Largest Selection of Marimekko tablecloths in the UK

We at OurGreenRoom are really pleased to announce that we now have LIVE on the site, an impressive range of Marimekko tablecloths available. I spent a lovely evening in loading them all up for people to buy from today.

Puutarhurin yellow Tablecloth - 240x140cm - £99.00 from OurGreenRoom

Each are 240 x 140cm in length, and are made with marimekkos signature lightweight cotton for a beautiful drape. They are priced at £99.00 each

They are made to order and delivered within 5-7 working days as per most of our items. We have chosen a specific range to match with our Winter 2012 collection but we can make to order so if you have any specific marimekko fabric in mind - just let us know, as we have access to most of the catalogue.

Take a look at the range and let us know what you think.

October is the month for purple!

Purple, for me, is indulgent, glamorous, glitzy and the perfect colour to cosy into as winter is, apparently, closing in. Sparkly things, candles, deep colours and glamorous accessories in purple, black and silver make a purely luxurious atmosphere.

I’m ready for the winter months with these deep, relaxing colours, in fact - all that snow can just come and get me...what a perfect thought, cosied up around a log fire with my mug of hot chocolate being hugged by my big purple sofa watching the snow fall by my window....oh... hang on, is that the Cadbury advert? Well....you all know what I mean.

So today, Inspired by purple and all its wintery heart-warming glory and chocolatyness, I have selected my five favourite purple accessories for this season. If Choloateyness is not a word, by the way, it should be.

Purple Stag wallpaper from NEXT - £15 for 10m roll

Dream Purple Velvet Sofa range from Graham & Green From £495 

Coming soon at OurGreenRoom - Kotiin Wall Art piece - from £59.00

 LSA Omega Rose Purple Glass Vase from HEAL's - £62

John Lewis Romilly Ceiling light - £105.00

Obviousy its not best to over-do the purple - you don't want your room to end up like Ribena land. Maybe pick one or two things and focus the rest of your room with black and silver.

Keep watching this space to get details on the new purple section launching at OurGreenRoom at the end of October 2011

Over and out for today :) 

Quincy Lampshades

After a few weeks tweeting on Twitter and really getting into the lovely community spirit there seems to be among crafters and local businesswomen, we came across a fellow Tweeter @QuincyLampshade - she makes, to order, the most sensational lampshades, and she lives just up the road - in Bristol!

Yule Critters Shade - from £30 at Quincy Lampshades

It seems she is as much of a fabric maniac as me...how could this be possible!! She makes all the shades herself, by hand from selected fabrics from across the world. Impressive, and an inspiration to women since she is also a busy mummy!

A lot of the fabrics she uses are names most crafters will have heard of, Michael Miller, Amy Butler, all those quaint little prints that everyone should have in their home somewhere - and from only £30 - now you can! We think it's a real bargain and a lovely find. She's already on our 'buy local Christmas list', whereby we are going to try and do all our Christmas shopping with fellow and local independent businesses and crafters. 

While I'm here I may as well say that our local independent business need support to keep things interesting on the high street and the pressies you get will be miles better than anything you can buy from Argos! For more information on buying with independent retailers this year - visit SkillSmartRetail or follow them on Twitter 

Anyone want to buy me this for Christmas? Go on.... it's only 30 quid!

Anyway, I digress. As well as an online shop, Quincylampshade is also a contributor to Twitter, has her own blogg and follows and attends many craft events, including I love Crafty and Tenderfoot. She also has a facebook page and store and also runs courses! Visit the QuincyLampshade blogg for more information.

At OurGreenRoom we are often asked for shades, and it is a service we are looking to offer our customers for our new Winter Collection...Marimekko lampshades, Mairo lampshades and Vallila lampshades galore...watch this space....or follow us on Twitter :)

OurGreenRoom - Winners of Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday Award

We are absolutely delighted to announce that this week, OurGreenRoom were chosen by no other than the legend that is Theo Paphitis as one of his winners in his weekly twitter competition; Small Business Sunday, or #SBS as it's known in Twitter land!

Theo runs a weekly competition, whereby between the hours of 5pm - 7pm on a Sunday, if you tweet him about your business he will take a look at your site or page and picks six lucky winners to retweet from his page; basically advertising your business for you to 145,000+ followers. Its almost like being mentioned on television or radio by a celebrity, and the fact that he is renowned for being a retail guru; it makes it all the more exciting if you are a retailer - the big man approves! Literally hundreds of thousands of businesses exist on Twitter and to be personally selected is, well, a great honour - and as Robbi put it - that's a big deal!

Armed with a sentence about our business, I tweeted Theo at around 5.30pm. I really didn’t expect to win, since it was the first time we had entered, and I had only been on Twitter actively for about a week after a fellow shop owner from Bradford -on-Avon, Jackie (runs Piha surf n' ski at the top of the hill) suggested that I should really get into it at a Women's Business Networking Meeting she runs.

I pondered over the Tweet for a while, thinking about why I felt we deserved a re-tweet. People often tell us that they think what we do is amazing, we have 3 children including an 8 month old, are only 27 and 29 years of age and work 24/7 on our business both online and in the shop. People are also surprised to discover that all the products are made by hand, by me, that I do all the accounts and that we designed the website from scratch, all by ourselves. I design, Robbi fills in! Not only that but people LOVE our products when they see how bright and colourful they are. Even when they might not be to someone’s taste, they can’t fail to bring a smile.

Sometimes if we have a bad couple of weeks it's hard to keep on believing in yourself, you start to doubt what you do, doubt the products, think; what are we doing wrong! One single complaint can knock our confidence, but the overwhelming amount of positive feedback from our site and products keeps us going - and what a boost in confidence, to be officially 'liked' by Theo Paphitis himself! Obviously he has not scrutinized the business in detail, but the first impression was a good one, and that is what is most important in retail. If you fail at the first meeting with your potential customer or business partner, they won't come back.

So how could I sum all that up in 160 characters? Hmm well quite a few of those is taken up by @TheoPaphitis, and including the compulsory #SBS tag. Doesn’t leave much.

I decided to be honest, human, but commercial too. So including our strap line (which sums up what we do and our style), our ages (as that seems to be quite a good selling point), the fact that we have 3 kids (so we must work very hard - which we do), and that we have determination to succeed. Here is what I wrote:

"Brighten up your home! Exciting new home decor shop run by determined 27/29 yr old parents of 3 - from scratch!"

I don't know if it was the tweet or the site that got us a win, why don’t you let us know what you think. Visit the site http://www.ourgreenroom.co.uk/ and get in touch - info@ourgreenroom.co.uk

Right, now back to work!

Sneak Preview - OurGreenRoom Curtain Range

Working hard on the Green Range today - funnily enough it's my favourite colour! Im going to be spending most of the day creating the product images for our new Wall art & Cushion range, and there are some cracking ones in there!

Then, this afternoon, I'm starting work on the curtains. Ive sent Rob along to featch the fabric for one of my favourites, Orgras by Mairo. We thought this season it would be good to bring in some more neutral colours, to blend better with people's existing decor.

This fabric will form part of our collection available in Wall Art, Cushions and Curtains, and comes in yellow, red, black and white and green. The design I find very calming and pretty and will act as a lovely replacemnt for the Gingko which sadly will be discountinued as the matching cushion print, Marimekko Biloba is now out of print.

There is still time to buy the current range, but please be aware that in a few weeks time many designs will be discontinued. To view the current green range, visit OurGreenRoom or follow us on Twitter @ourgreenroom to get instant updates on the new collection launch, due end of October.

OurGreenRoom - the largest online selection of matching Wall Art & Cushions

Did you know that OurGreenRoom (that's us) has the largest online selection of matching modern wall art and cushions in the UK?

We are the only place where you can view and buy wall art, cushions and curtains to mix and match - making it much easier to decorate you home.

It can be difficult when trying to buy wall art for a room, you may find a nice abstract print from one shop, and then you have to find another retailer to get the cushions for your sofa or bed, and it can be a hard task tying it all in. Why not make it easier for yourself and order from one place, knowing that the prints and accessories you choose were made for one another through colour and style.

You dont even have to order all the same colour - the style of our porducts make them all work really well together - making decorating or accessorizing a room completely effortless.

Karlsson Clocks - All to clear

OK, so I keep going on about this on Facebook and Twitter, but if you havent seen already, we have a massive clearance on our modern range of Karlsson wall clocks. We have decided to discontinue our clocks to make way for some modern curtains, so they all need to go.

Now only £15.00 including delivery at OurGreenRoom

Whilst there are only a few left - we have some mega cheap clocks up for grabs, like this arrow clock, formerly £41.00 - now only £15, and thats including VAT and delivery! Personally I think it's a steal, probably less than the wholesale price and would make an absolutely stunning Christmas Gift.

Hurry on down to http://www.ourgreenroom.co.uk/, we wont be ordering anymore, so once they are gone, they are gone.

Curtains are the way forward - we've decided!

After a good bit of curtain hanging in the OurGreenRoom household, and following years of requests for curtains (normally faced with my unwillingness to do them), I've decided it's probably time we just bite the bullet.

As a soft furnisher, curtains, whilst they can earn a good income have always been off-putting for me. Fiddly, time consuming and just one project can take over a whole week - NOT practical when you have 3 children and a business to run!

So...with inspriration from these Valilla curtains, and god knows how I didnt notice it before, but Ikea too, I am now going to be making, simple, unlined, ready to hang curtains in most of the fabrics we will have in our collection. Kind of no frills, but still effective.

We are estimating that prices will start at around £110 for one drop measuring 240 x 140cm, exactly like the valilla curtains, to fit most windows. The tape used will allow you to hang for different drops and we will include webbing which will make is easy peasy to hang up. So yep, like Ikea, but better because the fabrics are ten times more fantastic.

Get Mairo curtains - coming soon at OurGreenRoom

To get updates on Valilla curtians, Marimekko Curtains, Mairo curtains or our existing range of modern wall art and cushions, please follow the blogg, follow us on twitter at @ourgreenroom or email info@ourgreenroom.co.uk to get on our mail list.

Visit http://www.ourgreenroom.co.uk/ now to get the last of the summer collection of modern cushions and wall art, before its gone forever!

Valilla Curtains - the results!

So Robbi and I came back from our shopping trip yesterday to get our new curtains for the living room. We dithered for ages over whether to go for the pink, green or blue version of bulevardi by Valilla, but the brown fetaured in the blue made a nice tie in with the otherwise boring excuse for a carpet we have, in a rather dull brown, provided by our landlord. Now however, it looks like we did it all on purpose....

Bulevardi in Blue - available at Shannon - £60.00

The results are fantastic, and we are both really pleased. With the easy to use rod channel whereby you can use a plastic track OR a curtain rod made them easy-peasy to put up - took us under an hour including putting the tracking up. Also even though they are not lined, the heavyweight fabric provides sufficient coverage for both light and heat, and you can always line them of course - it's on my list to do but I just wanted them up - how impatient of me!

You can buy these ready made Valilla curtains frrom Shannon, either online or in the shop in Bath for £45 a drop. OurGreenRoom will also be stocking our own exclusive UK range of Valilla Wall art and Cushions soon, so follow us to be kept in the loop. Stock will be Limited.

Furnish.co.uk - your home interiors personal shopper

This week sees OurGreenRoom listed on Furnish. Furnish is a one stop shop for contemporary, independent and high-end desgner homewares. They believe it's thier careful selection of designer finds and modern treasures that makes them such a great resource. They don't list everything under the sun and everything is hand chosen by a panel of experts.  They claim to only show you the most gorgeous gifts for the home, whilst supporting good design and helping promote independent home furnishing stores and designers. The selection of modern wall art and cushions is exceptional and they even feature Limited Edition, whom we wrote about in our blogg yesterday.

now available on http://www.furnish.co.uk/

As you know OurGreenRoom is a small independant home decor store from the beautiful town of Bradford on Avon, and we are pleased to announce that our wares are now available through Furnish. Thier collection online is proof that thier claims about selecting only the most gogeous home furnishings available is certainly true. We think so anyway.

Take a look and save some time - no more trawling through catalougues and online stores; it's all there for you.

New Wall Art find in Finnish Wall Art shop....

Todays lovely new wall art find is from Finnish store Seinäruusu Oy. Not only do they sell a massive range of Marimekko Wallpaper, but they retail these fantastic digital wall art pieces. This one that we have featured covers a massive 280 x 279cm, and looks very pretty as diaplyed against a vintage blue wall. 

It doesnt stop there though - their range of wall art is huge with a beautiful suprise on every page. This particular piece Eijffinger Pip tapetti will set you back a mere £268, pretty good value when you consider the time and effort it takes, not to metion cost, of purchasing and decorating with wall paper.....and I doubt your next door neighbours will have the same print!

Still stuck for ideas? Why not email us at info@ourgreenroom.co.uk and see if there is anything we can help you with.

Keep tabs on us by following us and we promise to bring you something unique and modern to add to your home every day. In the meantime, why not check out OurGreenRoom for some fantastic modern wall art pieces from only £79 including delivery.

Show your True Colours

'Show your True Colours'

We love this Interiors feature on page 62 of the Bath Magazine this week. ‘Show your True Colours’ shows how the Heaton family from Bath took a tired 1960’s home and through the use of bright colours, turned their home into a modern, bright and family friendly home with fantastic results. The use of colour is random and daring, with seemingly no boundaries.

The house is evidence that really going for it with bright colours and not being afraid to go for bold, really can produce great results and a beautiful place to live.

For some bright and colourful inspiration for your home, try reading the article online at Bath Magazine and then visit ourgreenroom to feast on some colourful wall art, cushions, clocks and accessories from only £25.

Enjoy!

Make your own Wall Art

Ever fancied making your own fabric wall art? Well now you can with these fantastic 'Make your own' kits from Txtlarts, and with an absolutely massive range of Marimekko and other designer fabric you'll be spolit for choice!

Now...how to do it: Start with the finished size wall art you want. Use those measurements to select your stretchers. You need to purchase 2 pairs of stretcher bars from txtlart to create one frame kit. For instance, if you want a frame that is 30"high and 54" wide, you would need one 30" pair and one 54" pair . Marimekko fabrics are 57.5" in width including the selvedge so the maximum width you can use is 54". To determine the frame size if you already have fabric; subtract at least 3" from the length and 3" from the width of your fabric.

Now choose your fabric. Any cotton fabrics can be used for wall art. Each frame kit from txtlart includes picture wire, eyehooks and instructions. You will need a staple gun, iron and a pair of scissors. Each stretcher from txtlart is notched to slide into each other. A slight tap of a hammer to be sure that the fit is tight, screw in the eyehooks and your frame is ready to use. Just add fabric and you have a piece of art for your wall. All kits sold through txtlarts have full instructions so you cant go wrong.

And what if you can't be bothered with all that, dont live in the US or don't have a staple gun? Visit OurGreenRoom where we specialise in making them for you from only £79 with FREE DELIVERY!

Vallila curtains

Available at £65 per drop including delivery - please contact ourgreenroom for further details.

Wow! when we saw these beautiful ready to hang curtains from fabric designers Vallila we were simply amazed at the great value for money. It's not often that you see great innovative design in line with high street prices.

Normally to have curtains made up in such a delicious designer print you would need to pay a soft furnishing specialist hundreds to do the job for you. Well not any more! You can have these simply fabulous designs in easy to use ready made curtains for only £60.00 per drop. You hear me correctly....£60 per drop! When I bear in mind how gorgeous they are I simply cant believe it. Maybe I know a secret no-one else does?

Each Panel measures 140 x 240cm (drop) big enough to fit most windows. Why go to Argos when you can stand out with one of these simply stunning works?

If you are interested in purchasing vallila curtains please get in touch with us at OurGreenRoom or visit us at http://www.ourgreenroom.co.uk/. The price is £65 per drop including delivery.

Bespoke Wall Art - Our Speciality!

A bespoke piece recently commissioned by a client through OurGreenRoom - charged at £129 including delivery.

Whilst we spend lots of time dedicated to choosing the very best fabrics for our bi-annual collections - It’s always interesting and fun when someone contacts us for a bespoke project, especially when a lot can be left to the imagination. Recently we were contacted to create a large wall art piece in 39 x 39” in purple, green and cream. An unlikely combination of colours you might think – so did we! But with the extensive portfolio of fabulous and always interesting fabrics available to us, the perfect choice is never too far away.

For this particular project we used a Marimekko fabric, and surprisingly there were a few to choose from in this palette, but our clients choice was a stunning large scale botanical designed by Aino-Maija Metsola called Kylmänkukka. It’s refreshing large scale purple and green splashes of watercolor ooze into the room bringing tranquility and calm whist remaining bright and uplifting.

The final project was charged at only £129 (pictured), so not too far away from the prices you find in our current OurGreenRoom collection. Why not stand out from the crowd and contact us to create a piece just for you. Anything is possible!

Peace and Calm

This week in the shop at 5 Weavers Walk, Bradford on Avon,  we will be exhibiting some wall art and cushions using the beautiful Gingko and Biloba prints by Marimekko. Tranquil and delicate, the designs are great for spaces to relax and replenish. We have actually used this print ourselves in combination with Lumimarja green in our own bedroom and it works a treat!

The fabrics have been professionally made into beautiful cushions and wall art and cushions are just £25 including an inner and optional delivery. Canvases start from £79 and are available at ourgreenroom as well as in the shop.