Spring into Bold

With Cherished Gold named as Dulux’s colour of the year – this bold, strong yellow will be featuring on many a wall across the UK.  Used as an accent colour, striking a real contrast with the trend for naturalistic tones bright, jewelled colours are the perfect spring pick-me-up to lift the mood and stimulate the mind. 

Working particularly well in a kitchen, against the monotone of kitchen units bold bright colours will bring relief in 2016.

Consider some of the following in your home:

      

Texture to add atmosphere

We have five senses and great interior design engages all of them.  Imagine the smell of a soft-leather suite, the touch of luxury fabrics, the hushed sound of footsteps muffled by a deep pile rug and the taste of freshly baked bread. Well OK, perhaps not the bread, but you get the idea. Appeal to more than that which our eyes can see and suddenly your room has atmosphere and ambiance.

KEY IDEAS

1.   Before starting on your room, include a variety of textures in your mood board
2.   Rough stone floors, deep pile rugs or minimalist matting – instant atmosphere
3.   Vintage furniture may bring the aroma of its history – are you comfortable with that? Or would a bit of restoration mask some of the charm – but all of the smell!
4.   Exposed brick work may look fab in your loft apartment – but warm throws on the sofa and furs on the floor will get you through a British winter
5.   That gentle click of the slow closing cupboard – quality will show through in your furniture.  If you want a luxury feel make sure your sofa springs don’t squeak and your cupboard doors don’t slam.

 However you choose to decorate your room, make sure the atmosphere you create engages all your senses and that it a perfect reflection of the aspirational you.

Feel-good Interior Design

More than a synonym for luxury, the word luxe extends the concept from expensive and high quality, to the condition of being elegantly sumptuous. So where on-trend, nature inspired interiors could drift into looking ‘rustic’ or even ‘worthy’, bringing in a luxe element allows rooms to glow and the warmth of comfort.  The addition of luxe to a nature-inspired room is particularly useful when for in bedrooms or living rooms.

Ways to add luxe to your room:

Accessorise, Accessorise, Accessorise

Adding golden or bronze objets to your room brings instant luxe.  Work within the context of your surroundings – but be prepared to go big.  Big works best when it comes to luxe. Think mirrors, metallic sculptures and door furniture.

Fabrics and Furnishings

There are some fabulous lustre fabrics available. And hanging next to the window means that the shiny fabrics will give off a lovely glow. Made-to-measure curtains will ensure a quality finish and lift any room to elegantly sumptuous.

We can all benefit from nature, but bringing a little luxury into our lives helps us feel even more special.  The nature luxe is a really feel-good way to decorate your room.

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THE EVOLUTION OF GREEN IN 2015

 We might not all be able to afford to use one of the Times Top 30 Interior Designers to make our home look amazing. It's up to us to make the space around us fabulous. With a little knowledge the alchemy of attractive design can be ours for a fraction of the cost.

The major key trend from 2015 was nature, with green being the dominant hue.  It’s easy to see why when you think how many of us have to spend our days in an office or commuting through built up areas.  Who doesn’t get a lift from green?

Pale, subdued greens were the focus at the beginning of the year.  Think sage, eau de nil, moss and pastel tones.  Green feels tranquil and restful, and is often associated with fertility.  It is very wholesome and there are very few houses in the UK which wouldn’t benefit from a green room.

Things spiced up as the year progressed. In summer we saw energy levels rise with the inclusion of lime,pistachio and bright green among the best sellers.  Green blinds in conservatories were a popular choice as people attempted to bring the outside-in.

As the autumn leaves fell, so we see the shades of green take on darker tones.  Olive, teal and hunter green come to the fore as we all snuggle down for winter. Comfort and reassurance with tactile fabrics and soft-furnishings led us all a cosy end to 2015.

The trend for green looks set to continue with Spring 2016 seeing the introduction of bright, fresh greens, emerald and lustre fabrics. Watch for the launch of new fabrics from iLiv and Belfield in early 2016.

Dark Nights are drawing in - snuggle up with these warming ideas

It’s that time of year.  The weather in the UK is damp and foggy, we’ve all switched our heating systems on and daylight hours are becoming noticeably shorter. Is snuggling up a British guilty pleasure or winter survival technique?

Hygge is a thing

Broadly translated as "cosiness," "togetherness" or "well-being" and closely related to that “Christmassy” feeling we all get. Hygge is what gets Northern European’s through their long, dark winters.

Originally a Norwegian concept, it is thought that Hygge is responsible for Denmark topping the European Commission's well-being and happiness index for 40 years in a row.

Hygge is more than snuggling up on the sofa with a good book – but that’s a great place to start. You can Hygge your home by making it warm and inviting. Candles are great Hygge - so are luxurious curtains and cushions.  Spread Hygge amongst your friends by offering intimate and special moments together.  Host candle-lit suppers, board game evenings or mince pies and mulled wine, for the ultimate in Hygge hospitality.

More on Hygge on the Visit Denmark website.

Great Food and Great Company

Nothing warms the soul more than a fabulous seasonal feast eaten in good company.  This time of year the UK boasts an enormous array of vegetables in season. Think along the lines of large bowls of casserole, with crusty bread or even dumplings – followed by crisp apple pie.

Vegetables can be delivered to your door using an on line service or take a trip to your local farmers’ market; you may even be able to harvest them from your own back garden. Fresh produce will give you a vitamin boost to keep colds at bay and increase fibre intake aiding digestion as you become more sedentary.

However you get hold of them, seasonal vegetables will nourish the body as well as the soul when you snuggle down this winter.

Keep Moving Keep Warm

In cooler weather the temptation is to get warm and stay warm.  Close the curtains and settle down in front of the TV or with a good book.  But we must make an effort to get outside each day and brave the weather.  Keeping active during winter will help us maintain our vitamin D levels and keep our spirits up.

Oder people, in particular, need to make the effort to get out and socialise.  Can you help a neighbour or relative by offering to take them out for an hour or so? It will boost morale for both of you.

Far from a guilty pleasure, snuggling up this winter and spreading Hygge amongst your friends and family is definitely a great way to survive this winter.

Four reasons I use blinds in my kids’ rooms

Decorating a bedroom for a child is great fun.  With the enormous range of fabulous products on the market it’s hard not to go overboard!  However, there is one thing I always choose. I always buy blinds for the windows.  And here’s why...

1 They’re Practical

The practical side of me want my child’s room not only dark at night – but also at nap time.  So blackout blinds are essential.  I tend to go belt and braces here buying both black-out curtains and blinds to ensure everyone gets to sleep soundly.

2 They Protect

With the light on passersby can see directly into your home.  If your child’s bedroom or playroom is at street level, protect them from prying eyes by fitting translucent blinds.  These will allow the light in whilst at the same time protecting them from unwanted attention.

3 They’re Safe

Fitted close to the window, blinds do not cause a trip hazard unlike long curtains. Ideally use cordless blinds or make sure the cords have a cleat and breakaway fixings. There is an enormous range of child-friendly designs on the market and all are designed with child safety in mind thanks to standards brought in during 2014.

4 They’re Stylish

Pick a colour, any colour and you can get a blind to match.  Made-to-measure blinds are easy to buy online and blinds can be made from any fabric to suit any room. Delivered in less than two weeks blinds are the perfect choice when decorating a child’s room.

Beautiful Rooms: We must be doing something right

There are an increasing number of articles in the press at the moment about how successful retailers are adding made-to-measure services to boost sales. As you know, here at Beautiful Rooms we are keen to promote made-to-measure services as part of the Beautiful Rooms ideology.

Here's a couple of snippets we've noticed:

Dunelm Mill - Made-to-Measure Curtains lead 12% sales Growth

Dunelm saw a 12% rise in profits during 2015 and state that this is largely due to sales growth of made-to-measure curtains  coupled with their home delivery service, for which they charge £3.95.

Online services such as Aspire Curtains and Blinds provide made-to-measure curtains and blinds for 20-30% less than on the high street - with FREE delivery and unlimited FREE samples.

http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/110685/dunelm-reports-sales-and-profit-hike-110685.html

John Lewis displays Beautiful Rooms with made-to-measure service

Displaying products in a room setting, allowing customers to order their own versions via a made-to-measure service, the new £14 mill John Lewis expansion promises to build on the success of online made-to-measure retailers by giving the customer the ultimate in product selection.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/interiors/curtain-up-john-lewis-unveils-new-14-million-home-department/

Extend the barbecue season by making use of your Conservatory

Simple design features to make more use of your conservatory over winter.

We’ve had a fabulous summer; lots of lazy days with the kids and lots of informal gatherings around the barbecue.  It seems a shame it should end as the clocks go back. We can all fit far fewer people in our lounge than we can in our garden, so tend to hunker down for the winter and become anti-social.

If you are lucky enough to have a conservatory on your house then here are some ways you can make it work for you and your social life this winter.

• Keep it neutral & accessorise for the season

Neutrals are a must for every conservatory. They allow you to play it cool in the summer and heat things up in the winter.  Neutrals go with everything.

• Coordinating blankets and cushions in the winter allow your guests to snuggle up and look out at the weather
• Draw the blinds down and open the doors to our lounge – voila an instant extension for entertaining large groups
• Keep it light and bright in the summer, earth tones and pastel hues will fade less than bold colours
• Change the cushions, rugs and throws regularly to give this often neglected space an occasional new lease of life; coordinate with your choice of blinds.

• Think practical and make sure the space works

Think about how you use your conservatory. If it is a back entrance to the house, make sure there is space to get in and out; and a shoe rack or risk muddy footprints.

To  use your conservatory as an extra dining room when friends and family come to visit – then make best use of the space by clearing out the sofas and installing a table.

You can make great use of a rug in a conservatory – as the amount of sunlight means carpets are impractical.  Make especially sure the rugs don’t slip on hard flooring, especially if your meal includes wine for your guests.

• Bring the outdoors in with foliage and plants

One lovely thing about a conservatory is its location near your garden.  Make a feature of this for your guests.  Overwinter vulnerable plants and enjoy their foliage – or even use the space to grow exotics.

Allow your choice of fabric to reflect the garden setting.  There are some great nature inspired fabrics choices on the market. Your guests will enjoy the outside-in feeling – especially if you are hosting a barbecue on a chilly evening.

• Heat things up for the cooler months

As well adding blankets and rugs to your conservatory for the winter season, candles can give a warm glow and add to the ambiance, but keep them away from curtains. Coloured spotlights or even fairly lights can add a lovely glow to the space. And remember, the Christmas tree looks during December!
Just a couple of tweaks and your conservatory will serve you well throughout the winter.

How to avoid becoming the next Big Brother celebrity on your street

We’ve all been there. Walking the dog after work, just as night is drawing in - we can see straight into our neighbours’ houses.  We don’t (really) want to, but it is all there for us to see. 

Avoid minor celebrity status in your street by following our simple tips.

·         Think cosy, think cocoon

It’s Halloween and Coronation Street is about to come on.  The door bell has been ringing all night with groups of pink witches and cute cats demanding sweets.  But you’ve been in the lounge with the lights off for 25 minutes now and seem to have fooled them.  Will turning on the TV to see how Fiz and Tyrone are getting on with Hope's prognosis end up giving you away?  Are your curtains going to block out the light and absorb the sound from your TV?

To ensure a lovely warm room, safe from prying eyes of passers by the single best thing you can do is hang a gorgeous pair of fully lined luxury curtains. Not only will they absorb some of the sound from your TV and block out the light but they will make your room feel luxurious by adding an extra layer of protection from the outside world.  Create your own cocoon this winter.

·         Contemporary blinds make a stylish alternative to net curtains – yes really!

We are all proud of where we live.  Our home is a reflection of ourselves. However, the house-proud women of our Grandmothers’ era would not approve of our lack of net-curtains.  The colour of your ‘nets’ said a lot about how you cared for your home.  What was it about ‘nets’ that was so important?

Well, previous generations were onto a good thing when they insisted on net curtains at every window.  They provide a barrier against drafts; protect you and your possessions from prying eyes as well as allowing light in. They defuse the light in a bright room – and bring a cosy feel to colder parts of the home.  The curb appeal of matching curtains cannot be underestimated, whether they are twitching or not!

Most of the benefits of net curtains can be achieved with some of the new contemporary binds.  Roman blinds protect from drafts and coordinate beautifully with the furnishings of a room.  They are also cheap enough to have a set at every window. So make your granny proud and get yourself blinds for every room.

·         Protect kids with funky blinds

Your six year old is old enough to play in her room on her own; dressing up, making up dance routines or playing on her iPad. With the light on, her activities are fascinating to passersby.  They will love to see her change from Anna to Elsa and perform her own rendition of Let It Go – but do you really want them watching? Do you want them to see her iPad abandoned on her top bunk bed? 

Protect your child and her possessions by shielding the windows with a funky blind. There is an enormous range of child-friendly designs on the market.  You can even get blackout blinds to help her sleep or translucent blinds to let in the maximum of light during the day.

Make a Statement with Red

Red is a fabulously strong colour for interior design.

Red signifies warmth and openness, or even passion and love. It is a stimulating and vibrant colour, and makes a real statement in a room. Deeper shares such as burgundy add a sense of luxury, while paler shades evoke blossom or spring flowers.

When used around a fireplace red adds warmth to the room.

When combined with taupe and gold it adds a feeling of luxury to a room. Mix red with rust and terracotta to get a medittaranean feel, or with violet to create a modern environment.

Maybe red reminds you of your favourite football team or is reminiscent of a particular holiday. It may be your favourite colour, or just one you like to have in your home.

What Does Blue Mean To You?

Does blue sound cold or negative to you? You’ve got the blues? Perhaps you’re in a blue funk, or some bad news was a bolt from the blue?

That’s not how we look at it. We think blue is a fabulous colour. Rock solid companies are ‘blue chip’, our royal family has ‘blue blood’ and we’re protected by ‘the boys in blue’.

Refresh your room with a blue theme.

It is the colour of the sea and the sky, and evokes feelings of gloriously clear and bright outdoor days or wonderful Mediterranean holidays. Darker blue tones add a touch of regality to a room, while lighter blue conveys tranquillity and calm. Perhaps it is for a child's room where it is the colour of their favourite football team!