Colours

Before you begin decorating you should decide on an appropriate colour scheme. Opt for subdued tones reminiscent of the countryside, such as shades of brown, yellow, rust and green. Textured British made carpets in a soft shade of beige are a great choice for your flooring and will look great with a broad range of wall colours and furnishings. Add a pop of colour with icy blue, which will work well on accessories (such as candles) or as a subtle feature in your wallpaper.

Furniture

Comfort is key when it comes to furnishing your country cottage. Wood tones on bookcases, coffee tables and rocking chairs will fit perfectly with the theme and colour can be added with plump cushions and soft throws. For something a little brighter, consider painting distressed furniture in white, mint green or light blue. To get this right takes some preparation but there are plenty of guides to furniture painting online.

Soft furnishings

Opt for soft furnishings that accentuate the cosy romantic feel of the room. Lace and floral designs are ideal and the patterns you choose don’t necessarily have to coordinate. For example striped cushions mixed with various floral patterns will work well as long as they are from the same colour group. In the bedroom, a handmade patchwork blanket will look great thrown across the bed or draped over an armchair.

Accessories

To complete the look, don’t forget the little details. Hang copper pots and pans in the kitchen and, if possible, install brass taps for the sinks to contrast the wooden tones and soft colour palette. Decorate dressers with family photos placed in distressed photo frames or add a touch of colour with candles. Fresh flowers are an instant way to bring the outdoors in and brighten up any room.

I promised that I would not write about what they made this year, as they felt recipients might not be surprised when they are given the package. Thus, I am going to talk about the personalised articles they made last year. It was a ton of fun for all involved, and I am still using the one they created for me.

We purchased canvas totes, with the intention that they could be used as grocery bags. Nice to think the gift would be helping the environment too. On the outside we stamped the initials of the person the bag was going to. We cut the letters into halved potatoes, dipped them in paint and pressed hard onto the bags. I wish we could do it again, because it was really well received.

Well listen up, those candles need not go to waste, or sit in a dark cabinet for years just taking up space. Go to your cupboard and browse the stemware you have, then choose a couple to place those candles on top of. This even works well I the candles are not all the same width, and that is worth its weight in gold. Take note, if you have a chunky candle, or are concerned about the stability of the glasses, then be certain to select ones with a wide mouth.

Now you have yourself a beautiful new centrepiece, or mantel accessory. See, quick easy and fabulous, just how we like it.

Yet, even after several of these mini lessons, I never truly felt as if I had a firm grasp on what was going on behind that fridge door, or that I could do any repairs myself. Nor did I think for a second that I should be able to, after such a random smattering of information being thrown my way. But, I persevered, and probably caused at least one of those workers to be late for dinner, or their next appointment. But, recently I was actually able to put some of that knowledge to use. There is a new type of washing machine on the horizon that has technology in it that is expected to have the environmental impact of removing millions of cars from the roads. This more than peeked my interest, and as I read up on it, I realised that those minutes spent being curious had left me with more than I thought. It made it easier for me to understand what this green-friendly washer will accomplish, and how. Simply wonderful feeling!

Organisation is key to getting a household to run smoothly, and is precisely what every Bree Van de Kamp like woman you are friends with has employed as their secret weapon. Whether it is how they set up their larder, drawers, pantries, or even their bins, they have a house that runs efficiently because they laid the groundwork. These women are not searching for the right knives, looking high and low for the vanilla extract, or separating their glass, metal and plastic by hand. With their cutlery in order, their baking ingredients easily accessible, and bins that make recycling a breeze, they cut down on wasted time.

If you are not well organised, then any aspirations you have of making yourself a more effective parent, housekeeper, and hostess will not become a reality to the extent that you would like. Look online for some inspiration, and to formulate a plan of action to get you where you want to be. Then choose one room in your home that you would like to revamp, I selected the kitchen. If you too decide to start with the kitchen, fine examples of smart storage solutions can be found in the SN Kitchen Collection.

I was also quite relieved when she decided to do this because I knew she had been rather stressed during the traditional search for a premade piece. Though she came across many items that had qualities she was seeking, none was just right. When she found the proper dimensions the feet would be too modern, and when she came across the pattern she most liked, it was on a reclining version that would not fit in her allocated space.

During her initial push to find a couch she would keep me apprized of what she had seen, what she was considering and what her gut was telling her. On a couple of occasions I accompanied her to the shops, but I could tell that she was not leaning strongly toward any of the ones we encountered.

I of course tried to move the show along, aware of the fact that she had been on the hunt for well over three months, with no end in sight. But when she still was uncertain after two more weeks I prompted her to take an alternate route. Having the sofa made to her specifications had been discussed, but she maintained such hope that she could find one in her browsing that she had originally opted out of this plan.

Still, ultimately she did commit to designing her own, and eventually recognised it was absolutely the way to go. For, now it is nearly impossible to get my son off of the thing. He remains perched happily for hours on end, and she is thrilled by his approval.

I have no doubt that any sofas they purchase in the future will be made to order also. Mainly, I just wish that I had guided her with a stronger hand from the start. A great deal of grief could have been avoided, and time saved. I can only hope that she will remember that the recommendation I made to her in the beginning played out to be the route she took in the end, and that I am a good resource.

Whether it be fennel seed wine crackers, or cheddar cornmeal sticks, they will be noticed, and appreciated. Just place a portion of the baked goods in a clear bag and attach to the wine bottle with a coordinated bow. These additional things you do will trump all the other gifts of the same nature. But, beware your competition will clue into this and to keep ahead of the game you will have to be one step ahead. So, always be on the look out for the next inventive addition. g

In a way, while I like to take credit for moulding our homes into the warm and inviting structures that they are, I recently came to the conclusion that I have received a great deal of help. The heart of the buildings may have grown with our presence, but it already was in existence when we became the owners. Thus, all my additions alone might not have been as successful had the houses been brand new.

I guess my abilities will be tested as I have taken on the job of helping a couple of friends decorate their new build homes. Though I know I have a good skills set when it comes to interior design, a never been lived in home might require some special magic. Well, we shall find out soon enough. Wish me luck.

Once the wax has hardened you will want to dab on a dry cleaning product. Then cover the area with a white cloth and apply the tip of a warm iron to the cloth. Next move to a clean section of the cloth and repeated the process until the entirety of the wax has been reassigned to the cloth. If you are dealing with a coloured candle, and the colour lingers on the carpet, continue to blot the area with the dry cleaning product.