ladiesfirst • living&lifestyle
HOME style
bring spring in with fresh brights, patterns and touch-me textures
MUST-BUY
Relax al fresco with this timeless table and chairs set in a chic shade of cerulean blue, £69.99, from Sainsbury’s. Affordable and achingly ‘now’, this is a savvy investment for spring that’ll see you right through summer too.
TOP trend Go all aflutter with spring’s prettiest trend
Bed Bloom This garden-to-boudoir duvet cover should put a spring in your step at even the earliest hour, with a rainbow of bohemian blooms and a hand painted feel. Double duvet cover, £45, Housewife pillowcase, £10, pink pillowcase, £7, glass vase, £10 all Linea at House of Fraser. www.houseoffraser.co.uk
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BATHTIME The glamour of ASDA’s new Decadence range of bathroom accessories will turn teeth brushing and pamper sessions into truly indulgent me-time. Bath towels from £4, purple, red berry and vanilla scented candles from £2, chrome tumbler £2.50, chrome lotion dispenser £3.50. 00
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1 Chip & dip dish £4 Bhs, 2 Frame £12 House of Fraser, 3 Tumbler £12.75 The Contemporary Home, 4 Mirror £35 M&S,
ladiesfirst • living&lifestyle
Mix it up
Playing with textured rugs and scatter cushions will instantly update your living room, by adding a contemporary twist to traditional accessories.
LIVING WITH
Linda Barker The interiors queen on how to turn your home into a feel-good haven
£35 Laura Ashley
£25 Debenhams
3D flower cushion £35, hairy rug from £75, chaise £999, stool £399, lamp £85, all M&S
top 2...
Faux Flowers
£7 Heatons
Ranunculus in glass vase £15, Jane Packer at Debenhams
Magnolia in vase £35, Next
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The quaint yet contemporary new Veronica dinnerware set, £7 upwards, from Monsoon Home by Denby, available at www.leekes.co.uk.
1 Bedroom Bliss: Linda believes it’s important to rise and rest somewhere gorgeous: “It’s about creating a bed that reminds you of a luxurious hotel. Use beautiful linen, pillows, duvet and create a sumptuous feel that’s very glamorous. Lighting is a key factor - most of us have a lamp by the side of our bed but we don’t think about what it really does. There are some great dark shaded lamps around now that give off plenty of light, while casting a really beautiful shadow.” 2 Get Outside: With spring on its way, it’s time make the most of the great outdoors. To create a stylish yet comfy alfresco area, Linda suggests beginning with the furniture as you would with a room, then accessorise around it: “Start off with getting the right tables and chairs, look for great any-weather rattan furniture. Then what’s really nice for an outdoor area is to bring the softness of an indoor room to it with furnishings. Have some any-weather cushions on the seats and then throws can be hung on the back of chairs to wrap up in when it gets chilly.” 3 Little Luxuries: To quickly make your home more relaxing and harmonious, Linda’s top tip is to make use of scents: “Your interior design can be used to create a mood and atmosphere and it’s all about using small luxurious features. Burning scented candles - the more natural the better -creates a really good atmosphere. I like fig, and citrus, but it’s good to experiment with different scents - citruses are good for dining or the kitchen as they’re quite foodie, florals are nice for upstairs, and then use something refreshing for the bathroom.” 4 ‘Me’ space: To take a break from life’s bustle and stress, Linda suggests creating a little ‘me’ space by putting a chair in one of your favourite spots: “It encourages you to sit down with a book or play with the children, or to do something that interests you. Have a comfy chair with a table and a lamp next to it, in a place not normally used by the family. It could be the bedroom or even in the garden in nicer weather.“ For more interiors inspiration from Linda, catch her at the Ideal Home Show 20 March - 5 April. The new Really Linda Barker catalogue is also out this Easter and will be available online too! www.reallylindabarker.co.uk 00