Interiors: make the most of what you've got.

This article was written for Pure Lifestyle magazine: October 2008

Many of us only decorate when we’re trying to sell our house or when we’ve just moved in. With all the economic gloom around it’s a good time to think about upgrading one or two rooms and make the most of what we’ve got.

A good starting point is the big clear out, a trip to the local dump or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, why not order a skip? You’ll be amazed just how quickly you can fill it.

Stylish furniture is a great investment and starting point for a new room. So, it’s good to know that Glasgow is the home to the UK's largest independent cabinet manufacturer, The Morris Furniture Group. The family business has enjoyed a rich and successful history spanning three generations, crafting first class cabinets for the Queen Mary and QE2 liners before launching into domestic furniture in the post war boom. More recently Morris acquired G Plan and, over the past ten years, has grown to provide work and income for over 1000 staff, many of whom are based in Glasgow.

Morris Furniture can be bought from many independent retailers in and around Glasgow or online at http://www.newhomeshop.co.uk/.

Back to the home makeover: once you’ve set a budget and deadline you can begin the design process. I recommend creating mood boards or sketch books. You can build these up with a selection of images ripped out of magazines and brochures stuck to a board or inside a note book with some colour swatches and fabric samples along with notes and ideas on the space you’re trying to create. Don’t be afraid to take your samples into shops and discuss your ideas with others to make sure the final outcome is as close to the original concept as possible.

As I’ve said, good furniture is always a great investment and you can build a design round the new pieces you plan to use. You don’t need to buy a new sofa or armchair, why not re-cover an existing piece or get hold of some second hand furniture and get it re-upholstered. There’s some fantastic fabric around that will give your old sofas and armchairs a new lease of life. I’ve done this many times and am happy to advise, just give me a call on 0141 585 6484 and I will gladly talk you through the process.

G Plan recently launched the Elements range, available in natural and black ash veneers. The black ash version is my current favourite, with its contemporary straight lines and beautiful design details, it makes a great starting point for a living or dining room scheme. It mixes well with wooden floors or polished ceramic tiles. For an ultra cool, understated look, I would introduce some bold fabric contrasting with a neutral wall covering from Harlequin or Romo. Red or yellow work well with black ash and will give a really sumptuous, bold and contemporary feel to the room.

G Plan Elements includes some very well designed plasma display units so, if you already have a big LCD or plasma screen or are planning to upgrade, now is the time to invest in the right piece of furniture to go with the new tv.

And finally, don’t forget about the details. Before you go shopping for all the latest soft furnishings and accessories maybe it’s time to say goodbye to the clutter. Most of us build up bits and pieces that don’t really add anything. It’s time to be brutal and throw everything out that doesn’t fit in. Or, if you just can’t bring yourself to get rid of something for good, why not pack some things in a box and see how much you miss them. If they’re still in the box in six months time, it definitely time to part company.

G Plan, Morris and Zone Furniture ranges are all available to buy online now at http://www.newhomeshop.co.uk/
https://www.newhomeshop.co.uk/collections/g-plan
https://www.newhomeshop.co.uk/collections/morris-furniture
https://www.newhomeshop.co.uk/collections/zone-furniture


Company Profile
New Home Shop does not have high street stores or big overheads, this means we can pass on the savings to you.
Buy securely from our web site www.newhomeshop.co.uk or call Fiona Ramsay on 0141 585 6484.