Traditionally, homeowners have chosen wood flooring or carpet for reception rooms,lino or tiles for the kitchen and bathroom, and carpet for bedrooms. Now, though, almost everything goes, and there are more materials than ever to choose from, including environmentally-friendly options and stain-resistant designs. Thanks to new technology, virtually any image can be imprinted onto vinyl or laminate floorings meaning you can walk on lush green grass, fluffy feathers, even water. The possibilities for our homes are endless.

Real Wood

Wood is wonderfully hard-wearing, attractive and flexible option, and there is a wide range of types to choose from.
Solid wood is the most (more…)

A alcove makes the perfect spot for dining. Choose a compact table and chairs that will not intrude into the room. If you are short on space, look out for foldaway chairs, or ones that stack, and a collapside table.

Create a coordinated theme by dressing the living and dining areas in a matching fabric – like the floral fabric. Define the area with hanging prints above the table for a balanced look. These floral prints echo the pretty patterned fabric so that the dining corner still feels part of the room.
Add an uplighter to provide soft, indirect light – and a laid-back mood – when entertaining. Provide good storage in the room to ensure the table does not become just (more…)

If you love simple, elegant rooms that feel inviting and comfortable but fuss-free. Shaker-inspired decor is hard to beat. Best of all, if you know what to look for, you will find plenty to choose from on the high street.

You have probably heard the term Shaker-style before. You may even have a kitchen inspired by this look…..but do you know exactly what the term means? Basically, it refers to decor inspired by the streamlined homes of the Shaker religious community in America, renowned for their values of simplicity, craftsmanship and beauty through utility. Featuring woven grasses, solid osk and cherry, and a calming colour palette of milky tones, it is a look which many people still fall in love with today and take inspiration from (more…)

For a kitchen that looks terrific yet works efficiently, careful planning is crucial. Here is how.

Creating a kitchen from stracth is one of the most exciting projects there is, but it does present tough design challenges. Your layout has to be hard-working, yet attractive, too. Considering the investment, it also has to be a design you won’t tire of.

Most of us start with great ideas but limited space, and the challenge is to incorporate as much storage and work area as possible. A really large room presents a different set of issues, succh as how to (more…)

Use creamy colours, fresh florals and streamlined storage to turn a bland space into a grown-up lounge with room for dining.

DARK AND CLUTTERED
Some effort had been made to bring order to this living room, but it just was not working! The storage baskets were overflowing with books and magazines, and the all-white soft furnishings looked bland and boring rather than harmonious. The doors and picture rail were painted in dark maroon which did nothing to lift the scheme, and the scuffed laminate flooring made the room feel cold and drab.
The room also has to serve as a dining room with a table and chairs tucked into a corner at the opposite end of the room. Dual-purpose spaces can be tricky to decorate and furnish as both areas need to be defined, yet work as a whole. This room needed a definite theme to unify the space, as well as some practical storage to create a more calm and welcoming atmosphere for relaxing and dining.
Finally, bright accessories and soft patterns were needed to freshen up and modernise the whole space.

Rearrange the furniture
In its original position, the sofa dominated the room, so it was moved to sit neatly under the window, creating more uninterrupted floor space and ensuring the dining area at (more…)