Style advice

Three simple tricks to try in your own home

01 Create an unusual shelf

‘Using a pile of old books in your colour scheme to make the base for a low shelf is something I often do. You can buy bundles of vintage books in flea markets for around £20, and sometimes if they’re on it, they’ve already sorted them into the colours for you. Otherwise, look in charity shops for single books for a few pence and build up your own collections. Find a tray that will fit easily on top and then vary your tealights and candles for a lovely soft glow. Try placing it in front of a mirror for maximum impact.’

02 Layer bedding and cushions

‘ I have a rule with bedding and cushions. I stick to five basic colours – plum, brown, rust, caramel and pink – and variations within them, whether it’s plain or floral fabric. That way you can be sure that everything will go with everything else and you won’t be making any expensive mistakes, and pieces can just be rotated. Then it’s easy to layer things up, putting plain linen with patterns and using more tactile fabrics, like velvet and silk, with the cushions and varying the sizes. I tend to put more of the darker shades on the bed in the winter and lighter ones in the summer.’

03 Add a fake fireplace

‘ Most people are shocked to find out that the fireplace isn’t original. When I moved in, the fireplace had been taken out; it was just a bare wall. At one stage I put up some brick wallpaper there, but it needed a focal point. I bought a proper cast-iron fire surround for £80 on eBay and fixed it to the wall. Then I painted the inside black to give the impression of a hole. Once I’d chosen my pink for the woodwork, I decided to paint the fire surround in the same colour to blend in, rather than have it stand out.’