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OUR RESIDENT UNDER BUTLER PROVIDES HOME HELP
Home help from our resident under butler
QI clipped a picture from a travel supplement of the revamped Suján Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur, because I love the wonderful wallpapers. Can you tell me where I can buy them – or something similar? Carol, via email
IT’S the time of year for dreaming of far-off climes, isn’t it? So I can see why you’ve been taken with the Suján Rajmahal Palace. Designed by Adil Ahmad, its modern take on classic Indian hues and prints is a riot of brightness and beauty. Speaking to sources at the hotel (the network of under butlers runs far and wide),
I’ve learned that the wallpapers were created especially for each room by Adil Ahmad and Good Earth, a homeware brand based in Delhi, using block printing techniques specific to the hotel’s region. But it’s a style that is also emulated in the UK. GP & J Baker have a line of Indian-inspired wallpapers, while Nina Campbell’s designs for Osborne & Little use the paisley motif to great effect in the Les Indiennes range. Anna French’s collection for Thibault is more muted in tone, but still vibrant. And The Fabric Collective offers designers you can commission to create a bespoke wallpaper. Whatever you choose, go big and bold. This is not a style to use sparingly. Enjoy.
QYears ago, my teenage daughter wanted to paint her bedroom black, and I balked. But now I’ve got a craving to do my low-ceilinged dining room in a very dark shade. Any suggestions? Clara, Pembrokeshire
SOMETHING magical happens with black walls – everything set against them feels more expensive. It has been the backdrop to some of the best dining rooms I’ve served in – when candles are on and lamps are dim, the setting twinkles captivatingly. Going dark in your low-ceilinged room may be against all the supposed rules, but I’m assuming you mostly use it at night anyway, when you’ll find you have created a sophisticated cocoon. A caveat: there are many shades of black so try out sample pots. Paint a large piece of paper in each tester colour and hold it against your dining chairs and furniture to see which tone feels most harmonious. And don’t scrimp on the quality – blacks are notorious for showing up roller marks, scuffs and imperfections. I’m a fan of Earthborn’s Hidey-hole claypaint, which is easy to apply and has a lovely jet-like gleam.
QMy big project for this year is to create a separate laundry room. What do I need to know? Sarah, Bath
THE modern utility room takes me back to the upstairs/downstairs approach of times gone by, when all the functional items – and people – were kept well out of view. Today, it’s a good way of freeing up space in your kitchen. First, plan out how much space you’ll need for a washing machine, tumble dryer, sink and storage cabinetry. You’ll need a cabinet depth of at least 65cm, with a minimum of one metre walk-through space. Then if the laundry room is visible from the kitchen, use the same colour scheme for a cohesive look. Budget can be saved with less expensive cabinetry and flooring for this lower-profile room. Just keep the same handles and work surfaces as in the kitchen. I like the Portobello utility room by Mark Wilkinson Furniture, painted here in Paint & Paper Library’s Stable Green.
QI’m looking for a statement pendant light – not a chandelier – something a bit
Art Deco, ideally gold. Any ideas? Steph, Bayswater
I’M very glad you asked. I’ve got a new go-to up my Oxford shirt sleeve, which I’ve been dying to talk about; like a box of Turkish Delight, it’s simply too good to keep to oneself. Hudson Valley Lighting is an American megabrand that has just launched in the UK, proffering four distinct labels. So, there’s Hudson Valley, which is grown-up, smart and structural, while Mitzi is more modern, with flashes of marble and curves. Troy has an Art Deco feel, such as the Cubist pendant, £1,077, below, and Corbett is sculptural and glam. In short, there’s something for everyone – a veritable Aladdin’s cave of well-lit joy. I suspect it may become a name to know in 2020, illuminating some of the most stylish homes in the land.
You heard it here first.