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Well maybe not the Sangria!  But why not take this opportunity to bring some of this amazing sunshine we are currently experiencing into your home with the new Sea and Sand range from ILIV – we are so excited by it that we have put it in our window!

All the fabrics in the collection are £20.50 per metre so you could buy a couple of metres and make some cushions to spruce up your living room, study or bedroom.

If making furnishings isn’t your thing then don’t despair – ILIV have an amazing making up service, made to measure to fit your windows exactly, which takes the worry out of getting it right yourself.  Why not choose from a pair of tape headed, poly-cotton lined curtains from £107.00 or a triple or double hand headed, poly-cotton lined pair of curtains from £208.00.

If you would prefer a Roman blind then ILIV can provide that as well, complete with a blind rail which, of course, complies with child safety legislation.  Prices start from £107.00 including the make-up, fabric and rail.

So bring in a bit of that sunshine to brighten up your home this summer by choosing made to measure from ILIV – and if Sea and Sand is not your thing then we have many other books with hundreds of fabric designs in the showroom – just pop in and take a look.  Until then,  happy sun-seeking!

Sometimes you just need that finishing touch for a project and a trim is a great way to do this.  There are so many available from braids, gimps and fan edges to pom poms bullion and cords that you will be sure to find one to add that extra bit of pizzazz!

Here we have used a pom pom for the side of a bed throw plus a variety of trims on the edge of cushions – all the way round on a square shape and just on the short edges when adding to a rectangular one – the choices are limitless with a bit of imagination!

Making a plain fabric blind into something special is easy if you just add a trim – here a wide braid sets off the proportions of the blind nicely and draws the eye to the neatness of the pleats.

By simply adding some mother of pearl buttons at the base of the triple pleat, these beautiful curtains are enhanced further and again, the eye is drawn to the detail of the heading.

We have a wide range of trims, tapes and braids to choose from, just pop in to the studio to take a look.  Our new ranges from Samuel & Sons include pom poms in a dazzling array of colours, wide braids, piping, fan edges and many more.  There is sure to be something perfect to finish off your furnishing project.

We are here Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and look forward to seeing you soon.

Do you love the coastal look?  Create the perfect scheme at home with soft linens in pastel shades or for a fun approach, go bold using bright blues and reds for a definite coastal theme.  We have all the choices covered in the studio so let us inspire you to get that coastal vibe.

We recently did a project for Iain Wilson Developments to renovate some beachside apartments  in Sheringham and with the help of Interior Designer, Annabel Grey created a weathered coastal look using calming whites, washed out denim and cool shades of blue.

If you’d like to recreate this look then choose soft shades which recreate sun, sand and sky.  Linwood have recently launched a lovely range called Luna – a  heavy, chunky, relaxed plain in 26 beautiful colours or pick another soft tone from Sheila Coombes Simply Chevron range.  Clarke & Clarke also have a range called Laval, 100% linen in many different colours which will tone in well with the coastal theme teamed with a selection of voiles to keep as much light as possible.

To achieve a soft look, choose a less formal heading for curtains which gives a relaxed feel.  A recent project using Sheila Coombes Simply Chevron shows how using an interlining and a tape can achieve this look – relaxed but sumptuous with a small stand up to cover the rings on the pole.

And don’t forget the use of paints to enhance the coastal feel even more.  Plain neutrals can be teamed with a punch of colour on a single wall, or even use paint colours in photo frames for a dash of colour here and there, teamed with favourite prints.

We stock three ranges of paint – Little Greene, Paint Library and Fenwick and Tilbrook, which have a wide range of coastal tones to choose from and in a range of finishes to cope with most jobs.  Samples are available in the studio.

There are a good range of fabrics on offer in the studio and sampling is free.  If you would like to create a coastal look this summer then why not pop into the studio, open six days per week, 9am to 5pm and get the coastal vibe, wherever you may be.

Here are some lovely fabrics that we have been working on in the studio this week – I thought it would be a good idea for the colours to speak for themselves.  From bold cranberry to soft and gentle blues, greens and pinks –  there is something for everyone.  All available in the studio.

I hope you enjoyed them!  Have a lovely weekend and check back next week for some more colour poppers!