Interiors are continuing their love affair with prints for the new season.

House Couturier’s stunning toile du jouy prints on wallpaper, fabric and lamps are a stylish way of incorporating the trend into your home.

The stunning new range of Toile du Jouy printed wallpapers, are available in classic black and cream, or for a softer look choose from cornflower blue (pictured here), pale lime or pastel pink.

House Couturier’s Toile du Jouy wallpapers and lamps add a touch of French style to your home and with a selection of modern pastel colours or vibrant brights will work in most interiors for an on-trend look.

Toile de Jouy is a type of decorating pattern consisting of a usually white or off-white background, on which a repeated pattern depicting a fairly complex scene, generally of a pastoral theme.

House Couturier’s Jardin Toile Wallpaper is perfect for a feature wall and is developed from an antique French Toile print:

• The Wallpaper is available in 10 colours.High quality, 180gsm wallpaper with a smooth, matt print surface and non-woven backing (paste-the-wall).

• Wallpaper: Double rolls (10.40 sq mtr) @ 10 metres x 52cm per roll.

• Pattern repeat - 104 cm W x 63 cm H.

• Prices: £159.00 per single roll; £245.00 per double roll.

Lamps available as table and standing versions (bases available in several colours). Priced from £495.00 each.

Visit the House Couturier website to view the ranges.

Tel: (0207) 371 9255

Georgia Horton’s wonderful handmade wallpapers take their inspiration from the natural world.

Designing on a grand scale, she has a fresh, contemporary take on foliage and flowers, bringing them right up to date with her unique illustrative style and colours.

The four new natural designs from ‘The One Collection’ - include the highly architectural ‘Pavilion Palm’ to the complex tangle of Morning Glory in ‘Follow Me’ – are each available in four stock colourways, or can be custom coloured to order.

Because Georgia Horton’s wallpapers are hand-printed using hand-mixed inks, even her more ‘neutral’ colourways have extraordinary clarity and depth.

The 10 metre rolls come in 20”or 27” widths according to pattern and cost from £140 per roll.

Georgia is a British artist, brought up in Southern Africa, she later trained in Italy as a fine artist ; studying architectural restoration and pointillism, fresco and trompe l’oiel, before returning to Africa to work with traditional and fashion textiles.
Now based in London, her highly illustrative wallpapers combine themes of light and texture, symmetry and spatial illusion.

Her handmade wallpapers are available at Liberty, Regent Street and can be bought direct from the Georgia Horton website.

Tel: (01795) 530755

If that tired old shed at the bottom of the garden is more eyesore than eye-catching, then it’s time to take action, with a makeover that will restore it to its former glory.

And, no matter what the transformation you have in mind – be it from shed to home office, to den for the kids, or simply a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind – Sadolin has a woodstain just perfect for the job.

Shed to Hideout – It’s Child’s Play with Sadolin
Give the kids a treat by creating their very own ‘club house’.  Available in a choice of 45 shades from soft pastels through to more vivid hues, Sadolin Superdec (RSP: £14.99/ 1 litre can) gives a stylish opaque, paint-like finish and is a great way to breathe new life back into your old shed.

Easy to apply and maintain, it also helps get the job done quicker, while offering tough weather protection and a resistance to blistering and flaking that means it’ll stay looking good for longer.

Brighter shades such as ‘Lapis Lazuli’In our picture are particularly child-friendly.
Alternatively something a little more subtle, such as ‘ Pea green can be just as playtime-perfect, especially when accessorised with some colourful blinds and toys, but will be a better complement to a more traditional garden.

A Grown-Up Retreat
Ever dreamed of your very own escape at the bottom of the garden?  Then a lick of Sadolin Superdec could be all that’s required to transform your run-down shed into the ideal bolt-hole.

Choose a pastel shade such as ‘Monaco’, accessorise with pretty gingham blinds, scatter a few cushions, train some luscious honeysuckle over the roof and pot up a rose by your door and you’ve got the dream summer hideaway.

A Practical Space
And of course sometimes your humble shed really is just a humble shed, the place you store the lawnmower and other garden knick knacks and do your potting.  But just because it’s a practical space doesn’t mean it can’t look good too.

Sadolin Classic (RSP: £29.99/ 2.5 litre can) is a versatile woodstain that provides long-lasting protection against the elements.  The choice of the professionals, it is easy to apply and comes in 13 wood tones and 48 tinted choices.

For further information and inspiration, visit the Sadolin website.

Or call the Sadolin Advice Centre on (0844) 7708 998.

They say first impressions count, and that goes for property as well as people. A well presented home is not only more visually appealing, it’s more welcoming too.

So, spare a thought for the outside of your home, as in many ways, its exterior says more about you than the interior, because it’s there for all to see.

Follow the top three tips from Dulux for a quick and easy spring spruce up:

Welcome home.
Some believe the colour of your front door reflects aspects of your personality, with traditionalists choosing black or blue, extraverts opting for red and minimalists going for white.

Whatever shade suits you, it’s the condition of your paintwork that really matters. Flaking, peeling paint screams neglect and so reach for a can of:

Dulux Weathershield Exterior Gloss.

• This attractive high gloss paint can be used on both exterior wood and metal surfaces, so is ideal for front doors and its weatherproof film contains a crack and mould resistant additive, to keep your handiwork looking better for longer.

• To apply, simply sand down the door until you have a sound surface and then brush on.

• Dulux Weathershield Exterior Gloss is available in 10 colours plus Pure Brilliant White and has a RRP of £12.99 for 750ml.

• The more contemporary subtle-sheen finish, Dulux Weathershield Exterior Satin is also available in 10 colours.

Top Tip - newly painted doors should not be closed fully until paint is completely dry, so make sure you choose a mild day to do the job!

Finishing touches - give any metal door furniture a good polish, so that it shines just as brightly as your paintwork.

Wonder Walls
Painted masonry can look very smart, but once it starts to weather the thought of climbing up and down ladders laden with paint trays can be enough to deter even the most ardent DIY’er - unless you’ve heard about the revolutionary:

Dulux Weathershield Backpack Roller System.

• Up to twice as fast as a brush, this system dispenses paint from specially designed packs, directly onto a roller at the push of a button for mess-free, fast and easy painting.

• The system fits neatly inside a handy, ergonomically-designed rucksack that’s worn on the back, leaving hands free of paint tins and trays.

• Use with specially formulated BackPack Roller System Smooth Masonry Paint, for splatter-free application and a long-lasting finish.

• Formulated with a unique high performance acrylic resin that provides Total Protection against all types of extreme weather conditions, the paint finish is guaranteed for up to 15 years.

• The Weathershield BackPack Roller has a RRP of £49.99.

Dulux Weathershield BackPack Roller System Smooth Masonry Paint is available in five colours with a RRP of £24.99 for 5ltrs.

For further help and advice, please visit the Dulux website.

Wallpaper designer, Georgia Horton recently discovered an extraordinary treasure trove … an authentic part of Britain’s decorative history.

A perfectly preserved collection of vintage murals, dating from the early part of the 20th Century.

Part of a limited edition of wallpaper panoramas (The Original Scenic Mural Collection) the panels were printed by the iconic firm of Arthur Sanderson & Son in London, largely during the 1920’s.

All fully authenticated and still in their original wrappings, the murals’ colours are as bright and clear as the day they were printed and the paper is in perfect condition.

Sanderson used two methods in their production, hand screen printing and hand block printing; there are seven ‘scenics’ in the collection, with panoramic views of subjects such as Hyde Park and Kew Gardens, one of the longest murals in the collection.

Featured here is the Vintage ‘Kew Gardens’ Mural (circa 1926): 6.60m long, 4.49m high.

Hand-printed using 134 different blocks, the Kew Gardens mural is in 12 panels each 4.49m high.

Together they create a panorama with a total length of 6.60m.

This important mural can also be seen in London’s historic Eltham Palace, dating from its restoration by the Courtauld family in the 1930’s.

Now available to buy from Georgia Horton, the vintage Sanderson murals are in seven different designs, some with a choice of colourways.

Prices range from £987 to £1,974 depending on the size and complexity of the design. Availability is limited, as these murals will never be reprinted.

The Vintage Sanderson Murals at Georgia Horton:

• Hyde Park Frieze (1925) 3.56m long in 4 panels. Height: 56cm. £1,480.50.

• Kew Gardens Mural (1926) 6.60m long in 13 panels. Height: 4.49m. 5 different clourways. £1,974. Height: 3.20m. 2 colourways. £1,762.50

• Oriental Garden (early C20th) 6.93m long in 6 panels. Height:3.20m. £1,974.

• Scottish Highlands (1948). 3.56m long in 7 panels. Height: 3.05m. £1,316.

• Sung (early C20th) 2.95m long in 4 panels. Height: 2.74m. £987.

• Woodlands (early C20th) 2.92m long in 4 panels. Height 2.74m. £1,480.50.

Web:  http://www.georgiahorton.com

Tel: (01795) 530755

Homebase has launched a new value range - a collection of budget DIY essentials to help keep the costs down.

This collection of over 300 everyday essentials, including 150 for under £5, offers exceptional prices on the products.

From decorating and DIY, to home furnishings and finishing touches, the Value Range has everything you need for a home makeover:

“For the DIY enthusiast” Affordable hand tools including a 3m tape measure (99p), a 16oz hammer (£3.99), 6in junior hacksaw (£1.99) and a slotted screwdriver (99p).

“For keen decorators” Choose from a range of decorating essentials, including plain white wall tiles (£4.49 for a pack of 44), white matt paint (£5.99 for five litres) and lining paper (£2.24, to cover 5.6sq/m).

There is a choice of accessories including, a 500-watt floodlight (£4.99) basic roller kit (£2.49), step stool (£11.99) and paintbrushes from 49p

Other finishing touches for the home include beech laminate flooring (£10.61 for 2.66sq/m), polished brass internal door pack (£8.99) and a silver spotlight – pictured here. (£6.99).

“The new homeowner” Decorate in style for less with home essentials including a paper light shade (£2.49), beech bookcase (£12.99), toilet seat (£8.99) and a coir doormat (£3.99). You can even pick up a double duvet for £7.99 for the first night in your new bed.

“The kitchen connoisseur” With a great range of cookshop products on offer, there’s no excuse to keep out of the kitchen. Pick up a a 16-piece cutlery set (£2.99 and a 12-piece white porcelain dinner set (£5.99).

“The gardening guru” Get into your garden this summer with a range of gardening products including seeds (from 39p), terracotta pots (from 49p) and plants (from 99p).

Homebase is the UK’s second largest home improvement retailer and is recognised for choice, style and customer service.

Visit the Homebase website to view the whole Value range.

February Doesn’t Have To Mean The Blues…

At B&Q it means red or pink, orange, purple, green or even bold, funky neon for brave decorators.

This month, B&Q the leading home improvement and garden centre retailer, is proudly presenting its new Colours Collection of paints, with 33 new shades, all made from the highest quality ingredients and with the lowest VOC levels possible.

• Yellows & Oranges. Summer may seem a long way off, but bring a touch of sunshine into the home right now for an uplifting makeover.

• Yellow is a strong statement colour for 2010, and very versatile making even the darkest room feel fresh and outdoorsy.

• Vibrant orange evokes excitement and enthusiasm – ideal for an energetic exercise room or home office where you want to be inspired.

• New Neutrals. Lauren and Cocoa Bean are featured in our picture.

• Reds, Pinks & Purples. From Nursery and Pale Pink, through Raspberry Rush to Kings Red and Rich Red, B&Q is the place to go for sweet feminine pinks and bold seductive reds.

• Similarly from soft lilacs like Chloe, to Queens Mulberry and Forest Fruits, purples can be delicate or opulent and regal and work equally well as block colours or accents in a room.

To view the gorgeous new paint colours visit the B&Q website.

Be inspired by nature with the brand new Flora and Fauna wallpaper and fabric at House Couturier.

Using specimens of flora and fauna, the collection features exquisite handcrafted Chinoiserie designs, in delicate soft pastels and earthy tones.

Available on both traditional wallpaper and fabric, the wallpaper can be hand painted with gold or silver embellishments,while the fabric, printed onto velvet, double georgette silk or cotton drill, can be developed as fabric walling for an exquisite feature wall.

With a wide range of colour schemes and designs within the Flora and Fauna collection, House Couturier’s design team can work with you, to find the perfect colour and pattern tailored to your specific design.

The wallpapers and fabrics are printed in the UK and are suitable for residential and commercial environments.

Price and Details £196.00 roll - 10 metres roll; Repeat = 56 cm.
Web: www.housecouturier.eu

Tel: 0207 371 9255

Everyone is talking about eco paint or ‘green’ paint and with plenty of big names jumping on the green bandwagon, it is becoming apparent that some paint really is greener than others.

Pots of Paint (made by Aglaia) is 100% natural and one of the few true eco paints available, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to ‘traditional’ petrochemical based paints.

Ten reasons to choose natural paint from Pots of Paint.

• 1. Contains only sustainably produced raw materials.

• 2. Contains no synthetic solvents.

• 3. Allows walls to breath, preventing flaking, peeling and mould growth.

• 4. Does not create hazardous waste in its production.

• 5. Creates a healthy house, not one full of toxins.

• 6. Does not have a negative impact on health.

• 7. All ingredients are declared - Pots of Paint have nothing to hide.

• 8 Easy to apply, durable and long lasting.

• 9. Smells good and has a beautiful finish.

• 10. Comes in 50 fabulous, pigment rich colours.

Good design, naturally. Prices start from £29.50 for 2.5 litres.

These Natural Paints are available from the Pots of Paint website.

Tel: (01544) 388 535

Golden highlights shimmer through Georgia Horton’s bold, graphic designs, bringing a bright new look to the king of metals.

Drawn on a grand scale, the patterns in Georgia’s current collection originate from nature, combining fine illustration with upbeat contemporary style.

Hand printed, using hand-mixed inks, her colours have extraordinary depth…forming the perfect backdrop for lustrous gold detailing… and bringing new glamour to walls.

Georgia Horton’s 9 different designs each come in 4 colourways, including matts and metallics.

Hand printed using a silk screen process, they can also be re-coloured to special commission.

Featured here is Mikada: Imperial Mikado.
5121 - Gold/Silver on Black. 5122.
Repeat: 52cm/20.8inches. Join square. Roll length: 10mts/11yd.

The 10 metre rolls come in 20”or 27” widths according to pattern and cost from £167 per roll.

Each of the 9 different patterns in ‘The One Collection’ is available in 4 stock colourways and can also be re-coloured to special commission.

Available at Liberty, Regent Street and can also be bought direct from Georgia Horton’s website.

For stockists Tel: (01795) 530755