50 best interiors and vintage blogs 2014

Beautiful homes and inspiring interiors
1 A Beautiful Mess

‘The best things in life are homemade,’ reads the blurb on Elsie and Emma’s site. The pair run a blog that began as a just-for-fun project all the way back in 2007. Now the two young ladies run a team of four and share posts on crafts, recipes, fashion and decor, with a healthy dose of stunning interiors and even a glimpse into Elsie’s bathroom. Well worth checking out for some interiors inspiration. @abeautifulmess

2 Abigail Ahern

‘Style has nothing to do with money,’ says designer and author Abigail, giving hope to thousands of us with her affordable ideas to add flair to the home. With her heartfelt, down-to-earth writing, it’s easy to while away an afternoon reading through Abigail’s back-catalogue of home styling posts and decorating ideas. It’s no wonder she’s made our Best Blogs list twice in a row. @AbigailAhern

3 Mad About the House

The secret to a happy marriage, according to Kate Watson-Smyth, is a bathroom with two separate sinks – something she’s lucky to have in her own gorgeous London home. When she’s not blogging and sharing her Objects of Design, Kate can be found writing about interiors and design for the Financial Times. @katewatsonsmyth

4 Decor8

We've long been fans of Decor8's interior design inspiration. Author and stylist Holly Becker regularly updates the site with delicious recipes and lovely home ideas. She also runs the Blogging Your Way e-course, teaching skills such as styling your photos, adding text to images and simply writing from the heart – something Holly is more than qualified to talk about. @decor8

5 HOP Interiors

Described as ‘eye candy for the interior hungry’, HOP Interiors is littered with gorgeous pictures providing plenty of inspiration for your living space. In case you were wondering, HOP stands for House of Paul, after the blog’s creator, Mary-Ellen Paul, who is also a freelance social media journalist. @HOPInteriors

6 My Old Country House

From colour-dipped stools to quick-fix pillows, artist Lesli DeVito is full of DIY ideas for creative and colourful homes. She regularly posts beautiful pictures of what she calls her ‘big old country house’ in Virginia, which combines classic wooden furniture with bright, modern paints and pretty wallpaper. @LesliDeVito

7 My Friend's House

From decorating dilemmas to teenage bedrooms, Ros and Jill know a thing or two about design. The two journalists, who have worked for the likes of Elle Deco and the Cath Kidston magazine, write about the ‘things we like, from her house and mine’ and, with more than 12 years’ experience in the interiors and design industry and a cheeky sense of humour, it’s hard not to like what they like too. @myfriendshouse

8 The Interiors LAB

Behind the doors of Luke Batchelor's north London flat is an array of beautiful antiques ranging from bow-fronted Georgian chests to marble-topped tables and architectural illustrations. It's elegant and carefully curated, just like the blog in which he passes on his styling advice (when he's not busy working as a PR for The White Company and holding down his Saturday job at an antiques shop). His Instagram is a dream of elegant, romantic interiors. For style that's refined and Edwardian with a modern twist, look no further. @TheInteriorsLAB
Great British Gardens

9 Otter Farm

At an organic smallholding on the banks of the River Otter in Devon, Mark Diacono grows all manner of global foods: Szechuan pepper, Japanese wineberries and even Vietnamese coriander. His blog is a treasure trove of beautiful pictures, daringly different recipes and fascinating stories from his gardening adventures. @markDiacono

10 Fennel & Fern

For garden inspiration, look no further than Fennel & Fern, a blogging collective featuring inspiring photos of real gardens and handy tips such as a guide to composting. It’s not all gardening though – the blog also has some great botanical boozing recipes such as rhubarb champagne or gooseberry and elderflower cocktail. Cheers to that. @fennelandfern

11 Through the Garden Gate

For many years, Veronica was a gardening journalist with no garden but she somehow still managed to blog. Fortunately she now has her very own garden, though she still likes peeping over other people’s fences and taking glorious pictures of their pretty plants and flowers. This is a must-visit blog for outdoor inspiration. @vpeerless

12 The Smallest Smallholding

Vegetarian Lucy started The Smallest Smallholding with her partner Rich, their cats and a flock of four former battery hens. Since 2006, they have gradually turned an overgrown patch of land into a thriving smallholding, and the blog tracks the trials and tribulations of their quest. With recipes and gardening tips, this is a great blog for vegans and veggies. @smallestholding

13 London Vegetable Garden

London Vegetable Garden blogger Callum is on a mission to help you grow your own produce, even if you have the smallest garden imaginable. His site offers tips on everything from making your own containers to surviving the seasons. @londonveggarden
Antiques Addicts

14 Judith Miller

Our 50 Best Blogs list wouldn’t be complete without our very own columnist and grande dame of antiques, Judith Miller. The antiques expert and author of numerous Miller's Guides keeps us updated with posts about her latest overseas adventures on book tours, as well as details on rare and extraordinary antiques. @millersantiques

15 Antiques Young Guns

Proving that antiques are far from dull and fusty, Antiques Young Guns is a collective of under-40s who make their living from the world of antiques, vintage or collectables. The blog tracks the rising popularity of the Young Guns at UK fairs and events, as well as keeping readers updated on their adventures through the antiques world. @AntiqYoungGuns

16 Vintage Rescue Squad

‘Diet and exercise are sooooo last year,’ says Vintage Rescue Squad’s Sue LaLumia, whose new year’s resolutions include not buying any more sets of scales (she has a lot of scales) and ‘re-embracing Etsy’. She blogs about all her latest ‘junk’ discoveries and says vintage suitcases and antique typewriters are 2014’s must-haves. @VintageRescue

17 Grays blog

The blog for London’s largest permanent antiques centre, Grays Antiques, is a must-read for any collector, offering interesting information and quirky facts on all manner of antique items. It’s also a good place to visit for unique present ideas if you have a birthday or celebration coming up. @GraysAntiques

18 Naomi Thompson

Portsmouth-based Naomi featured in our 2012 list and is still blogging away, with posts such as a hilarious feature on how not to sell your products on eBay. She also has a book, Style Me Vintage, which is a compendious guide to retro looks. @imoantweets

19 Mark Hill

Another of our favourite contributors, Mark Hill is so on the pulse of the antiques world we can barely keep up. An avid supporter of the Antique Young Guns movement, author of numerous books and curator of his own fascinating collection of glass, his blog highlights surprising and unusual stories from all over the antiques world from etching in New Zealand to Austrian Art Nouveau glass. @antiquemark

Crafty ideas

20 Heart Handmade UK

If you like pastel colours, you’ll love this blog by Belfast-based Claire. Full of beautiful images providing inspiration for your home, the blog is also packed with craft ideas and how-tos, such as the DIY pencil-case tutorial or 24 creative craft room storage ideas. @hearthandmadeuk

21 Style Space & Stuff

Describing herself as an ‘obsessive, compulsive decorator’, 40-something mother Samantha is fortunate enough to have a great sense of style and an eye for interesting design. Her blog features craft tutorials such as simple cushion makeovers, as well as snippets from her fashion and food finds. Right now, she says she’s influenced by Nordic and Scandinavian style. @StyleSpaceStuff

22 Claireabellemakes

Cambridge-based Claire has an enviable collection of vintage English teacups and retro teapots. She also likes coffee - specifically Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte - which is why her DIY craft selection includes a pretty crochet pumpkin coffee-cup sleeve that you wouldn't want to spill your drink over. The site also has a mouth-watering selection of recipes, including red velvet brownies and gluten-free lemon drizzle cake. @claireabellemks

23 The Owl Club

Describing her blog as ‘a diary about the joys of cutting and pasting, making things by hand and generally being creative,’ owl fan Suki posts handy how tos, from snuggly hot-water bottle covers to a floral cafetiere-cosy. The Owl Club also has an Etsy shop selling cutesy owl badges and lavender-filled hearts. Suki’s mum thinks her love of owls is down to their front-facing eyes, which make them seem ‘so human and cute’. @theowlclub

24 Vintage Finds

Mallori runs Jarman Interiors & Antiques in Northport, Alabama with her husband and father-in-law and says she’s always on the lookout for unique items to repurpose and give a second chance. On the blog you’ll find tips on how to make DIY moss lettering or even revamp a church pew.

25 Centsational Girl

Californian Kate is a self-confessed ‘bargain-hunter, design-lover, incurable DIYer and mother to three’, yet somehow still finds time to write her own and two other blogs. Centsational Girl is full of design and DIY ideas from shelving to sewing to seasonal decorating. @CentsationalGrl

26 Pinch a Little, Save a Lot

If your new year’s resolution was to be more organised, you might benefit from Bekah’s blog. With everything from how to organise your fridge to how to make bright square pincushions, the site is a good place to start if you want to sort out your home before springtime. @Pinch_N_Save

Food for Thought

27 Victoria's Vintage

From a pretty pastel-pink and white teapot cake to vibrant cupcakes, it’s worth visiting Victoria’s site to salivate over her beautiful designs. When she’s not baking delicious cakes, the 23-year-old from Milton Keynes can be found entering 100-plus competitions a day and she says she's won more than £10,000 in prizes since 2010. It’s certainly worth visiting her blog for a lesson in thrift. @VictoriaJane6

28 Naturally Ella

Butternut squash puree and blue cheese pizza? Spinach-pesto pasta with roasted red peppers and ricotta? If California girl Erin’s recipes don’t make your mouth water, then we don’t know what will. Having grown up on McDonald’s, Erin says she ate fast food daily until her father had a heart attack at 45. The blog reflects the healthy lifestyle she’s been living since then, with some inspiringly different meal ideas. @naturallyella

29 What Katie Ate

Katie Quinn Davies has been wowing us with her jaw-dropping food photography since our 50 Best Blogs list of 2012 and this year the Dublin-born food-lover is back on the list. Katie has since published What Katie Ate, a book packed with fabulous photos and recipes such as wok-tossed chilli crab. It must be a hard life, travelling the world and staring constantly at glorious food… @WhatKatieAte

30 What Katie Does

There must be something in the name Katie. Unrelated to Katie Quinn Davies of What Katie Ate, this London-based web designer blogs about her travels as well as food, crafts, interiors and, er, cats. Her recipe for kale, tomato and egg tart looks simply divine. @WhatKatieDoes

31 Eat Like a Girl

Niamh, an Irish ex-pat in London, is a busy lady, travelling, teaching cookery classes and reviewing restaurants. She still manages to dedicate time to this blog, where she shares wonderful recipes, including an incredible-looking Sunday breakfast of duck confit hash. Yum. @eatlikeagirl

Fabulous Photography

32 The Selby

The simplest ideas are often the best ideas and The Selby is proof of that. New York-based photographer Todd Selby snaps incredible images from inside homes and businesses around the world. The handwritten Q&As with the subjects of his stunning photographs make this a must-visit blog but be warned: you may spend hours procrastinating over it. @theSelby

33 The Style Files

For beautiful photographs and stylish European designs, look no further than The Style Files. Calling it a ‘daily dose of inspiration’, Danielle shares images and design ideas from the Netherlands, Denmark and anywhere else that captures her artistic eye. @thestylefiles

34 Bright Bazaar

This blog is full of pretty pastels and bold brights. Will Taylor, the chap behind it, shares stunning images of everything from inspiring interiors to some enviable shots of a trip to Manhattan. Life through his lens is certainly never boring. @Will_UK

35 Helen Cathcart

Lifestyle and food photographer Helen Cathcart shares some of the stories behind the amazing pictures she takes on her trips around the world – South Africa, San Francisco and Stockholm, to name a few. She did a stunning job photographing her mother’s collection of Irish Lace for our March issue and we’re also a lot in love with her foodie snaps. They will make your stomach rumble. @helencathcart

Vintage fashionistas

36 Dotty Vintage Weddings

If you’re planning a vintage wedding, this blog is the place to go for ideas. With testimonials from newly weds and soon-to-be brides, it’s a one-stop shop for all kinds of ways to add vintage touches to your big day. The blog also provides information on vintage wedding fairs and even tips on how to stay fit and healthy during the stressful planning stage. @DottyVintage

37 Vivatramp

English and creative writing student Bee loves nothing better than to showcase her vintage clothes, frolic by the seaside or curl up with a good book – all of which is evident in this visually arresting lifestyle blog. If you're feeling down, her Happy List is packed with simple stuff to make you smile, from bacon sandwiches to blue skies. @vivatramp

38 The Girl Who Stole Vintage

Described as a ‘photographic diary of an overflowing wardrobe, my life in London and my love of eras gone by,’ Lereese Atkinson’s blog is full of great pictures of vintage clothes, flowers and the occasional food pic. Oh, and dogs. She also runs the Girl Stole Vintage shop in Stoke-on-Trent. @grlstolevintage

39 Love My Dress

Annabel founded Love My Dress in 2009 to provide inspiration to brides around the UK for vintage weddings. Last year her first book, Style Me Vintage: Weddings, was published in the UK, USA and Australia, and the blog continues to provide plenty of bridal fashion and tips, such as how to create a DIY textured buttonhole. @LoveMyDressBlog

40 Trish Hunter Finds

After a short-lived career as an actress (she says she was ‘dreadful’ at it), Melbourne-based Trish Hunter found her true calling when she started blogging about her amazing vintage finds. From a 1950s serving tray with a vinyl atomic print to vintage wedding dresses, Trish’s vibrant blog is full of original discoveries. @thevintageposts

41 Vintage at Heart

The author of Vintage at Heart, who goes by the name of Harlow Darling, describes herself as ‘an Australian girl crazy for ’50s and ’60s-inspired fashion’. Her blog is full of photographs of her showing off beautiful, bright dresses in the blinding Brisbane sunshine. Jealous, us?

42 Confessions of a Vintage Hoarder

From how to achieve the perfect ‘vintage-look’ eyebrows to how to wear ruby lipstick, Leah Loverich shares all kinds of fashion tips and advice. When she’s not blogging, she likes to have tea and cake in Victorian tearooms and has even been known to stop for a picnic in a cemetery. @LeahLoverich

A Little Bit of Everything

43 Diary of a Vintage Girl

Fleur de Guerre (real name Fleur McGerr) has relocated since we included her in our 2012 best blogs list. She now lives in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Clapton, north London. A writer, events manager and social media bod by trade, Fleur blogs about everything from retro and vintage shoes to her days out sipping Earl Grey tea. @FleurMcGerr

44 Poppytalk

Canadian husband-and-wife duo Jan and Earl have been design bloggers since 2005. Curating delicious recipes, amazing living spaces and original craft ideas from around the world, the creative pair have amassed a huge following and even started a shop. @poppytalk

45 The Women's Room

Tackling everything from the menopause to the use of jelly cubes as a nail strengthener (as you do), Amanda and Jane started this blog in 2008 as they felt women over 35 were overlooked in the fashion, beauty and style world. Five years on, they’re still going strong and proving that fashion definitely isn’t just for 20-somethings. @TheWomensRoom

46 Apartment Therapy

If you like nosying around other people’s homes, Apartment Therapy is the blog for you. Profiling homes around the world with colourful pictures and inspiring words, this blog is sure to give you design ideas – from the best ways to keep plants in your bathroom to how to remove wallpaper with vinegar and hot water. The regular House Tours will have you hooked. @AptTherapy

47 The Vintage Guide to London

If you’re a fan of all things vintage, this website is a must. Signing up by email is a sure-fire way to make sure you never miss a vintage-related London offering, whether it’s the Grand Art Deco Valentine’s Ball or Madam Magpie’s Vintage Fete. The site is run by Lena Weber, a freelance writer and editor-in-chief of online vintage magazine queensofvintage.com. @myvintagelondon

48 Ben Pentreath

The architect behind gorgeous furnishings shop Pentreath & Hall has a quick eye for beautiful things, whether they be houses, books, landscapes or design. His clear photographs make very ordinary things look quite extraordinary and his friendly commentary is a great reminder that inspiration can be found in the most surprising places. @BenPentreath

49 Ruby Rhino

Bespoke upcycling company Ruby Rhino is a great place to start if you’re looking for inspiration on how to make a beautiful home with antique, vintage and upcycled old furniture. The blog is run by 30-year-old Hannah Ricci, who also shares snippets of her personal travels and foodie adventures with photos that will make you green with envy. @RubyRhino

50 Ellie Tennant

Last but certainly not least is H&A contributor Ellie Tennant. Blogging all the latest news from the design world, the London-based interiors journalist is a font of knowledge on the latest products, new collections and artistic finds. She also has a new book out, Design Bloggers at Home. @Ellie_Tennant

Got more great blogs to recommend? Share them with us in the comments below or tweet us @homes_antiques