BRIGHT IDEAS:

With Claire Hornby

PASTELS may be perfect for summer, but you can ensure the trend works throughout the year.

The Bleecker dining chairs from Barker and Stonehouse are a combination of iron frames and reclaimed wooden seats and come in a range of cool shades – we love the aqua version. Pair with a big solid wood table such as the San Quentin Tahoe in reclaimed pine.

This is a tougher take on pastels, less delicate and pretty and more industrial, but that’s not to say it can’t be feminine. Mix pastel-painted reclaimed-woods with soft furnishings for a comfortable and contemporary take on the trend.

This edgier take on pastels is epitomised by the Portobello range of drawers and cabinets from Barker and Stonehouse.

Beautifully constructed from mango wood and reclaimed wood and featuring a distressed black-painted finish, the Portobello has mixed, pastel-coloured drawers and metal handles.

Either leave exposed brick-work, paint walls in chalky pastel colours or choose a muted pastel wallpaper such as the retro Dotty from Graham and Brown (www. grahambrown.com).

Offset the wood and metal with ultracomfortable sofas and armchairs such as the Archie three seater sofa with feather-filled cushions in beautiful vintage cotton loose covers.

Claire Hornby is creative stylist at Barker and Stonehouse. For more design ideas visit www.barkerand stonehouse.co.uk