UKHomeBlogHop Summer Vibes
If there is one thing that gets me absolutely hooked online is blog hoping! Nothing better on a Monday morning (and indeed a bank holiday in the UK and the US) than to snoop around other people's homes looking for inspiration. So a big welcome to my UK Home Blog Hop Summer Vibes edit!
This is my second UKHomeBlogHop, all thanks to the wonderful Kimberly Duran (aka Swoonworthy) who put everything together. I mean, hats off to this girl and her organisational skills! And her spruced up garden was fab!
If you haven't visited Seasons in Colour previously, I'm Jenny Kakoudakis, a Greek living in South London for what feels like forever. My blog is all about interiors but, as the name gives away, colour is in abundance around the home I share with my family! Do feel free to stay a little longer and take the whole home tour here.
I feel that the sunshine of the last few days has done us all a lot of good, and possibly inspired a few more makeovers to properly transition our homes into summer. I know a lot of you already spend more time fixing your gardens and sheds (here's mine) but how are you working your indoors styling? Is it just a quick cushions change on the sofa or are you going in deep?
For you today I have the big REVEAL of our bedroom makeover which I updated towards the end of March and which will feature in the upcoming Dulux Let's Colour Magazine (together with Junior's bedroom).
So let's have a look at what the room used to look like a couple months back! The wall behind the bed was painted in Farrow & Ball's Dix Blue, a blue with strong green undertones.
I had chosen this colour for its very calming effect and because it went really well with the built in wardrobes. It also suited the pink headboard and the Wimborne White walls, however, it classed with the curtains which were in the blue Scion Kali fabric (small-scale tie-dye ‘spot’ motif).
I decided I did not want to change the curtains after all, so when Denim Drift was announced as colour of the year 2017 by Dulux, I hoped on the new trend and updated the accent wall once more (8 months after the last update to be precise!).
So here it is, my Summer Vibes room makeover in Denim Drift !
Type of Paint used in this project
So first things first. I used the Dulux Trade vinyl matt as the wall behind the bed is not smooth everywhere. The Trade Vinyl Matt is a top quality high opacity emulsion which gives excellent coverage and application and is suitable for all normal interior wall and ceiling surfaces. Where possible I always go for 'Trade' and that's a tip from a decorator professional who's painted hundreds of walls.
Where condensation is a problem e.g. some kitchens and bathrooms, use Dulux Trade Diamond Eggshell instead. After two coats, most of the 5l tin was still full (I reckon I used maybe 1/5). The rest went to a dear friend who is renovating her son's bedroom (always great to use all paint. If you have paint leftovers you can gift it, there are many initiatives for that around the country).
Room Styling
I finally have side tables! I added two wonderful side tables by Safavieh - one that I was gifted during this Wayfair styling challenge and one that I bought myself a week after, as I loved the first so much. They are really heavy and robust and come in mirror (the one I went for), clear glass or white glass
They have two tiers - perfect for keeping a few books nearby. Most importantly, when placed on their short side against the wall, they are a PERFECT match for the space between the two wardrobes (which kind of explains why I bought the second!).
Milton side table with storage, Safavieh from Wayfair; 15cm IVALO glass dome with leather handle, LSA International; splatter effect bowl, and brass plant pot, both H&M; palm brass effect jewellery stand, Oliver Bonas; tussle earrings, Zara.
For this Summer Vibes styling I brought back my Scion Kali blue bedspread which matched the curtains. I also have limited edition screen prints on the wall that depict the same scene in the day and night, so blue is everywhere around the room!
Bed Styling
On my bed you will find this gorgeous chambray pintuck duvet cover and pillowcases set from Soak and Sleep, a brand that I have grown really fond of and which I have previously featured in this post for their very popular pink French linen covers.
Using the weave to create a fresh striped effect they have given the traditional pintuck a modern twist. The blue and white cushion in the middle is from Crete island in Greece where we go every summer to see family!
I also now have two very supporting new pillows - they are the Ultimate Goose Down pair (£112) and just one of the many available on Soak & Sleep. Finding the right pillow has been another long (unsuccessful) task.
I have tried many but never quite managed to find those lush and plump cushions you find in boutique hotels. I did ask the experts though, and here's what Sarah Smith, Head of Buying, had to offer. Great tips if you're on the look for new bed pillows!
I told you they are experts, so I would recommend discussing your needs directly with them or reading their very helpful buying guides! After all, sleep bad and you will feel it ALL DAY.
On the other side of the bed I have a rug from Safavieh which I bought a year ago and it has a lovely diamond design (I think it's meant to be like the Ben Ourain design). The top by the way is from COS Stores. And the brass globe side lamp is from Rough Luck Studio on Etsy.
My outdoors summer vibes
That was it for my indoors styling! I do have another surprise for you though, and that's in the garden! Getting a lot of inspiration from the Chelsea Flower Show, I made use of the patio space outside the living room and I am planning to stay there soaking the afternoon sun every day that we DO get some sunshine!
I do plan on getting some other garden furniture for that area - a sofa actually and have considered this one from Made.com, but that's another post altogether, for another day!
The tea cups and saucers are from The Curious Department (their Insect Mandala range), the green velvet cushions are from H&M. For a similar sheepskin in caspian try Mia Fleur.
I hope you are feeling a little inspired now! Wasn't this an amazing first day of UKHomeBlogHop ? Remember to use the hashtag and share the love on Twitter and Insta to let us all know you're following the fun as well as to post any questions you may have (or leave a comment below!). And PIN, PIN, PIN!!
Now hop over at Melanie Lissack Interiors and enjoy her botanical themed balcony makeover!
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.