Summer wish list
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Whether you want a sneak peak at the latest home treats or fancy swotting up on the smartest new trends your shopping starts here.
Over to the expert: Kevin McCloud on the ideal greens for living rooms.
'I live in a new-build home but would love to decorate my large, light living room in a period style. I love traditional-coloured paints, especially green. What kind of shades should I look for?' Leanne Wakelin, Derby
Traditional paints and pigments give decor a more atmospheric quality. While modern paints use sophisticated dye pigments, traditional historical colours were made using impure pigments made from ground minerals. The range I put together for Fired Earth – now available in B&Q stores* – uses modern pigments that chemically reproduce ancient earth colours. Many of the colours are mixed with separate pigments, which ‘blur’ the shades to excellent effect, making them seem rich and giving them a character that changes with the light. Bluish greens like Ultramarine Ashes (below) look different according to whether they’re lit by sunshine or artificial light, so you could get three different shades in one day!
Trend alert
Outdoor living has never been more relaxed... Create a smooth transition from inside to out with the Kalestone frost-resistant porcelain paving (5030659058782).
Kalestone Frost-Resistant Porcelain Paving
Cosy
The Thatched Loggia
(5060059772629) provides
the perfect shelter for
entertaining come rain or
shine, and is large enough
to house the whole family.
Sultry
Outdoor lighting doesn't
get more sexy than these
Glass Damask lanterns,
small lantern (05174492),
and candle (05174430).
Just Arrived
This summer, keep your look bright
and breezy Whether or not you can
escape to the coast this season, you
can always bring summer home with
the printed canvas below, (03610398).
Another of our new-in-store faves is
the chic Carlotta light, Glass and
Chrome Effect, (05174676) – it's the
simplest way to add modern elegance
to any space.
Glass Chrome Effect Carlotta Light
We've been excitedly anticipating
the new wallpaper range from
Sophie Conran and it's been well
worth the wait. Get in store quick
before we buy it all!
Bubbly
With this outside, we may never go in the house again! Spa Bubble** (6909521810225).
*Available in larger stores only. **Available for home delivery only.
