A beautifully organised pantry | chic labels

Anyone else spend hours organising their kitchen cupboards only for them to be turned upside down just days later?! Yeah me too. It’s so easy to just throw things into the cupboards & forget about it until you go to grab a bag of pasta & you end up showered in lentils and oxo cubes. 

Whilst browsing Pinterest late one night for pantry systems that were not only beautiful but practical in the long term, I came across an array of glass jar based storage ideas with more or less each one adorned with chic labels. The idea of a pretty yet practical space free from mismatched & empty boxes (anyone else’s OH keep the empty boxes in the cupboards?!) definitely made my heart flutter a little (am I getting old?!). When it came to tracking down affordable jars I knew I wouldn’t have an issue (thanks to trusty old poundstretcher I purchased 20 jars in varying sizes for around £30), however pretty labels were another story, or so I thought! After a quick browse on Instagram I came across Pretty Little Designs UK and all I can say is wow. 

After browsing through the vast range of labels on offer I decided to go for the custom 30 pack of pantry labels in font 3. Fast forward to two days later armed with my new jars & labels I was ready to get labelling!! I have to say that the labels were so quick and easy to apply and as you can see the end result is so professional!! 

So to apply the labels you firstly have to rub the label of choice with a credit card, peel off the back card and apply the label straight onto the jar (you have to be quite precise as once it’s on that’s it), you then simply rub the card over the label and peel the clear sticker off . Simples! 

So it’s been 3/4 days since I organised two of the cupboards and I have to say there is no sign of a messy cupboard rearing it’s ugly head anytime soon!! I am so impressed that I am already planning what to do with the other cupboards (I’m thinking new spice jars & an organised breakfast cupboard free from cereal boxes). 

What are your top tips for an organised pantry?!

*collaboration 

Living room reveal | DIY Stud Chimney Breast

So it’s taken 4 weeks, countless cups of coffee, the occasional bicker and a whole lot of team work from two total diy novices (our resume before this consisted of painting, panelling & occasionally hanging mirrors, whilst hiding mishap holes with said mirrors) to turn a once univiting mismatched area of the living room into something truly special to us! I am so excited to finally be able to share the outcome of my vision (and Tims hard work), which originally started with an oversized ornate fire surround, with you all.

AHintOfDecor x Spiffy

Well it’s safe to say it’s been a while since I put pen to paper so to speak & actually sat down to write a blog post, however I want to discuss an exciting collab and I’m not sure either my waffly stories nor an insta post would have quite done it justice so here I am!

Since I started A Hint Of Decor over a year and a half ago I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be lucky enough to work/collab with some of the most wonderful small businesses Instagram has to offer let alone a local independent store. So with that being said it’s safe to say that I was totally flattered when the opportunity arose  to team up with the fabulous Paul & Shaun, the faces behind Spiffy, a local business which aims to spread a little happiness whether it be through Happy Thoughts (they stock a fab range of Mugs, prints, books etc), A Happy You (I would definitely recommend checking out their Bath & Beauty range) or my personal favourite A Happy Home, to bring you an exclusive homeware & decor collection which ranges from cushions, throws & decorative pieces to candles & melts which I hope you will love. All of the products sourced for this collection have been made using the highest quality materials/finest ingredients. 

I have to admit those in the above photo are my favourite pieces from the range!  If you follow the link you will be directed to the collection where you will also find an exclusive discount code which will entitle you to 20% off anything from the range.

I am really excited to be working alongside Spiffy & I really hope you like the pieces that they have to offer!!

*collaboration 

Get the look for less | Brissi 5 arm Candelabra

So if you don't follow me on Instagram then you may not be aware that I was part of a very exciting collaboration last week. It still feels so surreal saying it, but I was given the opportunity to write a guest post for the Harrods of homeware, aka Brissi where I discussed my very Brissi Christmas wishlist (see here). If this wasn't enough, I came home Thursday evening to a beautiful box courtesy of Brissi & within it was the most incredible 5 arm candelabra* nestled within a dustbag & sturdy grey box emblazoned with that oh so familiar logo. After debating how to style it for quite some time, I asked the fabulous team at Brissi how I could recreate the incredible styling from the shoot & above is the result, with a twist. Naturally being the magpie that I am I had to add a hint of Sophie in the form of these beautiful hanging glass droplets from the range (can you believe they were only £1.20?!). With so many questions regarding how I styled this beauty I've decided to recreate the look for less using this gorgeous 5 arm candelabra from the new Fox & Ivy range at Tesco & some beautiful orchid stems from Wilkinsons. 

To recreate this look you will need:

Tesco's Fox & Ivy Candelabra / Brissi 5 arm Candelabra (or similar) 
5 Orchid stems (the above from Wilkos cost £1 each)
5 taper candles (the grey ones were from a local store & the white ones were £2 per pack from Wilkos)
crystal droplets (optional)



The fabulous team at Brissi informed me that the best way to get the stems to sit properly was to almost twist each one around an arm. Personally I found the easiest way to do this was by wrapping the plain end around an arm whilst wrapping the petal side around a second arm (I have tried to demonstrate this in the photos to the side). Just keep repeating the same step around each arm until you achieve the desired effect. Then simply add the candles and crystal droplets if you wish. Personally I found that the droplets I used for the Fox & Ivy Candelabra were just too big, however I would definitely recommend the intricate glass droplets from the range which I originally used.

Overall I am really pleased with the results. I wont lie it doesn't have the same wow factor as my beautiful Brissi candelabra, however I feel like this is ultimately down to the size as opposed to anything else.

Obviously you dont necessarily have to use orchids, a beautiful look could be achieved with roses/peonies/ trailing ivy etc, however bare in mind that more stems may be required to achieve a fuller look. Similarly you could achieve a festive look ready for the Christmas table with poinsettias, glittery candles & perhaps small baubles. The possibilities really are endless.

So there we have it my Brissi 5 Arm Candelabra look for less. Please tag me in your photos/posts if you decide to recreate this look as I would love to see your results.

The finishing touch | Vara 3 light bathroom chandelier

Lets face it, good interior lighting within the home is key. This one vital but often overlooked accessory, if used correctly, has the ability to enhance and complete a beautiful space (such as a living area) and transform the blandest of rooms such as the bathroom or downstairs loo/powder room. So it goes without saying that a chandelier for me is the ultimate statement accessory (aside from mirrors that is, but thats a different story altogether) as it has the ability to make any space look like a million dollars. 

If you follow me on Instagram then you will be well aware that my once unloved ensuite has had somewhat of a glam makeover during the past few weeks. With the arrival of a beautiful venetian mirrored vanity and an oversized mirror to complete the look its safe to say that the plastic round light fitting courtesy of the builders (you know the ones that dimly light a room and are better suited as fly catchers? I digress) that once blandly sat above the vanity looked a little lacklustre in comparison to say the least. So when Litecraft asked me to pick out a light fitting from their incredible site (kid in a candy store comes to mind) it was inevitable that the Vara 3 light bathroom chandelier would be the one. With chandeliers adorning almost every room in our home (we are well known in the street as "that house with the glistening chandeliers") it would be rude not to add a hint of sparkle to the ensuite, right?!

This beautiful IP44 rated chandelier (basically it means that its safe to use in bathroom zones 1 and 2) is the perfect opulent piece for any bathroom/ensuite without being over the top. If this isn't quite to your style LiteCraft also stock a vast range of simpler and grander (yes grander than this, swoon) designs (see here). Who said a bathroom light fitting has to be boring.

First things first, I have to say that I am seriously impressed with the price point for this chandelier. It is very rare that you will find such a gorgeous well made piece with real glass droplets for under £100 (we paid more than this for a similar style in the bathroom) let alone £69, yep you read that correctly £69. As for the aesthetics, I think the pictures speak a thousand words. I love how the droplets come in a variety of shapes and sizes which as a result reflect beautifully in the light. Aesthetics aside the three lights that sit proudly on three curved polish chrome arms bring some well needed light into a rather small & at times often dark space.

I have had the Vara 3 light chandelier for just over two weeks and I have to say that I am more in love with it now than I was the day it arrived. This beauty to me is the cherry on top of a very luxe cake. The only issue now is that I am swooning over one of the larger versions for the main bathroom (dont tell the other half).
If you are looking for affordable, well made statement pieces to finish off a space in your home I would definitely recommend checking out LiteCraft. Look out for a full ensuite tour coming very soon.

What are your thoughts? Would you pop a chandelier in your ensuite?

*this produced was kindly sent to me for review purposes however all opinions are 100% my own.

New Lemon Zing Zoflora & my top 5 fuss free tips

I totally stand by the saying 'a clean house is a happy house'. I dont know about you but when my surroundings are clean and everything is in its place I feel more relaxed. However that being said I dont wish to spend my life with my hands in rubber gloves, therefore I am all about simple, fuss free cleaning. One of my favourite cleaning products is the infamous Zoflora.

Aldi Lime Basil & Mandarin Reed Diffuser | The Jo Malone Dupe

There is nothing better than walking through the door after a long day & instantly being welcomed by that oh so familiar scent, that signature scent that to you means home. I have been obsessed with reed diffusers since my Uni days. Back then I would always go for a scent that would remind me of home, a scent that would wrap me up and make me feel at ease on those stressful homesick days. Now as a homeowner I am all about scents that create a welcoming atmosphere not only for myself but for potential guests too (no one wants their visitors to walk away thinking that their house smells even if it is just the postie).

The only downside to this is that in the past year since becoming a home owner I have found myself delving further and further into the world of Jo Malone & in the past few months have become quite attached to one of their signature scents Lime Basil & Mandarin. Considering this is not a cheap obsession to have I am all for trying out a dupe from time to time, que Aldi's latest release, No1 , a luxury reed diffuser in the scent Lime, basil & Mandarin.

room tour | the dining room

The kitchen/dining room for me is the heart of the home, its the space I sit and discuss the day with my other half, the space I leisurely enjoy a cuppa with my mum whilst telling the cats not to jump on the worktops for the millionth time & as someone who loves to play host its the ultimate space to entertain. Growing up, even with a large living room, the kitchen/ dining room always took centre stage of any party/family get together & I think the main reason for this is how informal and inviting the space was. So when planning this area I knew I wanted a social layout that was comfortable yet formal.

5 New Build tips | What I wish I had known

After quickly growing out of our first home (a rented two up two down), my partner and I decided to embark on our new build adventure in early 2016. For months we looked at older properties, some of which needed a lot of renovation (hats off to those that do so, you are awesome) and others which were perfect but sadly totally out of reach. So a shiny new build without all the extra work appealed to us both. After driving past our development site one evening whilst on our way to yoga we both new it was somewhere we would both love to live (he's used to the town & I the country, so its a perfect inbetween). You could probably say that the whole thing was a bit of a whirlwind romance.. we viewed the plot in May, had our mortgage approved in the June, exchanged at the end of August and completed on the 16th Sept.

Hello..

Hello, and welcome to A Hint Of Decor. I'm Sophie, a 20 something, self confessed interior addict with a penchant for all things grey. Join me as I turn my beautiful 4 bed new build into a home (or as my other half has so lovingly named it 'the show home'). This little corner of the web will predominantly be home related with a little bit of lifestyle thrown in for good measure. 

I'm not new to the world of blogging, but a little rusty to say the least (click here if you would like to see, it may explain my current blog/Instagram name), so please bear with me.