Style advice
Three simple tricks to try in your own home
CUSTOMISE FESTIVE BARGAINS
Decorating for Christmas doesn’t have to cost a fortune. An easy, budget-friendly way to transform a room is to fill a fireplace with loads of colourful paper pom poms and lanterns. Pick up a cardboard star for under £5 from Hobbycraft and spray it gold, then add a disco ball, oversized baubles, candles and finish off with glam gold accessories.
SWEEP THE SUPERMARKET
Sarah loves to showcase her goodlooking glassware. ‘I love a retro cocktail shaker or a vintage coupe glass,’ she says, ‘but I also keep my eye out in supermarkets and high-street shops. They’ve really upped their game in terms of homeware, and I often find stylish glassware from places like George Home and John Lewis & Partners that are really affordable.’
BUY FURNITURE THAT WORKS HARD
Sarah has gone for style and function when choosing her luxurious, velvet Chesterfield sofa and matching footstool. The statement sofa works as a beautiful focal point, piled high with on-trend patterned cushions. The practical stool serves as extra seating that can be easily moved around the room and, with an added tray, can also double as a coffee or cocktail table.
‘We haven’t used the room much yet, because of lockdown, but this Christmas it’s finally going to be party time!’
MY EXPERIENCE
I’d never even seen this place when Gav came home one day and said he’d bought it. To be fair, we were looking to upsize, and I totally trust his judgement. When I finally got to see it, I could see how much potential there was.
We also have a family living room, so we used this space as a temporary kitchen while we did an extension, but when that was finished, I thought about how to decorate. I decided on a sophisticated, grown-up look, full of sumptuous furniture and luxe accessories. A Chesterfield sofa was on my wish list, and I bought this one before we even moved in, so it had to live in my motherin-law’s garage for a few months. The first thing I did was paint the walls in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball, to create a bit of drama, and then I ripped up the beige carpets. The edges of the floorboards were painted black, which I liked, but, as seems to be the way with older properties, the middle was bare wood, so I covered the whole floor with a dark stain.
I was browsing eBay one day when this amazing retro bar popped up. At £200, it wasn’t the cheapest buy, but I knew it would be perfect in here. I filled the room with colourful cushions and quirky artwork, and my velvet curtains, a £10 bargain buy from Facebook Marketplace, finished off the look. We haven’t used the room much yet, because of lockdown, but this Christmas it’s finally going to be party time!