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There are aspects of home renovation that are exciting and rewarding, after all you are deciding on the surroundings you and your family will be living in for some time to come. But then again, there are also the more mundane details that need to be taken care of.

A Touch of Arts n Crafts With a Bit of Art Deco... Chances are if you've caught a few episodes of Poirot  on TV you’ll be familiar with the design of the clothes, cars and buildings from the 1930’s. Simple smooth straight lines define the art deco period but many homes designed in the late 20’s, early 30’s had the influence of the arts and craft movement from the turn of the century and also the beginnings of modernism too. The first World War took a terrible toll on the country and the loss of lives reduced not just the the need for building new houses but also the number of skilled workers to build them. But by the start of the second World War there had been a 50% increase in the total number of homes in Britain in just a 20 year period. It jumped from eight million in 1919 to over 12 million by 1939 mostly being built around established towns as suburbs in rural developments. The Classic Look and Features The trend from the 1920’s onwards was for owning a house rather than renting as the government encouraged the population to be more self supporting. Popular terraces gave way to semi detached homes and the mock Tudor or cottage style took hold partly due to the arts and craft movement. Children will often ask the question about the flat roofs on art deco houses as most other houses have pitched roofs. There is some debate as to whether this is purely a design feature with no definite reason behind it but a popular myth with some supporting truth was that sunbathing was all the rage in the 1930’s. It was said that the flat roofs allowed the ladies to strip off in privacy and catch some rays although this may just have been grandad's wishful thinking. Regarding the other trends in architecture of the time one can see the influence of mass production and the mass adoption of concrete rather than just bricks and mortar as a build material. Windows and Doors – Good design never goes out of fashion... Solid Oak 1930's Door Glass panels were seen in front doors but they had patterns created by enamelling, sand blasting or simple etching and glass staining was common too. Inside the 1930’s door style is still seen today and is popular because of the combination of vertical panels and the single head height square one at the top. Good design never goes out of fashion they say. As technology developed cheaper ways of making large panes of flawless glass, the windows became a prominent feature of the front of the house. Large bay windows with angled sides began popping up everywhere and some used the bay window across two floors really improving the lighting inside. Before double glazing and central heating became standardised in the UK, 1930’s houses were seen as very cold homes to live in because so much heat was lost through the abundance of large glass windows. The lasting legacy of art deco can be seen expressed in fashion, architecture, culture and even our doors. The end of the 1920’s, early 1930’s were seen as a golden age for design, enjoyment and leisure. The dourness of a reflective grieving post war Britain faded, drowned out by the clamour of the new fangled ‘wireless’. Images courtesy of sxc.hu Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change.

Where, what and when to buy... Buying a first home until recently came with some quite sizeable savings compared to the purchase of subsequent homes, zero stamp duty on homes of less than £250k for one and there are still some savings for first time buyers to make against the purchase of new builds. However, there are many things the first time buyer has to purchase that the second time buyer does not. These include things like beds, dining tables and sofas etc. So with all this extra expense, what about the chore of decorating your first home? Obviously, people are going to need a bed and mattress and some basic furniture more than freshly painted skirting boards but there is a huge advantage to being able to paint and decorate an empty house rather than one that’s full of cherished items and brand spanking new furniture. This article assumes that first time buyers have a limited budget and need to prioritise purchases, so the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should probably look elsewhere. Pull together, not apart... your love nest should have you looking in the same direction not the opposite! The first thing to do is create a list of items that are an absolute necessity. Things like bed, mattress, curtains, plates and cutlery etc. Make sure you do this together with your partner if you are buying a new home with someone else. This is a good idea because often one person takes the lead with the boring aspects of home purchases, things like weather proofing and securing the property. Unless both of you share this critical information the budget could be blown on a kettle instead of a mortice lock. On the ‘necessity list’, note down what can be borrowed until the January sales or found in the course of time over eBay and what are you insistent must be bought 'asap' and new? If your budget is really tight it’s worth borrowing items so you can save up and wait to pounce when big ticket items drop in the sales or pop up on the internet at rock bottom prices. Above all, don't rush to purchase things just for the short term buzz of your moving in party looking its best. the work of Picasso, the yorkshire terrier, available in a limited run of prints Once you’ve ascertained your available budget for furniture and soft furnishings  you’ll have a good idea of how much is available for decorations. As mentioned above, it’s a huge bonus to be able to decorate an empty property, especially if you have pets and they won't be running around the place. It’s also a bonus to be decorating a place where the furniture has yet to be set up and can be easily covered by sheets. This is particularly true when it comes to working on the ceiling whether it’s plastering or painting it. With regard to the budget you will need to prioritise each room by its expected usage, after all there’s no point fretting over the net curtains and ghastly pink paint of the spare room if it’s only going to be used for storage for the next six months. 'Why' before you buy "of course it doubles as a bed dear, that's why it cost more than your ring" Spending time online looking at different styles of interior design is a wise way of seeing what will work in your own home. So many of the fashionable looks and styles seen on home decor shows on TV can be bought at a fraction of the price by shopping around. Shopping around without the credit card is a good way to avoid costly impulse purchases that will derail the project in one swoop. Shopping around with a conservative friend is another way. Someone who can be trusted to ask why you are buying something and if you really need a shiny new 'instant boil' kettle when you don't have any boring old pillows! Images courtesy of sxc.hu

There is something about a Bank Holiday that makes some wives think their husbands should be occupied putting up shelves or fixing a plumbing problem. Occasionally women themselves decide that there is no better time than a Bank Holiday to hang

Fees Might Be Expensive But Should Never Be Hidden... When considering buying a new home it’s the headline numbers that grab our attention and get the mind racing. It might be the realisation of what your current home is now worth or that you've seen a ‘do-er upper’ at a knock down price that makes a move to a new house at the top end of a sensible budget now possible. However, it’s not as straight forward as it seems at the outset and it’s not just first time buyers that get caught out, stamp duty alone on a £300k house would be £9,000 for example. There are other unavoidable costs too such as structural surveys, mortgage fees and legal fees to traverse so we've put together a simple check list over a couple of articles for buyers to consider before getting in too deep. Valuation Fees You can expect to pay around £250 for a valuation fee. This is to reassure the lender of the value of the home as security before they agree to lend the money and to ensure the property legally exists. The cost of the valuation fee will change depending on the value of the property but on average it’s around £250. Mortgage Arrangement Fees As the housing market slowed down and interest rates were forced down so mortgage arrangement fees have risen sharply. To many this is a particularly dubious charge as banks make money in the form of interest on the sum that is lent to a buyer so arranging this to happen is something most people feel the bank should happily pay for. Charges vary between £400 and £1600 and some lenders will charge another one, a reservation fee, to secure a fixed rate. Be warned, both these fees are often non refundable even if the house purchase falls through! Legal Fees Legal fees will cost around £500 or more if you have conveyancing too. Some lenders will include this as part of their package but your legal party will need to be approved by them. Mortgages with fees included... A word of warning. Many lenders will try to massage the fees into the cost of the mortgage, either to make it appear a less expensive process or because the buyer does not have the money available up front. You may end up paying a higher rate in interest over a long time to compensate them or you borrow the money to pay the fees and the cost is added to the overall mortgage value. Either way this will end up costing in excess of original fees. On top of these fees are Stamp Duty, Surveys, Removal costs, Repairs, Furniture and other extras. These are covered in a sister article. Images courtest of sxc.hu

If you’re planning any home improvements or even considering a self-build project then a trip to the NEC at the end of March is a must! The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is now in its 21st year and with over 400 exhibitors, a variety of master classes and seminars, demonstrations, clinics and advice centres there is plenty for the home improvement enthusiast to go at. Exhibiting for the third consecutive year, UK Oak Doors will be displaying a variety of internal and external solid oak doors at stand D116. External Georgian Door The latest addition to the solid oak range is the stunning Georgian external door. Featuring 6 panels in the classic Georgian style and constructed using traditional methods, the Georgian external door is perfect for period properties and modern homes. This desirable external door will be on proud display for the very first time at the show. The UK Oak Doors stand will also feature many classic best-sellers ranging from period and rustic through to sleek and contemporary. Styles on display are set to include the antique barn door, the contemporary 'Mexicano' style, the 4 Panel Victorian door, the Oxbow external door, the Suffolk style frame and ledge, the classic ledge and brace, the 1930’s style, the shaker style and the beautiful stable door range. Established in 2008, the company specialise in high quality solid oak doors made using traditional construction methods from sustainable European oak. People often expect that they’d have to pay over the odds for solid oak doors, but UK Oak Doors have laid down the gauntlet with competitive pricing, offering a superior product at great value for money. UK Oak Doors cater for traditional and modern home styles (and everything in between), and continually strive to add high quality new products to the existing lines and firm favourites – all at the same quality our customers have come to expect from us. You can see the full range at the showroom in Burton Hastings, Warwickshire or online at www.ukoakdoors.co.uk. To request a brochure please contact us on 01455 565 565. 1930's Style Door Contemporary Door Traditional Barn Door Ledge and Brace Door Oxbow External Door Shaker Style Door 4 Panel Stable Door Victorian 4 Panel Antique Style Oak Door

"If you want a good finish you need a good start" This is the second part in a series of decorating articles aimed at helping the home decorator get a professional looking finish with tips from the pro’s. Each section gives simple steps to take to prevent common decorating mistakes that are easy to avoid. Decorating Over Plaster wait for plaster to dry fully If the walls have old plaster that is clean and dry then no further special preparation will be required before decorating but any residue should be dusted down before being sealed with an appropriate stabilising solution. New plaster requires more attention as applying paint before it is ready will drastically affect the finish. How long it takes to dry depends upon the temperature and humidity of the room but can be judged by watching the colour turn from a dark to light pink across the entire wall with no patches. Remove any small bits of residue on the surface with hessian cloth or similar. Following this you will need to coat the surface of new plaster with a primer. Be careful to select the right primer depending on whether you are going to use a water based top coat or an oil based top coat. Mask Off Separate Sections take the trouble to mask areas off It takes just a few minutes to lay some making tape to tricky areas before painting. People skilled in decorating hardly ever use masking tape but there’s no shame in the rest of us paying attention to fine details as sloppy edging between different areas looks shabby. Furthermore, drips of paint from the skirting on to the carpet board are even worse. Take care to use tape with a low ‘stickyness’ on painted walls as you don’t want to undo previous good work by stripping the coat beneath it when you remove it later. When it comes to laying the tape on the carpet or floorboards try to get one edge actually under the skirting board as any drips down the face of the skirting board can pool underneath the tape. This last decorating tip regarding taking care with the skirting boards is particularly pertinent as these will more than likely be coated with a gloss which is much harder to remove than other water based paints. Sand Down Surfaces use a sanding block and mask As with washing walls with sugar soap, sanding down old paint on wooden areas has two benefits. It not only smooths down the surface taking out any unevenness but it provides a better layer for the paint to adhere to giving a smoother finish overall. Use a medium grade paper for general areas with finer grade sand paper for sanding after each coat and the coarse grade for remedial work on rough areas. Using a sanding block makes the task easier, saving your hands getting  sore and gives a solid flat contact between the wood and the paper. Always sand with the grain of the wood to bring out the best surface for painting or varnishing and go the extra mile to sand narrow areas and mouldings where the previous coat of paint is likely to pool. If mouldings are left unsanded the distinct lines between panels become blurred. The edges of mouldings can be sanded with the edge of the sanding block or by folding over the sandpaper. In some cases wetting the sandpaper actually increases the sanding power, just dip the paper in a bucket of water, drip off the excess and use with a sanding block. One last very important decorating tip is to remember to wash off the dust with a clean damp rag or sponge after sanding and allow to dry completely before applying the paint. Images courtesy of sxc.hu

An Investment With Wings? Last year saw another rise in the number of buy to let (BTL) mortgages being given and 2010 rebounded 10% higher than the total for 2009. The impact of the banking crisis shook up lenders to revise the promiscuous and financially licentious nature of their lending with its ‘let's cross that bridge later’ attitude to credit. The structural survey on the ground our heavily overpriced housing market was built on came back showing signs of heavy subsidence, the foundations required underpinning which has subsequently cost the UK billions. Unfortunately, to use a technical term, this was a ‘double whammy’ on the economy as a whole.   The UK and world financial markets crashed As banks amended their credit lending to become more rigorous and stringent in their evaluation of credit worthiness, everybody then realised that millions of people had used the inflated house prices of the previous decade’s property boom to borrow money against the value of their homes, the market for which had just crashed. The UK woke up after the biggest house party of the century with a very nasty hangover. All this led to a stagnation in the purchase of new homes as even those that could get the funds to buy property were still unsure if prices would fall further after the purchase. However, a canny few dipped their toe in and realised the rental market had the potential to rise.  Apprehensive first time buyers were now being asked for higher deposits so were being forced to rent until they could get the funds together for credit approval. And so from a 60% fall in BTL mortgages in 2008 to a consistent annual rise since then there is now some confidence that BTL properties can be a wise investment again. However, the new buyers of rental property realised that the three main rules of BTL redecorating had never been more true; i.e. 1. understand the rental target market, 2. decorate for a wide audience within that market, and 3. get it on the market ASAP. Tenants look at a property as a temporary solution. They want the security of having a trustworthy landlord but the freedom to move on when they need to. So, even though a golden rule for BTL properties is to get them on the market as fast as possible this should still mean the quality of the finished property is high. For example, you may only spend £2500 on a simple kitchen but it should still be fitted to a high standard. Tenants are more likely to respect the property if the landlord has shown a high consideration for the people he or she wants to live there. Obviously it is key to look for bargains and kit out the property with hard wearing items that won’t need frequent replacing. Doors for example will take a battering and shouldn't be skimped on but finding a source of high quality oak doors of solid construction at a bargain price is not hard. Natural finish oak doors are a perfect example of the BTL holy grail. They don’t cost the earth from the right supplier, they’re appealing to a wide audience in any market sector and a supplier like UK Oak Doors will get them to the property within two weeks. Images courtesy of sxc.hu

The last couple of winters have been unusually harsh.  We've had to contend with heavy snow, gale force winds, severe storms, and temperatures that are far colder than normal.  This has caused trouble for a lot of home owners,

Oak Door Frames The opportunity to redesign the welcome that your house gives to you and your guests doesn't stop with the choice of door. It's worth thinking about the frame the door sits in, poetically parallelled by this French proverb; “a picture without the right frame is like a landscape without the sky” After all, it's worth spending over £500 on something like a nice Cottage external door to garnish the look of the house so it's just as worthwhile spending a bit extra to frame it correctly. Solid oak door frames from UK Oak Doors are manufactured with laminates of solid European oak and are fully reversible. They are pre-machined to fit the Aquamac 21 standard weather seal too (although the seal is not currently included) but what should you look for in a good door frame? Oak External Door Frame The main attributes of a winning door frame are strength, durability and style. First and foremost a door frame needs to be strong and our solid European oak door frames are amongst the toughest on the market. This is certainly a requirement if it is supporting something like a heavy duty solid oak external traditional door. Even if an older frame is free from rot or woodworm the joints may well have loosened over time or the frame can work loose within the brickwork. It's much better to buy a new frame when buying a new door rather than having the upheaval of having it replaced at a later date, usually in winter too. External oak door frames from UK Oak Doors cost around £130 which is the same as the cost of labour you will have to spend if you need to replace the old door frame at a later stage. Fitting a new door frame at the same time as the door will save most of this extra labour cost. A strong frame provides a higher level of security too, after all, the most expensive five lever lock you can buy is only as effective as the door and frame it is attached to. The second thing to look for in a good door frame is durability. A frame lacking this quality will be more likely to jam or develop gaps allowing a draught or water through not just as a result of wear and tear but also the weather. No wooden frame is entirely immune to changing weather conditions but fitting a new oak external frame from UK Oak Doors along with your new solid oak front door will mean the expansion and contraction effects from changing weather conditions will be synchronised compared to fitting a new door in an old frame. Then of course there is the look of the frame. A frame supplied by the same manufacturer as the door allows you to match the treatment and natural wood colours perfectly. Even if you sand down an old frame and apply the same treatment such as Impranol Elan and Colour Base coats to the new door you won't get the perfect match you are looking for which would be a shame. One final note is regarding correctly measuring the frame before ordering. Based on the total outside dimension, if you are selecting a frame to fit an existing hole in the wall, make sure as a minimum you allow door height +85mm and door width +70mm. ( i.e. if you have a door size of 1981mm x 838mm high, then the hole will need to be bigger than 2066 high, 908mm wide). Using these figures still won't allow room for fitting so it's best to check with your builder first.

So, you've spent most of your time off work re-decorating your home.  You've laid new carpets, painted every ceiling, painstakingly re-tiled and re-wallpapered every room, and put together the perfect set of furniture that matches your shiny new solid oak doors.  You want to enjoy your hard work, but something's not quite right.  Things don't look quite as shiny or as glamorous as they did in the show room.  What's missing?  Most likely, the thing behind all your problems is lighting.

At this time of year, most people turn their minds towards spring-cleaning, but why not go a step further and give your home a new look?  While you're at it, you could add some new home comforts too.  Here's a few ideas to help you get started: Double glazing:  If you haven't already invested in double glazing, now is a great time to do so.  You'll be amazed at how much quieter, warmer, and more comfortable a home with double glazing feels. Ceiling fans:  If you have mixed feelings about the summer months because you hate the heat, then a ceiling fan is a must-have addition to your home.  They're less expensive to run than typical air conditioning installations, and they look pretty nifty too. Oak doors: Are you sick of flimsy looking MDF doors?  Solid oak doors are a great option even for your interior - not just for looks, but for comfort, noise reduction, and energy conservation too. Thermostatic radiator valves:  If you haven't upgraded your heating in a while, then you might be missing out on one of the greatest inventions in the world of heating. Thermostatic radiator valves are useful for regulating temperatures on a room by room basis - and they can save you a fortune too. Spruce up your kitchen:  Getting an entire new fitted kitchen is expensive, but you can replace the sink, and the fronts of your cabinets, quite cheaply. This gives you a whole new look, without too much expense. Bathroom tweaks: Invest in a new bath mat, bathroom set, and a glass shower door (or a stylish shower curtain), to give your bathroom a shiny new feeling without having to re-do the entire room. Extra-Comfort For the Bedroom:  When was the last time you bought a new mattress?  If you aren't sleeping well, perhaps it's time to check your mattress, and update it if necessary.  Buying a new mattress might seem like an unnecessary expense, but they last many years if cared for properly, and there are few purchases that will have as big an impact on your health and wellbeing. Curtains and Blinds:  Consider investing in blackout curtains or blinds for the bedroom, and something a little brighter and more cheerful for other rooms.  Curtains are often overlooked when people re-model, which is a shame because they have a big impact on the overall feel of the room. Sitting pretty:  Is the chair in your study comfortable?  Is the sofa in the living room big enough for the whole family?  You can never have too much comfy seating! The above are just a few suggestions.  No doubt you will have your own preferences when it comes to what to upgrade or change when you re-decorate.  Whatever you decide, try to put your comfort first.  It's better to sleep well and sit comfortably than to buy a designer sofa that looks great, but feels like it was designed purely to be looked at! Thanks to digitalart for the image.

What is it that you really appreciate in the virtues of good wood? What is it that you value or cherish in owning expensive solid oak doors as opposed to choosing cheaper alternatives? Maybe you wanted a certain style of door to accompany the style of your home. Yet, why solid oak? The truth is there are door suppliers that  try to mimic the classic styles of oak doors in cheaper woods with correlating results. No, the real reason why real oak is chosen by the discerning home owner is because of the natural qualities the wood has over other alternatives. These natural qualities are both cosmetic and structural, in fact it is the structural qualities that are the basis for its cosmetic appeal and to expose these qualities whilst protecting them from bumps and bangs you need a superior finish. There is no point spending wisely on the best doors only to neglect them with a finish that doesn't display the full beauty of the wood or fails to protect the wood sufficiently. So, here at UK Oak Doors we recommend either Treatex or Osmo Polyx Oils to bring out a long lasting golden finish in the oak. The market leading Osmo Oils have garnered their reputation by balancing environmentally sound resources and simple application with a high end beautiful yet durable finish. To good to be true? Well, firstly the oils are based on Soya, Linseed and Thistle Oils which are more environmentally friendly than other wood finishes, not just regarding raw materials but also when the products are disposed of after use. Osmo Polyx Oils also do without 'Green solvent' materials which aren't as good as they sound because they are known to cause allergies. Furthermore due to their unusually high content of oils and pigments Polyx Oils also give a stunning natural finish after just one or two coats and usually cover twice as much surface area as a same size tin of other conventional finishes in the market. Not only do Osmo Polyx Oils not require a primer coat but because of the special selection of natural oils you don't need to sand the surface down between coats either. Yet despite the use of natural oils and ease of application there has been no trade off in the quality of the finish. Osmo Polyx Oils have been developed so they are absorbed into the wood like an oil but harden to provide protection like a wax. This means the beauty of your interior doors will look as good as you had hoped they would, but for longer. It's a fact that these oils are even recommended for use on wooden floors too so their durability credentials are not in doubt either. “Integrity reveals beauty”. This quote by American businessman Thomas Leonard succinctly summarises why solid oak is so popular, especially for a natural looking finish. By using market leading natural finish oils such as Osmo Polyx Oils the owner can show off the integrity of the solid oak with its deep honeygold colours of swirling grain and so revealing its beauty.

The impact of colour on interior design is often under-estimated. Not only do some colours look nicer than others; some colours have an impact on your mood, and some colours can make a room seem larger, cosier, or more inviting. Learning how to use colours effectively in your interior design plans will help you to more easily achieve the look-and-feel you want for your home.

Leading door supplier UK Oak Doors is delighted to announce the opening of its new showroom in Burton Hastings, Warwickshire. An expanding product range and continued growth have led to UK Oak Doors outgrowing their former combined office and showroom. The old showroom has been converted into a large office space to house the rapidly expanding team. Conveniently, an area below the existing workspace was available to the company and they have transformed the former milking parlour into a showroom for their entire range of solid oak doors for both trade and public visitors. The Final Result           Established in 2008, the company specialise in high quality solid oak doors made using traditional construction methods from sustainable European oak. People often expect that they'd have to pay over the odds for solid oak doors, but UK Oak Doors have laid down the gauntlet with competitive pricing, offering a superior product at great value for money. Even though the business operates primarily as an online e-commerce site, the importance of a showroom for visitors could not be overlooked and the business was keen to invest heavily in providing this. “Selling high quality products online can be difficult as many of us naturally want to touch and feel the doors before investing” comments MD Nick Lines. “Changing the doors in a home can have a huge impact on the character of the property and the decision on which style of door to select should not be taken lightly.  In today’s marketplace our customers, whether they be trade or homeowners, require choice, information and certain quality reassurances. The showroom is ideally placed to showcase all our products, allowing customers to see for themselves and buy with confidence”. Close to the M69 and A5 road networks, yet nestled in the tranquil surroundings of the Warwickshire countryside, the showroom benefits from a central England location allowing easy access from all parts of the UK. The company continues to experience significant growth despite the economic down turn, suggesting that the balance of good value without compromising on quality is still a winning combination even in these tough times. Address: UK Oak Doors Manor Farm Hinckley Road Burton hastings Warwickshire CV11 6RG Showroom Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Weekend viewings can be arranged by appointment only. Telephone 01455 565 565.

The UK Oak Doors 2011 photo competition drew to a close before the Christmas break. The uptake surpassed expectations and we received some amazing entries making the judges' job a particularly tricky one. A huge thank you to all of the customers who entered. The variety was incredible and seeing the doors in so many settings has been brilliant. First, second and third prizes were on offer in addition to a bonus prize of a digital camera which was awarded to the photo with the biggest 'wow' factor. 2011 Competition Winner 2nd Prize Winner The winning entry was sent in by Jonathan from Gwent - the image features one of our solid oak ledge and brace doors. Second place went to Sian from Manchester with a picture of a Suffolk frame and ledge door and third place was awarded to Michael from Devon. Again, it is a Suffolk door in this shot (causing much envy in the office with the pool!). Third Prize Winner Bonus Prize Winner             The winner of the bonus prize was Jake from Oxfordshire. The view up the stairs to the contemporary solid oak doors was a real hit with the judges. A stunner of a staircase! Other entries included some great 'before' and 'after' shots, some close-ups of handles and ironmongery, some great shots displaying how our doors can be adapted and customised (for example as bi-fold doors), a great image of one of our oak doors in a yurt and there was even a spooky reindeer ghost/door combination. A great selection of internal and external oak doors and accessories all round. Looking forward to the 2012 competition already! :-)   Information is accurate at time of publishing, however, may be subject to change.

Interior design trends are often inspired by cinema, and the big movie of the moment, ‘My Week with Marilyn’, is certainly a great inspiration. Set in 1950s Britain, but with a bit of obligatory Hollywood glitz and glamour, ‘My Week with Marilyn’ explores the tense interaction between Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during the making of The Prince and the Showgirl. A New Generation The 1950s saw a big shift in interior design trends. In fact, the 1950s marked the beginning of the UK’s obsession with interior design. Before then, most living rooms were quite drab and utilitarian, but in the 1950s that changed, as young homeowners looked to make a statement about their identities, and decorate their homes in a bolder, brighter way than previous generations. The 1950s are marked by bold, bright patterns, stylized furnishings, and abstract prints. Metal tube furniture and futuristic, high tech designs were all popular in the 50s. The booming post-war economy meant that people had more disposable income, and were interested in spending it on expressing themselves through the decoration of their homes. The Modern Version of 50s Style If you look at photographs of true 1950s design, you’ll find that the bold colours, Lucienne Day prints, and tripod tables were used sparingly. The modern version of the 50s look is an exaggerated, overstated one – almost “50’s on Steroids”. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however. Authentic 1950s furniture is quite difficult to find. The revival of that style has meant that antiques are in high demand. Fortunately, 1950’s style furniture is easy to find, with many high street store producing stylized lamps, tables, chairs, and other key items. Getting the 1950s Look in Your Home The 1950s look is easy to replicate. Start with oak doors and tiled floor accented by a blue or earthy coloured rug. From there, opt for white walls, and stylized furniture. Bright, bold colours are the order of the day. For an authentic look, don’t go overboard on the geometric patterns. A few simple shapes and contrasting colours is a better choice than an overly busy print. For a modern twist on the 1950s look, why not add a touch of luxury to your interior, perhaps borrowing from Marilyn’s trademark dress to create a glamorous set of curtains, or using her accessories as inspiration for some decorative accents – for example, using her purse as inspiration for a bold, orange leather footrest, The look of the 1950s was both optimistic and practical, and it’s understandable that the current generation of designers is inspired to re-visit the 50s during a time when the British economy is struggling. National pride, and a desire for simpler times, can both be satisfied by the simple, charming styles of that era. Decorating in the 50s style doesn’t have to be expensive. Cheap and cheerful oak doors, a lick of paint, and some brightly coloured, stylized accessories can help to give most rooms a taste of the 50s, without you needing to throw out your existing furniture.

As Christmas approaches many people like to smarten up their homes and even decorate a room or two before they put up Christmas trees and garlands to welcome the festive season. If you would like to give your home a fresh look but don’t have much money to spare, then try some of the nine frugal and fabulous decorating ideas below. Add Some Christmas Kerb Appeal If your home has one of the oak doors at the front and it’s looking a bit tired, why not give it a coat of bright red paint. Red doors are cheerful and inviting and give visitors a warm and welcome feel even before they enter into the house – think how great it will look with a green holly wreath hung on it as well. Have a Christmas Hanging Basket If you normally take down your hanging baskets during the winter months, why not consider painting one of them a nice, clean white. Once the paint is dry fill the basket with winter plants and then rehang at the front of the house for a welcoming look. Make a Feature Wall When your living room is painted and you want to update and brighten the space, think about a feature wall. You can usually get away with one roll of paper for your chimney breast, if you choose a paper that won’t need a great deal of cutting and matching.  Pick a bright stripe or floral paper if you fancy a real change and then follow through that colour with your curtains and cushion covers. Yes You Can Make Cushion Covers From an Old Summer Dress When money is really tight but you want to make a few changes unpick an old summer dress that you no longer wear. A good, brightly coloured cotton dress, especially if the material has maintained some of it’s cripness, makes excellent cushion covers – and all they will cost you is the price of the zips a reel of cotton and a little time and patience. It’s Ragtime If you are lucky enough to live in a country cottage with a stone flagged floor, or you have a living room with a plain wooden floor, a rag rug will make things even more homely. You can purchase the rug backing quite cheaply from most craft stores along with a strong needle. Use up old curtains, skirts you no longer wear, and last year’s tee shirts. Make sure the material won’t fray then cut into neat pieces and stitch onto the backing, all the pieces of material should be close together and overlapping. Dark colours are best for rag rugs. Yes They Still Make Fablon If your kitchen cupboard doors are looking tatty and you can’t afford to replace them, take a tip out of mother’s book and cover them with Fablon for now. You can get a range of effects, including pine wood and granite look. It’s an old fashioned, cheap idea that still works. Light Work You’d be surprised at the difference just changing your lampshades can make – even if you can only afford a new one for the living room. Put it on the Table Mable If you’ve a beautiful house plant or even a table lamp and nowhere to put it, find an old, scarred side table – you can pick one up second hand for a couple of pounds. Either varnish an old side table or cover it with a cloth that reaches to the floor, as the Victorians did, and you’ve got that extra space. And Finally:- When all else fails treat yourself to a couple of poinsetta plants and have one in the hallway and one in the living room for a warm, bright touch. Thank you to Kittisak for the image.

If you grew up in the 60s or 70s, then you probably remember the rise of Habitat: the household furnishings chain that revolutionised the way people in the UK thought about their homes. The first branch of Habitat opened in Chealsea in 1964. Over the next 25 years the chain expanded to include 71 branches spread across Europe, of which 35 were in the UK. Terence Conran’s vision for the chain was to broaden the horizons of shoppers – introducing international tastes to an eager audience. A Reputation for Quality Habitat sold exotic products, and designer goods – some lines that Terence Conran came up with himself, others produced by carefully selected designers. Habitat introduced a lot of innovations to British life, from the duvet and the bean bag, to the garlic press and the wok. The Habitat of old sold designer products that were high quality. They were well made, and long lasting. However, the brand failed to move with the times. Their expensive, futuristic designs went out of fashion, and as consumers moved towards the retro look, Habitat failed to update their product lines to reflect changing interests. Terence Conran took an active role in Habitat’s product design and selection during the 1960s and 1970s, but when he moved on to explore other avenues of business, things went downhill. Aside from a brief collaboration with Tom Dixon in the early 2000’s, the brand lacked direction for many years, and there was nobody to really capture the imagination of modern consumers. The current fashion is for wooden floors, big windows, oak doors, and retro furnishings, with World War II slogans and nostalgic paintings remembering a time long gone. Habitat’s futuristic, optimistic designs were simply not in demand. The Legacy of Conran Terence Conran has explored many different businesses throughout his life, and has also been a big supporter of the Design Museum. In his honour, the museum is running an exhibition which will explore his career, highlighting the innovations he brought to the country. The Habitat retail chain may no longer be the success that it was under Conran, but many of his design ideas live on. Habitat’s trademark Black Leather Forum sofa, the Japanese Paper Lantern, the Duvet, and even the futuristic dining chair, are all things that Conran introduced to the UK. All of these things are still popular, alongside the retro fashions of today. Modern interior design is, as with modern pop culture, a mash-up of designs from many different decades and many different countries.  Conran’s personal designs, and his eye for quality produced by other designers, means that he created something that has had a much bigger lasting effect than anything most other designers could ever dream of. Behind the oak doors and roman blinds popular in so many homes, there’s almost always something of Conran’s legacy. The modern kitchen benefited a lot from Conran’s foresight, and white the bean bag is now relegated to the status of a child’s toy, the duvet is almost ubiquitous in the bedroom. It’s unfortunate that without Conran’s guidance, the retail icon has fallen so far.