Lewis explains:

“The foundations of this aesthetic are based on the principle of grand old country house interior design. However, maximalism isn’t contained to huge proportions and gives sufficient decorative wriggle room to adapt and include all sorts of elements, regardless of the size of a room. Be bold and think traditional floral wallpaper with a supersized photograph of Jimmy Hendrix playing live at Woodstock”  

Lewis offers his top tips to help achieve this vibrant trend at home:

Setting

It is important to have the bones on which to play with the maximalist trend. Build a room scheme with a very well-planned furniture layout which you can then add interest to.

Lighting

Establish a lighting design to concentrate on artificial yet ambient lighting with a mix of table lamps, floor lights and wall lights. There is no reason not to be bold and include a pendant or two as well if you like. The more the merrier!

Curation

Consider the items you include with care so that what looks slightly chaotic is actually anything but. The key is to not fixate on everything matching; be prepared to clash a little at times, mix up your seating, blend antique French armchairs with a modern mirror glass cube table. You are not after ‘clutter and chaos’ but ‘confident curated chaos’ that to the naked eye could have just been a happy accident.

Materials

Mix colour, pattern and texture to build up layers of interest accordingly. There is no need to be shy – think floral chintz, woven geometrics, bullion fringe, a traditional table lamp alongside a contemporary floor light.

Product

A key item in a maximalist interior is a drinks trolley to bring the illusion of entertaining in grandeur. The drinks trolley you include is up to you but why not go as retro and kitsch as you dare? 

Areas

There’s room for maximalism in any room, whether that be tongue & groove boarding in a downstairs WC or a bold set of prints alongside a washing machine. Even the most functional of items looks great next to a funky wall light! 

More examples of Benji Lewis’ creative and fun signature style can be found on his Instagram and Website.

Like many DIY jobs, fitting blinds might seem like it should be easy-peasy, but the truth is, it can actually be pretty tricky and might be better left to those of us who do it for their day job! But, if you’re determined to have a go, then here are a few pointers from Chris and myself to help you avoid potentially costly mistakes.

Measure, measure and measure again

It sounds obvious, but a common problem is where the original measurements were not precise, which naturally means the blinds won’t really fit properly. Unlike measuring for curtains where you can maybe just take them up a bit or bunch them a bit tighter, a blind made to particular dimensions simply won’t fit correctly if the measurements were even just slightly out.

There are several measurements you need to take of the window or space that the blind will be fitted into, including height, depth, width. You also need to consider where exactly the blind will be hung for optimum performance. For example, will it be hung close to the window, perhaps on the frame, or in front of the window aperture?

Double-check that your new blind definitely fits the measurements you’ve made before you begin fitting.

Read The Instructions thoroughly

Fitting blinds correctly requires several steps to ensure the blinds hang correctly, are level and cover the entire window. Blinds from any reputable manufacturer will carry fitting instructions, but they can sometimes be open to interpretation.

Read them from start to finish first before you start, rather than step by step as you tackle the job, as you really don’t want to be drilling holes in the wrong place because you’ve misinterpreted something!

Check you have the right tools

Even if your new blind is a lightweight material, don’t assume you can get away with a screwdriver to fit them securely to your wall or window frame. You will need an electric drill and the correct sized drill bits, screws, plugs and any other tools required as per the fitting instructions.

A spirit level or other accurate levelling tool is essential to ensure your blinds hang correctly and not at a dodgy angle! Don’t try to eyeball it, as you’ll likely get it wrong, and even a few millimetres can make your new window dressing look off-centre and unsightly. It will drive you mad!

It’s all gone terribly wrong!

Of course, if you’re reading this because you’ve already run into difficulties trying to fit blinds yourself, all is not lost. We may be able to help.

Working within a 20-mile radius of Skipton our service includes expert blind fitting at a date and time to suit you, including evenings and weekends. We’ve been working with the most popular blind manufacturers for years, so we’ve all the expertise and tools to help get you sorted!

Find us at https://northblinds.co.uk/

If you are starting to turn your attention to home renovation plans in 2022 and are planning for a new kitchen or simply a redesign of your existing space, taking a look at the trends coming through can help provide inspiration.

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home and the spot where everyone will gravitate to at parties, but now more than ever it is a multi-functional space that sits at the centre of family life. Open-plan kitchen living spaces have long been popular, particularly as a way of making small rooms look and feel much bigger, but since the start of the pandemic, this look has sky-rocketed in popularity. We are all spending more time at home, cooking meals from scratch and using the kitchen together as families for a whole host of different activities, so that the way this space is designed is changing too.

“We’re predicting a big rise in broken-plan living in 2022, as homeowners seek to create multi-functional spaces with added privacy,” explains George Forsyth, MD of Drew Forsyth & Co.

“A lot of projects now ask for an open-plan layout, perhaps merging the living room by knocking the adjacent wall down, and incorporating seating areas and large islands. And now we are seeing a definite shift from open-plan to broken-plan too. This is a likely result of working from home more and the completely open-plan layout now allowing for cosy or quiet areas.”

The good news is that it’s possible to have the best of both worlds, by being clever with the use of space and zoning areas to allow for a greater sense of privacy, while retaining the best elements of open-plan, including light, space and flow. Use freestanding shelving units or seating areas to act as a natural division between cooking and dining, make use of glass to create a partition without blocking sightlines and perhaps incorporate varying floor and ceiling heights to create a split-level layout.

It is also possible to use an island or peninsula as a multi-functional way to zone while creating extra storage and worktop space for work, rest and play, while if floor space allows including a dedicated seating area that can be used for mealtimes, as well as working from home and the kids’ homework is an ideal.

“As whole families spend more time at home, dining spaces will become the norm again. The living room will become an extension of the kitchen even more as designers look to create fluid living spaces where the whole family can interact in harmony,” Forsyth continues.

Storage is another key consideration in the post-pandemic kitchen. Unnecessary clutter, therefore, needs to be stored neatly away, to create a sense of harmony, even when family life gets hectic. From deep wide drawers and pull-out shelving replacing standard cupboard interiors to cleaning cupboards becoming pantries for tinned goods, open shelving for jars bottles and spices, the kitchen will be organised like never before.

And with small appliances such as mixing aids and coffee machines much more commonplace since before the pandemic, clever design features such as bi-folding breakfast cupboards keep these hidden yet easy to get to.

Colour trends are also worth noting before making any concrete kitchen redesign plans. Introducing colour into the kitchen is a sure-fire way of adding personality and character and taking a look at the shades that are trending will ensure the space is modern and on point.

Smokey blue colourways create a classic, calming kitchen, adding character without being too imposing. Blue’s soothing tones and general softness mirror nature’s finest natural assets – with oceanic hues and summer sky shades bringing a sense of tranquillity to the kitchen. 

However, green is staking a claim to the trendiest kitchen colour for 2022, with Instagram awash with nature-inspired green spaces. This is a shade that embodies renewal, rejuvenation, and energy, so it isn’t surprising that it is so popular.

As George Forsyth concludes: “Bold and brave colour schemes are winning out. With the shift towards maximalism in interior design, the kitchen is no exception. Although it has a way to go before it can be described as anti-minimalist, adding colour for a sense of drama is being embraced. If you’re still keen to play it safe, consider a two-tone effect, with a bold colour balanced out with a neutral shade to prevent the overwhelm.”

For more details on planning your dream kitchen, visit www.drewforsyth.co.uk to download a free Buyer’s Guide.

Some mixers and tonics are unsuitable for a vegan diet, so we’ve decided to create a 2021 vegan cocktail recipe guide using high-quality mixers that boost flavours.

The number of vegans in the UK jumped by 40 per cent last year, with more people opting for a plant-based diet. Even if you don’t follow a strict vegan diet but a flexitarian one, it is nice to have vegan options where possible – roughly1.5 million people in Britain have followed a more plant-based diet after Veganuary 2021. Reports estimate this has saved two million animals’ lives.

We are becoming increasingly conscious of what we are putting into our bodies and the impact the animal industry has on the environment. Veganism was once considered a niche fringe movement – herbivores had to scour health food stores for plant-based food. Now, there are more vegan food and drink products available than ever before.

Check out how you can serve up drinks to suit every taste while avoiding animal-based products.

Refreshing grapefruit paloma

Grapefruit can be an acquired taste but in a cocktail, it is refreshing and light with a little fizz – perfect for summer. Mixing this drink also creates a beautiful light pink hue that looks brilliant in the sun. Similar to a margarita cocktail, the Paloma is a popular drink in Mexico.

Ingredients:

• 45ml tequila
• Fentimans soda water
• 60ml squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Kosher salt
• Cubed or crushed ice

Method:

1. Run a wedge of grapefruit around the rim of a margarita glass and then dip in salt. Fill the glass with ice to keep it cool.
2. Mix and stir the grapefruit juice with the sugar and then add the juice and tequila to a cocktail shaker filled half with ice. Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously.
3. Pour into the margarita glass and top off with Fentimans soda water to taste. Stir and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Strawberry lemonade

Full of fruity flavour with the perfect kick of alcohol, this cocktail might go down just a little bit too easily. The Fentimans Victorian Lemonade has the juice of one and a half lemons in each bottle and is botanically brewed for a unique kick – it is certainly more than just your typical lemonade, which makes this drink extra special.

Ingredients:

• 35ml berry vodka
• Fentimans Victorian Lemonade
• Dash of sugar syrup
• 2 strawberries, diced
• Fresh mint
• Lemon wedge

Method:

1. Muddle the strawberries in the sugar syrup. Then, add mint and vodka and stir.
2. Add ice and top up with Fentimans Victorian Lemonade. Garnish with mint, lemon, and strawberries.

If you want to remove bits, shake all the ingredients apart from the lemonade in a cocktail shaker and strain into the glass.

Indian summer cup

Having a few people over? Impress them with this aromatic, sweet cocktail that they can help themselves to. Packed with many different flavours, this drink is sure to get the party started.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre bottle London dry gin
• 1 litre bottle of vegan-friendly sweet vermouth
• 240ml elderflower liqueur
• 240ml peach liqueur
• 710ml lemon syrup
• 460ml apple juice
• 1000ml chilled Fentimans tonic water
• 460ml chilled sparkling water
• Ice
• 1 sliced green apple
• 2 sliced peaches
• 6 long and thin cucumber slices
• 30g torn mint leaves

Method:

1. In a large bowl, combine the gin, vermouth, elderflower, peach liqueurs, lemon syrup, and apple juice. Refrigerate for about four hours until it is chilled.
2. When chilled, stir in the tonic water and sparkling water.
3. Add ice and garnish with the apple, peaches, cucumber, and mint leaves.

Black cherry bourbon cola

Sweet, simple, and popular with everyone. It’s well known that cola and cherries go well together. Just add bourbon and you’ve created the perfect summer drink for later in the day.The bonus is that if cola makes it that little bit too sweet for you,Fentimans Ginger Beer or Fentimans soda water make for the ideal mixer to change up the flavours.

Ingredients:

• 30ml bourbon
• 15ml cherry brandy
• 3 black cherries, pitted
• 1/4 a lime, juiced (and a wedge to garnish with)
• Chilled Fentimans Curiosity Cola
• Ginger beer and soda water, optional

Method:

1. Muddle the cherries and then mix in a cocktail shaker with the cherries, bourbon, brandy, lime juice, and ice.
2. Strain the cocktail over a glass with ice in.
3. Top up with cola (and ginger beer and soda water, if desired, to taste) and serve with a wedge of lime.

Raspberry mojito

Everyone loves a mojito, and the best thing about this recipe is that you can simply change the fruit for different flavours. Easy to drink and very refreshing, this cocktail is one of the easiest to make.

Ingredients: 

• 60ml white rum 
• Fentimans Sparkly Raspberry Soda Water 
• 5 raspberries 
• 1 lime, freshly squeezed 
• 1 tsp sugar 
• Small handful of mint leaves 
• Ice 

Method: 

• Muddle the raspberries, mint, and sugar together in the juice that you have freshly squeezed from the lime.
• Pour the cocktail over ice into a tall glass. 
• Add the rum while stirring with a spoon. Top up with soda water to taste and serve with mint.

Celebrate summer right with our vegan cocktail recipes, using the finest mixers and tonic that complement the spirits and give them a kick of flavour.

Sources:

https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/vegans-in-britain-skyrocketed/

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/veganuary-2021-1-5-million-brits-go-vegan/

https://domesticdreamboat.com/paloma/

https://onthesauceagain.com/2017/12/19/5-delicious-party-drinks-with-fentimans/

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/summer-cup-punch

https://www.supergoldenbakes.com/black-cherry-bourbon-cola-smash-cocktail/

Because of this reborn love for the outdoors, the need to spruce up your garden is all the more important. After all, now that we’re spending so much time out there, we may as well make it look fabulous! But how? In this article, discover 4 ways to style your garden like a pro. From installing art onto the walls, making your own plant garden ladder, and more. You won’t be able to wait to get your green fingers on these amazing garden décor ideas…

Adorn your walls with show-stopping art 

One of the easiest ways to give your garden a stylish edge is to adorn the walls in art. By doing this, you create the illusion of adding a new room outdoors! Garden wall art fills blank spaces that are craving attention. They create a cosier feel to a nook in your garden and more importantly, are a chance to show your sense of style outdoors as well as indoors. Not only this, they can add to your garden’s theme.

Wallsauce.com offer a wide range of stunning metal prints that can do exactly do that. Choose an exotic leaf design to mirror your jungle-inspired plants, bamboo bench and wooden mats in your courtyard. If you have created a quaint French chic garden, choose a beautiful lavender field metal poster to go with your white metal bistro table and pots brimmed with fragrant lavender. Or why not transport yourself to a tropical beach? Choose a white sanded Caribbean beach print and pair it with exotic plants that can stand the UK weather.

There are so many options when it comes to stylish garden metal wall art. As long as you place them underneath a shelter, they will last for years and years in your stunning garden.

Potted garden ladders brimming with herbs

If you want to combine your passion for cooking and gardening, then it is crucial to have your own herb garden. The best way to do this is to create a designated area closest to your house so that you can nip in and out of your garden to gather herbs whilst cooking. Whether you have a courtyard or a huge garden, a herb garden ladder is the perfect answer. The beauty of a ladder is that you can make it as big or as small as you like, depending on the size of your outdoor space.

You can easily buy wooden step ladders anywhere. Paint them in hardwearing outdoor paint so that they can survive the different elements. Or if you’re handy with a hammer, why not build your own ladder by repurposing old wood panels or wooden pallets?

When choosing pots for your herb ladder, choose sizes that fit comfortably on the shelving. It might seem obvious, but it is very tempting when you see a gorgeous pot out shopping, take it home, and then realise it’s far too big. Always measure the width of each panel before purchasing pots.

When it comes to choosing your herbs, choose the ones you use the most when cooking. Sage, chives, oregano, rosemary and more. Your garden ladder should be personal to your tastes – literally! Before you know it, you and your friends will be enjoying a delicious brunch in your garden, eating your tasty herby creations.

Give everything a fresh lick of paint – the brighter the better

It really is surprising how much a fresh lick of paint can impact your outdoor area. Does your wood picket fence need a pick-me-up? Or have your exterior walls turned green and flaky from bearing a year’s worth of brutal weather? 

Painting outdoors needs to be done every other year to keep your garden looking fresh. And when we say paint, we don’t just mean white paint. Of course, this neutral tone is a firm favourite. Especially if you want to add a Mediterranean feel to your outdoor area (white walls and blue pots will make you feel like you’re in Santorini)! We mean bright, colourful tones that will take your garden from workable to WOW! 

One of the hottest shades to choose from is warm terracotta. This orange shade is great for a Moroccan-inspired space. Another tone is turquoise blue. This blue tone will transport your garden from Halifax to Hawaii! Sage-green is another hugely popular tone right now that creates a calm and balanced feel to any garden space. Simply choose a tone that brings you joy and won’t offend the neighbours too much (maybe avoid neon yellow).

Set the mood with magical lights

Another classic choice, garden lights. There really is nothing more magical than fairy lights in the garden. Not only do they make you feel like you’ve entered an enchanted fairytale land, but they are so easy to install.

Choose from vintage-style naked bulbs leisurely strewn across your patio area to rows of white LEDs wrapped around your favourite tree. Not forgetting quirky toadstool stake lights that stick into the ground or even round multi-coloured solar panel ones that dot along your garden path. Garden lights do make such a difference and are perfect for those who love to stay outdoors after dark whilst they gather round the chiminea and roast marshmallows – bliss!

In conclusion 

When it comes to upping your garden décor game, there are so many routes to explore. It doesn’t matter whether you have a tiny backyard or a huge garden that is so much like a football pitch that you don’t know what to do with it. Taking the time to think about what will suit your garden and where you would put different types of décor can make all the difference in creating the outdoor space of your dreams.

Over the course of the past year, gardens have become more important than ever, offering a place for homeowners to escape and recharge. With people staying at home more often, outdoor spaces have become a personal sanctuary of rest and relaxation away from the distractions of everyday life and a place for entertaining. Personal savings made during lockdown have been reinvested within the home, with an increasing numbers of home renovations being completed both indoors and out, especially in gardens ,with the use of premium outdoor tiles on the rise.  Of course, a number of these outdoor tiles can also be used indoors, including the increasingly popular stick on wall tiles which are the perfect way to liven up tired and worn interiors.

Porcelain tiles are a fantastic alternative to concrete, natural stone or timber decking. Hard wearing and practical, porcelain is a low maintenance option that can be used both indoors and out, with porcelain tiles now available in a wide range of imitation stone-effects. Different to their natural counterparts, porcelain stone-effects feature printed designs with many of the imperfections associated with stone and traditional paving slabs removed, offering a practical, hard wearing surface covering that looks just like natural stone or wood, but with all the practical benefits of porcelain. 

Available in a huge array of colours, designs and size formats, you can now bring classic travertine, contemporary wood or concrete-effects into your garden to create a bespoke space for the whole family to enjoy.

The Homes & Gardens collection from Tile Giant is the ideal outdoor floor covering, offering style in spades. The porcelain collection features an exclusive range of indoor and outdoor tiles to create stunning living spaces that wow from house to garden. The tiles have been designed to replicate natural materials like wood, stone and concrete, and feature a variety of textures, patterns and colours. Simple to install, the tiles can be laid onto grass or gravel to create a patio area.

Every piece within this trend-led collection is created with the same thickness, giving every project a perfect finish. The tiles will look their best all year round and won’t turn green as they are algae and moss resistant. Unlike traditional paving, the outdoor tiles won’t lose their colour, and are frost resistant so they won’t crack in winter temperatures. They have a good slip rating of up to R11, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor use. To clean, simply use a hard brush and soapy water.

Whatever type of home and outdoor space you have, there’s plenty to consider when planning a makeover. Whether you want to create a peaceful retreat or a functional entertaining area, with a bit of inspiration and design know-how, even the smallest space can be transformed.

Hallways, kitchens, conservatories and patios can be seamlessly brought together with porcelain tiles into one open plan living space, and offer a stunning option for those with patio or bifold doors. Create an interesting contrast by using the same collection in different colours indoors and outdoors. If you have a fixed patio area, think about staggering loose laid tiles next to it, gradually blending the tiles into the landscape.

Small and large gardens have endless possibilities when it comes to outdoor tiles. Opt for larger tiles in a smaller space as there are less grout lines and a bigger surface area, which gives the illusion of a larger expanse. If you have a large outdoor space to work with, treat your garden as an extension of your home. Think about defining the layout by sectioning off certain areas with various colours and formats to create interest. Introduce paths and patio areas to interlink each space by combining fixed tiles with loose laid patterns. Mix sizes and textures together with different installation techniques to create a diverse, structured place.

Axis replicates the beautiful look of natural stone in cream, grey and black. There is a slight variation with each tile, with subtle differences in texture and pattern to make the tiles look just like their natural counterpart. Available in a 600x600mm size (20mm thickness) for outdoor use and coordinating 9.5mm thickness format for indoor use. RRP £49.98 per sqm 

Dover brings the stone-effect style to life in a large, premium size of 750x750mm. Available in warm white and smoke in a 20mm outdoor format. Each tile is uniform in colour and shading, with minimal differences. RRP £49.98 per sqm

Flow celebrates a soft wood-effect style in warm shades of natural and smoke. The tone of each tile varies to achieve a blended shade to replicate the natural look of wood. Available in a 295x1200mm size (20mm thickness) for outdoor use and coordinating 194x1200mm (11.5mm thickness) for indoor use. RRP £54.99 per sqm 

Maroma replicates the natural look of travertine to create a warm and neutral feel indoors and out. The slight variation in texture and pattern keeps the effect authentic. Available in a in a 600x600mm size (20mm thickness), and large, premium 600x1200mm indoor format. RRP £59.99 per sqm 

All tiles in the Homes & Gardens collection are available in a co-ordinating indoor format to create seamless indoor / outdoor transitions.

For more information, please visit www.tilegiant.co.uk   

Structured décors 

Three dimensional surface patterns with strong lines and textures add depth and perspective to walls. Well-suited to creating a striking feature wall or splashback in the kitchen, or a zoned area in the bathroom, structured tiles in a modern neutral tone make an understated style statement, providing a visually intriguing backdrop without overwhelming the room. Combine with wood, other stone elements and rich, leafy foliage to transform your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary.

Patterned tiles 

Patterned tiles are branching out into less predictable areas of the home, from the hallway and living room, to the conservatory and more recently, even into the garden. Black, white and grey monochrome tiles featuring Victorian-inspired patterns remain in demand as they are easier to style and are particularly popular in large hallways and garden paths, but we’re seeing more bold colour choices being introduced too including nautical blues and greens and earthy reds, yellows and browns. 

Cool greys

Grey tiles have been on trend for the past few years, with grey the modern neutral that is here to stay. It’s influence mainly comes from the rise of Instagram home accounts showcasing the cool, modern look. Lighter shades are best suited to walls and darker tones for floors. Separate your bath, shower or wet room with a darker shade of grey, for a more unique look.  

Curtains play a big part in the overall look and feel of a room. They have the ability to be a focal design feature or to sit quietly in the background. They are easy furnishings to underestimate until you experience the joy that comes from having a perfect pair or the horror of a nightmare mismatch.

When choosing the right fabric or design for your home, it all comes back to the aesthetic you’re aiming for and the leading characteristics of the room in question. Do you need more light or less? Is your style bold or understated? Does the room feel cold or stifling?

Sheer fabrics like linens invite more light from the outside creating a relaxing and more casual impression. Linens are a classic curtain choice for good reason. Created from plant fibres, this material is very tactile, durable, lightweight and easy to maintain. In the summer, the cool breeze can travel through the weave, and in winter the hollow fibre acts as a natural insulator. Its ability to react to the seasons makes linen a safe option. When made up in natural colourways, such as beige, browns, blues or greens, linen curtains are timeless. 

Choosing your fabric

Cotton is similar to linen, however, if you’re opting for cotton curtains and wishing to control the light, you should always have them lined. This will also reduce the risk of fading over time and ensure the fabric keeps its colour. It’s also common to choose a polyester and cotton mix fabric. Polyester is durable and maintains its shape well, just keep in mind that it’s also a great absorbent of scents, so try not to use it in areas such as kitchens – even if window curtains that smell like freshly baked cookies might sound appealing! 

Textured fabrics can really affect the mood of a room. If you want a formal atmosphere then heavy silk or velvet can give a feel of luxury. Velvets are ideal for blocking out light so are a great choice for master bedrooms and guest rooms. Silk provides a more delicate finish to a space. If you love silk but worry about the durability, some velvet fabrics come with a silk finish combining the best of both.

You have a lot of decisions when it comes to buying curtain fabrics. Picking the right weight, surface, light-blocking or uncovering characteristics, and the fabric’s strength is just the start. 

Selecting a style

Deciding on the look of your curtains can be challenging. To avoid disrupting your scheme, try blending your curtains with the colour of the walls or the paint, or go one shade darker for a balanced look. Romantics should err towards pastel or neutral tones, minimalists might try monochrome or ombres.

Alternatively, play with patterns and bright colours for a pop of texture and interest. Embroidered, tasselled, large floral or tribal print curtain fabrics complement a boho-chic style, patchwork and botanicals are a natural choice for the farmhouse feel, tropical designs and animal prints for those looking to pack a punch.

Whilst they are a permanent feature, curtains can be easily updated with the seasons. It may be that you switch your colour tones and curtain textures depending on the time of year. Interchanging your cushion covers and small accessories at the same time is a simple way to give your room an all over upgrade.

Give a layered look to your curtains by doubling up on your window decors. Put up a roman blind along with full-length curtains on the side of the windows, and add a pelmet on the top for a neat finish. Pelmets are often misunderstood and deemed to be just an unnecessary accessory, but not only do they act as a barrier to prevent unwanted airflow, they also give an added elegance to your window dressings.

If tie-back curtains aren’t your style but you want to add dramatic volume, extra-long fabrics are a good choice as they bunch up at the bottom, and when fixed right, the outcome looks beautiful.

Avoiding mistakes

Curtain length is a goldilocks conundrum. Too long and your look goes from gathered to ghastly, too short and it looks like a bad haircut. Generally, curtains should hang around six inches above the window frame, this gives the illusion of higher ceilings. In terms of width, curtains should be at least two times the width of the window. If you want a fuller effect, add four to eight inches to the width of both sides of your window, then double that figure.

Lining is imperative to the longevity of your curtains, not just the function. It helps battle any mildew and reduce the risk of rot. Unless deciding on sheers it’s always advisable not to skip this step.

Get advice. Talking to an expert never hurts, especially if you’re investing in made to measure curtains. Even with off-the-shelf options, you don’t want to be hemming long into the night or spending on top to correct an ill-fitting mistake. Plus, there’s lots of advice online and tutorials you can follow.

Choosing curtains for your home should be fun as well as functional. Take your time, look around and talk to those in the know. Dedicate a little time and TLC to your search and you’ll be sure to find the right match. Then all that’s left to do is enjoy your home and take a bow.

What is Japandi?

A blend of Japanese aesthetics and Scandinavian design, Japandi is an interior style focused on simplicity and minimalism. It uses natural textures and materials like wood to bring a warmer feel to your home. The neutral tones seamlessly mix together and get lifted by soft feminine touches like blossom branches, which become focal points. It helps to create a more relaxing and peaceful home akin with practices like feng shui.

How to incorporate Japandi in your home

1. Less is more

An essential part of creating Japandi style, is clearing away clutter. Start by decluttering your living space as much as possible so that it is cleaner and calmer. Look at rooms afresh and ask yourself whether you really love and need the things around you. Japandi style doesn’t mean you can’t have stuff – it’s really about focusing on keeping items which enhance your home and life. If something doesn’t do this, then rid yourself of it by donating, selling or recycling. You and your home will feel like a weight has been lifted. 

2. Take it one room at a time

If you decide to tackle your whole home at once it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The best approach is to break your Japandi project down by room and then by area and take it from there. It is helpful to make a note of any “pain-points” in your home which are disorganised or cluttered to zone in on which areas need attention first. For example, in the living room you could start by identifying what is an eyesore or is on display that you want to tuck away and see if anything can be removed completely.

3. Start with the easiest category

To motivate yourself to keep going, start with an area in which you can make quick, simple decisions on what to keep and what to let go of. Perhaps that pile of old magazines in the study is an easy win or that pile of coats which has built up in your hallway. It can be helpful to work through one category of items at a time when you are going through a space so that you can compare similar items with each other. Once you are in the swing of things, you will be able to be a little more ruthless in the areas you might struggle with,such as, sentimental items and be better able to make bigger decisions.

4. Functional furniture

Once you have decluttered smaller items, move on to deciding which furniture in your home is surplus to requirements. Think about the flow through each room. Rooms should be easy to move around and should not be overfilled. This also means those items you do make space for can be appreciated to their fullest.

Any furniture you no longer need can be sold or donated (e.g. the Yorkshire Children’s Centre offer free collections for furniture donations). In Japandi interior design schemes, furniture leads with functionality. There are fewer pieces in the room, but they need to serve a purpose (ideally more than one!). For example, having shoe storage in a hallway which doubles up as a seat, shoe storage and space for accessories.

5. Leave buying things until last

As tempting as it is to buy a few pieces that you have your heart set on, wait until you have sorted everything you already have out. Japandi embraces holding onto pieces as they age, encouraging you to enjoy their change in character rather than wanting to replace it with new, shiny objects. You may find that you uncover items that can be repurposed and upcycled for your look. For example, a painted chair could be stripped and sanded.

Waiting until you have sorted everything out will also mean that you know whether you need to buy any smaller storage products at this stage. If you do, focus on products made of natural materials such as bamboo boxes and willow baskets. If possible, buy from local craftspeople. As well as keeping your space uncluttered, these materials and finely crafted items are a key part of the Japandi trend.

6. Decorate with nature

Japandi decor derives much of its look from natural, sustainable materials. The appreciation of nature is typically reflected in a Japandi colour palette with neutral, earthy hues. Decorative items include house plants and dried flowers such as cotton stems. These bring back the warmth into your home, keeping it pared back and simple but not starkly minimalist. Have fun browsing Instagram and Pinterest for extra inspiration and create mood boards to perfect the last decorative Japandi touches to your home.

Channelling the Panelling

The panelled wall look is very ‘in’ right now – elegant and really effective. Of course, you can get a high-end luxury look with real panelled walls but there’s a simple yet effective way to bring your walls to life with this look. And it’s an easy look to achieve so you can you can do it yourself!

‘Faux’ panelling is a great way to get the look without breaking the bank.  A WL1 Amelia WallstylⓇ moulding is a simple, cost-effective way to introduce a timeless architectural element to a room and you only need a few basic tools to complete the job and it’s a fairly simple project to undertake. So be brave… you’ve got this!

Equipment you will need

• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Mitre Block (for precise corner angles)
• Saw
• Grab adhesive
• Caulk
• Caulking gun
  
  

Decide on the shape design for your walls (i.e. rectangular or square) and begin by measuring the wall from the top of the skirting board to the ceiling (or a picture rail if you have those).

You could then scale a drawing on paper (nothing too technical just 1cm = 10cm on the wall) to work out how many panels could comfortably fit onto the wall space, using a straight-edged spirit and tape measure to create your lines. It is important to remember to include the measurements between each panel and the space at either end of the wall.

Once the design is on the wall, measure and cut your mouldings using the mitre block to saw cut 45-degree angles for the corners.

Adding plenty of grab adhesive to the back of the moulding and attach the design onto the wall, using a spirit level to check they are straight. Once attached, leave to dry overnight.

Once dry, caulk any edges and corners, filling in any gaps. Finally, paint the moulding in your chosen shade and marvel at the transformation!

Alternatively, if all that sounds a little too ambitious, we stock a new beautiful grainy-feel 3D panel effect wallpaper in a pale grey or dusky pink. It’s ‘paste the wall’ paper –making it cleaner and easier to hang. Plus, with paste the wall, you have a little more time to apply the wallpaper and if the glue does start to dry, another coat of the paste is all that is needed. You won’t run the risk of applying too much product to the wallpaper, which would make it soggy and prone to tearing. Happy decorating!

#AskHelenHow – decorating advice for home interiors

Helen Johnson is the owner of the Decorating Centre Online and a decorating and interiors expert. In her new regular column, Helen will teach you how to create different looks and effects which will transform your rooms – whatever your budget! If there is a specific tip you’re looking for or have a question you would like to ask Helen, let us know by commenting on our social media posts with the hashtag #AskHelenHow. You may also contact Helen via her Instagram page @decoratingcentreonline