Make sure you include this one item in your Reno budget

Hi ,

Happy Saturday! I hope all your weeks have gone well and are looking forward to a weekend of relaxing or renovating or whatever you might be doing!

The week I want to talk a bit about sockets and switches…

Plugs sockets and switches are often left as an after thought and then right at the last minute when you’re short of cash, you buy the white plastic ones. This is such a shame if you have worked so hard on a beautiful renovation. It is really worth budgeting for sockets and switches and giving them more consideration.

So let's talk about why you should avoid them and some alternatives that are available.

Why avoid them?

1. White plastic plug and light switch covers are often very cheap and therefore the quality is far inferior to some of the metal or premium plastic options. It is better to invest in something more durable.

2. They may awkwardly break up a beautiful wallpaper or paint colour.

There are many different finishes, from the cover to the toggle itself, which you might not even have thought of that could better suit your home.

Here’s a video to explain it a bit more…

Now let’s look at some better options:

Alternative options:

1. Brass - Here is Pooky's 'Aged Brass' two way toggle switch, available in various sizes or as a dimmer switch.  

2. Bronze - Soho Lighting Bronze, also Corston Bronze with black inserts 

3. Clear - This is such a clever design which allows for a seamless flow of you wallpaper underneath. This avoids the problem of awkwardly breaking up a pattern.

4. Paintable - This is another great option which allows you to blend a socket or switch in with your wall colour, or alternatively create a fun contrast colour. 

5. Dowsing and Reynolds have some really affordable options - such as this Antique Brass Double Socket 

Ccchhhristmasssss! Yes I said it, it’s that time! I’m that annoying person that buys most of my Christmas presents well in advance mostly because I get over excited more than anything else.

If you need some help buying for interiors loving friends or family or perhaps you know someone renovating, they might like these.

This week I’ve been working on lots of your E-Designs as well as drawing up a wonderful clients new dressing room and working through the budget for another client where we’re renovating the whole house. It’s been a very busy one!

I also popped to London for some exciting events with the Secret Linen Store and Button and Sprung as well as the Madcap Cottage pop up at Nina Campbell. If you follow me on Instagram you’d have seen it was a really fun day!

I’m really excited for my Christmas shoot next week which I’ll no doubt share some behind the scenes (BTS) footage of on Instagram so make sure you’re following me there.

Have a great weekend.

If you missed last weeks announcement/ newsletter I have recently launched two new Layout Kits. Check out the video here: