Farrow & Ball has introduced the Broccato Papers, their latest collection of traditionally made wallpapers, uniquely crafted using Farrow & Ball paint printed onto paper.

Broccato Papers is comprised of six delightful wallpapers, inspired by the Italian Renaissance period.

Named after the Italian translation for ‘brocade’, all six designs within the collection are stimulated by the rich decorative fabrics featured in 14th and 15th century Renaissance paintings, housed at the National Gallery.

• There is a choice of ten colourways for each pattern, from soft neutrals and pretty pastels to bolder colours and metallic accents.

• The collection includes a number of new colours, including the soft mauve Brassica and lead-toned grey Plummett.

• Crivelli Rose in our picture is a classic brocade pattern, featuring extravagant plumes of oak tree and acorn motifs in majestic rosettes, linked by intricate wheat-inspired trellising.

• Crivelli Trellis the corresponding design, is a simple and delicate wheat-detailed trellis.

About
Farrow & Ball has been making paint in Dorset, England one batch at a time, since the company was founded and remains one of only a few companies making a full range of traditional and modern paint finishes of the highest quality.

Please visit the website to view the entire charming Broccato Papers wallpaper collection.
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Crown Paints Ltd have just launched Crown Vintage® - a cool compilation of paint colours inspired by a continuing love of all things vintage.

Created in collaboration with Wayne & Gerardine Hemingway, Crown Vintage® celebrates Music, Fashion, Film, Art & Design over 5 decades of British fashion.

Featured here are the colours for the 60’s and 70’s.

Key benefits:
A range of stunning colours taken from across five decades.
Flat matt emulsion for use on interior walls & ceilings.
Breatheasy® - 99% solvent free formulation.

Pack sizes: 2.5L.
How to apply: Brush or roller.
How far will it go: 35 sq metres.
Drying times: Touch dry 2-4 hours Recoatable after 4 hours.
VOC statement: Minimal.

To view the whole range of Crown Vintage® colours and for stockists, please visit the website.

Call the Paint Talk Team on: (0870) 2401127.

Pots of Paint offer hardwearing 100% natural emulsion and eggshell paints, in glorious pigment-rich tones with a natural chalky finish.

Developed by interior designer and architectural historian Edward Bulmer and kind to people and the surroundings, they are prepared with only sustainable raw materials, such as beeswax, milk casein and linseed oil.

The very special depth and intensity of the paints colour is due to the natural pigments, obtained from plants and minerals.

This is shown to perfection in Pots Of Paint’s assortment of ten wonderful blues, where the authentic hues of sea, sky, meadow and garden, create an inspiring palette of truly natural colours.
Good design, naturally!

• Featured here from left to right are: Duck Egg, Ethereal Blue, French Blue and Navy Blue.

• Other blues available are, from left to right: Sky Blue, Fair Blue, Aerial Tint, Sea Green, Cerullian Blue, Garter Blue.

• Prices start from £25.00 for 2.5 litres.

To view the complete range of Pots Of Paint’s 100% natural paints, please visit the website.

Tel: (020) 7352 5616

Why not update your home’s exterior or garden, with Farrow & Ball’s new colours this spring, to create trendy new looks in time for summer?

Their attractive and hard-wearing range of eco friendly exterior paint finishes, many available in all 132 paint colours, are produced using the same high quality ingredients as their interior finishes, enabling you to maintain the Farrow & Ball look for the outside of your home.

Farrow & Ball recommends the following colour combinations, to create wonderful schemes for doors and windows, exterior masonry and your garden:

Front Doors, Windows and Window Boxes

• Window boxes painted in colours like Card Room Green or Oval Room Blue will enhance any exterior, but be careful not to use more than three colours on the front of your house or it can begin to look confused.

• Paint your front door and window boxes the same colour, but try using two finishes for added interest – Full Gloss on the door and Exterior Eggshell on the boxes.

• Classic colours such as black and red are very smart for front doors - try Pitch Black and Incarnadine for a classic, stylish look.

• Other popular front door colours include Plummett, Studio Green, Black Blue and Hague Blue, which in Full Gloss could not be more elegant. On the other hand Blue Gray or Lichen in Exterior Eggshell will give a more relaxed and contemporary feel.

Exterior Masonry

• In keeping with its name, why not try Oxford Stone in Exterior Masonry Paint for exterior walls.

• For the urban exterior, try Manor House Gray on windows and frames with Railings on the front door, all in Exterior Eggshell. These colours work extremely well with Cornforth White on masonry, which is stylish but not too cold.

All 132 Farrow & Ball colours are available in Exterior Eggshell and Full Gloss, both of which can be used outside for your exterior doors, windows and garden furniture. The Exterior Masonry Paint is also available in over 100 colours.

To view the fabulous Farrow & Ball ranges of exterior paints and colour choices, please visit the website.
Tel: (01202) 876141

We all like our homes to look nice and have grand plans for decorating, even having already decided on the colour of paint for the walls.

But dealing with problems such a stained ceiling, uneven walls or holes in the plastering, can often mean that the fun part of decorating is put off to another day.

Polycell can show you how to easily deal with these problems with a series of easy-to-follow videos, showing you how to get walls and ceilings in tip top shape ready for decorating:

• Want to get rid of stains on your white ceiling?
  Use Polycell Crack-Free Ceilings has been formulated to permanently cover both stains - such as nicotine - and cracks up to 5mm wide.
• It also dries to a pristine Pure Brilliant White finish, so you don’t need to worry about over-painting with an emulsion afterwards. So that’s a stain-free, crack-free, flawless ceiling in just one tin, and in just one coat!

http://www.polycell.co.uk/guides/cover_stains_and_hairline_cracks_on_ceiling.jsp

• Want to turn walls that are uneven and plagued with cracks and blemishes into perfectly smooth surfaces ready for painting?
  Use Polycell SmoothOver for Damaged Walls to quickly and easily get rid of them.
  All you need to do is roll the product onto the wall or ceiling, in half metre square areas to cover the texture and then use a smoothing tool to smooth the surface in an arc motion.
  Once dry, you can lightly sand over any tramlines or irregularities for a smooth finish - job done!
• The SmoothOver range includes a variety of products to quickly and easily cover a variety of textured services, including textured walls and ceilings.

http://www.youtube.com/user/PolycellUK#p/u/13/3gqe3Tbu7wY

• Want to permanently cover over an unsightly damp patch and prepare for decorating?
  Use Polycell Damp Seal - simply paint generously over the affected area and its immediate surroundings and leave to dry overnight before painting or wallpapering - no specialist knowledge or equipment is required and the damp patch is gone for good.

http://www.polycell.co.uk/guides/permanently_cover_damp_patches.jsp

The 10 handy videos are jargon-free and have been designed so that they can be paused mid-stream, to enable to you work in tandem with the experts.

The tutorials give a step-by-step guide to using Polycell pre-deco products, enabling novice DIYers to prepare like a professional for decorating.

To view the videos and for practical advice on choosing and using Polycell products, please click on the links above.

Polycell pre-deco products are available from B&Q, Homebase, Focus and leading DIY retailers.
Polycell Tel: 08444 817 817.

Charles offers a mix of nostalgic wallpapers, combining classical and archive-inspired motifs with contemporary designs from the Sandberg Studio, all interpreted in true Sandberg style.

The collection encapsulates the spirit of adventure and travel from a bygone era: sophisticated, elegant, avant-garde but essentially timeless.

Drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of sources, including old luggage, maps, books, buttons, men’s’ tailoring and shoes, Charles is a reassuringly easy collection to work with.

It can be used equally effectively to paper either a signature wall or all four walls, and harmonises effortlessly with the existing fabrics in the Sandberg portfolio.

Albert: An elegant, classical diamond pattern, inspired by the fine detailing on buttoned sofas.

Arthur: An enchanting medallion pattern, reminiscent of the inside of an old book cover. A charming, small-patterned wallpaper, which will work well on all four walls of a room.

Charles: Charles is an elegant, marbled-effect paper, adapted from the covers of antique books.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand resembles an antiquarian map, but look more closely and you can discern some of the animals from the Leonard fabric, as well as motifs from Greek mythology and sailing ships from yesteryear.

Harry: Paying homage to men’s suiting, Harry is a chic design based on a classic herringbone tweed pattern.

James – in our picture: A vintage design celebrating the era of elegant travel, James depicts old luggage labels from trips all over the world.

Leopold: A dramatic wallpaper with a witty undertone, depicting lions in a stylised forest setting.

Margret: A pattern originating from 1929, Margret is a delicate floral wallpaper with a very subtle effect.

Mr. & Mrs. Collins: Mr & Mrs Collins are clearly a stylish couple, and this whimsical design celebrates elements of their carefully co-ordinated wardrobe!

Peggy: A charming paper, based on a dainty floral motif discovered in a hut, which dates back to 1870, situated on the island of Dalarö,.

Philip: A versatile, sophisticated stripe based on men’s’ shirting fabrics.

Stephen: A small-scale plaid in a highly useable range of colours.

The screen-printed papers come in four-panel rolls for ease of hanging. They are also fully washable, making them not only decorative but highly practical as well.

All the Sandberg wallpapers are manufactured using sustainable resources from Scandinavian forests.
Little Greene distributes them exclusively in the UK. Visit the website to view the unique new collection.

Tel: (0845) 880 5855

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.

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.