A bit more me.....

I've not posted anything for over a week, as truth be told, I've been feeling a bit down about the whole career change thing. I've questioned whether I should be doing this, as to my surprise I've found it's just not me to sit at a computer and find fab things to bring to Monohomes. I genuinely thought I'd love it, and to start with I did, but as the weeks have gone on, the novelty has worn off and I had to really think about it all.
I realised that it wasn't what I was doing that was the problem, it was what I wasn't doing! I wasn't being creative! Before I took redundancy I spoke to a few people about my plans, and my initial plan for Monohomes was to have some things made specially for us, things were I could get creative and have imput about what I wanted. This seemed to fall by the wayside, totally unintentionally, and so it was that original plan that I needed to get back to. And that's exactly what I've been doing.
We've already added some new and exclusive home stuff to the website and over the next week or two there's going to be a few more things on there. Products that have had my imput from the start, that have been made specially for us, and I can't tell you how excited that makes me!! I've got my passion and drive back again, sometimes all it takes is switching off and maybe going back to the drawing board too!

Mr & Mrs pillowcases, in stock next week

Neon or Copper zebra framed artwork

Stylish Storage

Storage..... Oh how I love stylish storage, looks good and hides a multitude of sins, well in this house anyway!

Having clever storage has saved my sanity countless times since I became a mother, and not just when it comes to toys either. As soon as a baby enters your life they bring with them a truckful of 'baby stuff'. Nappies, dummies, wipes, creams, bibs..... the list is literally endless, and it all has to be stored somewhere thats to hand! And this is usually when you start buying boxes, wood, plastic, wicker, cotton and if your anything like me you'll still be buying them years after the nappy stage too!  

My nappy box was great, easy to move from room to room and being wooden looked good even if got left out! After nappies it held all those little toys that get everwhere, and then we needed another with an onslaught of toys that come with a toddler. They went under the coffee table, neat and tidy. We then got a unit with doors for the living room when our daughter arrived, and at the end of every night everything was put behind those doors and I had my lovely adult living room back! I'll be the first to admit to OCD tendencies and so being able to do this helped me enormously.... if the house is untidy I somehow feel like I'm failing, ridiculous, but true.

Once the children where old enough to play in their rooms unsupervised, that was it, all toys stored in their bedrooms only. Again, boxes were and still are used, that way they can bring things downstairs easily if they want. 

There are some amazing storage options out there, here are a few that I'm loving at the moment.... I love ones that have doors to hide things you don't want the world to see, but also have some open shelves to showcase gorgeous objects!

How beautiful..... bit bright for my house, but still.....     from Furniture Mind

Now this would be perfect.... again Furniture Mind

For something a bit more budget friendly you just cannot beat Ikea...... Would love the burst of yellow in a white room from this brand new Stockholm display cabinet

We have this TV unit, it holds so much and is glossy, so obviously I love it...

Love this from here

And to corral all those bits and bobs.....

Who doesn't love a bit of Pantone.... get these here

My son has these and we love them...

I want these..... I have a gray felt storage bag that they'll look perfect with....

What do you think? Are you a little OCD with mess? Do you have a place for everything? How do you manage all your bits and pieces? 

I'm off now to dream about a time when I won't be scared of a little lego on the floor, it really hurts, and the way my boy loves it it's going to be a while off yet!

New Additions.......

We've been very busy here the last 4 weeks since launching monohomes.co.uk with making sure everythings fine on the website, wrapping orders, school holidays, twitter (@monohomes)  Facebook and instagram... It's alot to keep on top of, and try to feel like your not spamming people, oh and trying to decide if we become a real, if tiny, shop!

But just because we've busy doesn't mean we've not had time to add a few new bits to the home.... I'm never too busy for that! Here are some shots for you, be warned, I think all of these fall into the eclectic realm, but we love them!

A little perspex on sale at BoConcept, we bought 2, one each for my boy and girl, here is Liv's

And don't you love it when your Mum buys something then decides it will look better in your house..... Love my Mum.... Oh and those white sheer curtains are new, perfect for summer and probably winter, light helps me wake up, if I had blackouts you'd never get me out of bed!

A new little door mat from a rug sample..... yes please...

And who can resist a gold gnome?? Oh, just me then...... especially when I realised that it went perfectly with the gold paper bag vase from our shop!!

He's a definite fave!!

We're excited to be getting a new style of our concrete candle holders in the shop next week, and we're offering 20% off everything in the shop this weekend with the code MONTH1 to celebrate our 4 week anniversary!

Happy Weekend everyone! 

Details, details.......

As I've said before I always think that what makes a house a home is the details, be it little architectural details, of which my home has none, or the little details we introduce in our styling. 

I love nothing more than playing around with home accessories. They are the easiest way to introduce a bit of personality to a room, even minimalistic ones. I've got to say my favorite pieces tend to be glossy monochrome, that on closer inspection have something a bit different about them, usually funny or quirky. They make people take a second look, start conversations and above all else, should always reflect what you love or are inspired by.

One thing that has never bothered me is whether others share or even like my taste in some of my more unique pieces. As long as I look at them and they make me smile, then they have a place in my home, no matter what anyone says about them! You wouldn't believe some of the comments I've had about my Eames House Bird by Vitra, and thats a design classic!

My object of the moment is a piece I didn't even buy, but won on Twitter from BoConcept Manchester!

I never win anything, but to be fair I never enter comps either. This was just a weekend giveaway, where you had to retweet and follow them, which wasn't a problem, I'm happy to retweet for them, I'd never do it just to win something, I genuinely love what they do! (They do these giveaways every weekend btw, and I've not been paid, given anything apart from my prize, or got any special treatment to include them in this post!)

After winning, to my surprise, I got to choose which style of candle holder I wanted, white, surprise surprise, they packed and shipped it and I received it on the following Tuesday. It has been in use every night since. 

It's gorgeous. It reminds me of a miniature pineapple. 

And it looks even better at night lit up.... but you'll have to trust me about that as the picture does it no justice!

I'm sold on this one, I think it'll be staying around for a while.