It's time for some DIY - Make Your Own Floor Lamp

I have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of interesting floor lamps on the market. They are always SO BORING! Why is this??

Since moving into our house almost 4 years ago I have been on the hunt. Floor lamps aren’t the cheapest things to buy so I want the spend to be worthwhile, rather than just filling a basic, practical (ugh I hate that word) need to overcome the problem of “it’s too dark in here”. I hate putting the ‘main’ lights of a room on in the evening, and floor/ table lamps are great for creating ambience – they make a room so much more inviting and luxurious.

After months of searching I came across this lamp which I love and is now perfectly at home in our living room. It was a bit on the pricey side but I thought it was worth it seeing as it was totally different to the usual lamp offering. Plus it gives of a lovely soft dappled lighting effect when it’s on, as well as looking fabulous in the daytime when it’s not.

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only problem? It doesn’t actually give off that much light! So my search for a second floor lamp began. Why didn’t I just get a second one of the same type I hear you ask? Don’t be silly.

During my endless internet searches I came across Needcraft (www.needcraft.co.uk) who supply ‘Make Your Own Lampshade’ kits, which got me very excited... I don't get out much.

I bought the jazziest looking base I could find (a struggle in itself) which ended up being from BHS surprisingly who have a great selection of home items if anyone is interested.

Next for the shade! There are a plethora of fabric suppliers online who sell all sorts of wonderful patterned fabrics and I spent a while searching through them all but couldn’t find anything quite right. Then I noticed that Needcraft have a ‘Digital Print for Lampshade’ option... which means you can basically get anything you want on it! You can design a pattern yourself or use a photo/image – the possibilities are endless, and it only costs £15 for the print.

I wanted something really quirky for the shade and started playing around with ideas. I am seriously loving Fornasetti at the moment, but can’t quite justify their price tag so I decided to create a Fornasetti inspired design that would match the colours of my living room. This is what I came up with…

N.B. Obviously this is only something I have done for personal use (not commercial), so I can get away with it. 

So I sent it off along with my order for the lamp-making kit (I ordered the 45cm drum with metallic gold inside at £19.81 total) and waited with eager anticipation by my front door. 6 days later, it arrived. It comes with very clear instructions and probably took me around 30mins to complete.   

 

I am pretty chuffed with how it has turned out. Now all I need is a lightbulb!!

Please do comment and let me know what you think. Are you tempted to have a go yourself?

As a final note, I am sorry but I just couldn't resist...
I love lamp.

Tara Sofia Scented Candles - progress update

Hello friends & readers!

First of all – apologies for not posting for a few weeks. There has been a lot going on and unfortunately the blog has suffered temporarily. However I promise, we are now back on track!

Over the past few weeks I have taken a “break” from creating artwork as I wanted to concentrate on getting my candles into production. I was coming to the realisation that simultaneously working to establish myself as an artist, as well as manufacturing candles from scratch was spreading myself a little too thin so I needed to really concentrate on one thing at a time.

Regarding the candles, I am thrilled to say that I am getting there!!!  It has taken several months to research potential suppliers and weigh them up – making the final decisions of who to proceed with feels like a huge leap into the unknown but hopefully I have made good choices. I have been speaking to some really great suppliers who have been wonderful at offering advice and suggestions to a ‘newbie’ like myself, as well as suppliers who have shown a real willingness to deal with small, new businesses which is great. As this is my first production run I wanted to keep numbers as small as possible – both from logistical point of view and also so that I can really focus on optimum quality. This has meant I lack some of the 'clout' to really negotiate prices, but hopefully in time the candles will be amazingly successful and I will be able to improve my buying costs in the future. 

As a true designer at heart I am determined to avoid having to compromise any of the design elements as much as possible. I want my products to reflect the same passion that I put into my artwork - created with attention to every last little detail. So as a quick (or maybe not so quick) overview, here is where we are up to on the various components:

 

CANDLE GLASS

My glass vessels are now on order from the factory. I knew exactly the kind of glass finish I wanted, but really struggled to find a UK based manufacturer. Most scented candle brands use a very standard type of glass and I knew I needed something that would stand out from the crowd. After weeks and weeks of searching, I found a glass supplier who has offices and factories in both the UK and Far East, who have been brilliant at achieving exactly what I was after. If you follow me on instagram (@tara_sofia) there is a sneaky preview of what the candle glass looks like and I really am so happy with them. The pale gold metallic effect is perfect, and will look so elegant and beautiful when the candles are lit.

 

BRANDING

The branding of a product has huge importance, so again I knew I wanted something different. A lot of luxury scented candle brands just use a pretty standard paper sticker on their candles. What is exciting about a plain paper sticker? When you are paying £40+ for a scented candle, you aren’t just paying for a scent. You want the whole thing to be an ornament in itself, to accent your home. I wanted the branding to be part of the candle’s aesthetic, so again followed many weeks of searching and many weeks of getting absolutely nowhere! Eventually I came across a wonderful supplier who can produce amazingly intricate name plates made of embossed copper which look stunning against the gold metallic glass. They are pretty pricey but I think they are totally worth it, and add a real element of majesty to the candles.

I have designed 2 options for an updated logo, to really make the most of the name plate and these are currently being sampled. No advance pictures of this unfortunately – have to save something for the big reveal!

 
FRAGRANCES

The fragrances for this collection were massively important for me to get right. Many candle fillers had a selection of stock fragrances that they were offering. Typical ‘people pleasers’ of lavender, vanilla, gardenia, etc – all lovely scents and very popular but nothing really different about them.  What I am trying to create with this collection is something new and exciting – scents that you smell and love but not because you can immediately identify them. I wanted complicated scents that hypnotise and excite you into trying to solve the mystery of what notes they include. I wanted fragrances that would trigger memories and nostalgia, as well as a feeling of magical fantasy. So, not asking for much really J
My candle range is inspired by a limted edition collection of artworks I created, which were my own personal indulgence.  So, I liaised with one of the world’s leading fragrance houses to develop 4 wonderfully unique and indulgent scents, each one based on a different one of my artworks.

The scents are currently undergoing tests with the wax – an extremely crucial part of the process. I want to include the highest possible percentage of fragrance in each candle, to create a wonderfully intoxicating aroma as they burn. However, adding too much fragrance can cause candles to burn inefficiently so I am working hard to get this balance perfectly right.

 

PACKAGING

Ahhh the packaging!! The thorn in my side since this project began. Originally I assumed this would be the simplest component… how wrong I was! My biggest problem has been the quantities I was looking at. I wanted 4 different box designs (one for each fragrance), rather than a generic box for all as so many other candle brands do. I wanted the packaging to be an extension of the appeal of the product, rather than an afterthought. This of course caused the price of them to skyrocket, making them almost as expensive as the candle itself to produce. Not ideal!

After numerous tweaks and endless contacts, I have finally found a supplier in the UK who can produce the quantities I need at a competitive price – woohoo! I am going to use my exclusive embossed copper name plate on the box as well as the glass, which I think will make a great visual impact.

 

So that was my candle update! If you are interested in more information on any of the elements I have mentioned above, please feel free to comment, email (tara@tarasofia.com) or send me a tweet (@Tara_Sofia). Once the candles are ready I will be doing some serious giveaways so make sure you are signed up to receive information about them! 
Thanks for reading and please don't forget to share and subscribe :-)

Interior Design Ideas - 5 ideas for making the most of your ceiling

We all seem to have a default setting when it comes to interior décor. We get so excited choosing wall colours and papers, patterns and accessories, but we completely ignore the ceiling! It hangs there all white and forlorn, enviously watching us paint its neighbours an array of exciting and wonderful colours… desperately longing to get a piece of the action. So in this post I propose 5 ways to give your interiors a lift. Pimp that ceiling.

1. PLAIN and SIMPLE

The easiest way to completely transform a room is to paint the ceiling. As a general rule, lighter colours will open the space up, and darker colours will close a space in and make the room feel cosier. That said, don’t be afraid of darker colours.

This idea is great – the majority of the room is neutral but the whole space is both lifted and warmed by a deep purple ceiling. It also a great way to incorporate a secondary colour, to balance out a colour scheme or simply “finish off” a room. Pale greys and neutrals can look great on the ceiling, as they just take the edge off a stark white which can sometimes feel slightly harsh.























Don’t be scared of black! Look how sophisticated this space looks with a black ceiling, and it doesn’t close the room in at all. This has been enhanced by a feature plaster mold – easily picked up on ebay.

2. STRIPES

I love stripes – they can be sophisticated or playful (or both!) depending on the colour, width and how you apply them. Plus, they are a great way of introducing pattern without having to commit to anything too jazzy.

Keep the walls plain so things don’t get too busy, you will be amazed at how a few stripes will totally transform the space. Don’t forget, deciding which way your stripes go can make a big difference –stripes across the width of the room will make it seem wider, while stripes following the length of the room will make the space seem longer/narrower.

If you are feeling really brave, following the stripes down the walls will create an amazing effect, and can create the illusion of a larger space. Just ensure your stripes are of a good width in proportion to the size of the room.

3. TEXTURES

I can sense you cringing. But stay with me! I know the word “Anaglypta” immediately conjures up ideas of hideous, dated, spongy, woodchippy textures best left in the 70s. These are not the kind of textures I mean. There are some great paintable wallpapers available at the moment, in a variety of patterns that are contemporary and graphic or vintage, stately and Victorian depending on your style. Have a look at www.wallpaperdirect.com (the best place to buy wallpaper from) or Graham and Brown who have some great ones.  

As a guide, the larger the scale of the pattern, the more dramatic and contemporary it will look. Painting over it in a silver or gold metallic finish wall paint will really highlight the embossed design and is a great way of attaining that elusive “boutique hotel” feel to your home (something I am always aspiring to create). 

I think this silver textured ceiling is amazing and makes an otherwise pretty plain dining area look fit for a king!

4. PATTERNS

Patterned wallpaper on the ceiling can really elevate your home décor from “pretty average" to “designer” instantly. (Well not instantly… the amount of time it takes you to wallpaper the ceiling – you know what I mean.) When incorporating different patterns, try to have at least one consistent colour in the room that features throughout, to tie everything in together.

This kitchen above looks so quirky with the wallpaper extending onto the ceiling. The bright colours mean the space doesn’t feel closed in, and the hint of turquoise in the pattern is accentuated by the cupboard doors.

Of course it doesn’t need to be as obvious as this. The darker colour scheme of this dining room is subtly enhanced by the tonal wallpaper on the ceiling.

5. PANELLING

Panelling is increasingly popular at the moment, and something that is easily created with the good old dado rail. Why not try something like this below? 

Fix the dado rails to the ceiling, and paint them in a contrasting colour to create a panel effect.

You could also use dado rails to create a central ceiling panel with a textured or patterned wallpaper inside as a feature. 

If you paint the outside of the panel in the same colour as the walls it will make the ceiling appear higher. Bringing the ceiling colour down onto the walls with a dado rail as a divider is also an interesting way to play with the illusion of space.

So those were my 5 ways to pimp your ceiling. Time for you to raise your eyes towards the sky with paintbrush in hand, ready to transform your world. What do you think? Are you tempted to try any? 

If you liked this post please feel free to share and subscribe - spread the ceiling love!

Tara Sofia - the beginning!

Hello friends & readers!

This post is going to be the first detailing my ‘Tara Sofia’ journey – creating artwork and designs and somehow harnessing my creativity into a business that I enjoy. So, it is more of a "setting the scene" type post, and as time goes on I will share details more specifically as different aspects develop.

As a quick insight into my background, I come from a creative and entrepreneurial family – my parents created ‘Santoro’, an award-winning lifestyle brand known for its captivating art collections and innovative designs.

I decided against university, favouring real-life experience instead so I went to work at Santoro immediately after completing my A-levels. I couldn’t wait to get stuck into a full-time creative working environment. Ten years later, with all my self-taught skills (graphic design and fine art)  and having designed for one of the UK’s leading home fragrance companies, I found myself wanting a change but I couldn’t pick a path. I loved painting. I loved product design. I loved graphic design. I had also now developed a love for fragrance. I loved too many things!! I wanted to dedicate more time to my artwork (which up until that point had taken a back seat), but I didn’t want to abandon all the other business and design skills I had learned.

 

After leaving full-time employment I started working freelance, splitting my time between designing for clients and creating my own artwork collection. I worked on combining painting and photography with graphics and embellishments… eventually I came up with pieces that looked like this:

Then I came up with a plan. I would combine my love of art and design with my love of home fragrance, and so I currently find myself in the process of developing my own ‘Tara Sofia’ range of scented candles which are inspired by my art. I wanted to see my artwork translated into products, so I took the graphic-based “Bollywood Queens” collection and started to create fragrance profiles around them, as well as a vessel design and packaging ideas. That was the easy part!

The hard part is getting scented candles produced at as low a cost as possible so I can make a profit from selling them. To make matters even more difficult, of course everything I wanted to achieve design-wise ended up being the most expensive way to produce something!

So at the moment I am waiting for a glass sample which I am hoping will be exactly what I want it to be, for the main vessel for the candles. It is expensive but I know through my knowledge of the scented candle market that in order for anyone to be interested in a new range, it needs to be different. So I am following my artwork style – creating a range that is luxurious, glamorous and flamboyant. With that in mind, I knew there was no way I could simply use a plain glass vessel with a sticker on it.  

Also I have just received my first selection of fragrance samples which I am planning on sniffing through shortly. As fragrance is so personal it is quite hard to pick fragrances that will appeal to everyone – so I’m not. I will pick fragrances that I think best embody my artwork designs, and that best convey the overall ‘Tara Sofia’ style. In doing so they will become personal to me – in a way that artwork is personal to an artist, and conveys an element of their personality.

 

At the same time as creating a range of scented candles, I am continuing with my artworks – doing a lot of guerrilla marking at the moment! Approaching as many different establishments as possible to try and get some exposure and interest in them. I am also working on setting up a small gallery type space for my canvases which will be a great way for people to view them in person, as unfortunately I don’t think photos do them justice at all. They really need to be seen in person to appreciate the full effect of the 24-ct gold leaf and the Swarovski Crystals.

 

I am hoping that I can use the artwork and candles as a way of marketing each other, we will see how that goes! Anyway time for me to get back to a painting which I really want to finish, hopefully will post it on instagram over the next few days so keep an eye out and let me know what you think!  

The Low Down. Tips and Tricks for getting the most out of your Scented Candles.

So… have you been burning your scented candles? Hopefully you have, and are starting to come around to my way of thinking. Scented candles are A-MA-ZING. However, once you’ve decided that you love them and want to start burning them every day for the rest of your life – how do you decide which ones to buy? And once you’ve bought one, how do you know if it is good quality?

In basic terms – from the way it looks, smells and burns.

OVERALL:
A good quality candle will be smooth on top with an even colour (whether dyed or natural). There won’t be any “sweating” of fragrance on top, or pigmentation/discolouration. It will burn cleanly and evenly, with a good scent throw. You can usually tell the difference between luxury brands and cheaper ones due to their scents – the more sophisticated a scent is, the more expensive it usually is. Cheap fragrances can sometimes smell very synthetic and one dimensional.

That being said, here are some vital tips when burning candles that are imperative to follow, in order to make sure you really are getting the best out of them, no matter the price.

TIP 1 - TRIM THE WICK
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. However, if the wick becomes too long the flame will enlarge, creating smoke/soot and the wax will start to burn quicker and unevenly. Therefore before lighting, ensure the wick is always trimmed down to about 5mm. Your candles will burn for up to 25% longer if you make sure you trim the wick each time it is lit.

TIP 2 - LET IT MELT
When burning candles, I cannot stress how important it is (especially the first time it is lit), to leave it burning for at least two hours. The length of time will vary a bit according to the size of the candle, but what you want is for the pool of wax to melt right the way across the top before you even think about blowing it out.

Why?  Wax has a “memory” – so if you blow the candle out before it has melted across to the edges, it won’t melt properly the next time you light it. This results in ‘tunnel’ burning, where the wax pool extends only as far as it did before, so residual wax gets left behind around the edges. What a waste!

I came across this link in frustration once and found it quite a handy little trick if you are really sad like me and cannot bare having unmelted wax left behind! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVFRziacuDM

TIP 3 - BIGGER IS BETTER
When wax melts, the liquid releases scent into the air – therefore the larger the surface area of the melted wax, the more fragrance is released. So generally candles with a wider diameter will smell stronger when burning. It is worth considering this when burning candles in larger rooms – you can either use larger candles (multiwicks) or burn several smaller ones together at one time.

TIP 4 - DRAFTS
Drafts can cause a candle to burn excessively fast or unevenly. If you see the flame of your candle flickering a lot, move your candle to a different location to maximise its burn. If drafts are unavoidable, try turning the candle each time it is lit to even out the burn.

TIP 5 - GLASS VESSEL
If the glass of your scented candle is particularly pretty and it seems a shame to throw away – don’t! To ensure its preservation, stop burning when there is approximately 5mm of wax left at the bottom. Once the wax has cooled, putting the almost empty vessel in the freezer overnight will cause the wax to shrink a little, and it should pop out easily. Now you can use it for whatever you like! (Eg. Decorative storage, tealight holder, or even as a vessel for making your own candles).

THE BIG QUESTION

So, what everyone wants to know is… is it really worth paying for the ‘luxury brands’ as opposed to cheaper ones?
As is the same with everything, you get what you pay for. The top end candle brands will typically be using the best quality ingredients (wax, wick, fragrance, vessel).  To preserve their brand reputation, they are committed to ensuring their candles are of excellent quality, so that they burn evenly and that their scents are expensive.

I like to use cheaper candles for every day use and save the expensive ones for “best”, or if I am simply in the mood for something a little more luxurious.

 

Anyway I hope those tips were useful – probably a little in-depth for the general reader but if you are a candle junkie like me then  I think it really is vital to know exactly what you are paying for when you buy a candle and how you know whether you are getting your money’s worth.  As usual please feel free to subscribe/comment, as I would love to hear from you. Let me know all about candles that you love, or ones that you don’t. Or just say hello! J

Scented Candles - A Fragrance Revolution

I am obsessed with fragrance and the way it has the ability to instantly transform your mood. It can invoke memories or nostalgia, filling you with warmth and comfort. It can create effortless romance and enchantment. It can energise, invigorate or establish a perfect aura of serenity. It can make you feel right at home, or transport you a million miles away. The possibilities with fragrance are endless.

So why don’t people seem to have as much interest in scenting their homes as they do their bodies?  The perfumes we choose for ourselves are immensely personal - a general reflection of how we like to feel and how we like to be perceived. Surely this should extend to our homes as well? 

 

With that in mind, I am pioneering a home fragrance revolution! I am championing the crossover between interior design and fragrance.

I want us to change the way we view home fragrance – not as an occasional impulse, but as an integral part of our home décor. Who says you can’t decorate your home with fragrance just as effectively as with a canvas on a wall?

Scent is the ultimate “fifth dimension” when it comes to decorating a space, enabling you to encompass more than just aesthetics. Creating an ambience is a multi-sensory experience, and it is this idea that has the potential to completely transform the feel of our homes. It isn’t just about what Dulux colour we pick, or which wallpaper we choose – fragrance can be far more powerful, not to mention far easier to change as your mood suits.

There are various ways to scent the home of course: air fresheners, plug-ins, diffusers, fragrance lamps, room sprays… the list goes on. My preference of course is for candles, as they are so much more than a room freshener. They have a magic sort of quality, the way their delicate warm glow dances and flickers, emanating a unique sense of comfort and luxury. A burning candle seems to radiate a calming, hypnotic silence that you can’t replicate with anything else.

So I would like all of you reading to please, put my theory to the test. Light a scented candle (or two) at home and leave it burning for the evening; nothing expensive, just any scent that you like. Try it several days in a row. How does it make you feel? Doesn’t it make your home feel warmer, cosier, more lavish? Do alternative scents make a difference?

Join me in my fragrance revolution, and let me know what you think!

I would love to read your comments about which scents you like, and which ones make your home feel special.  If you like the blog so far (at its early stages!) please please subscribe, all you have to do is enter your email at the top left of the page. Easy, right? J

Posts coming soon…

Very important tips about scented candles that people don't know! | DIY lampshade project | First peek into the journey of the Tara Sofia candle collection

Interior Inspirations and Creative Aspirations

For my very first blog post I am reliably informed that I need to cover the basics, so here goes… 

WHO am I?

My name is Tara, I am 28 years old and I live in Surrey (UK).

I am a designer-slash-artist, and the creator of “Tara Sofia” – a name that I hope will become synonymous with my specific style of creative design… full of exciting ethnicity, exotic vibrancy and indulgent opulence. Am I dreaming too big? I hope not.

I have recently launched a collection of luxury canvas art including paintings, photography and limited edition hand-finished art prints. Most of the canvases are embellished using Swarovski crystals, and uniquely feature a signature edging of 24-ct gold leaf. As much as I try to convince myself otherwise… I love things that are over the top. Oh, and I especially love 'bling'.

I am also in the process of creating a range of scented candles. Having worked as a designer for a decade and doing that within the home fragrance industry for almost 6 years, I have developed a complete obsession with scents which I can’t seem to shake. So, I have decided to embrace it and see where it takes me.
 

WHY am I blogging?

When I was 12 years old I read ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole’ by Sue Townsend. For some reason the book about a pubescent 13 ¾ yr old boy really resonated with me, and I found myself keeping a diary (pretty regularly) until about the age of 22.

What I learnt from those 11 years of keeping a diary was that I have always been much better at expressing myself in writing! If I had something to say and I lacked the confidence or articulation to express it… once I had written it down, it was as good as said. In the same way I hope this blog will enable me to explore all my inspirational findings and décor ideas. As I lack the time, resources (and if I'm honest, sometimes the inclination) to fully explore each and every idea that I find exciting, once written down they will be as good as accomplished - in that maybe someone else will see an idea and try it for themselves.
 

WHAT will I blog about?

In a nutshell, I plan to do two things…

1)      Document the journey of my attempt at world domination. Or in other words, taking my art designs and translating them into home and gift products – starting with scented candles.

2)      Pander to all my interior design fantasies by exploring décor trends, sharing ideas and exciting finds, with specific importance given to fragrance in the home (my personal fascination).

Therefore I hope to keep this blog as both a record of my creative entrepreneurial journey, as well as a place to indulge my obsession with interior design and art.



HOW can you connect with me? (pretty please)

If you can even remotely affiliate yourself with any of the categories below, I encourage you to please please comment, subscribe and share your opinions (design related or otherwise) with me!

• Scented candle addicts
• Home Fragrance Aficionados
• Interior Design Junkies
• Creative Enthusiasts
• Design Devotees

Intsa me: @tara_sofia
Tweet me: @tara_sofia
Email me: tara@tarasofia.com
Website: www.tarasofia.com

I really look forward to hearing from you, and welcome to my journey! I can’t promise I will necessarily reach the destination I was aiming for, but at least things will look pretty and smell nice on the way.