What do you use curtain tie backs for?

They look lovely draped around curtains but get adventurous with them and add a designer stamp to your home.

A top designer tip is to use them as light pulls in the bathroom and loo.  They look fabulous and are sure to impress all your guests!  Simply unknot the tie back so that you have two long cord pulls and tie together at the top and attach to the light pull.  It really is that simple.

If you have curtain poles tie one tie back at each end of the pole and let the tassels hang down.  A great feature is to have one tied to the centre of the pole to give that special look.

Drape them around mirrors to add grandeur and interest.

The uses are endless, so give it a go, we have selected some beautiful tie backs and also key tassels, which no discerning French armoire or cabinet should be without.

Take a look and enjoy!

What do you use photo frames for? 

Well don't just use them for photos, they can be put to great use as a designer touch in any home.   If you have wallpaper in a room, then cut out a piece of the central pattern from a spare roll and place in a couple of photo fames for instant designer class to add to your mantle piece, side tables, dressing tables - in fact anywhere around the home.  Give it a go and see how eye catching it is.

Another unique way to use your photo frames are to keep a couple to use on your dinner table when entertaining, and insert your menu for the evening.  Impress your friends and family!

Take a look at some of our lovely rococo photo frames, we have them in black and white, to fit with most decors.

Oscar's Guide to Purchasing Furniture

 

Purchasing furniture

From bright sofas to curvy couches and from French styles to a little Bohemia, it can be difficult to keep up with what's in and what's out with furniture styling. So here we offer a guide to help you find the correct pieces for your home.

What's in style?

Out goes the mirrored Hollywood regency trend of 2009 and in for 2010 are five main trends:  Natural Materials, Retro/Vintage, Big Blooms, Folk Style and Country House Glamour. Asian styles are also back in favour after originally peaking decades ago.

Bright sofas that feature in the front and centre of a living room are in vogue, as well as white and neutral colours which will always play a major part in room design; while curvy couches with heavier styles are often used in black and white decorated rooms. Bohemia is also popular with bright, bold fabrics adding interest and spotlight to the simplicity of a room.  Whereas Country House Glamour and the "French" style add sheer elegance to any room, adding opulence and grandeur, aligned with comfort, on an achievable scale, which can be mixed and matched with modern pieces to create your own unique style.

What rarely goes out of fashion is comfort, while eco-friendly furniture is also continuing the go-green trend inside our homes.

How to select the right piece for your home.

Whilst keeping on top of the latest trends is important, there are other factors to consider when buying furniture:

- Think about the room - Survey the room in the house in which you want to place the furniture. Do you want to decorate the room before you buy? If not, then look at the width of the room, the height of the ceilings, the colours of the walls, the accessories in the room and whether there is a theme - such as French Parisian, Minimalist and so on - that you want to retain.

- Classic - Trends come and go, so consider if your furniture is classic enough to last through the fads and still look good in five years time.  This is where period reproduction furniture becomes a staple addition to any home, mixing with old and new and lasting through various interior fashions.

- Colours - Pick furniture colours that complement or contrast nicely with the walls of a room. According to colour theory, colours that are opposite on the colour wheel - such as red and green - make each other stand out. So picking furniture that is a contrasting colour to the walls can be effective. Or if this is too bold, then keep walls and furniture more neutral and add big splashes of colour with curtains, soft furnishings and accessories which you can change as and when you want to inject a fresh new look to a room.

- Décor - Will the furniture you buy fit in with your décor and your vision for the room?  There's no point buying a `stylish` piece if it's not to your taste - stick to what you enjoy. Any themes should normally reflect the character of you and your family.

- Craftsmanship - Do your research on the materials used to construct a piece of furniture and consider how it is made. How long do you want it to last for and how often will it be used? If it's a sofa in the living room for example, then chances are it will have to sustain a fair amount of wear and tear - whereas a more decorative piece of furniture, such as a table lamp, is less likely to endure the same amount of use.   It is worth paying that bit extra if you can stretch yourself to buy good quality furniture that will last, which makes it even more important to ensure that you choose furniture that is a fashion staple rather than a passing trend.

 
Don't forget insurance.

No matter what piece of furniture you choose it's likely to involve a substantial investment, so protecting it with home insurance is important.

 

When you compare home insurance - such as with a comparison website - look for accidental damage cover and ensure this extends to furniture; and also be aware of specified item limits and ensure your items fit within this cap. A good policy should protect your furniture from risks including theft, fire and flood damage.  To find more information on home insurance visit http://www.gocompare.com/home-insurance/

 

 Watch this space for more designer hints and tips.  We will reveal all to add that special touch to your home, without breaking the bank.