cushions 3 for 2!!!!

Great Christmas Gift Idea - 3 cushions for the price of 2!! Great selection of cushions including Missoni, Manuel Canovas, Liberty, Chivasso, Andrew Martin and Jane Churchill!

Competition

This week's competition couldn't be easier. For a chance to win €500 worth of JAB, Chivasso and Carlucci Di Chivasso fabrics check out today's Tribune magazine T2 page 14 The FIX. All you have to do is send your name, address and contact details to thefix@tribune.ie before wednesday...Good luck!

Under the Radar

Today's Irish Times business section - all about myself taking over the family business :)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/1211/1224260499299.html

RTE guide

This week in the RTE guide page 24 - some advice by yours truly on using metallics in your living room

Win designer goods valued at €2000

We are running a special competition in the Irish Times today. Take a look at page 7 in their property section and be in with a chance to win a prize valued at €2,000. More details are below...good luck!

Gorgeous new trims from Wemyss just in!

Elitis' stunning wallpaper

Elitis new wallpaper collections are stunning and are in stores now. The colours and textures are so vibrant and unique to themselves. I love their neutrals but adore their acidic colours!

Nobilis chairs

Look at these hot chairs from Nobilis. Love the fabric and the shapes are fab!

Top Ten interior trends Autumn Winter 2009/10

Top 10 Trends of Autumn Winter 2009/2010

1. Globalisation of fabrics

This season a multitude of cultures are represented through the interior world of fabrics whether it’s Scottish Plaid, Tibetian Silks or rich, exotic jewel-like Sari shades. Use tastefully so as not to date too quickly. Sandberg collection is a good example of this as it is a mixture of 18th Century French Designs, William Morris and Scottish plaid (heaven!)

2. Pattern and Colour

Bland is out and we are seeing a very definite move towards pattern and colour. Houndstooth, geometric patterns, paisleys, graphical, floral, botanical, animal and bird prints, art deco, art nouveau, all things pattern, you name it!

E.g. Designers Guild Leopold fabric and wallpaper is an exciting modern and graphic design inspired by geometric floor tile featuring striking octagonal motifs printed on a boldly coloured ground. They even have a gorgeous rug line to match.

3. Unique to me

Following on from the trend towards pattern and colour is the idea of having a bespoke piece unique to oneself. This is a rejection of the impersonal, mass-produced objects and a move towards individuality. It can be done inexpensively by recovering an old chair in some funky fabric.

4. Neutrals with a silver lining

For neutral colours there is a definite move away from beige towards grey. People tend to think of grey as a really dull colour (like a typical Irish day) but there are some really warm grey and silver tones that can be complimented with bright accent colours of pink, aubergines and yellows (mimosa being the pantone colour of the year!)

5. Sparkling white and snow

Autumn Winter 2009/2010 is set to sparkle as crisp whites are teamed with blues and aquas to create a definite cool palate. Warm the scheme up with natural fabrics and furs. For a more sophisticated look keep it matt and avoid sheen. Also, great with charcoal grey for a striking new look.

6. Small scale tactile design

Small scale patterns are great for a very classic look. Fantastic for adding detail to footstools, throws, scatter cushions. Colefax and Fowler’s Greta fabric comes in really fresh colours proving very easy to live with.

7. Living responsibly

Green, Sustainable and Fair Trade are all major factors for companies these days and they all seem to be pulling their weight. They are informing the customer of their individual efforts in these areas and it was very evident throughout all the trade fairs this year.

8. Exaggerated Scale

This involves using out-of-proportion furniture to create an impact. One obvious example is a very large headboard.

9. All that glitters is gold

This is a trend that comes straight from the catwalk. Sequins and beads are big in interiors but again use them moderately unless you are going for the bling-bling look!

10. Colourful linings

Currently in the UK lining plain curtains with a colourful blackout fabric has taken off. Although for practical and decorative reasons it is better suited to apartments as houses look better from the outside when the window dressings are all uniform.

RTE guide

Check out the RTE guide this week - I gave them some top interior trends featured in Decorex this year. I'll post the top 10 tips now. Easier to read than the picture!

Texture to the extreme

Loving Nobilis new range - the fabrics are so tactile, they're divine. Really unusual and great for upholstery. They're arriving in the next few weeks - again CANNOT WAIT!!!

Decorex and Focus 2009

Just back from a fab weekend in London going design mad. Spent sunday at Decorex and monday in Chelsea Harbour. It's such an exciting time of year when you get to see all the new fabrics and wallpapers and let me tell you the stuff is gorgeous. Think everyone really pushed the boat out. Will be posting lots of photos over the next few days of what I saw and what we are getting (can't wait). Here's some pics of Designers Guild new range - arriving into us next week whoooopie!!!

Big fan of wallpaper

Some more pics from my house - The plates are from Coles and Son and are in my kitchen. The people dancing are by Lewis and Wood and are in my W.C. The Lips in my spare room are from Elitis and the silhoutte women from Coles and Son.

My front room

This is my front room and again filled with lots of colour. My sofa is covered in Designers Guild fabrics as is the tub chair. Roman Blinds are also Designers Guild and the wallpaper is Casamance. I love my carpet too. It's Lano and a really warm grey. My last house had so much cream in it that I'm so sick of cream and have banned it from this house :)

My House

Here are some pics from my house. It's not quite finished but thought I'd share some (amateur)photos anyhow. As you can see I love colour. I've used Casamance wallpaper and Zoffany paint on the walls. My sofa (wedding present from my siblings - thanks Fina, Nicky and Danielle x) is covered in Andrew Martin fabric and is so soft and comfortable - I love it! The footstool is by Jim Thompson. I love chairs and love making them unique with my favourite fabrics. I used Designers Guild on the tub chair and Pedroso y Osorio on the shelly chair. My rug is from Jab and is soooooo easy to keep - it's fab and really soft underfoot. Cushions are a mix of James Hare silks and Designers Guild and the throw is from Foxford(another wedding present - thanks Clare and Dan x)

Swanning about

More new fabrics and wallpaper from Nina Campbell. Swans are really fun to brighten up your sitting room and the colours are really versatile. Animals, Birds and Butterflies are all big this season once again

More Sandberg

Loving the horses!

scandinavian delight

This time of year is so exciting with all the new collections coming out. Am heading over to Decorex, Focus, and 100% Design (London interior exhibitions) next week and cannot wait!

All the reps have been calling into the shop in the last few weeks showing the new collections and they are all fantastic. Thumbs up all around. I've gotten my hands on some images of Sandberg's new collections - wow - what a mix. Nora wallpaper is inspired from William Morris, 18th Century French Fabrics and Scottish Plaid.

Rugtastic

Check out these gorgeous new rugs from Paniker we are selling. Colours are fantastic. Great choice of sizes and fab prices too. These are only a taster of what's available