Deliberate mismatching.

I have this settee. It's in a lovely plaid selected by my mother. I want a modern fresh and very comfy, warm feeling living room that makes you feel inspired on entering the space. Trouble is that my husband refuses to get us more into debt. So I can't by a new couch or get a cover or upholstery done. We simply don't have the money. I am told to wait a while until things are looking rosier. Until we quit paying for the rental we moved out of prematurely and the new mattress we bought today after discovering a coating of mould on the bottom.

I stopped and analysed the situation. I have to live with it. I have no choice so I went online to see how can I reinvent the plaid sofa. I came across an idea that got me quite excited. So the key here is to deliberately mismatch pattern and colour. I am going to more than likely very cheaply, make some clashing, vibrant plaid pillows and throw cushions to get the type of vibe I want. Even better if I can get some fabric from Thrift stores with reds, lime greens, purples, oranges and blues that will give this place the punch of colour I so desperately crave. The room to me at the moment seems dull, muted and the opposite of vibrant, energetic. I am a lover of sparkle, light, or colour and of patterns that are as loud as I am. It seems too formal. I relax here but with a few splashes of colour I feel like I can really facelift this thing. Comments please, and suggestions?

Less is more

Ok, so I bought a 2 bedroom flat with my hubs. I am addicted to making stuff and I know that I can't stop making. So the focus is on making a new space and making things that improve the environment.

We've been looking at light fittings and I am dreaming every day about what can be done but I always find myself making more toys and beautiful things for my little girl.

Last night I made her 2 mobiles. One from felt and beads and one from some small stuffed animals she had in a box. She has so many toys and I can't stop myself from making more. I love cutesy! (At least the second one was made with things she already had (her toy box is overflowing so I sorted that out).

I also love an immaculately designed open space with lots of light that makes a person feel refreshed and inspired. I am desperate for a space like this but need the dough to make it happen. I have to tell myself that I don't need all these things that are causing clutter and also until the roof is fixed and paid off I need to hold up. How do you ask a momma at home to stop making awesome toys and things for her gorgeous little poppet? I find this insanely difficult. Because everywhere I go, there is a culture of consumption and excess! I drove hubs to work and on the way back to get him there it is! The Burger King sign yelling my name! Very loud and very clear! I have food at home. But my urges push me to the fast food restaurant like I haven't had food for days! I managed to get passed without going in or buying food but at the petrol station I saw a sign on the pump itself with a new type of Kit Kat. It was enough to get me to buy one. I am weak when it comes to chocolate! Anyways, back to this culture of excess! I want to believe I have everything I need but the drive to have more doesn't lead a person to happiness. My home, my brain , my sanctuary is a place where many would get lost among the many treasures carefully selected but not given a place in my world. It would appear that I have too much (I do have too much). I don't need the take-aways, I don't need a heap of paintings and artworks yet I have the crazy urge to create and 90% of the time I am creating things I already have an excess of. Time to put my energies into creating a clear uncluttered, inspired space that encourages living and not a culture of "more is more". Anyone who has any suggestions, please feel free to comment!