Design inspirations

Nothing scaredy cat about these designs… Scaredy cats? Not these Timorous Beasties… We got together with Paul Simmons from Timorous Beasties to explore the roots of their wonderful creations. WD How did you and Ali McAuley decide to work together? PS We met and studied together at Glasgow School of Art 1984-1988, then from 1988-1990 … Read more

Poinsettia display points to a perfect Christmas Poinsettias paint a perfect Christmas Leaden skies may loom over lovely Lewes, but the window of No. 1 Lewes (remarkable antiques shop and stylist’s wonderland) features a heavenly poinsettia display that’s the perfect antidote to Winter. The Santa’s coat, deep scarlet flowers and undiluted green foliage make the … Read more

An interview with the master joiners and paint makers Winter gardens with Marston & Langinger This week the designerpaint team had a chat with MD Phil James about his company’s paints, and found out they know an awful lot about what goes under that lovely paint too… DP So how did Marston & Langinger begin … Read more

I’m a celebrity. Decorate my house. It’s a jungle out there! It’s been a rough week in I’m a Celebrity. Maybe you lap it up. Maybe it turns your stomach – but the hugely popular celebrity competition to be crowned king or queen of the jungle is certainly not for the faint-hearted. There’s no way … Read more

A sneak peek at Mini Moderns new paint collection Thoroughly Modern Minis We’ve been treated to a sneaky peek at Mini Moderns’ coming collection, and we’re very excited! Mini Moderns Hinterland wallpaper collection is inspired by the history and culture of the Cinque Ports towns of Kent and Sussex. We can’t show you the papers … Read more

Yves Saint Laurent’s blue and yellow miracle garden Marrakech Express(ion) We’ve just enjoyed a whistlestop whirl around Marrakech. A tangle of Arabian, French and African culture, artisan craft and design that can’t fail to inspire and intrigue. After a couple of days alternately relaxing in the luxury of our opulent Riad and losing ourselves in … Read more

Dastardly pumpkins from the incomparable Slindon Pumpkin Festival Halloween it like you mean it If our house is going to do Halloween… we’re going to do it properly. There will be no namby-pamby gap-toothed smiley pumpkin glowing benignly from our window sill. The Ad(d)ams Family will be opening our creaking front door under the malevolent … Read more

The Managing Director of Mylands tells us the story of a great London brand A little Lambeth Luxury, courtesy of Mylands paint Our guest this week is Dominic Myland, Managing Director, Mylands. Designerpaint (DP): Can you tell us a bit about your Company’s history? Dominic Myland (DM): Mylands is Britain’s oldest family owned and run … Read more

Summer gives way to autumn with leafy walls and windows Fade to gold Fast forward to Autumn… and nature’s weaving its colour magic through our parks and gardens. The sun waves goodbye through the trees, and golden leaves glow in a defiantly colourful shower of decay. Leaves will be raked into golden garden piles where … Read more

Our visit to Decorex 2014 in London’s Syon Park Decor in the park I’ve just emptied out my burgeoning tote bag after our annual visit to Decorex, one of the biggest events on the trade decorating calendar. West London’s Syon Park was the venue this year, with Syon House’s Georgian style inspiring the theme. The … Read more

Colours to warm your cockles. Chocolate, Caramel & Coffee There’s a tiny chill in the morning air as the waning Summer sun sinks low onto Autumn’s hazy horizon. In the park the grass is set for just one or two more modest trims before the mowers are put away for another year, and lush greens … Read more

A new range of Japanese inspired wallpapers from Farrow & Ball Turning Japanese – Farrow & Ball style The craftsmen at Farrow & Ball (better known for their lovely, whimsically named paints) have embraced the shibori trend and launched four Japanese inspired wallpapers. And each paper has a Japanese name with a meaning… Aranami (raging … Read more