AND A BED A good mattress will be let down by a bad bed. Apart from anything else, if you’ve gone to the expense of a really great mattress, it’ll be damaged if you don’t give it proper support. We always favour beds with sprung slats over divans because they have a good amount of give that complements the springiness of your mattress. The most important thing is that they provide consistent, even and well-spaced support for your mattress, so if you have an older bed with missing slats, it’s time for an upgrade.
UPHOLSTERY A sofa or armchair in particular. Much like with your kitchen cabinetry, where you put your feet up in your sitting room is something you hopefully get to enjoy every day of the week. Instead of compromising on the style of sofa or armchair that you really want, invest in what’s going to make you happy. One that’s made to exacting standards inside and out – because we all know it’s what’s on the inside that counts. The comfort you’ll feel from it and the way that it elevates the look of the room is something you’ll truly reap the rewards of.
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AN EXTENDING DINING TABLE The beauty of an extending dining table is that it can flex as your needs and your home change. So if you’re planning on moving to a larger (or, indeed, smaller) home in the future, or if your family’s likely to expand, there’ll be no need to trade in your old table for a new one purely because of size. Even if your dining area is spacious, you might not want a dining table that seats eight, ten or twelve people when there’s only two of you eating at it day to day. An extendable dining table gives you that freedom to make your home a place just for you or for many.
LIGHTING The switches and sockets, the bases and shades, the layout and the layers of light sources – lighting is one of the most transformative elements of interior design. It completely changes the mood and the texture of your rooms. See it as so much more than functional.
FLOORING Imitation flooring can be lower maintenance and easier to clean, but your feet will feel the difference with every step and your eyes will remind you of the fact it’s not the flooring you truly wanted with every look. Your flooring is what grounds the room, literally and creatively. On the whole, natural materials wear better and signs of age become marks of character, making it far less likely you’ll ever fall out of love with it too.
TABLEWARE So far, almost all the items on our list have been bigger purchases, but there are a few smaller pieces where it’s worth seeking out the very best quality you can, and one of those is tableware. Firstly, you interact with plates, mugs, bowls, cutlery and glassware every day, so it’s important you like the look and feel of them. Consider how a piece feels in your hands – is the handle comfortable to hold, is the cutlery well balanced? Then, choose materials that will be practical. Crockery from stoneware is durable in the dishwasher, can be popped in the microwave and is much less likely to chip than earthenware. Whether it’ll fit in your dishwasher is another concern, particularly for dinner plates and stemware. Finally, think about how versatile it will be. We’d suggest getting a well-made, fairly plain set of crockery that’ll work for any occasion and adding more decorative pieces for special occasions.
A MATTRESS We probably don’t need to tell you why this one’s a worthy investment. Look out for natural materials wherever you can because they offer the best temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties. Mattresses that contain wool and horsehair are also a good bet as these two materials spring back to shape time and time again. And always, always pocket springs. This is also the item it really pays to try out in person before you buy.
For more advice and home inspiration book an appointment with home designer Kate Bradley at
Neptune.com/Edgbaston
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
HOME S & INTERIORS DE S IGNS FOR L I F E
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