Last Thursday I was invited to the HomeSense store opening in Solihull. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I got there as I had never been to one before and I was running a bit late because there was so much traffic. As soon as I pulled up to the store I realised why the traffic had been so bad. The car park was full and there was a huge queue of people waiting for the store to open. There was a real carnival atmosphere as a steel band played outside.
HomeSense store in Solihull was opened by Interior Designer Jo Hamilton. There was a big rush of people. I had a feeling Solihull would love the store, packed full of great pieces for your home and even better prices but I hadn’t realised just how many people would turn up on the day. Luckily I got to have a sneaky look around the shop before everyone else so got a good look at what to buy.
The thing I really liked about HomeSense is that there are so many one off items. If you are looking for something a bit different which only you will have, then this is the place to come. The first display which caught my eye was this one of interesting pegs and display boxes.
Once the store was open I got to have a one-on-one with Jo Hamilton. She was there to give shoppers advice on what to buy and how to decorate their home. I wanted to know about how to make my house a bit more elegant now the children have got a bit bigger and are not quite so messy.
Top Design Tips for Family Homes from Jo Hamilton
- Have wooden flooring as it is much more practical.
- Add rugs for warmth.
- Add texture to neutral schemes to add interest
- Use a colour wheel to plan colour schemes. Look for opposite colours for accents in a room. Cushions in a contrasting colour will really make the room pop.
- Have a chalkboard in the area where the children make the most mess. It looks great and they get to have fun too.
- Look for materials you can wipe off or clean really easily.
After that there was time to have a look around and choose some bargains. I loved the display of colourful clocks.
The first thing I spotted upstairs was this set of three Time Out chairs. Hmmmm….. could prove useful.
There is a wide variety of picture, frames and mirrors. This was what I was looking for. We had gone out to Sears retail park, where the HomeSense store is located the weekend before, looking for a picture for the kitchen and not been able to find anything. There was definitely a gap in the market for a shop which sold the finishing touches to a home. I chose two mirrors and a picture for the twins’ room. We haven’t had chance to put them up yet but I will show them next week.
The store is laid out really attractively and there is lots of room to move. There is also a lift, something which I always look for now I have children. The displays are set up in colours so that you can fins things easily. There are a few larger displays which show you how things could look together.
I was really impressed with the range at HomeSense. There is sure to be something to fit your tastes. Now I just need to find space to put this suit of armour.
Don’t forget I have a fantastic competition to win £50 at HomeSense running.
Disclaimer: This post is part of my role as ambassador for HomeSense. See my disclosure policy for more details