Etsy List: Penny Dreadful

 

 

'Penny Dreadful' Etsy List curated by H is for Home

Penny Dreadful
Curated by H is for Home

The second series of Penny Dreadful started last week on Sky Atlantic – we’re avid viewers!

We’ve been hugely impressed by its wonderful, award-winning period costume and set design; the attention to detail of both the interior and exterior scenes. The fantastic oil lamp-lit Gothic interiors are inspiring – the light flickering against dark walls and furniture. Rooms furnished with leather Chesterfield sofas, gilt-framed oil paintings, brass candelabra and mahogany dining tables.

We’ve found a couple of great videos giving details of how many of the sets were devised, developed & built – a wonderful insight!

Create a bedroom worthy of your little superhero

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kids' superhero-inspired twin bedroomcredit: Classy Clutter

There are many things you can do for a superhero fan, from buying them the latest Marvel comics to purchasing cool superhero merchandise, such as these pyjamas. These gifts are sure to put a smile on their face, but if you really want to make them grin from ear to ear, how about transforming their bedroom into a superhero paradise by following these twelve creative tips?

Marvel comic strip wallpapercredit: Graham and Brown

  1. Put up comic strip wallpaper

Believe it or not, you can pick up comic strip wallpaper, as well as large wall murals and borders, featuring all of the best characters from sites like eBay and Amazon. Pick their favourite and get busy with the wallpaper paste.

Washi mural of urban skyline in kid's roomcredit: Rebecca Dodge

  1. Use washi-tape to create an urban skyline

Every superhero needs a city to protect, use washi-tape (which can peel off easily later) to create a skyline across the wall. It will make imagining those epic throw downs with super villains much more fun for your little one.

superhero bunting by Noahs Ark & Crafts on Etsycredit: Noahs Ark & Crafts

  1. Comic strip bunting

Follow this super easy tutorial to create your very own comic book bunting to hang around the room; across the ceiling or along shelving.

kids' DIY superhero capescredit: Piece of Cake

  1. Capes and costume hangers

Screw hooks into the wall and decorate them with superhero capes and costumes, so your little one can easily choose who they want to be that day. If you want to get creative make your own capes that can be worn over normal clothing; use gold & red material for Iron Man, red, white & blue for Captain America in the famous shield design and bright green for the Incredible Hulk. Not sure how to make a cape? This tutorial is great for those of us who aren’t confident using a sewing machine.

George Home Superboy duvet setcredit: George Home

  1. Opt for superhero bedding

What would a superhero bedroom be without the appropriate bedding? From Spiderman-themed sheets to Batman duvet covers, there are many designs to choose from online and in stores such as Asda.

'Pow' comic strip cushion covercredit: Catherine Lansfield

  1. Don’t forget pillows & cushions

Got some spare pillows or cushions lying around? Slip these into superhero-themed covers and you’ll be good to go!

Spiderman curtainscredit: Price Right Home

  1. Hang some superhero curtains

While blinds will keep out the light, curtains (especially the superhero kind) are a must-have for any budding crime-fighting, wall-climbing hero in the making.

Hulk wall lightcredit: TruffleShuffle

  1. Light it up

Pick up a fun 3D wall light, which looks like your favourite superhero is bursting through the wall. With Spiderman’s face, Thor’s hammer, the Hulk’s fist and Captain America’s shield available your superhero can choose their favourite to have in the room. Check them out here.

Decoupage comic canvascredit: Mod Podge Rocks!

  1. Comic canvases

Put your artistic skills to the test and create some fun wall art. Paint graphic canvasses with designs like Captain America’s shield or Superman’s ‘S’. Paint brightly coloured comic-strip words such as ‘biff!’, ‘bang!’, ‘pow!’ and ‘zap!’. You can then hang them on the wall in a row or on along a mantelpiece. If you’re not confident about your painting prowess, découpage a canvas with strips cut out from superhero comic books.

Captain America cardboard cut-outcredit: Starstills

  1. Life size superheroes

Your little superhero will love having a true-to-life version of one of his personal heroes in the room; whether it’s a life size cardboard cut-out of Batman watching over him from the corner or Spider-Man guarding the door.

superhero shelvescredit: b00gal00 b0utique

  1. Super shelving

Every tiny Spiderman or Thor needs somewhere to store their superhero manuals, aka comic books, so why not create some fun shelving using decoupage? Simply cut out pictures from comic books and magazines and use them to cover the shelves, apply varnish to each layer, wait to dry and then hang them up.

Batman searchlight

  1. Batman searchlight

Does your little one wish that they were the caped detective, pretending that their bedroom is Gotham City as they run around trying to capture the Joker and Bane? Then create their very own Batman spotlight, which doubles up as a great night-light. Here’s a really easy to follow guide on how to make one using a Pringles tube, card and an LED light.

[disclosure]

Bookmarks: Style Me Vintage – Home

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'Style Me Vintage' book by Keeley Harris

We’ve been looking forward to reviewing Style Me Vintage – Home by Keeley Harris. It’s just our cup of tea!

'Style Me Vintage' title page | H is for Home

We first met Keeley a few years ago at the Vintage Home Show at Victoria Baths, a regular vintage event she curates (the next of which is happening this Sunday – 15th March).

'Style Me Vintage' 'Where to start' chapter page | H is for Home

As well as the VHS in Manchester, Keeley organises the Festival of Vintage in York, owns the Vintage Emporium – which has concessions across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. She co-runs the Vintage Academy and weekly Twitter chat #VintageBizHour with fellow vintage expert, Kate Beavis. In addition, she regularly writes for and contributes to various vintage magazines and appears on TV. Goodness knows where she found the time or the energy to write this book!

Collection of vintage art glass vases in various colours | H is for Home

Anyhow, on to the book! If you’re only just putting your toe into the water of vintage homewares and interior decoration, this book is a great starting point.

'Style Me Vintage' '1920s' chapter page | H is for Home

There’s an initial overview on how to get going, writing checklists and possible sources for items.

'Style Me Vintage' 1960s vignette | H is for Home

The book then breaks down the collecting & styling into eras – the decades from the 1920s through to the 1970s. Each decade is further sub-divided into useful sections.

'Style Me Vintage' 'Design Influences' section | H is for Home

‘Main Design Influences’ – the external factors that filtered through to home styles – think Art Deco and Hollywood glamour in the 1920s or Pop Art and the space age in the 1960s.

'Style Me Vintage' '1930s' chapter page | H is for Home

‘Get the Look’ – takes the home, room by room, and advises on key furniture pieces & accessories that will help you achieve the feel and appearance of an era.

'Style Me Vintage' '1940s' chapter page | H is for Home

‘Details’ – those essential touches such as wall coverings, lighting and artwork.

vintage enamelware | H is for Home

Peppered throughout are lots of tips on what to look for and home owners’ quotes such as this from Ste & Kat, “We’re big fans of simple design and smooth lines with masses of functionality and think most classics from the Midcentury have both in bucket loads. We like to mix Midcentury with modern and classic design”. Our thoughts exactly!

'Eclectic' chapter | H is for Home

If you happen to be ‘old hands’ like us, “Style Me Vintage” is equally satisfying. We love having a nose into other people’s homes. All the interiors featured within are ‘real world’ spaces; no unattainable staged sets here!

stove-top vignette | H is for Home

The are lots of familiar vintage items but it’s always a treat seeing how home-owners put them together and juxtapose with the new.

'Industrial' chapter | H is for Home

Towards the end of the book are chapters covering ‘Eclectic’, ‘Industrial’ and ‘Shabby Chic’ styles – popular looks that don’t sit easily into any particular decade.

vintage 1950s Alfred Meakin 'Circus' pottery tea set | H is for Home

There’s also a double page spread where Keeley recommends vintage shops, events and specialists that you can visit to help make your dream vintage home a reality… and we’re included – yay!!

vintage kitchen storage | H is for Home

We’d highly recommend this as a source of inspiration & information for both newbie and more experienced vintage homeware fans. Get your copy from the publishers or Amazon.

[Many thanks to Pavilion Books for the review copy]

Bookmarks: Bohemian Modern

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Bohemian Modern book with West German vase, vintage fabric and mug with cactus | H is for Home

We’ve been reading Bohemian Modern this week – a new book by Emily Henson, stylist and blogger.

Bohemian Modern title page

cream and green rooms

Vintage textiles, studio pottery, industrial touches, lots of house plants – tick, tick, tick, tick – we must be a bit Bohemian Modern ourselves!

Mosaic of interior vignettes

teepee in a boy's bedroom

There are lots of small collections in evidence – art glass, West German pottery, animal skulls, books and pictures… and some lovely, creative ways of displaying them.

Circular shelf

Collection of animal skulls on a wall

Up-cycling is a strong theme to the look – painted furniture, open weave netting for curtains, old doors turned into glass-fronted cupboards and display cases, industrial crates and piping for shelving.

Day bed

Urban bohemian

There’s a spot of crafting too – macramé, tie dye and rag rugging.

'Textiles' chapter

teepee in a child's bedroom

Items picked up on travels bring personal memories and add unique character to a home.

'The Homes' chapter

details of interior decor vignettes

Plants & flowers give interest and a focal point – palms, cacti and succulents in particular work well.

Using plants in interiors

kitchen diner wall

We’re given in depth looks at homes in London, Copenhagen, Ghent, Morocco and the Netherlands.

Industrial shelving

kitchen mezzanine

We’re even taken on a tour of Emily’s own home – an inspiration into how stylish & individual you can make a rented property look.

Wegner armchair and collection of Gul vases

white-washed kitchen with island

If you’ve been inspired – and why wouldn’t you be? – at the back of the book, there’s a useful list of international sources.

useful list of international sources

mid century modern styled room with teak sideboard

This super book really captures the eclectic and homely look of Bohemian Modern. The spaces are stylish, yet reassuring and welcoming.

Outdoor white-washed lean to with seating area

dining area with roof light

A great book to dip in & out of – it’s been on our bedside table all week!

Wall of photographs at the bottom of a stairway

Copper lights above a dining table

[This review is part of the Ryland, Peters & Small Bohemian Modern blog tour]