Creating Storage from Scraps. Guest Post

A Guest Post by The Husband

I've always held the theory that my generation, I'll be 50 this year, was the last generation to be brought up by Victorians. My grandparents were born in 1905, therefore my mother to this day lives by Victorian values. I spoke when I was spoken to, was downstairs ready for breakfast, after making my bed, at 7 o'clock and that was when I was seven years old. I grew up respecting my elders, didn't even know what a swear word was and I didn't say; 'Thank you', I said; 'Thank you very much'.

Creating a Bedroom for a Nine Year Old Boy on a Budget

We've been planning L's room move for some time now. Recently, The Husband had some time off, so we thought we had better go for it. As this was a low budget venture, it was going to take a lot of time and consideration to get it right. We didn't want to spend a lot, because L is at an indecisive age and it probably won't be long before he has set his heart on a whole different colour scheme. Like black, or something. So we endeavoured to create the ideal boys boudoir for under £100. Here's how we got on, including the tricky task of moving his precious sticker collection from his old bedroom wall to the new one!

Best Flooring for Children's Rooms

In an ideal world, children would be surrounded by fluffy loveliness at all times. Everything would be white and sumptuous, like clouds. This is how we quite often begin our room decorating as parents, when we are imagining that cute little bundle of joy that will occupy the pastel coloured nursery. However, that is before we discover that our little bundle of joy has a mind of its own and is usually sticky. By the time they are crawling, we are starting to wish we had plastic wrapped everything.

More Bedroom Brilliance!

I have become unnaturally obsessed with furniture recently. Since I started investigating what's out there, I just can't stop browsing. I am discovering amazing space-saving contraptions and mind-blowingly inventive storage solutions all the time. I've always been interested in making the most of storage, ever since sharing a two bed flat with two teenagers and a baby. I don't think it will ever leave me, even if I lived in a mansion!

Children's Furniture Inspiration with Room to Grow

As you will see from my recent wishlist post, I have been thinking a lot about furniture lately. Namely; furniture for small, but growing, boys. When they get to that age where you have to really consider what you buy, because it won't be long before they are teenagers. It has to last and it has to be able to grow with them, so they are not embarrassed about it in a couple of years!

Boy's Bedroom Wishlist

My son will be getting his own room in the next few weeks after spending his entire life sharing. Like most people I imagine, I have often wondered how I would furnish it if my budget was totally unlimited. So, purely for my own amusement, here is a list of my top picks for the modern nine year old boy! Firstly, I have to say, this is not a big room, it's a very small room. So, as much as I would love to get a bed with a ladder and a slide, or one shaped like a camper van, or something, I have to be practical, so the emphasis is on space-efficient.

Valentine's Pillow Talk

It's no secret that I am not fond of the same old, same old Valentine's gifts that are trotted out every year by the major retail chains. It's boring, predictable and it's time to think differently. I have already posted about some alternative suggestions for the day, to keep things fresh and personal to your relationship, but I just had to take a moment to share with you this fantastic gift idea from  Love Pillow Cases.

Homage to the Husband's Inventive DIY

Over the years our family has been through some pretty tough times. From living in a two bedroomed flat with three children, to some fairly dramatic financial struggles, that took an epic battle on all fronts to eventually defeat. What has this got to do with DIY I hear you ask? Well, you don't get through those sorts of problems in one piece without two things. Firstly, a huge dose of solidarity and team spirit. Whatever you are in, you are in it together, that is the joy of families. You all pitch in, you all get out. And secondly masses and masses of creativity and imagination. To make things fit, to cheer things up, to make things better. That's what gets you through. So there follows some of my favourite examples of The Husband's handiwork. A man who has suffered for ten years from a wife who has all the ideas in the world, but no practical skills what-so-ever. I draw it, he builds it.