Latest Homes magazine

Be the coolest customer in the sales with Latest Interiors’ guide to shopping smart during January

Like Christmas, the January sales seem to get earlier each year. Looking for a bargain? Don’t risk life and limb in those check-out queues without reading our guide to stress-free sale shopping. You won’t regret it (unlike some of those purchases, perhaps…).

Rume’s winter sale starts on 5 January with 15% off its beautiful made to order English furniture and 10% off designer lighting.

Rume, 54 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD tel: 01273 777 810. fax: 01273 777 267. info@rume.co.uk www.rume.co.uk

Stop. Look. Listen.

First things first: this year, if you buy anything in the sales at all, buy quality. Don’t even think about wasting money or carbon buying tat you don’t need. The green theme continues into 2008 and beyond, and the coming year will see us buying more sustainably, locally, and making do when we can. Investing in long-lasting classic home wares may mean spending a little more, but believe us, it will be worth it. And with our less-is-more mantra in mind, make a plan: What do you really need? What could do with replacing this year? And what is your budget? Once out on the high street, keep to the plan and don’t be waylaid by half-price tinsel or novelty cocktail glasses.

Towel bales, from £7.50 www.marksandspencer.com

What is a bargain?

A bargain, then, is only a bargain if it is something you really need. And if you’re after a lovely throw for your sofa (surely you won’t need the heating on so much if there’s an ethically-sourced cashmere throw to snuggle up in?), an oak-framed bed or a replacement dinner service, it really can be worth waiting for the sales. This year in particular, high street traffic has been slow and retailers are likely to try and make good their losses in the sales, offering cut prices on large or expensive items to get rid of old stock and get shoppers in through the door. January is always a good time to buy large pieces of furniture.

Crockery, from £3.50, www.marksandspencer.com

Modern classics

So what else should you buy? Well, many wonderful, essential items may be found dirt-cheap in the sales: plain table linen and good-quality tea towels, plain white or cream cotton towels and bedding, crystal glassware and fine china crockery amongst them. Opt for simple, classic colours and designs – money spent on a fancy end-of-line dinner service will be money wasted if you can’t find replacement pieces the following year. Keep it simple and you will be rewarded.

20% off lamps and accessories
IVY WHITE 45 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex. BN3 2BE Tel – 01273 203202

Household electricals, especially entertainment systems, are often a good buy at this time of year, as retailers offload excess Christmas stock.

Get online…

…because online stores have sales, too – and we love them. No stress, no hassle, less chance of an impulse buy and no sore feet. Websites often have bigger discounts too, so always check web outlets before you hit the high street.

Any mistakes?

If you’re overcome with sales fever and something untoward slips into your bag, don’t panic. If the offending item duplicates something you already have, decide which you prefer and donate the other to a charity shop. Do the same with purchases that (on reflection) you just don’t like or simply can’t be used anywhere in your home: At least that way, someone will benefit, and next year maybe you’ll think twice before buying any more spoon holders. Happy shopping!

Deck the halls with bells of holly, and lights, baubles, stars, fairies, mistletoe…

Presents, flowers, food… hang on, haven’t you forgotten something? Of course, it’s not really Christmas without the decorations. Acres of tinsel, pulsating lights, plastic reindeer and a twinkly tree. Just kidding (of COURSE we’re kidding – it’ll take a LOT more than another gruelling series of Colin and Justin for Latest Interiors to go all tawdry on you, don’t worry!). What will the festive homes of Brighton and Hove be decked with this Christmas? Let’s take a wee peek.

Extra large glass baubles, £10, by Betty Jackson. www.debenhams.com

A matter of taste

Right. First things first: Christmas decorations are highly personal. Clearly, for some people, Christmas means light bulbs and tinsel. For others, all it takes is a wooden nativity set and a satsuma for them to come over all Christmas-past. We’re not here to judge. But we DO have a particular take on Christmas style (of course). This year, we like simplicity – and quality. We’re loving a bit of luxury – but we also like homemade, too. Natural materials appeal to us. White, silver, and shades of plum, crimson, chocolate and burnt orange are flicking our seasonal switches. You may disagree, and hang your singing reindeer head over the front door regardless. In which case, good luck to you, you do not need our help. Jingle all the way, and all that.

‘Allusion’ decorations, from £2, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Top of the trees

There is a straightforward choice for trees this year: Splash out on a sustainable farmed (preferably rooted and re-usable) spruce, or opt for stylish, modern pre-lit fake (also re-usable) in black, white or inky midnight blue. The natural option is the most ecofriendly, giving a traditional, welcoming look. Dress it up with baubles of clear glass, dried flowers and seeds, white feathers, twinkly metalwork and mirrors. Raid your local school fair (or bribe your own infants) for some quaint, home-made decorations. This year, we like stars for the top of the tree – but we’d secretly love a proper, vintage wax fairy. A fake tree, on the other hand, is blissfully easy and very sleek, needing little decoration to set it off – in fact, the pre-lit versions look great just as they are!

‘Allusion’ black acrylic decorations, from £2, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Lights, camera…

Which brings us to the vexed issue of lights. We’re still fans of the less-is-more approach, inside and out. Small, simple white lights are the absolute classic for trees and will give you years of service (easy to get replacement bulbs each year, too). External lights, unless you live in the countryside (in which case the rules seem to be reversed) are best kept to a discreet minimum. For a party night, bay trees by the front door or an ancient cherry tree look beautiful simply lit, but a flashing, illuminated Santa scaling your walls will burn unnecessary energy, annoy your neighbours and probably trigger the burglar alarm. Ok?

Red metal gift box, from £5, www.tch.net

Everything else

Don’t forget your Christmas flowers (two dozen crimson roses, two plum amaryllis or a bowl of unfussy, white cala lilies), and a lovely wreath (wooden, moss or home-made) to dress your front door. The best thing we’ve found this year is our new card-hanging system: simple twine to string across a room, and little wooden pegs to hang them with (supermarkets and stationers sell gold and silver coloured versions). And that, for this year at least, is that: No more Christmas features. We promise. Not until next October, anyway…

We’ve got Christmas dining all wrapped up

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Even the most diehard Scrooge’s among us have to give up the fight. The shops might have had their decorations up since October, but everyone knows once the calendar reaches the first of December all serious work grinds to a halt as we eat, drink and entertain ourselves silly. And what will the most stylish hosts and hostesses be giving – and receiving – this year? Latest Interiors takes a peek in Santa’s sack.

The Entertainer’ Christmas hamper, £40, www.johnlewis.com

‘Fall’ dinnerware, from £5, and red bauble glass, £4 www.debenhams.com

Seasonal spread

Planning your fine Christmas dining? Assuming you have all the basics (good sized table; ample, comfortable seating… if not, make a mental note to hit the sales), luxury is the keyword for this year’s festive spread. Bring out the fine tablecloth (a table runner in this year’s crimson, purple or black silk would set crisp white off to a tee), the linen napkins, the crystal, and the silver. Light some tall church candles, and add a vase or two of beautiful, pure white flowers. If you’ve followed our advice in the past (unlikely, but possible) then you will be the proud owner of simple white china dinnerware – dress it up with crimson or plum napkins. And crackers, always disappointing if you scrimp, check the contents list and go for quality if you can. Cath Kidston (recently opened in Brighton) have some cheery Christmas crackers; Habitat, John Lewis and Heals can give you luxury. Check out North Laine bouta iques for cheeky one-offs.

12 ‘tree’ crackers, £20, www.johnlewis.com

Gifts for gastronomes

Looking for something to give the chef in your life? The year’s ecotheme has bought slow food back into fashion: food that we spend time preparing from scratch, cooking, or even growing ourselves. Less packaging, less waste, and much more taste. Try a good slow food cookbook, or even (if you’re very flush) a slow cooker – nothing melts in the mouth like slow-cooked pork belly, or a slowcooked (and rib-sticking) vegetable stew with dumplings. Grow-your-own herb, fruit or vegetable kits are another good buy. To keep chef entertained, buy them a retro Roberts DAB radio, in pink, red or even zebra print.

‘Stars’ Roberts Revival DAB radio, £199, www.johnlewis.com

Host(ess) with the most(est)

If you’re hosting a party, though, don’t fuss too much about the food. If there’s time to prepare enough canapés, mince pies and roast chestnuts, great. But if slow food isn’t fast enough, you can still throw the perfect soirée. Having something catered might seem an extravagance, but it can work out to be good value: £3-£5 per head for some serious canapés seems pretty good if you don’t have to stuff the mushrooms (or hit the Christmas supermarket queues) yourself. If a caterer is off-budget, many food stores (M&S and Waitrose among them) happily provide superb, affordable party food (Latest Interiors loves the M&S Christmas food brochure, www.marksandspencer.com – almost as stimulating as their adverts). All you need to do is keep the booze flowing.

Ho ho ho.

Give your traditional Christmas décor a fresh twist, as Interiors gives advice on how best to use Christmas greenery

Potted red orchid £30/£47, rose arrangement £35/£54 both Grey Rose by Jane Packer for Debenhams, www.debenhams.com

Many of the evergreens and plants used to decorate Christmas homes are old favourites – ivy, mistletoe and spruce have bedecked halls, fireplaces and doorways for centuries. These days we supplement old favourites with colourful berries and bouquets. Choosing Christmas flowers and plants is an oasis of pleasure amongst the seasonal bustle and stress: This week, Interiors presents a festive guide to cracking Christmas blooms.

Beautiful bouquets and arrangements

Think bold for floral decorations this year. Although Christmas colours remain fairly constant (red or white, glossy green foliage), this year you have license to play with more exotic shades: Black, purple or shades of chocolate sit well alongside the traditional tones. Christmas plants in modern colours make a great centrepiece – a glass tank-vase with five huge white amaryllis, or a ceramic pot of dusky plum-coloured poinsettia.

Christmas topiary, £35, www.marksandpsencer.com

Monotone bouquets and single-flower arrangements (all-white lilies, chrysanthemums and mistletoe, or a huge hand-tied bunch of scarlet roses) make a striking centrepiece. For a more contemporary look, choose striking black, white and red orchids, or well-manicured miniature evergreens.

Table decorations

Traditional table displays should be given a modern twist. Beeswax candles arranged in oriental oblong ceramic trays, adorned with hops, ivy or winter jasmine, set off a contemporary table very well. If space is tight (as it usually is for Christmas dinner!), think small and simple: single white and green chrysanthemum blooms floating in small glass bowls, or individual shot glasses each with a sprig of winter berries, are neat solutions.

Cranberry wreath, £9.50 www.marksandpsencer.com

Wreaths and decorations

Christmas wreaths are increasingly popular. As with flowers, the trend this year is for bold statement, and a hint of luxury. Simple designs are often the most striking: red Christmas roses or berries, glossy green ivy or fluffy moss are very effective. Peacock feathers and glass baubles are also creeping into the shops this year. Check out local suppliers and florists for hand-made natural wreaths, which always look beautiful.

Snowberry glass arrangement, £15, Jane Packer for Debenhams www.debenhams.com

Finally, what Christmas would be complete without mistletoe? This parasitic evergreen, which used to adorn England’s apple trees, is a traditional fertility symbol. With the gradual demise of Britain’s orchards, UK mistletoe is now an endangered species (don’t pick it wild!) and most of what we use each year hails from Brittany and Normandy. Check the source of any mistletoe you buy (or grow your own for next year: www.mistletoe.org.uk ). Hang it in one large bunch, anywhere that your intended is likely to stand still. Good luck!

Fill your stockings with this year’s Christmas ideas

Bonfire night’s sparklers are barely spent, yet the countdown to Christmas has begun. Worried about the credit crunch? Can’t face those Christmas Eve queues? A little time spent planning now will allow you to spend December curled up on your sofa with a glass of something warm and spicy, rather than battling out there in shopping hell. Strategy, tactics and an early shop will mean less stress, less hassle and, let’s face it, less expense… and what better place to start your Christmas shopping than the Latest Interiors guide to gorgeous gifts for the home?

Melamine jelly baby bowl, £2.95, www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Luxury living

Luxury has been an enduring trend for the last few seasons: buy less, but buy the best. Good quality classics will give years of use and pleasure. Perfect gifts for those with a classic sense of style include pure linen sheets, heavy cotton tea towels, cashmere throws or blankets, a simple sheepskin rug, or plain white bone china.

Uniquely you…

If you’re shopping for someone with a quirkier sense of style, be brave: 2007 saw colour and texture explode onto interiors. Bold ceramics, super-sized bowls, fantastic plastic accessories with a nod to the 1970s, cushions with fish-scale sequins, or a vintage colourful folk-art throw; the wonderful thing about eclectic style is that anything goes.

Green, green home

Johnstons Cashmere Hottie & Socks, £79.95, www.harrods.com

Get with the year’s ecofriendly theme, helping family and friends to reduce their carbon footprint. A logmaker (recycles household waste into fuel), a wormery, composter or stylish recycling storage would be welcome in most homes. If you or someone you love can’t face all the Christmas consumerism, why not donate to charity on their behalf? Oxfam Unwrapped have a marvellous selection of imaginative ‘gifts’, from simple schoolbooks to training a midwife in the developing world. Or support a local charity – it does begin at home, after all.

Eat, drink and be merry

Few foodies could fail to be delighted with a thoughtful hamper. Browse the Laines and local shops to make your own, or go for a good-quality department store offering: Interiors still loves the hampers on offer at recently renovated Fortnums (www.fortnumandmason.com). For the record, Santa, we can’t get enough of those sweet little baskets and oh, the paté and wine… Another good gift for regular entertainers is a scented candle: natural soy candles burn for hours, bestowing gentle light and ambience – check out www.naturalmagic.com for inspiration.

And now for something completely different…

Shopping for a time-poor relative or new parent? Organise a voucher with a local cleaning company, for a basic or deep home clean. If you can, makesure there is flexibility about when the gift can be used. Help with a post-Christmas clean? That has to be a miracle…

Gift Gallery

Here are more great gift ideas:

Wave pleated throw, £15, www.matalan.co.uk

Set of three recycling bins, £49.99, www.tch.net

From a selection of home gifts Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove.
Tel: 01273 206123
125 South Road, Haywards Heath.
Tel: 01444 443777
www.design-interiors.com

From a selection of home gifts Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove
Tel: 01273 206123
125 South Road, Haywards Heath.
Tel: 01444 443777
www.design-interiors.com

Large Stardish. Handmade glazed porcelain. £48 From Buxtons, 35 Ditchling Road (opp The Level park) Brighton
Tel: 01273 691750 www.buxtons.co.uk

Stag cushion (£46.00)
Rume, 54 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD
Tel: 01273 777 810 info@rume.co.uk / www.rume.co.uk

Large Stardish. Handmade glazed porcelain. £48
From Buxtons, 35 Ditchling Road (opp The Level park) Brighton
Tel 01273 691750 www.buxtons.co.uk

For even more gift ideas
Pick up our free magazine this week and turn to page 10

Have yourself a tech-happy Christmas as we give you the lowdown on the latest home entertainment equipment

Monpoli unit from Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD, Tel 01273 206123, Fax 01273 206789 studio@design-interiors.com

Whether you’re settling down to watch the seasonal re-runs or working your way through the Ugly Betty box-set, there’s never been a better time to bring your home entertainment experience into the 21st century. Bewildered by all the technology? Latest Interiors gets the popcorn in, opens the instruction manuals and finds a seat…

Special features

You can always take it slowly, asking Santa for just one or two new gadgets. Top techno gifts for Christmas 2007 include a Slingbox (around £130), a device that will turn almost any internet-connected Windowsbased (or Mac) computer into a personal TV, via a single live TV stream re-routed from your aerial, cable or set-top box.

Get wired for sound, and upgrade your hi-fi to an MP3-based system. Vinyl addicts need not despair, as you can transfer your old vinyl to CD or MP3 format with an Ion iTTUSB turntable (around £120).

Fancy a big new telly but don’t know which to choose? Plasma and LCD TVs are two different technologies trying to do the same thing: produce crystal clear, colour-filled images on a wide, thin screen. Each has its pros and cons – LCD TVs use less power and are generally lighter and stronger; plasma TVs give better moving colour and can be bigger and cheaper. On balance, a plasma TV will give you a large screen at a reasonable price, but if you leave your TV on a lot and want to use it as a computer too, choose an LCD. Look out for new eco-friendly features: John Lewis have just launched the Cello LCD TV, a 19” HD ready LCD TV with a unique ‘power off’ feature on the remote control, helping to reduce costs and energy consumption (www.johnlewis.com).

Gold Globe system with real gold leaf, Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD, Tel 01273 206123, Fax 01273 206789 studio@design-interiors.com

System addicts

For a total techno makeover, home cinema systems are still the last word in entertainment. Generally, they fall into two categories: all-in-one dedicated systems, and separates. All-in-ones are popular with first-timers for their simplicity, but while systems built around high quality separates may seem complex, chosen and assembled correctly they offer advantages such as superior stereo playback. Individual elements can also be upgraded to incorporate new technology or features that suit your taste and space such as a projector and holographic screen.

For the truly technologically enlightened, a custom or multi-room installation is the ultimate indulgence: a fully integrated music and video system serving several rooms. Lighting, curtain and even security systems can also be integrated into a central control. If only it could cook the turkey, too…

Samsung Blu-ray player £399 from www.johnlewis.com

HBC for Bathrooms offers a wide range of cutting-edge designer bathroom suites, including a range from world-acclaimed Philippe Starck

Philippe Starck is acknowledged as one of the leading contemporary designers in the world, receiving public acclaim for his amazing interior designs but he has also proved to be an accomplished architect and product designer. His work is not just for show at museums and exhibitions, it is also available for your home, with a complete Philippe Starck bathroom suite starting at only £1680 at the city’s local stockist, HBC for Bathrooms.

Starck promotes the ethos that honesty and integrity should be at the core of design. Products should not be created as ‘throw away artefacts’, only surviving for as long as they remain in fashion but should ideally have longevity and durability. He believes that designers need to be both honest and objective. It is this approach which is crucial when choosing a bathroom suite, where quality is more important than following the latest fads.

Products designed by Starck can be seen on display in the collections of a number of European and American museums, among them the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and the Museum of Design in London. Prizes and awards he has collected include Designer of the Year, Grand Prix for Industrial Design, the Oscar for Design, Officier des Arts et des Lettres, and many more.

But as writer Ed Mae Cooper, points out, ‘he also takes time out to change our pasta, our ash-trays, lamps, toothbrushes, door handles, cutlery, candlesticks, kettles, knives, vases, clocks, scooters, motorcycles, desks, beds, taps, baths, toilets… in short, our whole life.’ It is fitting that HBC for Bathrooms have established themselves as the main Brighton centre for Philippe Starck, as since establishing the company in 1979, they have always been dedicated to sourcing the best in bathrooms and accessories.

Other brands they stock include Duravit and they have a dedicated Lefroy Brooks traditional bathroom showroom area. The service they offer is tailored to individual needs. They can simply supply the bathroom furniture, they can design and they also offer a complete installation service.

HBC for Bathrooms has remained a small family-run business, averaging at 60 refurbishments per year. Rather than expand and compromise their quality of service, they have retained the exceptional level of personal service on which they pride themselves.

The range of bathroom suites, showers, basins and baths range from affordable chic to high-level luxury. If your bathroom needs a make-over or just a bit of livening up, pop in to the showroom on Church Road and have a quick browse. You may be pleasantly surprised at the diversity and choice on offer.

HBC for Bathrooms, 195 Church Road, Hove BN3 2AB.
Tel: 01273 730149
e-mail info@hbcforbathrooms.com, www.hbcforbathrooms.com

The Blind Shop is an online business with a face and can transform your windows into something special

The Blind Shop is a brand new business which has landed right on the Sussex coast. It’s essentially an online business, servicing customers throughout the UK, but apart from the lower prices you would expect from an online business, local customers in the Sussex area are able to enjoy greater benefits. We met with Justin, the owner, to find out more about the company.

“Apart from a coat of paint, blinds are the simplest way to modernise a room”

“We don’t have shops on the high street, so we’re able to keep our overheads really low and pass the savings onto our customers. But we’re not just a faceless online business, we can offer our Sussex customers added benefits. We have a showroom in Shoreham where they can see our range of blinds and speak to our staff for any advice. But the biggest benefit is that they’re able to take advantage of our local fitting service and free measuring service.” This really is a fantastic bonus for those who aren’t very handy or are worried about getting the sizes all wrong.

Standing out from the crowd

The Blind Shop is different to most other blind retailers as they have a limited and exclusive range. “We recognised that there are endless choices in blinds and this can be really confusing so we’ve concentrated on putting together a carefully selected range of modern blinds.” A prime example is their wood Venetian blinds which come in just four colours, all with coordinated fabric ladder tapes rather than strings. “We think blinds with fabric tapes are superior as they block the light more effectively and they have a more contemporary and luxurious look,” Justin says. Their limited range also means further savings for customers. “We don’t have the expense of keeping loads of different blinds in stock and this is another way we’re able to keep our prices so low,” Justin explains.

The Blind Shop is also focused on providing a fast and friendly service. Their blinds are all made-to-measure and ready within just seven days. Having worked in the interiors industry for over 15 years, including several years with Terence Conran, Justin knows the tricks of the trade: “Apart from a coat of paint, blinds have got to be the simplest way to modernise a room. They’re a low cost solution that give an instant result.” So, whether you’re thinking of a blind for your bathroom, or blinds for your next development, visit the The Blind Shop.

The Blind Shop, Unit C8, Dolphin Enterprise Centre, Dolphin Road Shoreham. Call 0845 6800645 or see www.theblindshop.com for more information.

After a great party comes the inevitable clean-up. Here are our top tips for a stress-free morning after.

The winter party season is upon us. From Halloween through to New Year’s Eve, each weekend seems to hold something worth celebrating… and an eternal hangover. Hosts be warned: nothing makes a hangover worse than postparty clear-up blues. Awakening to cigarette butts in the goldfish bowl, something unidentifiable in the bathroom and wine stains on the carpet can turn a pounding head into a full-blown case of man ‘flu. Planning some festive fun? Send not a single invitation till you’ve read our indispensable guide to keeping it clean…

Pre-party planning

First things first: be prepared. If you’re hosting a party, limit the potential for any damage before you even start. Roll up the rugs, put away your knick-knacks and stash anything you don’t want on public display (or that you don’t intend for consumption: an aged parent’s vintage Cognac, for example). Tidy up bathrooms and lavatories, bearing in mind that your bathroom cabinet and toiletries are fair game whenever (a) a houseful of people have had more than three glasses of wine or (b) bored children or teenagers are present.

Stock up on bin liners, cleaning products and so on when you buy the party supplies – that way, no-one has to see your hungover, un-groomed self in PJ-bottoms and uggs at the corner shop the next morning.

The morning after

Wake any house-guests, arm them with bin bags and send them off on a reconnaissance of each room: Pick up rubbish and report back on damage. Bribing with a cooked breakfast at the end may be helpful (or it may not, depending on combinations and quantities of alcohol consumed). Open lots of windows, burn a citrus-based candle or oil to banish party smells and get cleaning.

Emergency fixes

Most stains can be treated: blot beer spills with a kitchen towel, add some white vinegar solution (1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water), blot again and clean with a fabric cleaner. Red wine should be sponged with white wine and then cleaned. Candle wax spills should be scraped, covered in brown paper and gently ironed off, and burn holes (oh dear) should be trimmed and patched.

Call in the experts

Sometimes, it all gets a bit too much. For any serious breakages or damage, phone around and get some expert quotes. The really savvy host, if they have a little cash to spare, would be well advised to book a professional clean in the days following a party: A really good deep clean will leave you wondering if the party ever happened. Most agencies will accommodate a weekend booking for the right price, leaving you free to pop out for a quick hair of the dog. After all, it is the party season.