Homely touches in rented accommodation
29 October 2021
I've always had an interest in interiors and home decor (since my mum and I used to watch Grand Designs together) but my attention has really peaked now that I've hit my 30s. Move aside fashion mags and hello Country Living and Style at Home subscriptions! Pretty soon I'm going to be moving away from London and heading back to my home in Somerset for a few months...perhaps even a year...until I save up enough money for a house deposit. Before that, I wanted to show you the ways you can add some personality to an otherwise boring rented room and inject into it those all-important homely touches.
My aesthetic has really changed over the years; it's become a lot less chaotic and cluttered and more refined and warm. I really like old Country cottage interiors and I really really hate anything cold or boring shades like grey, white and black - something you get in abundance when it comes to renting. So, when renting I like to fill the walls as much as I can whilst keeping it still clean, tidy and not too overwhelming. I have to sleep in this room, after all.
Firstly, I ordered a ladder shelf to house pretty much all of my 'knick knack' things, including my vinyl and record player (read more about my vinyl collection here). these shelves also hold my day-to-day skincare and makeup as well as some lovely dried flowers from Bloom & Wild which I'm obsessed with at the moment. Alongside this, I tried to make a feature of a big, white wall and so opted for displaying some of my vinyl using plastic record wall holders I bought from Etsy. But then, I was left with a little bit of space below the vinyl (may have put them up too high) so I got myself a tall plant from Columbia Road Flower Market (for the bargain price of £5) and this fab plant stand from ASDA. The rug is from B&M and, compared to similar rugs I've seen it's a steal at £40!
As well as this being my bedroom and only space of my own in shared accommodation, I also have a desk (hidden out of all shots cos who needs to see that) and so wanted to create this little corner where I could work easily from when I wasn't in the office. I added a little circular bamboo mirror from ASDA (similar here), Primark hanging print (which they no longer have in store but they have very similar designs!), a picture frame with pictures of close ones and a trailing plant - again another bargain from Columbia Road.
The last thing to touch on is bedding. I think when it comes to being in a white (and fairly large) room, you want a little 'summin summin' when it comes to your bedding and I LOVE Urban Outfitters for duvet covers (I get all of mine when they go into the sale). This leaf print cover shows that colourful bedding is just a really easy way to make your room feel instantly cosier and when you flick on the fairy lights, light the candle and have some Gilmore Girls playing, what more could you want for a cosy night in!
Other homeware bits I've purchased to make the room more homely;
- Macrame hanging (present)
- Rattan coat hanger buy here
- Baskets and rattan fans (B&M and Amazon)
- Harry Styles framed print buy here
- Candles (Primark)
How to start a vinyl collection
27 October 2021
First things first, before you do anything, write down a list of the records you really really want. I don't mean the latest record from Tay Tay, I'm talking about the old classics that you would kill to have in your collection. Taylor Swift is going to be easy for you to find online and through music stores, it's the classics you want to note down and try to thrift. I found the best way to do this is by going to charity and vintage shops as well as car boot sales. Car boots have actually been the place I've found some of my favourite records and often sellers will give you a deal if you want to buy in bulk rather than single records.
With buying in bulk though you run the risk of duplicates in your collection so I found that it became crucial to start a list in order for that to not happen. If I couldn't go to car boots then I would send my mum off to take a look and she would take the list with her as well. It's worth updating your list every time you get a record (whether it's one or 30 that you buy at once) as I can bet anything you'll forget about it after a while.
Another way I got my hand on some of my older records is by raiding the grandparents' collection. My Nan and Grandad absolutely loved 60s rock and pop music (as well as a little bit of Country) so some of my most-prized vinyl is from them and hold more of a personal aspect than me actually playing them a lot.
Newer records I always look to Amazon for or directly from the artists' website. However, it's always worth trying eBay and Facebook Marketplace as you never know what those sites are going to throw up - one person's junk is another person's treasure, after all!
Brunch at The Ivy Brasserie, Soho
4 April 2021 London, UK
Right before lockdown number three (let's be honest, haven't they all merged into one now?) my friend and I decided to have one last brunch hurrah...outside...in October. Whilst it was a little wet and windy, The Ivy Brasserie in Soho made sure we were kept dry, well fed and full of cocktails (Halloween-inspired at that time). Being the kind of people we are, we opted for classic eggs Royale and eggs Benedict complete with a side of yummy chips.
The food was exactly what you would expect from this high-end restaurant chain; runny eggs, delicious smoked salmon and honey ham on a bed of fluffy muffins. The chips were separated into a cute little pot to you could pick at them whenever you needed a break from your eggs and all this was washed down with a zesty cocktail and then, because lockdown was coming, a glass of Prosecco!
If we're lucky enough to have theatres opening again soon, this is the perfect spot for a little pre-theatre nibble as you're a hop, skip and a jump away from the West End, or Oxford Street for some afternoon shopping! The only thing I would flag was that, even though I had booked a table there was a little wait whilst people were finishing up, something to bear in mind if you're looking to head there yourself.
Roof East, London
14 March 2021 London, UK
I don’t want to tempt fate by saying just how glorious the weather has turned but...I’m going to! And, once things open up again from 12th April (hope, pray, touch wood) I want to head straight back to Roof East near Stratford. Set up on top of the Stratford Centre car park (hear me out), the lift doors open up to a roof terrace of fun! Of course there's the usual food and drinks stalls but, come May 2021, Roof East will also br bringing back its outdoor games which include batting cages, crazy golf and lawn bowls.
As you can probably tell from the photos that were taken my friend Emily and I opted for the crazy golf game and went straight into it when we got there - obviously making a quick pit stop to one of the bars to get a cider! What we really liked was the complete chilled vibe of Roof East - obviously we can't predict how it's going to be when restrictions are loosened in April, but I really hope it's more of the same! When we'd finished our crazy golf game (I lost but whatever) we chilled and had a couple more ciders whilst the music was playing and people around us were playing games.
With pizza, Indian and burgers on offer there's a limiting but good selection of food on offer and the Cheeky burgers were delish! Head to Roof East's website to find out more about their opening times and what's coming back for Summer 2021!
Bottomless Brunch at Serata Hall, London
1 March 2021
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| photo credit: www.seratahall.com |
Remember when we could go out and see our friends whilst sipping chugging on glasses of Prosecco? Gosh, I can’t tell you how much a love a good Bottomless brunch on a Saturday! One of the best BBs I’ve been to is Serata Hall. Based on Old Street in London it has everything a BB-mad millennial could ask for! Gorgeous aesthetic? Check! Delicious food as well as a pizza oven? You bet! And (perhaps most importantly) very loose measurements when it comes to their bottomless brunch? Oh yes!
I went to Serata two times in 2020 (I know, how did I manage that?). I went once in February for one of my friends’ birthday and then again for my very own 30th birthday. Immediately you’re hit with the pretty aesthetic and friendly ambience - have you ever seen someone unhappy at a BB? The answer’s no. Filled with foliage, this huge glass building fills with light, has a beautiful iron spiral staircase and plush velvet chairs - the two hours of brunch fly by!
The menu features a plethora of pizza varieties, pasta dishes as well as the brunch classics like avo on toast. Both times I went for the chilli hash browns which I would highly recommend not only for the delicious taste but also for lining your stomach.
The bottomless part starts from £26pp (charged on top of food plates) and offers Prosecco, mimosas and rum punch bowls - go easy on the latter! If you upgrade and opt for the £30pp option then your bottomless drinks included their top-tier range of pink Prosecco and a make-your-own cocktail kit!
Serata Hall is planning to reopen in line with government guidelines, click here for more details - enjoy!
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| photo credit: www.seratahall.com |
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