It’s the start of February and love is in the air – or at least on the horizon.  Whether you’re looking forward to Valentines Day, or avoiding it like the plague you can still take great inspiration from all the holiday has to offer!

Perhaps most commonly associated with the day of love, hearts can be used in all sorts of ways to decorate your home.  I’ve once again been searching the web for some innovative ways of how we could show our homes some love with heart shaped décor.

Hearts in the hallway

Who says door decoration is only for Christmas?!  Dangle these beautiful room tags from your door handle for an instant feminine touch.

Hearts in the kitchen

Ever popular, Emma Bridgewater’s wonderfully simple heart designs can add a touch of country character to your kitchen.  Combine with pastel colours for the perfect shabby chic look!

Hearts in the garden

Don’t stop at just the house!  Feel the love in your garden with beautiful lanterns…

…or watch the sun glisten off this innovative wind-spinner.

Hearts in the Lounge

There are many lovely trinkets and artworks that can be used to add subtle touches to your living room.  But, if subtle just isn’t your style there’s also a bolder option for you!  Take a look at this heart shaped chair designed by Giovannette.  Could this be the ultimate seat for a Valentines Day cuddle?

Hearts in the Bathroom

Hang up your towel on these french inspired bathroom hooks.  A very popular trend at the moment, vintage french design can look stunning in your bathroom and create a quaint atmosphere.

Hearts in the Bedroom

Create a natural oasis with this outdoors inspired wicker lantern and be mesmerised by the flickering heart….

If the home spun look is more your thing, why not get creative and make fun heart bunting to stylize your headboard!  They’re so simple to make!

So, have we managed to inspire you – is there a place for hearts in your home?   Remember, incorporating Valentines inspiration isn’t limited to heart shaped decor.  Check back next week for more holiday inspired design tips!

Happy New Year…again!  As China sets to welcome the Year of the Dragon today, be inspired by the Orient in your own home.  Carrying on our theme of the feature wall from last week, there are an abundance of great designs which can really give that relaxed, Eastern feel to your home.  We’ve opted for a simple trailing floral design with subtle leaves, paired with a modern red and black palette.  Turin – Claret is a great, plain fabric choice to compliment the look.

For that wow factor you could be a little more daring and opt for a vibrant pink and soft yellow colour scheme.  We’ve used our very own Elana – Lipstick fabric to create these striking curtains.  Accessorise with exotic orchids and simple straight-lined furniture.  Adding a few Oriental design ornaments, such as the lantern featured will bring the whole mood together.

We all like our homes to say a little something about us.  Whether it’s modern and classic, feminine chic or loud and bold.  Well what better way than plastering it all over the walls for all to see!  That’s right, with stunning statement wallpapers.

Now I know that painting’s much easier; I know it’s less messy and I know there is nothing more frustrating than 2 ends of paper sticking together with paste.  But, with a boom in beautiful wallpaper designs, it’s difficult to resist.

If the feminine touch is what you’re looking for, try one of these stunning florals.  For a classic, soft approach look at Nina Campbell’s Barrington design (£54 per roll), or choose Duchessa design by Graham & Brown (£25 per roll) for a bolder splash of colour.

For a more gender neutral floral, you could try a large design such as Graham and Brown’s Traviata (£25 per roll), or opt for more unisex colours such as red and white with their Elinor design (£25 per roll).

If florals simply aren’t your style, why not use stripes to enhance your living space.  A pretty candy stripe effect such as Nina Campbell’s Bicton wallpaper (£47 per roll) is full of fun.  Graham & Brown offer their Figaro design (£25 per roll) as a subtler alternative.

Be bold and display you love for retro with these cool geometric patterns.  Go for monochrome chic with Graham & Brown’s Mika (£18 per roll), or create a cool, cosy backdrop to your study with Chameleon by Osborne & Little (£84 per roll).

However you plan to wow your house guests, remember there is a whole wealth of designs and styles you can choose from, to suit your personality and style.  Go on, be daring and make a real statement with your décor!

Since the beginning of December I’ve had my fingers crossed for snow!  I just love how peaceful the world looks after a good snowfall.  And here I find myself, in the middle of January with glorious sunshine bursting through my window… it would seem my dreams of a white winter may have to wait until next year.  Or do they…?

I’ve found some beautiful ways to bring the snowy, icy hues of traditional winter, into our homes.  There are design tips and inspiration for every room in the house!

Bedroom

Using a wintry palette in your bedroom creates a stunning, hotel chic look like this set-up from The White Company.  Wrap up warm in white and mink faux-fur throws or add snowy sparkle with a shimmering chandelier.

Bathroom

Opt for a statement wallpaper like this atmospheric winter forest design.  Paired with steely greys and charcoal, this is great for a nature-inspired bathroom.

Kitchen

With the Christmas tree down and the house looking bare, why not make a beautiful centrepiece for your kitchen table.  Twigs are a popular choice, so try to find quirky and original shapes to make it really stand out.

Living Room

And finally, the hub of your home can also take inspiration from wintry scenes.  For a cosier, warmer feel choose grey hues to create your perfect winter wonderland.  Fabrics designs such as our very our Titian Damask is perfect for this theme, with its intricate, shimmering damask designs.  Or try curtains in our Oracle fabric for a subtler approach to the winter theme.

So if you’re like me and you love that winter look, get creative with greys and whites, but remember to add some cosy touches like generous throws and thick rugs to keep you feeling warm and toasty!

In times of gloomy weather and January blues, there’s nothing better than popping your feet up in front of the fire!  I love the idea of our open coal fire – but in reality it’s dirty, it back-fires and there’s the endless argument of whose turn it is to go outside and fill up the coal bucket.

So I say it’s about time we look for a cleaner alternative!  I’ve been scouring the web for the ideal fireplace which is up-to-minute designer chic, with a nod to the rustic!  And, I think I’ve some…

Wall Designs

Wall mounted fireplaces can become a piece of art with these stunning designs!  Stylish and out of the way, these are perfect for homes with limited floor space.

There are unique and artistic surround designs…

…or something a little more nostalgic, with a modern twist.

Stand Alone

A stylish take on the traditional log burner – the stand alone design is great for making a cosy focal point in your home.

Choose from safe elegant designs ….

…or a more daring colourful option

Hanging Design

A quirky concept – these original designs look stunning in both larger and smaller spaces.

Create a social hub around the base…

… or position alone for maximum design impact.

Despite these inspiring designs, I’m afraid I’m still swayed by the traditional.  Guess it’s time to get shovelling that coal! Check back next week for more winter warming designs.

Paint manufacturer Dulux have unveiled their colour trends for 2012/13.  Their six distinct palettes are set to take interior design by storm, so here at Plumbs we’ve been busily preparing ideas for how you can stay on trend this year!

The great thing about colour trends is that you can pick and just choose exactly which hues you want. You could utilise the entire palette or choose the shades that will be right for you and your home.

Appropriately named Carnivale, this pretty selection of pink and lilac will give an ultra feminine feel to your room. For a more subtle approach, you could leave out the darker pink shades. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Sorrento Stripe and Summer, Soft Aubergine.

A more masculine palette can be found with Re-set, a contemporary monochrome set of blacks, whites and greys. Try patterned fabrics to break up blocks of solid colour when adopting this trend. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Chelsea Velvet – Steel with Jacobean Opulence – Black/White.

A warmer look can be created with Time-Honoured. Twinned with dark wood, these orange and red hues are sure to brighten any room. We’ve added a dash of green here to bring out an earthier feel. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Vista – Terracotta.

If the natural look is more for you, take inspiration for Dulux’s zesty Nurture trend. Mix vibrant greens with soft creams for a fresh, Spring look all year round. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Lily – Pistachio.

Raw is the slightly subtler version of this outdoor trend. Combining slate and grey/green tones gives a softer,  more neutral approach. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Fiore Check – Linen.

Finally, Immerse yourself in relaxing blues. No longer a colour scheme set aside for bathrooms, the calming tones of blue can bring tranquillity to your living space. Plumbs’ fabric choice: Floral Brocade – Turquoise.

With so much inspiration it’s time to  get the sample paint pots and the wallpaper clippings and browse Plumbs fabrics online by clicking here, or click here to arrange your Free Home Visit to see our whole range of fabrics in your own home!  We’ll be back soon with more decorating inspiration.

There’s nothing better than curling up with a hot cup of tea and a good book.  But reading needn’t be confined to the end of the sofa.
Many of us will have our own special place where we like to escape and unwind, whether it’s in front of the window with the sun streaming through, or curled up next to the fire on a blustery afternoon.

Be inspired by these cosy reading nooks and see if you can create a hideaway just for you!

The Window Reading Nook

The perfect source for natural light and a good view out between chapters, a window reading nook can be created in any room of the house.

Under the Stairs Reading Nook

For a cosy, confined space, add cushions and a spotlight under the stairs.

Corner of the Room Reading Nooks

Be creative with spare corners in your living room or study.  Build a raised platform and decorate with cushions and throws, or opt for an elaborate piece of furniture for a luxurious feel!

The Attic Reading Nook

If your loft space isn’t quite big enough to convert into a room, consider creating a secluded hideaway.

The Kids Reading Nook

Even the kids can enjoy a special place to relax, and looking at this design you may be tempted to join them!

With all eyes on Big Ben tonight, I got to thinking about the poor clock in my own home: an uninspiring, generic face ticking and tocking with little enthusiasm.  New Year’s Resolution number one: upgrade the kitchen clock!  Gone are the days of a clock being a mere time telling tool – today the clock is an essential decorative item that can really show off your personality and taste.   But with a whole host of exciting and quirky designs out there, where do you start?  I’ve had a look at jazzinteriors.co.uk to find out!

Table Clock

The easiest decision to make is whether you need a wall clock or one to sit on a desk, table or mantel.  Table clocks may seem less convenient but don’t discard the idea.  There are a beautiful selection of table clocks around, particularly these handmade glass designs.

Italian Design

If sophisticated style is more what you’re looking for, take a look at this selection of beautiful Italian designs.  These wonderful creations come in all shapes and sizes and look great as a real focal point on your wall!

Novelty Clocks

For a bit of fun why not go for one of these fun designs.  Full of comic charm, these clocks are bound to make you smile every minute of the day!  I particularly like the mixture of old and new with this shadowed effect cuckoo clock.

Glass Wall Clocks

This stunning range of glass wall clocks are great for adding a touch of artistic glamour to your walls.  Often smaller in size, these more discreet clocks are ideal for hallways, bedrooms and kitchens.

With so much choice I may even choose one for each room!  So, as my poor old kitchen clock ticks away the final hours of 2011, I hope to have left you with inspiration to make a real statement in your homes!  Check back in the New Year for more inspiring design products.

At the Beginning of the year, Linda Barker, interior designer and the team at channel 4 homes both voiced their predictions for what would be hot in home décor for 2011.  A year on, Plumbs looks back to see how accurate their predictions were:

C4 Homes predicted that 2011 would be the year of colour, and that meant bright colour! Strong greens, pops of cerise and flashes of orange.  Throughout 2011 shops were adorned with multi coloured bathroom accessories, bright orange clocks, and a whole rainbow of paints and wallpapers.  Plumbs Verdict: accurate trend prediction.

On the opposite side, Linda Barker’s hot favourite for 2011 was grey:  to be termed ‘the new neutral’.  Out with the beige and in with the charcoal!    This year seems to have be governed by the new look monochrome, adopting grey and cream as a warmer alternative to the traditional black and white.  Plumbs Verdict: accurate trend prediction.

For C4 Homes, 2011 was going to be all about the big, bold florals.  And with top designers such as Sanderson continuing to produce beautiful modern takes on the floral design, it’s no wonder that the lavish look has found its way into our homes in the past year.  Plumbs Verdict: accurate trend prediction.

Linda Barker swore by a more feminine approach to the floral in her prediction that 2011 would see the revival of vintage.  Restoration of beautiful furniture was to be a top priority for home décor enthusiasts.  At Plumbs, we can more than vouch for the latter and agree that an emphasis on vintage chic has been apparent throughout 2011.  Plumbs verdict: accurate trend prediction.

It was off to the beach for C4 Homes in 2011 as they predicted a rise in all things seaside!  This year has seen shells, driftwood and seaside stripes making their way from our bathrooms to our living rooms. Plumbs Verdict: accurate trend prediction.

Finally, Linda Barker favoured a more industrial design with metallics being her colours of choice for 2011, primarily bronze and gold as opposed to the more classic chrome and silver.  Plumbs Verdict: accurate trend prediction.

So it would seem that 2011 trend predictions were a success.  As we eagerly await the experts’ opinions on 2012 design trends, tell us what you think.  What would you like to see in 2012?

If you’ve ever thought that patchwork is a past-time best reserved for blankets, quilts and cushions, think again!  This whacky chair as featured on roomenvy blog, brings the fun of patchwork to the 21st century.  I think the key is to choose the most eclectic and vibrant fabrics to represent your personality so your furniture can make a real statement about you and your home!  And, as this chair shows, a colourful piece like this need not have to be confined only to the ultra modern home, but can look just as comfortable in front of a traditional roaring fire!