32 HOME IMPROVEMENTS & FINE FURNISHINGS


MY PROPERTY, MY HOME 29 JULY 2018 MY PROPERTY, MY HOME


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ROB SCARLETT, DINING.


BELOW: ALPICUSHIONHENNA; JUNCTION TABLE LAMP BRASS


Give your home a bargain makeover


There’s lots you can do to give your home a lift, as Xenia Taliotis discovers — even on a modest budget


A


recent study by Lloyds Bank showed that the number of people moving home is at a 10-year high, which means there are


probably thousands of new homeowners liv- ing with the previous owners’ taste because they can’t aff ord to decorate. Even if you’re not among them, you might


still be wishing you could aff ord to give your home a makeover, but with a new kitchen com- ing in at around £8k and a new bathroom cost- ing £6k according to Householdquotes.co.uk, turning any living space into a dream home remains a long-term project for many of us. Don’t lose heart, though, because there’s


lots you can do to give your home a lift, even on a modest budget.


ELBOW GREASE


Get busy and dust, scrub and clean because nothing spells fresh like surfaces, fl oors and windows that gleam. You’ll be amazed at how diff erent your home will look when its spick and span, and when pots and pans are in cup- boards instead of drip drying on the draining board.


LIGHTEN UP


Blanche DuBois, the hero of the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire knew the value of good light- ing. Follow her lead and up- date your lamps to change the look and mood of your home. Even


changing the lampshades will work miracles. Search online at high-end stores for inspira- tion, and then go to high-street retailers to fi nd versions you can aff ord. Dunelm, Ikea, Homebase and Made.com specialise in af- fordable, stylish homeware, and have the key looks of the year.


Ruth Wassermann, Made.com’s design di- a great, budget-friendly option for keeping up


with trends, and ideal for renters wanting to put their stamp on in- teriors without upsetting the land- lord. “The metallic trend is set to stay, so bestsellers like our Alana mirrors (£119) and Obie task lamps (£49) bring your interiors up to date without breaking the bank. Lighting can change the mood of a room from mundane to modern. Use pendant shades with a refl ec- e (


tive inner, like the Hue (£29), to


brighten a room, or achieve a softer glow with fl oor lamps, which diff use light downwards.”


SHABBY IS NEVER CHIC


If your sheets have gone grubby grey and your towels are threadbare, ditch them. The best time to buy is during the sales, when many re- tailers also sell factory seconds.


King of Cotton sells quality linens and tow- els at excellent prices, as does BrandAlley, the designer discount site. “Refreshing your bedlinen is an easy and cost eff ective way to makeover your space,” says Kate Andrews, senior homeware buyer


at BrandAlley.


“Sheets with a high thread count will make you feel as if you’re in a boutique hotel and will last ages. Choose coloured sheets or a patterned duvet set for a bold new look.”


COVER UP


Since most of us only buy two or thee sofas in our entire lives, this is a piece of furni- ture that can o


n often look tired and dated.


If you’ve invested in a quality piece of furniture, you might want to uphol- ster it, though this isn’t cheap. More


CUSTOMISED, COORDINATED DESIGN BOCONCEPT You can save up to 20% on a wide range of furniture and accessories to order, plus save an extra 10% on their clearance and ex-display items with unmissable savings now up to 60% off , but hurry, the BoConcept Summer Design Sale must end 31 July. The BoConcept Finchley Road store has doubled in size to create a brand new store. With so many more inspirational new room sets, you can experience the entire BoConcept collection. Find out how all the collection can fi t seamlessly in your home; simply book your free interior design service in- store or at home to discuss your requirements with one of BoConcept’s highly skilled design consultants. boconcept.com


aff ordable is having bespoke loose covers made, but if this is still beyond your means then the next best thing is a luxurious new throw and cushions. Try to buy the best you can aff ord, as your investment will be well-re- warded by the quality of the fabric and design. Heal’s has an outstanding selection and is


championing young British designers whose work is quite aff ordable. The same principle applies to rugs. Not only


will a rug in the colour or design trend of the year bring your interiors up to date, but it’ll also cover up a worn or stained carpet. Marks & Spencer, Made.com, Habitat,


rector, says home accessories and lighting are Worldstores.co.uk, John Lewis and Ikea will defi nitely have a rug that fi ts your taste, home and budget.


ART ATTACK


While you may never own an original Picasso, posters are as cheap as chips. Monoqi.co.uk sells framed prints


Charity shops are also great places to fi nd ready-framed art.


For aff ordable original art, you can’t beat Open House days at artists’ studios, or sites such as Art2arts.co.uk and Artsper.com, where prices start from less than £100.


WAREHOUSE SALES Sometimes no amount of patching and cover- ing will conceal the fact that you need a new sofa, bed, or other key piece. If so, check out the warehouse, clearance and outlet sales held by all the leading retailers. Heal’s has a mas- sive warehouse sale each year, as does Swoon Editions and department store Bentalls. Register with Samplesaleguide.co.uk to re- ceive details of upcoming sales. For discounted pieces from leading retail-


ers look at Trade Secret. “We buy cancelled or returned orders and over-runs from some of the most respected British stores, including John Lewis,” says founder Charles Wheeler, “and sell the pieces at a fraction of the price.” Finally, don’t forget local auctions. They’ll


be stuff ed with bargains, but make sure you stick to your budget. Like online auctions — also great places to shop — it’s easy to get carried away and go over your budget.


from £38 (from


£9.50 unframed), and there’s a good selection at Debenhams too for around £30.


A NEW LEVEL OF QUALITY LINX BEDS Add a layer of additional comfort to your existing mattress and snuggle down to a good night’s sleep with Linx Bed’s new Memory Foam Mattress Topper. With a touch of aloe vera to help soften your skin as you sleep, the jacquard style side will add that extra layer of comfort when sleeping. Or choose to alternate by turning the topper to provide a cooler micro- fi bre layer. With a high-quality feel, reversible functionality and available in all four standard bed sizes, this is an essential component for a luxurious night’s sleep. linxbeds.co.uk


THE UK’S LEADING MANUFACTURER SMART GARDEN OFFICES Smart Garden Offi ces has introduced a sixth range to its collection: introducing the Temple Folly, available in more than seven sizes. With unlimited windows, full insulation and built using Smart’s trademarked TuSc construction method, the Temple Folly off ers a look that’s truly special, yet still embodies Smart’s principle value of quality and off ers a modern twist on the iconic Orangery. You can book your free site consultation now to discuss the range further. smartgardenoffi ces.co.uk


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