Well, as I’ve been hinting around here and elsewhere, I got a wild hair at the weekend and decided to paint the bathroom.

I haven’t shown much of my bathroom on my blog because it was just so blah with cream tiles, crummy cream laminate flooring that never quite looks clean, a swirly artex ceiling (mmm sexy), white walls and a very large mirror that’s antiquing a bit – and not in a good way.  We have talked about ripping out the whole thing and starting again many times but the kitchen remodel has taken priority and the bathroom has taken a back seat.

I had put a framed print and a shelf up months ago and finally decided to move a second print into the room last weekend which had been in the hallway just outside the bathroom.  It was only once I decided the second print actually added something to the room that I decided to just take the plunge and work with what I have until the time comes when we can look at spending proper money and energy on a remodel.

One of the first times I actually played with the idea of painting the bathroom in a deeper hue was when I viewed Hillary Thomas’ deep teal bathroom that she showcased on Lonny in the Jan/Feb 11 Issue.   Her whole place is beyond amazing (if you haven’t seen it, you really must check out the link because it’s stunning) but the bathroom just looked fantastic to me.

Hillary Thomas' deep teal bathroom via Lonny
via Lonny

Unfortunately, my bathroom didn’t have wainscoting and a pretty marble sink.  In fact, it’s so tiny, it only just about manages to fit in a bath, sink and toilet.

A before look at our bathroom
The bathroom the morning after we moved in.  Excuse the open lid.  I do live with a man.

The funny thing is that I have no other true β€˜before’ pictures.  The bathroom was so sad and boring that I obviously never felt the urge to document it.

Eventually, I added a Clarissa Hulse shower curtain which gave me my colour scheme.

Adding a Clarissa Hulse shower curtain to my bathroom

I realised that my two peacock prints went rather nicely with the colours in the shower curtain so adding these (the bottom one only just being added last weekend as I mentioned) added a little bit of personality but it was still missing a certain oomph.

Adding two peacock prints to the bathroom

And then, on Thursday, Apartment Therapy ran an article on Unique and Colourful Bathrooms.  And I was sold.

Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy
Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy
Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy

Seeing regular ol’ not-especially-pretty bathrooms done up with bright happy colours was just the thing I needed to get off my arse and get down to Homebase to mix me up a batch.

Enter the glorious Hawaiian Blue 2 courtesy of Dulux.

Hawaiian Blue 2 courtesy of Dulux

It’s amazing what a bit of paint can do, isn’t it?

Refreshing my bathroom with peacock blue paint

I also decided that the horrible cheap chrome towel rail (which appeared to emulate one of those heated towel racks but had no such practical function) had to go.

And I replaced it with a set of hooks from B&Q.

Peacock blue paint in the bathroom

It was a bit of a splurge at Β£30 but I really think it adds something different to the bathroom since we don’t have enough room behind the door to include a standard towel rail and I like the way the white really pops against the deep peacock blue.

Adding a set of hooks to my newly refreshed peacock blue painted walls

Oh and I also replaced the disgusting light fitting…

Grossness overload.  Yes, those are dead bugs in there.  Blegh!! 
I made W take it down because I wouldn’t touch it.  I’m such a girl.

I purchased a new sparkly glass one that felt a bit more β€˜retro’ to me (30’s retro rather than 90’s retro).  The pictures don’t really do it justice because the light plays off the facets in the glass rather nicely in person and it’s so much brighter in there now (which seems bizarre as it’s been painted a darker colour).

Here’s a good before and after for you because we all like those… (baring in mind, it’s difficult to get a good pic in here with the room being so tiny!)

Before…

A before look at my bathroom
Meh.

And after…

Updating my bathroom with peacock blue paint
Shazzam!

I love the way the prints now pop off the dark walls…

Before…

And after…

Peacock blue paint with a peacock print
Peacock blue paint with a peacock print

The best thing is that I didn’t tell W what colour I was going to paint it for fear that he may balk at my choice of a darker colour.  I just told him I was going to paint and when he said, β€œYeah that’s fine, do whatever ya like”, I took that as a green light to go to town.  He didn’t even see it until after the first coat was done and when he walked in, he just went, β€˜Wow.’

I waited to see if it was a good β€˜wow’ or a bad β€˜wow’.

β€œIt looks great… Good choice!” and then I got a kiss for being such a clever girlfriend.  Happy boyfriend, happy me.

He’s said now a few times how wonderful it looks, what a difference it makes to the room, that it looks 1000 times better than it did.  So I have received very kind approval from W which is always good when you take risks like painting a room without telling your other half.  Ahem.

My thoughts on the transformative power of colour and refreshing my bathroom with peacock blue paint

Another before…  (please try to ignore the fugly floor and manky pipework)

And after…

A before and after look at my bathroom with peacock blue paint

I’m really pleased with the transformative power this colour had in the smallest room in my house.  It’s just a temporary thing until we can do it up properly but for now, I think it’s made a nice difference to a rather bland room and I did the whole thing for Β£57 (Β£15 paint + Β£30 hooks + Β£12 light fixture).  Not too bad for a weekends’ work I don’t think.

Details from my blue peacock paint bathroom

Ok, (and here’s where all the insecurities roll in) it’s not as lovely as Hillary Thomas’ bathroom in the inspiration pic above and I may buy a few more bits and bobs (towels, new floor mat, a proper soap dispenser) and I need to figure out how to make the frosted glass in the medicine cabinet completely opaque and I’m even thinking of how I can bring in some orange as an accent colour…

Oh and I’m considering replacing the shower curtain with something prettier and just use a shower liner on the inside which is ironic considering that’s where the inspiration started from!  It’s just difficult finding nice shower curtains in the UK because they aren’t very popular (most bathrooms have glass screens) so I may be looking for a while but the β€˜Waves of Ruffles’ curtain from Anthropologie has caught my eye (the price, on the other hand makes my eyes water).   

But even after all those rambling excuses, I’m still pretty damn happy with it.

A closer look at the details from my refreshed peacock blue bathroom

So… what do you think of the change?

Linking up here...

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Swoon Worthy
Hillary Thomas' deep teal bathroom via Lonny
A before look at our bathroom
Adding a Clarissa Hulse shower curtain to my bathroom
Adding two peacock prints to the bathroom
Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy
Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy
Colourful bathrooms via Apartment Therapy
Hawaiian Blue 2 courtesy of Dulux
Refreshing my bathroom with peacock blue paint
Peacock blue paint in the bathroom
Adding a set of hooks to my newly refreshed peacock blue painted walls
A before look at my bathroom
Updating my bathroom with peacock blue paint
Peacock blue paint with a peacock print
Peacock blue paint with a peacock print
My thoughts on the transformative power of colour and refreshing my bathroom with peacock blue paint
A before and after look at my bathroom with peacock blue paint
Details from my blue peacock paint bathroom
A closer look at the details from my refreshed peacock blue bathroom
Domestically Speaking
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Unboxing my new card deck Daily Dose of Magic by my gorgeous bestie Victoria Jackson of @themanifestationcollective ! ✨

This is not an ad, I am just so in love with them, I wanted to share for my spiritual witchy friends out there πŸ₯°

@thoughtcatalog

#witchvibes #spiritualjourney #carddecks #magicmoments✨
Ad (Press Sample) There are few kitchen products that are considered absolute classics but there is one that I have lusted after for YEARS and that is the utterly iconic @lecreusetuk large casserole pot. 🀩

For nearly a century, Le Creuset has been trusted for its superior performance, lasting quality and iconic design and the enamelled cast iron allows incredible versatility - not only can you use it with just about any heat source (from induction, glass, electric etc), you can also do everything from stir-fry to slow cooking to baking a cake in it and more. 

So, imagine my delight when Le Creuset got in touch to ask if I'd like to shoot their brand new colourway πŸ‘ PΓͺche πŸ‘ in my kitchen. I mean, there couldn't be a more perfect colour match with that juicy coral shade which if you've followed my account for any length of time, you'll know is one of my all-time favourites (not to mention that beautiful soft gold knob! 😍). The matching petite casserole dish and mugs are the perfect companions but you could easily mix and match this colourway with Le Creuset's other designs (Might I suggest the Sea Salt, a soft blue-green which would be gorgeous with PΓͺche). This new juicy summer shade is currently available exclusively at Le Creuset Official. I'd love to know which colourway is your favourite in the range?

#lecreuset #kitchendesign #kitchenstyling #kitchinspo #victorianhome #englishhome
My little neglected makeup/dressing room has had a glow up πŸ₯°

#swoonworthy #beforeandafter #dressingroom #makeupvanity #closetgoals
My new rug can't compete with that belly.

Rug is from @laredoute_uk (not an ad) not that anyone cares πŸ˜…

#kitchendesign
I've really loved making these pretty reusable Christmas crackers! I'm still in the process of finding cute bits for filling them but they'll definitely be a centrepiece for my table this year!πŸŽ„πŸ’•

Suggestions for what to fill them with coming soon!

(By the way, I'm not a skilled seamstress so I'm sure my techniques can be improved but just sharing what worked for me πŸ€—πŸ˜…)

Let me know if this is something you'd try? ❀️

#swoonworthy #christmasdecor #christmascraft #diychristmas #diycrafts #easysewingproject
On 22 October 2022, I married my best friend! I can't believe it's been a whole year (and one day) I've been calling @2nilup my husband πŸ₯° We've been together for 15 years now and I simply can't and wouldn't want to imagine my life without him ❀️ 

#youandmeagainsttheworld #2222 

Photography: @violajayphotography 
Flowers: @primroseavenuefloral 
Dress: @camillawithlove
DIY REFILLABLE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS πŸŽ„πŸŽ‰

I've been thinking about making refillable crackers for so many years now - I just hate the waste the disposal ones create! So I'm so excited I've finally gotten around to starting this project!

I will be sharing more details on how to make them as well as ideas for what to fill them with too so stay tuned for more but in the meantime, what do you think? 

#swoonworthy #diychristmas #christmasdecor #christmascraft #easysewingproject #sustainableliving #ecofriendlyliving
Just wanted to introduce my latest plant baby in my dining room πŸͺ΄

It's from @botanique_shrewsbury and it's a Peparomia (I am probably pronouncing it wrong, I keep wanting to say
GUEST BEDROOM REVEAL 🌟

I decided on a whim, 2 weeks before we were expecting visiting family, that our guest bedroom was in desperate need of a refresh.

Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to light a πŸ”₯ under my πŸ‘ and I managed to clear out the clutter, repaint the woodwork, ceilings and walls and hang wallpaper as well as restyle the room in one week πŸ˜… (Meisha was zero help 😼)

I'm calling it Boho Vintage Victorian Grandma πŸ˜†

This wasn't sponsored in any way but the wallpaper and bedding is from @lauraashleyuk and the paint is @earthbornpaints Peach Baby - everything else I already had!

What do you think of the new look? ❀️

#bedroombeforeandafter #guestroom
#bedroommakeover
#beforeandafter
#bedroomdecor #cottagecore #vintagestyle #victorianhouse #ihavethisthingwithpink #bengalsofinstagram
πŸ”₯JOIN US ROUND THE FIRE PIT! πŸ”₯

ad | One of my favorite things to do in summer is sit around the fire pit in the evenings with a cold beer 🍻 There's just something incredibly relaxing watching those flames and embers crackle, warming yourself up and taking the edge off falling temperatures as the sun sets!

Thanks to @homefireuk they've made the whole process incredibly easy and enjoyable with their Handy Firepit Bundle which include 2 bags of kindling, 2 bags of natural firestarters and 3 large bags of kiln-dried logs πŸͺ΅ for a really great price! 

No more standing around waiting for things to light properly or billowing smoke from wet wood, everything burns beautifully! ☺️ We literally sat around this for hours as the logs last so long, long after the sun set, just chatting and enjoying ourselves! πŸ₯°πŸ»πŸ”₯

Do you love a good firepit in the summer?

#homefire #readytoburn #smokelessbyhomefire #heartofyourhome #logsbyhomefire #summerideas #firepit #gardenideas
San Sebastian photo dump - just a tiny selection πŸ˜„

We have had such a fabulous holiday to Basque Country - our first 4 days spent in the beautiful city of San Sebastian, land of pintxos, stunning architecture and some damn good wine.

#sansebastian #travelgram #photodump
A little kitchen reshuffle today so I thought I'd share πŸ₯°

It's been 4 years since we created this space and it's still one of my favourites β™₯️

#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitcheninspiration #kitchenideas #openshelvingkitchen #kitchenstyling
Ad 🩷 Before and after Deck makeover! 🩷

This little decked patio was looking worse for wear after a wet winter but @frenchicpaint came to the rescue with their beautiful Dusty Blush Alfresco Paint, perfect for all your outdoor projects!

The deck has been a few colours over the past few years but this is definitely the most fun and gives the whole space such a tropical vibe - even in Shrewsbury! 🏝️ πŸ¦©πŸΉπŸ˜„

The paint has incredible coverage and was so nice to use - I loved the tools they provided too, especially the oval brush which got into all the nooks and crannies easily!

Let me know what you think of the new colour! 

#frenchicpaint #beforeandafter #deckmakeover #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #outdoorproject
So on a whim I decided to paint the bedroom pink yesterday πŸ˜…πŸ©·

This room has been neglected for so long as I've wanted to fully redecorate for about 3 years now but there are always other bigger priorities or a lack of time/energy/money so I keep putting it off πŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒ (tell me I'm not the only one) but happily this didn't cost a penny as I used what I already had although it did take me the best part of a day!

I went through my paint stash and found that I had extra @coatpaints Percy from when I did the living room early last year -- well I'm not one to let something this good go to waste (honestly this paint is absolutely wonderful to work with and has amazing coverage) and my goodness it's just so pretty in here πŸ₯° I also moved my pink curtains from my office into here and the whole room just glows!

I might actually be able to live with the mural a little longer until the room gets the attention it deserves! Let me know if you like the change β™₯️

*For those who are wondering, it used to be white walls and I had grey curtains! πŸ˜…

#swoonworthy #bedroomdecor #bedroommakeover #bedroomdesign #pinkpinkpink #pinkinteriors
A little photo dump from my recent living room shoot because I still love to dig into the details of a still photo πŸ˜„πŸ’•

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #photodump
ad How to De-stress at Home in 6 Simple Steps 😊

April has been #stressawarenessmonth and so I've teamed up with the wonderful @frenchbedroom to share a few simple tips in creating a cosy sanctuary at home!

One of my favourite ways to add a feeling of comfort and relaxation is with glorious touchable textures and the stunning Mulberry Silk ruffled cushion from French Bedroom not only looks spectacular but feels incredible too! Pairing this with other feel-good fabrics will add depth to your design and will beg you to sink in and unwind 😍

French Bedroom are also now stocking my own home fragrance brand @swoonworthyscents candles, adding another element of calm with scent to your home. I chose No 02 Sunday Morning for my living room with rejuvenating Jasmine and refreshing pine and lemon notes πŸ₯°

Check out my latest blog post for more tips on creating a relaxing sanctuary in your home via the link in my bio!

#swoonworthy #swoonworthyscents #frenchbedroom #livingroominspo #livingroomdesign #calming #aesthetic #cottagecoreaesthetic
Who needs pancakes when you can have Lemon Drizzle Cake with Lemoncello glaze?! πŸ˜‰πŸ‹

I've had such a craving for this cake for a while so figured I'd make it today! This is a recipe from @bbcgoodfood and it's rather gorgeous πŸ₯°

#baking #lemondrizzle #lemoncake #bakewithlove #shrovetuesday
Are you lucky enough to be owned by a cat? 🐈🐾

#bengallove #bengalsofinstagram #bengalcat #bengal #catsofinstagram #catlife
Finally managed to get the gallery wall completed in our hallway!

I couldn't have been happier with @violajayphotography capturing our little intimate wedding in October and knew as soon as I saw the photos I had to print them for our home! I admit, I've never been one to hang photos but it's probably because all we ever had after 14 years together was selfies πŸ˜‚πŸ€·πŸ½β€β™€οΈ I'm so pleased we finally have some lovely shots of us together πŸ₯°

Do you have photos of you/your partner/your family up around your home?? πŸ€”

#gallerywall #autumnwedding #hallwaydesign #hallwayinspo
✨These little vintage copper pans needed some TLC! ✨

After searching for a while for vintage copper pans, I found these on eBay - they looked quite grim on the ad but I knew they could be shined up nicely! A little @barkeepersfriend later (not an ad!) and I'm loving how they look in my kitchen πŸ₯°

Let me know if you like the new addition ❀️

#kitcheninspo #kitchendesign #vintagestyle #kitchenstyling