HOME EDITION
Italian collection from Graphenstone Purifying Paints. The British brand has collaborated with Kate Watson-Smyth of interiors blog Mad About the House to create 12 new colours inspired by Italy’s dolce vita – from Barolo, a deep red of the famous Piemonte wine, to Gelato, a soft plaster pink which tells of summer ice cream. “Each colour is inspired by my love of Italy,” explains Kate. “The palette brings a softer, romantic finish to any interior. All the paints are natural and mineral-based, so they are better for the planet and also healthier to live with.” Home interiors company Neptune, meanwhile, suggests adding panelling to a room to give it character. “Shiplap boarding is effective at bringing a touch of organic texture and cosiness to your room, and can be finished in any of our 52 paint colours,” states Fred Horlock, Neptune’s design director. Abbeygate Lighting, which has three showrooms across Suffolk and Norfolk, says that a crucial component of any renovation is installing the correct lighting. “Illuminating a room could be a transformative element in home decor, shaping the character of a space,” says the company. “It goes beyond mere functionality, becoming a key design element that redefines the mood of a room. It’s not simply about banishing shadows; it’s about creating layers of light that add depth and nuance to a room.” Heritage company Angela Reed, which has a shop in Saffron Waldon and dates back some 140 years, offers a wide selection of lighting solutions, as well as furniture and accessories for the home and garden. For those wanting expert guidance on the finishing touches, the company also offers an interior design service to advise on updating a room or a whole house. Changing old-fashioned windows and doors is sometimes a necessary investment. Weru Windows UK, which has recently introduced the new Alegra Lift & Slide System, an innovative sliding door technology that brings the outdoors in, suggests considering the location of your home before you make any changes. “We advise customers to look at the other homes in the area and to consider the age and style of their properties,” says Graham Lindsay, managing director. “This should then direct them to choose what colour and material to opt for – there is a huge variety of bespoke options to consider. Foil or paint finish, light or dark colours or matching your internal colours to your external ones. Over recent years, there has
ome improvement projects can often turn out to be quite stressful experiences. But if you plan thoroughly, stick to a budget and listen to expert advice, your project should be smooth sailing. Ideally, any renovations should add value to your home, so it is crucial to work out if the changes you have in mind will bring longevity to the property, or if they are simply a fad. A lick of paint can do wonders for the look and feel of a room. Farrow & Ball recommends colour drenching (painting everything in the same shade – the walls, woodwork, ceiling radiators and furniture) for an immediately up-to-date look. “We have traditionally used emulsion for walls and ceilings, eggshell or gloss on trims,” says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador. “But if you use Dead Flat across wood and metal, you can create a seamless flow of colour through a whole room for a fully immersive colour-drenching experience.” Also giving inspiration for those looking to refresh their homes is the new
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been a demise in PVCu and an increase in demand for aluminium windows and hybrid alternatives. There are extremely innovative hybrid solutions on the market, which can deliver unrivalled thermal and acoustic properties.” A kitchen remodel remains one of the biggest changes you can make to a house, apart from building an extension. Matt Payne, design consultant at Roundhouse Design, makers of bespoke kitchens, says: “The most important thing to do when planning a new kitchen is to speak to a designer early in the process. My favourite question to ask a client is: ‘What type of cook are you?’ And the best question to ask a designer is what they would do with the CAN’T BEET IT (Above) Neptune’s solutions will modernise your home; (left) Graphenstone’s range of colours has your perfect match
There are extremely innovative hybrid solutions, with unrivalled thermal and acoustic properties
74 AUGUST 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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