How to Light A Dining Room

Good lighting for a dining room is crucial especially as it often ends up being used for other purposes than just eating.   A dining room works well as a place to study or work, and surveys have found that they also regularly end up being used as a playroom.

Therefore how you light the room needs careful consideration.   When you are using it for eating the lighting should be warm and inviting with the table being the focal point of the room.  However, if you are using the during the day whether for work, study or play, then you will want it to be nice and bright.

 "Layering" the lighting, using different fittings and a good mix of lamps - floor and table - as well as installing dimmer switches will enable you turn the dining room into a multi-functional space.  To find out how best to achieve this and more, here is a really helpful article that I recently contributed to https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice-centre/dining-room-lighting

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are incredibly useful and effective if you are wanting to create more light, merge a room with the garden or patio enabling you to seamlessly move between the two, have a bigger and better view of the garden or surrounding countryside, act as a divide for either a large room or between two small ones, plus they are great for large wardrobes.

Generally glass panels are used for bi-folds but if they're being used for a wardrobe then solid wood panels are better.  There are huge choice of surrounds - metal, wood, painted and natural so you should be able to find one that will blend into the surrounding space. 

I felt very honoured recently to have been asked to give my thoughts on the "do's" and "don'ts" when considering fitting bi-folds.  A good mix of experts were asked to give their opinions which makes really interesting reading. To read the article click here

Window & Door Dressing

We take great pride in helping our clients dress their windows and doors so they look absolutely fabulous!   I love the whole process from choosing the fabrics, deciding on the type of blinds, curtains or shutters to use, picking suitable hardware right through to finally fitting and hanging.

This year I've been asked to comment and give advice and tips on window dressing for various publications so I thought it would be helpful to share some of them here.

• Draughty windows -  use interlined full length curtains.  Helpful also for reducing outside noise.
• Windows or doors that face east or north you should aim to maximise the light as much as possible and therefore avoid using deep pelmets or elaborately draped curtains.
• South or west facing windows and doors will get lots of sun so don't use strong coloured fabrics or silks that fade or rot easily.
• Pale coloured fabrics or elaborate curtains are not advisable if you live close to a road as they will require regular cleaning.
• Bi-fold doors are becoming increasingly popular to create lighter rooms and provide seamless access to the garden.  If you are considering installing bi-folds you should read this article first as it is full of helpful ideas and tips including things you should consider when deciding whether to use blinds or curtains.  Click here to read the full feature.

Once you've chosen the fabric and the type of dressing you will need to think about the hardware!  And, that is another blog in itself, but to give you an idea of the huge amount of choice available here is a small selection of finials, poles and supports from one of our favourite suppliers Byron & Byron 

New Staircases

More often than not the staircase inherited when we move to a new house is left untouched except for replacing the carpet or adding a runner. As staircases are such an integral part of our homes it is interesting, and rather surprising, that so few of us would consider replacing or designing a new one.

Here is an article that looks into the reasons why we shy away from doing this supported by some interesting statistics. For those of you who buck the trend and are keen to design or install a new staircase there is also some useful advice and tips from a group of chosen experts.  Click here to read the article.

Recently we worked with local Modbury architects, Nest Design Studio who did the alterations and refurbishment of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse which included designing and installing a new staircase.  As you can see from the photographs below the new shape and design is a huge improvement on the previous one.  Not only has it become a feature in it's own right but has also created more space and lightened up the area.

The original staircase

The bookcase at the base adds interest as an attractive feature which hides the bottom of the staircase and is useful for displaying treasured items.  The shape of the staircase adds another dimension that previously was lacking.  The colour of the wood and striped carpet used is light and contemporary blending perfectly with the two rooms it links.

Two glass panels have been used at the top of the staircase so it is unobtrusive and creates another light corner.  Like the base of the staircase, the area at the top has a large bookcase cleverly making use of what would otherwise be dead space.

Anyone inspired to change their staircase please come and see us as we have plenty of examples and  ideas to share!

Tips for Making the Best of A Less-than-Ideal Carpet

In this country we use carpets extensively in our properties and I spend many hours discussing them with my clients.  There is a lot to consider - the material, pile, colour, the room and it's use, cost  - and so the list goes on!

Also, there is the problem of those inherited carpets that wouldn't be your choice but you can't afford to replace.  I have lost count of the many people who have told me that their hearts sank when they saw the carpets.  Even to the extent that it has put them off buying, or renting, a house!  However, as disheartening as this issue can be there are lots of inexpensive tricks and ways of covering up an expanse of unappealing carpet.  Here is a helpful article that I, and few other experts, were asked to comment  on  https://www.unitedcarpetsandbeds.com/advice/cleaning-maintenance-and-underlay/top-tips-making-best-less-ideal-carpet/

Rugs and runners are always an easy way to cover up either a worn bit of carpet or distracting the attention away from carpet that you don't particularly like!   I always stock a selection of them including some from a local company, Weaver Green, that are made from recycled plastic bottles.  These are not only hardwearing but thanks to their plastic properties are also waterproof, easy to clean and don't fade in sunlight.   Here is one of my favourites from the Nomad collection.

Glass Panels on Staircases

Staircases using glass panels will turn what is normally accepted as a standard and necessary fixture into more of a design feature.  Glass panels help to give a feeling of space and allow the stairs to be noticed especially if you have a bespoke wooden or stone staircase.  I love them as they really do change the feel of a hallway and give it a bit more of an edge than using standard wooden balustrades.

Recently, I was one of three interior designers asked to contribute to an article dedicated to this subject.  Full of interesting tips and advice, as well as listing the pros and cons of using glass panels this feature will be especially helpful if you are considering installing a new staircase, or want to revamp an old one.   To read the full article please click here.

Fabulous Recycled Plastic Products for the Home

I love Modbury and am particularly proud that it was the first town in Europe to ban the use of plastic bags.  In fact, Modbury has just celebrated it's tenth anniversary being a plastic free town!   A great achievement but one wonders why more towns haven't done the same?  

We, at Dupere, have been trying in a small way to do our bit by stocking products made from recycled plastic, and around two years ago, we discovered a local company, Weaver Green, who make fabulous things from fabric created out of recycled plastic bottles.  Amazingly they feel just like wool and have all the useful properties that go "hand in hand" from being made with plastic - waterproof, mould resistant, hard wearing, fade resistant, easy to clean and suitable for use inside or outside.   Here is a photo of the bags and blankets.

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And, one of my favourite rugs in a diamond design.

Also, more recently, we have acquired some wonderful, brightly coloured baskets made by Mowgs from recycled plastic parcel strapping. They are painstakingly handmade and each one is completely unique. At the moment we just stock one design - petal - which comes in three sizes and lots of different colourways.

It would be nice to think that the various campaigns going on at the moment to cut down on the use of plastic are successful. The more we learn about the impact discarded plastic is having on our planet I am optimistic that more alternatives and solutions will be found.  In the meantime, we can all do our bit to help!