Celia Sawyer has been helping our readers tackle their decorating and interior design issues - and we have been inundated with questions from people needing help.

Home and Garden on Female First

Home and Garden on Female First

Celia is once again on hand as she helps out more people facing problems.

- Hi Celia, I ve just moved into my new house, its lovely but I don’t have a formal dining room and although my kitchen is big, I don’t want to feel like Im eating too casually when guests come round. How can I make it feel less like Im sitting in the kitchen and more like a proper dining room?

Just because you are in the kitchen area, you can still have a glamorous dining set up.

Without seeing the space its difficult to help you completely, but if you have the space, why don’t you go for a nice round dining table to seat 6 or 8, a great pendant light above which can be as glam as a chandelier, and some really nice dining chairs made from a rich coloured velvet or suede.

If you have a white or fairly neutral kitchen, then I would go for one really strong colour on the chairs to give them that wow factor.

I have designed many kitchens that have a sophisticated dining area, as these days a lot of socialising is around the kitchen anyway!

- I've got a very small bedroom with quite dark furniture, including wardrobes, a dressing table and bedside tables. I would really like to lighten it all up so that it doesn’t look so small, what is the best way forward please? Sue

Dear Sue, I would suggest removing all those dark heavy items, and if you have the budget, replacing them with light or mirrored furniture. Wardrobes with mirrored doors always make a room look much bigger and brighter, and bedsides either in a light colour or mirrored also give the same illusion.

The White company does a range of white mirrored furniture which would also suit if the budget is right for you, but alternatively BHS also do a range of mirrored furniture that would make the difference to your scheme.

- Help! I really want my main bedroom to look amazing but I don’t know how. I have lots of nice furniture in there, but something is missing and the bed looks really ordinary? Do I need a new bed, or is there another way to achieve this, my bed is not that old and has a plain cream headboard? Jane

Hi Jane, It sounds like the bed may be a little sparse if the room isn’t quite looking up to your expectations. If you haven’t filled it full of cushions, then do so!

Beds look great with throws (satins and faux furs look great together), and lots of glossy cushions. Look at Zara Home, and The White Company for inspiration.


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