DRESS TO IMPRESS Practical

Tip

PUT THE WREATH ON A TABLE AND FILL WITH PILLAR CANDLES FOR A SIMPLE DISPLAY

Grapevine wreath, from florists. Dried flowers, from a selection, Dowsing & Reynolds. Ribbon and string, from a selection, The Danes. Cloth, from a selection, Rowen & Wren

SPRING WREATH

Create an everlasting wreath from grapevine, preserved flowers and eggs. You could cover the entire circle or leave some bare for a contemporary look

STEP 3 Working around the wreath, push flowers into the wreath wire, then add the painted eggs and single flower heads, using a hot glue gun to secure.

STEP 1 Prepare quails eggs by blowing the contents out, washing and drying, then painting with a thin paint wash (paint diluted with water). We chose a blend of nude and pastel shades. Leave to one side to dry.

STEP 2 Taking a prepared grapevine wreath, twist threads of string around the wreath then tie the ends to secure.

Howtomakeblowneggs

Take a needle and make a small hole at the top of the egg, and a slightly larger one at the base. Cover the holes with your fingers and shake the egg to scramble, then blow the contents out. If you don’t want to do this with your mouth, insert a paper straw into the top hole and blow. Collect the egg in a bowl for use later.

SEAMLESS STYLE

If you ’ re looking for blinds for a large window, consider hanging a series of Roman blinds outside the frame and flush beside each other – this will achieve a seamless look while giving control over the light levels of individual bays. Choosing a small repeat design in a neutral shade will help the space appear larger.

Solstice in Pebble by Prestigious Textiles, £28.81m at Jane Clayton

DRESS TO IMPRESS

BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR WINDOWS WITH A BEAUTIFULA TIFUL BLINDBLIND ININ A A STATEMENTSTATEMENT FABRIC OR PRACTICAL DESIGN

1 The Metropolitan Snow and Parchment wooden blind, from £25.85, Blinds 2go 2 Blind in Ozone Ruby printed linen, £205m; bordered with Alto Lemon linen, £150m, both Christopher Farr Cloth

3 Trim for Roman blinds, £900, Samuel and Sons. Fabric for Roman blind, £777.60, Romo

1 LET THE LIGHT IN

Venetian blinds are a great choice for bathrooms, as they have adjustable slats, also known as louvres, which allow you to control light levels and privacy. ‘Wood Impression Venetian blinds offer water resistance suitable to a bathroom environment, ’ says Leah Aspinall, head of creative at Blinds 2go. ‘Alternatively, roller blinds with polyester or polyester mix fabric are resistant to damp and humidity and are easy to wipe clean, making them a practical choice. ’

2 FEATURE PRINTS

A Roman blind in an eye-catching fabric is a brilliant way to create a focal point within a room where the space for wall art may be limited. No matter how large your window, a colourful geometric fabric will liven up a neutral corner.

3 VERY VERSATILE

For window treatments that give privacy without having to sacrifice light levels, sheer blinds are a good solution. For increased control over light levels, pair with a Roman blind in a heavier fabric. ‘For bay windows we often use a combination of blinds and curtains. Sheer blinds are a great choice as they allow a certain amount of light into the room. The addition of curtains or Roman blinds in a heavy weave enables the light to be completely blocked out during the evening and at night, creating a restful environment, ’ says Louise Wicksteed, design director for Sims Hilditch interior design.

4 Blind in Woodblock linen in 02 Forest, £124m, Madeaux

4 ALL THE FRILLS

Making a feature of a bathroom window with a fabric blind is a brilliant way to inject personality. ‘Bathrooms often feel cold. Adding a large-scale floral fabric ruched to create a London blind with a contrast or striped trim adds a touch of whimsy, creating a considered and joyful interior, ’ says Richard Smith, founder and creative director at Madeaux.

5 Curtains in Mauritius Fire Coral fabric, £49m; for a similar blind fabric try Hector in Russet, both Sanderson