First Look & Giveaway: Sweet Paul Spring '12

Sweet Paul

Not only is it Thursday (the weekend is a comin', folks!) but we're also being treated to a peek inside the new spring 2012 issue of Sweet Paul magazine which is set to launch tomorrow. Plus, simply by leaving a comment on this post you will have the chance to win one of three printed copies of the magazine that Paul, the magazine's editor, is kindly giving away. There's also these fun desktop wallpapers you can download! So, what can you expect to find inside the latest issue? There's the usual mix of seasonal recipes, craft ideas and decor inspiration, including Paul's favourite spring dishes and top ways to cook with eggs, as well as paper straw craft and a tablescape idea full of fresh blooms. Plus, you'll see a lovely feature on ten meals in Paris across five days, along with my Will's Picks piece on decorating with pastel hues. What are you excited to read in the new issue? Leave a comment and you'll be in the chance to win a printed copy of the spring issue!

Spring Trends: Upbeat, Elements, Traveller

Scanned from Good Homes February 2012 | Styling by Emma Clayton | Styling assistants Charlotte Love & Rebecca Nee | Photography by Mark Scott

So you know you want to redecorate (or, perhaps, just decorate!) but with the sheer volume of ideas out there you can't help but feel overwhelmed with where to start. That's where narrowing down your ideas and inspirations to a handful of themes or trends can help tie your scheme together. And these three schemes from Good Homes magazine are ideal for doing just that. The first, Upbeat, is a playful and colourful scheme with preppy polka dots gracing the walls. I love the colour block legs on the Jonas Klien stool and the triangle print cushion. Elements, the second trend, is more pared back than the first, where texture really comes to the forefront of the design. My favourite part of this look has to be the combination of tactile linens and rustic wooden surfaces. In the final trend, Traveller, we see how culture has inspired a marriage of striking prints and bold hues that result in a graphic finish. Eclectic and earthy, this trend is versatile enough to add and minus accessories as you go. Which trend do you like best?

Spring's New Colour Palette

Lifestyle images scanned from Red, March 2012 and styled by Mary Norden, assisted by Sarah Keady | Photography by Polly Wreford

Products: Orange: throw, candle, table | Yellow: pendant, paint, bowl | Pink: lamp, chair, table

As the snow flurries fell peacefully (but very heavily!) in London last weekend, I let the Homes pages of the March Red magazine transport to me the sunshine filled days of spring. Their 'pretty modern' story demonstrated a variety of ways to combine bright hues of orange, yellow and pink. The key when combining these three colours is pick two 'hero' hues from the palette, mixing in the third sparingly to break the balance. This is seen above in the yellow vase on the dining table, breaking the pink and orange hues of the table cloth; or upon the orange Jonathan Adler chair where various shades of yellow throws are juxtaposed with a standalone pink cushion. This sunny palette is perfect for adding a lift to a pared back, modern space for the coming season. I liked it so much, I couldn't help but pick products to match the look from three high street stores. What's inspiring you about this shoot, friends?

Real Living: Summer & Nautical Inspirations

All tears from Real Living | Cover | Hardware shot by Chris Warnes and styled by Erin Michael | Suntrap, bedroom, table by pool all, blue doors shot by Chris Warnes and styled by Sarah Ellison | New Nautical shot by Tory Amos and styled by Erin Michael | Out door showers shot by Chris Warnes

OK, so don't get me wrong, I love living in a country with seasons and the recent crisp, clear days here in London have been a delight. However, when I saw the February edition of Real Living I was swiftly dreaming of long, hazy summer days. So today I thought we could swap hemispheres with our Australian pals and jump into some summertime and nautical inspiration. As I flicked through the pages I closed my eyes imagined the warmth of the sun's rays against my back and the anticipation of diving into a glistening, still-as-a-millpond swimming pool. I've always thought of outdoor showers as wonderfully indulgent and these examples don't dent that dream! The renovated 1950's beach cottage that graced the cover was an airy and modern home, perfect for summer days and nights but the real treat for me was the blue doors seen above - so fun! What's catching your eye?

Sneak Peek: Heart Home Mag Winter Issue

1a, 2 John Deed, Karl Openshaw | 1b, 7-10 Oliver Gordon | 3 James Balston, Sania Pell | 4, 5 Sarah Hogan, Kate Baxter | 6 Andrew Boyd, Claire Morgan

What's the best way to make Thursday feel a little more like Friday? A new issue of a cracking lifestyle magazine you say? Well, as luck would have it, the winter issue of Heart Home magazine goes live today and it's a festive bonanza! It's such a delight to see so much British talent packed into nearly 160 pages, all of whom have worked hard to pull together inspiring seasonal ideas for the home. My standout favourite features were the Neon Christmas for it's fun, fresh take on holiday decorating, along with the home tours which felt so right for a winter issue. I'd like to take elements from all the homes to make a little Mr. Bazaar space: the clear glass bulb pendants and sanded back wooden stairs from Sarah Ellison's east London home; the old wooden chest from Claire Morgan's bedroom; the Beat pendant lights by Tom Dixon also from Sarah's home and the blue sofa with linen pillows from Natural History owner, Sarah Lidwell-Durnin's Oxfordshire home. What has you inspired in the new issue of Heart Home magazine?

Exclusive First Look: Adore Magazine Dec 2011

What a lovely Thursday treat we have here, folks. An exclusive sneak peek inside the forthcoming issue of Adore Home magazine! Inside the issue - set to launch any day now - you can expect to find an abundance of colour inspiration. First up is a tour of a beautiful and oh so colourful home designed by Anna Spiro. (We know that one is gonna be a goodun' without preview images but the first snaps above prove how lovely it's going to be!) As well as the colour and pattern inspiration from Anna, there's also vibrant hues on display in a tour of Lord's South Beach hotel in Miami, and the store tours of Magnolia Interiors and Porchlight Interiors located in Brisbane. Looking for a little more vintage inspiration? No fear, the Mad Men-inspired Manhattan beach home is bound to be what you are looking for. Check back at Adore Home magazine soon to read the full issue as it launches early December. What's exciting you about this sneak peek?

Sneak Peek: Holiday with Matthew Mead

I've expressed before how much I love reading the special Holiday issues published by magazine brands, so I was delighted when the folks over at Holiday with Matthew Mead offered to share a peek inside their 2011 Holiday issue. Packed full of craft ideas and cookie recipes from foodie bloggers, the magazine also provides inspiration for a variety of Christmas decorating schemes. With colour palettes from pinks and whites through to traditional red and green, I was impressed at the breadth of the styles and taste points covered in the issue's 144 pages. (Pssst! You can see even more from the magazine this video preview!) I really like the all-white space that has used paper stars and layered textiles to add interest but the moss wreath-cum-candle surround was my top tear from the issue. What's inspiring you from this peek inside Holiday with Matthew Mead?