STYLE SECRETS

Follow Abby’s lead for an elegant, put-together look

PLAY WITH MIRRORS

Make a room feel bigger by positioning a mirror on the back wall, or the farthest point from the door – it will trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than it is. Or boost light levels by fixing a mirror opposite a window – it will reflect the light coming in and make the room appear brighter.

REVAMP A CHEST

Turn an old wooden or leather trunk into a coffee table by topping it with a sheet of glass. Measure the top surface for size before getting a piece of glass cut to fit at a local glaziers – the glass should cover the surface without extending over the edge. For safety, you’ll need to use tempered glass as it won’t shatter into sharp shards if broken. Go for a thickness of 10mm or more and use rubber bungs to secure it in position.

ADD FESTIVE TOUCHES

Choose Christmas decorations that tie in with your colour scheme for a grown-up look. Warm up a neutral decor with metallic baubles and tree decorations in soft shades of Champagne, bronze and old gold, tied with velvet and satin ribbons in co-ordinating tones. Add arrangements of greenery and foliage in vases, and use mini garlands entwined with metallic fir cones, white berries and mini baubles as table centrepieces.