In the home
Inspiring seasonal ideas and recipes
JARS FILLED WITH COLOUR
Scraps of leftover ribbon or fabric from previous craft projects can be stored together within easy reach, ready to use when needed. Vintage Mason jars or similar, found in a charity or antique store, make the perfect containers, allowing the materials to be easily visible behind the clear glass. The contents can be organised with similar shades stored together. This will also prove helpful when particular colours are required. Grouped next to one another on a shelf, the containers create a pleasing and decorative rainbow display, while also being practical.
SOOTHING FRAGRANCES
The scent of clean cotton: a combination of violet and orange blossom, blended with hints of jasmine and lily, emanates from the liquid wax burning above a tea light. Following an ethos of sustainability, Leanne Soutar handcrafts a range of environmentally friendly melts, using natural soy wax and fragrances. Each bag contains four melts that last for hours, filling the home with soothing aromas.
Clean Cotton £3.50, www.rutlandwaxmelts.co.uk
PROTECTION AND DECORATION
Wainscoting is a style of wood panelling covering the lower part of a wall. Wooden panels originally provided insulation and covered unwanted damp, as well as marks from jostled chairs, spurs and maybe even scabbards. During the 13th century, panelling began to be recognised for its decorative properties and as a reflection of status: on the orders of Henry III, many of the rooms at Windsor Castle were lined with wooden panels. Today, wainscoting still guards walls from such things as fingerprints in kitchens, water in bathrooms and scuffs in tight hallways or stairwells, as well as maintaining its ornamental element, particularly when painted.
DRESSED UP FOR DINNER
When preparing the dining table for a delicious feast, simple yet stylish centrepieces add sophistication to the placement setting and bring a touch of elegance. Here, a long table is adorned with a row of candlesticks, varying in height and style, and each holding a tall candle. Once lit, dancing flames create flickers of soft light to gently illuminate the room, producing beautiful ambient lighting. A long, fluted vase placed at either end of the table holds a handful of long-stemmed lilies that exude a perfumed fragrance. The clear vases which lift the simple flower arrangements will allow diners to easily converse across the table, without their view being obstructed. A sprig of ivy placed on the table also adds a decorative touch. Taking some time to dress the table for celebratory dinners will help to emphasise the occasion and make it feel all the more special.
CUSHIONED UNDERFOOT
Rag rugging is an ancient craft that involves using oddments of old fabric on a background of hessian sacking to create a soft rug. This introductory kit encourages people to transform unwanted clothes into rugs, cushions and keepsakes for the home. It comes with a latch hook, rag rug gauge, 100 x 60cm hemmed rug hessian, maker pen and guide, with step-by-step instructions on how to execute shaggy, loopy and short, shaggy rag rug techniques.
Introductory Rag Rug Kit £19.99, www.raggedlife.com
BRIGHT ONCE MORE
In winter, darker nights mean that more evenings are spent at home, illuminated by light. Charged with static electricity, increased use of lamps can result in shades attracting dust from the dry air. To clean, the lamp should firstly be unplugged. A feather duster or lint roller is used to carefully brush the inside and outside of the shade, lifting any build-up of dust. For stains, a soft, dampened cloth can be used to gently dab the affected area. The stand is then wiped with a microfibre cloth.