creative.....

......To make this simple homemade christmas ornament, you'll need:

• Some colourful card or paper 
• A pencil
• A drinking glass
• Scissors
• Glue
• Needle and thread
• A small length of ribbon

Instructions

Using the rim of your glass as a template, trace out 8 circles onto your card-stock and then cut them out.

Using the base of your glue-stick (or any other small circular object you have laying around), trace out two smaller circles and then cut them out.

Fold each of your large circles in half, and then into quarters.

Glue down 4 folded-circles onto the one of your small pieces of circular card. Repeat this with the other 4 folded-circles onto the other small circle of card. These are the two "halves" to your bauble.
I find it easiest to cover the small circle of card with a thick layer of glue, and then press down the folded-circles into place.

Now you're going to glue the two halves together to make your bauble...
Cover the surface of each small circle with glue, and press the two halves together so that they line up nicely and the small circles from each half glue together.
At this stage it is easy to flatten out your bauble and put it under a heavy book for a few minutes while the glue dries.

When the glue is dry, you'll want to attach a ribbon or string to the top of your bauble so you can hang it up and show off your fabulous creation!
Either sew some pretty cotton through the top of your bauble and use this as the loop to attach your bauble to your Christmas tree.
Alternatively, sew a small loop of cotton thread through the top of the bauble, and use this to secure a small length of colourful ribbon in place. Cut off any loose threads so they aren't visible (I am using contrasting colours here so you can see, but choose a thread that matches your ribbon).

Put your fingers into each of the folds to shape them nicely...

And you're finished!

                  (tutorial credits to homemade gifts made easy)

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baby its cold outside

Its definatley hot chocolate weather now. Its snowing outside not quite enough to settle but its making me feel festive. I am suffering a bit today after yesterdays hen do. The lovely Joanne Sizer my gorgeous friend who was my guest writer for 'Jo's Fabulous Finds' gets married on Tuesday. We had a wonderful relaxed spa day followed by dinner & drinks..one to many drinks! 

 So today is a pyjamma day, I am putting my feet up & chilling on my squishily comfy new couch with a scrumptious hot chocolate in hand. So why not come join me for a chat on Facebook 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finishing-Touch-Interiors/120383714678113

or fire some questions at me over on Formsping

Ask me anything you like http://www.formspring.me/SarahatFTI

check out....

My Boutique Pick Of The Week....

......Well it has got to be this cosy hot water bottle cover. Beautifully handmade by Charlotte Macey Textiles its just the perfect antidote for chilly winter nights or pyjamma days like today. 

Enjoy your Sunday

xxxx

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Cute Christmas Card Ideas

I love these briliant Christmas card ideas I found over on Shabby Soul so thought I had better share them. I absolutely adore the butterfly & the cute little hearts (you know how I love hearts). 
For the full tutorial pop on over to:- 
                             http://myshabbysoul.blogspot.com/

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Christmas Inspiration with soft pastels

Ive had crisp whites & rich reds but how about some soft pastles & lots of pinks. I love this quirky tree with sea shells, boats & stafish decorations. There is something very refreshing about it.  

Dont forget to dress up the dining chairs. The silver & pink baubles with the pretty pink rose are a soft & beautiful touch.

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Simple Budget Tablescape Ideas

Want to create a festive Christmas table but lost for inspiration or not wanting to spend a fortune buying decorations in? Well here's some easy ideas to get you started. How about filling wine glasses with baubles, add some curling ribbon or even sprigs of holly. 

You could instead fill a large glass bowl with baubles & make it a centre piece to your table or how about filling wine glasses with sweets, candy canes especially have a festive feel. Coloured beads are also a eye catching idea.


 
Lanterns are becoming a popular theme so if you have some around the house or garden already why not use them as table decorations, add sprigs of holly & pine cones to your display to complete the festive look.


Festive red coloured fruit also makes an eye catching centrepiece & has the benefit of being edible. Red apples & grapes are a wonderful choice as they are great to accompany your cheese & biscuits.





Make the most out of nature by using evergreen branches, pinecones or berries, after all they are free. Sprinkle cranberries randomly across the table amongst candles & votive's & pinecones. Fill vases with cranberries, you can add fresh flowers as well if you wish. If you don't have any vases around then why not use wine or milk bottles for a simple look. 

I love how these twigs have been used to make candle holders, another great way of using what is free & natural to create your tablescape.


Finally these glasses simply turned upside down over sprigs of holly become quirky candle holders. Hope these simple ideas are enough to get you started. 

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Festive Folksy Bedroom

Christmas decorating doesnt have to stop in the lounge & dining room how about waking up to a festive feeling bedroom. I love the natural garland here with the cute mini stockings. The simple festive mug by the bedside filled with flowers & berries is easy to do but works perfectly. Layering the bed with red woollen throws as they have here creates a cozy festive feel.

These simple handmade curtains with the felt white hearts sewn on give a really folk art feel to the room. Handmade garlands with hearts, trees & stockings are a beautiful addiction to your festive room. This gorgeous homemade Christmas bedroom is both cosy & beautiful & scores a full 10/10 with me. 

My Boutique pick of the week wouldnt look out of place in this room. This gorgeous handmade hanging Christmas heart from the NEW Dreambox Home Collection is a snip of a buy at £4.50 & is so cute. Hang on the tree, on door knobs or on the end of a bedframe as seen in the image here. Available at www.finishingtouchinteriorsboutiqueboutique.co.uk

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