It used to be  a common misconception that clean empty walls were the best way to treat a small room, to give a feeling of space.  Take a look at the following wallpapers below to stretch your imagination. whether it be to create the illusion of space or to add interest.

Above Cole Son Maxi libris.  A play on scale really gives the Alice in Wonderland feeling but realy important to make sure the shelving relates to the lines of the room.

Above Andrew Martin Library paper.  Also available in neutral colours if prefer more modern or mininal look but will add some texture.

Trompe-l’oeil,  french for Deceive the eye is an art technique involving realistic imagery in order to create an optical illusion that objects exist in three dimensions and a simple way of creating the feeling of space . Cole & son have launched Fornasetti II which is a collection of really great papers with humour.

Cole & Son. Teatro.

Cole & Son Macchine Volanti. 

Mr Perswall Reanissance Wallpaper. Fantastic statement, adding that cosy warmth & depth.

Mr Perswall Mirror image.  Adding a tranquild mood. This is an image which you could believe to be true & so adds the feeling of space naturally.

Mr Perswall Denim.

Need any design help? or would like information on the above wallpapers? Please contact me: tel. 07990 505402 or 01202 840687 email.info@yvonnehellier.com

With retailers not able to stock incandescent light bulbs from 1^st September 2012, we are all being forced to change the way we light our homes – but working out exactly how is far from easy.

To demonstrate how attractive and versatile LED lighting has now become and how it can replace incandescent, John Cullen – Britain’s leading lighting experts – have now converted their London showroom, made up of multiple room sets, to being 100% LED.

‘Architects and interior designers can’t believe that we’ve managed to light all our room sets using only LED,’ says Lucy Martin, Design Director at John Cullen. ‘LED has now reached the stage where it is possible to create a really attractive and flexible lighting scheme for virtually any space but you have to know which lights to go for.  It’s still far from easy and, since you usually get what you pay for, LED lighting can still be expensive.’

For anyone struggling to get their head around the new energy saving regulations and the latest lighting technology John Cullen’s showroom provides the perfect solution. They even have a Lamp Bar where you can see all the latest bulbs and compare with against one another.

John Cullen manufactures its own LED lights, one example is the 4w Pocket of Light – an elegant and flexible 4w LED floor lamp that provides a well-directed beam of light which won’t dazzle a person sitting next to you on a sofa.  Manufactured in the UK, the Pocket of Light even has a memory function which ‘remembers’ the light level at which it was last used.

Martin predicts that in ten to twenty years’ time our lighting requirements will be driven by daylight harvesting and incorporated into new structures at the initial design stage.  At night time, LED’s, which require minimum maintenance, will provide almost all the remaining light we need – controlled by remote handsets and tablets with individually addressable light sources.  Our energy consumption will be a fraction of current levels.

Meanwhile, we all need to work out how to light our homes and meet the stringent energy saving regulations with existing technology.

Need any help? Please do not hesitate to contact Yvonne Hellier 01202 840687 or click on info@yvonnehellier.com 

A window is often a focal points within any room and choosing the right window treatments are key to compliment & enhance the home. Now with so much choice, I thought a blog on some of the more up to date styles would be of interest.

When deciding how to finish the window, yes, it has to look good but it is wise to consider the design and shape of the windows and the function, that the  treatment must fulfil.  Is it to provide an element of privacy,  without shutting out all light or the features of the outside environment?. protect the interior furnishings from damage by sunlight?.

Joining the interior to the exterior visually, results in a more spacious feeling. Using the natural variety colours of nature e.g. the green of the trees,

 or the aqua colours of the sea or other colours such as exterior paint colours or the natural material texture e.g. wood, metal, stone.

 It may be that you wish to frame the view & so a plain or quiet pattern will not detract any attention from the view at all is the best option.

Or that you have no view at all & would prefer to detract attention from the view & keep the interest in the room. Maybe the treatment needs to shut out all street light?, provide insulation from drafts?

When considering how to dress your windows it should be remembered that options are not limited to a traditional fabric curtain but can in fact encompass a wide variety of blinds and shutters. Here are some beautiful examples of alternatives to curtains.

Need any help? Please do not hesitate to contact Yvonne Hellier 01202 840687 or click on info@yvonnehellier.com  

Bring your ideas to life with my experience, creative direction & professional guidance

Have access to my resources, from paper to paint, fabrics to floor coverings

A unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with one of Dorset’s top interior designers & member of the British Institute of Interior Design

No knowledge or design background required, just your ideas or aspirations…

Date: Wednesday 11th July 2012. 10-3.00pm Lunch & Refreshments provided.
Cost: £75. Book early, limited to 4 places for each event.

To find out more, call Yvonne on 01202 840687 or mobile 07990 505402 or email info@yvonnehellier.com

We saw this season’s launch of  new collections from the leading design houses  and I particularly like the following three schemes using fabrics from Romo.

This interior is a very classic look using  richly textured weaves with a strong sense of modernity in their metallic colours & Art Deco influence. From Mark Alexander at Romo

A modern slant to a very elegant period look using a lustrous cotton satin with a natural sheen. A soft palette giving diversity with a bold accent.Fabrics from Romo.

A very practical cotton-linen blend with an exceptionally soft, peach-skin finish. With a spectrum of 222 colours including 117 brand new shades using Linara from Romo

So what is it about Spring interior design that makes so many of us want to invest in a new look for our homes? In the ancient calendar the start of the new year was always Spring, new life grows and the buzzing anticipation of a fresh start is everywhere. March is the month that all 500 international brands launch their new ranges across 91 showrooms in the infinitely inspiring Chelsea Design Centre, plus surrounding Kings Road Chelsea locations.  There was a definite trend this year towards blue and white, a colour scheme which is both timeless and fresh, and which can be used in a variety of ways to create very different looks.

By taking the classic patterns of stripes and checks and incorporating a smart herringbone weave into the fabric the look created is current and up to date.  A design that incorporates these elements will sit comfortably in a cottage style house and yet look striking in a town house.

Tulipa Contemporay Prints range from Romo An altogether different look takes inspiration from the Spring Summer catwalks with the use of contrasting floral fabrics printed onto a range of different textures and which combine together to create a pleasantly feminine look.

I really like this Middle Eastern influence using the Cole and Son Piccadilly wallpaper from the new Albemarle collection. Please call if you would like to arrange an initial consultation.