Swan Shopping Centre, Eastleigh
What's hot
How cool is your couch?
Time to freshen up your furniture and your decor. Spring sunlight means you can see your interiors all too clearly and chances are they probably need a makeover! A new couch, accessories to match and an inspired paint scheme can transform your inside space.
Dark is new magnolia
Ignore design gurus and don’t be afraid to paint or paper a wall in a dark colour. First make sure you have a big enough window and plenty of light in the room. Strong colours make walls appear nearer. The opposite happens if cool pastel colours are used.
New look scrapbook
Don’t even start that interior makeover without a scrapbook of inspirational ideas. Buy a big, lavish loose leaf scrapbook and fill each double page spread with your paint, wallpaper, carpet and fabric samples. Add colour pics of artworks and rooms from design mags to complete your look.
Girls’ party time
If you are planning a room makeover get your best friends round to help with the paint effects. There are lots of stylish arty stencils in the shops and your friends will provide that critical eye and most importantly tell you when to stop. Less is definitely more.
Lofty ambitions
The smart way to increase your home’s value in a flat property market and grab the extra space we all crave is to convert your loft. A surveyor will check the joists then you start planning a lavish master bedroom with ensuite, a groovy kids playroom or an office suite.
Get stripping
Carpet the upstairs by all means but bare wooden floors are best in living areas – its stylish and practical. Team stripped, sanded and lightly stained wooden floorboards with big bold skirtings to get that classic English country house look in your home.
Bathroom chic
A statement piece of chic bathroom furniture with glass doors will show off your luxury towel collection to good effect. If you’ve shelled out for 100% Egyptian cotton bath sheets and 5 star quality hand towels you should not hide them away in a cupboard.
Pleats and poles
Giving your windows a makeover can make a room look like new. Enhance them with individual styling top treatments like this beautiful Montgomery Tomlinson pinch pleat design. Hang the drapes with a complementary pole and ring combination.
Cover up
If new furniture is low on your list of priorities then loose covers and new cushions will transform drab furniture and help to colour co-ordinate a new look in your home. Beautiful blue and white, eco-friendly, cotton covers from Linum of Sweden are worth seeking out.
Fool your friends
They will make your friends believe these are ‘fresh’ flowers. The Jane Packer Grey Rose collection includes these beautiful hyacinths in a square glass vase. They don’t need water but may need the occasional duster to maintain that just bought freshness.
