Don't Cramp My Style Q & APosted on 29 Sep 00:00 Read more

 Anna is an interior designer based in Manchester, UK. She is the founder and editor of her blog, Don't Cramp My Style, where she discusses interior design, fashion and beauty.

In this question and answer interview, Anna speaks to Bright Goods' Marketing Executive, Sophia, on the latest trends in interior design, her own design creations, awards and of course, her blog, Don't Cramp My Style.

 How did you get into interior design?

I always felt something wasn't right around me. I had the very bad urge to keep changing things, and it started when I was a little girl. I was swapping rooms with my brother few times a month so I could re-decorate and set everything again. When I came across a college course ‘Interior Design’ I instantly knew- this is me! I applied. In my interview, girls arrived with huge portfolios and I was holding only a book from Abigail Ahern, ‘A Girls Guide to Interiors'. I didn't take any previous art classes. I finished college with flying colours receiving distinction in most of my modules. I had amazing support from both of my tutors and they encourage me to apply to University, so I applied to Uclan, in Preston. I was really scared I may not be accepted or massively fail but University was one of the most amazing part of my life. My most memorable moments are, when I went to China as a Student Ambassador and we made a fantastic collaborative project there and when I was interviewed by Phil Trow at BBC Radio about my Degree Project! I graduated 2 years ago with a First Class Honours Degree and now I work as an Workplace Consultant and I design amazing offices in Manchester.

What is the most ambitious project that you have designed?

I think all the projects I have worked on have been fantastic and creative. At work, I mostly design spaces for great companies who really care about their staff and want to improve their work well-being by giving them a workspace that will both improve their communications internally and the feel to be inspired to work. I think I really enjoyed our latest office design for RentalCars.com but also enjoyed designing spaces for Booking.com and for ao.com. We also designed Gary Neville's apartment - I loved this project!

What made you start your blog, Don't Cramp My Style?

I used to blog when I was teenager. Back then, it was just a girly chit chat but I always loved writing.  I was even writing articles in the Women section in my local newspaper. At work, I do lots of research on products, lighting and creative spaces and I was coming across great products, websites etc. and one day I decided to create my own online database, plus the opportunity to express my opinion about interiors was just stronger, so I have started the blog.

How did you come up with the name, Don't Cramp My Style?

Originally, I started the blog under the name ‘yay or nay  interiors’ but I felt it was more like a business name, and I wanted to go away from this commercialised side. I just wanted to be a simple girl, with a blog. I am also interested in Fashion and Beauty and like to write about my cats, and it was odd to publish a post under an interior name with a guide to healthy cat feeding. The name, Don’t Cramp My Style, was something I heard last year when visiting Majorca. My friend used this expression for a dance style to someone and I just loved it. It stuck in my head and when I decided to rebrand my blog, it was the first thing that came to my head. Don’t cramp my style - can be any style, style in interior, or fashion etc. and it really express me. It’s very assertive – just like me. I like to stand for what I love and share my passion. I have my own unique style in design and even at university my work was always different to others.

Your blog covers everything on trend from interiors to beauty - how do you find inspiration?

I am not an expert in beauty or fashion. I love shoes and handbags, just like most girls. I often find interesting products, or like to share what I wore or inspire others, same with beauty. I am a 32 year old and I like to share my secret of looking young haha! I love trying new products as well and being a product tester - you can honestly review them for others. I also, like to play with how colours work together with patterns and textures. I follow many great brands like Chanel or Burberry. I like to watch fashions shows, even if I can’t attend, I will watch online, e.g. the latest London Fashion Week from Burberry SS16. I think my aesthetical approach to design helps as well.

If you could pick an interior design trend from the past that you would like to see back in fashion, what would it be?

They all come back, sooner or later. I have talked about trends in my post here. Last year there was a huge thing for copper and pinks and I wish this trend could come back for autumn now, especially metallic as they so autumn colours! I love how the colours work together and you mix and match literally any metallic with reds, oranges pinks etc.

Currently, what is your favourite interior design style?

I am all about industrial style. I have a thing for concrete and brick walls. I don’t know what it is, but I would just surround myself with raw walls and delicate splash of colours. I really like Scandinavian style as well, although it is great for Instagram, I wouldn’t design my home in this monochrome perfection. It wouldn’t be me. It’s too clean and too neat. I like to have something unique at home that really express me, rather than the same vase, bed and lampshade like 1000 others.  I adore amazing homes in eclectic style as well.

Tell me more about the awards that you have won...

I was very lucky and incredibly grateful to have been nominated for some awards. There are 3 types of awards in my life - my blog awards, my personal awards and my work awards.

Firstly, I will start with my educational awards. In college I was awarded ‘Student of the Month’ which really boosted my motivation, so when I went to University I was more focused and determined as I knew I can do it. I was runner up in ‘The Young Designer Awards’ and then I was shortlisted for ‘Creative Focus Awards 2013’ and on my graduation day, I was awarded ‘The Dean’s Award’ for my contribution to interior design.  It was the best month ever.

At work, last year we won ‘Mixology Award’ for best Commercial Interior Project and I was very happy that I had my small contribution to the project. I have helped designing some rooms, including the 4^th floor bar inspired meeting room, which is very masculine and dark, but also the Spa room - I helped with choosing the fabrics. It was the first project I actually worked on since graduation.

My first blog recognition I have received, was from Next.co.uk NBN Network as ‘Blogger of the Month' in January. It was such a surprise and this gave me an incredible boost and motivation to continue writing about the things I love.

Most recently, I was shortlisted for 'Best Newcomer' by The Amara Interior Blog Awards and panel of judges will choose the winner next month at the gala awards located at the stunning Ham Yard Theatre and Dive Bar.

Awards are fun and great to boost confidence, but I try to focus on the quality of work and content on my blog. Awards are great, and I like to take part in them, but it’s not my life achievement to win them all. I would rather have more positive comments on my blog and see people really enjoy what I do. It is the same with my work - we do our best to satisfy our clients and seeing their happy faces when they enter the space we designed, is more satisfying than any award ever.

What is your favourite interior lighting style and lighting product?

Same as interior style, I love industrial and when I am looking for products, I always check the lighting section first. For me if a website doesn’t have a good selection of lighting products then I am kind of put off straight away and less likely to check the rest. Lighting is so important. This is the main thing in our projects as well. Bad lighting can not only make even the most creative scheme look dull but also can really affect moods. Quality of light bulbs are also important. I think every designer needs to focus on these. It always makes me laugh when I see a fantastic open lamp shade with a really bad light bulb. This is so important and easy to forget, especially when we work with open shades. My favourite is the Florence light bulb. It reminds me of a golden compass mystery with this very elegant finish. I think this would look stunning with cage style pendants like this one by Houzz or heavier open pendants like this from Andy Thornton.

What can we look forward to reading on Don't Cramp My Style Blog this winter? 

I think definitely loads of cosy inspirations for home in prices that everyone can afford, definitely more DIY for rented spaces and I want to add little more for my Fashion ‘What I wore’ type of posts. Also, I want to start a series of homemade cosmetics in beauty category.

There are also a few surprises and giveaways in next few months I don’t really want to reveal now but keep on eye on blog to find out!

Thank you Anna - we wish you the best of luck with the Amara Interior Awards and look forward to your next blog post with us. 

Be in the know with the latest interior and fashion advice by subscribing to Don't Cramp My Style Blog. You can also catch Anna on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Thank you to Anna for supplying the photographs.

Royal of the Month: Queen ElizabethPosted on 18 Sep 00:00 Read more

September's Royal of the Month is our wonderful Queen Elizabeth II. Last week, on Wednesday 9th September, she celebrated an incredible 63 years and 7 months on the throne (23,226 days) - making her the longest reigning British monarch since her Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria.

Queen Elizabeth was the daughter of King George VI and was not a direct heir to the throne. Her uncle, King Edward VIII, came to the throne in 1936, however, he abdicated the throne on 11 December the same year to marry Wallis Simpson, his lover. Due to King Edward's abdication, his brother, George VI, was next in line to the throne. King George VI reigned for 15 years, 1 month and 25 days until he passed away in 1952.

Queen Elizabeth II was born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21st April 1926 to parents King George VI and wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. At the time, her Grandfather, George V was King of England. She was named Elizabeth after her mother, Alexandra after George V's mother and Mary after her Grandmother. She was also known as 'Lillibet' by her nearest and dearest.

4 years later, King George VI and Elizabeth welcomed their second Princess, Margaret, in 1930. The two Princesses were educated at home by their mother and Marion Crawford, governess. Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College, privately tutored Princess Elizabeth in Constitutional History.

During WW2, King George VI and his family stayed at Balmoral Castle until December 1939 until they moved to Sandringham House in Norfolk. From February to May 1940, the Royal Family moved to Royal Lodge in Windsor until they moved into Windsor Castle until the end of the war. Most noticeably, in 1940, young Princess Elizabeth made her very first radio broadcast during the BBC's Children's Hour addressing evacuated children:

"We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war.

We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well."

During Princess Elizabeth's first overseas tour, and on her 21st birthday, she said in a broadcast to the British Commonwealth:

"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong". 

It was announced on 9th July 1947 that Princess Elizabeth was engaged to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. The pair had known each other as they were second cousins once removed (through King Christian IX of Denmark) and third cousins through Queen Victoria. The Royal engagement had been greeted with uncertainty as Prince Philip had no financial standing, was born in a different country and had sisters who married German nobleman with Nazi links. It has been stated that Princess Elizabeth's mother had  opposed the engagement - but in later life, told a biographer that he was "an English gentleman". 

Before their marriage, Prince Philip renounced his Greek and Danish titles, converted from Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, and took the surname of his mother's British family - Mountbatten. Prince Philip's title was created as His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947. During this time, Britain had not recovered from the devastation of WW2 and the Princess had to use ration coupons to buy her wedding gown material.

The following year, the Royal Couple welcomed Prince Charles into the world on 14 November 1948. They welcomed three more children - Princess Anne in 1950, Prince Edward in 1964 and Prince Andrew in 1960.

Sadly, on 6th February 1956, King George VI passed away in his sleep, at the young age of 56. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in Kenya at the time when Philip broke the sad news to the new Queen. Normally, the new Royal House would be named after her husband, Prince Philip of Mountbatten, however, Winston Churchill and Elizabeth's Grandmother, Queen Mary, favoured House of Windsor. House of Windsor was declared on 9 April 1952.

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth took place on 2 June 1953 at Westminster Abbey - this was the first time that a coronation was televised. The Queen's coronation gown was commissioned by Norman Hartnell and featured beautiful embroidered floral emblems - the English tudor rose, Scots thistle, Welsh leek, Irish shamrock, Australian wattle, Canadian maple leaf, New Zealand silver fern, South African protea, lotus flowers for India and Ceylon and Pakistan's wheat, cotton and jute.

1977 marked the 25th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne - known as the Silver Jubilee. Parties took place throughout the UK and Commonwealth, culminating in June with the official Jubilee Days - held to coincide with the Queen's Official Birthday.

2002 marked the Queen's 50th Anniversary, her Golden Jubilee, - sadly, in February and March, the Queen lost both her mother and sister that year. Street parties and events were held across the United Kingdom to celebrate the Queen's continued success.

2012 saw the Queen celebrate a spectacular 60 years on the throne, her Diamond Jubilee. Parties and events throughout the United Kingdom and abroad commenced. The same year, the Queen opened the the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London.

Back to present day, on 9 September 2015, the Queen celebrated a phenomenal 63 years on the throne and surpassed her Great-Great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria's, record. Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British Monarch and does not intend to abdicate. Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 90th birthday next year.

Winner: August's Hang. Love. Share.Posted on 2 Sep 00:00 Read more

Congratulations to Natalie who has won our August Hang. Love. Share. competition - a stunning Laura Ashley Wisteria Glass Pendant Shade complete with Elizabeth LED filament candle.

Natalie sent us this wonderful photograph of our Joseph LED filament light bulb shining beautifully in her Tiffany lamp:

See her photograph in our Inspiration Gallery.

How to Spritz up a BathroomPosted on 1 Sep 00:00 Read more

The bathroom is the only room in the house where we’re expected to lock ourselves inside and escape the outside world. It should be a luxurious sanctuary where we go to find a bit of calm – the best way you can transform your bathroom into a relaxing, functional refuge is with my top 5 décor ideas.

BROWN/ WARM TONES – Darker colours are the best way to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can go to unwind and relax in a nice bath. Brown tones for either wallpaper or tiles are a greatway to create this style. Dark colours work well with a wooden floor, wooden cabinets and even a rustic style bathtub to add to a vintage feel. Give your bathroom a cabin look and bring warmth to any modern home.

UNIQUE SINKS – A sink is not usually something that makes a bathroom stand out, in fact most bathrooms have your usual white simple looking sink that has probably been there since the house was built. However, more people are investing in their bathrooms and replacing their old sink with more of a unique looking one. Depending on the style of your bathroom, beautiful marble or natural materials work exceptionally well to create a warm, country feel that is great when you need a little time to just relax.

CEILING LIGHTS –For ambient lighting, ceiling lights are the perfect way to light up your whole bathroom and create a relaxing mood by adjusting the brightness of the light. These lights can be used as a decorative statement by having unique light fixtures to create either a vintage or a modern look. If you have a large bathroom or a high ceiling then this is the ideal style as you can use big, bold chandelier type lighting fixtures paired with one of our vintage style LED light bulbs.

WALL LIGHTS – This style is perfect for layering light, having 2-4 wall lights placed around the bathroom is a really modern style that will illuminate the shower, bathtub and sink areas evenly. These lights work well when using dimmers, especially next to the bath as they can set the mood for a romantic and relaxing evening soak.

 VINTAGE STYLE MIRRORS –Large mirrors are great in any bathroom, they come in many different styles depending on the look you’re going for. Vintage mirrors work well with any colour; if your bathroom is white go for a metallic or coloured framed mirror to add some brightness to a plain wall and for darker walls go for a more simple and elegant look with lighter colours.

If you are looking to decorate your bathroom or just love interior design share your ideas with us on Twitter #lightmytuesday.

September's Hang. Love. Share. CompetitionPosted on 1 Sep 00:00 Read more

This month's prize is a vintage-inspired, steam punk glass table lamp from Cult Furniture, RRP £69.00. Featuring a tall glass cylinder, mahogany base and nickel finished E27 screw caps and pin switch, this curiosity piece comes complete with our very own Albert LED filament light bulb, RRP £15.49.

Total prize value of £84.49

For a chance to win these vintage lights, simply email a photo of how you have displayed your Bright Goods LED filament light bulb(s) - along with a quote to competitions@brightgoods.co.uk. Don't forget to include your name and telephone number so that we can contact you if you are our lucky winner!

Head over to the Inspiration Gallery to see other customers’ photos.

Competition closes Wednesday 30th September 2015. See terms and conditions.

Brutalist Chichester Festival Theatre - but first, Coffee!Posted on 18 Aug 00:00 Read more

  

Winner: £100 Love 2 Shop VouchersPosted on 18 Aug 00:00 Read more

Congratulations to Sarah-Jayne from Fleet who has won £100 Love 2 Shop Vouchers by entering our Twitter competition. We hope you enjoy spending the vouchers this summer.

These vouchers can be used at the following stores:

For our latest competitions, check out our Competitions Page.

Royal of the Month: GeorgePosted on 17 Aug 00:00 Read more

August's Royal of the Month is King George VI. He was an adored King of England with a surprisingly interesting story of how he became King, despite being the second son of King George V. King George VI is most noticeably recognised as our Queen's father.

George VI was born on the 14 December 1895 as Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George at York Cottage at the Sandringham Estate. He was born in the House of Windsor and was the second son of King George V and Mary of Teck (Duchess of York), and had an older brother, Prince Edward VIII, with younger siblings Prince George Duke of Kent, Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, Prince John of the United Kingdom and Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood.

His birth came on a very sad day - his great-grandfather, Prince Albert, had died. It was uncertain how Prince Albert's wife, Queen Victoria, would take the news of a new addition to the family, especially after losing her husband. George VI's father, George V, wrote to his son following the tragic news of his own father's passing, proposing that the new born baby should be called Albert in remembrance. When Queen Victoria heard that the new baby was called Albert, she wrote to Mary, Duchess of York:

"I am all impatience to see the new one, born on such a sad day but rather more dear to me, especially as he will be called by that dear name which is a byword for all that is great and good."

Approving the baby's name as Prince Albert Frederick Arthur George, he was baptised three months later. He was known formally as His Royal Highness Princess Albert of York and informally as 'Bertie'. His maternal grandmother, The Duchess of Teck (Mary of Teck's mother), disapproved of the name Albert and wrote that she hoped that Albert's last name "may supplant the less favoured one" - i.e. that it should be replaced with George.

George VI suffered from a speech impediment (most recently portrayed by Colin Firth in the film, The King's Speech).  Lionel League, a self-taught Australian speech therapist, cured him of his stammer, giving him the confidence to stand and speak in public.

 During the WW1, George VI served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy before he married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (The Queen Mother) in 1923 at Westminster Abbey. He was the first member of the Royal Family to learn to fly. After WW1, he married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, and they welcomed to daughters, Princess Elizabeth in 1926 and Princess Margaret Rose in 1930.

As the second heir to the throne, George never expected to rule so quickly. His father, George V, had been suffering from ill-health for years, becoming weaker and weaker. It emerged in 1986 that King George V was given a lethal sedative of morphine and cocaine on the night of 20 January 1936. George V sadly died that night.

Next in line to the throne was George VI's brother, Prince Edward VIII, who ruled for less than one year. He abdicated the throne on 11 December 1936 to marry his lover, Wallis Simpson, leaving George VI King.

King George VI reigned for 15 years and restored confidence in the British monarchy. His coronation took place on 12 May 1937. WW2 broke out in 1939 and on 3 September 1939 King George VI delivered his famous speech, declaring that war had broken out. King George VI and Lady Elizabeth made the bold decision to stay in Buckingham Palace throughout the war, despite the German bombing. On 13 September 1940, two German bombs exploded onto Buckingham Palace's courtyard - fortunately, King George VI and his family were not injured. Throughout the war, the King and Lady Elizabeth provided morale-boosting visits throughout the UK by visiting munitions factories, troops and bomb sites.

The stress of WW2 had taken its toll on King George VI's health. Already suffering from lung cancer and arteriosclerosis, the King had to postpone his tour of Australia and New Zealand after suffering an arterial blockage in his right leg. In the King's absence due to ill health, Princess Elizabeth took on more royal responsibilities. In September 1951, a malignant tumour was found on his left lung and subsequently, his left lung was removed.

On 31 January 1952, the King waved goodbye to Princess Elizabeth who was touring Australia via Kenya. On the morning of 6 February, sadly King George VI was found dead in his bed at Sandringham House. The King had died from coronary thrombosis in his sleep. He died at the young age of 56 - Prince Elizabeth flew back from Kenya as the new Queen, Elizabeth II.

His coffin rested in St Mary Magdalene Church, the same church he was baptised at, before lying in state at Westminster Hall from 11 February. The King's funeral took place at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 15 February. In 2002, his wife The Queen Mother, and his younger daughter, Princess Margaret passed away. Their final resting place is with King George VII at Windsor Castle.
 

I'm Bringing Vintage Back!Posted on 11 Aug 00:00 Read more

Vintage is not just a thing of the past! More and more people have started to embrace the retro style with their fashion, in their homes, in restaurants and now even in hotels. Some places offer just a taste of vintage with their decor and other places take it that one step further. You don’t have to own a nostalgic 1950’s style diner to bring vintage back. So, here are my top 5 vintage items that are perfect for hotels.

1. VINTAGE CLOCKS – Depending on the decor of the hotel, having large or small retro clocks placed on the walls or dressing tables in different rooms of the hotel and in the main reception area can bring a sense of nostalgia to guests. My favourite has to be the colourful small table clocks as they can make any plain room stand out.

2. OLD TELEPHONES – Bring back memories with an old dial telephone. This trend is very popular, whether it’s in a restaurant/ bar, home or even in a hotel. It goes well with any décor; it can make a modern hotel look classic and a vintage hotel feel as though you have gone back in time a couple decades. They can be placed in the hotel lobby by the bar, the reception area or even in the guest rooms. Having colourful telephones can bring a pop of colour to the room and can even match the vintage style clocks.

3. VINTAGE LIGHTING – Vintage lighting looks great in any room, having a beautiful light fixture hanging from the ceiling can enhance the ambiance of the hotel lobby or bar. A great way to get that vintage look is by using natural looking materials, such as; wood, metal, glass bottles or stone. To get a lovely light shine through the light shades, use one of our vintage LED light bulbs to add to that classic style. 

  LARGE CANDLES – Having large candles placed around the hotel is a great way to set the tone for a warm vintage welcome. They are large enough to place on various corners by themselves but can also be used in the restaurant area on each dining table. They give a hotel a beautiful calming feel that takes you out of a cold open spaced modern building and back to the comfort of the retro days. There are many different styles, shapes, colours and candle holders you can get that really bring out the theme of each room.

VINTAGE OBJECTS – Even if the hotel is modern, having various vintage objects placed around the hotel or in the rooms can give it that vintage vibe. Having items such as old suitcases on display, black and white photographs, an old fashioned bell on the reception area and even old signs work well when going for a vintage look. These objects blend in well with darker tones - having red, black, brown and wooden colours on the walls or furniture add to the feel of a retro hotel.

Join in with the conversation on Twitter by using #lightmytuesday  and let us know what your favourite vintage items are!

Nihal Finds our Bulbs "Exciting"Posted on 7 Aug 00:00 Read more

We had a wonderful tweet from Radio 1 Presenter, Nihal Arthanayake, who retweeted our Hang Love Share Inspiration Gallery, along with his own comment: "when you get older things like this become exciting!"

We were then greeted by a follow from Nihal! We are so pleased that our LED filament light bulbs are getting noticed and thrilled that Nihal has taken the time to follow us and tweet about us!

Since our launch in 2015, Bright Goods has attracted a few celebrities already including Channel 4's Jeff Salmon from Four Rooms (read the story here), Radio 1 Presenter, Nihal Arthanayake, and the upcoming television recording on DIY SOS - watch this space!

Follow us on Twitter now to keep up-to-date with the latest news.