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Hi there!

Hope you are all enjoying the frosty cold weather?…it puts me into full on faffing mode and the latest place in Rose Cottage to get hit is the kitchen worktops! When I share my kitchen over on Instagram I always get lots of compliments on the styling of it so thought I would share a few tips over here on how I put it all together. The tips are nothing too complicated but they sure are effective…

1. Separate your kitchen into sections

Think about your worktops in smaller more manageable areas, rather than as a whole. Concentrate on one area at a time, make sure your really happy with how you’ve dressed it before moving onto the next.

Think about whether the area will be for practical use or simply decorative; or it could be a mix of both! It’s useful to have certain appliances close to particular cupboards eg mugs near the kettle (especially handy on busy mornings!!). Keep this in mind when choosing what appliances you will need in each worktop section. Also most appliances will need plug sockets so give this consideration too!

2. Start with a blank canvas

I always clear the space I am working on before deciding where anything will go. It helps see the full size of the space and will make it easier to experiment with different accessories.

3. Give the area a good clean

Use the opportunity to give the area a good scrub; clean the worktop itself, the wall/ tiles behind and any appliances or accessories you will be using.

4. Think about things you might want to hide

I am not a fan of seeing plug sockets in my kitchen so often use chopping boards, platter plates and framed prints to hide them where i can. I also hide the plugs and leads of appliances using the same techniques.

5. Add height, colour and texture

Setting appliances and accessories on top of chopping boards can help create a feature and add height.

Adding hooks from the cupboards above is a great way to incorporate accessories without taking up counter space.

6. Accessorise, accessorise and accessorise!

The majority of the accessories in my kitchen are Emma Bridgewater, I am a massive fan and enjoy the country kitchen feel they give. Think about mixing colours, textures and sizes when using accessories, adding plants and flowers too.

Have you any great tips on how you style your own kitchen? I’ll love to hear them!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

blog

Everything you need to know about appearing in an Interior Magazine

July 21, 2019January 16, 2022 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

If you follow me over on Instagram you will know I’ve had a photographer in today taking some photos of Rose Cottage for a local magazine. We have featured in one before just over a year ago, so it was a pleasure to do it again! My inbox has been flooding with messages asking about the experience so I thought it would be easier to put all the info into a blog post.

Here’s everything you need to know about appearing in an Interior Magazine (in my own experience!!!)

You don’t always need to be asked

From the messages I’ve received, everyone assumes you always get asked to feature; but, this is not always the case! If you think you have a beautiful home you can contact the magazine yourself, send over some images and ask to be considered.

2. You will most definitely feel like a dirty bruit

Because you become this mad cleaning person, who wants to clean everything in sight, you will find masses of dirt in places you didn’t even know existed!…Queue thinking you could grow spuds behind your sofa!

3. You will spend alot of time faffing

Painting over toothpaste splatters, delicately positioning potatoes in a crate and karate chopping cushions will only be a few crazy activities you will undertake in preparation.

4. Hiding anything that is even remotely ugly

This may include bins, tv buttons, multi-coloured plastic toys and even family members; which leads me on to….

5. Bailing your family out

You most definitely will not want any small people hanging about on the day of the shoot (Kids and expensive camera equipment will not mix) so I recommend getting rid of them as soon as you can – a week before the shoot is just about perfect!!

6. You will become the most awkward and out of place thing in your own home

Trying to keep out of the way of the photographer is hard, especially if you don’t live in a big house.

7. You will be out of money

You will convince yourself your home needs to be able to feed the 5000 and have more fresh flowers than chelsea flower show.

8. The experience will be as enjoyable as you make it

Take your time, enjoy your home and soak it all up!

As always if you have any questions, please get in touch!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

INTERIORS

Garden Transformation

July 2, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

Well…..hasn’t this post has been a loooooong time coming?! We have been in Rose Cottage over 3 years now and the outside has been left completely untouched. (Apart from my Dad taking the head staggers with the weed killer when they outgrow him!!!) We have quite a lot of outdoor space and it has been overwhelming for us to know where to start. A few weeks ago I decided I needed to start somewhere; I didn’t want to let another year go by without doing anything. Neither the Hubby or I have any skills in the gardening department, but with some guidance from my Dad I got to work!

When my Grandparents lived in Rose Cottage, my Granda would be out pottering about outside everyday rain or shine. For his 70th Birthday my parents bought him a greenhouse, which Dad constructed outside the backdoor on top of some old reclaimed brick. This greenhouse stood proudly there until around 2 years ago, when we sent it off to another home to be loved. From then, like the rest of the outdoors, it was let go wild!

Before:

I started by weeding and clearing the whole area. This was a hard graft both physically and emotionally; I was finding little pots and gardening tools I remembered my Granda having in the greenhouse, so it was bringing lots of memories back. This made me annoyed at myself for letting it get so out of hand, but it also made me more determined to make it a space which he would be proud of.

After it was cleared, I put down some heavy plastic both inside and outside the bricked area to keep the weeds at bay; then white stones inside and large bark on the outside. I added some slim wooden posts to the fencing and attached solar powered festoon lights on top from B&M.

I wanted to put all the plants in pots as my track record at keeping them alive is not good! (Means I can replace them when needed!) I am also a massive fan of faffing, so can easily move them about as often as I like!!

All the pots and plants were picked up from Home Bargains, B&M, TKMaxx and B&Q.

The table and chairs are from Argos and linked here (its currently on offer too!)

Solar powered lanterns are from B&M.

I cannot believe I have such a nice outdoor space now to enjoy! It was such hard work, but boy was it worth it! Now to sort out the rest!!!

If you have any questions as always please get in touch.

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Harry’s Bedroom Makeover

June 17, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hi there!

I can hardly believe we are at this stage with Harry….moving him into a big boy bed! I knew time would fly when we had him (because everyone and their Granny warns you!!) but I really cannot take it in!

For any one who missed out on what his wee room was like before, I’ve linked 2 blog posts below…who doesn’t love a good before and after eh?!

Harry’s Little Room

Harry’s Room gets a little make over in Collaboration with Søstrene Grene

In preparation for the change, I did hours of scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. I kept saving and pinning images all with a similar bed frame, so knew this was the one! I built the jungle theme around the bed and after numerous Ikea visits and online basket checkouts his room was finished!

Bed Frame (We added the storage drawer, side rail and matress) – Buy here

Tiger Mat – Local Selling Site

Trunk – Bedeck (Was black leather which I white washed with Annie Sloan paint)

Plant – Ikea

Basket – Primark

Building Blocks – The Works

Animal Heads – https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/home/shop-by-room/kids-room.html

Cushions – https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/home/shop-by-room/kids-room.html and Sostrene Grene

Bedding – Scion from Bedeck

Plush toys – Ikea

Prints – https://desenio.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzbLF38iO4AIVBrDtCh010QV0EAAYASAAEgIkgvD_BwE

Frames and snake – Ikea

Green Leaves – Ikea, attached to the bed frame with cable ties

Born to be Wild Print from Desenio – Link above

Giraffe print, frames, zebra vase – Poundland

Plush toys – Ikea

Wooden Crate – Sostrene Grene and I added hanging luggage tag from Next

Curtains – Ikea

Bags – H&M Home (Linked above) and Sostrene Grene (Gifted from previous collaboration)

Prints – Desenio and Poundland

Wire basket, giraffe and frames – Poundland

Mice and plant- Ikea

As you can see this little lion is loving his new room and bed! Lets hope that means lots and lots of sleep in it!!!!

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on the makeover! I’ve tried my best to tell you where everything is from and given links where I can; but as always, if you have any questions please get in touch!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Bathroom Update

May 19, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hi there!

I have been a bit of a rubbish blogger recently, I’ve even been too busy to do much on Instagram as the makeover of the bathroom and spare room has completely taken over my life and the house!!! I don’t know about you, but when I attempt to re-decorate anything the whole house ends up a total tip!

If you’ve been following me over on Instagram for a while you will remember I re-decorated this bathroom around a year ago. Although I felt it was an improvement from what it had been before, I still didn’t love it. It just seemed too plain and lacking the ‘wow’ factor. At this point you can feel very sorry for Ash (my Hubby), as he had to listen to my moaning. (Which he felt was ridiculous as I had chosen everything in the room – so why wouldn’t I like it?!!)

Ignoring Ash (!!!) I ploughed on scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest to get some new ideas, determined to fall in love with this room. When I seen the gorgeous Sam from Dove Cottage (Find her bathroom update blog here ) I seen stars and knew panelling was the way to go…

I was determined to keep my costs down and do as much of the makeover myself as possible, so bought the pieces of wood cut to size from here – I chose Standard MDF, 3mm thickness. The total cost of the wood was under £30. I stuck the pieces of wood to the walls with ‘no more nails’ which was so easy for me to do myself! (Even my Dad the DIY king of Rose Cottage was impressed!!)

The paint used was Dulux – Polished Pebble on top (which was the colour already on the walls); and Crown – City Break on Panelling.

I added some lighting to the wall, but didn’t want the hassle or cost of bothering with electrician, wires, cutting into walls etc. I bought these lights here, which are meant to be electric but stuck a battery push button light into them instead!

The mirror is from Dunelm, you can find it here.

I picked up the frames and prints from Ikea.

This is one of the Ikea Shoe Cabinets which I have popped into our bathroom, as the storage in it is amazing and I love that everything is hidden and stored in one place. I’ve dressed with with a few accessories on top.

The flooring is vinyl and was bought and fitted by Stephen Moore Carpets in Lisburn.

So this was a long time coming, but I can confirm it is now my absolute favourite room in Rose Cottage and I cannot stop popping into it for a stare! I am so looking forward to lots of hot, bubbly baths in it!

Hope you enjoyed reading, as much as I enjoyed writing!

INTERIORS

Collecting Emma Bridgewater on a Budget

May 5, 2019 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

When we starting planning our move into Rose Cottage, my mind immediately went into overdrive picking things to furnish it. When I thought about pottery, I knew I wanted to collect Emma Bridgewater. I admired the unique and colourful patterns, and appreciated the time and patience which went into each piece.

Having built up quite a collection, I thought I would share with you some tips on how I buy Emma Bridgewater without it ending in divorce or featuring on the next series of ‘Cant pay, we’ll take it away’!

So here goes:

Look out for Emma Bridgewater items popping up on local selling sites. You can be lucky with websites such as Gumtree, Buy and Sell pages, Shpock and EBay. If the seller has little/no knowledge of the true value, you can pick up a real bargain.

2. Watch out for Sale time on the Emma Bridgewater website. Sales happen on the website a few times throughout the year and further reductions follow the main sale. You can pick up mugs from as little as £4.99 at the sales final reductions!

3. Reduction codes – There are always codes floating about which can entitle you to things like free personalisation, free postage and packaging, 15% off, 10% off etc. These are discount codes which you can enter on the Emma Bridgewater website at checking out. Before completing a transaction, please get in touch with me if you’d like a code (best to get me over on Instagram @homeatrosecottage).

4. Buy from the seconds and discontinued section on the Emma Bridgewater website. This is where I normally pick up my dinner plates and mugs as I don’t worry about using them daily and throwing them in and out of the dishwasher. If something gets broken or chipped I won’t worry as much as I haven’t spent too much money on it.

5. Buy from small businesses selling decoupaged items/ items using Emma Bridgewater fabric/ items inspired by Emma Bridgewater to compliment your collection. A few of my favourite pages to buy from are @thekookyfox @natyshasvintagehome @bettys_shabby_chic_boutique @loveheartlane @katrina.lyall_dippyduck. You will find them over on Instagram.

6. Buy from the melamine range. This is more like picnic wear in the same pattern as the pottery but at a fraction of the price. These pieces are also great to use when children are about – they can use what they think is the same crockery as the adults without the worry!

7. Don’t keep any item you don’t love – sell it to buy something which you do! If you keep looking at a piece of Emma Bridgewater which you have bought and just can’t fall in love with it, don’t hold onto it. Sell it on to someone who will love it and treat yourself to something on your wish list!

Let me know if you have any other tips and happy shopping!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

FASHION & BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE

What I’m Loving Lately

June 1, 2018 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

As I get asked a lot of questions on Instagram about where I purchase things and what I would recommend, I thought I would put together a blog post on a few things I have picked up recently which I really love! I’m thinking this could maybe become a monthly feature if there is any interest? Sure let me know what you think! This will be a random collection of items, so hopefully everyone will find something they like too.

Interiors

Firstly, these little metal star tea light holders. As soon as Homely Rose put them up on their Instagram as incoming stock, I tortured Helen to put them onto the website so I could purchase a set! When I saw them I knew they would look great hanging from my ladder, especially with candles inside at night time. You can find Homely Rose on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/homely_rose/?hl=en Give them a follow as they have some really gorgeous home interiors!

Next up is this Toast rack from One Vision cnc. If you follow me on Instagram you will know how much I love Emma Bridgewater. This company engrave wooden items which compliment the pottery just perfectly. I purchased one of their chopping boards over a year ago with Rose Cottage engraved on the side and it’s as good as the day I bought it! So pleased now to have this little toast rack to match. You can purchase it here: http://www.onevisioncnc.co.uk/oak-toast-rack—engraved–4-slice-39-p.asp

You can read here: Making my home beautiful with Zoflora! how much of a huge fan I am of using Zoflora when cleaning. This next little purchase is the perfect tool to use alongside it. I picked it up from Amazon after seeing it recommended on another blog. I have been really impressed by this electric device, which makes cleaning small, more difficult areas a lot quicker and easier. Get yours here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asonic+scrubber&keywords=sonic+scrubber&ie=UTF8&qid=1492355786&spIA=B01MT80ROH,B018NZ85D2,B06XS16LDN,B01MQ6GXCT

Baby

The lovely Julie has took the plunge and set up an amazing business selling beautiful children’s items. Her stock is so different from what you would find on the high street, which is why I really love it! Here are some items from her website, so please check it out and follow her on Instagram for stock updates. Her website is: https://daisybelledreams.com

Beauty and Fashion

So I picked up this fake tan after it being recommended by a local blogger I follow. I normally stick to what I know with fake tan but this was on offer in Boots so I thought I would give it a go. I have to say I am really impressed with this tan – the colour is so natural, smell isn’t too bad and develops almost immediately. Definitely will be using this one if I don’t have time to tan the night before an event.

And lastly, these shoes!! I ordered these from H&M after seeing a few people/ celebs wearing similar ones. I wasn’t too sure if I would suit them or if I could style them well, but I am totally in love! I am a huge fan of the metallic shoes which are in fashion at the moment, as they can be easily dressed up or worn casually. They are also really comfy to wear, which is a big bonus! Find them here: http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0474111004.html#Silver

Let me know what your loving lately!

Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

LIFESTYLE

40 bags in 40 days de-cluttering challenge!

May 2, 2018 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

So today was the final day of my 40 bags in 40 days de-cluttering challenge!! After seeing this idea on an Instagram feed I decided to give it a go. I didn’t look into the ‘proper’ way to undertake this challenge and thought I would make up my own rules as I went along! Instead of giving up chocolate, fizzy drinks, sweets etc for lent (lets face it as a new Mum I need all the sugar I can get to make it through the day!!!!) I decided to attempt to de-clutter my home/life! My goal was to fill 40 bags, one per day, concentrating on a different area each day. So here’s my list:

Day 1: My Clothes – Trousers

Day 2: My Clothes – PJs

Day 3: My Clothes – Boots

Day 4: My Clothes – Maternity Wear

Day 5: My Clothes – Pumps and Trainers

Day 6: My Clothes – Coats

Day 7: My Clothes – Scarfs

Day 8: My Clothes – Belts

Day 9: My Clothes – Underwear

Day 10: My Clothes – Tights and Socks

Day 11: My Clothes – Tops and Shirts

Day 12: My Clothes – Jumpers

Day 13: My Clothes – Skirts and Shorts

Day 14: Jewellery

Day 15: My Clothes – Bags

Day 16: Christmas Decorations – Indoor

Day 17: Christmas Decorations – Outdoor

Day 18: Newborn Clothes

Day 19: Hubby’s Clothes

Day 20: Hubby’s Shoes

Day 21: Home Items – Kitchen

Day 22: Home Items – Bedrooms

Day 23: Home Items – General

Day 24: Nail Varnishes

Day 25: Beauty Products

Day 26: Hair Products

Day 27: Make up and Make up Brushes

Day 28: Bedding

Day 29: Magazines

Day 30: Receipts

Day 31: Cards

Day 32: Paperwork/Post

Day 33: Photos

Day 34: DVDs

Day 35: Pets Items

Day 36: Towels

Day 37: Craft Items

Day 38: Food Items

Day 39: Books

Day 40: CDs

Now don’t let this list scare you off! As you can see from my pictures below some of my bags were smaller than others, depending on the area I was doing.

I tried to upload a photo of my bag each day onto my Insta stories to keep myself accountable, but to be honest with a newborn in the house I found it almost impossible to do a bag each day so sometimes done 3 or 4 in one day when I had a spare hour. I found this was a really feel good exercise, allowing me to free up much needed space in my home as well as being able to see exactly what I stuff I have. I also was able to make some money along the way which was a big bonus!!

Some of my bags went into storage, some went to friends/family, I sold some items (online via webuyanybooks.com and set up an Insta selling page), hoping to do a car boot sale this month with some items, and some went to the skip.

At the end of my 40 days I can say I feel a lot better and my home is so much more organised. So why don’t you give it a go?? Remember your home is for living space, not storage space! Would love to hear how you get on!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

LIFESTYLE

Easter Egg Hot Chocolate

April 5, 2018 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

I hope you have had a fun filled Easter full of memory making! If you are lucky enough to have buckets full of chocolate eggs you might be looking for other ways to eat them (apart from stuffing them all in your mouth at once!!!). I made some yummy hot chocolate with a few of my eggs so thought I would share the idea with you!

Firstly here’s the ingredients:

An Easter egg, milk and marshmallows.

Firstly, pour some milk into a saucepan to heat.

Then break up your chocolate egg into a mug.

Once your milk has heated up, pour it into your mug over the broken chocolate. The warm milk will melt your chocolate when stirred.

Then add some marshmallows on top. You could add other toppings like whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate sauce – whatever you like!

Then enjoy!

I’d love to hear if you have any other ideas using chocolate Easter eggs!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

LIFESTYLE

Harry Potter Themed Party

January 25, 2018 Home at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

My Sister is always super kind when it comes to special occasions, so when a close friend of hers got in contact about organising a surprise party I jumped at the chance! The friend arranged the hire of a hot tub for the weekend, and I provided the venue and food. I decided to go for a Harry Potter theme as my Sister is a super fan! I searched through Pinterest a few evenings and came up with the following:

So first in the kitchen, I had a drinks table and called it ‘Snape’s Potion Class’. I used a light box, string lights, bulb glasses and bottles under bell glasses.

I also had a sweetie table with suitcases, a cage (put a rabbit inside instead of an owl as an inside joke!!) and snacks with Harry Potter names.

Moving onto the living room; I had an invisibility cloak stand using a frame, broomstick and some hangers.

Then letters coming out of the fireplace, using a string of flashing lights and some a5 pieces of paper folded over and taped.

I made a Photo Booth from a large piece of card.

I wrote on the mirror with lipstick.

Then in the bathroom I placed a sign on the top of the toilet and wrote on the mirror.

And lastly heres the Birthday girl herself after 3 hours in the hot tub!!!

These decorations were all created on a super tight budget and most things I already had! It just shows you don’t need to spend a fortune when you can be creative with what you have in your home!

Let me know if you have any other great party ideas!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

Tag: home

Styling your kitchen worktops

Everything you need to know about appearing in an Interior Magazine

Garden Transformation

Harry’s Bedroom Makeover

Bathroom Update

Collecting Emma Bridgewater on a Budget

What I’m Loving Lately

40 bags in 40 days de-cluttering challenge!

Easter Egg Hot Chocolate

Harry Potter Themed Party