Fabrics do not have to be made from cotton or wool - just ask June Swindell, who set up salt twelve years ago.

salt. is an award winning contemporary design practice, primarily known for its progressive approach to textile design and application, including innovative use of metals and glass; they specialize in 100% handmade fabrics, specifically for window treatments and dividing spaces.

When designing and manufacturing, salt work with different materials and textural forms to personalise the space, creating products that highlight the intrinsic qualities of the fabric and the company is a leader in the use of natural and environmentally protective materials and techniques.

Light is fundamental to the design and form of salt textiles, focusing on how it travels through the fabric producing an effect, which filters light into a space without compromising the need for privacy; their vast knowledge of colour combines with beauty to skilfully achieve the products’ functional requirements.

• Some examples:
  Floats - An intriguing surface texture, which interacts subtly with both natural and artificial light, to give the impression of gently flowing movement.
• Longitude featured here - These structures combine tactile fabric with sometimes rigid and sometimes soft appearance, reflecting changes in light patterns of the day or night.
• Grid - A simple structure allowing complex colour options, through the use of varying thickness and density of fibres.
• Metallic - Stainless steel and enamelled metals intrinsically woven, creating shimmer and reflection to enhance any space.
• Squared - A multi-dimensional geometric structure, compelling the eye of the viewer.
• The Strip Blind - A natural creation, designed to use complete hides of leather or suede to minimise waste.

Web: http://www.salt-uk.com

Tel:   (020) 7593 0007

Find a present for a special person or occasion, with a striking piece of pottery from Emma Bridgewater, for friends or relations to treasure.

There are lots of really attractive pieces on offer at Emma Bridgewater stockists or online, for birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, house warming and weddings.

Pictured here is Men at Work, a fine hand painted clock from Emma Bridgewater; also available is Dancing Mice to add an element of fun to a child’s bedroom; or in a classic Black Toast design and pretty Polka Dots.

All clocks are priced at £39.95.

Web: http://www.emmabridgewater.co.uk
Tel: (020) 7371 5489

You can now order House Couturier’s stunning luxurious wallpaper collections online, with the launch of their new e-commerce site.

Customers can order their wallpaper online and also request samples before selecting their chosen wallpaper.

There is a wide selection of gorgeous designer wallpapers to choose from, including their best selling Loui Loui Beech Leaves and Cherub wallpapers, which are now available with new MICA shiny finishes.

LouiI Loui Dusky Beech is pictured here:

The Beech Leaves collection by Loui Loui.
Dimensions - 9metres comprising of 3 x 3m high panels - 52 cms wide - 191cms horizontal pattern repeat. Price: £164.

House Couturier’s wallpaper collections include nature inspired designs, floral country gardens, city skylines, bold contemporary stripes and renaissance inspired cherub prints.

Samples can be purchased for £8.00 each including shipping worldwide.

Additionally, special sizes and colours can be matched to existing décor and fabrics, as wallpaper panels or as a Mural or Wall Art.

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

With rising prices and an uncertain economic outlook, why spend a fortune on your home interior?

Just launched, Exotic cushions is an exciting new website selling upmarket and exclusive cushions for your home; a range of bespoke cushions using truly gorgeous textiles, handmade in the UK by Joanna Ludbrook.

You can change your life (or at least the look of it), with interior accessories; cushions can create a refined, sophisticated look for the home with luxurious fabrics and rich colours.

Featured here is; Hot pink Chinese Lantern: A hot pink cushion with a central panel of Chinese silk that somehow reminds one of a lantern, it has an amazing sheen to it with gold highlights.

The layers going out, are pink silk satin, embroidered with gold and blue stylised flowers, hot pink Thai silk and raspberry coloured crushed velvet.

There are bands of narrow pale pink velvet ribbon, dividing the stripes and it is backed with the hot pink Thai silk.

A zip on the bottom, gives access to the enclosed feather insert for cleaning. (Dry cleaning recommended)

Size: 23 inches x 15 inches (58cm x 38cm).

Priced at £41.00.

Web: http://www.exotic-cushions.com

Tel: (01953) 714 813

The rich artistic tradition of the Islamic world, is the design inspiration behind the launch collection of Moresque, a new on-line retailer specialising in contemporary home decorating accessories, tabletop, bed linen and soft furnishings.

Tas Rahman, founder of Moresque, has combined traditional Moorish designs from Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and beyond, with a modern-day approach to decorating the home; the collection offers unique, hand-crafted decorative products, with broad appeal and can be purchased on-line.

The eye catching Ever-Lasting Candles featured here, are hand-made in Morocco, from wax with inset arabesque motifs, in copper or thuya wood, and are inspired by traditional Islamic art and architecture.

The translucent wax doesn’t melt, whilst the replaceable tea light creates a subtle, flickering glow.

Variations: Cube or Tower from 12 to 29 cms in height and six colours- red, mauve, black, orange, blue, ivory and four motifs.
Retail prices range from £15.00 to £45.00.

The celebrated Egyptian designer Karim Rashid, designed the stylish Bud Vase, inspired by Arabic calligraphy.

The three stem vase is made from porcelain, in a choice of white, metallic silver and satin gold and measures 33 x 23 x 4.5 cms. Priced at £110.00.

The three Kilim cushion cover designs, feature hand-made, authentic Persian and Turkoman kilims, inset into richly coloured silk/cotton borders.

The covers measure 45 x 45 cms, have zip fastening opening and plain reverse and come in three designs/colour-ways:
Turkoman (maroon), Persian Awal (rust brown) and Persian Sani (mauve).

View the complete Moresque Collection at:

Web: http:// www.moresque.co.uk
Tel: (020) 8274 2403

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