The Blog
New products and services, interesting shops, ideas for your garden, our pick from design fairs, and other things we like…
Bathrooms Part 1
Did you know? The Romans built great bath houses, thermae, that spread around the Mediterranean and across Europe, which were the inspiration for the hamam, or Turkish bath. The court of Louis XIV at Versailles had over 100 bathrooms and...
Find Out More
Christmas Tree Decorating
HINTS AND TIPS ON HOW TO DRESS A CHRISTMAS TREE by Clifton Nurseries 1. Lights on first, otherwise your delicate and possibly breakable decorations will get knocked to the floor as you wind wires and cables around the branches. 2....
Find Out More
Commissioning furniture
Free-standing Furniture 1. When visiting a designer, ask to view photographs of previous commissions and to see a range of materials and timbers the designer uses. (Image 1&2: Amy Somerville) 2. Ask for recommendations from former clients. Discuss how well...
Find Out More
Why wallpaper
ADVICE ON CHOOSING WALLPAPER by Jane Gordon Clark, founder and designer of ORNAMENTA, a specialist wallpaper company whose wallpapers have a reputation for quality and style with an international clientele. See them on www.ornamenta.co.uk When you decide to hang wallpaper...
Find Out More
Upholstered furniture
Buying & maintaining upholstered furniture Start by thinking about what you would like to improve about the furniture you are replacing. Shed your overcoat and try out sofas and armchairs in a range of showrooms. (Image: Holloways) Consider the dimensions and...
Find Out More
Hiring an interior designer or architect
You may be thinking of commissioning an architect or interior designer, but don’t know where to begin. How do you go about choosing? How do they charge? Here are our tips. 1. Live in your home for some time while...
Find Out More
