Rainy Day Activities

With the year winding down into Autumn, here in England, we are in for a whole lot of rainy days. Today, we’re sharing some fun ideas to keep the party going into the new year; don’t let the weather stop you!

Before we get into the activities, let’s set the scene. After all, what fun night is complete without snacks and drinks? When I host at home, a key accessory is our Solid Mango Wood Decorative Trays. Both the 30cm and 39cm trays are ideal, but I personally prefer the smaller tray for drinks and the larger tray for snacks. When I’m not using them for parties, I use these to display my artwork in my home for all to see. My favourite recent cocktail has been what I like to call the O’Beehive. With Honey Jack Daniels, apple juice, cranberry juice and fresh lime, it has a sweet and mellow flavour which warms you with that naughty dash of whiskey. I find that asking my guests to bring one snack or sweet treat works wonders to keep costs low, while making sure that everyone is well fed. Now that we’re all set with delicious snacks and a devilishly tasty cocktail, let’s focus on the fun activities to enjoy!

As a small, family-run furniture business, it wouldn’t be right unless we started with some home décor ideas, and what better way to decorate your home than with your own hand-painted pottery! Personally, my favourite decorations that I have in my own home are some floral vases I sat and painted with friends, as well as some hand-crafted pumpkin decorations. You wouldn’t believe what you can create with some basic tools, paints, and a big lump of clay! There are plenty of pottery painting sets out there; personally, I have found that UK brands Pott’d and Sculpd both have a wide range for everyone. Whether you are new and would just like to paint some decorations such as plates, mugs, or seasonal decorations, or create something fresh out of clay with your own two hands, they have something for everyone. These brands also start you off with all the tools you need, so it’s a quick way to get started. Now throw on some tunes, tuck into those snacks and drinks, and let your creativity soar to welcome your new favourite home decoration!

For those of you looking to spice up the bare walls in your home, I cannot recommend home-run paint and sips enough. I host one around once a month with my friends, and it is a delight to see the things we all create. Even though we all follow the same tutorial, our personal painting style comes into it so much that we all finish with a one-of-a-kind painting, unique to each of us. We all have a room in our home where we display (almost) all of our paintings, which not only brightens the space, but reminds us of the fond memories we have had together throughout the years. With an abundance of tutorials to follow on YouTube, from beginner basics to more advanced, it is so easy to begin. And don’t worry if it doesn’t turn out as expected; we all have paintings we have hidden away instead of putting on display. The fun we have had with friends can sometimes be more of a reward than the finished product, and that’s okay with us!

To get started with your paint and sip, we recommend the following items: Tabletop easel, acrylic paintbrushes, acrylic paint set, paint palette, canvases (I would buy a multi-pack of various sizes, as some people may want to start out small, while others tend to paint with such large brushstrokes that the added size is needed), water pots and lots and lots of tissue. I would always recommend setting down placemats or wipeable table covers, as acrylic can easily stain! Fun little tip: if you are like me and my friends and have been saving up little glass ramekins (usually hoarded after purchasing cheesecakes from the lovely Gü Desserts), these make the best water jars, and now you have a use for them. You’re welcome!

Here at Esmae and Rose, we love being a part of your home and helping you to create a space which boasts your individuality and style. We like to explore the idea that good interior design is not always about following the latest trends, but surrounding yourself with things that mean the most to you. We hope that these two ideas spark the creativity within you and welcome some fun and memorable moments into your home with both friends and family, all the while leaving you with some new décor to look upon and remember those memories forever.