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 The traditional pine pole made of pine is now outdated. It has been superseded by a wide selection of painted wooden poles available.

The Silent Gliss Metropole looks good in both modern and traditional settings. The use of a track is functional, smooth as sliders inside the profile carry the curtains across smoothly. A track all means you can avoid using rings or passing brackets and it be can electrically operated. This is particularly useful for bay windows. The sleek, modern look of the pole is easily offset by choosing a decorative fabric with glamorous trims. This combination of old and new works well in a period house.

A metal pole does give you a chance to use different materials such as brass, black-wrought iron or silver. These that will bring another dimension to the window. With a metal pole, there are often finials to add to the end of the pole. This stylish element can be quite quirky. Jim Lawrence, have a wide selection of metal curtain poles and interesting finials. From pineapples to flames and globes, the end of the pole can be a feature in itself.

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In Chinese culture of the Imperial Court, yellow was the colour of power wealth and prosperity. In Chinese Buddhism the colour represents freedom and the monks wear yellow (saffron) robes. It is no surprise therefore that Paint and Paper Library have named their yellow paint Chinese Emperor. It is a glorious colour but has just enough brown in it to make it feel old and carry the patina of age. Its a good hallway choice as it sits well with antique furniture and is good in the light of several different floors. Also it suits art work displayed against it. In 2021 the Pantone colour of the year is a bright yellow. It invokes the solar power and energy, a very science based take on the shade.

The paint colour which best reflects this space age and futuristic feel is Little Greene’s Lemon Mivi. I like this as I think it is light and bright. The sharpness reminds us of the tartness of a lemon but has the radiant light of the sun.

Yellow does not exist in a vacuum and will look great when contrasted with a grey or a green.

A colour that will always enliven a room, bold but rewarding, it deserves its place in your designs for living.

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Very often it is associated with a coastal theme with the blue and white palette of the ocean a backdrop to interior design. In our rather darker and damper climate this look is harder to achieve and needs also to reference the older style houses of the Puritan settlers who used wood and woven upholstery to bring warmth and decorative craftsmanship to their houses.

The combination of navy and cream is a sophisticated starting point to decorate a living space. To bring some texture to the room, a cherry wood or oak floor can balance this stark palette. A carefully placed wing backed Colonial style chair covered in a blue and white fabric with a strong motif with a checked throw of softest wool again balances the blue and white theme. This works in a contemporary space as the addition of large areas and glass doors as often seen in a modern setting will enhance the brightness of this look. Rugs and candlesticks with a few paintings will complete the style and bring more varied colour and depth to the room.

The sea which brought the settlers to the shore and their ability to build, sew and create are threads of this style. By weaving them together we can bring New England to Old England in a modern way.

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Usually the bed is the first thing you see in a room. Choosing which style to go for is an important decision.

In the past, the four poster bed was necessary to surround yourself with drapes to keep out the cold and allow a little privacy from the servants. There are a number of very glamorous modern four poster beds that make a statement and are light and airy. One such is the wooden four poster by West Elm. This is a nod to the sixties and can be complimented by other mid twentieth century bedroom furniture in their range. The Beaumont white four poster bed by the White Company is more of a fairy tale wrought iron affair suitable for a more romantic styling. It is also available in black which has a gothic feel.

A sleigh bed is a popular choice. A wooden bow shape at both ends makes the room immediately traditional and warm. I prefer the look with the lower end at the bottom which gives you the chance to put an ottoman or a small sofa at the bottom of the bed.

This French look is also sold with upholstered headboards. Usually in light wood and with linen upholstery, these beds are charming and natural. The headboard can also be in a white rattan which is reminiscent of the warmth of southern climes.

Think about what look you want the bedroom style to be: light and billowing, cosy and warm, comfortable and modern – you should choose the bed which will set the tone.

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The frame of the glass is all important and there are a huge range to choose from. A silver filagree edging as intensifies the glittering magical sense of space. This in a circular design gives a feeling of eternity.

In contrast a framed mirror embellished with a design brings the room some depth of colour and variety of pattern.

A more modern look can be achieved with a simpler outline perhaps with an oval or looped shape.
Many different shapes and materials are available to you to choose from. The fairest of them all will be ready to hang and adorn any room in your home.

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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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Often the hallway is fairly neutral since it is a large and varied area that needs to work, taking you into many rooms and heights. This means that there is ample scope for you to be a little more ambitious in carpeting the stairs to bring texture and colour.

Roger Oates have for a long time been the market leaders in providing beautiful flat weave runners. The variety of designs generously allow you to decorate with style and stunning colour combinations. From the cool New England blue and whites to the dense exotic plums or the urban greys and blacks, there is something for every taste. An equally striped carpet runner you can find with The Crucial Trading company where the design Audery is a bold and popular statement .

You may of course wish to choose a more muted look and a lot of carpet companies will give a wide range of choice of more mellow patterns, not in a flat weave but in a heavier carpet finish. Axminster carpets have a good selection of these plainer designs. Alternatively, using a more hard wearing sisal runner with a linen edging in a contrasting colour can be a very effective choice. The Alternative Flooring Company have a a variety of sisal to look at in various weaves including a herringbone.

These carpets will liven up the stairs. Set against the edge of the threads painted white or stained brown for contrast, they are smart, chic and practical.

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As for fabrics, there is a range of amazing velvets you can use to give your room this imperial look. Zoffany do a cross piled velvet called Tespi which would grace any home. The dual motifs give it a dynamic quality that stops it from being too flat and dense. This can be enhanced by some lovely passementerie, tassels and bobbles perhaps in a rich metallic thread to further give the fabric charm and movement.

This richness of tone means it is a great choice as a sofa finish. It can be both exciting in a flat weave or be intriguing when used as a herringbone tweed pattern or a floral pattern with a lighter background. In this way, aubergine is surprisingly versatile.

However, using it as a woodwork finish can be a brave but exciting choice. In a boot room or a kitchen, some of the furniture can take this strong colour as long as its framed by a lighter one elsewhere in the room. I prefer it painted on tongue and groove or panels rather than just a very plain surface.

Aubergine has a sense of occasion and place and is therefore suitable for an entrance hall. Here it can look well set against a wooden floor and is a wonderful background for paintings and antiques. In a study, it will bring warmth and privacy and is a welcome change from the usual reds and greens so often used in this room.

A colour for all seasons and rooms bringing drama and majesty to all that goes before it.

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The shelves themselves can be made from contrasting materials to the main units. You can have glass, metal, wood or marble. They can be lit for ambience at night, floating or fixed. There is so much choice that you can see how this brings entirely new elements into your kitchen design fairly economically.

If you have a spare wall in the kitchen, shelving can be used as a display area for ceramics that you use, such as salad dishes or more decorative glass or plants to brighten up your working space. It is possible to mix up all these elements in a display on the shelves and change it whenever you feel the mood take you. Open shelves are for the imaginative and artistic to fill and arrange with pride.

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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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