Windows are the eyes to the soul for homes and if your windows need to some attention then maybe a few ideas about window dressing will give your home that welcoming touch.

There is a current trend for chic and nothing epitomises this than shutters which can act as privacy but also opened slightly to allow light to diffuse through the room.  However if you are looking for glamour then we need to think luxury, fabrics in silk and satin, lightweight and gorgeous to look at and feel.  You can go for extra long curtains and tie them in the middle with a big loose knot and allow the bottoms of the curtains to act as pool of silk.

If you hate net curtains then there are some wonderful blinds to choose from and of course there is the modern concept of window film, which is ideal for bathrooms or anywhere you would like a bit of privacy but still would like to view the world outside.

Of course you can’t forget the accessories for curtains, such as tie-backs, forget about the tie-back in the same fabric as the curtain itself, use your imagination and use bold costume jewellery necklaces with large metallic or gemstone coloured beads and inject the dramatic into your curtains.

Adding the odd geometric pattern to your pad will up the style ratings in a nano second. Think wallpaper with a fun grid pattern, diamond design cushions and rugs as well as a plethora of accessories. Tiles are fabulous too; specifically Moroccan ethic inspired ones great for back splashes in kitchens and bathrooms.
As bold as it sounds you can truly exaggerate a rooms proportions by simply hanging floor to ceiling curtains with a gutsy geometric print  - bold, fabulous and something that will make all your friends jealous! Have fun

If you are thinking of re-decorating, you might want to consider stripes; they give a bold statement to any room and the bigger the stripe the more impact it will bring to a modern home.

If you’re feeling stripes on the wall maybe a bit too daunting then consider the flooring of your home, wide, dark bands on a neutral background can create a bold walkway in the hall, ideal for family homes, where an expanse of single flooring can show stains from many shoes passing over.

Various areas in your home can also undergo stripe treatment, you can create a balance with soft furnishings, by picking a stripe which is co-ordinated to your wall colouring and the another stripe to match the colour of your furniture, will create symmetry in a room and allowing the stripes to lose their formal impact.

Although, stripes can be placed in all rooms, sometimes just a little adds that wow factor.  The headboard in the bedroom can be upholstered with a striped material, you can choose to balance the stripes with your bedroom furniture and decor or create a statement headboard which contrasts.

There is so many ways in which you can use stripes to create that modern feel, being bold can make a world of difference.

With Spring just around the corner its time to de-clutter in a big way.

I have just installed a floor to ceiling space saving bookcase in my pad and I have to say it’s changed the way I use my space. First up everything is neatly stacked and piled as opposed to hanging out on the floor and so now I have a snug library esq. feel to my home office.

This would be equally fab in dining rooms or kitchens – stacks of mags, books crockery and other bits and bobs add intrigue and create layers.

Secondly if you want your bookcase to look super sophisticated consider painting it out the same colour as your walls that way all your paraphernalia will pop out and make a statement rather than the other way round!

Spring cleaning will soon be upon us and like the majority of spring cleaners, you need to think about your storage solutions now.  With the amount of clutter we have created over the past year, finding a place for everything can be a real headache.  However with a bit of forward planning and before your feather duster even touches a piece of furniture, you need to glance over all the rooms in your house and spot the clutter corners.

They are not difficult to see, especially in children’s bedrooms after the Christmas giving has passed.  Toys stacked randomly and generating their own intensity of dust and all sorts of matter which only children truly appreciate.

 The major areas in bedrooms for storage is of course wardrobes, or under the bed, however if these areas are already spoken for, you might need to consider buying a bigger wardrobe with various shelving features for when your decluttering begins.  There is nothing worse then suddenly finding there is no more room left and you then have to reside yourself to the fact the clutter pile will remain in situ.  But then, what if you can’t fit a bigger wardrobe in, well fear not, as space2 provide a great range of modular wardrobes that you can be sure to fit in the space the previous wardrobe was in. Plus they have great shelving options, perfect for creating clutter free spaces.

Ensuring everything has a place to go for big spring clean, makes life that bit easier.

Christmas is an exciting time for many and none more so than for children. You can create a warm and inviting feeling when visitors walk through the door, making it a magical experience for all.  With a few touches here and there you can make children feel welcome in a home with grown-up decor or leave adults spell bound in a bustling family home.

Create a family friendly environment with the use of white, red, ivory and beige tones.  By adding splashes of Christmas red on a white tablecloth; using red flowers, coloured cutlery for the children, ribbons around the chairs, and a table centrepiece in a bold silver container.

To add a sense of glamour to your home over the Christmas period, use glossy black furniture, teamed with white and gold accessories, making sure candlesticks are of decorative elegant glass.  Greet your guests at the door with black wine glasses and lead them through to your glamorous take on Christmas.

For those who seek to create the modern Christmas, a wintery ice theme will prove popular with friends and family.  Mix pale blues, silver and ice whites, make use of tea lights dotted about, use plain white crockery and accessorise with silver goblets and crackers.

The ideal festive home is all in the smallest of details and it will generate the biggest of welcomes.

It’s all about stimulating the senses – so think the tinniest of mosaics or roughly hewn slate or even a fab pictorial effect. From show stopping to quietly sophisticated tiles capture and delight the eye with their interesting array of finishes from smooth as silk to roughly rustic.

Cracking the code in selecting one or two pieces that easily sit side by side is not an easy task – but it really does give a room a face lift perking it up and stealing the limelight. If like me you haven’t ventured into this territory before start small. A couple of cushions or a fab vase will give you the confidence to go for it big time. Before long you will be mixing shimmering gold swirls and barbeques pink stripes. Exciting stuff.

Humour in the garden is as equally important as humour in the home. Think about adding some surreal sculpture or a bit of striking iron work, flea markets and boot fairs are fab for this. Source vibrant textiles and pots for a smart boho feel and mix it all up a bit. Play with scale – house a small plant in a oversized pot or a large plant in a tiny pot and before you know it you will be following in the footsteps of design god Philippe Stark!