Designers Guild paint can now be ordered from Garrendenny Lane Interiors’ showroom.  Lots of gorgeous colours available in Floor paint, Water based eggshell, Oil based eggshell and Matt Emulsion.

And I will soon be able to show you photos of some rooms in my house painted with Designers Guild paint! Do you remember my new year’s resolution whereby I planned to decorate a room every 6 weeks or so?  Well, I made that resolution when my energy levels were very high, I had just had 5 steroid injections in about 6 weeks in an attempt by my consultant to reduce my IGE levels – as a result, my eczema cleared up, my skin felt great, I was able to stop taking anti-histamine, I had loads of energy, I felt like I could take on the world. Unfortunately, having steroid injections regularly isn’t necessarily that good for one’s health and I have recently felt the results of having them wear off – in that, keeping the house, keeping a business going and looking after the kids seems to consume my energies. I did hack the tiles off the floor of the downstairs loo and Brian removed the loo and I painted the ceiling and then it stopped for 3 weeks – partly due to my low energy levels and Brian’s lack of sleep with cows calving but I am determined to get it done by the end of March.

I’m definitely getting old – I even fell asleep watching the Late Late show the last 2 weeks, while waiting for Jonathan Ross to come on!

Why not get a decorator in? I hear you ask!  Because I love decorating!  I actually find it quite relaxing and refreshing to spend an afternoon or evening painting – not so relaxing when it involves multi-tasking keeping 2 kids amused and getting them to bed I must admit but I do enjoy it. Having decorated a number of houses in the past too, I would consider myself a woose if I didn’t do it!  So hopefully I will have some pics for you soon.

Welcome if you have visited from seeing our decorative dog cushion Sammy in the Sunday Times today. Lola and Sammy can beviewed and  purchased here.

Mag from Goatsbridge Trout Farm tweeted me with some photos and a query.  She’s looking for some ideas for this space in her home.

It is located beside this sitting /dining room and the door open out into this space.

goatsbridge

What do I suggest? Well, as you can see the sitting and dining room is quite traditional and formal and I particularly love the silver candleabras, the balloon back chairs and the cast iron radiator.  The outer space has a door at the end so I presume it is used as one entrance hall and perhaps as a space for children to run or scoot up and down

This room is quite bare at the moment, lots of lovely large windows and the tiled floor need embellishment.  As the doors to the sitting room open, it would be nice to open them when there is a large gathering and spill out onto this area as a continuation but without the hallway feeling cold and bare.  I would first of all recommend the addition of fabric. Now, blinds or curtains for all the windows are going to  expensive given the size and number of the windows but dress blinds would be an option.  It also depends on how much sun this hall way gets, if it is south facing and we ever happen to get a hot summer again, then full blinds would offer protection against the glare and the heat.

There is a table on one end of the hall.  If this is remaining there, I would recommend putting a tall lamp or piece of sculpture on the left hand side of the table, so it is provides some asymmetrical balance with the window at the end.  It would also provide interest as one enters the door at the other end.  Alternatively, a small 2 seater sofa or an armchair would be lovely at the end with a couple of colourful and textured cushions.  A floor lamp to the left of the armchair would provide task light if reading, lovely ambient lighting and also the symmetrical balance I mentioned earlier. 

If the window treatment choice is wooden venetian blinds, for example, then I would recommend having fabric at the end of the hall, in the shape of an armchair or sofa with a couple of plush cushions.  It would also provide a lovely area to relax in peace with a book, enjoying the warm winter or spring sun shining in the window.

Designers Guild's Festival armchairs

I’d recommend using light-safe fabrics that won’t fade with the sun. Therefore a Trevira fabric or Designers Guild’s Ruzzini fabrics for example.

As the hall is long, it looks narrower than it is I’d imagine so it is important to break up the length without letting pieces impinge too much into the floor area width-wise. Mag has some nice plants lined along the floor. Some vivid flowering plants would be lovely (perhaps realistic artificial orchids or calla lilies would be really nice). I would recommend a small narrow console table placed along the wall space between the doors to dining and sitting room areas.  A painting on the wall above it would be great – not a watercolour and I think an oil might be a bit heavy so I am going to suggest a mixed media because the textures would bring interest and warmth to the space.  More paintings along that wall would be really attractive. 

There are two very narrow wall spaces on the outer wall between the windows and I think wall sconces would bring some drama there and yet wouldn’t impinge on the space.

To summarise, it’s about breaking up the length without impinging on the width by using wall decoration in the form of paintings and scones.  In addition, providing a focus that is pleasing to the eye and gives the hall a relaxing aura. Texture is needed too to make the room feel like a room rather than a bare hallway.

Anyone else got any suggestions? Thanks again, Mag, for sending it in.

Here’s an article I wrote on Lighting for a local magazine:

Just click on the PDF for it to enlarge. I’ll be doing the Friday Fix-it Post later on this evening

Update: I mentioned this on Facebook but forgot to mention it here – I’m really chuffed to be nominated for the ‘Best Business Blogger’ at the IIA NetVisionary award. Made my day

Designers Guild have launched a fabulous range of rugs this season and they can all be ordered here from Garrendenny Lane.  Here’s a selection of my favourites:

Boqueria  Rugs – available in 2 colourways and I love it.

This 100% hand tufted wool rug with an off beat design illustrates a make believe garden scene with butterflies, birds, flowers and trees. 160 cm x 260 cm.  €660.

Portier Rug –  A luxurious 80% wool and 20% acrylic hand tufted dramatic floral rug. 160cm x 260cm.
€852

Rheinsberg 

This east-meets-west panel design rug comes in shades of blue delft, olive green and neutral. Made from hand tufted wool and highlighted with viscose elements for a luxurious finish. 160 x 260cm €900 / 200 x 300cm €1140.

And for the kids:

Lola’s Magic Garden Rug 

This delightful and charming hand painted scene rug is set against a pretty background of hearts and flowers. Made from 100% hand tufted acrylic. 120cm x 170cm €234.00

Tulip Meadow Rug

A beautiful floral shaped 100% hand tufted acrylic rug that will liven up any child’s room with stylised blooms and sprigs. 150cm diameter €234

Flying High

Up, up and away; spotty clouds, helicopters and planes fill the sky. A cloud shaped 100% hand tufted acrylic rug for children to play on. 150cm diameter. €234.00