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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

Boutique hotels point the way to decorating in the dark. Decorating in the dark Why stay somewhere ordinary, when remarkable quirkiness you can talk about for years afterwards can be yours for those special nights on the town? Domestic decorators are rarely prepared to go for a darker spin of the colour wheel, but for … Read more

Jeff Koon’s cat is a blooming riot of colour Bilbao flower tower The North coast of Spain (24 hours away on the ferry from Portsmouth – dolphins, swimming pool, posh cabins…) is a heady mix of wild shoreline and concealed sandy coves dotted with quirky medieval towns and riotous basque culture. San Sebastian and Bilbao … Read more

The shock of handing over £6.50 each is quickly receding as we recline and soak up the sun from the super kitsch candy stripes of our rented seaside deck chairs. Towels, windbreaks, Jean Paul Gautier style sailor shirts, sticks of rock… stripes are everywhere. How can the most regular and regimented pattern be so relaxed … Read more

Our GPS system decided to pack up on us the other day, just before we have to find a secluded holiday cottage in Devon which will be our retreat for the next week. So you can imagine my horror when my other half produced the road atlas for me to navigate by. Our GPS system … Read more

Can you resist the call of the sea? Splash! It’s boiling. So it’s straight to Eastbourne beach with the kids after school. No need for swimming kit. Come on mum, jump in! …and of course if the beach isn’t an option, you can always try one of ours! More like this…

Juicy sunshine shades to get you in the mood for holiday Holiday colour Work weary? Weather dreary? Kids desperate to end an interminable term? Get your head ready for holiday with a splash of hot climate colour – courtesy of mimosa, bougainvillea, lemon and all the gorgeous flowers that will illuminate your little piece of … Read more

Could this be the boldest splash of colour in your scheme? Delightful doors The wonderful thing about front doors is you can paint them any colour you like. A pop of bold colour on your door gives your guests a glimpse of the warm welcome awaiting them on the other side. It’s only a small … Read more

Keith from Mini Moderns tells us more about his company and design influences. Mini Moderns Keith from Mini Moderns tells us more about his fantastic company and their design influences. How do you come up with your designs? We tend to work by collection rather than on individual designs. Each collection starts with a general … Read more