Arighi Bianchi the inspiring home interiors store is introducing a number of new ranges for its own label Merit Collection, including sofas, dining sets, beds and bedroom furniture.

The Merit Collection products comply with the store’s well-known design and presentation quality, but at surprisingly reasonable prices.

The initial new range to appear is the typically beautiful Ercol inspired Isola range of dining and occasional pieces, which is defined by its stimulating look and bold styling:

• The range is designed to fit effortlessly into classic and contemporary settings, with high-quality materials and practical finishing touches.

• Products include the Isola console table (£399) lamp table (£199), entertainment unit (£345), wide sideboard (£699), wide mirror (£129), coffee table, in our picture (£349), dining table (£455), upholstered chair (£199) and bookcase (£699) all crafted from a blend of oak veneers and sculpted solid oak legs,

Arighi Bianchi’s Merit Collection embraces over 290 traditional and contemporary design pieces, with a reliable level of quality and style that has become the Arighi Bianchi trademark. All are now available to buy online.

To view the entire collection, please visit the website.

Arighi Bianchi is one of Britain’s great ground breaking businesses and first began selling inspirational interiors from its Cheshire home in 1854.

The celebrated Sixties furniture brand, G Plan has become the latest prize buy among collectors of period possessions for the home.

G Plan furniture is proving to be a popular investment buy, as it is now being snapped up on E-bay and featured on TV programmes such as Boot Sale Challenge.

Said G Plan’s MD, George McGraw: “Original pieces around 40 and 50 years old are still in incredible condition, which just goes to show that investing in quality furniture really does pay in the long run”.

“The vintage look is on-trend and G Plan’s recently launched Classic Collections provide quality, timeless pieces which, as shown on these collectable TV Programmes, are a great investment that can be passed on from generation to generation.”

G Plan has maintained its brand values for design and inexpensive quality, as shown with its Classic Collections, including Matisse, Gainsborough and Heritage living and dining and Heritage and Monet bedroom ranges.

Each collection features an assortment of pieces made from durable veneers with a choice of finishes to suit all tastes and lifestyle requirements.

George added: “We aspire to offer pieces that stand the test of time that create a history and story around them.”

For more information on the G Plan Cabinet collections, please visit the website.

The launch of five new collections of beautiful and interchangeable bedroom furniture has been announced by The French Furniture Company.

The new collections, named Josephine, Venise, Louis, Regence and St Tropez have been carefully sourced by choosing striking pieces within the Ivory and Muted Silver colour pallet, to produce five complimentary ranges that can be mixed and matched to create a perfectly styled and distinctive look.

The Muted Silver finish is meticulously applied by hand, using delicate silver leaf by the craftsmen who make the furniture.

Upholstery in the Ivory ranges is Beige Linen, while the Muted Silver ranges are finished with either Fawn or Purple Dupion Silk and all of the handles on the furniture are of Antiqued Brass.

Pure style with the St Tropez Collection - pictured here:

• This beautiful collection is a fusion of the Regence collection and traditional French design.

• Features include: fluted legs and matching finials on the bed, dressing table and armoire.

• A bed, chest of drawers, bedside cabinets, dressing table and stools, armoire and bedroom chairs are also offered within this range.

To view all of the pieces in the French Furniture Company’s new collections, as well as their complete product range, please visit the website.

Tel:   (08450) 547528

G Plan Cabinets, one of the best known brands in British furniture, recommend that you care for your quality wood-crafted furniture from the possibly damaging rays of the sun, in order to maintain its good looks.

Says MD George McGraw: “Strong sunlight can wreak terrible damage on cabinet furniture – whether it’s dining tables and chairs, coffee tables, display cabinets or wardrobes.

“Constant exposure damages furniture by gradually weakening any protective polishes and fading the wood. Over time UV light will bleach the colour from it, beginning with magentas and deep reds and working its way through the spectrum.

“Strong sunlight may also dry the wood out and ultimately cause cracks and ‘bubbling’ which, if not treated in time, can ruin prized pieces.”

G Plan recommends the following action to avoid sun damage to your furniture:

Re-arrange furniture to keep it away from direct sunlight.

Where sunlight is unavoidable, place table cloths over the surface of affected pieces. Another simple solution may be to part draw a curtain to block out the sunlight.

Frequently move display items around to prevent ‘patching’ and extend dining room tables to even out any fading. Tables should also be rotated regularly to ensure all round mellowing of colour; ideally, change room layouts on a regular basis, to ensure no one piece is exposed to the sun more than any other.

Solar films or blinds can be fitted to windows to block out damaging rays. Externally, awnings can help throw shade across a room.

While lacquers offer some protection from the sun, they are not a permanent solution and furniture will need treating at the first sign of sun damage.

If bleaching does occur, get a reputable French polisher in to strip the colour back to its original, natural shade and then completely recoat it. Both solid wood and veneered furniture can be treated in this way.

Said George: “Prevention is always better than a cure, so looking after furniture now is a great way to save money in the long run.”

G Plan Cabinets is a leading maker of quality British furniture and produces a wide range of classically styled living, dining and bedroom cabinet pieces, in a selection of solid and real wood veneer finishes.

For more information on G Plan Cabinets’ furniture ranges, please visit the website.

Why not bring some French flair to your garden this summer, with the perfect café style dining set from Metal Design Furniture?

The delightful shapes of the featured stylish Paris Set are familiar to all, and will bring a sense of the most romantic city in the world right to your patio:

• This charming set could grace even a small balcony, enabling you to unwind with your coffee or a glass of wine outside on a sunny day!

• The table and chairs are treated with anti-rust galvanization treatment to obtain the smoothest surface, and then powder-coated, while the table-top is made of stainless steel.

• The seat cushions are made from durable olefin fibre, which is stain and sunlight resistant, colourfast, has low moisture absorption and dries quickly. Available in natural white or in red and the covers can be removed for washing.

Paris round garden table, from £221.
Paris square garden table, from £277.
Paris garden chair, £90.
Paris garden chair with armrests, £115.
Paris white cushions, £15.

The Paris set of three includes: Paris Round Bistro Table 70cm, three Paris chairs for the price of two; (two chairs with armrests and one without.) and three chair cushions in natural white. Priced from £496.

To view the complete chic ranges of metal design furniture, please visit the website

Tel:   (020) 8144 6621

The Bow Hammock from Living It Up is beautifully crafted and exudes the height of elegant style.

Designed to complement any garden or patio, this roomy hammock provides the perfect place for an afternoon nap.

The frame is made from treated Larchwood, so that it can be left out in the garden all year round and the canvas can be easily removed for storing to keep it clean.

Tools are provided in the pack for DIY assembly by two people, which takes less than 30 minutes. Priced at: £139.00.

Living It Up supply a range of contemporary furniture for the modern garden. Their rattan garden furniture range is made from a hard-wearing weatherproof material that ensures longevity and low maintenance.

The range includes day beds, outdoor sofas, dining furniture and more, all of which are suitable for the garden or conservatory.

To view the stylish ranges of garden furniture from Living It Up, please visit the website.

Tel: (0116) 269 5960

Hart & Johanson, has now provided the ideal answer to the that old problem - having a dining table for day to day use, while having enough space to entertain as well.

Their new dining tables the Charleston and Borrowdale seat four to six people comfortably, while easily extending to accommodate eight people, without loss of style or quality.

Hart & Johanson, designs each piece with the user in mind, so the Charleston and Borrowdale tables are perfectly proportioned to fit any home.

The tables extend using a unique mechanism, meaning no one is left straddling a leg.

Whether you prefer a classic or chic style, the new tables suit a large number of tastes.

The Charleston extending oak table in our picture is priced at £379.

The Borrowdale extending oak table is £525.

For more information on Hart & Johanson’s full range of dining, living and bedroom furniture, please visit the website.

Tel:   (01884) 855863

As colour and traditional design enjoy a comeback in the home, one of the most iconic names in British furniture has launched a range of classically-styled living, dining and bedroom collections.

The Classic Collections by G Plan Cabinets are aimed at on-trend homeowners, making the switch from neutrals and no-frills furniture to a richer, more interesting interior.

Inspired by famous artists, G Plan’s new Classic Collections take the famous furniture brand back to its roots of timeless design and quality detail, with the Matisse and Gainsborough living and dining ranges and the Monet and Heritage bedroom ranges

Matisse (featured here.)
Inspired by the French artist, the chic French lines and proportions of Matisse go hand-in-hand with the warm cherry finish. A range of special features are testament to skilled craftsmanship including smoothly expanding dining tables, a velvet lined cutlery tray and the option of subtle down lighting in glass fronted cabinets.

• The comprehensive collection includes a large, three-door display cabinet, two-door display unit, corner display, small and large sideboard and choice of circular or D-end extendable dining tables, a traditional writing desk, plus several occasional pieces.

• Prices are around £1,249 for the large sideboard; £2,445 for the circular dining table and four pad back chairs; and £499 for the coffee table.

Gainsborough

• The Georgian roots of Gainsborough create true classic style with a deep mahogany finish. Each piece is carefully crafted with soft curved edges and the tables feature turned single and double pedestals for that elegant touch.

• Prices start at around £1,125 for the corner display cabinet; £625 for the bookcase and £565 for the console table.

Monet

• A sister collection to the Matisse living and dining range, the Monet Bedroom is, like the 19th century French artist, set to make an impression. A lustrous cherry finish gives the 11-piece collection instant impact, while taking centre stage is a beautifully carved sleigh bed.

• Average retail prices will be around £1499 for the three-door robe to £625 for the dressing table.

Heritage

• The new Heritage bedroom collection is an addition to the already successful Heritage living and dining range. Created to let the natural beauty of the wood speak for itself, the range is made from French style oak with a unique patina in the grain.

• Prices start at around £749 for the bed; £999 for the two door wardrobe and £249 for the bedside cabinet.

To view the new Classic G Plan Cabinet  furniture, or for stockists, please visit the website.

New England Lifestyle’s new Provence Range of Living and Dining Furniture combines coastal charm with classic French style.

The Provence Dining Table pictured, measures 6ft x 3ft and comfortably seats six people or eight at a squeeze.

The hand carved French Provencal style legs are finished in a brilliant white paint, and elegantly complement the grey oak driftwood style top.

The Newport White Dining Chairs also shown, are a perfect match to this beautiful table.

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