Latest Homes magazine

Emma and Nick, from the Velvet lifestyle and furniture stores, answer your design questions

I know bold patterns and prints are really in fashion at the moment but I’m a bit reluctant to introduce them to my room. How can I do this without going ‘over the top’?
Emily Dean, Hove

Emma says: Firstly remember your home should be a reflection of your personality, so never decorate in a way that you aren’t comfortable with. Always choose items, colours and patterns that you love. As you are nervous about introducing pattern to the room, I would suggest that you start small – cushions, vases and light shades for example. As you grow with confidence you could also introduce a feature item of furniture. Be sure to stick with a colour scheme – it’s fine to use different patterns but stick with a few complementary colours as this will prevent the room looking too busy. A subtle way to add a burst of pattern and colour to a wall is to frame some beautiful prints – you could even use wrapping paper that you love! (Madrid Chair – £250)

I’m so bored with my kitchen, but can’t afford a new one.What can I do to change the look?
John Allen, Marina

Nick says: Well John, the most effective way for you to transform your kitchen would be to paint your kitchen cupboard doors. You can buy special paint for this – prepare as per their instructions. It’s a lengthy process but will make you feel like you have a brand new kitchen at the end of it! Keep the walls and cupboards light to make the room feel larger. Remember to update the doorknobs as well. De-clutter the surfaces, leaving only the essentials and a choice selection of accessories such as bread, tea and coffee tins. Ensure the kitchen is well lit. Fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit will add colour and fragrance to the room.

To ask Nick or Emma a question email: info@velvetstore.co.uk

Velvet Stores

Furniture, lighting, mirrors and home accessories
29 Bond Street, Brighton, 01273 326322

Gifts, clothes, shoes and accessories
27 Bond Street, Brighton, 01273 326007 or
10 George Street, Hove, 01273 775758

www.velvetstore.co.uk

Need a new light in your life? Latest Interiors have the lowdown on how to make the switch from dull and gloomy to light and sexy

Spire lamp with gold leaf shade £165, Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, 01273 206123

Feeling down in the dumps? It might be time to lighten up. The right lighting can make your home feel bigger, brighter, and generally nicer to spend time in. Just like paint or wallpaper, lighting is part of your décor – few other home elements have such immediate impact on mood and comfort. If you want to get the light right, read on.

Light touch

The artificial light that surrounds us is known as ‘ambient’. Best produced through a variety of sources, it supplements or replaces natural light. Recessed downlights, standard lamps and central pendants can be used together with other forms of light to create an atmosphere and warmth.

From a selection of amazing lamps from £29.99, Ivy White, 45 Church Road, Hove, 01273 203202, www.ivywhite.com

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Andrew Kay is hanging on to his one glass of wine for dear life

Living in the suburbs has changed me in so many ways but none more so than my drinking habits. When I lived in town I would go out all the time, drink every night and attend the proverbial opening of an envelope. Well not any more.

Six years ago I moved out to the much maligned Deans, Saltdean to be precise and I have to say that I love it there. There are too many pluses to list but the one that makes most sense is that it has moderated my partying instinct.

Now don’t get me wrong, I can still party like the best of them. I can hold my drink, and someone else’s for that matter. I love parties but it can all get a bit hectic. I recently went to a party at a famous institution, a launch to be precise and was confronted by a pay bar. I ask you, what a shock. I was then told that I had to leave my drink at the door if I wanted to go in to the exhibit. Well to be honest it was all a bit too much.

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Michelle Lloyd of Lloyds Property Assessment Service on HIPs

The government introduced new legislation in 2007 for property owners and developers, bringing the UK in line with European laws regarding energy conservation, environment and building CO2 emissions.

Further new legislation follows in 2008 and 2009, concerning commercial properties and new builds.

All sold, let, and redeveloped properties today must have a ‘Home Information Pack’ (HIP) and ‘Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the new buyer or new tenant, confirming the property’s conformability and conservation performance.

Owners, vendors and developers not adhering to the law will incur hefty fines. Ignorance of these new laws is not accepted.

Most estate agents, letting agents and law firms do not yet have a full understanding of HIPS and the components within a HIP. All our HIP co-ordinators have been fully trained to the HIP code standards of practice and are fully qualified in completing the EPC required element.

Lloyds Property Assessment Services (L-PAS) works with owners, developers, agents, staff and solicitors, providing professional HIP and EPC services, as well as providing constructive information and advice from our website, or by attending one of our 60 minute local breakfast workshops.

For more information about HIP, EPS and Lloyds Property Assessment Services, contact: Michelle Lloyd at Lloyds Property Assessment Services on 01273 384988

The Paul O’Grady Show’s Marc Abraham celebrates the achievements of rescue cats around the country at The Feline Oscars

If you think you’ve got a better-thanaverage feline friend, then please read on.

This summer sees the most important date in the cat calendar – the 2008 ‘Feline Oscars’ – the search for the UK’s favourite feline. Organised by my good friends at Sussex-based charity Cats Protection, these rescue cat awards are now on the prowl for your nominations.

Now in its fourth year, the Feline Oscars are designed to celebrate the real life stories of survival, bravery and heroism in the cat world.

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Malone discovers that losing money and sleep can seem trivial when compared to other losses

I keep losing things. Today I lost £100 pounds in cash. It fell out of my pocket. I feel sick to the stomach. I am so annoyed at myself for losing it, as my mum gave me that money, and my parents don’t have much to give. I was on my way to the bank and it must have fallen out of the front pocket of my jeans. I don’t know why I didn’t put it in my purse, I think I thought it was safer next to my body. I’m sooo stupid because a few months ago I did exactly the same thing with a postal order my auntie sent from Canada. I then sent a thank you letter to her, only to realise after putting it in the letter box, that I had forgotten to attach any postage stamps!

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The comfort of old friends

I felt pretty miserable all the way to Cairo on the plane. There was no booze – a dry Air Egypt flight – and an empty seat next to me where The Ex Boyfriend would have been sitting, had I not discovered he’d been cheating on me two weeks earlier. It did cheer me up rather to see my old Egyptian friend – Mr H – waiting for me in the arrivals hall, looking exactly the same as he had done the last time I’d seen him back in 1994. With him were his two friends, Mr W – who turned out to be our taxi driver – and Mr N – who said nothing at all to me. Well, they couldn’t speak any English and my Arabic comprises of two words, both of them quite rude, so it’s hardly surprising. I was immediately offered a Marlboro Red and remembered that the last time I’d seen Mr H, I’d been a chain smoker.

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