04 April 2013

Review: Travelodge Southwark, London


After being invited to review one of the many Travelodge Hotels in London we literally leapt at the chance. Who would turn down an all expenses paid trip to the capital after all? Travelodge are undergoing some huge changes this year – a whopping £223 million invested in ‘growing and strengthening the brand and improving on quality, offering customers fantastic value for money’.

As you can imagine, we were eager to see what all the fuss was about - that’s quite some investment!

With our priorities in place, we set off on our train journey….



Two hours later, we arrived at Euston and jumped on the tube to Southwark where our Travelodge awaited! The Great British climate did us proud – not one bit of sunshine and bitterly cold arctic winds to ensure our endurance was tested.

Southwark Travelodge is in a great location…once you find it. Blink and you’ll miss it….or at least we did....although we’re willing to let that one slide. Perhaps it was a double blonde moment? We managed to sail right past it even with our iPhone navigation system in full use! Luckily, a rather nice cabby helped us out and gave us a free lift back down the road to our location! Cheers Alan!




Get There!

We made our way up the lift to reception and were ‘greeted’ by a member of staff who in all honesty couldn’t have cared less that we were booked in to review the place. We weren’t expecting red carpets and champers on arrival (although that would have been quite nice), but this wasn’t exactly the warmest of welcomes! Perhaps he was having a bad day….

After waiting half an hour we checked in to room #517. Apart from being a bit on the chilly side, the room itself was clean and tidy; a large double bed with contemporary wood effect headboard being the focal, above the bed a bright arty print (a bit of personality!), a desk, a kettle with tea and coffee and a small flat screen TV.  The en-suite bathroom appeared to be very new and fully functioning. The shower was better than most and there were ample clean, fluffy towels to go around. No fun sized toiletries though and hairdryers and irons were available on request (all stated on their website). Although there are no phones in the rooms, so best to arrange early….unless you fancy making a trip down to reception with wet hair and a crumpled shirt.




Travelodge’s press release states ‘Feedback from Travelodge customers stated they wanted an inviting, functional, warm, relaxing environment, with the main focus of the room being an extremely comfortable bed. To ensure Travelodge met this brief, they worked in cooperation with their customers so that they were involved in every decision and that the new room design met with their expectation and delivered on quality and service.’

Travelodge – you have succeeded! After a very lovely, comfortable night’s sleep, we are in agreement that the beds were ‘extremely comfortable’. Crisp white linen, perfect pillows and a mattress that makes you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud - the type of bed you could laze about in all day.

The burning question though - would we stay there again?

Yes. All in all this Travelodge served its purpose. It’s in a great location, just a stone’s throw from the tube station, a short walk to the river and close to a selection of little bars and cafes. A tad pricey at £103 per night, but we had everything we needed for a nights stay. Travelodge Southwark, we’ll be back.

Fancy booking a room? Just visit www.travelodge.co.uk for more info!



29 March 2013

Treat Your Floor


Look out, you’re in for a real TREAT…

Being interior designers we’re always working on super exciting projects...(we love our jobs!), but one of the most important things that we pride ourselves on is bringing our clients the best products around. After all if we don’t like them we won’t work with them!

Most recently we’ve noticed the importance in flooring, how best to add focus, warmth and texture in an instant with out spending too much (every little helps!) We know the best option is a rug and lots of them! So it’s important when scouring the market and picking our choice that we get it right.

Whether you’re after something neutral or patterned to make a statement there’s lots on offer! Quality and affordability is always what we long for and at Carpetright we’ve found just that! Here’s a peek at just what’s on offer and our favourite finds.

Enjoy!


Bordered rugs…we LOVE them, simple but timeless…
We would like one in every room please!


Hawaii Cream Border Rug




It’s called the ‘Inspiration’ rug for one reason…because it really does INSPIRE! 
If you’re looking to add texture and warmth, then this is the perfect option!

Inspiration Grey Grid Rug




The rug of dreams, available in a variety of colours...
 Give your floor a colour burst with this beautiful textured rug. 

Dreams Red Check Rug



Like what you see? 
View the full collection at www.carpetright.co.uk 
and give your home the finishing touch it deserves!


27 March 2013

Simply Swedish

We take a little peek around Swedish photographer Jakob Nylund's beautifully simple and oh so scandinavian style home. It screams clean and airy with it's white walls, greys and muted undertones but it's the quirky little additions to stop it from being too clinical and stamp Jakob's personality all over it!

It's a typically Swedish home with a base of monochrome, but it's the traditional features that give this space an extra twist; the original doors and parquet flooring, the old cast iron radiator and his log basket and fire tools.

I think you'd find it very difficult to be anything but calm living in this home!...










Images via 79 ideas via Jakob Nylund



26 March 2013

Style Mash Up!

This 'amazingly-beautiful-packed-fulla-personality' 1940's Nebraskan home spotted on Design Sponge belongs to interior designer (obviously!) Jessica McKay of Birdhouse Interior Design and her gourmet baker husband Christopher. Their home is full of various inherited vintage hand me downs, original artworks and antiques that are highlighted but don't overshadow. They merely sit happily alongside the mixture of contemporary fabrics with a nod to native pattern and design bringing the entire space together.

This home is a true example of how blending old and new really can work. Their living room couch belonged to Christopher's mother (below) and works perfectly as a central piece to house their array of colourful (and modern!) cushions. Their fantastic turquoise dining room chairs were picked up from a flea market after a school updated their own furnishings, their blue striped living room curtains were recycled from an old rug and the winged back chair found in an antique store was given a new lease of life after being reupholstered in grey vinyl (yes, vinyl!) and a brass nailhead trim.

Jessica clearly has a playful side too....a hint of leopard print on the couch, the infamous oversized Ikea Maskros Pendant Light dominating the master bedroom, the bright Jonathan Adler Table Lamps and illustrated Dwell Studio bedding are all obvious clues that she doesn't take it all too seriously!

Thumbs up to this place!












All images via Design Sponge



22 March 2013

Spotlight; Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank opens her beautiful doors for the world to have a nose around her Manhattan apartment. Living in a trailer park with her mother as she was growing up, she harboured a rather serious book addiction; renting out piles of the things from the bookmobile that made the rounds of her Washington neighbourhood. By the time she'd hit 15 she'd envisioned a rich and important life for herself.

So it's not all that surprising that this successful actress (one of the youngest women ever to win two Best Actress Academy Awards, don't you know!) is more than happy and completely content in the chicly understated, soft, muted and relaxing surroundings of her downtown New York apartment. 









all images via elledecor

I'd take it....

21 March 2013

Baba Cool

This has to be one of THE coolest nursery's I've ever seen. The kid's only 6 months old and he's managed to bag one funky little bedroom!

Salvaged pieces and road side finds make up this beautiful space inspired by woodland and wildlife. Owners Kara and Bill of Golden Age Design decided that the room should be filled with colours and objects that they feel comfortable with and make them feel happy as well as it being a modern, clean environment for their son.

Each corner of the room has been carefully thought out....but not overly so, and I think that's why it works so well. If this lucky boy doesn't grow up with a passion for interiors, there's no hope for any of us!




images via Apartment Therapy




20 March 2013

Spotlight; Whitney Port

One of my most loved Fashion designers Whitney Port (previously seen in the reality show, The Hills...Yes I know, but I can't help it!) reveals her latest interior loves in her exclusive Elle Dec interview!


We get a sneak peek into her home - and YES it's everything you would imagine, and more. Here's a glimpse... Enjoy Peeps!


Lot's of texture, layers and colours...just what we LOVE!!






Just what I imagined, simple, classy and trendy!





Jealous?? Ermmmmmm...Yes!!

Gorgeous images courtesy of the beautiful Elle Dec and The Coveteur...we salute you!!