Curtain poles are used to hold and hang curtains. Poles can be merely functional but they are also an opportunity to bring flair to your window dressing. The first thing to decide is the material of the pole. The traditional pine pole made of pine is now outdated. It has been superseded by a wide selection of painted …

A kitchen is basically a practical space and needs to fulfil functional needs before any other consideration. You want to make sure you have enough space for all your cookware and appliances. Firstly, there are the larger appliances: fridge/freezer, oven, dishwasher. But don’t forget all the smaller appliances such as toaster, mixer, juicer. It’s surprising …

The image of the traditional cottage almost always included a thatched roof. Many of the properties that I have renovated have had this pretty feature. Inside and out, this presents challenges for the designer and homeowner. The thatch is the oldest form of roofing having been around for about 10,000 years. The reed from which …

Inspiration from the deep sea can be seen in many print designs both in wallpaper and fabric. The enduring love of coral — the tiny creatures that build a reef — is reflected in the pretty colour of that name seen in most paint palettes. My favourite coral colour is Coral Glow in the Benjamin Moore …

With the Scandinavian trend for Hygge the idea of bringing a romantic Swiss cabin feel to a bedroom has become attractive, particularly during the long cold Winter months of lockdown. Many elements of home decor will bring this sense of warmth and well being to a room. The most obvious thing we associate with a …

If you ask a child what is yellow they will probably say “the sun” or a “banana”. Neither answer is the most prepossessing start for an interior motif. However yellow in interior decor is one of the oldest and more enduring of all colours. Having been out of favour for a while recently with new …

With the words “New England”, a host of images comes to mind. A simplicity of design and a wealth of home craftsmanship brings to this look a clean and charming style. Very often it is associated with a coastal theme with the blue and white palette of the ocean a backdrop to interior design. In …

From the foundation of the firm in 1875, the name of Liberty has been most associated with textiles. Liberty silks woven in India but dyed in Leek, Staffordshire by Thomas Waddle produced the range of colours and dyes we most think of when we think of the Liberty print. These deep yellows, peacock blues and …

The most obvious item of furniture for the bedroom is the bed. It is important as we spend a third of our lives in bed asleep. The bed has to be comfortable for you but it will be the key piece to set the scene for the design of your bedroom as well. Usually the …

Animal images have long been popular for decorative inspiration. Most notably fabric and wallpaper have taken the image of the bird in many variations to produce lovely colourful options for your room. Whether is a gentle dove or a dramatic peacock there will be something to suit your taste. The whimsical Chimney Swallows by Designers …

My image of chandeliers was more Beauty and the Beast by Disney and I felt them to be overwhelming and dated. Suddenly a range of much more sculptural overhead lighting has been created and the chandelier become funky and artistic. A good example of this modern industrial hanging pendant / chandelier is from Buster and …

A mirror was a very expensive purchase in days gone by. That’s why it’s supposed to be bad luck to break a mirror, since it would take about seven years to save up enough money to buy another. Mirrors are an invaluable way to add glamour light and a decorative touch to any living space …

A kitchen is in many ways the most important area in a house. Particularly now when we spend time socialising, eating and spending time as a family both inside and out. An ideal kitchen is only ever that for the person who uses it. The planning of this space needs lots of thought and by …

Marbling is an interesting way of decorating items from cakes to wallpaper. It’s an unusual design created in many different colours and to be found in a variety of accessories. Timorous Beasties based in Glasgow uses marbling to great effect both in its fabrics and a wide range of wallpaper. Reminiscent of bookbinding this clever …

The entrance hallway in a house can be an indicator of how the style of the house flows through the whole space. It’s worthwhile paying attention to the staircase as it is often the first thing people notice after they have come in through the front door into your hallway. The staircase leads towards the …

Let the glamour, heat and bright lights fill your home with Miami sun. Channelling the image of Bigger Splash by David Hockney, look at the brilliance of colour in this painting to inspire your take on heat and space, moving across America from California where this painting is set to the tropical richness of Miami. …

When is a colour not quite a plum and not quite a brown? When it’s aubergine. This colour can be a dramatic addition to a room giving it a luxurious feel. As a wall colour, it needs to be used sparingly and with a lot of styling. Use gold accessories and white trim against this …

Don’t let fear of clutter put you off having some open shelving in your kitchen. It can be extremely neat and streamlined without the feel of just putting junk high up where it won’t be seen. They are a good alternative to the run of wall units seen in old style kitchens. I have a …

How stylish and chic are photographs in black and white. Some of the best images in the Getty collection are of glamorous film stars taken in this medium. The 1930s as a decade embraced the two tones in many of their designs especially in the Art Deco look. Whilst not to everyone’s taste, these schemes …

How much time do you spend asleep? Quite a lot. It is estimated that in our life time we will spend an average of 26 years in bed – about 75,000 hours – so it’s important that the bed you choose is comfortable and lasts. As the bed tends to be the focal point in …

In 1883 a man called John Michael Kohler invented the world’s first bathtub. Apparently he took a cast iron horse trough, added four decorative feet to it and covered it in an enamel finish. This invention was really the preserve of the very wealthy and most of the population had no room for washing but …

In the age of gender neutrality and equal opportunity, spare a thought for the over feminised colour pink. It was always pink for a girl’s bedroom and any grown up room with males likely to be spending time in them would be banned from even suggesting a touch of the pink. This is a totally …

Let’s have a trip around the islands that scatter and adorn many kitchens installed today. The island has replaced the humble kitchen table as a place to socialise and prepare food. It can be used as a central piece in a square shaped kitchen or be a functional break between the cooking space and the …

Concrete is a substantial substance and it can be used in a variety of ways in interior design. It can be used as a work surface but it is very heavy and not for the faint hearted. I think one would tire of it quickly and it more of a statement of intent than a …

I believe there is always a place for beautiful, traditional craftsmanship in any interior design project whether that is a modern building or a traditional style house. The ancient art of embroidery and needlepoint is used in many modern fabrics today. Referencing this design feature in a modern setting will bring depth and purchase to …

The important thing is that a kitchen today needs to be is both practical and sociable. One of the most important and enduring decisions you will have to make is on the flooring. Once this is down its going to be a nightmare to replace and it needs to be both nice to look at …

When does the home and the office start and begin? The idea of a home office appears to be a paradox and indeed during 2020 the boundaries of these two spaces have become distinctly blurred and it’s sometimes difficult to maintain the borders. Going forward one imagines the demand and requirement for home working in …

The trend for things tropical has meant the pineapple has become the fashionable motif of last few years. The pineapple in the past has served as a symbol of welcoming hospitality and friendship in the home, particularly in the Southern States of America where often door knobs and weather vanes are shaped like pineapples to …

Glass only became commonly used to provide windows for houses in the 17th century, although stained glass had been installed in ecclesiastical building prior to this. These stain glass panels were made of small coloured pieces of glass held together in frames of lead. Some of these are most elaborate, especially the rose windows in …

Thousands of years steeped in tradition have crafted Japanese architecture and interior design aesthetic, resulting in a serene and very unified overarching look. Japanese style evolves around clean and uncluttered living, holding tightly to balance, order, ancient customs and a love for natural beauty. Married to this are the beautiful and rich designs of the …