Hear Ye, Hear Ye! New Arivals Instore!!

Hello all! Sugar N. Spice here reporting on a fabulous summer’s day from Grace Home HQ. I hope this blog finds you all safe, well and grinning from ear to ear in what I hope is just the beginning of a long, gorgeous summer!
Come this time of year, I find that my thoughts tend to swing 1 of 2 ways;
a) I want to go on holiday. Right now.
b) I can’t afford to go on holiday. Perhaps I’ll give my home a cheap yet effective facelift!
I’m not sure why the sunshine & rising temperatures make me feel this way but guaranteed, during the summer months I can be found painting, shopping for new cushions and other soft furnishings or shifting furniture around. My theory is that the flood of sunlight into my home suddenly makes everything look a bit old, dull and decrepid. If, my dear friends, you are suffering from similar urges then, as always, we at Grace Home are here to help!


Enter Farrow & Ball. Manufacturers of traditional papers and paint. The only company continuing to manufacture a full range of high quality traditional and modern paint finishes. The same is also true of their wallpaper: nobody else uses real paints and traditional printing methods to create papers of such distinction and beauty. You won’t believe the richness and depth of Farrow & Balls colours which can be credited to the fact that their paints have a much higher pigment content than any other brand not to mention the use of the finest raw materials. There’s more than 120 colours to choose from, all available in a variety of finishes including Estate Emulsion, Oil Eggshell, Floor Paint, Exterior Masonry and many more.


Farrow & Ball wallpapers will give you something to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over too! In accordance with tradition, their patterns are block printed, whilst their stripes are trough printed. With 25 designs and over 700 colourways, you will be spoilt for choice!
Here at Grace Home we believe that beautiful things don’t have to cost the earth, financially or economically. With that in mind it’s also worth mentioning that Farrow & Ball produce some of the most environmentally friendly paints and wallpapers on the market today. In fact, 6 of their 11 paint finishes are environmentally preferable, low odour and contain minimal or low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).








Now, I understand that not all of us are blessed with the time, or finances for that matter, to redecorate our entire homes. Indeed some of us are so pressed for time that even the thought of painting 1 room is inconceivable! Fear not my darlings, Aunty Sugar is here with yet another solution. How about a statement piece of artwork to customise the space in question without the hassle of making your own stencil? Harmonie Interrieure are a fantastic French design company with heaps of innovation and style.

















Their range of vinyl wall stickers are hard wearing, adhesive cut out shapes that are easily fixed in place. Ideal for customising walls, windows, mirrors, furniture and other plain surfaces in a matter of minutes! Choose one to match the existing décor or change the atmosphere of your chosen room. We have 5 beautiful designs here at Grace that are sure to liven up the living space you have in question.

Whether humble or extravagant, we’re sure to have you back in love with your abode in no time!
Farrow & Ball sample pots available instore now priced £3-25.
Ask instore for specifics regarding delivery, full price list and colour chart.
Harmonie Interrieure vinyl wall stickers available instore now.
Prices start from £55-00

Spring Cleaning- National Chore Or Soul Holiday?

Lambs are a'leaping, birds are a'chirping….. and I am a’cleaning! I don’t know about spring being in the air, dust is what’s filling my air right now. This is because I am one of the millions of women around the world who buys into this whole ‘spring cleaning’ malarkey. And to be honest, I very much enjoy it. It’s true! The opportunity to spend hours on end in my humble abode scrubbing and toiling away with my favourite 'Ladies Night' CD's blaring out ….... trust me, it’s incredibly therapeutic and highly underrated.
Think about it, we spend an awful lot of time grooming, what with our hair, makeup, nails etc. I’m not implying it’s all for the benefit of the opposite sex but ultimately it is so that we don’t look like crazy, hairy, urban dwelling cave women. Am I right? Now, the amount of time you spend on the upkeep of your home is for the benefit of whom? Your house guests? Sure, but who is it that spends the most amount of time in your home? Who eats, rests and sleeps there? Whose sanctuary is it? Yours of course! And why wouldn’t you want for your home to be gorgeous? You deserve to reside in a home, not just a house. Not that the only way to show your home a little love is to clean it, this is only my opinion and I am a bit of a neat freak. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind untidy just not unclean. Nothing gives me as much pleasure as waking up to a beautifully clean house. It’s wonderful! It also makes me seem a little sad so I’m told, but hey, I am who I am. And I am the kind of person that gets excited by new & bespoke cleaning items so when our new line of environmentally sound cleaning products arrived in store last week, needless to say, I was thrilled!
Isabella Smith Apothecary is a Danish Company devoted to creating and marketing biodegradable cleaning products & toiletries that are both safe for the environment and the people who use them. That’s you and me my friend! Their range of cleaning products is called ‘Maison Belle’. They’re made from natural ingredients whenever possible and fragranced with fresh smelling essential oils. Recommended by The Times, not only do they get the job done, they’re also packaged in recyclable PET bottles. Smart stuff huh?

We stock everything from air freshener in Lavender & Mint…

….floor cleaner in Orange, Lavender & Cloves….

…and toilet cleaner, also in Lemon & Mint.

Further more, we have products that are kitchen, dishes and sink specific as well as an all purpose cleaner available in 2 different fragrances. After all of that scouring and before you settle down with a cup of tea, you’ll need to wash your hands no doubt. How do the hand wash and hand cream tickle your fancy in delicious Grapefruit & Lemon?
You see? Cleaning doesn’t have to be tedious. Instead think of it as a bit of chicken soup for the soul; soothing. I dare you not to put your feet up after you’ve finished with a cup/glass of your chosen beverage, look around you and feel a sincere sense of accomplishment. Goodness even! I am of the school of thinking that in order to be a Domestic Goddess, you don’t have to cook AND clean well. One or the other will do just fine.

Maison Belle products are available in store now. Prices range from £4 - £6.

"Cupid! Draw back your bow...."

Hello fellow admirers of all things beautiful!
I'm Sugar N. Spice. How do you do? I'm a friend of Kelly's & I've been volunteering in Grace since early November. I can't lie to you...... it really is as lovely as you'd assume, being surrounded by such gorgeous things at 'work'!
Christmas itself was super busy & also lots of fun. Since then, as Kelly's mentioned in her blog, we've been to quite a few trade shows. I'd never done 1 before but they are TIRING! It's a little overwhelming at first but once you get into the swing of it & learn the lingo, it's a breeze. The upshot of this thirsty work is that we have got some absolutely beautiful things on their way to you this spring!
A slight digression but, is anyone else relieved that January is over? Wow. What a miserable month!! Finally we can all banish those January blues & welcome in February with it's refreshingly blustery bright & chilly days. Blow out the old & decrepid I say! Bring on the promise of spring!
Sorry. Rant over. So immediately upon us of course is St Valentine's Day. That time of year when P.D.A's ( public displays of affection) suddenly become acceptable & the single among us become (even more) bitter. Now, I am a single girl but even I was overcome with excitement when I came across Kemp Aromatherapy Treatments.
A U.K. based company who specialise in pampering products made entirely from natural ingredients. Their selection of bath melts will melt even the most hardened & bitter of hearts. Fact! Moulded into tiny heart shapes & decorated with rose petals they can be purchased in boxes of 6, 4, Valentine's Day limited edition heart shaped, a tower of 3 or even individually. There's even a shaving box set for the boys! So whether it's a romantic gift for your special someone or a well deserved gift of TLC from you to yourself, we've got it covered! Also from Kemp we have some delectable bath essences in stock. Sold in presentation box sets of 3, fragrances include English Lavender & Lime Leaf, Amber & Mandarin and Rose Geranium & Palma Rose to name but a few. Romantic bathtime fun for 2? Possibly.... But to be honest, with scents this delicious, noone could blame you for keeping them all to yourself! Sometimes it's good to be single..... especially when you're a tad greedy!
Whether you're spending it with your soulmate (singular), or with your soulmates (that's what friends are for!), I hope you all have a sickly sweet day. I'll report back soon when more yummy things arrive instore.
Can I have a big hula-hoop-hooray for my first blog ever please? Woo-hoo!


Kemp Aromatherapy Treatments are available instore now. Prices range from £2.50-£37.00

Where did it go!!!

Well, christmas has come and gone, and still no website!! Firstly, I must add this is not due to my web developer. There are other reasons anyway. Watch this space... its not far off. Christmas was quiet good for the shop. Obviously I don't have anything to compare it to so its hard to tell. I'm still trading and the bank manager is not knocking at my door as yet, so hopefully we are moving in the right direction.

Quiet a lot has been happening since I last posted. We were very busy trying to get everything ready for the christmas period. We had an Evening Event at the beginning of November to launch the christmas stock, which was great. A fantastic turnout and the feedback we have been getting was very positive. I had a wonderful lady, Shauna who helped me out an awful lot with the run up til christmas. Thanks hunny!! Who you shall find out a lot more about later!! Since the new year though, it doesn't seem to have stopped. The shop itself is quieter (obviously we are all skint) But it is the buying season for the retail industry so my lovely Sundays are no longer spent with my gorgeous chickaboo (my 5 year old daughter) but now walking miles around the NEC and Earls Court!! In the hope of finding some new and exciting items for the coming year. We did find some little gems which we shall share with you later. For now though it is Au Revoir as I off to Paris for yet another show.. I know its a hard job but someones got to do it? More when I return.

Coming Soon...

Or so I'm told? I believe it is only a couple of weeks and my site will be ready. I do hope so... although, if feel like my head is all over the place at the moment. Since buying this business and running it single handled (with help from a few wonderful friends... you know who you are!) since February my brain never stops. I'm told this is what it will always be like. Help!! It took me about 4 months after taking over to fully adjust and get to grips with the business... I've never been in retail before. (Mad I know) Well apart from working as a Saturday girl? It is taking time as I'm having to change it more than I expected too, which as I'm no millionaire is taking longer than I would like. Anyway I feel comfortable with it all now, but I do feel about 4 months behind with everything. Everyone else in the retail industry is ready and sorted for the dreaded dare I say it... Christmas Period... me on the other hand is just getting sorted. So whilst sorting all that, the website, and looking for part time staff. I am also having a stall at the East Midlands baby and toddler show at the end of September, again which I've never done before, so I'm trying to organise and get ready for that. Oh well, live and learn. It certainly has been a learning curve, a steep one, but I'm enjoying it which was one reason for doing it in the first place. So watch this space... a website coming soon that will be packed full of wonderful French and Scandinavian inspired furniture and home accessories.

Better Late than Never!!

Better Late than Never...

Or so I'm told... Unfortunately my website is still not completed. Boo. and now my designer has only gone and got married.... :) so he's off on honeymoon and not back for about 3 weeks. It's just not on. (Of course I'm jealous) I'm sure as soon as he is back he'll be refreshed and ready to crack on and get it up and running. Can't wait. So watch this space. In the mean time I'm still sourcing new and exciting items for your homes. If there is anyone out there knows who supplies Brocade Home (in the US) please let me know. I absolutely adore there stuff and can't seem to find anything like it in the UK. I'm willing to stock it if only I can find out who the suppliers are. Or if you make gorgeous items for the home that are french or scandinavian inspired, then feel free to drop me a line.

Nougat

I managed to visit Pulse at Earls Court on Sunday, my first proper visit to a fair since taking over Grace Home, and it was Fab. I found some lovely new suppliers. One being Nougat, who have the most gorgeous range of bath & body products, which shall be in my shop within a few weeks.

They smell as good as they look too.. and I am the only supplier for Nottingham which is great!!