Decorating

Livingetc's design guru Mark Garside answers your most frequently asked decorating questions.

How to choose vibrant wallpaper for a hallway

I've been looking for really vibrant wallpaper for my hallway without much luck. I wanted something floral, but nothing that looks dated. Do you have any inspirational ideas?
The wildest designs to catch my eye recently are by a new designer called Ayme Fitzgerald. The collection, featuring a riot of colourful designs, including Floral Floral Yellow, are printed to order and cost from £150 per 10m roll. Use any of them and your hallway will be pure carnival.

Where to find modern pewter handles

Can you suggest a source for modern pewter handles? We're doing a barn conversion and I like the idea of mixing old materials with contemporary design.
Pewter is a lovely material and rarely used, so I'm glad you've picked it out. Finesse Design are the people you need to contact as they specialise in all manner of pewter handles and fittings (see especially the Fenwick and Jedburgh ranges). Plus, they're all made in the UK.

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Covering an old mirror with fabric

I have an old oval mirror that I'd like to cover with velvet. Do you have any tips for how I can glue it neatly?
You could try a craft glue such as Copydex, but it may be tricky to get neat edges. Alternatively, you could consider flocking. The object is sprayed with glue, then the flock is applied with an electrostatic charge (so the hairs stick out neatly). It would cost roughly £40 and gives amazing results. Contact Thomas & Vines.

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On the hunt for stylish and affordable radiators

We have been planning to update the central heating in our house, and now have the chance to replace all the cheap-looking radiators we inherited. The problem is that all the column models we like cost so much that we may have to resort to plan B, and save money by keeping some of the old radiators in the bedrooms. Before we go ahead, we wondered whether you had any alternative money-saving suggestions.
I'm sure I've mentioned these before, but B&Q stocks an excellent (and cheap) range of multi-column radiators by Acova. Also Agadon does some great flat-panel and tube designs that won't break the bank. I'm sure you'll find these affordable options allow you to go with plan A.

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Flame fires that don't require a chimney

I love the look of real fires, but our flat isn't old, has no fireplaces, and also no gas supply. I've read that it's possible to have flame fires even without a chimney and I hoped you could provide more information.
There are a number of flueless heaters and fires around that don't require chimneys. But, as you don't have a gas supply and may want to avoid the cost of installing one, there is an even simpler solution – fires that use bio-oil, an ethanol gel that burns without giving off smoke. CVO's nifty Lucent design costs £600 and can be hung straight onto the wall. Buy online at spiritfires.co.uk.

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Contemporary handles for a dressing table

I'm repainting a Thirties dressing table in a mix of dark reds, and want to finish it off with contemporary handles. Do you have any pointers?
If you want something extra special and only need a few handles, look at the range at Haute Déco. Alternatively, try Graham & Green's pretty handles, right, from £2.95 each.

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Seventies-style geometric wallpapers

You once recommended a supplier of Seventies-style geometric wallpapers, but I've lost the details. Could you remind me of the company's name?
It was a German company called Wallpaper From The 70s. You should also look at the Revival range from Tres Tintas, which is stocked in the UK by Paper Moon, and Graham & Brown's range of geometrics.

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Does magnetic blackboard paint exist?

Is it possible to buy magnetic emulsion? I want to create a blackboard area on my kitchen wall, and it would be very useful if it were magnetic, too.
Visit magneticpaintshop.co.uk. Paint a few coats – the more the better – of this product before top coating with standard blackboard paint. Mostly, it's a paint mixed with iron filings, so magnets will stick to it, but I'd stress that it's not as strong as sticking a magnet to the steel of your fridge, so don't expect to hang all manner of things off your wall, maybe just lighter weight alphabet letters and so on. If you want to create a stronger magnetic wall, then it's possible to bond a sheet of steel to the wall, paint it with primer, undercoat and topcoat for a far more usable surface. You may want to consider the magnetic paint for more complex shaped surfaces, and it is safe for use in children's rooms.

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Stylishly textured wallpaper for a hallway

I'm after a stylish textured wallpaper for below the dado rail in my hall. All the books I've looked at are full of really dated designs. Is there an alternative?
Although traditionally suited to period interiors, Lincrusta (wallpaperdirect.co.uk) has a few modern designs, such as Sea Grass Matting, £109.99 per 10m roll. Or try Graham & Brown's Superfresco Paintable range of blown-vinyl wallcoverings, which are a good budget option at around £15 per 10m roll.

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Where can I track down brown blackboard paint?

I wonder if you can help me track down brown blackboard paint? I have a brown and cream kitchen and thought a strip of blackboard paint would be a great feature, and very useful. I've looked online, but can only find black and purple. There seems to be more of a colour choice in America, but the companies don't ship to the UK.
Good thinking – a blackboard is invaluable in a kitchen and a great way to make use of every surface. I ran an experiment to see whether you could use standard matt vinyl paint as a blackboard. It worked out fine, and you can still wipe it with a dry or damp cloth. Just paint some extra coats to cope with the wear and tear.

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Modern wallpaper for a bright bedroom

I have a bright, south-facing bedroom and wanted to redecorate by wallpapering one wall, but I'd like to find a design that will keep the room light and airy. Any advice?
If you want something modern, with a lightness of touch that won't be overbearing on your walls, then I'd recommend looking at the bold yet refined wallpapers by Erica Wakerly, like Construct, £49 per 10m roll. Buy online at printpattern.com.

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Framing and backing a large wall mirror

I have a large square mirror that measures 158cm sq. I would like to get it framed and backed so I could bolt it to the wall (it's very heavy). Do you know of any companies in London who could undertake such a task?
If you want a decent job, this is something that most picture framers should be able to do. I'd suggest you try Frame Factory Ten.

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Painting a coloured wall white

I have recently painted my (previously yellow) bedroom white. After three coats you can still see a slight yellow tinge. Is there a reason for the coverage being so poor (two of the walls are outside walls)?
As white paint is slightly translucent, it's quite usual for colour to still show through. I learned a clever tip from an art gallery – if you paint the wall with a mid-grey undercoat first, it deadens the wall's original colour, so when you paint over this with a good white trade paint (which costs a little more, but doesn't require as many coats), the initial paint shade won't be visible.

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Help me find stylish wallpaper for my home

We kept our flat neutral with the hope of selling, but, as the current market has forced us to stay put, we want to decorate. Our estate agents warned us off silvery floral wallpaper, but as we now have free rein, we'd love some advice.
There are many people in the same boat, but staying put is no bad thing, as it means you can have fun creating a true home. Graham & Brown may have your perfect wallpaper: take a look at Basso & Brooke's collection, from £35 per roll, including Chinoise, or Bijou in the Superfresco Easy range (£25 per roll) – you paste the wall, not the paper, which makes it ultra-easy to put up.

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How can I give my bedstead an antiqued look?

We want to give the wooden panelling and bedstead in our bedroom an antiqued look. Can you advise us on how to do this?
Rather than the shabby-chic method of waxing, painting and wire-wooling layers of paint, Mylands does something called Crackle Glaze, which the furniture trade uses to create the best effects. Paint the glaze over a base coat of emulsion and, while it's drying, add a top coat in another coloured paint. You can combine some fun shades if you experiment. Buy from theatrical suppliers Flints, from £29.10.

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Decorating tricks for a narrow hallway

I have a narrow (115cm) hallway, which I've painted white. I've hung three white-framed mirrors and laid Moroccan two-tone pink tiles. It's nice and bright, but it still looks like a tenpin bowling alley. Are there any tricks of the trade I'm missing?
Your best bet is to keep things neutral (either light and bright or dark and moody) then make sure the focus is kept on the ends of the hallway with, for example, coloured glass in the front door or artwork at one end of the room, to provide long-distance focus. Swap your collection of smaller mirrors for one large one – it will be more effective.

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Coloured plastic for door panels

I have a rather ramshackle, painted-pine kitchen, which I love, but which is looking old fashioned. I'd like to replace the glass panels in the cupboard doors with brighter coloured plastic to give it a more modern look. Could you advise me on where I could find some good-quality plastics that would suit this purpose?
Find out whether there's a shop-sign manufacturer nearby that can supply cut acrylics for you. If this draws a blank, or you get the brush off (it's always worth asking, but trying to persuade firms to do small jobs can be a bit hit and miss), then take a look at a great online Perspex supplier called theplasticshop.co.uk. You can arrange to get a number of coloured and tinted cast acrylics cut to size, and there's also the option to buy colour samples beforehand. It costs about £30-£50 per sq m, and you need to buy full sheets, but it is a good option for DIY fans. Finally, remember that acrylic is softer than glass, so be careful what you use to clean it, otherwise it'll scratch.

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How to introduce colour in an all-white flat

I wanted my flat to be all clean lines and, with that in mind, every room is painted white. The trouble is, the result is rather boring, almost clinical. I'd like to introduce more colour but, although I've added some with finishing touches, I really have no idea how best to use stronger shades. Can you give me any advice?
It's very difficult to advise on colour, as it so depends on individual taste, mood, and the space you live in. If you're planning to be more adventurous, it's worth reading up on the subject to inspire you and build your confidence. David Oliver's book Paint and Paper (£25, Conran Octopus) should give you some ideas.

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On the hunt for funky striped wallpaper

I've been looking for some funky striped wallpaper for my sitting room, but with no joy. All the designs I've found seem traditional. Could you help me track down a supplier of more modern interpretations?
You're right – there are a lot of trad stripes around. But don't despair – K&K Designs does a comprehensive set of about 50 combinations of different-sized coloured stripes. As you'd expect, it's called Stripes Only. Prices start at around £30 per roll for standard prints and head into the mid hundreds for digital.

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Seen any contemporary glass-panel doors?

We'd like to get more light into our flat's hallway and kitchen, and are considering replacing our doors with glass-panel ones. The problem is, everything we've seen looks dated.
There are contemporary styles out there, and Jeld-Wen is a good place to start. Take a look at the Meridian Hemlock range, which offers glazed panels in a simple frame, similar to the ones shown, but with four panels. Check with building control whether your new doors need to be fire rated (this will limit your options), but legislation on having self-closing mechanisms has been relaxed, so hopefully you won't have to fit these.

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Sourcing brick-shaped tiles with a flat edge

I'm having trouble finding brick-shaped tiles with a flat rather than bevelled edge. Have you seen any?
Johnson Tiles has just what you're looking for. The Prismatics range (£20 to £40 per sq m) comes in a number of sizes and more than 70 colours. You can specify edges to be rounded and glazed. You can also buy bath trims so you can tile around corners without the need for plastic trims and the silicone sealant gun. Available at most tile centres.

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On the hunt for a large Venetian mirror

I'm looking for a large Venetian mirror, roughly 1.7m high, to lean against my bedroom wall. The vintage one on the front cover of Livingetc January 2008 is the kind of thing I'm after. Any ideas where I might find one?
Most suppliers do sizes up to about 1.4m. The ones pictured are from Graham & Green, large (143 x 103cm), £750; medium (122 x 91.5), £475. Specialist producers, however, such as The Fairgreen Company can design and make one to your specification.

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Comic-strip-style wallpaper

I'm decorating my son's bedroom and would love to cover one wall in black and white, comic-strip-style paper. Do you know where I could find this?
I can picture what you're after, but it doesn't appear to exist. One option is to make your own by printing off enlarged scans or photocopies, or getting wallpaper made by a company such as 55 Max. The great thing about doing your own is that you can choose precisely what you want, rather than the pot luck of finding off-the-shelf designs. If you have young children, then E-Glue will make giant stickers from their drawings. It also carries a range of ready-made stickers.

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Tasteful 3D wall letters

I'm struggling to find tasteful 3-D wall letters. I've seen them a couple of times in different issues of Livingetc, but can't seem to find a supplier for them. Can you help?
More than likely, they're old shop signs from eBay or salvage yards. You can still get 3-D words made up from many shop-sign companies. BHMA does a range of trade shop letters, or try Morello Living for metal and wooden letters in different sizes and typefaces.

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Hot designer to watch

Hot designer to watch

I love the look of Eames furniture, but it seems everyone has it now. Are there any other designers from this era worth looking out for?
Jean Prouvé is probably the industry's other favourite designer for this particular 'industrial aesthetic', and his profile is rising following some retrospective exhibitions. Some pieces, including the Antony chair, £170 (right), are produced by Vitra (vitra.com). Otherwise, visit specialist 20th-century furniture stores, such as New York's B4 It Was Cool and Trainspotters in the UK.

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Glass room divider with a difference

We saw a TV programme recently where someone installed a glass room divider that you could change from clear to frosted at the flick of a switch. Can you tell us any more about it?
What you've seen is LCD glass. Working like a digital watch, the material appears milky until an electric current is passed through it, making it go clear. Priva-Lite is one of the most popular brands, but it doesn't come cheap. As a rough rule, it costs about £2,000 per sq m. It's often used for room dividers, but you can also have it made up into double glazing units for windows – perfect for bathrooms. To find out more, talk to DR Services.

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Looking for extra-wide roller blinds

Have you any idea where I can find extra-wide roller blinds? My conservatory has two windows roughly 3.5m wide.
Silent Gliss (silentgliss.co.uk for local suppliers) can make them up to 5m wide. Alongside the off-the-shelf options, you can also consider using a fashion or furnishing fabric and having it laminated to use for your blind, although it could double your costs. It's also worth remembering there are now simple electric mechanisms for operating them if the standard chain pull seems too much like hard work.

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Where can I find leopard-print wallpaper?

Any ideas where I can buy leopard-print wallpaper? It's for a room that's been painted black with a splash of neon pink, and has a punk rock theme.
Rather than going to 'Bet Lynch', check out the new Extravaganza wallpaper range from Brian Yates (£38.75 per roll), which includes a wonderful array of animal-print interpretations. They'll help you keep the look cool, rather than kitsch.

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Would a hanging fabric screen work as a room divider?

I have a studio flat, and would like to make a hanging fabric screen that pulls across to divide the sofa area from the kitchen. How can I make this work?
There are various rails, poles and clips around, but if you want a good, cheap, DIY option, Ikea's Kvartal curtain track (from £9.99) is a winner. It's a well-detailed set of components that'll give a slick end result with any fabric.

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On the hunt for metal bedside tables

About five years ago, we bought a gunmetal-grey bedframe from Feather & Black, but I am still searching for bedside tables to go with it. I've been looking for something quite boxy, as the metal of the frame is square, but most metal-framed bedside tables are rather ornate, and wooden styles don't look right. Any ideas?
There are a couple of black metal tables around that I really love, and that might work well for you. One option is Tom Dixon's pared-down cast-aluminium Link table, £190 from Nest, and another is the clean-lined, curved-edged cube Dadi table, £290 from Desalto.

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Feature splashback using wallpaper

We are having a new kitchen fitted and want to create a feature splashback using a layer of glass over the top of some striking wallpaper. It needs to be hard-wearing, to prevent damage to the wallpaper from heat, steam and water. Is it possible to do this?
Yes, it's entirely possible, and makes a fun change from all the back-painted glass we see. Use low- iron glass, such as Optiwhite, and have it toughened. It's more expensive than normal glass, roughly £70 per sq m, but it will ensure the colours of the covered and uncovered wallpaper don't vary. Seal exposed edges with a small bead of clear silicone.

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Attractive radiator fixings

Do you know of any attractive, unobtrusive radiator fixings on the market? I have polished-steel, single-column school-style radiators, so ugly fixings would ruin the look. Can you suggest anything?
I think you'll struggle to find anything nice off the shelf. I'm a big fan of local metal workers. They can create bespoke fittings, which shouldn't be too expensive. For a neater overall look, you can get them to grind the welds. The fittings can then either be finished in a similar style to the radiators, or primed so you can paint them in situ.

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Free-standing screen for the bedroom

I'm looking for a free-standing screen that I can use in the bedroom to cover the corner where I keep my computer and work bits. Any ideas?
I've found two stylish metal designs. First, Andrew Tye's interpretation of my favourite screen by Eileen Gray, in a very slick range of coloured anodised aluminium finishes, from around £1,300 (tye3d.com). Second, from the Netherlands, are the beautifully woven Vider screens by Mark Jan Meerdink for Winoldi, produced in a mix of aluminium and rubberised materials, with prices from £2,600.

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Wood burner for a modern home

I'm looking for an interesting (preferably suspended) wood or multi-fuel burner for my very modern house. I'm sure I have seen one featured in your magazine in the past. I hope you can help me.
Any mention of suspended fireplaces and there's one name that instantly springs to mind – Dominique Imbert. Since the Sixties his highly individual, sculptural takes on the traditional fireplace have always been sensational. Take the Gyrofocus, that swivels through 360°, directing the heat in the room. Available in the UK through Diligence.

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Help! I'm trying to find tiles like those featured in Orla Kiely's house

I loved the tiles in Orla Kiely's house so much that I kept the July 2005 issue for the day I owned a house with a fireplace. That day has come, but I can't find the tiles. I even contacted Orla herself, who kindly told me that they are called tile slips. But I still haven't had any luck finding them.
These 15x5cm tiles have fallen out of favour, which is why you can't find them anywhere. Your best solution is to buy standard 15x15cm tiles (available in a far greater number of colours), then cut them into strips. Ideally, they should be cut on a water-lubricated saw, so it may be sensible to get a tiler to make them up for you. The other benefit of this approach is that you can vary the thickness of the strips, so you have more design freedom.

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Bespoke timber and glass staircase

I have dreamt of having a staircase made of thick wood, with coloured turquoise glass as treads. I've looked on specialist websites and as fabulous as the staircases are, I can't believe they need to cost £20k! I've seen a couple of examples in Livingetc and wondered if you could suggest a coloured glass manufacturer that would fit a staircase and a timber merchant that would supply the wood?
This type of bespoke staircase will always be pricey. Don't be tempted to try saving costs by sourcing from different manufacturers, as it could end in tears. It needs expert design, detail, fabrication and installation, so my recommendation would be to go with someone like Bisca.

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Tracking down black string

I have a brass standard lamp which I'd like to cover in black string, but I'm struggling to find any. Have you any ideas?
There was a brief trend in the early Eighties for furniture that was completely wound in a kind of hessian-type rope-like sash cord. It looked pretty good actually and I always thought it was a nifty way of transforming old furniture. It was usually left natural, but there's no reason why it couldn't be painted up. There are various trades from where you can buy cord and rope, such as haberdashers, boat chandlers, climbing shops, and hardware stores. Jimmy Green Marine has a good online selection.

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Floral wallpaper that's not overdone

I've been searching for some bold, flowery-type wallpapers and have been overwhelmed by the choice. It's for a whole room, so I don't want it to be too overbearing. Any ideas?
A lot of the trendy wallpapers have been a little over exposed, so I've picked out some lesser known patterns from Jocelyn Warner. You could try something simple but strong, such as her fantastic Flora design in Slate (top right), £59 per 10m rol, or Leaf Blue/Lilac (right), £99 per 10m roll.

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How can we make our lounge feel bigger and brighter?

It's overshadowed by a neighbouring development and often feels closed in and gloomy. The lounge has a central pendant lamp and a corner floor lamp.
To really create a feeling of space, light the furthest wall that you first see when you enter the room, as lit areas appear further away. Another trick is to flood light into the four corners of the room. Try complementing the pendant with spotllights that will illuminate the walls better and add an overall more ambient light.

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Sourcing trendy doors

We've had an extension done, and need new doors for the ground floor, but all the ones we've seen are dreadful. Does anyone make trendy doors these days?
They're not as easy to find as you'd think. New building regulations mean a development of a Victorian home may require old pine doors to be replaced with firedoors – always check with your local council. The big manufacturers come up with the odd tasteful design (although attractive firedoors are still thin on the ground), and check out Jeld Wen's new Shaker range, from £164.50, and Dooria's Fjordtre doors, from around £66.

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Sourcing cut cylindrical fire logs

We have a working fireplace in our living room and would love to find a company that can supply us the kind of cut cylindrical fire logs we always see in the Livingetc photo shoots. Most companies we've found are based in the North.
Remember London is a smokeless zone, which means burning anything that produces smoke is illegal. So, real logs will need to be for show, rather than use. You can buy bags of cut-to-size hardwood logs from the bigger garden centres, such as capitalgardens.co.uk. For information on smokeless zones and what approved fuels you can burn, visit uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk.

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Loose covers for a Modernist-style sofa

We have inherited a Modernist-style sofa which we want to have loose covers made for. We don't want to go for patterned fabric, but are rather looking for blocks of colour. Which do you think are the best fabric options for this type of sofa?
If you step into any decent store and sit on an expensive sofa, chances are it'll be covered in Bute fabric. It's the favourite fabric of architects and designers. Manufacturers on the idyllic Scottish isle of Bute produce a beautiful range of top-quality, colourful, natural wool weaves. New from Bute Fabrics is Barber Osgerby's Skye range, and that would be my first choice. It's available in 36 richly toned colours and costs around £70 per m.

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Glass globes for a banister post

I have a beautiful banister that originally had glass globes on top of the posts. Unfortunately I only have one left, although it's in very bad repair. It's about 3in in diameter, and I would like to repair it, and also find replacement globes. Any ideas how to go about this?
The posts are called newel posts, and are topped with a newel cap. The cheapest solution may be to use glass or acrylic door handles (from DIY stores). If you need a perfect sphere to glue in, it's possible to buy clear plastic juggling balls in various sizes. A 3in ball costs around £25, from Oddballs.

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Polaroid-sized photo frames

I can't seem to find any frames made for polaroid-sized photos. Do you have any suggestions?
There really isn't anything readily available. Any picture framer can make custom frames, so you could mount a series in one go. And surface mounting using coloured pins and clips may be a better solutions that cut-out picture mounts. The Lomographic Society has an excellent Fotoclip system that allows you to build 3-D assemblages that can be hung, pinned to the wall, or free-standing. You could also make a mini-shelf by painting timber mouldings and mounting them to the wall.

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Sourcing suede off-cuts

I recently stayed at a cottage where the owner had placed remnants of suede on a sofa as antimacassars. I've searched the internet, but it's hard to locate a company that will sell small pieces of suede to an individual. Can you help?
Try London leather wholesaler Alma, who has branched out into interiors products. But you should find that any wholesaler will take individual orders if you arrange a visit. It's essential to see the material you're buying, so avoid buying anything over the internet unless you can get a sample first. Your best bet may be to go to local upholsterers, who are likely to have samples of suede as well as synthetic alternatives such as Alcantara, which is available in loads of colours.

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Feature radiators for the stairwell

Could you suggest a feature radiator for our stairwell? The walls are currently painted a dark purple with doors and architrave in silver grey. The floor has grey tiles. The wall measures 1.7m wide and over 3m high, so we'd like to use it for something really special, as we feel a standard radiator will spoil the look of the space.

There's a very special radiator called Excel from Stelrad (from around £850, stelrad.com) that I've had my eye on. It's a stunning lattice design, comes in matt black as standard and is marketed as a room divider/screen too. The benefit of the lattice is that it reveals the colour of the wall behind so merges into the space better than a big block radiator on the wall. Available through most heating centres and merchants, such as Plumb Centre and Jewsons.

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Statement cushions

I have a lush new grey wool sofa that I'd like to fill with colourful, eclectic cushions. Any suggestions?
One of the most interesting and under-used fabrics around is the punchy African Wax Prints, found mainly in Nigeria and Ghana. Known as Dutch or Super Wax it's hard to get hold of good examples in the UK, but try africanfabric.co.uk, middlesextextiles.com and vlisco.com. For ready-made cushions check out Multistorey's Adé range, £45 each.

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Locating antique enamel stoves

I'd really like advice on where to find old enamel stoves. I want a wood-burning type for the summer house, and I remember seeing some very decorative ones when I was holidaying in Portugal.
There really are some fabulous and very affordable antique stoves available, generally imported from France by enthusiast traders such as Stovefinders and Le Calipel. Historic names to look out for are Surdiac and the ubiquitous Godin. It's essential to adhere to building regulations, which will require that the flue, ventilation and hearth setting are safe, so get it fitted and checked over by a professional installer (look at hetas.co.uk and solidfuel.co.uk). Remember that in built-up areas you might have to use smokeless fuels.

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Decorating with tartan

We've recently carpeted the hall and stairway in our Victorian house with a Murray of Athol tartan pattern. However, we're now finding it difficult to decorate the walls in a colour that complements the carpet as opposed to making it look old-fashioned. There's a large amount of wall space to cover and a lack of natural light. Any suggestions?

Don't feel obliged to directly lift the colours in the carpet – it's making a big enough statement as it is. Cool things down with more neutral tones on the walls, starting with a white sample card from Farrow & Ball Farrow & Ball. This will help you pick tints that have a hint of colour to link with the carpet, plus Farrow & Ball's paints are of a quality that can be lacking in high-street options. I love a tartan carpet in a modern interior and there are some wonderful clan classics to choose from – just take a look at Stevens & Graham's collection of more than 50 designs (www.tartanrugs.com) and Brinton's Abbotsford range for more muted styles.

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Wall posters

I've seen a very large poster of woodland that covered a wall. Where can I get something similar?
The classic scenes, such as paradise beaches and rainforests, are often sourced through film and display companies. Roy Bell has a brilliant range of large-format posters, the largest of which is 2.7 x 1.9m and costs around £130. Grahan & Brown also has a new range of digital murals, measuring 1.83 x 2.6m, which cost £75 each. You're bound to find something to suit.

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Increase ceiling height

I've just bought a new condominium in the US. It has very modern lines, but the ceilings are low (only 8ft high). Could you give me some tips on what I can do to make the ceilings appear higher? Are there certain paint colours, trims, mouldings, etc I should be using to help trick the eye?
The most important thing is to keep the ceiling free from clutter. That means no central lighting features, mouldings or decorative effects. Keep any feature colours and ornaments at a low level to hold the eye's attention down and away (this is a well-known technique for controlling what people 'see' of your home, and a tactic employed by canny people selling properties that have certain, er, less attractive areas). You can use lighting to trick the eye, too – go for uplighters that will widen and lift the top half of the room. Furniture and features help the effect, providing they have visual weight and look rooted and not too 'top-heavy'. It might sound obvious stuff, but your best bet is to keep the room as light and bright as possible, with plenty of white or pale colours. This will increase the sense of space in all aspects, as well as doing the trick as far as the ceiling height is concerned.

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Acrylic paint

I've moved into a rundown terrace and am about to embark on a spot of painting to spruce it up a bit. The question is, can I use eggshell on the woodwork, or do I have to use gloss paint that will smell the house out?
I agree that oil-based gloss paint is a pain, as it stinks, takes ages to dry, and is a total faff to clean off brushes. The good news is you can now get gloss (and eggshell) in an acrylic, which is water based, doesn't smell and dries in a couple of hours - much better all round. Oil-based paints are generally on their way out now, as legislation is coming in aimed at tackling green issues and disposal problems. If you're not in the know, some shops will always sell you the gloss first, because they can sell you a million other items, like the solvent cleaners and extra brushes, along with it, so make sure you ask.

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Exotic design

I want to create a 'far away' look in my bedroom, incorporating Indian prints, Moroccan style and Oriental chic, but I just don't know where to start when it comes to putting the look together. Can you tell me how it's done?
You're trying to mesh together a lot of looks here. Focus on just one style, as this will really help with sourcing the furniture and furnishings, and picking a colour scheme to fit. Before you start shopping, do a little research. Visit museums and galleries, check out locations such as bars and shops, and look through books and magazines. Pick up a feel for the colours and motifs you really like, and note them down as a guide to help you shop. I'd start by picking your soft furnishings, as these can then be used to specify paint colours for the room. When looking for furniture, concentrate on getting the shape you're after, as it can always be painted. Don't mix too many patterns and keep in mind your initial research, as it will help you keep on track. Lastly, you're not under pressure to complete everything in one big hit - the best schemes are often those that have evolved over time.

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Decorative bedroom panels

I'm redecorating our bedroom and would like to hang three panels of bold wallpaper or fabric behind the bed. Can you recommend a manufacturer or is there a way to make my own? I'm sure I've seen something similar in the magazine but have checked through back copies and can't find anything.
I've noticed several people selling similar panels made from old dress and upholstery fabrics on eBay, so it's not hard to make your own. First, source a fabric, either new or second-hand, then you're ready to judge the size of frame you need. Don't buy a frame first, as you want to make sure you can fit entire patterns, or allow enough space around a detail to show it off at its best. Lots of art shops make bespoke frames at a reasonable cost, or log onto www.stretchershop.co.uk. With wallpaper, you could simply paste it onto panels of MDF.

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Chrome plating

I have a set of brass handles from a Paris flea market, which I love, but I'd prefer it if they were silver. Is it possible to have them coated?
You will need to get them chrome plated and you'll find platers listed under Metal Finishers in your local telephone directory. Nottingham Platers Ltd (01159 784637) is nearest to you. It has a minimum order of £50, but, depending on how intricate the items are, you could get a few pieces plated for this price. First the item has to be chemically stripped, polished and possibly repaired before any plating can be done. It's a pretty straightforward process and a really great way of updating an architectural relic. Nottingham Platers has even made the bog-standard radiator look chic by chroming it.

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Getting rid of Artex

I've lived in my bungalow for 15 years and am still upgrading everything in it. The place was built in the Sixties and one of the biggest problems is that the ceilings were Artexed, and we're finding it hard to remove or paint over. Any tips?
The best advice I have came from an experienced plasterer, who said the only way to tackle Artex was to 'rake' it to break off the tips, then have the ceiling skimmed with plaster for a smooth surface. Stripping and repairing the ceiling wouldn't be as cost effective or give you the superior results of replastering.

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Displaying treasures

I'm fascinated by textiles and have gathered quite a few pieces while on my travels, including small items of clothing. Can you suggest an interesting way to display this disparate collection?
Collections are always good conversation pieces, so the living room is often the best setting for a display. Try getting a Perspex box frame. Or why not have a large frame made up with a fabric-covered pinboard backing and affix collages of items within it? This way, you can take items out and add new ones as the fancy takes you.

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New phone

I'd love an old-fashioned phone, but my partner thinks it would be out of place in a modern house. Can you help me persuade him otherwise – and tell me where I can buy one?
Take it from me, he's wrong. We bought one from eBay and it's a real joy to hear that old ring and use the spinning dial. Because old phones work by pulse dialling, not digital tone dialling, you'll need to check compatibility with your phone-line provider (BT and Telewest are fine). They don't access automated phone systems that ask you to dial a digit, though, so you may need a standard phone as well (your partner can choose this one!). Check out Telephone Lines in Cheltenham. It has a huge choice of reconditioned phones, from Bakelites to Candlesticks.

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Modern upholstery

I have two wonderful Victorian grandmother and grandfather chairs that have been separated for the last 30 years. I have recently been given the grandmother chair and I'm now keen to update them both by re-covering them, maybe in some kind of suede or a Paul Smith-inspired striped fabric. Where can I find a supplier of material that doesn't cost the earth?
Furnishing fabrics can cost a lot but there is the odd manufacturer who does great fabrics for less, the best-known being Malabar. For a suede effect, take a look at its Shamois collection, available in about 40 colours, or for rich stripes there's a superb spectrum in its Teguzigalpa and Tarifa books. Your local upholsterer should have these ranges on file, and you can look online, too.

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Magnificent mirrors

I've taken loads of tips and inspiration from Livingetc while decorating my flat, but now I have a very specific request. I'm trying to track down a statement mirror for my living room, but I can't find anything that fits the bill. Any ideas? I don't want anything retro.
I've seen a few trendy smashed mirror designs in the distant past that were really amazing, and recently Tonelli has produced its own magical version called Stati d'Animo (State of Mind). It comes as single split concave and convex squares (available from www.nest.co.uk) that can be assembled to create a random mix of mirror angles. The finished effect is more art piece than mirror, so you can create something that's individual to your home. You don't get much more wow than that.

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