Today is the last day for our Graham & Green promotion.  They are offering all of my readers 15% of all purchases including large furniture items!  Here is a small selection of their products….

To retrieve your offer: Simply click the pretty Graham & Green bird picture to the right of this page to enter their website and then use my promotion code: S9PJinteriors when you go to pay and you will receive your 15% discount!!

There’s still two weeks left so just click the Ideal Home Show link at the top of my page to save up to £3 on your ticket AND receive a free showguide (normal price £5) AND receive a free copy of the April 2009 issue of Ideal Home magazine** (normal price £3.20).  The show finishes on the 13th April 2009.

Image of the Smarter Living Theatre

I am often asked where is the best place to buy good quality and affordable flowers and so I thought I would wax lyrical about the only place I go… Columbia Road Flower Market.

It’s such a great place; not only for the flowers but for the eclectic East London atmosphere.  I have flitted away many an afternoon just hanging out and watching Londoners going about their business.

You have a selection of the best flowers in London with umpteen stalls all shouting for your business. Most of the stalls are well priced; you can pick up a huge bunch of lilies for just five pounds.  There is also a wide range of plants; images from the market below:

Alongside all the of the stalls you have lots of independent boutique stores that sell all sort of treasures ranging from one-off prints through to pretty vintage clothing.  Some of the shops are expensive but you can still find some great affordable items.

If you want to have a little sit down and a read of the papers then try the small courtyard area where they sell great coffee and cake.  In the same courtyard is a fantastic jewelery shop selling every colour and style you can imagine….I spend ages in there as I am obsessed with bangles (much to the annoyance of my other half!)

Anyway, Sunday is the day to go and if it’s sunny then get there early as it gets REALLY busy!  Follow this link for directions:

Coming soon… Where to buy the best fake flowers

Columbia Road Fower market

Q: Hi Pippa, I’m looking for some advise.

I have recently painted my wooden floor white in my spare room. I need to paint my brick fire place (as its pretty nasty looking) but I’m unsure what colour to go for since the floor is white? The walls are a neutral colour.

The property is a Georgian tenement and is about 190 years old. I would say the room will be a cross between modern and classical. The bed we have bought is a modern & stainless steel with upholstered panels at the head and foot of the bed. The window is a sash window and I have attached a swatch of the fabric for the curtains which are silk. I have attached some photos of the room. Also just to let you know the fire place wont be a working fireplace, its just for decorative reasons that we want ideas.

The colour on the walls are Dusted Damson.  I had originally thought about painting the fireplace white but now the floors are white I think it will just blend in….Thanks so much, Kirsten

A: Hi Kirsten,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and thanks for sending through the information, the room looks lovely and I really like your choice of paints.

After having a look at your pictures and reading about the style that you are looking to achieve I would suggest the following options. I have attached some pictures to illustrate my examples. Please ignore the interior style of the pics as they are a fireplace reference only.

1) Paint the fireplace white
I know that you considered this but were concerned about it blending into the white floor but there are ways of making sure this doesn’t happen. Once the brick work was painted white, I would look into placing a border around the outside of the hearth. I can see from the picture that you already have one that looks like metal? This way you will break up the continuation of white and create a frame around the fire. There are several border options you could opt for. I would suggest either grey or black frosted glass or tiles. These can also be laid inside the brick hearth as well as a border on the outside of the brick. Mosaic glass tiles would also look great.

2) Another option is to place mosaic tiles over the brick (copper or grey would look lovely- see attached pic) rather than painting it white. This would also go nicely with your curtain choice. It would be fairly easy and inexpensive but you would need to get a professional in to do it. I would think he would cut out the shape of the fireplace with MDF, place this over the brick and then tile over the top. As you are not using the fire, you can be fairly creative with the design.

I wouldn’t advise painting the brick any other colour as you will end up with too much going on in the room. I hope the option of white paint or tiles is something that you would consider as I think it will help to achieve your modern/classic look. If you need any more advice or help sourcing any itmes then just send an email and I should be able to help.

Hi Pippa,

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions. I think I might look into the mosaic idea!

Try looking at New England Lifestyle for some inspiration on fireplaces

Q: Hi Pippa.

Please help, I desperately need you advice and direction.  We have revamped our master bedroom in our 1930′s house in a contemporary style but are unable to decide on the style of bed for the room.  We have painted the walls white, installed frameless white glass sliding wardrobe doors across the chimney breast, wall to wall for a seamless finish and the floor is white laminate.  The only contrast in the room at the moment is the old stripped original door which is aged parana pine.  (shade of light oak).  Paul has seen a bed from “Dreams” which is called the Catalina Bed (white frame, chrome legs, white headboard with black panel and chrome edging) and I have found 2 x bed frames which I quite like.   The first is a white faux leather bed (called Milan) which has a tall panelled headboard.  The second is a high gloss bed from Littlewoods (available in white or black).  Shall we go for the white faux leather bed to introduce texture into the room or do you think a wooden bed frame would be more suitable.  Your help is greatly appreciated, Kindest regards from HELEN

A: Hi Helen, thanks for your email.

The room sounds lovely and you have obviously been busy!  Based on the information you have given me I would opt for the leather bed. For exactly the reason that you mentioned. At moment everything is quite modern with hard surfaces; wood and glass. The leather will add a soft contrast and as you said; texture. The Catalina sounds a bit ‘hard’ with the chrome and I’m not sure the black would work in the room, especially with the wood door and the high gloss bed sounds lovely but again, I think it would be too much. Also, you need a bit of texture in the room to balance with wood grains in the door. (unless you were planning on painting this?)

I’m not sure if you have thought about the soft furnishings but I would opt for chocolate, pale green and cream. The green and chocolate will really help to balance out the colour of the wooden door and fit with your modern scheme.  Try Next for some cushions that would work in the room – click this link below:

Let me know if you need any more help and good luck

Hi Pippa – thank you so much for the advice – will now opt for the leather bed frame and chocolate and green with cream sounds fab.  Will let you know how we get on.   Kindest regards from HELEN AND PAUL

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