MORE DASH THAN CASH; inexpensive tips to refresh your home
I always loved this feature in Vogue magazine which sadly they no longer publish, which was all about buying well and investing in a few key pieces that stood the test of time, then importantly mixed and matched with affordable bits to freshen up the wardrobe for that season, which then also become part of the staple wardrobe.
Image via Pinterest
I follow this concept for the home. You’ll have your larger investment pieces that will rarely change such as your sofa, maybe a sideboard, coffee table and dining table, and then you’ll have your finds that freshen up the home throughout the year, including cushions, vases, candles and art prints.
Probably the most obvious inexpensive purchase that certainly marks the season is flowers... one of my favourite things to talk about. An Aldi bunch from £2 or a foraged posey for free can completely transform your space adding colour, joy and scent so easily. Plants in beautiful pots will also achieve the same feel.
Vintage vase - The Vintage Emporium, Jonathan Adler canister - Homesense, all flowers are faux.
As much as I don’t think you can beat fresh flowers, I’m also very much enjoying dried and silk flowers at the moment, as they are the gift that keeps on giving in terms of colour. So in my opinion, faux flowers are a really good investment, offering constant colour and the feeling of nature in the home.
I like to mix mine with dried bunny tails. The lavender ones in the image below were about £4 for a bunch from eBay, as well as the pink plumes and blue dried palm spears. They really pad out the arrangement and add a bit of quirkiness and eccentricity!
Faux flowers including roses, peonies, hydrangeas, bunny tails, dried palm spears and plumes.
I have artificial flowers from various places including Home Bargains, Oka, and a gorgeous independent retailer called Before and After Projects who I discovered at the monthly artisan market in Sale (Cheshire) just last week. You would not believe the texture of the the peach rose (below!) Its so realistic and cost just £4, and the colour is divine!
A mixture of real (gladioli at the back), dried and faux flowers in vintage vases.
The two vases either side of the central bronze one are both vintage, which I picked up from The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport last week… all of the years I’ve lived in Manchester and last week was the first time I’ve been! By the time we take my mum next weekend, I will have visited 3 times in 2 weeks! They also have an excellent tea room, offering the most delicious cakes!
A variety of flowers from Oka, Home Bargains, Before and After Projects & real Gladioli from Aldi.
I talk a lot about vintage furniture, but honestly PLEASE consider vintage when purchasing a new piece. The soul and craftsmanship is unrivalled and it’s such a nice feeling to have a piece of such incredible history that’s been so well made, telling stories in your home. Older items work so well with new and modern furniture, particularly ultra modern. Its the perfect juxtaposition, particularly if there is a stark contrast in the materials of each. The Vintage Emporium is the ideal place to pick up some treasures to freshen up your home, as well of course as charity shops, eBay and general second hand furniture retailers. Keep your eyes open for those gems.
The console table & crystal decanter are from Dagfields, the standard lamp & gold gilt frame - BHF (shade from Ikea)
Furniture wise, remember if there’s something that you really want to buy but can’t afford it, save up for it OR get creative! If you really want that pink velvet armchair but you need to take out a small loan to buy it, look into sourcing a similar style but second hand or vintage, and price up how much it would cost to reupholster. Paint that chair, the table, the sideboard WHATEVER COLOUR YOU WANT! That way, you will have something completely unique and often at the fraction of the price of what you’ll find at retail.
The dining chair that I recently revamped (read about it here) with a lovely pink cushion from Matalan.
Here are some of the places I visit to find key pieces to freshen up my home that don’t cost the earth. And remember, inspiration is everywhere you just have to keep your eyes open and see the joys in the small things:
Some of my favourite places to shop for one off, inexpensive pieces:
The Vintage Emporium - Stockport
Vintage Home Show - Manchester
Dagfields - Cheshire
Bridgemere Garden Centre - Cheshire
British Heart Foundation - Sale
The Treacle Market - Macclesfield
Myke Caulton Floral Couture - Chelford
Oka - Knustford
Søstrene Grene - Manchester
