{SAVVY SHOPPING} MY BARGAIN HOUSE OF HACKNEY CUSHIONS

Who doesn’t like a bargain? My friends don’t call me Martin Lewis for nothing, and probably just like most of you, I’m trying to live a luxury lifestyle on a baked bean budget.

So, when I came across an ad for the house of hackney sample sale I couldn’t help but check it out and go in search of some homeware designer bargains.

I’ve always been a huge fan of House of Hackney and I already own a few bits from the palmeral collection including bathroom accessories and a lamp shade (still not the pineapple lamp, but it’s on the list for the near future!). In fact, I would literally dec out my entire house in the palmeral collection if I earnt a ton more money. But where would the fun be if we could afford everything we wanted eh?

These sample sales at house of hackney are tough. Be prepared to get there at least an hour before the opening time, and plan to be able to queue for a long time as the queue went around the block. I would say as a HOH sale novice there were definitely some professional shoppers there, so to ensure you get something you want, put the time in and get there early.

I’m guessing you want to know what was on offer then, and most importantly the prices. Most things were 50% off full RRP prices. They had cushions, clothing, bedding and the odd lamp (no pineapple lamps though… gutted). But what they did have tons of fabric in their infamous prints. So, here’s where I got creative.

I decided to buy a meter of three prints. Palmeral (£40 per meter on velvet), Florika £30 per meter in velvet) and Peoneden in gold (£30 per meter) and get creative with my own cushions. Obviously you will need to own your own sewing machine, or know someone that does. But cutting the fabric and making the cushions couldn't be easier. 

I’m still yet to make up the Peoneden print, but I’m sure I’ll do it soon. 

Out of one meter I was able to make two 45cm x 45cm cushions, cut in front and back and cover a seat pad for one of our dining room chairs. (These cushions are normally at least £110 each).

Cushion pad fillers are £6 from John Lewis, but you can also get them from Tesco Direct and Dunelm for bargain prices. 

For the Florika printed cushion I even trimmed mine up to look like the House of hackney one with a metallic gold fringe trim which was bought at John Lewis for £8 per meter (I needed two meters for one cushion). You'll see all of these on my sofa in the pics below. 

So, next time the sample sale in on, go get creative. Maybe I’ll see you there, hanging out under piles of Palmeral print. Now I just need to decide what to cover next…