My favourite coral colour is Coral Glow in the Benjamin Moore range. This tone captures the perfect balance between pink and orange that distinguishes this shade.

Coral works beautifully as a background for classic paintings. Its deep richness offsets gilt or wood frames and enhances the brush strokes of any picture.

The fronds of sea weeds and gentle movement of underwater anemones are used to good effect in several wallpapers. Jean Monro’s Coralie wallpaper is a sweet version of a coral reef theme. Coming in three colourways (pink, green and yellow), they remind you of the variety of colours in the reef life.

A traditional, but equally gorgeous underwater themed paper, is by Seaweed by William Morris. This arts-and-crafts paper is bold, capturing the sinuous curves of the fronds in jewel colourways

The Little Mermaid should not have all the fun.

Dive in and use this image from nature to decorate your home

The post Under The Sea appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.

The peacock feather was one of the main designs of the aesthetic movement. The most famous usage of this motif is on a printed cotton designed by Arthur Silver. The upholstery fabric Hera feather is a development of this design for the modern world.

One of the most enduring patterns that we still see today is Ianthe Tana lawn cotton. This was created for Liberty by R. Beauclair in 1900 and is still sold today. It’s very recognisable and graces many windows today.

Other influences on the designs of fabrics for liberty were from the adaptation of Persian and Indian images featuring dragons and floral motifs with swirling leaves and trees. If you are seeking this look today, the Marquess Garden offers a modern floral take with a 1970s feel thrown in.

The classic nature of the liberty print looks great when set against a contemporary space. One chair or a bundle of velvet cushions can add a timely reminder that good taste never goes out of fashion.

The post Liberty Design appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.

Actually it is a brilliant flexible fabric design so varied and versatile and suitable for almost any interior design project.

In terms of upholstery usage the choice is endless. You can go old school and stick to the traditional patterns of the Western isles – the herringbone, the hound’s tooth and the plaid. This can look amazing in the country kitchen on a bench seat or in blinds. Ralph Lauren has used this style very effectively in his East Coast collections and designs.

In curtain fabric, these patterns can be found in the Ashbourne tweed collection by Thibaut. Here there are 15 choices of colour. Each earthy tone keeps true to the muted palette associated with this design. It is a tight herringbone and will fit in with nearly all schemes you may choose. If you want a more lively look, Designers Guild do a selection called Cheviot tweed in three colours including a vibrant green. This has a more distinct check pattern and is a bolder approach to the traditional look.

A more sophisticated tweed will be found at Lelievre where three threads have been woven together to give a fine and delicate edge to the cloth. It is a beautiful fluid fabric and drapes well as curtains. It is smooth and does not have the roughness of the earlier weaves.

Hooked on walls, use a tweed design as textured wallpaper. The grain adds texture to a room but is not as dominating as a strong pattern or as flat as paint can be. This comes in seven shades.

If you just want a touch of this look in your room, there are many companies selling throws and cushions to decorate your home. The aptly named Harris Tweed shop has many cushions as does the National Trust shop.

For just a touch of homespun go for this fabric and you won’t be disappointed.

The post Tweed Indeed appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.

It can be used in both a modern and historic setting as it comes in such a range of textures and colours. It is difficult to go wrong in choosing it for your home.

The trick is to use the colours wisely.

if you are going to go with the current contemporary trend, then look at the dark tones: a navy or dark grey will add sophistication and smooth lines to an interior design. Additionally you could go with a dark green against a foliage based wallpaper to give a tropical look which is very popular.

In a more traditional home the pinks and reds are often seen in large living areas and cosy living rooms. These rich colours sit well against wooden panelling or elaborate fireplaces. Their warmth offsets the emptiness of a larger space – especially in the winter.

Velvet comes in various depths. A mohair velvet is well known for its longevity and robust nature. Virtually nothing destroys this fabric – not even dogs! If you want a smoother look, then the cotton velvets will do you good service. Designers Guild Varase velvet is particularly varied and gives an amazing array of colour options.

Fit for a queen – treatt yourself to a bit of this regal experience.

The post Velvet the queen of fabrics appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.

With the revival of a sixties vibe, paint manufacturers and fabric houses have created a vast number of new variations on the ginger theme. This has been influenced both by the step back intimate movement to mid century and an interest in the use of vibrant colours in tribal and ethnic designs.

Taking the colour orange as a starting point, we find other shades that can be used in the home to add the warmth of the orange but without the scream of colour.

In fabrics this tone is best in a silk or Palin velvet since any pattern tends to overpower and just be too much.

For subtler use of orange on the walls, look at apricot, peach, salmon, pumpkin and butterscotch which can be styled with a caramel leather and a soft brown faux fur throw. Neutrals are a must to off set this strong flavour but use creams and off whites as you need to remain in the same tonal palette.

Dulux have jungle ginger or Morroccan sands that can be teamed with copper accessories and dark wood floors.

One note of caution, avoid Charlotte’s Locks by Farrow and Ball. You can have too much of a good thing!

Visit or Gallery for more inspiration and modern interior design ideas or go back to the homepage and contact us on 01223 360797.

The post Ginger Spice appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.

Traditionally to be seen in kitchens gingham has been upgraded and moved into the sitting room and bedroom.

In a children’s bedroom this cheery fabric comes in lots of pastel shades to add interest in both curtains and blinds as well as cushions . We have moved on from the polarisation of blues / pinks being exclusively boy or girls and the aqua or yellow provide a fun option for colour.

It works best as a Roman blind with accompanying accessories such as lampshades and cushions.

You can use this cheeky check as a neutral in biscuit or oatmeal to contrast with more sumptuous fabrics in a sitting room. Gingham with a metallic thread can hold its own next to a silk or velvet. By putting this fabric on an occasional chair you will bring freshness and stability to your design.

Coming in such a variety of colours it’s simple and adaptable.

Less John Wayne cowboy : more country chic.

Visit or Gallery for more inspiration and modern interior design ideas or go back to the homepage and contact us on 01223 360797.

The post Gingham appeared first on Louise Swarbrick.