5 interior design styles you NEED on your radar

When it comes to interior design there's millions of styles to choose from and consider. Looking for inspiration in magazines and on Pinterest (every interior obsessives heaven) can be a bit over whelming and, if you're like me, you'll probably find yourself lost in a muddle of 21 different styles. And no modern home needs a combination of styles that varied. 

When thinking about styles for your home, or dream/future home if you're like me, it's important to choose one main style and run with it. Keep mainly to that style with touches elsewhere to make each room individual and suit your needs. 

With this thought in mind, I've been doing some reading and collection and have chosen five main interior design styles that you and I can run with through our dream homes. 

|| INDUSTRIAL ||

It's in the name really. Think steel, exposed brick and rustic wood to soften. It's about exposing building materials that normally you'd conceal. This style showcases a 'warehouse' look but if you don't want to go all out industrial think about exposing a brick wall as a feature or pipes, or maybe still surfaces in the kitchen with metal light fittings. Industrial doesn't have to be dark, big glass windows and wooden elements can soften and lighten the look. 

|| NAUTICAL ||

Think that Cornish cottage you love. Bright, white and light pretty much sum up this look. Stripes, rope and light coloured wood and classic features in this style. However if you don't want all your cushions to look like they were made out of old deckchair fabric ease of the stripes and go for blues and greens. White, blue and sand colours are the palette in this style but don't be afraid to try a range of blues and also step towards the turquoise. If you're not sure add coloured glass bottles, cushions and other accessories and keep the paint and furnishings neutral.

|| SCANDINAVIAN ||

You've probably heard a lot about this style if you're at all into interior design and homes, however, it doesn't mean you have to buy all your furniture from Ikea. The look is simplistic, light with a clean aesthetic. You'll want earthy, neutral tones, minimalist ornaments and accessories and lots of light for this style. Wooden floors, white walls, and lots of wood are a must. Pair back on the accessories as well, a vase on the table and a few coffee table magazines are enough. 

|| CONTEMPORARY ||

Clean, smooth and polished without intricate details will immediately be noticed as contemporary design. This doesn't mean your home will feel cold, this look is a blend of comfortable, functional elements that give a sophisticated look. The key is balance - not too cold, not too formal. The palette is again neutral but set it off with a coloured feature wall in a darker taupe, musty pink or navy blue. Metals that are sleek, light OR dark wood and textures of crushed velvet, linen or wool will make the space feel warm and homely. 

|| SHABBY CHIC ||

Shabby chic was all the rage a couple of years back but people still love it and feature elements of the style in their homes. However step away from Cath Kidston, this is not where her design belongs. This style is all about mixing vintage with boho and industrial to create a rustic look. Weathered wood, furnishings that speak of the past and anything that feels a bit like you could take it to Antiques Roadshow will work. Soft furnishing, floral patterns and a pastel pallets is what you should be looking for here. Also go to the markets - you'll find heaps of accessories and finishings that will suit this style. 

So there we have it. Five interior styles to consider for you now home or future home. 

Until next time,

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PS If you liked this post and would like more interior/home stuff let me know cause it's something I'm into doing more off. 

The weekly #3

Another week is upon us, they come around quickly don't they? Anyway, it's not always easy to feel confident in what you're doing when you're worrying about what others will think. Instead of doing something and wondering what people will think of you, whether it's trying out that bright red lippie you bought or trying something new on your blog or at work, think about yourself and how you'll feel for doing it. If it makes you feel good or you want to it then do it and feel confident in your choice and don't let what you think others will think effect that choice. Try being confident in yourself for yourself this week. I'm going to.

Until next time,

Em x

The Travel Diaries

It's been a while since I updated you on our travels, in fact 19 days since I did a travel diaries esque post. Last time I wrote we were in Coober Pedy and heading south towards Adelaide. Well we got there and we have officially driven the across Australia in both directions. Which is a pretty cool thing to have done I think.

Adelaide was lovely. Actually, wait. South Australia was lovely. It was hilly and green and a beautiful part of Australia that we hadn't really had the chance to take a decent look at previously. We stopped in Coober Pedy, obviously, Port Augusta and Adelaide. All of which were lovely but quite different from one another. 

Adelaide was a really nice city, very quiet and mellow compared to a city like Brisbane. It feels a lot older as well, almost like a city back in the UK. It's got a lot of old looking buildings and with it being surrounded by hills it was kind of like being in the UK - apart from the unprecedented 38 degree day that we had there. 

The beaches were stunning as well and if you're down there anytime soon I'd highly recommend checking out Henley Beach and grabbing fish and chips from the kiosk. The city is like most other with shops and bars and cafes. We always like to visit the state museums though and we have done in every other capital we've been to so Adelaide was no different. The Museum of South Australia is just a short walk from the city centre and it's worth checking out. It's free to enter and the exhibits are really cool. They also have a nice cafe in the museum which is open 7 days a week.

Adelaide was our last pit stop on our big trip though and then it was back to it. We stopped in at our friends in Goondiwindi on the way back to good ol' Augathella and it was really nice to see them and also see a bit of Australian harvest time. It was all very exciting and felt a little like Christmas was coming - Jack noted. 

But now we're back. And still loving it. It's going to be hard to say goodbye soon and we'll definitely miss this lifestyle and all the things we get to put our hands too here. I'm sure we'll be back soon though.

Until next time, 

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Reads & Reading | 2

This past month or so has been a really weird reading month for me. It's not really been what I'd call a slump because I've been reading and been enjoying reading but it's just been slow and I haven't got through as many books as I would have liked. I've also branched into the world of audio books which you will know if you read my 'Currently' blog post a couple of weeks ago. 

However I thought I'd still do a little post about what I've read over the last few weeks, so here it is. 

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Rachel Joyce

★★★★

I really enjoyed this book. It light hearted, fun and a bit emotional at time but it was such an easy read to get through. Harold Fry is a retired man who receives a letter from an old friend one day telling him she is dying. When taking his reply to the letter box a chance encounter with a young girl makes him decide to walk the letter there himself. The book is heart warming and and lovely. With themes of loss, love and moving on from the past it's a good read for curling up  on the couch with in Autumn.

The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

★★★

A novel about a mysterious circus and how it came to be and the mystery that involves, this is a good book for Halloween. It's not scary but it's mysterious and dark in places but also beautiful. It wasn't as good as I'd anticipated based on all the hype I'd heard hence only 3 stars but it was still enjoyable. It was really beautifully written and the premise was good I just felt that maybe it went on a little long and there was part towards the end that I felt was a but lack lustre and obvious.

Currently Reading

A Game of Thrones, George R R Martin

I'm not really reading this but listening to it on Audio book but I'm really enjoying it that way. I've read it before, as well as the second one but didn't get any further and recently wanted to get back into them but found I'd forgotten a lot of what had happened. They're such big books and I really didn't have the energy to read them both again so I purchased them on Audible and Jack and I have been listening to them on long drives. Definitely recommend.

The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

I'm really loving this book. It's huge so it's taking it's time but it's really good and despite it's size not hard to read and not intimidating. I've found myself lost in it several times. I'm hoping to get through it this week though, so fingers crossed. It's another book I'd highly recommend though and especially, if you're in the UK, through autumn.

Well that's been my reading month. A little on the low side but I don't feel to down about it like I have done before.

What have you been reading this month? Let me know in the comments or tweet me. 

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The weekly #2

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Another week starts today and here's another little thought to make your week as positive and productive as possible. It's important to remember that each day is a new day and if you didn't go to bed last night feeling like you'd achieved something you wanted to you can try again today. This week try and set yourself a few goals so you can go to bed each night feeling satisfied with the day that has just ended. Write yourself a little to do list, maybe just in your mind and aim to cross one thing off each day this week. That way you can end everyday feeling satisfied and postive.

Happy monday everyone, have a good week!

Em x

The weekly

Monday is here again and it's always a good way to start fresh. Forget the rubbish from last week and prepare for a positive, pro-active and happy week. Take this thought with you throughout your week. Everyday has the potential to be a good day if you're thinking and feeling positive. Wake up everyday this week and tell yourself it's going to be a good day - I bet you it'll make a difference.

Em x

Currently | September

September was a very travel heavy month for me. The most time we spent in one place was a week. So, when it comes to what I'm currently loving its been a bit tricky for me to remember and decide. However I've managed to gather together a few things that I've been enjoying this month and here they are for you to enjoy too.

Listening&Watching

Well you can probably guess I haven't been watching much as we've been camping almost every night in the back of the ite. Apart from the rugby World Cup and the NRL grand final we've not been watching anything at all. However, with long days in cars we do need things to listen too. I tried to get back into Game of Thrones where I'd left off but it had been such a long time I'd forgotten what had happened. Jack had been thinking of diving into the series too, but the size of the books put him off. We came to the conclusion that downloading the audio book would be the way forward. It's been a good way to get back into them and we've both been enjoying listening to them when we've got a long day on the road. I'd definitely reccomend the Audible app if you're a bit put off my the size of a book but want to read something.

Eating&Drinking

This month has been a coffee revelation for me. I went off it for a bit as caffeine is not anxiety's friend, but I missed it too much and soon found myself wishing for a coffee shop. When I got back to it I decided to try something new. I've always been a cappuccino person for as long as I've drunk coffee however, flat white called out to me and I went for it. Let's just say I'm not going back, even the chocolate sprinkle can't tempt me. Also no sugar food was the thing I was most looking out for this 'no sugar September'. I found Niomi Smarts banana bread recipe was just what I needed. It was really satisfying as well as being sugar, dairy and gluten free and vegan. Definitely one to try.

Reading

I had a bit of a reading slump in the middle of the month and didn't really fancy anything. And what with listening to Game of Thrones it's been a funny reading month. However I chose 'History of the Rain' by Niall Williams from my kindle TBR list and I'm really enjoying it. It was long listed for the Man Booker Prize last year and it's definitely worth picking up if you're after something different but easy to read.

So that's my month in things I've been loving. What about you? Let me know in the comments and let me know what your favourite things were this month.

Until next time,

Em 

Pinch, punch, first of the month

It's October. It's October and I'm coping brilliantly with the fact that we're two months from the end of the year can you tell? No, but seriously another month has passed and it's been a good one.

I've spent every single day of September exploring the Northern Territory and having adventures. It has been an amazing month and there's so much to tell but I'll save all the details for another day when I'm not blogging from my phone and I have decent internet.

Since my last travel diaries we've got our vehicle back and working - touch wood, which is a relief. After a little longer than expected in Darwin we continued how we'd planned. 

We've spent the last week or so in the red centre. It's an incredible part of Australia where you'll as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and of course Uluru. 

Uluru was like a dream. It was the most beautiful, spiritual place I can recall being. In a weird way it really touched and moved me being there. It's so culturally significant in so many ways and it's definitely something you have to see for yourself to really understand. Even multi award winning photographers can't capture what you feel and experience there.

However as I said there will be more detailed posts about all our adventures in the future so look out for those. 

Currently we're cooking pasta and sausages on a campsite in Coober Pedy, Souh Australia. We've got a couple of adventures planned before we head back to the farm so make sure you follow me on Instagram to keep up and also on Twitter and like on facebook. (All social media links are over in the little lemons on the side bar, I can't put them in here because the blogger app doesn't let you - sorry)

Also no sugar September is over! How did you do? I actually managed to do it and I've definitely realised I don't need as much sugar as I though and there's added sugar in a surprising amount of things. I celebrated with jelly beans today but I'll definitely be more conscious about how much sugar I'm taking in from now on. 

Well until next time,

Em x