Tradition states that ‘an Englishman’s home is his castle’, a place to feel safe and secure, but it’s also becoming the social hub for many people across the UK - as staying in, is beginning to rival the traditional night out… unless you’re Welsh it seems.

Greenbee.com - the financial and leisure services arm of the John Lewis Partnership, reveals that almost a third (31 per cent) felt their home was an entertainment centre, with one in five (20 per cent), saying it was a place where they socialise and entertain friends and family.

Those in East England, are most likely to invite guests over for a friendly get together (28 per cent), compared to just 12 per cent of those in Wales.

However, Greenbee.com warns that many people may well be left disappointed, if they have to make a claim on their home insurance, for accidental mishaps, when entertaining at home:

Just 28 out of 259 home contents products currently on offer include accidental damage, such as a red wine spillage on the sofa, as standard.

With approximately eight out of 10 people believed to be under-insured by around 80 per cent, and four in 10 claims on Greenbee Home insurance being for accidental damage/accidental loss, it is vital people are aware of what level of protection they actually have.

However, research from greenbee.com has shown that the majority of UK adults believe mishaps, such as a party accident during an evening’s entertaining, will be covered as standard, when more often than not, this won’t be the case.

It is very important therefore that people ensure the things they care about are accurately covered by their household insurance.

Greenbee.com analysed research from GFK Roper Reports Worldwide.

Web: http://www.greenbee.com
Tel: (0800) 916 0300.

Stripes were a key trend in the spring/summer ’08 catwalk collections, with leading fashion houses Chanel and Anna Sui using them to make a bold statement.

From bold monotone bands to colourful summery “deckchair” stripes - and even wavy tiger stripes, incorporating the other hot fashion trend for animal prints, there is a look to suit all moods and settings.

By cleverly combining sharp lines, complimentary patterns and trend colours, you can use stripes to give your interiors a fresh new look and create a look that is both fashionable and enduring.

To help you to select the right look for your home, Wilman Interiors’ design manager, Michelle Todd offers some tips on how to make the most of the stripes trend:

• Bright colours cut through with narrow black bands can look fantastic on curtains and accessories, to add drama to an otherwise neutral room.
  Subtle dots can also be combined with stripes to add interest.
• Wilman Interiors’ Tempo collection in Cameo, includes a burnt orange woven fabric with thin black stripes and understated dots – ideal for dressing a feature window.
• Mock animal print stripes and monochrome bands can create a really glamorous look.
  The Poeme collection in Granite pictured here, features broad black bands, stylish wavy stripes and warm neutral backgrounds.
• Multi-coloured stripes can have a summery “deckchair” feel – why not upholster an armchair in bright stripes, to create a stunning focal point for your living room?

For more inspiration visit:

Web: http://www.wilmaninteriors.com

Silent Gliss present their new look range of the popular Metropole Decorative Curtain Poles, which challenge the assumption that curtain tracks cannot be decorative.

By combining the appearance of a decorative curtain pole, with the superior functionality of its curtain tracks, Silent Gliss enabled windows to have a designer appearance, complete with a smooth gliding operation.

To ensure continued support for this range of designer curtain tracks, major changes have been made to the Metropole offer:

There are four new ranges:

Strata, featured here - Offers the opportunity to design the look of your own curtain pole in three easy steps:

Step 1: Choose between hand and cord operated.
Step 2: Choose the base colour to match the pole finish (or maybe a contrasting colour?).
Step 3: Choose the colour of the glass insert disc, (emerald green, black, salmon, clear and clear ribbed).
The end result is an individually designed curtain pole!

Crystal - Clear crystal glass is combined with coloured centres in black, brown or emerald green in a modern square shape - the end effect is stunning clarity and colour.

Vega – Combines modern geometric shapes with a sharp design engraved out of the base metal; they are produced in a dark brown base, shaped as a cylinder or cube, ideal for contemporary room designs.

Coral - Fluted glass with coloured centres in red, black, cream or clear; the metal base of the finial is matched to the pole finish, resulting in a classical and elegant look.

Web: http://www.silentgliss.co.uk
Tel: (01843) 863 571

Hillarys has launched Verticals, a stylish and unique collection of vertical window blinds.

It’s made up of four different ranges, the highlight of which is a Mix and Match assortment that allows you to do exactly that – mix and match the louvres to create your own bespoke blind.

Sarah Quilliam, head of product design at Hillarys says, “This is a first for Hillarys and as far as we know, the only verticals collection available, that allows you to come up with your own individual design.”
 
“The Mix and Match range was created in response to an increasing demand from customers, for a more personalised look,” she adds.

“Verticals have always been extremely popular, as they’re such a practical and versatile window dressing solution.”

“Now we’ve raised the standard in the style stakes, by giving people the chance to co-ordinate their window dressing, even more closely with their décor.”

Prices for the new verticals collection start at £45 measured, made and fitted.

Some of the fabrics are also available in wider 127mm louvers, which make a great budget alternative to sliding panels.

Web: http://www.hillarys.co.uk
Tel: (0800) 169 3938.

The traditional damask designs of the 18th century, have remained popular since the day they were first woven; more than 200 years later, they are still a fundamental design element of many classically inspired drawing rooms and living rooms.

From their Limoges collection, Northcroft Fabrics offer an authentic replica of an 18th century French fabric, in an extensive colour selection, featuring a typically regal and symmetrical design of stylised flowers and leaves.   Suitable for both upholstery and curtains, Limoges retails at around £44.00 per metre.

• Fabric details:
  . Made from: 50% cotton, 50% modacrylic.
  · Colours: Cream, Beige, Donkey Rose, Brick Red, Maroon,
  Pompadour, Blue, Eau de Nil, Bottle, Gold and Grey.
  · Pattern repeat: 45cms.
  · Width: 140cms.

Limoges can be co-ordinated with Loire, which is a small repeat pattern, designed as a contrasting fabric and available in the same colour selection; both fabrics are fire-retardant to domestic standard and have a soil resistant finish.

Northcroft Fabrics specialises in high quality fabrics in classic designs and offers an extensive selection of fine silks, velvets, damasks and printed fabrics.

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

Tel: (01628) 488 700

The world famous Dutch artist and designer Wouter Dolk, has created a home décor collection for Royal Copenhagen; beautiful porcelain ornaments to bring joy all the year round.

The Art of Giving Flowers collection consists of three different Wall Reliefs in three sizes and three different colours, iridescent pink, blue and white in matt and shiny glaze; sizes 21 cm, 23 cm and 38 cm.

The first two depict a beautifully carved Dahlia, while the largest dish is a composition of Chrysanthemum and Cherry Blossom.

The collection also includes a beautifully shaped Hydrangea vase in three colours and a vase installation consisting of a glass vase shaped like a bulb and a majestic white porcelain Lily.

“I’ve always been inspired by the concept of creating the Garden of Eden in murals and wallpapers. This lush, colourful and captivating world is to be found in the language of flowers,” says Wouter Dolk, who goes on, “flowers are apolitical, non-religious and universal in their appeal, so the language of flowers is eminently suitable for personal interior design.”

The Hydrangea vases featured here retail at £110.00.
The Wall Reliefs retail from £66.60 to £332 for the large dish.
Glass Vase with Porcelain lily £221.00.

Web: http://www.royalcopenhagen.com

Tel: (0800) 963 763

Following the success of her mini canvas range, Petra Boase has introduced a new super size version.

The vintage pet range can be printed on calico for a nostalgic feel, or as a card mounted print ready to be framed, or a canvas.

Available in 8 designs the Vintage vibe canvases are digitally printed on high-grade canvas and hand stretched onto a solid wood frame; makes a great wall hanging for any room in the home.

This charming collection includes Love Birds, Love Bambi Owl and Scotty Dogs.

Pictured here is the Owl/pink wood - Large Canvas Priced at £150.
Size:720mm x 504mm x 35mm

Web: http://www.petraboaseshop.com

Tel: (01760) 337333

Timberland a leading UK wood flooring company has launched an exciting range of beautiful solid oak panelling, and profiles; either stand alone, or as a stunning complement to their wooden flooring.

Room panelling adds the ultimate in stylish chic, from a Manor House needing the classic finish from floor to ceiling, to a dado height mid-rail, giving form and function to stylish modern properties, or a fitting finish to your conservatory, to give a totally classic look and feel.

The panelling can be finished with oil and liberon wax, or a choice of the clean stylish lines of the modern painted range.

Whilst the image here shows a traditional setting, Timberland oak panelling can also be produced to suit most contemporary homes; visit the website for examples.

The company offers a fully bespoke and personal service, with a solution to cater for all tastes and budgets; they will survey, design and install your panelling, including all the electrics (where applicable); individually designed on their CAD-CAM system for each room, and hand fitted by skilled craftsmen.

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

Tel: (0870) 241 6790

Stairflight Ltd has been established in the UK for over 10 years, specialising in the manufacture and supply of exclusive contemporary staircases, from standard to spiral and bespoke designs.

Typically a new home interior would have a white pine staircase with traditional wooden spindles.

Now however, Stairflight offer a distinctive new system, where the staircase is completely open and appears to hang from the wall, allowing more light and space in your room.

They produce any design of staircase to the highest quality, in all types of materials from natural and special woods through to granite, marble, stainless steel and even acrylic glass.

Featured here is the spectacular Stairflight AAA 066 - a twin flight of ash stairs with glass panels.
Priced from £15,000.

Stairflight Ltd is the main partner in the United Kingdom for Kenngott Stairs – a leading European staircase manufacturer.

The company also offers:

Mobiloro Italian quality modular stairs to fit any scenario.

Acrylic glass and stainless steel canopies.

Balustrades that provide stainless steel rods or glass panels, in place of the conventional wooden spindles plus options for lights; easily fitted by tradesmen or proficient DIY enthusiasts.

Web: http://www.stairflightltd.com

Tel: 01590 676911

Digetex is a leading UK luxury home furnishing brand, designing and manufacturing furnishing fabrics, wall coverings, murals, roller, panel and roman blinds, bespoke wall art canvasses and a wide range of soft furnishing accessories.

Their philosophy is to combine creativity and innovation with quality designs and products - “Wallpaper is back but this time it’s different - a means to express your individuality - playing with scale and using your wall as a canvas.”

The business offers bespoke interior products, which are individually designed and made to client specification, at optimal standards of quality scale and colour at competitive prices; work can also be created from the client’s own images.

Wall Art offers the ultimate creative visual medium:

Gallery style art canvasses are printed onto 100% cotton-canvas with Digi-Gard for added durability; stretched over a stable wooden frame for contemporary style with no size limitation.

The spectacular murals are all size specific and digitally printed to client specification.

Featured here is the Ying Mural from their First Emperor range.

The Digetex samples encompassing over 7,000 images/designs from Classic Masters, Fine to Pop Art, Zen and Contemporary, to name but a few can be viewed online.

There is no minimum order and prices start at £35 per panel for murals, £20 per metre for fabric, £40 a canvas and £65 for a blind.

Web: http://www.digetex.com/collection.asp 

Tel: (0161) 873 8891