The Blog

New products and services, interesting shops, ideas for your garden, our pick from design fairs, and other things we like…
Bisca’s guide to bespoke staircases
A feature staircase in a hallway or entrance lobby is usually the first thing you see when opening the front door and can certainly add a wow factor to your property. A bespoke staircase with a clever layout can also...
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Choosing LED lighting – 6 top tips from John Cullen Lighting
Sally Storey, Design Director at John Cullen Lighting, gives us her top six tips to look out for when selecting LEDS… LED lighting has improved dramatically over the last few years – both in terms of efficiency and the quality...
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All about straw marquetry, with Simon Orrell
Simon Orrell designs furniture and objects made in unusual and exotic materials, such as shagreen and parchment, mica, gold & silver leaf, and mother of pearl. More recently he has revived the traditional technique of straw marquetry and given it...
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Broadleaf’s guide to wood flooring
A comprehensive and informative guide to selecting, installing and maintaining wood flooring by Vanessa Garrett of real wood specialists, Broadleaf Timber. Q. What is engineered wood flooring? A. Engineered wood flooring is made of multiple layers of timber rather than...
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A guide to garden antiques & ornaments
Whether for indoors or out, garden antiques and ornaments are highly sought after. But which items should you buy? How do you know where to place them? Where do you seek inspiration? Darren Jones of Lichen Garden Antiques offers expert...
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Buying door furniture – things you need to know.
Priors specialise in period style door and window hardware in a wide variety of finishes for all types of historic or modern properties. Here is Vicki Bale‘s advice for selecting door and window furniture suitable for a period home. Q....
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A designer’s guide to fabrics, by KOTHEA
KOTHEA is a leading supplier of fabrics to interior designers with a range that includes an excellent selection of textured fabrics: linen weaves, sheer voiles, faux leathers, Italian silk velvets, mohair, cashmere. Here Mark Gee guides you through the process...
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Mumford & Wood’s guide to doors and windows
Windows and doors provide security, thermal and acoustic insulation and affect the aesthetic appeal of a property. Specialist manufacturer Mumford & Wood tells us what to consider if you are thinking of replacing existing windows and doors or if you...
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April Russell’s top tips for displaying art
Here at April Russell, we are very passionate about what we do. We believe art enhances an interior, and creates a depth to a scheme that simply can’t be achieved using other design methods. It adds character, and offers an...
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Tips for choosing a sofa: Q&A with Wesley-Barrell
A well-made sofa is an enduring investment. Juliette Barrell of Wesley-Barrell offers a comprehensive guide to selecting a sofa, highlighting its construction, size, style, shape, fabric and comfort. Q. What is the traditional method of constructing a sofa? A. The...
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