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

Q: I am looking for a stylish and contemporary wooden bed frame and have so far found nothing that I like.  I have looked at most of the high street stores but nothing has inspired me….can you help!  Stew, London.

A: Hi Stew,  I think the bed that best matches your description is from a company called Raft.

Raft

Raft sell a wide range of wooden furniture that are a mix of modern and classic designs.  Their pieces are made from all natural materials and are quite reasonably priced.  I’m not sure what the delivery time is like but I would think between 10-14 weeks unless that have it in store.  A few other companies that you could try are Lombok (the image below) Ligne-Roset, Feather and Black & Bonbon.

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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

.

The Brief

We are two female colleagues starting a new business in Wedding Photography. For about 4 years, the space has been used as an office for a photographer’s agent and a photographer. The room has always been (invisibly) split down the middle to accommodate the two businesses. At present there is no order to the room and boxes are on the floor everywhere.

The new business will be the two of us working together on the wedding business but also running our own businesses at the same time. We therefore need to look like we are working together but also have the space to run our separate affairs. Basically, we don’t want to be on top of eachother, if you know what I mean!

We want to be able to bring clients to the office to show them our work and our products. We were hoping we may be able to fit in a small sofa and a coffee table. The storage therefore needs to be tidy and attractive. We would really like to have shelves that also hold lovely books, and other products that ‘say’ we are in the creative industry, as well as the obvious photography.

We also want the room to be ‘softened’. The white walls are very corporate and bare, so maybe we can have a colour on one wall. The lighting is terrible – strip lights in up-lighting constructions! See the pic showing the side walls. There is a great window down one side of the room that is a wonderful feature, I think. The carpets are standard tile mats, dark blue in colour – these can’t be moved but rugs could be an option.

Fireplace

Question:
I happened onto your website today while trying to figure out what to do with the my non functioning fireplace in my new London flat which i moved into last week. I am totally overwhelmed by what to do. I guess at best you could call the fireplace ‘Grandmother Chic’. When I moved in the tiles on the fireplace were painted and curiosity got the best of me and i stripped the paint. Now I don’t know what to do!

I’m going to paint the walls but havent’ decided which colour. The carpeting will be replaced with sand coloured sisal. There is a smallish round black dining table with a deco feel to it going in the bay window and the couch is anthracite. I am very confused. Should i paint the fireplace all one colour (wood and tiles?) Should i try something a bit daring? ie crackle glaze? Should I bash it down and put in something modern?

Question by Nicole, London

Answer:
I’ve had a look through your pictures and you have a good size flat with lots of potential. The living room looks like a good size with lots of natural daylight which is a great.

With regards to the fireplace, can I ask first if this is a working fire and if so, are you planning to use it? I am assuming you want to go for quite a contemporary look?

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Q: I am looking for a French style mirror for my living room. I would like the frame to be fairly plane with some detailing at the top and it needs to measure approximately 100cm width x 80cm height. Rosemary Ashworth.

A: French style mirrors have become increasingly popular and look fantastic in a modern or shabby chic room. You can buy this style of mirror from a few high street shops including Laura Ashley, Next and Marks and Spencer. Another great place to buy one is a company called Scumble Goosie they make bespoke French and Gustavian style furniture. As they make all of their pieces in their own warehouse, you can opt for a particular paint finish.

Another company that sells gorgeous french furniture is called The French Bedroom company. They are slightly more expensive than the high street but any products bought from here could be seen as an investment purchase. Chose from their large selection of mirrors, beds and accessories.

Why not try Virgin Vie at Home for some French style accessories

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Q: I have beach units in my kitchen and I’m not sure what colour to paint the walls? Can you suggest a shade that would compliment the wooded units?

Question posted by Jessica Ellis, Manchester

Q:
I have a modern livingroom with light coloured walls and a wooden floor and fireplace. I was thinking of painting the fireplace white – is this wise?

A:
I would say yes. White painted fireplaces can look stunning against neutral coloured walls. Especially if it has detailed wood carvings, such as the detailing in this picture. Painted fireplaces work in most rooms as long as the wall colour is significantly darker.

*Only paint wooden fireplaces and avoid painting surfaces such as stone or marble.

For good wood paints, try looking at Zoffany, Kelly Hoppen and Farrow and Ball paints. These all have a gorgeous chalky feel and will stand the test of time.

Tip: Always buy a tester pot and paint a test area before you commit to your colour.