Stylista Homes February 2012

STYLISTA

HOMES

Published by Haywood Media

February 2012

TRENDS

LOVE Gift ideas

Interiors UK 2012

for Valentines

WIN A

SMALL SPACES

HOLIDAY in Thailand page 20

DIAMONDS a girls best friend

informative

l

inspiring

l

enlightening

Welcome to

STYLISTA HOMES

This magazine is dedicated to all those home and aspiring home owners who love creating their own individual space. This magazine is for you. What do you like, what do you want to read about, what can we find for you?

2012 promises to be an exciting year and with so many interior and furniture trade shows at the start of the year we want you to set us a challenge... Tell us what you are looking for, is it an amazing purple corner sofa, perhaps you want that clever bed that comes out of the wall... whatever your desire please share it with us at editorial@stylistahomes.co.uk

Love is in the air

Rachel Branson PUBLISHER / EDITOR Having just come back from Interiors UK 2012, we are all fired up and excited about the trends and new products coming your way. We have highlighted a few that caught our eye and the rest will follow over the next few months.

This issue also looks at clever ideas for small spaces and Alan Hughes and Andrew Duff, Directors at Inchbald School of Design offer some perfect advice for making the most of any small space in the home and garden.

Enjoy and Happy Valentines.

Victoria Branson FEATURES EDITOR After our inspiring trip to Interiors UK I hope you enjoy reading about it, we saw some amazing designs and a few truly innovative ideas! As well, this issue is full of love and passion being the most romantic month of the year, we’ve got gifts for him and her, deliciously sumptuous bedding and stunningly romantic beds, wishing you all a LOVEly February!

Zoe Branson-Chant YOUNG STYLISTA FEATURES Sadly I wasn’t able to attend Interiors UK as no children are allowed, but was fascinated to see what mum brought home. For this issue I have found a wide collection of storage items, a large wall storage unit and a heart shaped folding bean bag. Enjoy and be inspired by my page!

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FRONT COVER IMAGE The Letti Whisper Diamond Collection Bed available in various leather colours Price from £5800 housecouturier.eu Follow us on facebook at facebook.co.uk/stylistahome or twitter at stylistahomes

CONTENTS www.stylistahomes.co.uk

4 INTERIORS UK

8 CLEVER SPACES

18 SMALL GARDENS

22 ROMANTIC BEDDING 24 VALENTINE GIFTS 30 ROMANTIC BEDS

32 LOVE SEATS

34 HEALTHY HOME

HEAD OFFICE

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Tel: 0800 881 5375

www.haywoodmedia.co.uk

editorial@stylistahomes.co.uk Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept liability to any party loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe, Stylista Homes does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.

Š Stylista Homes 2012

WIN A HOLIDAY TO THAILAND PAGE 20

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

2012

INTERIORS UK Last month we visited Interiors UK 2012, the UK’s largest interiors trade exhibition. With trend forecasts, a Design Village, and New Design Britain celebrating the brightest new talent in furniture, fabrics, accessories and surface coverings design we were inspired and excited to see some of the latest trends coming your way into retail stores over the coming months.

As it is a trade show and features some newly launched designs, photography and videos are hard to come by but a few of the exhibitors and security staff let us snap a few of the things we loved, we also have a little video of some other highlights and then over the next few months we will share the launches as they hit the streets. We hope you enjoy.

(above from amxdesign) As you can imagine there were lots of Union Jack and olympic inspired designs, we loved this sofa, very British! amx-design.co.uk

(below) With this year also being the Diamond Jubilee we were inspired by these sparking chandeliers from Starlight

(above) Cables for your lighting need never be boring as this company have 10 different colours to choose from, and they are all matching their coloured shades.

You can even design your own colour combination of lighting.

Colours by Copenhagen cobyco.dk

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(above) We loved this wall paper panel which looks like pages of a book, great for a library or study room

(above) TV personality and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn Bowen created his very crumbling manor house. He created two special room sets for Hall 3, celebrating British heritage.

STYLISTA 5

FUSION Times are changing, things get blurred, and fusion becomes more than just a nice concept : we have fusion of generations, fusion of cultures, fusion cuisine, fusion music. Now we finally have the Fusion table.

Today, a good product is not just about a great design, it’s about life, it’s about people and it needs to address their need for good times and precious moments.

Built with “Know-How to entertain”, the Fusion table has indeed exactly what it takes to create those unique memorable moments for you, your family and guests. fusiontables.com

stylista

LOVES

Here are a few of the highlights from Interiors UK. We hunted high and low and walked the aisles of 5 exhibition halls and these are few of the little gems we uncovered for you. Enjoy & be inspired!

O RANGE Explores the structural and environmental benefits of steam bent ash, but David Colwell has developed two unique techniques that dramatically extend the possibilities of this traditional craft. davidcolwell.com

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RIVERSTONE Sourced straight from the riverbed, the Riverstone Collection includes a selection of stunning bathtubs, bowls and pedestal basins. Basalt boulders, originiating from the active Marapi volcano in Central Java, are washed down the river during the rainy season, by torrents of water, before becoming lodged down-stream.

The boulders are then collected and crafted by hand. indigenoustiles.com

ARIANNE A new concept of modular that brings back the essence from the ‘60s. Its low seating creates a different atmosphere while offering an amazing comfort.

It can be made with just one fabric or playing with different patterns and plains for each module. fama.es

STYLISTA 7

SHUTTERS SYSTEMS An ideal choice of window covering for small rooms. They are sleek, tight fitting, don’t take up much space and unlike curtains and some blinds, don’t clutter up the window.

‘Tier on Tier’ shutter design in Eggshell from Santa Fe Shutters Pricing is size dependent and must be quoted by a Santa Fe Shutters stockist but start from £200 per square metre. santafeshutters.co.uk

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creative

SPACES Small homes, small rooms and growing families have inspired some very creative designers to come up with solutions and ideas to make sure your home stays stylish as well as practical. Stylista Homes speaks to Alan Hughes, Director of the Interior Design Faculty at The Inchbald School of Design (www.inchbald.co.uk) about solutions to small spaces.

Where can I get ideas from?

T

he key to this perennial question is a combination of tone, simplicity and reflection – in other words a light touch with colour, no clutter and careful use of mirrors if appropriate.

The lighter, and slightly cooler colours, tend to make a space look larger but avoid high ‘bright white’ if the shape of the room is not good or if there are a lot of fiddly details – often white can draw attention to these less than successful elements.

If you really want to use a darker tone then keep it to the lower half of the space – floors, walls and lower level furnishing.

Colour needs light, so look at how you illuminate the space. You can create a feeling of distance using side lamps and floor lights to ‘punctuate’ the space and lead the eye to the furthest wall. Increase the importance of the windows, dress simply and leave the maximum possible glazed surface to let the light in.

Keep the space simple, do not overdress or accessorize it. By clutter I mean visual clutter, the complication of too much to look at. Keep patterns under control and keep furnishings ‘lighter’ in terms of the proportion of the wall surface they will occupy. Use mirrors in alcoves to maximize the light and increase the feeling of the space.

There’s plenty of inspiration out there and a lot you can do on a budget. This is all about looking and translating good ideas into useable methods to suit your own space. By all means look at magazines and other people’s homes but the editing of what you see is the most important stage. You need to ask yourself if the idea you see is something you can live with in term of scale, impact and practicality within your own space.

Use your money to buy one or two statement pieces – invest in a designer piece of furniture, fabrics for the windows, and an antique piece of furniture or expensive lighting – and look to do the rest more cheaply. A New York loft or a Strawberry Hill in a twobedroom flat in south London may be unfeasible, but you can certainly create an element of either in terms of reference and ‘triggers’. However, you need to treat your findings in a more conceptual manner. You might take the colour treatments from the former or an element of historical detail from the latter or it might encourage you to be bold and stark in the case of the loft and more focused on the historical embellishments of your Victorian house if you take Strawberry Hill as your muse.

Take a more cost-effective approach by focusing on a more expensive finish which can then be combined with cheaper recycled or reclaimed material; everyone should consider sustainability and the patina age added to surfaces and older furniture is hard to criticize.

Remember to look outside the spatial and research colour, detail and influence through ceramics, graphics, paintings, landscape and sculpture. You can find a yardstick in any area of the visual arts – isolate a piece you like and analyse what resonates with you (is it the texture, shape, colour mixes etc). Use this as a starting point for an approach to your small space.

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clever

SPACES REVOL TABLE/ BED It is a smart wall bed and table. One simple movement turns the bed into dining table.

The table always stays level and folds down underneath the bed base. You can also have a desk or sofa version instead of the dining table from ÂŁ 6,500 fcilondon.co.uk

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UNDERSTAIRS SPACE Space 40cm micro basin with shroud - £277 Space wall hung wc with seat and cover - £433 Concept toilet roll holder - £38 Concept glass shelf - £77 Cone soap dispenser - £55 Waterways basin pillar taps with crystal acrylic handles - £120 bathrooms365.com

ALAPE INSERT CORNER BASIN (above) A compact solution for small spaces including cloakrooms and ensuites and the design neatly keeps all pipe work from view. The Insert 5 corner unit retails at around £530 including VAT and is available in shelf white. The unit measures 470mm x 350 mm.

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BESPOKE HOME STORAGE UNIT (above) Vertical home storage system, fitted with rectangular hinged and sliding drawers, shoe shelf and mirrored wardrobe door. inhouseinteriors.com

BESPOKE LIVING ROOM AND OFFICE Home office and living room, with bespoke storage unit, floating wall shelves and custom fitted desk. inhouseinteriors.com

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BOHO CHIC (above) The Sliding Panel in ‘Boho Chic’ design, prices start from £77.84.

The Fabric Box range (which also includes Rollers, Romans, Roof and Vertical blinds) can be purchased from your nearest stockist thefabricbox.co.uk

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divide and

CONQUER

Q&A

Q: Can you suggest a way for me to create a home office area in my open-plan apartment? I miss having somewhere separate to study but don’t want to clutter up my spare bedroom.

A: Zoning your home with ceiling mounted Sliding Panel system from a company such as The Fabric Box can provide a perfect division between living and study areas and can be pulled back when not in use.

Sliding Panels also provide a contemporary design solution for large windows such as patio windows when previously curtains or vertical blinds would have been the only alternative.

NIMBUS ROOM DIVIDER (above) Wallpaper collection from Lori Weitzner - new to House Couturier used for room divider screen.

Utilising innovative weaving technologies, sumptuous materials and handcrafted effects, each fabric and matching wallpaper are quietly beautiful and artistically groundbreaking. House Couturier also offers these fabrics as part of their upholstery service and their fabric walling installation. Prices from £160 per metre housecouturier.eu

ARTHOUSE SCREEN These stunning room dividers bring elegance and drama to the home. In bold statement themes, there is a design to suit any interor decor. Bright Stripe Screen £75 Beach 4 Panel Screen £90 arthouse.com

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clever

SEATING

CARIO STOOL BED (above) This is genius! Cario stool bed in Tuscany peat from £474 sofaworkshop.com

THE DO2 HOME® (left) Range includes a bean bag which transforms easily into a lounger bed (ideal for people who don’t have room for a spare bed).

Ideal flexible furniture and great value for money. beanbagbazaar.co.uk

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Kerala Leaning Mirror, £375

Wimbledon Space Saving Desk, £250

space SAVING

Bethan Gray for John Lewis Noah Nest of 2 Tables, £350

With many of us living in smaller homes, choosing space-saving furniture is more important than ever.

From practical overhead pan storage racks though to compact two seaters, John Lewis has a wide range of innovative products which help to make the most of your living space. johnlewis.com

Heywood Tall Boy £300

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HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW Abstracted conglomerate was exhibited at the Hampton Court Flower Show as part of the conceptual garden show. Based upon an abstracted acer leaf the garden is formed out of 9 tons of concrete. andrewduffgardendesign.co.uk

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small

GARDENS Three years ago we moved into a new build house with a very small garden, it took two years to decide on how to use the space and found it difficult to find good advice so Stylista Homes decided to talk to Andrew Duff, Director of the Garden Design Faculty at The Inchbald School of Design (www.inchbald.co.uk) about the tricks of the trade for creating inspiring small garden spaces.

I

t is important to think carefully about what you really want for your garden. There is always the temptation to cram everything in at a smaller scale. Keep it clean and simple. There is no where to hide in a small garden so the pressure is on to make the correct design decisions.

Are there any tricks of the trade for making a small space book bigger?

Play with proportion – I like to use large pots and sculpture in a small space, I feel they add drama and can make the remaining space seem bigger. Paint boundary fences black – this will give instant depth to the space and once you add a climber and planting in front the black will disappear. Place large leaved plants in the front of a planting scheme with smaller ones towards the back, this will trick the eye into making a narrow planting area look deeper. Use your planting space wisely – you can have a small planting bed with groundcover and bulbs, up-prunned shrubs and a climber on the wall.

Are there any current trends for creating small gardens?

Integrated seating and planters are right on trend – no one wants to store their garden furniture in the winter as space is at a premium. Benches that form part of the overall design and look good all year round are a must.

New Short Courses in Interior Decoration and Garden Design from the Inchbald Dynamic and inspirational, their new 12-week online courses give you the confidence to be the creative designer of your own living space or garden. Develop your design ideas, receiving guidance and advice throughout from your assigned personal tutor, who is a practising professional.

Designing your Living Space specialises in the skills and techniques of Interior Decoration and will show you how to analyse your living space, balance practical requirements with imaginative ideas, and create a home that reflects your own personality. You will consider function and aesthetics, from the ergonomics and proportions of the space to texture and colour, lighting, furniture and fabric choices.

Designing your Garden introduces you to the aesthetic and functional aspects encompassed by your garden, and helps you to analyse your personal requirements.

You will learn how to apply the principles of design to your own space and explore the concept of colour, form and texture in paving, structures, water features and a range of plants suited to your specific environment.

You will enjoy access to the Inchbald forums and chat rooms for the exchange of ideas and information. You will need approximately 4 hours per week to work through a series of teaching sessions that are lavishly illustrated and incorporate practical projects to develop your knowledge and confidence. inchbald.co.uk

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competition WIN 8 NIGHTS IN THAILAND We have teamed up with wellbeingholidays.co.uk to offer one lucky winner 7 Days / 8 Nights Signature Detox Package at the Absolute Sanctuary Hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand.

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The prize includes: 8 nights accommodation for one person 1 x Colon Hydrotherapy per day 2-4 x Detox Drinks per day 2-4 X Nutritional Supplements per day Modified diets ranging from full fasting to light vegetarian meals (depending on programs) 1 x Liver Flush Drink before & after program 1 x Coconut juice per day Unlimited broth soups per day Initial Wellness Consultation with Bioimpedence reading Final Detox Consultation with take-home guidelines Pool, Steam Room, Fitness Studio & MiniTheatre Access 1 x Yoga Class per day - Group fitness classes Airport Roundtrip Transfer Bonus: 1 x 60-min Detox massage and 2 x Thai massage

ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY is a stunning, Moroccan-inspired boutique resort that is haven to those seeking a journey back to balance, rejuvenation and a healthy lifestyle. Located on the idyllic tropical island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, it is situated north east of the island in Cheong Mon. All rooms are air-conditioned, have private terraces, an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan, desk, safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, TV, telephone and full amenities.

HOW TO ENTER

Visit stylistahomes.co.uk/articles/competitions and answer the following question:

Q: How many holiday categories does Wellbeing Holidays currently feature?

To find the answer just go our website and then fill in the competition form at stylistahomes.co.uk/articles/competitions Full Terms and Conditions on entering the competition can be found at stylistahomes.co.uk.

STYLISTA 21

JAN CONSTANTINE COLLECTION Heirlooms of the future.

Cushions from £37.50 amara.co.uk

WU & WU Every Wu & Wu product is lovingly designed and handmade in Britain. The cushion costs £30 fromwuandwu.com.

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romantic

BEDDING

SILK BEDDING This shows a silk pillow in its plain Habotai silk pillowcase, and a silk blanket. The blanket has a silk satin border.

Pillows £125.10 per pair, pillow cases £49.50 per pair and blanket from £170 (double bed) silkwoodsilk.com

DUSK PINK BOUQUET CUSHION A stunning pretty in pink floral cushion for your home. £50 sweetpeaandwillow.com

PINK HEARTS BED LINEN Emma Bridgewater has launched a beautiful range of bedlinens. Made from 100% Percale Cotton the range comprises duvet covers (single to super king size), sheets (single to super king size), bedspreads (two sizes), a pillowcase, a square cushion, and a neck roll. Prices start at £10 for a pillowcase, £50 for a duvet cover, and £27 for a sheet. Pink Hearts ñ this lovely pattern is reversible, with delicate pink hearts on one side and the words ‘Love & Kisses’ on the other. emmabridgewater.co.uk

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THE ROSE MASSAGE OIL CANDLE (below) Contains no waxes and is a stunning infusion of 100% natural essential oils and plant butters including the aromatic powers of Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil and Mango Butter to relax the body and mind during your treatment. Your skin also benefits from the softening, repairing and nourishing properties of Shea butter and Andiroba seed oil, which is an anti-irritant and therefore excellent for sensitive skin and tense muscles £40 yonka.com

MAGIC LOVE CANDLE (above)This sweet heart shaped candle changes colour from white to various shades of red when lit.

The candle contains an optical fibre alongside the wick which senses the light of the flame and activates the colour changing LED inside making it glow £8.99 forherfromyou.co.uk

love

CANDLES BED OF ROSES RED KIT A perfect compliment to any romantic getaway. This gift includes everything they need to escape for a night. Includes over 100 scented red silk petals, four tealights and a special invitation card for your partner £13.95 forherfromyou.co.uk

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EMMA BRIDGEWATER (left) Candle mug £29.95 emmabridgewater.co.uk

FABULOUS MASTERPIECES (left) Beautiful Wedding Portrait, Hand painted in oils

by David. Oils are an ideal medium for portrait painting because of the rich flesh colours that can be created.

With their affordable prices of beautiful oil portraits starting from just £250, it is now really possible and easy to have an incredible portrait created. They can even hand paint a portrait based on a photo you took whilst you were on holiday that was really memorable, or perhaps a photo you took of a loved ones wedding day. Not only is it something special that you can show off proudly in your home, but it would also be a fantastic gift to give. fabulousmasterpieces.co.uk

picture

PERFECT Who hasn’t wracked their brains or exhausted their imagination over that very important gift for someone very special? What would a specially commissioned painting full of personal resonance mean to the one you love? And if this seems like a fantasy of unaffordable luxury, think again

GOFIGURATIVE GoFigurative is both an innovative online gallery and a vibrant community for figurative artists, including sculptors, portrait, landscape and still life painters. When commissioning a special piece of art, clients can select from the rich portfolio of renowned artists.

Special commissions start from £500 rising to £10,000 for a large oil on canvas portrait. New online art gift voucher now live at gofigurative.com/ gift-service ‘Dawn’ Painted by Helen Masacz Width: 60cm Height: 80cm Artwork mediums: Oil on board Year: 2011 £2,500 gofigurative.com

STYLISTA 25

diamonds

FOREVER BONFANTI Large Clear Cut Glass Handbell Perfume Bottle Sizes Height 21.5cm Diameter 14cm £145 chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk

CRYSTAL CANDLESTICK This candlestick is just gorgeous, with its unusual, intricate, circular patterned stem design interlaced with crystals it captures the light beautifully. Would make a fabulous gift or centre piece for your home.

H:27cm D:7.5cm £29.95 tellingtales.co.uk

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DIAMOND NAPKIN RING JEWEL FRAME Star by Julien Macdonald Lustre Chunky Jewel Frame £18.00 debenhams.com

These sensational napkin rings are one of our favourite table accessories. They look stunning on crisp white napkins, especially when complemented by a gentle scattering of sparkling table crystals. The napkin rings are perfect for weddings, dinner parties and special occasions. The solid cut glass diamond measures 2.8cm diameter and 2cm deep, the ring itself has a 3.5cm diameter. £2.50 each thelastdetail.co.uk

KARAL ASHTRAY Val Saint Lambert - master crystal craftsmen since 1826 H60mmxD130mm mouth-blown crystal, Decadent diamond inspired design, Unique, hand cut & finished £109.80 amara.co.uk

STYLISTA 27

bachelor

PAD

COROMANDEL GAMES CABINET

Gilded Brass Mounts Satinwood Interior, Original Ivory Games Pieces Folding Wooden Board Immaculate Circa 1880 £6750 theoldcinema.co.uk

DREAMDOCK combines a digital stereo clock radio with a docking station for your iPod or iPhone, offering superior sound quality and a multifunction remote control. Featuring a choice of DAB and FM wavebands it comes with two independent alarms so you can select to wake up to your favourite station while, if your partner prefers, they can opt for the buzzer or their favourite track. Other benefits include an Aux input socket for MP3 playback, headphone socket, a favourite station button, and of course, adjustable sleep and snooze timers £89.99 robertsradio.co.uk

AMBIENT LOUNGE Eco Weave Acoustic Sofa is designed with internal elastics for extra body, stability and shape in a bean bag. Made with thick quilting and premium fabric £199 ambientlounge.co.uk

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young

STYLISTA MINI STACKI NG CASES There’s no end to the clutter - sorry - treasures they’ll (and you’ll) be able to hide away in our neat little set. £14.95 handpickedcollection.com

FOLDING HEART Girls Bean Bag for Kids £36.99 beanbagbazaar.co.uk

MINI LEGO STORAGE BOX BLUE Use this blue mini Lego storage box as a lunch or snack box, as a cool pencil case or as a trinket box. Lego colours including red, blue, yellow, black and green £9.99 allupandon.co.uk

CHILDREN’S PLAYROOM FURNITURE Funky floor-toceiling rainbow toy storge unit with a children’s playroom. ninhouseinteriors.com

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BONAPARTE BED Made from solid Mahogany and finished in a chic French Wedgwood-style blue, it features antique white relief details which have been intricately hand-carved the headboard ‘wings’, corners, top edges, feet, headboard, footboard and side rails are adorned with beading, flowers and other delicate carved details. It takes 8-10 weeks to complete this bed. £2,600 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

JOSEPHINE BED Family run UK manufacturer, Newtons, has designed an enticing range of bedroom furniture that is traditionally handmade from mahogany and finished in a subtly distressed ‘Parisienne Cream’.

Sumptuously upholstered and delicately carved, the Josephine Bed evokes romance in the truest sense of the word. Special Josephine offers: £699 Josephine double bed. Pack offer 1 - which includes bed, 2-bedsides - £899. Pack offer 2 – which includes bed, 2-bedsides, armchair, dressing table and chair - £1,799 newtonsfurniture.co.uk

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romantic

BEDS GOLD-GILT-VALENCIA-BED Take a glance at the intricate carvings that surround the bed frame, the exquisite detailing and precision wood work have created something truly stunning.

Corinthian columns have been skillfully crafted to surround the headboard and stand alone as the defining centre piece of this unique bed. Rounded off with beautifully shaped feet and a double reinforced rattan design this piece will lift your bedroom to aweinspiring levels! ÂŁ1,645 sweetpeaandwillow.com

THE OPULENT BUTTERFLY BED Break the contemporary mould and stun your bedroom with this marvellous design! The unique butterfly shaped headboard combined with the simple lined frame will project a luxurious, refined aura throughout your home.

Constructed from the finest materials and handcrafted in Italy guarantees exquisite quality and pure indulgence.

Customise your interior with beautiful modern taste! ÂŁ4,395 beautifulmodernthing.com

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Y YY MYAPPLE

It is not a chair, it is neither a sofa nor a chaise longue… it is a special piece of furniture inspired from the loveseat in the last century but designed for today’s modern lifestyle . Although it appears to be quite large, it is in fact quite compact which makes it perfect to fit everywhere.

Enjoy, live, feel with your new MyApple. fama.es

love

SEATS

SIMPSON WHITE FLOWERS

A vintage patchwork tapestry sofa £4,600 mydeco.com

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WHISTLER

Loveseat in Coral £910 sofa.com

YY Y BLACK LOVE SEAT

Silver and Black Harp Love seat/Bench Sofa. Upholstered in black suede ÂŁ975 thefrenchfurniturecompany.co.uk.

BOUJI LOVE SOFA

Giovanni Pesce has once again combined beauty and practicality into this marvellous sofa. The Bouji Love sofa is certainly committed to distinctive design, discreet shapes and wonderful material. Its curved voluptuous shape and fluid form create a piece of furniture that will stand alone in any contemporary setting. Provide your interior with some luxurious flare with this beautiful addition. ÂŁ2,650 beautifulmodernthing.com

STYLISTA 33

healthy

HOME

T

his is the time of year that most people focus on making their bodies healthier; however, a few home improvements can help make you happier, healthier and, in some cases, wealthier.

Multi-folding door specialist, Express Bi-Folding Doors (www.expressbifoldingdoors.co.uk) has seen an average 43% increase in sales over the past two years despite a tough economic climate, with many clients citing a desire for an increase in natural light and adding long-term value to their property as the two main reasons for adding glass concertina doors to their home.

Interestingly, a lack of access to natural light has been singled out as one of the main causes of ‘sick building syndrome’ in offices, which causes symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, skin rashes and irritations.

Also, according to the NHS 7% of people in the UK are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (or S.A.D.), which is also known as ‘winter blues’. Once again, one of the main issues associated with this medical disorder is a lack of sunlight.

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Professor of psychology, Cary Cooper CBE, says ‘people feel more psychologically positive when they live in a house with lots of windows and glass, with natural light bathing the interior. Anything that brings us closer to the outside world, and in more direct contact with nature, can also make us feel better and more positive. Dark and musty homes may have the opposite effect’.

It seems that people subconsciously recognise the affect of natural daylight on their overall health and wellbeing because, according to Miles Shipside commercial director of Rightmove, ‘natural light is one of the most important things to add to a home – sun tubes, skylights, glass bi-fold doors – anything that pours light into your home will help you sell it. Open plan living and design that integrates your garden with indoor living space is becoming more and more important to house hunters.’

This is reflected in a recent survey conducted by Precision Research for Specflue, which asked 101 estate agents what the top wish list for a perfect property would be. This included: • Large, open-plan kitchen/living space • Modern, wood-framed conservatory/ garden room • Garden with an “outdoor room” area that’s easy to maintain • Glass doors leading from the kitchen out to the garden It seems that natural daylight is not only scientifically proven to help with your mental wellbeing but it can also help add value to your home financially.

pancake

DAY

FUNKY PATTERNED SPATULAS

Decorated flexible silicone heads, are ideal for a variety of different kitchen tasks. Particularly suitable for use on non-stick cookware as it will not scratch and is heat resistant £4 - available from independent cook shops.

HOME MADE PANCAKE & DOUGHNUT BATTER DISPENSER Lighweight, easy to use and nonstick coated Home made pancake and doughnut batter dispenser, that creates a perfect circle for professional looking pancakes and doughnuts. Includes two traditional recipes £8

KITCHEN CRAFT STAINLESS STEEL LEMON SQUEEZERS Set of two stainless steel squeezers with integral pouring spouts for quickly and easily adding natural citrus juices to drinks, desserts, and recipes. Price from £3 available from independent cook shops nationwide

CREPE PAN Toughened Non-Stick 28cm Crepe Pan £85.00 lecreuset.co.uk

STYLISTA 35

Santa Fe Shutters new collection of Wooden Venetian blinds

36 For STYLISTA further information or to find a Santa Fe Shutters stockist near you, telephone our customer helpline on 0845 076 0109. www.santafeshutters.co.uk