Festive Gift Wrapping

                                

I love shopping for gifts, but my most favourite part is to gift wrap them, and the more extravagant the better!  I choose my gift wrap with care, this year I have chosen two complementing styles, both white and shimmering, but one with deep navy stags, the other with simplistic silver trees.

The paper is just the foundation to my wrapping process on which I build upon, as I then use acres of ribbon.  The ribbon must be satin or organza...or preferable with wire in it so you can create amazing bows!  It's great to use varying widths to add depth, like in the image below....

Accessories are key.  I love to use foliage, real or artificial, both can look fantastic tucked under a simple bow.  But more often than not I tie a sparkling tree decoration to the ribbon, it looks glamorous and extravagant, and also adds an extra present to the gift! 

Acorn Detail

A little bit of foliage

Sprigs of loveliness

Bauble decorations

Pretty Foliage

Simple can look fabulous too, and this little gift looks too pretty to open with the mixed ribbon and the tiniest bell!

As you know by now I love to do things slightly 'over the top' but sometimes less is more, and these simple boxes (which you can buy from Paperchase) look pretty tied with string, with a hanging gift tag and go on...add a sprig of something or spray a garden twig with metallic paint for a touch of festive glam.  

Now for something more over the top...

Flower ribbons!  Get twisting some ribbon and keep your staple gun handy.

Love, love, LOVE!  Get your glue gun in to action and stick luxurious feathers to the ribbon.

I like to have a different theme for the kiddies, and this usually involves candy canes!

...and a novelty paper.

I don't like to over complicate things for the little ones as obviously they are eager to get inside of the present and don't need to be delayed with masses of ribbon!

Happy wrapping everyone!  What are your top tips?  

Winter Warmers

I'm a freak of nature, because I'm one of the rare few people who love the colder weather!  I'm giddy with excitement as I type this blog, wrapped in my Malene Birger chunky knit, the light of lamps making the room glow with cosiness and a cup of tea steaming on the desk...are you annoyed with me yet?

Rooms can feel transformed at winter by adding the cosy factor, and here at Butterfly Lane we've had some seriously snuggly yet glamorous throws arrive.  I'm completely spoilt for choice!  

Our Luxury Sequin & Velvet Throws are a bestseller at Butterfly Lane and we have added to brood by offering lots of different sizes and colours too.  Choose from pewter, silver, platinum or gold.    To spoil you further, matching cushions are available too.  

We've also had these super soft and snuggly throws arrive in a recent delivery.  But don't be startled by the creamy colour of this throw - it's machine washable, phew!  

Faux fur never goes out of style and this brown one will look fabulous thrown over an armchair or at the bottom of your bed. 

As a special readers discount, we are offering 15% off all Throws and Cushions on Butterfly Lane.  Use the voucher code READEROFFER at the checkout to redeem your discount.  Happy shopping!

Style: The Gallery Wall

Gallery walls create a chic and stylish statement for any room in your home.  Use different sized and shaped frames to create a haphazard, 'thrown on the wall' look or simply use identical frames for a uniformed style, like below.

The haphazard display below looks just fabulous.  The key to making it look chic instead of untidy is by sticking to the same tones, both with the artwork and the frame itself.  Below they have used mirror, black and pewter with natural prints and it looks wonderful. 

Another uniformed style...

I just love the idea of a gallery wall up the stairway, it makes a plain wall pop with interest.

By using a theme with the prints it forms a neat and tidy display.  Below they have used entirely floral prints and black and white film stills, all from the same collection, and it looks just lovely.

You can incorporate different shaped frames to make interesting galleries.  Below they have placed a round frame in to the mix...

                                                   

Tip:  Before you start pulling out your hammer and nails simply make some paper templates to tack/stick on to the wall.  Then you can play with the positions until you get it just right, because one ill-placed frame could throw out the entire display. 

Let us know how you get on!

Travel: Nice, Cotes d'Azur

I've just returned from a rather lovely week on the French Riviera.  Spending my days wandering around the beautiful towns and villages (more of that to follow), eating far too many croissants for my liking and soaking up the last of the summer sunshine. 

Beautiful Villefranche

I wanted to share with you our urban hub for the week, the Manhattan apartment in the centre of Nice on the Rue de France.   Not only does it have an ideal location with a patisserie next door (a priority I know!), but also the promenade is a two minute walk away and the bustle of the Rue de France shops are on your doorstep.  In true French style the apartment was tucked away in a gated courtyard so it had a tranquil element too...win win! 

I was blown away my the urban and stylish feel of this apartment.  We were celebrating a 21st birthday so I couldn't think of a more suitable abode for our weeks stay.  

It was unexpectedly spacious too, which was a blessing with five adults sharing.  Covering three large floors, and a bathroom each we could have easily squeezed in more people to stay.   

The fab living area with a statement graffiti wall... 

The kitchen was practical but with amazing design touches...

I was completely in my element with all the mod-cons in the apartment.  The mood lighting was impressively in every room and I fell to sleep with a different shade glowing each night.  

I just loved the amazing lamp shade light feature.

                        

                                                         

Another spacious bedroom.  But what you can't see on the photograph is the separate sitting room and bathroom...with mood lighting of course! 

Tucked away downstairs was a fun games room and gym...bonus!

Each and every bathroom was pure luxury, with giant shower heads and metallic walls, and a large bath tub!  Did I mention the L'Occitane products?

This apartment is available to rent by Nice Pebbles.  We have used their services before and not only do they have a wonderful selection of rental accommodation available, but the service is top notch too. 

Each 'home' comes with a welcome pack (and wine!), someone to meet and greet you and show you around, along with the obligatory touristy information to ensure that you make the most out of your stay on the Cote d'Azur.

I couldn't recommend Nice Pebbles highly enough, whether you want a stylish, traditional or elegant apartment, they are your one stop holiday shop on the French Riviera!

I think I might just be making another booking soon...

For further information on Nice Pebbles and their rental collection, visit their website www.nicepebbles.com.

Must Have Metal: Copper

The copper hue is on the rise and I couldn't be more excited.  It has a warmth and style that cannot be matched by other metals.  Copper doesn't overwhelm the interior of a room, it is very subtle but steals the show every time!

Introduce the trend with accessories.  This copper fruit family is so stylish.  

The bright and shiny finish on this light adds a contemporary feel to the room.  It also looks great against the dark walls. 

More shining copper examples...

The warm tones in this study are so inviting...and the copper lamp adds a style statement.

Copper pans have always been on my kitchen wish list.

A 'duller' and 'hammered effect' finish gives a more classic and traditional feel to the metal. 

Love this mirror...

A hint of stylish copper is shown in this kitchen to add an understated impact. 

Oh how I crave a copper bath tub!  

What's your favourite metal?

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Six Favourite Finds

Here are my six favourite buys from the week gone by...

The kitchen is finally complete and I'm at my favourite part of the process...accessorising!  Here are a few of my new finds to accessorise my beloved kitchen...and other parts of the house. 

This new 'Wild Mint' fragrance from The White Company is so fresh and clean smelling.  The hint of mint makes it perfect for the kitchen...the handwash is gorgeous too.

This giant plaque is going to look amazing on my new kitchen wall, and measuring at 120cm wide it'll make quite the impression!

£129, Barker & Stonehouse

This Coral Cage Vase is the perfect match for the wall plaque.  It's super tall and will sit empty on the floor...and maybe with a few fairy light covered twigs at Christmas.

£185, Barker & Stonehouse

I just love these fringed towels...

From £4.95, Zara Home

Oh how I love my new horses, they'll make a powerful addition to my hallway console table.

£89, Barker & Stonehouse

Every kitchen needs a decanter and this one from Butterfly Lane is so stylish...

£35, Butterfly Lane

What have been your favourite buys from the week gone by?

Stair Appeal

The first thing I noticed when viewing my home was the god awful bannister.  Green, plain, with the occasional acorn...need I say more!  The entrance to your home needs to have that instant 'wow factor' and the right bannister can really help with that effect.

I wanted a very simple entrance hall, pale grey walls (Blackened by Farrow & Ball), polished and dark parquet flooring, with bright white wood work.  I really wanted the bannister to be the focal point of the room, so I looked no further than Richard Burbidge.  

So it was out with the acorns and in with this style from his Elements range.  The spindles are simple and understated, but the black iron gives it a striking edge, especially against the white woodwork.

If you love the iron style but want something a little more 'quirky' or contemporary,  then these styles, also from the Elements range, might suit your needs... 

Richard Burbidge creates staircases, for whatever your style.  The glass one below is incredible....

And the traditional range is perfect for your country cottage...

Visit the Richard Burbidge Stair Project here.

This post was sponsored by Richard Burbidge but all views and comments are my own.