If you’ve been watching my Instagram stories recently you will know that life has been a tad hectic in our house over recent months. Not only are we finally getting the kitchen extension that our house so desperately needs, but we have also been building an office / snug room in our garden. It’s been really exciting watching the space come to life over recent months and after a labour of love from us all, we are finally getting to the exciting parts – painting, decorating, artwork and furniture! I can not wait!
Having worked at my dining room table for the last 2 YEARS (usually surrounded by the kids toys and having to clear away my work every evening before tea) I am really looking forward to having a work space I can personalise and truly call my own.
With my employer also adopting a hybrid model of working going forwards, I am looking forward to having a work space that I can feel completely comfortable in, as well as being able to shut the door on and leave at the end of the working day. It’s so easy to experience home and work life drift when both occur in the same physical space/
We are putting the finishing touches to our office as we speak, but I have already chosen a number of prints from Desenio to help add some personality to our space. Having already had a number of prints in our home from Desenio, their prints and frames were the obvious choice. Whilst the office is not quite ready for the big reveal just yet, I hung them in our living space to get a feel for how they will look in situ. Now they’re up, I don’t really want to take them down! It might be time for a living room overhaul too!
You can see the prints I have chosen in the pictures above and below. Our office room is going to be fairly clean and bright, with white walls and grey soft furnishings, so a monochrome colour scheme was ideal. With wood panelling being added to the back wall, the plan is to create a picture rail on the top for some of our larger prints to stand pride of place and be the first thing that catches your eye as you walk in to the room.
We also looked at some inspiration with some of Desenio’s other wall art ideas – from larger combination gallery walls to feature walls on one side of the room. With prints of different shapes and sizes, the options really are pretty endless!
I wanted to select some larger pieces that would really make a bold statement in my office, and I very quickly fell in love with these Painted Shapes posters – abstract illustrations with a colour scheme of black, white and grey. There a number of different options available and they work really well in groups or pairs.
Printed with a white border that perfectly frames the design, we opted for two of the 50 x 70cm print with a wooden black frame. We felt that the two complimentary pieces worked really well together and were the perfect combination of feminine and masculine vibes for our new living space.
Desenio have absolutely loads of modern, on trend designs to choose from and they are always at really affordable prices too. There are even a few discounted options at the moment, meaning you can save even more off their already very  reasonable prices and update your living spaces without needing to spend a fortune! By far the hardest part is deciding which prints to choose, as there are always plenty of options to suit every style and taste.
If you’re struggling to picture how the prints will work in your space, you can even check out Desenio’s inspiration rooms for lots of ideas on how to combine prints into gallery walls, centre pieces and themes to match the rest of your interior.
If you follow my stories over the next few weeks, I will finally get to share my finished space and move my Desenio prints into their new home. Now just what to put back in the living room….. 🙂
We all know just how important it is to feel comfortable in our work surroundings – even more so after working at home around our families for the last 18 months. We are currently in the middle of building a garden office in our home and one of the biggest advantages for me is that I will be able to create a working from home space that meets all of my needs – no more navigating my way through children’s toys to reach my desk; no blurring of my work and home space and no sitting at the dining room table where I should be eating my tea.
One of the things I am most excited about is designing a space that is entirely mine – reflects my personality and is aesthetically pleasing, striking and unique. Of all the things I have considered when designing my new office space, two of the most important are lighting and plants.
I have a real issue with some office lighting – the fluorescent over head lighting often gives me a headache and I hate the lack of control over the brightness of my surroundings. Top of my list in the garden office is ensuring no glare from windows by purchasing bespoke shutters or blinds and adding dimmer switches and focused desk lighting that can create more localised lighting and simply be turned on and off as required.
Secondly, I really want to add some green plants into my work space – something hardy that is hard to kill and is not high maintenance in terms of it’s feeding / watering routine, but that will add some much needed oxygen and positivity to my, at times, pressurised work space.
I recently came across the brand Floately at www.floately.co.uk, who have two options that are just the ticket when meeting my home office requirements. Not only do they look great, but provide a little touch of magic to my office space with their cutting edge levitation technology.
Who are Floately?
Floately are home to a range of innovative levitating accessories targeted for the home and office, that just like magic, actually float and levitate from their stands. Here are two of the options from the Floately range that I felt would work well in the new office.
Airsai
AIRSAI from Floately is a levitating planter that is not only relaxing and mesmerising to watch, but has super smart spinning technology, meaning that the planter will quite literally levitate of its base, spinning whilst floating in the air. The addition of a spinning planter will ensure my plants of choice are not only beautifully presented, but nourished with 360 degrees of sunlight exposure 24/7, allowing them to grow stronger and healthier, all while floating mid-air.
Suitable for any type of houseplant up to 200g, Airsai planterscan not only help reduce radiation and increase oxygen in the  my workspace, but also create a real masterpiece to impress any guests.
VOLTA
For focused desk lighting, the Floately Volta is another excellent choice. The Volta is a levitating desk or surface light, which spins with elegant grace. The VOLTA Wireless induction technology allows the LED bulb to cast a warm, soothing light while being suspended in mid-air – ideal for working or reading, whilst creating a calm and comfortable environment (and without a rocketing electricity bill!)
Volta is shatterproof and durable, and designed to help ease anxiety, stabilise emotions and make people feel more comfortable.
The VOLTA is incredibly calming to watch whilst on a call or listening to a podcast. You can even turn off the light but keep the revolving on to use Volta as a mindful, calming accessory.
I will be sharing the journey of our garden office build on the blog over the coming weeks so watch this space! In the meantime you can learn more about Floately here.
Purchasing a home is likely to be one of the most significant investments you will ever make.
As a result, you don’t want to make significant home buying mistakes like overpaying for a home, paying more in interest than necessary, or missing out on the most excellent deal. These are the most common mistakes you will want to avoid when you’re in the market for a new home.
Not getting an overview of what you can afford
It’s pointless to look at houses without a clear idea of what you can afford. You will begin with a mortgage calculator and then meet with a mortgage consultant for a more in-depth examination. If you’re looking to buy a house, mortgagecalculator.uk can help you figure out how much you can afford and how interest rates and repayment terms will affect your monthly payment. When preparing your finances to apply for a home loan, a mortgage calculator can be pretty valuable.
Not getting pre-approved before searching for a house
Getting preapproved for a home is the best approach to show sellers that you’re serious about buying it. This effectively indicates you’ve almost completed the process of obtaining financing for your future home. Getting a mortgage pre-approval before beginning your search for a property does more than providing you peace of mind. A seller will feel more comfortable interacting with you if they know your qualifications have been reviewed in advance. If an underwriting staff has validated everything, they know your offer isn’t likely to fall through.
Not reviewing your credit score
The most significant factor in acquiring a house loan is your credit score. Lenders will use your credit reports and scores to determine whether you qualify for a loan and what interest rate you will be offered. If your credit report contains inaccuracies, you may have difficulty applying for a loan. For example, lenders will turn you down if you have a lot of debt or are behind on payments. It indicates that you may be behind on your mortgage payments. You will want to check what lenders will see on your credit score Before you are preapproved.
Making sentimental decisions over properties, you don’t own
Purchasing a property is a significant life event. It’s a home where you’ll make memories with your friends and family, craft your personal space, and plant important roots in your life. It’s easy to become overly attached and make very sentimental decisions. Still, you will want to keep in mind that you’re equally making one of the most significant financial expenditures of your life. While many sellers are capitalising on the sentimental decisions of many first-time buyers, it is essential that you build a budget and strictly stick to it. This way, you don’t overpay for that property you grow attached to.
Not using an agent
If you’re serious about buying a house, don’t go to an open negotiation without first consulting with a real estate agent or broker. Agents are bound to guide fair transactions between the seller and the patron ethically. Your real estate agent can express your concerns to sellers without offending them by working as a neutral party in the buying process. Your agent will be able to communicate these issues to you and negotiate the best price for you. However, dealing with a seller’s agent before contacting your agency might not put you in the best negotiation position.
Ignoring the neighbourhoodÂ
Don’t only look at the house—consider the neighbourhood as well. Of course, it’s hard to foresee the future of your chosen community with absolute certainty, but inquiring about or investigating its prospects today can help you prevent unpleasant shocks later on. Has the neighbourhood seen a rise or fall in housing values? Is it conceivable that the roadway will become a major thoroughfare or a popular rush-hour shortcut? If the answers to these questions are satisfactory, the location of your possible home can retain its purpose.
Considering expensive houses at the top of your budgetÂ
A larger, more expensive property will inevitably result in a more outstanding mortgage payment, but many purchasers overlook the higher down payment. If you purchase a house at the top of your budget, you may not be able to put down a 20% down payment, putting you at risk of having to pay for costly private mortgage insurance (PMI). It could take years to build up enough equity to stop paying PMI, which may compel you to postpone other financial goals. A more extensive and expensive home will also come with a higher expense of upkeep and maintenance. Your square footage will have an impact on everything from how long it takes to vacuum the floors to the cost of a new roof or set of windows, so consider the lifestyle you want to retain and purchase accordingly.Â
This post is in collaboration with California Shutters
At the time of writing, I have worked from home for a grand total of 15 months and have not stepped foot into my original office workplace since mid March 2020. I have been working at home, on my dining room table for well over a year now and as a result, I have experienced more than my fair share of frustrations around my new found home-working environment.
By far my biggest frustration is not however, what you might expect. It hasn’t been the kids mess on the table or the non adjustable chair, or even the lack of laptop stand or portable keyboard (the latter of which have now been resolved just in case H&S are reading!) – it’s been issues with sunlight and the glare of reflections on my laptop screen.
I work right next to my living roomwindow and whilst the addition of daylight is an added bonus, the glare of the sunshine from around midday onwards becomes unbearable, so much so that I end up drawing our curtains – thick heavy set dark brown curtains, which then descend my day into darkness just when it should be getting started.
A few weeks ago we decided to bite the bullet and order some window shutters for our living room bay. Whilst they are a reasonable investment and therefore something to be taken lightly. we have been considering them for a while.
Image courtesy of California Shutters
Why chose window shutters?
There are lots of advantages to window shutters which we felt made them the best option for us:
Aesthetic – First up, high quality window shutters look elegant and timeless. Compared to the big and bulky curtains we currently have, they are a much more attractive option for our living room space and offer a much nicer curb appeal from outside looking in, particularly compared with half open half shut curtains that I continually alter as the day progresses.
Made to Measure – Window shutters can also be made to fit any window size and shape, from the smallest bathroom window to the largest living room bay. Our living room is an angular bay window, and I can be confident that shutters are making the best use of the space we have.
Light Control – Perhaps most crucially in my current working situation, window shutters allow far more intricate control over the light in the room, with the option to have them closed, open, slightly open or angled depending on your preference. Adjusting the angle of the shutters will allow me to restrict the amount of direct sunlight and glare on my screen whilst still maintaining a significant amount of natural light in the room. We have also opted for a midsection privacy bar, which offers the flexibility of having the bottom half of the window (next to my screen) closed, Â whilst the rest can be angled more open.
Privacy – Working right next to a busy road with a park means there are a lot of passers by. Regular traffic, dog walkers and children on the school commute. Having the privacy of shutters means I can block out both visibility for passers by but also insulate against some of the noise and sounds that could be distracting.
Heat Insulation / Ventilation – Shutters are a great option in the summer, allowing you to open the windows and ventilate your home whilst keeping bugs and insects out of your living space. In the Winter, closing the shutters can help keep warm air inside and prevent heating loss through your windows, making your home far more energy efficient.
Image courtesy of California Shutters
What are the options?
There are LOTS of different options for Internal Window Shutters in Birmingham; which I will be honest I hadn’t fully appreciated before we started to do our research. From full height shutters (ideal for taller windows or French doors), to tier-on-tier (which offer more flexibility and light control) as well as cafe style (bottom half only) and even solid wood shutters, there was certainly lots to think about!
We decided opt for pure hardwood tier on tier internal window shutters from California Shutters, largely because they solved the most immediate problem for me, which was light control.
For a living room / dining room bay window, they also offered a child friendly and aesthetically pleasing option that would brighten up the overall look and feel of the room.
We took advantage of California Shutters 25% off discount sale, which offered a good amount off their already competitive prices.
Fit Yourself or have installed?
At the time of writing lead times are around 12-16 weeks from order, and we are expecting to get ours installed towards the end of August.
The ordering process is very simple. My partner used the helpful online guides and videos to measure the size of our windows. We then had to decide whether we wanted to install them ourselves or whether we wanted them installed for us.  We considered a few factors here. First was the cost – the price is obviously cheaper to fit yourself and given that Mike is fairly DIY savvy, I was relatively confident that this is something that he would be able to do with ease. The biggest concern I had however was what would happen if we got the measurements wrong. The installed option came with the added benefit of a second check of our measurements – something which offered significant piece of mind when making a big investment. I felt that weighing up all options, the small additional fee to have this extra reassurance was worth every penny.
Once ordered online, a fitter came out to double check our measurements, but also recommended a few things we hadn’t considered, including the mid section bar to enable extra flexibility. Whilst Mike’s measurements weren’t too far off, he hasn’t factored in things such as the window handles, so having the fitter come and tweak the measurements appropriately was a good decision for us all in all.
Now our shutters are ordered, we wait (in my case on tenter hooks) for them to arrive! I am really looking forward to seeing the finished result!
Have you got shutters in your home? I’d love to see them! x
Many of us have recently spent time and money making our homes the ideal sociable hub for family life. Now we’re faced with trying to find a little bit of quiet space, so that we can work from home. And it’s a difficult ask. Especially when you’ve got an open plan layout, or a large family. But don’t worry, creating a workspace in a busy family home can be done.
Convert a spare space
The easiest way to create a workspace in the family home, is to convert an unused space. Garages, lofts, spare bedrooms and garden rooms are ideal for this. However, some of these spaces may lack adequate insulation, electrics and access, so it can prove costly. If you’re working full-time from home on a permanent basis, this could be worth the outlay. And you’ll be able to tailor the space exactly to your needs.
But what if you don’t have the space to convert, or the budget? Well, there are alternatives.
Create a zone in a room
You could use one area of a room for your office. Try to pick a spot with the least distractions or through-traffic from family members.
Creating a distinct zone can help to make this work. It will clearly define this area as your space for work. Making a clear line between homelife and professional life. You could paint the walls in this zone a different shade to the rest of the room. You could even have a different type of flooring for the space. For example, laying vinyl flooring planks could work well. Using a dark wood pattern for the family area and a lighter wood pattern for your work zone.
Make an alcove office
If all you need is space for a desk and chair, then an alcove office may be a better solution.
If you’re worried about your work and family space becoming too mixed, then adding a door, curtain or some other flexible screening may help. This will enable you to physically close or hide the space while you’re not working. That way your desk isn’t reminding you of work when you’re trying to relax. And perhaps more importantly, it’ll stop your desk becoming a dumping ground for your family’s clutter. This is especially important if you’re using an alcove under the stairs or in a busy
room of the house.
Hi, I’m Lucy, a thirty something mum of two from Birmingham. A memory maker, tradition keeper, stationery addict and Mr Men fanatic. HR Advisor by day and sleep deprived Mama by night!
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