Page 2 - Design and inspiration

Planning & Advice Ideas and inspiration Original Research The interior design trends you should look out for The greatest (or possibly the most frustrating) thing about trends is that they are constantly changing, depending on the year and cultural impact. Although your first thought might turn to fashion, interior design trends have also evolved. From Art Deco starting in the 1910s, involving various geometric textures, to the minimalist Scandinavian furniture from the 1950s. Traditionally, staircases

When it comes to decorating the home for Christmas it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start… or indeed when to stop! Too minimal can end up looking cold and—dare we say—miserable, but on the other hand the full-on grotto effect is probably best reserved for department stores! A great way to add a touch of festive sparkle to the home—while creating an instant Christmassy welcome to guests—is to decorate the staircase. As Elizabeth Parker from Parker Interiors says: “The staircase presents

One of the most underused storage areas of the home is the under-stairs cupboard.  More often than not, it's the place where we throw everything that doesn't have a home. However, this space actually has loads of potential. If you’re worried you’re not making the most of the space under your stairs, we have plenty of transformative ideas to help. If you’re tired of picking up coats and tidying away overflowing shoes, why not transform the space into coat and shoe storage? Or if you have a small

Living in a rental home can sometimes feel a little impersonal, especially when your contract restricts you from making any adaptations to make the space feel a little more homely. Here we look at some ingenious rental hacks that can turn your rental house into a home, and the best thing about them… they leave no trace when it's time to move out. Walls Lighting Windows Stairways Gardens Surfaces, Cupboards and Appliances Walls The walls in rental properties generally fall into two camps – ugly, dated

Even the biggest Christmas Scrooge can't help but be a teeny bit excited once the Christmas decorations start going up. Love them or hate them, there is no denying that a little bit of glitz and sparkle can transform your home and enhance that all important Christmas spirit. You don't have to restrict the magic and sparkle to the tree, take inspiration from the big American blockbusters and give your staircase the festive treatment. Unless you are aiming to transform your home into a National Lampoon

The staircase is often the focal point of a hallway. It can be viewed from many aspects, leading the eye from one space to another. The architecture of this area has huge potential for various types of lighting. Illuminating your staircase provides an opportunity to highlight architectural features and enhance texture in the space. It ensures your staircase creates a memorable and striking impact. Effective staircase lighting can also prevent accidents as visibility can be improved. We spoke to Jo

Different areas of the home tend to be better suited to particular flooring types. Practical materials such as laminate wood, tiles or vinyl are commonly used in kitchens, decadent carpeting is often used to provide additional comfort in the bedroom and exposed wooden floorboards can be a popular choice for high traffic areas such as hallways and family rooms. One area of the home that is suited to just about every type of flooring material is the staircase. Wood, carpeting—whether wall to wall or

A glass staircase can bring chic, modern and beautiful style to a home, and it can be a great way to improve the flow of natural light and create the illusion of airy, open space. There are plenty of different design options to choose from when considering a glass balustrade that can completely transform your home’s aesthetic. In this article, we’ll describe the various types of glass panels, stair materials, and wood varieties and how they can impact the overall look of your glass staircase renovation.

  The Pantone colour of 2017 is ‘Greenery’, a crisp and zesty shade symbolic of new beginnings. So how better to give your hallway and staircase a fresh overhaul by introducing some greenery, in the form of the real thing? To gain a true insight into styling, caring for and ultimately getting the best out of house plants, we spoke to a range of experts, from plant advisors and succulent specialists to interior stylists, creative consultants, florists and interior landscapers. Read on to discover

  Selecting the Best Flooring for Your Staircase See More   Expert tips on illuminating your staircase See More   Expert tips on creating a statement staircase See More   Expert tips for creating a gallery wall above your staircase See More   Styling your staircase for christmas: the expert view See More   Expert styling advice on the nation's favoured stair flooring See More   Staircase materials: part 1 See More   Staircase