Friday 7 September 2012

Jem-ing some Joules, a peek at my master bedroom

I'll preface this post with a warning: if you're a fan of all-white minimal colour schemes, sharp edges and  modern design you have probably wound up on the wrong blog, it happens! However if you're partial to a well loved suitcase, a little clutter and a blousy floral read on . . . . 


A few weeks ago I was contacted regarding the launch of the Joules bedding range in collaboration with Bedeck - until this point I had been totally unaware that Joules were branching out into homeware so it came as a very pleasant surprise and I jumped at the chance to review some of the bedding! I grew up pony-mad, so Joules have always been on my radar as they started out firmly rooted in equestrian/country attire and I adore their heritage feel. My Joules wrist-warmers have seen me through three winters, I have a years-old pair of their wellies still going strong and a Cowdray sweatshirt that has seen better days due to being very well-loved. 


I hinted that I was especially in love with both the Sunbird Floral and the Lulu Floral duvet covers and crossed my fingers that when my review parcel arrived one of those would be in it - as you can see I wasn't disappointed. The postman seemed taken aback at my enthusiasm when he handed me the floral-bagged package and despite wanting to rip it open on the spot I did manage to wait until he had departed. I'm quite fussy about how fabrics feel - so both bedding and clothing have to feel good against my skin or chances are I'll never use them - the duvet cover I received did have that new-sheets stiffness out of the packet but after washing and pressing I was more than happy to get it onto my bed!

Having slept with the duvet for several nights running now (hence the creases!) I can confidently say I'm a smitten kitten, I can tell that the cotton will soften beautifully the more it is washed and I have been impressed with the quality of the print as well as the button closure at the bottom of the cover - I love a button closure. The vibrant bird and floral pattern is even more beautiful in person than what I saw on the website, but the surprise for me was just how much I loved the reverse side with its simple stripes - all the duvet covers in the range are reversible - but somehow I hadn't really thought about how functional this is. My man isn't massively keen on all things floral and although he had said the bedroom was my domain to do with as I fancied (he's a keeper!) I was pleased when I road tested the stripy side and found it suited his simple tastes. Overall I can give the Sunbird Floral duvet cover a definite thumbs up for both quality and aesthetic, will absolutely be putting my money where my mouth is and treating myself to the pillowcases. Although as you can tell I'm not totally matchy-matchy where interiors are concerned so I might well pick up the Lulu Floral duvet cover as a spare set, or the Reversible Horse cover. Hmmmm . . . . 

I was in the middle of a shoestring revamp of our master bedroom when the duvet cover arrived, and when I say shoestring I mean exactly that - our Ikea fixer-upper bedroom furniture bought in 2007 for our very first flat was looking tired and had never really been what we wanted anyway although it did the job admirably! Freecycle and eBay were my first ports of call, no luck with the former but after several fraught bidding wars I was thrilled with the white-painted 1930s two drawer chest for £10 and the larger dark wood 2 drawers over 3 chest for £20, its drawers are lined in gorgeous old wallpaper. Our bed frame was also from eBay and came in at £42,  although the dark wood drawers are my favourite buy I was most excited about the bed frame as the boy and I had shared a 3/4 mattress on top of a super shallow divan base for 5 years which meant we were only around 10 inches off the floor while sleeping. A proper double bed with a memory-foam topped mattress (thanks Dad!) has felt like pure luxury for the past week, I could get used to this! 

When it comes to other touches you'll be totally unsurprised if you are a regular reader; stacked vintage suitcases, old postcards, battered frames and flowers in jam-jars are some of my very favourite things. Flowers do magical things to a room, especially when dotted around in smaller makeshift vases I think - I love using old tea caddies and golden syrup tins too. The large jar on the left hand chest of drawers is a 1922 Kilner, the glass is so beautifully thick and slightly wobbly and I love the seafoam green hue to it. Nothing in our bedroom cost a fortune - the worn leather suitcases were £10 for two, the mesh birdcage-esque drawers were £15 and the truly awful landscape (I have an inexplicable love for it) to the right of my framed postcards was only £1 - and it all came from local markets and charity shops. It has been more fun than I can tell you bringing out pretty things I already owned too, I really don't think you have to spend a fortune to give a room a lift.  

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend, especially those lucky souls at Bestival (I'm not jealous at all!)

If you're as enamoured with the new bedding collection as I am you can shop bed linen at Joules 




52 comments :

  1. Saw the new bedding turn up on the website when I clicked over a few days ago and really really liked it all!! Really keen on the nautical/boat themed pattern so its good to know the quality is up to par in case I feel naughty and purchase!!!

    your bedroom is like a dream, so gorgeous and with bags of personality too! not what I imagined but just what I imagined if that makes any sense!?!??! LOVE!

    x

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  2. This is a lovely and cosy bedroom! I love bedrooms (and any room) that aren't matchy matchy. I also love white or pale grey (or if I can find the perfect soft blue) walls, I'm not a fan of bold coloured walls :) That bedding is quite nice! I've heard of Joules once a few weeks ago (I love both sides of your duvet), I love Dwell Studio goodies, but they're pricey.

    Posts likes these are some of my favourites! I love what you did with the suitcases :) You don't have to worry about bugs, do you? That must be nice! (ah, southern states living... I do miss the Midwest!) xx

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  3. I love your vaulted ceiling - oh my that is dreamlike. Americans have odd bedding, it's all about the comforter which is like a duvet and a duvet cover all in one. I miss a pretty duvet!

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  4. I saw the duvet cover recently. It looks lovely. Your room looks so cosy and loved. xxx

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  5. oh how I wish my bedroom was that tidy - love the bedding - may have to pur-chase........ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  6. beautiful post! everything's so pretty

    from helen at www.thelovecatsinc.com // @thelovecatsinc

    ps. enter my brand new giveaway to win a MAC lipstick and 5 models own nail polishes! it's worldwide too!

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  7. What a pretty room - it is beautiful but not really cluttered! I have way too much crap everywhere! I especially like all your old cards in the frame, that could work for my valentines...
    Very pretty bedding too, great choice, I love the birds. I thought Joules was all about rugby shirts for ruddy cheeked gels, obviously not!
    x

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  8. Such a beautiful room--but I expect nothing less from you! I adore the bedding, particularly the floral one, and the worn leather suitcases are gorgeous (and such a bargain!). The fresh flowers on your dresser are lovely too; I really need to have more fresh flowers in my life! x

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  9. so pretty! love all these wonderful images!! especially the floral prints~ they are just so cute! and the vintage suitcases!! the best!! :D

    have a fantastic weekend!

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  10. Aaah, such beautiful images. Love your room. The duvet cover's not half bad either. xx

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  11. I love you even more now I know you are a fellow Joules fan! Love the bedding xx

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  12. The flower print of the first bed cover is so pretty. I don't have a bed cover... I should get one!!! LOL But I'm affraid we don't have such pretty floral prints here : /

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  13. What a beautiful room, and really restful. A Truly lovely place to relax!

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  14. You're room is gorgeous! Love the quilt cover and all your clutter, like the idea or using tins as vases x

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  15. Wow Jem! Where do I begin?! Your master bedroom is so so so gorgeous! The bedding is to die for! I love the colours and floral design! You should be an interior decorator, your room looks so cosy. I bet your whole house is just as beautiful. xxx

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  16. Such a gorgeous room! I love the duvet covers :)) x

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  17. Every detail is wonderful.I love the room.Denise

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  18. omg...you room is so wonderful...NICE!
    3lin

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  19. It all looks gorgeous

    Love your blog, I'm following. I'd love for you to check out mine and follow if you like

    Z
    http://www.are-we-on-time.com

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  20. Everything looks so lovely. I really like the suitcase 'table' and the duvet covers!
    Daniella x

    http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk/

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  21. this post seriously makes me feel like i need to get my act together. our room is crazy cluttered, but not in a "beautiful clutter" way, in a horrible "i own too much junk" kind of a way.
    excuse me, i'm off to tidy my room.

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  22. I bloody love your house!!! And I have the most fab pair of joules wellies so I am very excited to see they are branching out into homeware. Those duvet covers are stunning!!

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  23. I've definitely come to the right place as I do love florals and all the pretty things in your room. The bedding looks great and well done with the ebay finds. My fave thing in your room? The treacle tin used as a vase!!!

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  24. Wow I love that bedspread! it's perfect! Definitely going to check out their website! From the looks of this room I think we have quite similar taste, I have a lot of suitcases (I can't help it! I work in a flea market/antique shop it's inevitable) and I have a similar pin board postcard set up, I love all the little touches in this room, it's so pretty. Glad to have found your blog, I'm looking forward to having a read through previous posts! :)
    xBeth

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  25. hehe actually on closer inspection I just realised I have some of the exact same vintage postcards as you! :)

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  26. your room is just beautiful! i adore your frames and stacked suitcases. xx

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  27. Hi Jem,

    Where to begin? Your room looks just wonderful! I think my mum has that exact same chest of drawers but with a beautiful mirror unit with smaller drawers on top.

    How lucky are you getting your hands on some gorgeous Joules bedding!?! I also finally got to read your piece in Pretty Nostalgic..lovely! Well done you :)

    Lastly, I wanted to say thank you for leaving such a lovely message on my blog post yesterday. It made my day! Good luck with your decals, I look forward to seeing the results.

    With love,
    Lexie

    x

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  28. ah that looks so very lovely ! x

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  29. Oh my gosh Jem, this is such a beautiful master bedroom, you have made it completely your own and the finished result is just perfect and very much after my own heart. I love every single little touch you’ve added. The miniature chair, cute toadstool and the framed postcards especially. Your attention to detail and mix-match taste is very much admired!

    p.s I’ve got a lot of love for Joules too xxx

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  30. Love the duvet - total winner, in my book. And your room is very pretty - beautifully styled.

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  31. Bring on the clutter! I'd rather have things a bit too messy than a bit too neat. There are some Japanese minimalist interiors I really like, but I still feel much more at home in a place you see has life in it, a place filled with collections:)
    Your room is still very neat by the way. Nothing to be ashamed of, at all!

    These pictures are all wonderful and that duvet is fantastic indeed!

    I also wanted to thank you for your sweet comment on my new brooches. Glad you like them:D

    blueeyednightowl.blogspot.com/

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  32. I adore the Joules duvet set, dribbling a little! plus what a good idea using the golden syrup jar as the a little vase :) xoxo

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  33. Can I move into your room please?! It's delightful. I didn't know Joules did bedding either, but it's rather lovely :) xx

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  34. Your bedroom is absolutely gorgeous! I love the suitcases and the flowers in the golden syrup pot, such nice touches :) You have a wonderful blog! xx

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  35. This is definitely one of the most charming little bedrooms that I have seen in a long time! Love everything about it!

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  36. It looks fantastic!!! I'm thinking of some of the Joules bedding for my spare room as it happens!

    You've also inspired me with your clips on the frame for something in my home!

    Victoria xx

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  37. L love this site

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  38. I love this master bedroom. Every single one of the details are gorgeous. I especially love that bedspread and wood beams. Wishing this was mine ;)

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  39. this room is wonderful! taking notes now.

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbit.blogspot.com

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  40. Ahaa, its nice dialogue regarding this paragraph at this place at this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.

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  41. Lovely, just lovely. I so enjoy your blog. How is your Etsy coming along?
    Greetings to you from far away.
    Linda

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  42. Your room is perfection! <3 xo

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  43. i love your room! those suitcases are fab, and i love the use of the tin as a vase :) I hope you dont mind me saying but i find it quite difficult to read the text on your blog as the font is really small, and i like to think i have quite good eyesight..... i wonder if its just me.... your photos are beautiful esp the one of the dangling necklace :)

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  44. Oh this is so pretty Jem! I especially like what you did with that big old frame! It looks great!

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  45. Beautiful, love the details and suitcase bedside table!

    http://www.tamarasblend.com/

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  46. I love everything about this room and the bedding is beautiful!

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  47. Oh my, your bedroom is beautiful. A dream. I love the idea of using a golden syrup can as a vase, I always loved the lion on the front.

    The Judas Tree

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  48. Oh my gosh, what a B-E-A-U-tiful bedroom! I am so much in style envy. You're an inspiration, I am really liking the suitcase/side table idea

    xx
    The Young Bridget Jones

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  49. I think I'm a tad bit in love with your room, it's beautiful.

    Hannah
    x
    www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com

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