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

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

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

Dreamwall was formed by Hannah Coleman in March 2003, and is a leading UK wall covering provider specialising in Imitation Brick, Stone and Slate wall panels.

Dreamwalls flagship product is the unique ‘Rustic Brickwork Range: this product was designed totally in-house, so Dreamwall have full control over the design and specification.

The ‘Rustic Brickwork Range’ in our picture, was inspired by the many factory conversions created around the UK.

Once applied the product can perfectly mimic the charm of an old, weather-beaten brick wall, without the hassle and mess of building a real one.

Because a form of plastic called PVC is used to manufacture this range, it can be used in certain ‘wet’ areas as well.

In February 2006 Dreamwall began officially associating with Total Stone of Barcelona, offering the latest technology in Imitation Brick, Stone and Slate wall panels for the Interior and Exterior Market.

All of the company’s products have been created to allow easy DIY application for both the private and trade customer.

Dreamwall’s mission is to provide their customers with high quality products at an economical price, along with the highest standards of customer service; they aim to deliver their products to your door, within 14 - 28 days from order placement.

At the end of 2005 Hannah Coleman founded the UK Young Designers Range, showcasing the latest in cutting edge designs of wallpapers, glass tiles and art canvasses.

Dreamwall is a UK Mail Order Company, so all orders can be easily placed directly over the phone or by emailing Dreamwall’s head office.

Visit the Dreamwall website to view the gallery of wall panels available.

Tel: (01472) 750552

Email: info@dreamwall.co.uk

Daniel Croyle Ltd launched a brand new collection of designs at Decorex 09, inspired by the beauty of China and the simplicity of craft interwoven with a clean folk aesthetic.

After a very successful show in Birmingham in 2007 winning Best Wallpaper Design for his Charlie design, Daniel has five new fabric and four new wallpaper designs alongside an exclusive range of furniture.

All textiles and wallpapers are Hand Printed and Woven in the UK and the furniture is also produced in the UK; supporting British craft and helping reduce the impact on the environment caused by excess shipping.

On textile, Daniel brings his first woven collection headed by Shanghai Peonies (in our picture), a beautiful re-imagining of this classical flower, woven in rich colours and accented with a witty use of cross stitch, to create a traditional, yet contemporary look and feel..

The dynamic woven design Flash, is a vivid folk pattern that can be used in diverse ways. The collection is finished with Anchored Heart, a creative use of Daniel’s ‘craft style’ logo, itself taken from original Damask by him.

Daniel has transferred the charm of his peonies fabric design on wallpaper with a ‘small feathered’ surprise, to create Beijing Peonies.

Wallpaper - Beijing Peonies sold in 10M roll 68.5cm wide £69.00 per roll.

Fabric-’Flash’ Silk/Chenille woven fabric £94 per M. Prices Inc vat.

Continuing with the folk theme for this collection are two further paper designs, Andean and New Ikat, which play with their references and are displayed in flattering tones. Finally, a contemporary paper collection could not be complete without a bold stripe: Show Stripe.

Also available are two new printed designs, the classic Louis with a retro twist and Barcelona, an ultra alternative distressed design. Both fabrics are presented on beautifully hand carved chairs.

To view the complete new collection visit the Daniel Croyle website.

Tel: (0845) 459 2075

The new wall coverings at House Couturier add a fabulous texture to your walls and are a great way to update your walls for the new season.

From Chic Glamorous metallic grass to eco Jute, House Couturier are offering a new collection of paper backed wall coverings. (Backed with recycled paper).

Made from natural plant fibres, many are harvested annually, are rapidly renewable and some are biodegradable.

Metallic filaments are woven horizontally throughout the hemp for an unexpected shimmer, as seen in the Luxe Linen and Glam Grass collection.

Glam Grass is featured here:

A vertical textured wall covering with a uniquely modern texture in 12 colours.
Price: Silk - £135.00 metre = Width 94 cm untrimmed.
11 Metre Rolls.

While Zebra Grass, exudes exotic sophistication and employs the latest weaving technology, to create a vertical textured wall covering.

For the ultimate luxury, why not line your walls with the finest silk wall covering that include natural or metallic dupions, abaca, silk matka and silk twill?

Each piece is carefully laminated at the production process to preserve and add durability.

Prices: Silks - £135.00 metre.
Width 94cm untrimmed.
11 metre rolls.

These stunning wall coverings reflect the emerging trends for the new season, according to Georges Ickes at House Couturier.

“ Currently grey is experiencing resurgence on wall coverings, with our silver beech leaves in hemp, linen and silks and various shades of grey and lilacs proving popular.
For the autumn, we are being asked for pink and grey combinations with sheen, while there has been a surge in popularity with the traditional customer, for fresh intricate hand painted silk wall panels.”

Web: http://www.housecouturier.eu
Tel: (0207) 371 9255

Add a touch of traditional styling to your décor, with handmade velvets from House Couturier.

Traditional weavers create unique handmade velvets on 18th and 19th century looms in plain and jacquard silk velvets, which can be custom coloured.

The velvet can be created from a choice of archived prints, or from one of your own patterns, to co-ordinate with your existing interiors.

In rich sumptuous threads of red, teal, gold and plum, these fabrics will add depth and texture to your interiors, whether you feature them as fabric walling, a panel behind a bed, bedspreads, tablecloths, or cushions in your home.

Taffetas and Silks can also be hand woven and custom coloured, in an array of patterns and colours, from plain classics to pinstripe silks. Custom colouring is the same price as standard colours.

Silks velvets looms are 60cms wide:

Taffetas and silks from 137 cm wide to double width.

Minimum 25 metres.

Prices:

Hand loom custom velvets from £795.00 metre.

Taffetas and silks from: £49.00 metre.

Available from House Couturier at:

Web: http://www.housecouturier.eu/velvet.htm
Tel: (0207) 371 9255

Surface View has launched their new eshop surfaceview.co.uk/two, featuring a new range of ready-to-buy canvases and prints.

From their vast and uniquely beautiful image collections, Surface View have brought together some of their favourite images and made them available to buy as canvases, prints or mounted prints online.

All of the imagery is lovingly digitally re-mastered from the original sources and care is taken to respect the character and ´age worn´ beauty of the original image.

“Not everyone requires our bespoke service, and we wanted to offer a collection of canvases and prints that are ready-to-buy, in a range of formats and sizes,´ says Michael Ayerst, M.D. of Surface View.

These will comprise of images specially selected from the bespoke collection and will be available in the ready-to-buy range for one month only.”

Prices in the Surface View Two range start from £30.
Each month the website will also feature a selection of Specials.

Of course, if you want to explore further options, you can still visit the main Surface View site (www.surfaceview.co.uk), a whole new world of bespoke interior graphics, to browse hundreds more images, discover the murals, prints, blinds and specialist products available and find out how to specify your own preferences.

Their expertise within their field, has led Surface View to work with a number of prestigious galleries, museums and artists, which includes collections from the V&A, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime Museum and more…

To view the extensive Surface View collections visit:

Web: http://www.surfaceview.co.uk      

       http://www.surfaceview.co.uk/two

The Council of Mortgage Lenders recently reported that over 900,000 borrowers would now be in negative equity, as a result of the downturn in the property market.

They added that three in four of those have an average shortfall of between £6,000 and £8,000 so many homeowners now find themselves unable to move.

While a stagnant market could make you feel like you’re stuck on the same rung of the property ladder, why not make plans for when you can sell? Investing in some home improvements now could help claw back some of the value your property has lost.

There have already been a few small indications of recovery in the market recently - both Nationwide and Halifax have reported an average 1.5% rise in house prices in May, compared to almost 18 months of decline. Therefore now could be the perfect time to get your property into shape and ready for the recovery.

Adding significant value to your property, doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune on extensions, brand new kitchens or loft conversions; there are simpler and less expensive methods that could add considerably to your selling price.

So if current market conditions have left you unable to move, maximising the potential of your home is the next best thing. With a variety of ways to make improvements, to suit a range of budgets, it is possible to regain some of that lost value and prepare your biggest asset, for when the property market recovers.

Even if moving is a long way off yet, you can still enjoy the improvements you make whilst you live there!

Scroll down for some examples: