SMART COUNTRY Shades of

The striped curtain complements an elegant contemporary desk.

Richter desk, £3,300, Julian Chichester. Curtains in Maremma Rigato, £138m, C&C Milano

WALLPAPER Blaua LL3101-4, £90 a roll, Tres Tintas

PAINT Berry Picking durable matt emulsion, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home Emotions of Colour, Albany at Brewers

FABRIC Rhubarb Stripe linen, £99m, Mind The Gap

SMART country

TRENDS COME AND GO, BUT HERE’S HOW TO GIVE THIS LOOK TIMELESS APPEAL

Zola accent chair, £185; Maxwell Geo rug, from £60; Cassia sideboard, £475; Abstract table lamp, £80; Red Retro wall art, £50 each; Chrome floor light, £99, all Next

SLEEK & STYLISH

Start with a pale-grey base and then add pops of berry red by painting an alcove, laying a rug, or adding an occasional chair in an eye-catching geometric print.

STYLE DIRECTION “Combine simple chair shapes with geometric patterns and prints, in shades of rhubarb red & pink, for a smart retro look

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

STYLE DIRECTION Avoid red becoming too overpowering by using plenty of white, black and wood in the scheme “ "

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

MIX IT UP

Layering a daybed with contrasting mattress covers adds smart stripe detail, while piling up mismatched cushions creates the perfect laid-back look.

Princesse divan with three mattresses, £1,758; cushions, from a selection, all Caravane. Coffee table, £645, Another Country

SOFTLY SOFTLY

Textured ceramics with metal make for an unusual focal point, while small pops of rust-red from upholstered chairs create a sophisticated scheme.

Alan table, price on request, G&O Buratti for Porada at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Beetle dining chairs, £886 each, Gubi. Beata cluster pendant light, £3,310, Pinch. Isparta rug, £3,500, Oka. Sibling Reed vase, £140, Curious Egg

PICK A PATTERN

Choosing a fabric design that will stand the test of time can be tricky but if you love the print, that will certainly mean you can live with it for longer. Geometrics in a softer mix of shades will have less impact than harder red and white contrasts. Small ditsy prints and larger florals can also be added to the mix.

WORK IN THE RIGHT SHADES

Mixing all shades of red together in varying quantities will add interest to the scheme; berry, brick, burgundy and crimson will all work together in varying quantities. Look for fabrics or wallpapers that mix these shades, then select paint and plains from colours within them.

MIX UP TEXTURES

A red and white scheme in just two or three finishes will feel stark, flat and unwelcoming. Try adding in fabric layers to soften the space, using velvets, slub linens and wools in these shades, along with wooden pieces to create a grown-up, warm and inviting setting.

CONSIDER WALL FINISHES

Red walls can be difficult to live with, especially in living rooms and bedrooms, so choose a white, pale grey or cream wall as your backdrop. That way, adding pops of red becomes an easier task. Panelling can give a plain painted wall interest, or try a lime wash or concrete effect.

BATHING BEAUTY

Choosing a classic black and grey wallpaper ensures a red freestanding bath becomes the star of the show.

Bath painted in Atomic Red intelligent eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene

STYLE DIRECTION Using red doesn’t have to mean making a bold statement; light shades on upholstery and “ " subtle patterns on cushions create a soft, cosy scheme

NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR

RELAXING NOOK

Choose fabrics with small amounts of the red within their designs and mix with plains. A variety of patterns in similar hues gives a quick and easy seasonal update.

Peggy chair in Dusty Rose, £560, Sofa.com. Bench cushion in Brinley in Anthracite, £49.50m, Romo. On bench, from left: Ezra cushion, £45, Habitat. Jungle Leaf cushion, £70, Holly’s House. Cover in Coral, £3.99, H&M. Axel cushion, £30, Habitat. Linea cushion, £30, House of Fraser. Heavenly cover, £34, Northlight Homestore. Dawson cushion, £30, Habitat