Interior Design Tips for Your Home - By Tania

February is the month of love. Get your bedroom snuggle ready! Warning: Getting out of bed in the mornings might get even harder...

Set the Scene

Declutter and tidy up. This will make your room feel less stressful, fresh and clean.

Lighting is really important to create the ambience in the room; use warm soft light and candles in the evening. Use dimmable ceiling lights, and table or bedside lights for reading... Beware though; white bulbs can be too bright and harsh.

Feature Wall

Paint or paper? First decide how you want the room to feel. Deep hues are perfect for creating a dreamy atmosphere. Go for cool and calm with neutral colours. Try a sophisticated look with dark navy (Neptune’s Ink paint), or black paired with parchment. Go for warm and cosy by adding terracotta and brown tones. Make a scene with a mural wall. Perhaps a lush jungle paradise or midnight blue and silver birch wallpaper for a woodland effect (Cole & Sons).

Plush Carpet or Rug

Imagine getting out of bed in the morning and sinking your toes into a soft deep pile carpet, giving you a sense of luxury. A rug works well on a wood floor creating some warmth and texture. Go for drama by choosing a pattern or print.

New Bed?

Typically, most mattresses should be replaced every 6-8 years. As your mattress gets older the original comfort and support will diminish. It’s also key for a good night’s sleep, otherwise you can be left feeling tired throughout the day.

Freshen up Your Bed Linen

Consider the fabric, weave, and ease of care if you decide to buy new sheets and duvet covers. Don’t forget some linens and cottons are much harder to iron and will easily crumple.

Pile on the Pillows

By adding more pillows to your bed you can transform the look and add texture. Create further interest with waffled and cotton bed linen, faux fur pillows. Sainsburys stock Habitat bed linen at affordable prices.

Add a Comfy Chair and Mirror

Mirrors work well in dark corners, or if your bedroom has little natural light, by helping to bounce the light around and illuminate the space. Add a comfy chair; choose velvet for a touch of luxury, linen for a relaxed look, leather for style. Throw a cozy blanket over the arm ready for curling up with a book.

Strike a Balance

Dark curtains will make a bold statement in a light coloured bedroom. You could try matching the curtains to the shade of your bedding to tie your design together.

Get In Touch For design and style advice. Our services include decluttering, colour consulting and interior styling.

Book your free consultation on 07979 66 33 39, or email info@ saltmarshinteriors.co.uk.

Tales from the Circle - By Sylvia Kent

Since my introduction to The City Times magazine, there’s been interest from readers and writers, some of whom recognise the idea of releasing that book they feel has always lurked inside them. The writing industry - in all its different ways - is strange, delightful and exhausting! Some authors struggle for years to get published, while others manage to see their work in print seemingly overnight. But this is rare!

It’s a fact that seeking people of like-mind often helps authors succeed in this difficult way of life. Some writers work hard - perhaps not in their proverbial garret - but often alone. Many wish they could meet others of similar persuasion. This is where a writers’ circle can help.

Last year, Samantha Scott, an Essex-based author joined Brentwood Writers’ Circle and outlined her work to date writing books for children and young adults. She soon discovered other BWC members who wrote in a similar genre.

Sam said: ‘I awoke on my 40th birthday and asked myself ‘what can I do this year that I’ve never done before?’ The answer was - I’m going to run the London Marathon and write a book!” Two enormous challenges - both of which she completed that year. She later became a fully qualified personal trainer and yoga teacher, and more recently completed a creative writing course.

Samantha’s first book was aimed at young readers. Sophie Spirit and the Batting Manor Mystery was released in 2021 and is selling well. This was followed by invitations to visit bookshops and local schools in Wickham Bishops.

She said: “When I perform public readings, one question crops up regularly - did I always want to be a writer? Strange as it seems, I have to say, no. I did love Enid Blyton and Winnie the Pooh stories, but when I reached my teens I saw a movie called The Omen and my reading habits changed forever. Horror quickly became my favourite genre and the late James Herbert became my favourite author.” www.brentwoodwriterscircle.com www.sylviakent.blogspot.com

From that point, Samantha’s successes have grown. Her second children’s book called Saving Shrin Gala was released last year, followed by Sophie Spirit and the Tower of London Treasure Samantha’s latest book, House of a Hundred Doors, has just been released by The Book Guild and she is delighted with excellent reviews. Her books are available from Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles, WH Smith and all good book shops. Follow her on Facebook by searching ‘Sam Scott Author’.

Brentwood Writers’ Circle meets monthly at Bardswell Social Club, Brentwood on the first Saturday, 2.30pm - 4.30pm and welcomes new writers.