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Summer jewels
February 2, 2012
Welcome to the third Colour Influences blog. I hope you enjoyed previous blogs on the Modern Nostalgia and New Direction palettes. This week we will be taking a look at the Summer Jewels collection and seeing how you can apply the combination of shades to the interior and exterior of your home.
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New Direction
January 26, 2012
I’m taking a new direction this week with a further look into Crown’s Colour Influences for Spring/Summer 2012. I hope you enjoyed last week’s look at Modern Nostalgia and our insights into the palette. I think you will agree that these new influences are exciting and fresh, a great way to start 2012.
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Spring/Summer 2012 Colour Influences
January 20, 2012
Just as fashion changes so do colour tastes and so I think now is a good time for me to introduce the Crown Spring/Summer 2012 Influences! Late last year I was part of the Crown Colour Panel and joined colourists from diverse backgrounds to define and predict the trends for Spring/Summer 2012. We created an exciting mixed palette of muted tones and acid brights that features all three brands under the Crown umbrella, Crown Paints, Sadolin and Sandtex – designed to meet any interior or exterior decorating need. For the next few weeks I will be taking you through some of the Crown Spring / Summer 2012 Influences and this week we are going to start with Modern Nostalgia.
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Ways to de-clutter your home
January 10, 2012
Out with the old and in with the new! It’s that time of year again when we resolve to change or improve ourselves and our lives in some way, shape or form. Some will vow to lose weight, get fit or save money but few people will think about the little things you can do that may improve your home life dramatically!
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True Blue
December 22, 2011
I’ve heard from a few industry experts that blue is making a comeback next year and will be the height of fashion for 2012 but in my opinion, blue never went out of fashion! Blue shades immediately evoke connotations of sea, sky and mountains making us feel endlessly calm and tranquil, perfect emotions for busy homes.
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Brightest whitest bedroom
December 13, 2011
I don’t know about you, but my least favourite thing about winter is the dark, short days and with the shortest day of the year still ahead of us things aren’t set to lighten up for a while yet. Waking up at 7am to darkness outside can be a depressing start to the day so why not lighten up your bedroom and make the most of the indoor lighting when daylight hours are at the minimum?
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Not just a bathroom
December 8, 2011
There are few rooms that we can lock ourselves into without people being concerned, but your bathroom is one. Unfortunately, they can be overlooked and unloved when it comes to DIY décor. The sheer functionality of the room is sometimes off-putting and intimidating, but do remember that the smallest room can have the biggest personality so experiment and have fun with your bathroom décor, put the fun in functional!
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Christmas with all the trimmings
November 29, 2011
There are only a few short weeks left until Christmas and while some people may have been painting and decorating their homes for weeks now in preparation, others have left it to the eleventh-hour and are wondering how they can inject some festive cheer into their homes at short notice.
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Dramatic Dining
November 24, 2011
I love food and I love drama so with Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in both to great degrees! Coming up to this time of year, I always have people asking me how they might breathe some life into their dining rooms so they can host the perfect Christmas party.
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Winter Warmers
November 17, 2011
With the cold winter season upon us, this is the time of year that we all want to wrap up in front of a roaring fire in a cosy room. This is the perfect excuse to give the design and décor of your home a new lease of life to reflect the season. The changes that you make don’t have to be monumental, just a regular update here and there can add a greater warmth and comfort to your home.
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Add a welcoming entrance to your home!
November 10, 2011
Lots of homes have hallways that are quite awkward in size and shape which can out people off when considering decorating. Your entrance hall is the first thing that people will see when they enter into your home, so it’s very important that it makes the right impression. The hallway really should receive just as much attention as every room you decorate. Take great care when deciding what colours to use, what flooring to put down and what furniture you want, as this will help you achieve the right look.
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Pre Christmas decoration
November 4, 2011
With just over eight weeks to Christmas, it’s nearly time again to get into the festive spirit! From office parties to family events it certainly is a busy time and so we all want to have a beautifully decorated home to come home to after these busy periods.
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Revamp your wooden floors
October 28, 2011
With people buying old properties and decorating them I have been asked recently, what is the best way to give old solid wooden floors a new lease of life? Wooden floors add charm, warmth and elegance to a home. With a bit of sanding, staining and varnishing you can really bring out the beauty of an original hard wood floor. They are much easier to keep clean than a carpet as all you will need is a damp mop to keep them looking fantastic. It's a bit time consuming to varnish the floors but it keeps them shiny and protected from scratches.
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Working from home
October 24, 2011
Do you work from home? A lot of us don’t generally get into the habit of working from home but it can be nice to have the option from time to time. While the winter season is upon us, this is the perfect time to add an office space to your home. In order to be productive it is important to have a separate office area where you can dedicate your time and effort to your work and this in itself gives you a better life/work balance.
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Playroom Decorating
October 13, 2011
I recently received a query from a stay at home mum with two children who was hoping to create fun designated space that her kids could call their own. The great thing about decorating a space for children is you can be as wild, colourful and fun as you like. Think of it as an indoor playground. The beauty about it is that it saves the rest of your home from the clutter and mess children can create. What’s more important, children can get involved in the early stages of the decorating process. Not only will they bring many fascinating ideas to the table it will make the decorating project even more worthwhile.
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Autumn
October 6, 2011
I am a huge fan of the autumn seasons; blackberries, gorgeous vibrant colours, crisp weather, shorter evenings, the smell of open fires all invoke that autumn feeling. I love to make some changes in my home to celebrate each season. It doesn’t cost a lot and chances are most people have a lot of the items in their house.
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Merging Tastes
September 30, 2011
A friend of mine recently moved in with her partner and they decided to redecorate their new home - starting with the bedroom. However, it wasn’t as easy as originally anticipated; she’s not a fan of dark colour scheme and he is totally against “girly colours” and pastel shades. So I decided to step in and share my expert advice!
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Prolong that summer feeling
September 26, 2011
Summer brings with it a sense of freedom and energy and these are the type of qualities we probably all want echoed throughout our home year round. During the summer months, we are spoilt with vibrant uplifting shades so why not strike your home with a splash of citrus yellow or orange, hits of leafy green or pops of hot pink and let the summer spirits last a little longer! When I think of summer the first colour that springs to my mind is yellow. It can work in just about any room in your home depending on the shade or tone you choose and it guaranteed to uplift your mood.
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Feeling blue
September 16, 2011
With the blustery blue September weather we have been getting the past week it got me thinking about the colour blue and how too often people are afraid to incorporate it into their homes.
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Decorating with murals
September 9, 2011
Murals are an effective way to decorate a room with large and empty surfaces, especially in a child's room. It can be a fabulously eye-catching feature in any room in your home with endless possibilities to choose from. Whether you are looking to brighten up a child's room or to create a visual focus in an elegant living room, with a bit of planning and practice, painting an attractive mural does not have to be an unachievable task. From the amateur artist to the inexperienced decorator, there are brilliant tools available to help you achieve a wonderful feature wall in your room of choice.
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Make the most of a small space
August 31, 2011
The difficulties of decorating a small space can be overwhelming, but with clever colour choice, multifunctional furniture and smart storage solutions, you can create a space that's gorgeous, comfortable and uncluttered.
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Gorgeous grey interiors
August 26, 2011
A lot of people can shy away from statement colours such as grey when decorating their homes. The problem is that too many people tend to associate the colour grey with dullness but it doesn't have to be this way. Grey is a fantastic colour to use in interior decorating as it can offer a soothing, cooling atmosphere to many rooms. It is a classic refined neutral shade that works well with many other colour schemes throughout your home and can be used as both a primary design colour and an accent shade.
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Perfect Pastels
August 16, 2011
I was recently asked a question by a dear friend who was expecting her first baby. “What colour should I decorate my nursery when I don’t know the sex of the baby?” Without even thinking about it my response was pastel shades and it got me thinking about all the wonderful options pastel shades can bring. Sugared almond pink, duck egg blue, tranquil green and primrose yellow are all pretty pastel shades that give a sense of cosiness when used throughout the home. Fairy Dust, Rodeo Drive, Pink Sugar and Green Light are just some of my personal favourites from the Crown collection that would work fabulously in a nursery.
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Student Study Space
August 11, 2011
As many students prepare to embark on college life, parents are faced with the dilemma of creating a calm study area either in the family home or in rented accommodation that will encourage their son or daughter to study. Students of all ages need their own space for studying so I’m hoping my tips can be applied to any environment to help create that perfect place for concentration.
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Colour Blocking
August 2, 2011
Colour blocking has made a huge comeback this summer in both fashion and interior trends. There is only one rule: it’s all right as long as it’s bright. The beauty about colour blocking is that it can be done in whatever block size you choose and with as many colours as you want, but two shades seems to have the greatest impact. Colour blocking can be used to create a fun or a sophisticated look, so your colour choice will decide the type of atmosphere you wish to create in your room.
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Fifties Flashback
July 27, 2011
This week we are celebrating the revival of the 1950’s. The fifties were quite an exuberant era, with striking colour palettes and innovative furniture designs that were unusual, yet managed to retain modernity and classic appeal. There are a number of ways you can create this look in your own home with a contemporary twist.
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Attic Revival
July 21, 2011
Have you been in your attic recently? For many people their attic is completely unused part of the house. Why not take a look and see what forgotten treasures are lurking up there! You might be surprised to find that this space has a lot of potential and simply needs a bit of care and lick of paint to become a functional room in your home.
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Ready your House for the Rental Market
July 20, 2011
For many people renting their house is a much needed source of income so I have decided to dedicate this blog to offering advice on how you can get your house or apartment ready for tenants in a cost effective manner.
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A country bathroom to covet
July 7, 2011
This summer why not turn your attention to one of the best rooms in your home designed to provide an oasis of comfort and luxury. There are so many styles of bathroom from the barren hotel style to the fluffy period inspired room. One of my favourite looks for a bathroom is a country style bathroom that combines classic design and idyllic features to create the perfect bathroom space.
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Crown Paints Facebook competition winner - Patricia Devien
June 29, 2011
Last week we hosted a competition on the Crown Paints Facebook page asking our fans to submit their design dilemmas to me. I answered Patricia’s decorating dilemma at a very special readers evening with Image Interiors at The Cliff Town House in Dublin but as I often get asked how to introduce the illusion of space to a room I thought I would share my answer to Patricia’s question here on my blog. |
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Balance your home
June 22, 2011
With our energised world becoming more technology-focused, we all want to ensure our carbon footprint is as small as possible. Crown Paints has created their earthbalance ® range which helps reduce the effect on the environment while painting your home. The product has 22% lower embodied carbon* and is 99% solvent free! |
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The New Crown Colourcard – Colours Inspired by You
June 16, 2011
If you have been thinking about re-decorating your home now is the perfect time as Crown has just introduced their 2011 colour card with plenty of fabulous new shades to inspire you.
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Conservatory conundrum
June 10, 2011
Sunrooms appear to be the ideal place to decorate, they are bright airy and open by nature. People often make the same mistake of avoiding colour and bold trends for fear it will make their conservatory stand apart from the house rather than complement it.
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Asian interiors
June 3, 2011
Asia is full of colour and magic so it is the perfect way to bring a little mystique into your home with paint. There are lots of way to bring a touch of the orient into your space by using colours that are used in Asian traditional dress, food and interior design.
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Boisterous bedrooms...
May 25, 2011
Now that the summer holidays are upon us your teenage son may be seeking a bit more freedom. Ensuring he has his own personal space can be the key to creating a harmonious atmosphere in your home. While you may have difficulty getting your teen to agree to many things, when it comes to their bedroom and decorating it you’re likely to get a great deal of co-operation. Teens today want a space that is their own, showcases their personality and allows them the space to relax in.
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Bringing the outdoors in...
May 23, 2011
With the good weather fast approaching we all want to spend as much time as possible in our gardens. Unfortunately, due to the Irish weather we may spend more time looking at our garden than actually sitting in it. No matter where you live, whether it’s beside the sea or in an urban apartment, everyone can bring a little of the outdoors in.
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Simple steps to striking a balance
May 12, 2011
Have you ever wished your stairway could make more of a statement in your home? I know that many people don’t consider it a feature at all, as it is functional rather than decorative in many cases. I believe however, that there is no reason why your stairway shouldn’t take pride of place in your home and hallway.
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How to choose a paint finish
May 10, 2011
When you begin a paint project, it is normally the colour choice that people are most concerned with, however, choosing the right paint product can make the world of difference to the overall finish of your walls. With so many paint products to choose from, it can be very difficult to know which one is the best suited for your space.
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Spare a thought for your unused space.
April 29, 2011
In the current climate many parents have waved goodbye to their children as they emigrate to find work or explore new countries. This has left many Irish homes with a spare room unoccupied. What may seem like a sad transition can actually be an opportunity to turn the space into a retreat for you or other family members to escape to.
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Baby's first colour
April 19, 2011
I have had a lot of questions in to the Crown Paints website recently asking for tips and advice on how to decorate a baby’s nursery. There are a lot of considerations when decorating a baby’s room, such as which colours to use to aid sensory development and storage options to hold a baby’s bulging collection of clothes and toys.
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It's not just a wall...
April 14, 2011
There are so many options available to you when you are looking to decorate a room in your home, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start! My advice to those of you who feel a little intimidated by the task ahead is to take a step back to really look at the room and the walls you want to paint. The closer you look the more you will realise, it’s not just a wall, it’s a canvas!
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Focus your Room
April 6, 2011
You often hear designers talking about creating a focal point in a room in order bring a design together. While this sounds like an easy thing to do, sometimes it can be hard to know what to make a key focus in the room and how to do it. I have a couple of easy to follow tips on how to do this and which areas to concentrate on.
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Spring Decking
March 31, 2011
I’m not sure about you but I cannot get over the gorgeous spring weather we are having these past few days. While the summer may be a few months away, with weather as beautiful as this there is no time like the present to get out in your garden. Why not make this year the year you create the garden you have always dreamed of.
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Crafty Kitchen Solutions
March 23, 2011
I have received lots of questions through the Crown Paint’s website recently from people asking for advice on how to give their kitchen a whole new look on a budget. For many, the kitchen is the focal point for family life so it is important that it reflects your personality as a family and will function to suit your lifestyle. I often recommend that you choose a particular style and then build your kitchen around that design.
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Greenhouse effect
March 15, 2011
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off this week with parades and flashes of tri-colour flags across the country. You can’t help but be reminded of the upbeat, energetic colour that is green! I always think that green is a much forgotten colour banished to downstairs bathrooms and dark hallways, while the truth is that there really is a perfect shade of green for every room in your home.
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Get your home ready to go under the hammer
March 10, 2011
With a depressed housing market in Ireland at the moment people are finding it very difficult to sell their home. I am often asked if it is worthwhile painting your home or if this is simply money down the property drain. If you are committed to selling, a lick of paint can certainly help place your house on the buyers map but it won’t work on its own.
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Teal-ing Good
March 3, 2011
This season it is all about semi-precious stones and their glistening shades on the high-street. There are plenty of beautiful coral and lagoon blues on offer but one of my favourite shades has to be teal. Teal is a medium blue-green colour that is named after the Common Teal, a member of the duck family, whose eyes are surrounded by the colour.
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Add a touch of Colour to your Colourboards
February 24, 2011
The first port of call for many people when they want to spruce up a room in their home is often to paint the walls and purchase some new furniture. However, there are plenty of ways to take the next step in redecorating your home. If you are thinking of revamping either your bathroom or kitchen it is often worthwhile to actually paint your cabinets.
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Valentine's Inspiration
February 17, 2011
Whether you can feel it or not, love is most definitely in the air as Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year, falls this week. The day itself may be controversial in some people’s eyes but I think its bold use of colour can be used to inspire a dramatic room in your home. Red is the obvious colour to associate with Valentine’s Day but strong pink hues are present as well. Many people are a little wary of putting two intense shades together such as these but I for one love the contrast it creates.
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Colour Co-ordination
February 10, 2011
This really should have been the first blog of the year as it is decorating 101 for most of us embarking on a new project. It is quite rare for a room to feature just one colour overall, even the simplest of rooms consist of a multitude of shades. As a professional interior designer, I have a number of methods that I use to ensure that I choose the best possible combination of colours.
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Weekend Makeover
February 3, 2011
I often find that a lot people feel they are far too busy to repaint or redecorate a room in their home. The truth of the matter is that you can transform an entire room in just one weekend. The key to doing this successfully is to plan ahead and ensure that you have all of your materials purchased in advance.
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Colours Influences – Space and Amethyst – Part 4
January 27, 2011
This is the last in the series of blogs about our Colour Influences for 2011. I think you will agree that 2011 is set to be a very exciting year in interior design. I have saved the best until last with these two trends, Space and Amethyst, which are both full of colour and personality.
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Colour Influences - Part 3 - Nudes & 1950's
January 20, 2011
Welcome to the third blog about our Colour Influences for 2011. We hope you enjoyed last week’s inspiring duo. This week our two influences are very different in terms of their basic elements and approach for use in your home. Remember these are primarily influences so you can take individual aspects from each of them to create the perfect look that is personal to you and your home.
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Colour Influences 2011 – Part 2 Gold Mine and Paper
January 14, 2011
This week I want to give you a little more insight into the colour influences for 2011 from Crown. I hope you enjoyed our insights into last week’s first look with Natural Primaries. I think you will agree that these new influences are exciting and fresh, a great way to start 2011.
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Colour Influences 2011 Part 1
January 7, 2011
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas break and made the most of the festive holidays. Just when we were just getting used to our homes filled with colourful Christmas decorations, the time for taking them down always comes around so quickly. We all know it can be a little scary when you take your Christmas decorations down and rooms you once loved now look bland and bare. But this is actually a great time to feel inspired and give your room a fresh new look.
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A Christmas style for everyone!
December 21, 2010
I absolutely love Christmas. This year over any other, I think it is important to make an effort to enjoy this Christmas with family and friends. While there may not be as much budget for decorating as there may have been in previous years it is still important to decorate your home and get your family into the Christmas spirit. I am going to talk about two of my personal favourite ways of dressing your home for Christmas this year.
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Fit for a princess
December 16, 2010
With Christmas around the corner there are plenty of parents rushing to get all of the presents finalised and make sure there is money left over for Christmas dinner. I have always found little girls harder to buy for than boys. There is a limit on how many dolls a girl can own. This Christmas why not give your daughter a gift that will last for plenty of years to come, a new bedroom!
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Icy Interiors
December 6, 2010
With much of the country disrupted by the snow last week many of us were cursing the white powder that engulfed our cities and towns. However, if you took the time to venture out of the city and into the hills you were reminded of the pure white beauty that snow embodies. The silence and tranquillity that snow brings to the land is breathtaking.
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Stenciling for beginners
December 1, 2010
Stenciling is a fantastic way of getting a unique, designer feature on your walls without paying a fortune for the look. Stenciling is very in vogue at the moment with many designers forgoing the use of cumbersome wallpaper in favour of creating their own unique stencil design. Stencils give you the freedom to choose not only your own design but also your own paint colours. This means you can have a truly coordinated room with a touch of chic style.
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Scandinavian Design
November 25, 2010
I simply love Scandinavian design. It has evolved from being almost stark and unliveable to modern and tranquil. I adore the clean lines, pale palettes and dashes of colour that are encompassed in this style. You can incorporate elements of this design into almost every room in your home by simply following a few rules and choosing your paint colours accordingly.
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Working Nine to Five at home!
November 17, 2010
Do you work from home? Oftentimes, people don’t take the time to create a functioning work space that suits their lifestyle. In order to be productive it is important to have a separate office area where you can dedicate your time and effort to your work. By allocating this space solely to your vocation you can prevent the inevitable mess from sprawling and taking over your home.
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Purple Haze
November 11, 2010
One of my favourite colours has always been purple. There are so many positive qualities associated with purple it is hard not to like it. Purple is restful, spiritual, mysterious, creative and luxurious. It is often dismissed as a feminine colour as it is effeminate in its lighter shades such as lavender or pastels. In truth there is a very masculine side to purple and this can be seen in the darker, heavier shades of purple that are often labelled too dramatic by many people.
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What is personal to you
November 3, 2010
Crown Paints is currently searching for the nation’s inspirations. Log on to www.whatispersonaltoyou.com and upload a picture of a favourite place or object and tell us why it inspires you and you could be in with a chance to win a personally inspired home makeover. To celebrate this great new competition I thought I would share with you this week where I get my inspiration from. |
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Cosy yet Contemporary Living Rooms
October 28, 2010
With winter fast approaching and that chill in the air becoming more noticeable we will be retreating inside to hide from the elements very soon. During the winter months the living room should be a safe haven so your family can spend the cold nights indoors. Why not take the opportunity now to redecorate before the winter frost is truly upon us.
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See the light
October 21, 2010
I am often asked by people how they can bring more light into their home with interior decorating techniques. This can be a particularly pressing issue when a room in your home is already a dark space. Bathrooms are a notoriously difficult room to introduce light into as often you are limited to artificial lighting. There are however many other rooms that people find difficult to lighten up so I am going to share with you ten of my top tips for brightening up your home that includes painting techniques, accessories and soft furnishings.
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Bewitching Black
October 13, 2010
With Halloween fast approaching I decided to draw some inspiration from one of the most outrageous holidays we celebrate here in Ireland. From colourful costumes to engorged pumpkins there is one colour that truly defines Halloween, black. Black is considered a staple in any man or woman’s wardrobe as it is timeless, empowering and sophisticated. It therefore seems apparent that black is the ideal colour to use in your home.
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Teenage Dreams
October 7, 2010
In many households the teenage years can be a difficult time with uncontrollable hormones flying around. When your children begin to outgrow their old rooms it may be time to redecorate. Those pink bunnies and blue cars may have been cute when your child was seven but by fourteen a teenager will crave their own space that they can relate to. This is especially true when it comes to exam years when teenagers will need a quiet, peaceful place to do homework and prepare for exams.
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Spruce up your exterior door for the holidays
September 30, 2010
With a number of holidays coming up in the next few weeks and months such as Halloween and Christmas you are bound to have quite a number of visitors to your home. So now might be the best time to paint your exterior door before the weather turns colder. Painting a front door is a simple project and can be completed in under a day. Look to the weather forecast for the day ahead and hope that it stays fine so that you will be able to finish the job without interruptions.
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Seeing Stripes!
September 23, 2010
Polka dots are often used in homes as circles are an easy to use feature on walls and in patterns. Stripes however offer beautiful symmetry and can add structure to any room. Anyone can introduce stripes using paint to a room in their house. If you have painted interior walls in your home before adding stripes to these walls should be a piece of cake. Remember stripes don’t have to be vertical they can be horizontal, diagonal, whatever you choose!
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Blushing Red
September 17, 2010
Red is an often forgotten colour when it comes to decorating, due to its dramatic reputation. Whether you want to use a lot or just a little, red creates a vibrant visual impact and is a very powerful colour. I am going to talk you through the different ways of using red by focusing on the bedroom.
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Chair today, gone tomorrow!
September 10, 2010
With the economy stopped dead in its tracks it can be difficult to find the money to redecorate an entire room or budget for a new suite of furniture. It is often disheartening to find the perfect shade of paint for a room but to find your chairs or couch simply clash with everything else in the room. Back in my autumn blog I talked about one of the hot trends for this season ‘Reclaim’, which is all about vintage furniture and giving it a new lease of life.
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White out
September 1, 2010
White is often disregarded as a colour to use when decorating one’s home. It can be seen as an uninteresting and unimaginative choice but this couldn’t be further from the truth. White lends itself to contemporary design and clean lines. It works well in a multitude of rooms including the bedroom and living room.
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Awash with style
August 24, 2010
One of the most frequently used rooms in most homes is the bathroom. It is important to ensure that you make the most of your bathroom space no matter what the size, be it an en-suite, shower room or toilet. Your bathroom can be a great place to relax and take time out so it is essential that it compliments your style as a part of your home.
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Fall into Autumn interiors
August 19, 2010
Autumn is here and with it brings an exciting new palette of colours to inspire you in your interior decorating. Autumn is all about crunchy leaves, crisp evenings and cosy sofas. There are plenty of ways to incorporate this season and its characteristically vibrant colours into your home.
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Moroccan Magic
August 11, 2010
Many of us have had to sacrifice holidaying abroad this year and settle for the unpredictable Irish summer weather. So if the changeable weather is getting you down, don’t panic, we have the perfect way to brighten up your summer days by letting the Moroccan coast into your home.
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Spruce up your Kitchen on a Budget
August 3, 2010
Many people think that when they decide to redecorate their kitchen they have to completely remodel the space and install new kitchen cabinets to make an impact but in actual fact you don’t. Kitchen decorating on a budget it a great way to stay focused and can help pinpoint the design elements that can make a real impact in your kitchen. I’ve put together some inexpensive and relatively cheap decorating ideas to give your kitchen a fresh look.
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Keeping it organic...
July 28, 2010
‘Organic’ has definitely become the buzzword of the last decade and it is fast making its way on to the walls and interiors of your home. Organic is all about getting back to nature and is inspired by the world around us so take inspiration from fields, trees, the ocean and the sky. Yellows, sky blues or rich earthy tones such as brown and green will help you achieve this au naturel look.
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Colour Blocking
July 21, 2010
There comes a stage when we look at our walls and think how can I spruce things up a little. You’re thinking you would love to add some colour and pattern but are sick of using wallpaper, then colour blocking may be just the thing for you.
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The Alternative Headboard
July 14, 2010
Headboards play quite an important role in creating a finished look to a bedroom but quite often we come across rooms that don’t have headboards, be it space restrictions or cost issues, and it can often leave a room looking bare and unfinished. All is not lost however; as there are so many fabulous designs you can apply behind your bed to create the illusion of a headboard.
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Show-stopping stairway
July 6, 2010
Although a staircase is one of the most high traffic areas in a home it should still get just as much attention as every other part of the room. Stairways can make a fabulous focal point in a home no matter what shape or form. Whether you have an elaborate or simple staircase you can create depth and interest with a few simple steps.
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The Great Outdoors
June 28, 2010
Given the fabulous weather we have been having over the past couple of weeks I’m sure I’m not the only one turning my attention to the great outdoors and thinking about how I can spruce up my back garden. I want to create an area where I can enjoy the hot/warm weather and sizzling barbeques with friends.
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Decorating your children’s room
June 16, 2010
Some hints and tips on creating the perfect space for your children.
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Pretty Pastels
June 15, 2010
When I think of pretty pastels the first thing that springs to mind are cupcakes - appealing yet innocent, but most of all utterly delightful.
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Get the blues
June 4, 2010
It would be wrong to say that blue is making a comeback because in truth, it has always been in style. This soothing colour is associated with harmony and peace.
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Don’t Forget the Fifth Wall
May 27, 2010
Too often when people decide to decorate they forget about the fifth wall - the ceiling. We become so preoccupied with decorating the bottom half of a room, leaving the top half impersonal and unbalanced.
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Looking for inspiration? Look no further than Crown’s Modern Classics
May 21, 2010
Crown recently launched the second edition of its Classic Collection with eight additional colours. In particular, I am very excited at the prospect of using these eight cool new shades aptly named the Modern Classics. These colours are a breath of fresh air to anyone looking to create a fresh new look in their home.
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A Tuscan Palette
May 14, 2010
Italian living is centred on friends and family which is evident through the use of long kitchen tables for entertaining and vibrant, welcoming colours. How better to create an inviting kitchen than by using some design techniques from the hills of Tuscany?
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Browned off!
May 5, 2010
Brown is an unsung hero in the colour world. It is so easy to forget this luxurious shade when more vibrant yellows, dramatic reds, calming blues or rich greens often get the limelight. However, the addition of brown to a room not only adds a sophisticated quality but it also enhances other colours within the space.
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Bachelor Pad Dos and Don’ts
April 30, 2010
For this unique expression of modern masculinity, it is easier to begin with what not to do rather than what to do when it comes to decorating the ultimate lad’s pad!
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Feng Shui your Bedroom
April 22, 2010
Nearly one third of our lives will be spent asleep! What’s more, we will spend even more time in our bedrooms getting ready to face the world or simply unwinding after a long day. Despite this, bedrooms are often last on the list of priorities when decorating a home. The practice of Feng Shui (whether you are a believer or not) is a good guide for creating a harmonious bedroom. This ancient Chinese art is all about creating balance and positive energy and you too can create the relaxing room you deserve by following a few key tips…
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Eclectic Interiors
April 15, 2010
You are probably sick of hearing that interior tends for 2010 include bold colours, floral designs, patterns and an abundance of texture! While these trends are fabulous, they are not easily introduced into an already styled home. Unless, that is, you are ready to go eclectic! Eclectic interiors have been growing in popularity for a number of years and what better way to introduce this year’s trends than injecting some of your own personality into a room.
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Tickled Pink
April 9, 2010
Why do so many of us shy away from pink? A colour synonymous with romance and glamour should have mass appeal but the majority of us are wary of it. Granted, in interior design it’s often pegged as the colour of choice for little girls bedrooms but pink, when teamed with the correct accenting colour, can be sophisticated and even Victorian in its elegance.
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Interior Paint Techniques
April 1, 2010
We all look at a room in our home and think “what can I add to this space that will jazz it up and really make it stand out?". Decorative painting techniques are a creative and inexpensive way to completely transform a room.
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Introducing the Colour Yellow into your Home
March 26, 2010
With the fabulous weather we have enjoyed over the past couple of weeks, I have been inspired to talk about the colour yellow and how it can be introduced into your home. Don’t be put off by the colour yellow because my tips will show you how you can introduce the most subtle yellow tones without it becoming too intense.
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Neville on the Easter Parade Colourmix Collection
March 19, 2010
As a treat this Easter, Crown Paints has launched their newest collection - the Easter Parade Colourmix collection.
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Combining Colours for 2010
March 12, 2010
The options are endless for ways to combine colours and to create visual harmony when decorating a room. The ideal colour scheme is one that has enough contrast to be interesting without being too overpowering. By combining the right colours you can bring an ambiance of elegance, warmth or tranquillity to your home.
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Painting Floorboards
March 9, 2010
The flooring in your home should not be overlooked as it’s an important part of interior decorating. Let’s face it, the reality is that many of us will choose an option that we can afford and while solid wood floorboards are by far the most desirable they don’t come cheap.
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Floral Prints Come into Bloom
February 22, 2010
Those choosing accessories this spring may be wise to pick floral designs if they want to join the interior trends of 2010. This year we interior designers are enjoying a fresh focus on interiors inspired by blooms! With not a dodgy 70’s floral palette in sight!
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Creating the Illusion of Light and Space in your Home
February 18, 2010
Many people are faced with the dilemma of having small rooms in their homes that can look cluttered and cramped. There are many creative ways to make your home look larger and more welcoming that won’t blow your budget.
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Hanging Pictures
February 14, 2010
Nothing is simpler or more striking then a framed picture and as winter draws to a delightful close, I love to hang pictures that I’ve taken throughout the season. They are a great way to add warmth and personality to a room.
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Olive Green - A Forgotten Colour
February 8, 2010
I discovered while I was doing a little research into forgotten colours that olive green was in fact at the top of the list. What I found was that many people find it to be quite a depressing colour to use in their home while others found it dim and dreary.
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Ideas for Decorating a Feature Wall
January 28, 2010
Over the past couple of months interior magazines have covered some fabulous ideas for decorating feature walls. From simple paint designs to special effects there are undoubtedly an endless amount of options for you to try out on a feature wall.
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Bright Bold Colours
January 19, 2010
I’ve being doing some research into soft furnishing and accessory trends for 2010 and there are some really exciting styles to look forward to this year.
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Reuse and Recycle Old Furniture in your Home
January 11, 2010
There comes a time in everyone’s home when dressers and drawers begin to show cracks and look worn and the most common thing to do is throw these pieces away.
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Sneak Peak into Colour Trends for 2010
January 2, 2010
It can be a really daunting time taking down the Christmas decorations in the New Year. Rooms that were beautifully decorated for the festive season now look bare and bland. Colours that you once loved now look a little dull and your walls are screaming at you for a facelift.
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Snug Accessories
December 28, 2009
As the cold winter weather is upon us this week, its time to wrap up in front of the open fire with a snug throw and surround yourself with quilted soft cushions and a nice cup of hot chocolate.
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Christmas Wreaths
December 22, 2009
It's not too late to put the finishing touches to your home this Christmas!
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How to Get a Professional looking Christmas Tree
December 7, 2009
Christmas is my favourite time of year, especially the beginning of December when I usually start to get excited about decorating my home. Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m Christmas crazy - especially when it comes to putting up my Christmas tree.
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Decorate your own hanging plates
December 4, 2009
Are you looking at one of your walls in your home thinking 'what on earth can I add to this blank canvas'? Then read on for my top tip...
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Details, details, details!
December 1, 2009
When decorating any room in your home remember, the finish is in the little details.
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Neville on the Colourmix Christmas Collection
November 11, 2009
With the Christmas season fast approaching Crown Paints has made all our lives a lot easier by compiling some of the cosiest and trendiest colours to get our homes ready for the holiday season and beyond.
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Mirrors are a room's best friend
November 3, 2009
The right mirror in the right position could be all you need to bring some light and space into your home!
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It's time for a declutter!
October 29, 2009
Forget spring cleaning, as the nights draw in it's all about a winter decluttering!
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An interior design facelift!
October 12, 2009
Homebug.net, one of my favourite websites, has just had a facelift and is looking fabulous!
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Things to get excited about!
October 7, 2009
Although the recession is all doom and gloom, there is still a light of hope - the fantastic creativity that a recession can bring out!
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Painting a teenager's room
September 25, 2009
We know that keeping up with your teenager's taste is always tricky - check out our "Leaving Home" TV ad in the carousel above! That's why in this week's blog, I'm offering some advice on how you can get creative when tackling your teenager's bedroom.
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Loft living
September 1, 2009
For many people, particularly young people living in cities, a loft apartment is the ultimate dream home. Huge, open plan spaces, high ceilings and lots of natural light can offer a great canvas for the house proud urbanite. Here are some tips to help you make the most of yours.
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The psychology of colour
August 24, 2009
When painting your home, it's important to think about the mood you'd like each room to have. In this week's blog, I'll give you a few tips choosing the right colours to give your home the desired emotional impact.
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Warm it up!
August 17, 2009
Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring. In this week’s blog, I’ve put together some advice on how to warm up a neutral home.
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Painting your home? We’ve put together some simple hints and tips to help you get the best results from your home makeover.
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