The Blog
New products and services, interesting shops, ideas for your garden, our pick from design fairs, and other things we like…
CHRISTMAS WITH KATE FORMAN
The House Directory asked Kate Forman to share how she and her family will be celebrating Christmas this year. Read the blog for inspirational Christmas images, gift ideas and a glimpse into the Forman family's holiday celebrations...
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The How-To Guide For Curtains And Blinds
A key to success in interior design is to consider every detail of the ending in the beginning. To design a successful electrical scheme for example, you need to know where furniture will ultimately be positioned. Each room should have...
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The Best Of British Design: why handcrafted homeware is more popular than ever
Derwent House is an exciting new interiors store in Witney for handcrafted furniture, fabrics and homeware. Inspired by the tradition of craftmanship and design talent we have here in Britain, owners Juliette Barrell, Ali Griffiths and Richelle Spooner-Davidson use their...
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How To Combine Pattern, Colour And Print In Interior Design, with Penny Morrison
It takes skill to design a beautiful room combining pattern, colour and print. If you are unsure about how to balance pattern, colour and print in interior design, consider beginning with a simple scheme and adding accessories – from cushions,...
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How To Design A Walk-In Pantry
When I visit my friend’s house in the Scottish Highlands, one of the great pleasures is the kitchen with its views on to the hills, rolling garden and loch beyond. Just behind the kitchen table there’s a pair of doors...
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How To Choose Carpets, Rugs And Floor Coverings
If you are embarking on an interior design project or simply wish to stamp a fresh new look on your home, consider uplifting the interior with new carpets or rugs. Floor coverings are an important element of interior design, contending...
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Decorating With Books
Books Do Furnish A Room is a novel by Anthony Powell. It is the tenth novel of a 12-book series, A Dance to the Music of Time, depicting life in post WWII Britain. The title has become recognised in interior...
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Restoring A Period Property: doors and interior joinery
Whether your property is listed or not, preserving and maintaining period features can enhance your home. Atkey and Company are experts in authentic, period-style joinery based on a specialist historical catalogue of doors and mouldings from prominent periods of British...
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How To Light Art
Whether your art collection is composed of a selection of prints, family photographs, the most sought-after contemporary art or priceless Old Masters, the critical question is, how to light art. Lighting artwork effectively will show it off to its best...
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How To Choose The Perfect Rug.
Choosing the perfect rug presents a challenge, but a beautiful rug can provide the finishing touch to pull together the interior design, adding and enhancing colour, texture and warmth. If the interior is simply and neutrally decorated, a rug can...
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Marketing a home décor business in 2023
Are you considering changes to your plans for marketing a home décor business in 2023? The home décor market continues with stable growth following an unprecedented boom during the pandemic. We are thinking more than ever about how we inhabit...
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Tips & Trends in Sustainable Interior and Garden Design
In this era where climate change is one of our greatest threats, members of the design community can play a part in promoting sustainable interior and garden design, to reduce energy consumption, pollution and waste and to focus on the...
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A Creative Approach To Christmas Table Styling
Although the news of vaccines on the horizon has raised hopes for 2021, this Christmas season will undoubtedly be challenging. Time to concentrate on what we are able to do to celebrate the season, whether on our own or with...
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Natural Christmas Decorations – A Creative Holiday Season
The pear tree is symbolic in Christianity of love of mankind, salvation and immortality. In ancient times the wild pear tree also represented prosperity, happiness and health: an emblem of sustenance, abundance and long life. In this scene the branches...
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Christmas Decoration Ideas To Give Your Home A Festive Feel
The spirit of Christmas fills our homes with colour, light and the beauty of nature. Families gather together, sipping mulled wine, inhaling the scent of spiced candles and the aroma of baked goods wafting in from the kitchen. In this...
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