Catch the latest releases
A little goes a long way
Comedy The High Note, starring Tracee Ellis Ross as an egotistical singer and Dakota Johnson as her put-upon PA. Watch and wonder if Tracee was inspired by mum Diana. On digital download now
‘Faux panelling is an easy and inexpensive way to add glamour and grandeur to a room,’ says Nicki Bamford-bowes of @andthentheywentwild. ‘Here, to create an intimate, dramatic but elegant space in a client’s Victorian terrace, I used simple wooden mouldings from Wickes to create this faux panelled look. I measured out the space and literally drew squares on the wall where I wanted the mouldings to go before fixing them with grab adhesive. I opted to take the mouldings round the corner of the room for a modern twist, and painting the skirting, wall, mouldings and cornicing in one colour instantly gave the illusion of greater height. This glowing, deep blue shade (Hicks’ Blue, littlegreene.com) made the perfect backdrop for brass and pink furnishings and accessories.’
‘Using a small amount of an amazing and slightly more expensive fabric can really lift a room,’ says interior designer Beata Heuman. ‘I find the best way to do this is to use the fabric to create a small under-sink curtain or a scatter cushion for a sofa. With the latter, a little touch of something great enhances neutral linens or plain textiles that are typically used for larger surface areas.’ Marbelized velvet, £125/m + VAT, beataheuman.com
‘The addition of a piece of well-considered photography or artwork is such a quick and simple way to elevate a room and add both interest and personality to a space,’ says Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan. ‘Gallery walls can look wonderful but, as illustrated in this image, a striking single image can have real impact and can be a less daunting prospect to find. When choosing, it’s more important to find something you love and connect with. And source the right size for your wall – use masking tape to check the proportions look good and, if in doubt, go larger.’
‘Wallpapering a small corner of your living room zones a space but also gives a room pattern, texture and a touch of individuality and surprise,’ says designer Susi Bellamy. ‘Areas that work particularly well include the wall between a pair of tall windows, a flat wall between two open-plan rooms and an inset section either side of the fireplace – wallpaper one side and a chair placed in front of it; fill the other side with a bookcase, adding the wallpaper behind it for an extra pop of colour. Panelling also creates a frame around a wallpapered panel or add moulding around a length of wallpaper for a similar effect. Break up the wallpapered section with a small console or chair and add a seat cover or cushion in patterned velvet; don’t be afraid to place paintings on patterned wallpaper either.’ Pietre Blu wallpaper, £155 per roll, susi-bellamy.com