ASK THE EXPERTS
Fabrics
Where can I find fabric with an equestrian theme for a boot room?
Lewis & Wood specialise in fabrics and wallpapers with sporting and character themes. The design shown here is ‘Hunting Themes’. It was created from an original 1860s hand-coloured lithograph which celebrated the thrills and spills of the hunt.
Where can I find a heavy linen to cover an antique chair?
Tissus d’Helene represent international fabric companies from the UK, the US and Europe. Have a look at their Lynford Linen from Blithfield, available in natural, sage, spice or currant – or one of the rich heavy linens from Souveraine. You might also try Lewis & Wood for their chunky Scottish linen (shown here). These companies also have an excellent selection: Volga Linen, The Linen Shop, Linenme, The Linen Works and Vanessa Arbuthnott. Contact details for all these companies are on our main listings pages.
I am creating a ‘Chinese’ theme in a guest bedroom and trying to find an oriental-style fabric to upholster a headboard (price up to £130 per m). I’d like a good quality fabric in a classic design.
Two beautiful Chinese-themed fabrics, Mandarin from Manuel Canovas www.manuelcanovas.com and Chinese Toile from Colefax & Fowler www.colefax.com are available through Colefax & Fowler’s UK showrooms.
I have been trying to source plain, heavy duty Dralon-type upholstery velvet in an old gold or similar colour without success. I only need eight metres to reupholster two antique bergere chairs. Any ideas?
J A Milton Upholstery Supplies www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk was established in 1989 as furniture renovators. They undertake reupholstery commissions, teach upholstery courses and have a huge range of products for DIY enthusiasts, including everything from basic fabrics (there is one which may be suitable for your chairs) to fancy upholstery studs.
www.fabricsandpapers.com offer a huge range of wallpapers and fabrics from leading European and British design houses. They have a caramel colour polyester velvet, very like Dralon, which sells for approx £30 a metre.
I have two lovely ‘Louis’ chairs that need revamping and would like a mixed striped material to co-ordinate with an amethyst- coloured sofa. Have you any suggestions please?
Two that might work:
Zoffany Orpheus in aubergine/russet or Mulberry Rumba Velvet.
I have seen these fabrics on the website of Kingdom Interiors, which features a selection of international fabrics, trimmings, wallpapers and paints and tips to add colour and texture to your home www.kingdominteriors.co.uk
I have bought bedlinen called ‘Bella’ from BHS. Where can I find curtains to complement this – I am making every effort to make my bedroom stunning.
Elanbach has contemporary and traditional designs in some 2000 combinations
and many would complement your bedlinen from BHS. They can send cuttings to you www.elanbach.com. Volga Linen offer classic striped, white and natural linen ready-made curtains up to 3m in length, plus a good value curtain shortening service www.volgalinen.co.uk.
I’m a set-builder and am looking for good sources of metallic paint finishes and fabrics. Can you help?
Check out the huge range of metallic fabrics at B.Brown. This company has been supplying display fabrics since 1934. Their ranges includes lots of fabrics which simulate brushed steel, aluminium and corrugated metal as well as a new range of glitter fabrics in 39 colours. They also do metallic paint. Look them up on www.b.brown.co.uk.
You could also try Ray Munn (www.raymunn.com) which imports the Swedish Beckers range of ‘Decor Metall’ paint. It comes in a gold or silver base and can be tinted to achieve other metallic finishes. They will send you a colour card upon request. Finally, Architectural Textiles supplies authentic Japanese gold, silver and copper leaf wallcoverings in 22 shimmering colours (www.architecturaltextiles.co.uk).
