Find the answers to all of your decorating dilemas and stay up-to-date with the latest Interior trends.

QUESTION:

Hi Pippa

I recently came across the Farrow and Ball paper, called Ranelagh, its a
diamond trellis, in a metallic, its colourway number BP 1806.

I received a sample and love the paper, its neutral and yet adds great
warmth, I want to use it for the back wall of a hall over 2 floors.

Anyhow my question to you is, is there any less expensive alternative, its a
very pricey paper and the site only allows min. Order quantities of 3 rolls,
which makes it an expensive mistake should we not like !!

Anyhow alternative recommendations for such a paper, suitable , would be
really greatfully appreciated,

ANSWER:
Hi Mary,

Thanks for your email.

Below are some links of several alternative wallpaper options.
Other suppliers to try are B&Q as they have some very stylish
and affordable papers at the moment, Osborne and Little & Nono
http://www.nono.co.uk/wallpapercollection.asp

Wallpaper Direct:
http://www.wallpaperdirect.co.uk/products/morris/gilt-trellis/63716

Harlequin:
http://www.harlequin.uk.com/collection.aspx?ID=47&P=3&C=1

Graham & Brown:
http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/18059/Vogue/338

Graham & Brown:
http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/57180/Palace/0

Graham & Brown:
http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/57186/Palace/5

Graham & Brown:
http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/18130/Suzanne/4

Graham & Brown:
http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/17533/Sonnet/2

Crown:
http://www.wallpapers-uk.com/ProductDetail.asp?M0352

Good luck with your search and let me know if I can help with anything else.

Kind regards,

Pippa.

REPLY:

Hi Pippa,
Just wanted to thank you very much for your reply, I have a few very strong
contenders, great to get some advise !

Also wanted to wish you the very best with your impending delivery, I have 3
myself so I know what its like !

Best of luck,

Kind Regards,

Mary

As you can see we have now launched our newly designed blog site.  And although we still have some more updates to do,  it would be really great to get some feedback from you; what do you think works or doesn’t work?  What would you like to see more of?  Is it user friendly?  Are there any more topics that you would like to see covered?  We want you to get as much from the site as possible and so your feedback is really important to us.  Please comment below or feel free email me directly at blog@pippajamesoninteriors.co.uk

The pub renovation job is going well.  I met with the Builder today to discus my ideas and show him the room plans I have designed.  They are due to start ripping out the old rooms in a few weeks and then the fun starts!  We are now designing 6 rooms rather than 5 as apparently if you have 6 rooms or more then you can class yourself as a hotel.  This in turn means you can be listed in all the good hotel guides and hopefully gain star ratings.

We now have  a deadline of the beginning of May as all the rooms have been booked out for a wedding – there’s nothing like a tight deadline to work towards!  It will be great to style though and I am really looking forward to creating a little boutique hotel!  I will keep you posted with the next installment…no doubt there will be a new baby by then as I am now due in 6 days!

We have now finished the Wii commercial and no baby!  A big thank you to my brilliant assistant Jo Thornhill who put in 100% (as always).  The shoot was a success and everyone seemed very pleased with the set!  I’ll post a link to the new commercial when it’s aired.   So, 2 weeks to go until the baby arrives and I’m still finishing off a few bits – I think I’m a workaholic!  At least I am working from home now rather than in the office ;0)

Well, it’s now 3 weeks until my second baby arrives and I am praying she doesn’t come early so that I can finish all of my styling jobs!

We have been asked to transform the upstairs of a pub by turning the 5 unused rooms into modern and welcoming guest rooms.  I have to say, it’s a fantastic job to be working on as we have total creative control of the design.  Once we have finished the rooms I will post a feature with all of the ‘before’ and after pics.

I am quite excited about this new Jigsaw homeware range as it’s the first time they  have branched out into interiors.  Well known for their muted and delicate colour palette in their fashion collections, Jigsaw will be looking to carry this same theme through into their new homeware range and it looks set to be rather special…It’s going to be available through House of Fraser  from early February 2010.

These images show examples of their new bedlinen collection which will consist of high quality cotton and linen which has been inspired by the British eccentricity.

Here is what they have to say….The collection has a distinctly British feel and features several designs inspired by Jigsaw clothing or iconic branding. The Wobble Spot design features the distinctive blue and white Jigsaw dot which fans of the brand will recognise as the print on wrapping paper used in stores. For a current fashion reference, the neutral coloured CapuletVegas cushion features another reference to Jigsaw’s fashion history with folded silk embellishment inspired by the Vegas clutch bag from the 2009 collection. Available in gold, silver or blush pink, there’s a Vegas cushion to mix or match to every design in the collection.

I visited the East London Design Show last weekend and it was full of fantastic last minute gift ideas for Christmas. The show is one of the largest of it’s kind in London, with over 100 independent product designers exhibiting their wares.

Here, I list my favorite products from the show:

People Will Always Need Plates - A unique tableware and textile range using technical elevations of iconic British buildings.

‘Sunhouse’ plate by People Will Always Need Plates

Let Them Eat Cake - Beautiful, tiered cake stands created from vintage china. With designs ranging from romantic to the eccentric, you will find one to suit even the most discerning gift recipient. They also provide a bespoke service – you supply them with your treasured family china, and they create your very own heirloom.

‘Blue Stripe Delight’ cake stand by Let Them Eat Cake

Plate sorting by Let Them Eat Cake

Clothkits - Making it easy to sew your own clothes and toys from scratch. A great activity for kids and adults alike. Clothkits collaborate with other well known local artists and designers, resulting in a vastly appealing collection of products to make at home.

‘House and Birds Kit’ by Clothkits

Miller Goodman- Stylish and fun, the ‘Playshapes’ range is made from 74 geometric wooden shapes, which can be endlessly arranged. When playtime is over, the shapes are stored away in their very own unbleached cotton drawstring bag.

‘PlayShapes’ by Miller Goodman

alp – alp is a design studio led by Swiss born, London based Annick L Petersen. Highlights from her homewares collection include white linen cushions with red stitched satin text, and plates with the same design. The text is inspired by Edith Piaf’s ‘La vie en rose’.

Cushions by alp

Plates by alp

Fabrications - ‘Re-think rubbish’ gift wrapping kits combine the Japanese art of ‘Furoshiki’ with vintage head scarves and fabric bows. A sustainable alternative to wrapping paper.

Gift wrapping kit by Fabrications

Plumo, what can I say, they are still one of my favourite mail order companies.  I wanted to feature some of their pretty accessories as they are  spot on with the forth coming Southern Folk trend that Pippa Jameson Interiors has predicted for 2010 and 2011.  Below is our original moodboard followed by all the pretty accessories from Plumo.  My absolute favourite is the Batik lampshade, I think they would look fantastic as a collection of three above a dining table.

There’s no rest for the wicked, no sooner is Christmas over and we are working on the next job; styling the sets for a new Sega & wii commercial.  When the job is finished and the ad is aired I will post a link on the  blog and publish all the moodboards…

Colour is an affordable and effective way of making a change to our homes and can quickly transform a room or house exterior. It can also help cement a theme and bring a ‘look’ together.

To provide you with some colour inspiration, we are excited to present the predicted colour trends for 2010, carefully selected by the experienced ‘Trends Panel’ at Crown paints. The innovative colour palettes represent directions that the panel believes will be key for interiors this year.

Terra

The earthen hues of the natural world with a striking contemporary twist. A bold palette of warm oranges and burnt reds complimented with greys, purples and dusky pinks, resulting in a truly modern look.

St Germaine

As the name suggests, a colour palette inspired by timeless Parisian style. Think strong, monochromatic shades, teamed with elegant, rich detailing. A sophisticated twist on the baroque themes of last decade.

Simple Beauty

Reflecting one of the hottest trends right now, this theme touches on sustainability, craft and tradition. Experiment with neutral shades and accents of green and purple.

New Mexico

A fresh take on a classic theme inspired by the hot hues of the Mexican desert. Burnt oranges, yellows and dusty taupes feature, with accents of greying whites and midnight blue.

Paperback

Taking inspiration from a well-thumbed novel, this colour palette is based on comfortable, familiar pastels, teamed with the freshness of olive green and yellow.

Plush

Decadence encapsulated. Create drama at home with an intense colour palette of rich purples, and an eclectic mix of textured homewares.