Letterbox Magazine #4 - October 2019

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IN THIS ISSUE Gorgeous

Dark

Kitchens

to

in

How

to

create

the

perfect

Cosy

Halloween

DIY's

consider

your

for

in

Autumn

your

your

home

home

home!

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letterbox TABLE OF CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2019 - EDITION 4 Editor's Note

03

Gorgeous, Inspiring, Dark Kitchens

06

Instagram accounts to followÂ

09

Creepy Crawly Halloween Table DIY

10

A peak at the Neptune Home A/w Collection

13

Creating the perfect autumn cosy in your home

15

One Subtle Way to Bring Halloween into the Home

17

DAY OF THE DEAD HALLOWEEN PARTY - DIY DIY: HALLOWEEN PHOTO BOO-TH

CHARLOTTE-NICHOLE@OUTLOOK.COM

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR LETTERBOX TAKES ON HALLOWEEN Its arugably the most exciting time of the year for your home. With just 3 months till Christmas throws up, and with autumn just beginning, there's plenty of reason to spruce up your home to become the ultimate cozy destination.

I am so excited for this new edition of Letterbox. As we grow in popularity and size ( including some fantastic writers joining our pages ) , we have a huge range of articles that will get your home ready for autumn including Halloween party DIY's, new autumn collections and embracing trends in your own home.

As always, grab a cuppa and scroll to your hearts content. If you are looking for more Letterbox besides the monthly mag, be sure to be our friends on social media too.

We've very nicely left all the links below.

pssst - all images are linkable in this mag, so click and explore!

e

Charlott

GORGEOUS, INSPIRING DARK KITCHENS HOW TO EMBRACE THE NEW TREND You’ll know how much I loveeeeee discovering a

Whether you opt for black, navy, grey or dark

new home decor trend that is set to stay. And it’s

green, there are plenty of colour palettes, and

safe to announce, the bland and pretty safe white

inspiration, to be found if thinking of updating your

and marble kitchens have been kicked to the

kitchen to suit this sleek, modern trend. Since we

sideline. Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with

have introduced dark grey hues into our open plan

those, but it’s time for us all to get a little more

living space ( which includes our lounge, kitchen

adventurous when it comes to our home!

and dining space ), I have never been more keen to adopt a dark kitchen.

It’s never been more on trend to have a dark kitchen than now. Dark cabinets, with contrasting counters is a Kitchen trend that is hitting hard. They are stylish, smart looking and modern. And I honestly can’t understand why it can’t be shoehorned into any home, whatever the style!

It's all in the colour When it comes to taking your kitchen to the dark side, it’s all about the colour you choose. If you’re re-modelling your kitchen, you have free reign to introduce a more modern, but classic twist.

But there are still somethings you need to bare in mind when looking to have a dark kitchen, and the colour to choose.

Look at the natural light in your space. If

it’s flooded in light, you could

adopt dark grey or even black, top & bottom cupboards.

Consider the rest of your home. If you have a fairly classic home, a black ultra modern kitchen will feel out of place. You’d really want a royal blue, rather traditional type.

If you are are looking to re-paint your

Being dark - But not to dark Of course, there are kitchens that just wouldn’t fair well being

kitchen, you have various other things to

dark. Small, pokey spaces spring to mind. Yet, that doesn’t mean you

consider, beside those above.

can’t embrace dark cupboards. Why not consider using dark colours on the low levels areas, and adopting bright tones up above. Getting rid

Worksurfaces.

Whatever colour you

choose, you need to make sure it’s going

of closed cupboards, using open shelving, or including light coloured cupboards can help a small, dark kitchen, embrace the new trend.

to match well with your already in place work surface. Be sure to do lots of swatches and take them home. Placing them inside your kitchen within the light will help you decide.

Flooring. Just

like your worksurfaces,

Mix & Match Textures You tend to hear many interior enthusiasts gasp with joy when a space has many different textures. And there’s good reason. Any space that varies materials, furnishings and texture offers space that isn’t

you need to consider your flooring too.

pops. Using all the same colours and materials can quickly make any

Make sure the colour you opt for

space feel bland, boring and flat. It’s the same for your kitchen. The

compliments your flooring and isn’t going

best dark kitchen spaces incorporate multiple tones ( light and dark )

to create a unsightly clash!

and different materials / textures ( smooth surface / rough brickwork ).

Letterbox Home Tour

Coming soon..

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@thegreeneyedgirl

@the.place.next.door

@therowe

6 Inspirational Instagram Accounts to follow There is no place better than Instagram to find home interior inspo. Here's 6 of the most gorgeous feeds you should be following this month.

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@the_middle_terrace

@lust_life_designs

@roundatnumber51

CREEPY CRAWLY CHIC HALLOWEEN TABLE BY

OH

SO

KEL

The Pinterest gods are telling us that the search for Halloween inspo has begun so who am I to argue? I’m putting my two pennies’ worth in by sharing a chic yet creepy table because who says you can’t add BOOtiful details (see what I did there?) or throw in a touch of pretty?

Halloween doesn’t always have to be dark and moody (although I do love that too! Check out my Day of the Dead shindig from last year) so I’ve teamed up with Talking Tables to create this bright and cheerful tablescape complete with iridescent backdrop, vibrant flowers, charming gemstone bugs and of course a touch of DIY, because as much as it’s fun to shop till you drop it’s equally as fun to create something yourself don’t you agree?

What grounds this light and bright scheme is our twinkly white sequin tablecloth also used in our Swan Lake Soiree and Ice Cream & Slime Party and the beautiful glitterati iridescent fringe curtain which was fixed to our kitchen cupboards with heavy duty cellotape.

I love the contrast against the dark moody accessories and how the playful vibrant colours really pop.

Food fit for our fiendish friends was bloody brain pizza which we made by cutting a large pizza with a small circular cookie cutter and dragging the cheese to create obscure brain-like shapes before drizzling with ketchup. It was served on my DIY glittery orange skull food stand which was made by gluing (UHU all-purpose) a perspex circle decorated with cobweb stickers to the flat edge of a foam skull decoration.

Disgustingly delicious spooky strawberries dipped in white chocolate and finished with edible eyes were served alongside jelly creepy crawlies on a perspex cake stand. Bug scatter decorations added an extra creepy touch and I just love how some of them have gemstones on the design.

The pumpkin wonderball really got the party going.

Think Halloween pass the parcel with goulish jokes, creepy crawly toys and fortune telling fish pressies.

There’s a sprout one too which I can’t wait to bring out at Christmas!

I hope you have a happy Halloween whether it’s bright and sparkly or dark and moody! Either way it’s a time of year where there’s no such thing as ‘too much’.

Join the club.

Use the hashtag #letterboxhome to be featured on our page and in next months magazine.

A A Q QU UIIC CK K P PE EA AK K A AT T N NE EP PT TU UN NE ES S A A//W W 220 01199 C CO OL LL LE EC CT TIIO ON N Neptune Home is arguably the most beautiful stores when it comes to timeless home pieces any homeowner is envious for.

So, when they release their Autumn / Winter collection, you can understand why we ate Letterbox get oh so excited!

The new collection of muted tones, and bold, statement pieces, creates the perfect colour palette for a modern yet classic winter.

LET'S TALK COLOURS

NEW PIECES

If you're feeling daring in your home this Autumn, Neptune's in season colours are certainly something to consider.

As well as some beautiful autumn colours , Neptune hasn't disappointed with their new collection of furniture and home decor pieces neither.

Featuring multi-functional pieces suitable for any home, Chawton is a free-standing, bespoke piece that should be welcomed in any home.

Whether you embrace it as a sideboard or a tall cabinet with ladder and rail, the Chawton should be of consideration when looking to expand the storage in your home.

Ink - a navy that's so dark it's almost black has subtle hints of blue, making it the softer choice to consider when looking to be braver with colour and tone!

Salt - is a gorgeous white tone to accompany and brighten your darker hues. Whether you use as a accent, hint or pocket in your scheme, salt is the perfect autumn tone

SHOP THE NEW SEASON

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ashtag Use the h ome xh #letterbo ge on our pa e. d e r tu a fe gazin to be onths ma m t x e n and in @always_thattouchofgold

5 MOVIES TO WATCH THIS HALLOWEEN

HOW HOW TO TO CREATE CREATE THE THE PERFECT PERFECT AUTUMN AUTUMN COSY COSY IN IN YOUR YOUR HOME HOME BY

HANNAH

PHILIPS

FROM

NOT

ANOTHER

BLOG

When the temperature cools and the leaves transition from the luminous green to that gorgeous rich orange shades, Autumn is here.

The time to create that perfect Autumn cosy in your home, to make it feel like one of those classic Sunday’s but everyday, including the smell of roast dinners, Pumpkin spice and watching the beautiful colours emerge through the window on a cold, blustery day.

I recently read ‘The little book of Hygge’ and it was so inspiring to create a peaceful, happy space. Therefore when I saw the signs of Autumn on its way I was excited to put it into my home.

Switching to woollen blankets and throws are the easiest way to make your home cosier.

Even if colours are not for you, changing grey’s to a darker thicker version or alternatively neturals to an orange, or a mustard shade. Blankets draped over the sofa makes the atmosphere so warming and easy to grab and cuddle into when it gets colder in the evenings.

Switching to woollen blankets and throws are the easiest way to make your home cosier.

Even if colours are not for you, changing grey’s to a darker thicker version or alternatively neturals to an orange, or a mustard shade. Blankets draped over the sofa makes the atmosphere so warming and easy to grab and cuddle into when it gets colder in the evenings.

Dressing your home with an Autumnal theme starts at the front door. If you’re anything like me, after being dragged through the wind and rain I can’t wait to get home and when you see your Autumnal door dressed in those beautiful warm orange and yellow colours it automatically makes me feel cosy. Wreathes can make such a massive difference when you want to make a difference without breaking the

Snuggle down with a candle or dim the lights Talking about cosy evenings, dimming the lights, tuning in for a snuggly film like ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ or ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and nestle in with these classics, surrounded by the flickering light of candles and that gorgeous scent of cinnamon spice to enjoy the sense of calm.

bank. Seeing the shape of those leaves weaving in and Having those lightbulbs which most houses have are around each other just gets me so excited! definitely bright and airy but during the colder months,

Bringing the Outdoors in

installing a warm toned bulb or a dimmer switch immediately gives that homely feel. Pair these bulbs with an

Hanging Autumn leaf garlands are a great buy and if you are creative then it’s an easy DIY with plastic or even real leaves. If you are feeling extra fancy, weave fairy lights throughout them to light up their beautiful colours especially now the evenings are getting shorter and darker.

opaque lamp and fairy lights, you’ve got the most comforting room to spend time to relax.

ONE SUBTLE WAY TO BRING HALLOWEEN INTO THE HOME

BY BRETT BEAR SMITH

It's no secret Halloween is my absolute all time favourite holiday season. It's not just about the long and interesting history that follows Halloween or even the dressing up, and sure the treats that come up around Halloween are great.

But for me it's the decor you get to bring out around the home that's not as garish as the Christmas tinsel and baubles that we have to tolerate from November to the start of January or even longer for the Christmas crackpots.

For my long time readers you'll remember my early days of writing when I had a whole section dedicated to The Occult on my website, and although that's now gone it's still nice to pay homage to my old time fascination to The Occult which obviously includes...

HALLOWEEN! My one subtle way to bring Halloween into your home is of course candles!

You can't move in my house without knocking one over (jokes, that would be a fire hazard). Jokes aside candles are a firm favourite of, well, EVERYONE ever. Even my Dad has a stash of wax melts in each room.

We seriously do love candles in our house though and we love nothing more than swapping them up with the seasons / holidays.

What better way to get in the spirit (no pun intended) than your home being bought to life with the very smell of the season or holiday you're celebrating. A scent can invoke so many things or emotions or put you at a certain place in time and of course candles add ambience and mood to a room or space as well as light.

With the massive insurgence of retailers pushing every holiday to the absolute limit now in sales capacities and realising the huge potential of capitalising on said holidays there are endless amounts of Halloween candles on offer in not most but all high street stores.

I was recently in a well known home store and although I've seen Halloween getting bigger and bigger each year I was pleasantly surprised to see the sheer number of Halloween only themed candles on offer in this one store alone. I'm not just talking about your basic orange or black candles, I'm talking about all sorts of jazzy brands and amazing scents to choose from. i probably spent a good 30 minutes taking in every candle on offer before picking up this years selection to strategically place around my house and what fun it was. Absolute heaven (or hell).

So there we have it, my one subtle way to bring Halloween into your home without breaking the bank or over indulging. Get in touch to let us know how you will be spending your Halloween and your top tips for bringing a season or holiday home.

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@makingmillfrodmemories

How to

DAY OF THE DEAD HALLOWEEN PARTY DIY BY

OH

SO

KEL

When I first put together a Chic Halloween Tablescape as a taster for our full-blown Halloween party, I never expected to end up with the scale of what we created, but it turns out that you can create a Halloween theme that really is chic yet fun and on a budget using items you already have around the house as the foundation, so it was easy to run with it. Isn’t that the wonderful thing about party styling? Anything is possible. I personally think that what we ended up with would be a truly awesome and unique idea for a wedding couple who love Halloween too. Someone do it please and let me see the outcome!

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a three day holiday celebrated in Mexico which prays for and remembers family and friends who have died, and helps support their spiritual journey.

I like this concept, because it doesn’t focus on ghosts and ghouls that come back to haunt you, which feels more comfortable when there are young children involved. By introducing lots of bright colours and flowers, this definitely feels like a celebration.

TABLE FOUNDATION The backdrop for the table was created with that garden membrane stuff you put underneath chippings to stop the weeds growing through; we had a big roll of it in our garage and it’s come in sooooo handy for this party, plus we can fold it back up again and use for another party or for its real purpose in the garden. We layered the table with the same black fabric, then added a black and white striped fabricwhich is so versatile for many styles of entertaining, an orange lace runner, a mustard colour scarf of mine, and a black lace tablecloth. For me, these layers were the key ingredient in capturing the playfulness of ‘Dia de los Muertos’ and added depth to the scheme. It also offered the perfect opportunity to add height by sliding acrylic display stands underneath ready to place our skulls on and create that sweeping effect with the garland.

PRINTABLES I completely adore Sprinkled Designs who provided all the printables including the stunning ‘Dia de los Muertos’ sign used on the table, which was finished off using a gothic-style frame.

FLOWERS Seriously, how gorgeous are those flowers provided

by Magnolia Hill Flowers based in Bristol, UK? The orange and purple colours complemented everything perfectly and added that chic, sumptuous look I was after to really capture a Day of the Dead festival. The antique gold pot and ‘Crime Scene’ alcohol bottle transcend the displays from ‘normal’ to ‘Halloween’ (a stroke of genius) and the garland sweeping across the table adds a sumptuous feel.

SKULL DETAILS The sparkly skulls are from Country Baskets and add a touch of glam to the affair; they look expensive but they’re seriously not which is a winner. The black and white ceramic tealight holders are from Poundland and look fantastic with a few blooms added. You can find similar here.

FAVOURS

FOOD

We had some Cohiba cigars left from our wedding so left those out for the grown ups in their super-cool original wooden box which was dressed up with a skull tea light holder and flowers.

Keeping with the Mexican theme Chilli Con Carne, rustic bread, nachos and dip was on offer for the adults, along with baked Camembert.

I don’t know about you, but by the time my kids have been to a few Halloween themed events and done a stint of trick or treating the amount of sweets they have is more scary than the event itself and should see them through to next year. That’s why I love these badges, magnets and keyring from Missy Cardsas an alternative treat, with a printable from Sprinkled Designs.

My clever friend made Sloe Gin Cupcakes, complete with skull pipets, which looked and tasted fabulous.

The kids were treated to a buffet of wrapped fingers (sausage rolls), ghosty marshmallows,ghost cups (Sharpie pens were used to decorate them and my daughter loved this job!) filled with carrot batons, grapes and strawberries and other classic buffet food.

My friend also made spooky spider Oreo cupcakes which the kids absolutely loved.

DIY: DIY: HALLOWEEN HALLOWEEN PHOTO PHOTO BOO-TH BOO-TH For our Day of the Dead themed Halloween party we wanted to create an area where all our guests could have family and friends photos taken as a memory of the evening, and this backdrop was soooooo easy yet effective and didn’t break the bank either because most of the items we already had around the house.

Black garden membrane really came in handy for the backdrop; we fixed it to the wall using tiny nails which acted as fixing points for our Christmas fairy lightstoo.

The bright orange cobweb hooked onto the nails and was so easy to spread around as a frame. We simply pushed the stems of flowers through it and added a few plastic spiders which stuck to the cobweb because of its sticky texture.

We hung flower garlands from a Hawaiian party on the fairy lights, along with lightweight foam skulls from Country Baskets (you can find similar here), stapled a Sprinkled Designs printable to the cobweb, and one of my Aztec print scarfs was the perfect addition.

We ran another piece of black membrane across the floor to make the photos more effective and put a charity shop vintage suitcase on top. This housed our photo props which mainly consisted of fabulous skeleton masks and accessories from Talking Tables.

The Photo BOOth sign added a touch of fun and an old pink shabby rug with leftover orange lace table runner added some texture and colour to the case.

So there you have it, a spooky Halloween photo BOOth backdrop perfect for a party!

&myhome_number2

@behindthefrontdoor1

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letterbox OCT

2019

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