David Hall Kitchens work mainly in the East of England and they produce a wide range of options for their clients from sleek modern to traditional wooden.

A more well known company that has a bespoke tradition is Plain English. They can do the shaker style we are all so familiar with but they also do a more contemporary range that looks great in a country house setting as well as a London apartment.

A smaller company who are up and coming are Naked Kitchens. They produce an excellent standard of workmanship as well as an interesting approach to design with gives them a more individual edge.

All three of these companies do fabulous work. You just need an equally fabulous designer to pull these ideas together !!!

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Taking a white as a staring point, fill the room and inject colour through exciting pieces of furniture and fabrics. A long sleek cream sofa can lounge in the space adorned with pastel shades of cool patterns. Choose pinks and aquas as your accent points in the cushions and lamp fittings. Using the neutral tones of cream, white and pale grey, build up a strong design base to carry the weight of the vibrant palette of the sun.

Bring nature indoors with wonderful plants, palms and ferns dotted around the space. This modern look is not bare and minimal but vibrant and sleek.,The addition of deep thick pile rugs onto a wooden floor gives the room the glamour associated with this genre.

To do this in dank Britain is a challenge but can be achieved by getting the tones right and allowing as much light into the space as possible. The end of a kitchen diner which leads onto a patio or garden would be perfect for this treatment. Billowing voile curtains in a light material will bring the essence of a beach breeze. The use of the pastel palette will remind you of the sky and sea in Miami. The fittings in rattan and wicker also will add the sense of warmth and sun. Drinking your cocktail in the lounge, you will feel uplifted and very sophisticated revelling in this style.

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This look is not easy to pull off as it can be both bold and boring if that is not a paradox. One of the best rooms to test the use of this look is probably in a bathroom. Generally speaking the sanitary ware will be white, so a good starting point for the design. The flooring then can be a pattern of black and white used often in the traditional Victorian diamond patterned tiles terrazzo floor. A round mirror with a slim black frame will sit well against the chrome of the taps and fittings.

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Carving out a designated area for paid work is worth doing especially if you have children who are never easy to corral and keep away from interesting gadgets and stationery.

The simplest of desks that can be squeezed against a wall will be enough to set a laptop. Ideally some shelves above this would be useful to put paperwork and any books you may need for your work. The laptop itself could be stored on one of the shelves when not in use to avoid the prospect of anyone disturbing what you are working on.

If you are planning on being a long term home worker then it is worth investing in more elaborate design to suit your day as this will be a space to be in for some time. Ideally it is nice to use natural light during the day so placing your desk towards a window is great especially if you have a view. Cabinets that hide printers shredders and rubbish bins are useful to keep a clutter free space. Keeping the desk simple as well as the filing cabinets mean you can add texture with a nice patterned rug. Hanging bright art work on the walls will inspire and relax you all day. If you have space, plants are another way to bring the outside world in.

Good lighting is a must and there are lots of funky task lights on the market. My favourite is the traditional Anglepoise which is both attractive and effective.

All these ideas can be realised fairly reasonably and are quick to be created. Make it an individual space that reflects your personality so you can feel motivated and productive all day.

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An early example of the shape and style of this fruit being used in architectural design is the Dunmore Pineapple house near Falkirk dating back to 1761. Built by the Earl of Dunmore as a summer house, its large, bulbous shape overlooks a walled garden and contains a hothouse for growing pineapples.

In the domestic setting, this spiky fruit is also seen in many fabrics such as one called Pineapples by Barnaby Gates, available in four colourways. This fabric would look fine in a conservatory or a south facing bedroom. Sanderson also use this exotic image in a fabric called Pineapple Royale. This is a durable linen mix which would grace any dining room. To compliment this, add one of the botanical prints from the Royal Horticultural Society on the surrounding walls.

In wallpaper it has been used to great effect in a Mathew Williamson design called Ananas. This is a more abstract interpretation of the fruit and is playful and colourful. This would work well in a kitchen diner or a study. It’s a fun and imaginative re working of the staple.

Often the shape of a pineapple appears as the base of a lamp or in various other home accessories such as ceramics and glass objects. The combination of the tropical ambience, the unusual shape and dramatic leaves means this look will always have a place in home decor. It’s both special and familiar adding that touch of quirk and charm to any room.

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Intricate dark oak panels in a listed house can be imposing but with a little finesse and by painting ceilings and other elements in a lighter tone, you can preserve the unique craftsmanship of the wood whilst melding into a contemporary style.

Adding panels half way up a room then painting it a dramatic dark blue is a great way of bringing both drama and interest to a dull wall space.

It’s good in its natural state but equally painting panelling is an old tradition and allows you to add a modern touch . See it in its full glory against cutting edge furniture and bright fabrics as well as bringing texture and history to a home that has a more bland start.

Another advantage of panelling is to bring form into a blank space or even up a very irregular surface. The wooden panels can effectively cover up unevenness in a difficult property.

You can also use Lincrusta to create this look. This is much cheaper and is only adhered to the wall and therefore can be removed if your taste changes.

It’s an old look that can be adapted to suit many properties adding style and substance to bland, blank walls.

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