Last weekend was spent house/dog sitting for my parents - having moved out about 18 months ago, I can really appreciate time spent back at my parents house... especially when we are free to roam! The weekend was spent cooking on their Aga-type-thing, sat round the wood burning stove and walking the pooch; a real weekend retreat! I tucked into Mum's magazine collection - not a Look or Glamour in sight, but plenty of festive inspiration and some great home made Christmas ideas.
I love my parents' house - it's an old schoolhouse (literally, not like gangsta old!) so has plenty of character, but they've done it up and renovated so many rooms now it is just lovely. Cold, but lovely! I have to admit they have pretty good taste in home decor and design - an eclectic mix of rustic old country house charm, fresh modern clean spaces, ethnic-inspired touches and the obligatory scattering of Ikea bits and pieces. I think I've very much taken on their love of mixing feels and themes; I cannot stand an overly designed home! I love how they've managed to turn a really old, traditional building into something that has a mix of old and new, and not gone down the completely over-done Cath Kidston/chintzy/shabby chic route. I hope one day we can own a home that really reflects our tastes; renting is such a snooze!