ASK KIT KEMP Our guest editor answers your decorating questions
OUR GUEST EDITOR HAS GIVEN OUR RESIDENT UNDER BUTLER MR MERRIDEW THE MONTH OFF AND IS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS HERSELF
QDo you know where I can find some pretty decorative tiles – for both walls and floor – for my en-suite bathroom, which leads off my mostly blue bedroom. The bathroom doesn’t have any windows and I’d like the tiles to bring in plenty of character and interest. And can you please share tips for making the room feel lighter and brighter, too.
Frances, Richmond
LAST year I was invited to design a bathroom for CP Hart (above). This was a wonderful opportunity to try something quite different. Putting together my dream scheme included designing midnight-blue ceramic tiles, which I did in partnership with Balineum. They’re called Travelling Light and have recently become available to buy. The deep blue colour has a contemporary feel and will certainly add character, especially with flashes of vibrant coral (as shown above). If you have the wall space, my advice for a windowless en suite is to install a mirrored wall to enhance the sense of light and space. If your bathroom is small, an infinity mirror can help add depth. Another trick is to include a heated pad behind the mirror when installing it, so that it doesn’t steam up, while the underfloor lighting I used here with the moons and stars is ideal if you need to raise the floor.
QI have a blue and white guest bedroom that I have used for our grandsons. Now that I have been blessed with a little granddaughter I’m getting a new single bed but don’t really want to change the wallpaper or carpet. Could you recommend fabric for curtains and new bedding in prettier colours to give the room a refresh? Marion, Edinburgh
WHY not simply add a really vivid hot pink – just a dash, not a dollop. If overused, this colour can be overpowering but it works well as a bold and versatile accent to lift a space. Inside Out in Indian Pink by Christopher Farr Cloth is a subtly patterned fabric in a warming pink shade, and can create a nice link between curtains and bed cushions. Being bold will bring a difficult space to life, so why not paint an old piece of furniture bright pink, too? Pink is one of the most calming colours so all of your grandchildren will be happy in that room.
Fabric, Inside Out in Indian Pink, £150m, Christopher Farr Cloth
QThe Shaker-style units in my large kitchen-diner are painted duck egg blue and I want a complete change. The room has three windows and French doors, and the granite tops – in a mix of cream and grey with a touch of dark red – will have to stay. I’m thinking of introducing a warm grey. What do you suggest?
Mo, via email
THE kitchen, the heart of the home, is my favourite room. For the walls I’d use Shadow White – a soft white with a hint of grey – by Farrow & Ball. You could then give the windows, French doors and skirting boards a pop of colour with Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth, which will respond beautifully as the light changes throughout the day.
If you want a grey for the cabinets, Blue Gray, also by Farrow & Ball, would work well with Red Earth.
For something different, Designers Guild’s Tuscan Olive on the units will bring a hint of the garden indoors.
Paint, Red Earth estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
QI have in my hallway very old oak panelling, which has had woodworm in the past and unfortunately over the years has been treated with what looks like brown polyurethane lacquer. I also have a terracotta floor with a grey wool runner. The stairs are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. My question is whether the panelling should be painted in Down Pipe too? Jane, via email
YOU’RE lucky to have original oak panelling and I would enjoy it as long as you continue to have it treated for woodworm. Don’t paint it, whatever you do. I suggest removing the polyurethane lacquer so that the surface goes back to its natural patina and simply treat the panels with a satin-finish polish. You know how much I love colour, and so I would replace the grey runner with a colourful kilim to brighten up the whole area. Susan Deliss has a vibrant selection with wonderful detail.
Kilim fabric, price on request, Susan Deliss