You may have noticed that minimalism isn’t really our thing either. For me, minimalism is cold and actually, I find it a little depressing. But to some, they love the uncluttered, clean lines and sleek style. My brother’s a minimalist, he hates ‘stuff’ – you know, all those accessories and knick knacks, which to me make a home what it is, but to him, it’s all just extra crap that he doesn’t need. And yes, he is HARD to buy presents for.

But the thing is, I’m not even sorry to all those that love a bit of beige, because do you know what? It really doesn’t matter what I think, what your next door neighbour thinks or what, heaven forbid, your mother thinks (more on that here).

Golden Feather Mirror | Gold Beetle Wall Decor | Hiding Hare Table Lamp

It’s YOUR home. Do whatever the hell you want with it, whatever makes YOU happy. I love colour, quirk, frivolity, and a touch of fabulous eccentricity. I have to have objects around me which evoke happy memories; sentimental items which have been passed down through generations, or even just a painting that reminds of a fabulous holiday. But that’s what makes ME smile – what makes YOU smile?

Our co-founder, Amelia’s tropical bathroom renovation

If you know what makes you smile, then fill your house with it. Be it colours, flowers, clean lines or even minimalism. Learn to recognise what it is you like. Yes, we can tell you what’s on trend at the moment, what colours are bang on the money or what ‘goes’ well with what. But if your home doesn’t quite feel ‘you’, then there isn’t enough things about it that make you smile.

So how do you find out what it is that makes you smile? How do you find what YOUR style is? Well, you have to actually stop and take notice of interiors. If you’re really aesthetic or design minded then you’ll do this naturally, but otherwise here’s a few tips to help you find your style:

Cherry Pink velvet Chair | Faiza Mirrored Tables | Beaten Gold Plant Pots | Velvet Leopard Jungle Cushion | All items available at Audenza

1. If you want to really get to grips with your style, it’s a good idea to start making a note of things you like as they crop up. Just jot down things in the notes section of your phone as you spot them and then whenever you’re next on Pinterest, have a browse for ideas that fit with whatever it is you’ve written down, so you can start to build up a moodboard. Don’t forget you can also create secret boards on Pinterest too, so only you can see them.  Naturally, if you spot something you like in a magazine, rip it out to refer back to. That might sound a bit over the top, but you’re never going to remember it otherwise!

2. Start with your own home- look around you. What do you love having around you? And importantly, what not? Are there things that you love in someone else’s home, but just couldn’t imagine living with yourself? If that’s the case, why is that? Is it just that you think you’d never be able to make it work in your own home, or is it that for instance, even though you like, ‘bright colours’, you wouldn’t want to live with them?

3. Naturally, Pinterest and Instagram are ideal for helping you define your style.  Look back through your Pinterest boards to see if there are any similarities. Start recognising the trends between them; colours, shapes, textures. For me, it’s kind of hard to tell what I like, because basically I like everything, all at once. Which is also kind of great, because it means I can have a really care free attitude to decorating. Clashing patterns? Sure. One thing I don’t like though- minimalism. Except, I’m starting to like the idea of a calm office. Not minimalist, obviously (let’s not get carried away), but perhaps the only white walls that I’d like in the house would be in the office. Again, I’ve only twigged that by really noticing what images and rooms I’m drawn to and feel a connection with.

4. Don’t forget to take notice when you’re about and about, visiting a hotel or cafe for instance, or basically, anywhere with a nice interior. What do you like and importantly, dislike?

To highlight the point that taste is merely a case of perception and personal opinion, I asked 2 of my favourite interiors bloggers & Instagrammers what makes them smile and to share a pic of their own home:

Image and quote: Kate Rogers, Online Interior Design and Event Styling, Over at Kates.  Follow Kate on Instagram here.

“What makes me smile is when you can really see peoples personality in their home! When I am decorating and buying things for my home, I never worry about whether they will go with a particular look or scheme. I figure as long as you fill your home with things you love then it will always come together!”

Image and quote: Olivia Silk, Interiors Blogger – Lust Living.  Follow Olivia on Instagram here.

“What makes me smile? At the moment I’m really into Hygge living, which is the Danish concept of living well and living simply. It’s all about creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the things and people around you so I’m trying to reflect that in my home lately, using soft textures for example my merino wool chunky knitted throw, sheepskin rugs and having an unnecessary amount of candles lit at all hours.”

You can apply this ‘does it make you smile?’ principle to decorating the whole house, but also to individual purchases. You can be as rational and logical as you like when trying to make a decision, but ultimately if it doesn’t make you smile then it won’t work long term, no matter how ‘functionional’ it is. You’ll come to begrudge it’s ugly presence soon enough and end up replacing it with something that makes you happy.

Us Audenza ladies don’t like anything in our house to be purely functional, in fact anything which doesn’t serve up a hefty dose of aesthetic pleasure is just down right offensive in our book. Which is why we cover boring lever arch folders in patterned paper,  spray paint pretty much anything that doesn’t move, and why we source and fill our home with beautiful objects that are not only functional, but seriously stunning too. And it’s why we started Audenza and this blog in the first place, to help and encourage others to do the same.

So tell me, what makes you smile?

Hollie x

Quirky Gifts

Boring gifts have no place here and certainly no place under your tree! We know you love anything just a little bit out of the ordinary, so whether you’re adding it to your own wishlist, or buying for a loved one, here’s our round up of our favourite quirky gifts, which we know you’ll love.  Here’s to a fabulously eccentric Christmas!

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Gifts for the Party Animal

Our carefully selected gifts for the party animal are perfect for a family member or friend who just loves to entertain. From your cool and quirky prosecco popping party pal, to your timeless and glamourous bestie who loves to wine and dine you, we’ve got them all covered.  Let’s face it, no serious party animal should be without a drinks trolley, so whether you’re feeling flush or you’re chipping in as a group gift, they’re a sure-fire hostess-pleaser.  If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, look no further than our quirky wine bottle holders and cool barware gifts.

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Still pondering the perfect gift? Let your loved ones or friends choose their perfect present, with an Audenza email e-gift voucher.  Our e-gift voucher is beautifully designed with gold lettering, because nothing says a special occasion like a sprinkling of gold. The lucky recipient can then make their choice from the lovely goodies at Audenza.

Happy Shopping!

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Gifts Under £40

First up in our Ultimate Gift Guide for the Fabulous & Fearless, is our pick of gifts under £40. If you’re looking for an affordable, unusual gift, then this is the place for you! It’s not always easy to choose a gift for someone, never mind finding something within a budget, so we have curated a collection of simply stunning pieces, all under £40, that would make THE perfect present.

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Gifts for Art Lovers

We all know an art lover – someone who adorns their walls with fabulously colourful and quirky art.  Perhaps there’s a spot in their gallery wall just waiting for the perfect piece, or maybe you’ve spotted they have a blank wall that just HAS to be filled!  Here’s our pick of the best gifts for the art lover in your life.

Shop Gifts for Art Lovers >>

Happy shopping! We’ll be back next week with the next instalment of our Fabulous and Fearless gift guide.

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PLUS! Our Black Friday sale is ON! We’ve even included some of our most loved pieces, but only for a limited time. Items may be removed from the sale at any time!

*Ts&Cs Promotion Codes
Offers valid from 8am 26/11/21, until 10am 30/11/21.  Offer may only be used once per person and not in conjunction with any other offer.  Excludes delivery and any items in the sale. Cannot be used whilst redeeming a gift voucher. Promo code must be used at the time of purchase and cannot be applied retrospectively. Minimum spend threshold applies to value of order when you order and when you return any items and the value must be met on non-sale items. If your returns take the revised spend below the minimum spend threshold for the code used, you’ll lose the benefit of the discount i.e. items kept revert to full price and your refund will be adjusted accordingly. This means you may not get the same value back when refunded.

As we admitted to you last week, the fear of saying the wrong thing has held us back from commenting on certain issues in the past, but as history itself isn’t passive, neither shall we be moving forward.

Supporting Black Lives isn’t a week on social media and then carrying on as before. It’s a promise of ensuring equality is fought for until it’s attained. For all.

We are conscious of our words mirroring our actions, so alongside using our platform to continue highlighting BAME and specifically Black creators, we have also signed up to @madaboutthehouse and @rukminipatelinteriordesign’s Design For Diversity Pledge.

By placing the DFD sticker on our website, we undertake to uphold The Pledge.

The Design For Diversity Pledge is a great initiative for those of us in the interiors world, to try and make a difference. Going forward, we are committed to ensuring inclusion and variety is in everything we do at Audenza, and we’re proud to be involved in implementing and encouraging changes across our industry as a whole.

Jacqui, Hollie & Amelia x

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1. Make time for a virtual catch up

Make time to sit down and have a drink and a chat over the phone with a friend (even better with a video call of course). Did you know that you can have a group video call on WhatsApp with up to 4 people? Pretend you’re in a swanky bar with your very own drinks trolley, styled to perfection!

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2. Get comfy with a new box set

We all lead such busy lives nowadays, it can be hard to find time to sit down and binge that box set you’ve always fancied (and let’s face it, box sets are done best when binged!).  Well now is the perfect time to start.  Turn your sofa into the ultimate binge-watchers paradise, and treat yourself to some new luxe, comfy cushions in gloriously soft fabrics.

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3. Let them know you’re thinking of them

There’s no better way to bring joy to someone’s day than with an expected, heartfelt gift. How about sending a beautiful photo frame with a photo inside, to someone you miss and can’t see at the minute, to let them know you’re thinking of them?  If you’d like us to send the gift directly to the recipient, you can post the photo to us (a 1st or 2nd class stamp will do). Just let us know beforehand and we can confirm the correct photo size.

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4. Bring the outdoors, indoors

Being surrounded by nature has been proven to be beneficial to our mood and to even increase productivity.  But this doesn’t just apply to real plants, having faux plants in the home brings a much needed dose of mood-boosting nature into your home. So why not treat yourself to a new plant or two, to bring a little piece of the outdoors indoors.

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5. Treat yourself to breakfast in bed

For many people, life has changed pace since social distancing; take time to enjoy the little positives that can come of this and enjoy breakfast in bed with a good book! Ramp up the fancy-hotel-feeling with a luxurious tray to serve it on.

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I, being the try hard, trendy that I was, wore trousers that had a skirt built-in.  Jollied by my mothers assurances that it was about to become ALL the rage, I trotted into school that day with a smile on my face, confident that this look was about to propel me to seriously new levels of cool (I say new, meaning I was most definitely not cool to start with).  It took all of about 5 seconds on walking into the classroom for me to realise that I had made a grave mistake.

The key point about this quote, is that my version of ‘boring’, may well be very different to yours.

Well, my friends, that was my first lesson in trends.  Unless, you’re already cool, trying to start your own trend, with the hope of it catching on, is simply not going to happen.  You need someone cool (or in the case of the real world, a journo, a blogger, or someone with authority) to catch on to it and then you’ve got a chance at it taking off.

It took me a few years to recover from that non-uniform experience, not just in terms of emotional damage (!!) but also to realise that actually, I didn’t care what other people thought.  I spent most of my early teens dressing like everyone else, EXACTLY like everyone else.  To my mothers despair.  But it must have been a coming of age thing, because when I reached about 17 or 18, I actually stopped caring.  Of course, looking back on it now, I think, “What on earth was I thinking?”, but at the time, I was having fun and experimenting.  In fact, I used to like it when people in Leicester laughed at what I was wearing, it meant I had succeeded in looking different.

Now the point of this story (yes, I am getting to it!), is that exactly the same goes for your decor choices, folks. Design is so subjective and everyone has different tastes. Even one product can be taken and styled in a multitude of different settings to create a completely different look.  You don’t need to feel like you should follow trends. What’s actually important is finding what it is you love and basing your decor decisions around that. [You can read more here: How to Find Your Interiors Style.]

Image credit: @Patirobins | View her eclectic and moody house tour

And do you know what we find?  Anyone whose opinion we respect, or for that matter, care about, respects us for having the courage to step out and be different.  Our friends don’t always like what we wear, or what we have in our homes, but they respect us for doing it anyway.

If you’re going to try and style your home hoping that everyone else is going to come in, love it and then do something similar, then you can forget about it.  If you’re doing something different, then just embrace it and know that not everyone who walks in the door is going to like it.  But that’s OKAY.

How boring would life be if everyone looked the same, wore the same thing and styled their houses the same.  Urgh! I couldn’t think of anything worse.   So, if you feel confident enough to try something different, then fantastic, but try to remember my little story about the skirt and trouser combo.  You’ve got to go into it knowing that you might be on your own, but have the confidence in your own mind and creativity to stick with it anyway.

Hollie x

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We won in 2015, were highly commended in 2016 and decided not to participate in 2017 due to our re-brand which we had on at the time.  But we felt it was time to dust of the old blogging award shoes (*not really a thing) and get stuck in again this year.

It’s always such a great thing to be involved with, and if we’re lucky enough to make the shortlist and attend the ceremony, it’s one helluva fun night. But this year looks tougher than ever. We have already had a cheeky glimpse at the competitors in our category and suffice to say, we’ve got some seriously tough competition. BUT! We are not deterred easily (’cause you know,#LiveFabulousAndFearless) and we think our blog gives those big guns (with an entire team of marketing + editorial staff) a run for their money, don’t you agree?!

I can’t tell you how much it would mean to us to be shortlisted again this year. Whilst our blog is not our sole focus as a business, we do blog weekly, which as a 3 person team is a huge undertaking, so any sort of recognition that people like what we’re doing really means a lot to us.

So please do consider heading over and voting for us – if not just ’cause you love our blog, but for the chance to win a camera!

Hollie x

                                                                                How the old set used to look

So, we have just moved our photography set (posh word that for what is essentially a stage set of two walls) into Audenza HQ – at last.  It makes everything so much easier as all of the products are here to photograph, so no moving massive amounts of products to another location.  We can even stop for lunch in the middle of working which is an added bonus.  As we are not able to make any changes to the fabric of the building (there is also a lot of pipework running up the walls), the whole set had to be made from massive boards of MDF, even the flooring!

Researching panelling we decided to have a more contemporary look, with squared, flat panelling instead of the previous beaded mouldings to break up the wall space.   Although the panelling now looks more contemporary, it’s a historical design making a resurgence but using painted MDF as opposed to solid oak.  Our carpenter suggested using plywood laid in a herringbone pattern to resemble parquet for the flooring, which we liked the idea of, but the staining was a bit of a disaster which we have yet to resolve.  We knew we wanted a dark floor to give a much more dramatic effect than our current white one, so we used a walnut stain, but it turned out very patchy, so had to be reapplied thicker, which has resulted in a floor that looks like a slab of dark chocolate.  It certainly doesn’t resemble a wooden parquet floor!  As we have a new range of rugs it’s not too much of an issue at the moment, but we are still pondering the solution.  If anyone has any suggestions, we’re all ears?! Our carpenter also made an extra board that fits behind the set and can be slid out and pushed into place on the set so we have a lighter wall for some shots, which is great, if rather difficult to manoeuvre!

   Ta da! The finished set, PLUS our brand new Curvarella Turmeric Velvet Armchair which has just launched online

What do you think to our new set?  Impressed?  We are, and loving not having to move massive amounts of stock from one premises to another.  Since it’s usually just Amelia and I on the photoshoots, it also means Hollie is here for her input as well which is good.  We have so much gorgeous new furniture and accessories arriving at the moment for our autumn/winter collection and it’s all looking fabulous against our new set so far.  Keep your eyes peeled for some sneaky peeks on Instagram Stories as we’re shooting!  Find us: @audenzahome.

Jacqui x

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Chefchaouen, Morocco

Photo by Dimitrie Vadim Stanescu

I mean, have you ever seen anywhere more magical? Nestled in the Rif Mountains, in the northwest of Morocco, the beautiful town of Chefchaouen, which translates to ‘looking at the peaks’ owes its beauty to the distinctive blue wash buildings of its old town. It’s a favourable destination for Instagram lovers, and quite rightly so, it’s hard to believe that this picture-perfect blue haven could lie within such an arid setting. There are many theories behind why the town drenched itself in the calming hue, one being that it keeps the mosquitoes at bay.

Burano Island, Italy

Photo by Fabio Mangione

Italy is filled with an abundance of brightly hued towns, but the colourful island of lace is way up there on our list of destinations with colourful buildings. Situated in North Italy in the Venetian lagoon, the Burano Island is a stark contrast to the splendors and elegance of Venice. However, the small island is equally as stunning in its own right, wouldn’t you agree? The rainbow coloured houses that line the waterfront just add to the beauty of the island.  Legend has it that the houses were originally painted in bold shades so that fisherman could see them whilst out fishing, even in thick fog.

Bo-Kaap, South Africa

Photo by Ken Treloar

Boasting an explosion of colourful Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, the Bo-Kaap is Cape Town’s most distinctive neighborhoods. Each of its houses are adorned in one vibrant shade or another. Palettes of lime greens, lemon yellows, sky blues and hot pinks are just a few of the shades that bring the streets alive and entice tourist’s year after year.

Havana, Cuba

Photo credit: Mark Turner via Photo Pin

Cuba’s capital oozes culture and character and its riot of weathered colourful colonial buildings only adds to its charm. Thanks to its rich history and various outside influences over the years, the enticing city boasts an eclectic mixture of architectural styles including Baroque, Moorish and Art Deco, making it of one of the most architecturally diverse cities in the world.

Manarola, Italy

Photo by Marc Zimmer

Even though it’s the oldest and second smallest of Italy’s famous Cinque Terre towns doesn’t mean it’s any less magnificent. Manarola is best known for its captivating beauty, made distinctive by the colourful houses built upon the rugged Riviera coastline, which spill down towards the Ligurian Sea. Traditionally known for its fishing and wine making, its sweet Sciacchetrà wine has become renowned. What better way to enjoy the majestic vistas than relaxing with a glass of the local tipple?

La Boca, Argentina

Photo by Best Tourism

The rainbow coloured mismatch of zinc house is one of the main reasons why tourists flock to this Argentinian neighbourhood. It’s also famous for its football stadium and local street artists. It was said that dock workers who used to live in La Boca we’re so poor that they had no choice but to build their homes from rejected ship materials which they then painted in leftover paint, but there was never enough to cover a whole house which why the results are inconsistent.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Photo by Tim Trad

Nyhavn in Denmark’s trendy capital is certainly a sight to behold. Originally, the district was a busy commercial port where boats from around the world would dock. It was a hugely popular haunt for sailors and writers, including the very famous Hans Christian Andersen who lived at no. 20 Nyhavn, as well as no. 67 and no. 18. Today, the area is top attraction for tourists when visiting Copenhagen. The waterfronts grand rainbow-coloured buildings now inhabit lively bars and restaurants, making it the perfect setting to end a long day of sight-seeing.

Pachuca, Mexico

Photo by: Ted’s photos via Photo Pin

In recent years, the low-income neighbourhood of Palmitas in Pachuca has received a rather colourful face-lift which was commissioned by the government in aim to reduce violence among youngsters. Created by German Crew, a group of local street artists, the vibrant mural is painted across over 200 of the hillside houses. Covering some 20,000 square meters, the impressive art work presents a kaleidoscope of colours which can be seen from miles around.

Wroclaw, Poland

Photo credit: izrailit via Photo Pin

A lively cultural centre, Wroclaw is the fourth-largest city in Poland and arguably one of the prettiest– it’s easy to see why. Many of the city’s buildings have embraced Bohemian, Austrian and Prussian influences. At Wroclaws heart lies the magnificent market square lined with a vibrant array of incredible architecture that stands out even on the gloomiest of days. It’s also a hugely popular area for university students, making it one of the most youthful cities in the country.

Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by: Wuestenigel via Photo Pin

The assortment of rich and colourful buildings in Antigua stand proud against the remarkable volcanic backdrop. Its dazzling beauty and abundance of Spanish-language schools, makes it a global hotspot and must-see destination. The city was largely ruined by the earthquakes in the 17^th century but many of the colonial buildings were rebuilt and over the years have been renovated. Despite its natural disasters over the years, Antigua can certainly be proud of the resilience it’s shown by its inhabitants.

There’s an endless array of destinations with colourful buildings in the world that make it impossible to pick just one favourite. Whether it’s the serene blues of Chefchaouen or the worn out pastel hues of Havana, we’d love to hear which of the above colourful buildings stood out for you!

Jess x

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