Blue & White at The Bach

I absolutely love the combination of blue and white - it's fresh, it's classic, and it's timeless. It's also a great colour choice for a bach, and if done right will give a chic, relaxed look. Team it with white panelled walls, warm wood and natural textures and materials.

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This home in Sweden is a great example of how to use blue and white to create an airy, comfortable and inviting space. My favourite spot is the back bedroom with bunk beds covered in classic checked linen, and a little curtain for privacy.

Another Swedish home, I absolutely love this one with it's shots of pink to warm up the blue and white. The use of old pieces of furniture, flea market finds, and fabrics picked up on travels tells a great story about this home.

If you have a holiday home, or you want this relaxed feel in your own home, try using blue and white ticking fabric, plaid and checks, paisley and ikats. Lots of white panelling, touches of wood and leather, and blue and white ceramics.

One Fine Stay

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" where Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslett swap homes - one luxurious pad in California, and one quaint little cottage in Surrey, England? The two women not only swap homes, they swap lifestyles and leave their own behind for a few weeks. Well, I stumbled across this great website, One Fine Stay, where you can have a similar experience (although I can't guarantee that Jude Law will knock on your door!).

It's not a house swap, but you do get the opportunity to stay in someone else's place while they're out of town. Rather than visit the same landmarks and attraction as every other tourist, you get to experience the 'real' city, with recommendations of shops, restaurants and more from the home owners themselves. I love that! When we were on holiday last we asked some locals where to eat out, and we had the most fantastic meals in places we would never have found otherwise.

The website is based in London but it features homes in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. All incredible cities, who wouldn't want to get off the beaten track and experience them in this way?!

The photos I've featured in this post are from a young family's home in Cobble Hill, New York. I picked it because it's the only city out of the four that I haven't been to, and would dearly love to. And when I do I would be more than happy to stay here with it's beautiful parquet floorboards and backyard oasis.

Isn't it a wonderful concept?! To find out more about One Fine Stay visit their website, and check out all the fabulous homes on offer. All are quite different so there's sure to be one that you'll fall in love with.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Well, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind, as I imagine they have been for you as well. It's been a wonderful and action-packed year for me, both with the blog, my interior business, Bibby + Brady, and our online shop. Everything is growing and so exciting, especially with the imminent opening of our Bibby + Brady showroom. This will be happening early next year, so watch this space. I'm now ready to put my feet up and hang out with my beautiful family. This is pretty much what we will be doing...

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Enjoy the holidays and I will be back feeling refreshed in early January. Thanks for all your support, I love having you here xxx