How to Have Conscious Christmas?

It’s not a secret that I don’t like Christmas maybe, because nowadays it is oriented on buying… People buy a lot of cheap, plastic crap and all that ends up being dumped at the end of the season. Every year Christmas stock is displayed earlier and earlier and it ruins the festive spirit. However, I still celebrate a little with my family and decorate home and buy some presents and pack them.

I would like to show you that there are alternative ways to decorate your home and pack the presents in this festive season.

1. Natural Wreaths. This year I made a wreath myself from pine cones. It took me a while but it was worth the effort (you can check it on my Instagram account). If you don’t have the time or will to do them yourself there is plenty to choose from on your local market. They can be composted so they don’t end up floating in the Ocean.

2. Repurpose and use what you already have the only limit is your imagination. You can change the look of your last year’s Christmas decoration like on the picture below. I also like the idea of using books as a Christmas tree.

3. Use natural materials like cones, nuts pine branches. They add texture to your Christmas table, look good and stylish without spending money.

4. Bake your decorations. Why not make the little gingerbread with your kids? Your house will smell amazing, children will have great memories… and they look gorgeous too. The Internet is full of recipes on how to make them so it is really easy these days.

5. Pack your presents wisely. Wrapping paper is not recyclable so better to avoid buying it. You can still pack the presents using brown paper, newspapers or some leftover fabric.

6. Potted Christmas tree. When I was a child we had few times a small pine trees in pots. After Christmas, we then planted them in the garden and they actually grew big (well then someone cut them and stole before Chrismas but that’s not the point here). I think it is a really sustainable way to have a Merry Chrismas in style.

That was my few ideas on how to spend this festive time of the year more consciously. I hope you will have a really nice time with your family and friends without unnecessary pressure.

Merry Christmass Everyone! And thanks for reading my post,

Gosha

 

 

How To Add A Boho Chic To Your Interior?

Historical Background

The term Boho is a short form of Bohemian which is defined as a someone who lives and acts freely, disregarding conventional rules, usually an artist or writer. It has its origin in 19th century France where some artists and poets rebelled against an institution controlling the art market- the Salon. This movement died at the beginning of 20th century but influenced later art like surrealism or music like punk rock.

Bohemian Style

Nowadays Boho chic in fashion and interiors is associated with free spirits like hippies, Gypsies, travellers and artists. This eclectic style has to express individuality and freedom. There is no rules here and you can be very creative decorating in Boho vibe.

Boho Chic Interiors

As there’s no rule and the style is as unique as a person utilising the space it is hard to define the style, but there are few characteristic elements of Boho chic. Combining few of them or even all creates Bohemian feeling in the room.

Tropical Plants

They remind us exotic places and travels

Macrame

This technique uses different knots to produce textiles and decorations. There are tutorials available online that show how to create macrame decor like the pictured below.

Hobbies

If you play the guitar or any other instrument or paint incorporate your interest in your interior after all Boho chic is associated with art and free expression. This will be a perfect topic for a conversation when someone visit you 😉

Rug

In this style rugs are welcome even the old fashioned ones, patterned and vibrant- whatever you like.

Fairy Lights and Lanterns

There’s something magical and artistic about them, they create ambient atmosphere- a perfect background for good music and long night conversations.

Pattern and Colour

In Bohemian interiors there’s no rules how to mix and match patterns and colours be as creative as you want.

Lace

This decorative and romantic element is used commonly in Bohemian style interiors.

Succulents and cacti

They don’t need too much care and will survive without watering even if you travel a lot.

Dream catchers

They are supposed to protect us from nightmares and are characteristic for Boho chic.

I hope that this article was helpful and inspired you to add a bit of Boho to your beautiful houses…Writing this post made me think of buying a camper and travel around the World… Maybe, at least, I will learn to play the guitar?

Thanks for reading,

Gosha

Interior Design Trends For 2018. Part I

If minimalism and all white interiors are not your thing, or if you struggling to keep your house tidy and perfect, I have a good news for you. The 2018 trends in interiors forecast came to save you. In this post I will present few of them that I find interesting.

Imperfection or WABI-SABI trend is embracing flaws and accepts that the house is not a museum. This traditional Japanese aesthetics includes asymmetry, roughness, simplicity and modesty. Think of organic shaped porcelain, mismatched, creased linen pillowcases, uneven wood grain furniture or burn marks on chopping boards… There’s so many ways to incorporate this trend effortlessly.

source: Fashionlandscape.com

 Nowadays most of us live in a rush and we are surrounded by the technology but we still have a need to be closer to nature. Greenery trend respond to this need. It can be incorporated by placing live plants in the room. Green wall or few plants around the room, hanging baskets or stands on different levels will transform the interior completely, is inexpensive and you can never go wrong with it. this trend doesn’t have to be taken so literally, you can always use some printed accessories or artwork around the house.

Photo by Judah Guttmann on Unsplash

Millennial Pink is another big thing in 2018. This colour can be overwhelming so it’s better to use it in accessories as an accents. It looks very good when mixed with berry. You can add some texture like fake fur or fringes to give it more personalised look.

Credit: Theinkformant.com

Tonal reds- this trend is apparent in fashion from which interior design often takes inspiration. Trend forecasters predict that this will be reflected in interiors in 2018. Combine different tones of red: coral, tangerine, wine. This is definitely energising combination.

Picture: Pinterest.com

I find the greenery trend particularly interesting it brings fresh and cosy atmosphere to any interior and I like to be surrounded by nature. Also Wabi-Sabi aesthetics appeals to me because house is for living not for show. I wonder which of the predicted trends do you like. Please leave me some comments below and follow my blog if you want to know more trends for forthcoming year.

Thank you for reading,

Gosha

Window Display For Charity Shop

This Summer I started to volunteer for Saint Vincent de Paul charity shop in Trim. I work there as a volunteer staff but they gave me also the opportunity to do the window displays. I go there whenever I have time and there’s a need to change the exposition. This job gives me a lot of satisfaction and nurtures my creativity. I never know what I will have in store so there’s a lot of improvisation and staging. So far I have done three displays  and I had no experience with visual merchandising so I hope you will like it.

This was my first display ever- baby themed

Inspiration for this window came from the large painting we wanted to show. We didn’t have space in the shop to display it properly (by the way the painting was sold very quickly). The window was supposed to show men’s clothes but I always introduce a bit of interior design.

This one was difficult as it seemed that we didn’t have too many interesting things in the shop. I usually get the men’s window which is a little bit harder but I think it went well. It’s Halloween themed but really subtle and elegant (I even heard the comment that “we’re becoming very posh now” which is a good thing).

My aim is to show that people can find really interesting and good things in charity shops and by buying them they help others and the environment. Don’t be afraid pop in and take a look and if you have things in good condition- donate.

Thank you for reading my post.

Gosha

Photos by Gosha Galuszka