Create your dream SS16 bedroom... read more
A new season calls for a new bedroom! That’s a good enough excuse to go shopping, right? With our gorgeous new home collections, it’s so easy to create the bedroom of your dreams with just a few updates – think bedding and home accessories! The super lovely Lauren from Hunters & Heels has created her SS16 bedroom with her favourite Laura Ashley accessories and, if we may say so ourselves, it looks absolutely amazing. Have a look for yourself…
I’ve always been under the belief that everything in a bedroom should contribute to an atmosphere of peace. I intentionally chose a white bedroom suite, white walls, white sheets. It’s the only room in the house where I make a very conscious effort to keep clutter to an absolute minimum. The air is always fresh and fragrant, seasonal flowers are a welcome shot of colour; it really is the space where comfort comes first… That was, however, until our tiny sleep thief Ollie graced us with his presence eight short months ago.
Despite my greatest efforts, the bedtime ritual of herbal tea by candle light was gone. Instead, Colin and I found ourselves creeping around the bedroom each night, tip-toeing under the glow of a baby monitor. Always trying hard not to wake our sleeping boy. Many toes have been stubbed, and most nights we’ve finally drifted off to sleep listening to the (mind numbing) sounds of a ‘white noise’ machine.
While that might sound less than ideal to some… it’s honestly been bliss. Life changing, magical, nights, weeks, months as I begin my initiation into motherhood. They have flown by too quickly, and already, it’s time for my little night owl to sleep in his own bedroom.
I’ve been told that “You’ll sleep much better when he’s in his own room” but I’ve been dreading it. Motherhood has me, quite typically, clinging on to every minute as if it’s my last. I find myself wishing that time would stand still, that I could enjoy each moment just a little longer.
With every leap in Ollie’s development, I feel a rush of pride and excitement, followed by the painful realisation that he’s one step closer to being a man and no longer being my tiny baby. It’s utterly bizarre, and ridiculous, but I’m pretty confident I’m not alone.
So, instead of wallowing in self pity, wishing my baby boy would stay ‘needing me’ forever, I’m going to embrace this next chapter of motherhood.
I’m going to celebrate the fact that the pile of muslins and spare dummies next to the bed will be gone. That we no longer need to creep into bed in darkness, instead we can light some candles and enjoy an evening on our own after a long day at work.
So what better way to celebrate this than to add a few new touches to our bedroom. Sometimes spending a relatively small amount of money can make such a big difference to a space and how you feel. Particularly when this is your bedroom.
When looking for quality and luxury, I look no further than Laura Ashley. I grew up with the most beautiful Laura Ashley floral sheets, and it’s a brand that I particularly associate with bedroom luxe.
So let’s start with the sheets. I always go for white. Is there anything more decadent than the feeling of quality, fresh white sheets against your skin. I went for the 400 thread count satin. Silky, crisp and cool. It’s the sort of bedding you’ll find in the best London Hotels.
I don’t usually iron bed sheets (life’s too short!) but I thought I’d really go to town and iron these for the purpose of this post. What a dream that was! Easy peasy, soft and cushiony. I add a few drops of English Lavender essential oil to the ironing water which leaves a lovely relaxing scent that lingers for days.
I love the look of a bed scattered with loads of cushions and pillows, but in reality, who has time to take them all off before bed each night, and make them all perfect again each morning? Certainly not me right now. So instead, I keep it simple, with one throw and two cushions I really love that tie the bedroom together.
I adore the Rothesay Stripe Cushions. A soft, neutral pallet of steel and grey stripe. They’re a cosy 100% wool, but still smooth and smart.
I partnered with the Freya Steel Bedspread. Again a beautiful soft steel colour, which goes perfectly with the cushions. One of my favourite things about this bedspread is that it’s 100% cotton, light weight and easy to wash/dry/iron. A perfect additional layer for Spring/Summer.
I’ve been so excited about lighting some fragranced candles again. I love settling down to the flickering light of a candle after a long day – it always feels so luxurious and romantic. Romance is a rare and welcome treat these days. I’m absolutely loving the Moonlit Garden scented candle from Laura Ashley. The fragrance is pure and crisp, but not overpowering, perfect for a bedroom. Delicate jasmine petals, sweet gardenia and very subtle citrus notes create a dewy summer fragrance. The cut glass holder gives a twinkly glow and I fully intend to replace with a tea-light once it’s finished.
Finally, if I can’t wake up to see Ollie’s sweet face smiling back at me from his bassinet each morning, one of my favourite pictures will have to do. This photograph of Ollie laughing looks really gorgeous in the Harrison Linen Photo Frame and makes me smile each morning before we run to his bedroom for snuggles.
There’s still a few bedroom essentials on my wish list, but just these few touches have made such a difference to our space and made it feel cleansed and refreshed. I suppose Ollie moving into is own room is one of a thousand milestones that lie ahead of me, and I fully intend to celebrate and embrace each one of them…
A huge thank you to Lauren for showing us her new SS16 bedroom (and to Ollie for being such an adorable model in these pictures!). Are you revamping your bedroom for this season? Let us know below or on Twitter @LauraAshleyUK!