Bring some Scandinavian style to your interior design

I do hope they won't mind me copying some pictures into this blog, but I wanted to share with you my love for Scandinavian interior design (pictures from Scandinavian magazine Vakre Hjem and Interior).

Judging by the huge popularity of Ikea, us Brits have a clear affection for Scandinavian design, and it's clear to see why. Their masterly blend of clean, neutral colours with rustic homely charm creates a relaxing and tranquil environment for any room in the house.

The birth of Scandinavian design is said to have come from the long winters and the lack of natural sunlight, requiring rooms to be bright and airy in order to compensate for the cold, dark environment outside.

Perhaps that's why Britain has embraced Ikea so much. We share a similar need to make the most of the sun we get, and to ensure a room creates a warm, bright environment, even if the weather does not.

So what can we take from Scandinavian design? Well, here's a quick list I've put together that could be adapted for any room in your house:

1. Use basic, neutral colours for walls and carpets, such as whites, beiges, wood tones, and light blues to create a bright, airy and relaxing space.
2. Use rugs and blankets made up of warm, vibrant colours to give a nice contrast against the pale walls.
3. Go for wrought iron fixtures or furniture that blend well with the colour of the walls. The 'shabby chic' look is particularly popular at the moment and can look great in this environment.
4. Use plenty of fabric and soft furnishings to create a warm, cosy feel, and don't be afraid to choose some with a splash of colour.
5. Include some natural materials such as wood where possible. This can be in the form of wicker baskets, a chair, table... anything that helps to create a comforting natural feel.

There's a wonderbook available from Amazon called Scandinavian Modernby Magnus Englund and is full of inspiring photos from inside some lovely Scandinavian homes.

Making a feature of a clock

The watch you wear says a lot about your personality. Together with your outfit, it's a strong statement of who you are and how you want to be perceived. In the same way, a wall clock for your home should match both your interior design, and most importantly, your character.

Create a focul point

I've seen many homes in my career as an interior designer that simply don't utilise a wall clock as a focul point to a room. It always baffles me why anyone would pour blood, sweat and tears into ensuring a room has the perfect 'feel' for them, and then simply hang a bland, dull and cheap clock on the wall... use the wall clock to make a statement!

Tips for wall clocks

Personally, my favourite room for a wall clock has to be the kitchen. I've always found that as general rule, the larger the kitchen clock the better, as it really allows the room to come alive and creates a unique, yet stylish look.

Another tip is to hang a clock on the wall opposite the entrance to a room. It may sound strange, but it helps to make a room feel bigger.. try it yourself and see!

Where to buy from

There are so many different styles of wall clock to choose from and the internet allows you to spend many hours searching for the right one.

You may prefer to choose a clock by seeing it 'in the flesh' - this is completely understandable. However, my advice would be to steer clear of the major retail outlets and head to the smaller, independant stores. If you want your wall clock to make a statement about you, make sure it's individual!

For the reasons above, I am a huge fan of notonthehighstreet.com, have a look at their clock page and find something that says something about you.

Marinated meat in minutes

I went to a friend's last night for supper and was treated to a wonderful meal of marinated lamb with cous cous. The meat was perfectly cooked and it tasted sublime, all washed down with 1 or 2 (or 3) glasses of wine!

Whilst we were eating, I told Jill about this blog and how I was collecting things I find or hear of that may help others to relax or make their lives a little easier. So, she went away and bought back the Vacu Vin marinater she had just used to marinate the lamb!

She was so enthused about it (and I must admit the results were amazing, considering it only needs to marinate for a few minutes), that I promised I would write about it here.

Apparently it works by creating a vacuum inside the bowel, which opens up the fibres of the meat or fish, allowing the marinade to infuse right into it, within the space of a few minutes.

I would love to hear if anyone has cooked any other type of meat in this, and perhaps let me know how you found it!

Vacu Vin Instant Marinater 2.5 Litre £24.41 from Amazon

Try this for some lovely marinade recipies:
Marinades and Rubs £9.99 from Amazon