Western Mail Article - 4th July 2009

Idle away the summer days with some nifty tricks.

Some fakes can be better than the real thing.

Take a look at the latest in artificial turf.

Lazy Lawn (www.lazylawn.co.uk) allows you to wave good-bye to the business of mowing, along with the trauma of bald patches, weeds, moss and mud.

You can pick from 10 realistic styles.

I like the emerald green shade of Lazy Summer.

If you have a concrete yard you can simply roll this out during the summer months and pack it away in the winter.

Meanwhile, bring on the sun loungers and chill out.

Artificial turf is a great idea for a shady garden, where real grass struggles.

It’s also a bonus if you have a family and the lawn gets scuffed by kids playing.

When planning your garden, treat it as you would your interior living space and divide it up into areas in order to create interest.

Stagger your flower borders rather than laying them out in long ribbons, and try and create a journey from one end of the garden to the other.

Even in a tiny garden an element of surprise can be introduced by erecting a framework for plants such as wisteria to grow on, thus creating an intriguing look-through effect.

Outdoor sculpture is becoming very popular.




For unique contemporary sculpture look at Sculpture Culture (http://www.sculptureculture.co.uk/).

Helen Sinclair, Terry Ryall and Gary Ley are based at the far tip of the Gower Peninsula, and produce their work in the outbuildings of Helen and Terry’s farmhouse.

Large sculptures tend to need a lot of space around them to give them a context.

This can be a problem if you fall in love with something that’s to big for the space you have available.

Sure, if you love it, you should have it regardless.

But it’s worth bearing in mind that, in time, it might become overbearing, so choosing a piece that looks comfortable in its surroundings might be a better option.

A sculpture that looks as if it’s an organic part of your garden will add to the charm and
harmony.

Garden structures that can be used as home offices are increasingly popular too.

Such garden rooms are also excellent if the weather turns nasty on a your barbecue.

A structure like this can also serve as an extra bedroom after a summer party.

And can even be used in the depths of winter as long as it is adequately insulated and you have a form of heating, such as wood burner.

Cosy enclosed huts like this were very popular in Georgian gardens, although, if you want a lighter, brighter effect you can opt for more glass.

Look up www.roomsoutdoor.co.uk or call 020 7720 7799 for further information.

Another option for the garden is a gazebo. With open sides providing a panoramic view, they are ideal for sheltering from light rain or intense sun.

The Savannah Breeze House is ideal for a small garden, yet it can house eight people on circular bench seating around a 120cm table.





The roof options are Cape Reed thatch or cedar shingles.

Have a look at www.breezehouse.co.uk/savannah for further information.

Just make sure that your chosen building is in keeping with the rest of your garden.

If you have a very traditional, cottage garden, for example, a contemporary building could jar.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors.

Tel: 029 2037 1277. http://www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk/

Blog created 4th July 2009 by Molly Lamb ( Cathedral School )

Western Mail Article - 27th June 2009

The call of the wild.

Wild flowers are a popular motif on homewares this summer, with designers drawing their inspiration from meadows and hedgerows rather than carefully manicured borders.

Native flora abounds - from cowslips to cornflowers, field poppies to musk mallow. And songbirds have their moment of glory too, as do butterflies and various other winged insects.

This natural theme is imparting an untamed charm to fabrics, wallpaper and china.Textile designer Clarissa Hulse (www.clarissahulse.com/0207 375 1456) has a great collection featuring briar, yarrow, morning glory, reeds and vine.

She uses vibrant colours in her designs from brilliant flame orange to cool, crisp peppermint.A graduate of Brighton Art College, Clarissa has developed a nationwide reputation for her innovative work.

Her distinctive designs, and her commitment to finding the perfect combination of colour, print and fabric have marked her out as one of the UK’s most exceptional designers.

Botanical themes have always been Clarissa’s hallmark, even when she started her career designing silk scarves and glamorous evening wraps.

Her immensely popular homewares range is always growing - in addition to wallpaper, cushions, throws and lighting, she has added bedlinen to her repertoire.

Her Klimt duvet sets are a fabulous concoction of luxuriant colour, guaranteed to add panache to your bedroom décor.






Designer Kim Robertson (www.kimrobertson.co.uk/0207 242 6103) has launched some lovely butterfly print tea lights and vases.Kim is London-based and produces work for Designers Guild, Donna Karan and The Barbican Gallery at her Bloomsbury studio.

Her work evolves from her own photographs and drawings and develops into screen prints.

She prints predominantly with water-based pigments and foils onto silks, suedes, linens and printmaking papers.She also enjoys exploring new techniques and is now experimenting with the use of digital film.

She often collaborates with other artists, among them ceramacist Liz Emtage, with whom she has created the delicate printed porcelain lighting and vases pictured.

Yet another talented designer with a vivid portfolio of work is Fiona Howard. She has an eclectic outlook on life, imagery and design.

Her fresh, upbeat and contemporary style is very easy to live with, and her hedgerow prints are outstanding.

She specialises in mugs, laminated birch tea trays and tea towels, as well as cushion covers in heavyweight linen/cotton.

The latest addition to her range is a nifty tray table decorated with lush stems of spring angelica on a soft green background.

It’s great for picnics, out in the garden or in the conservatory, and, best of all, it can be packed flat and put away when it’s not in use.

Her breezy, outdoorsy appeal, and practical touch, means she is much sought after by many big names, among them John Lewis, Habitat, Esprit and Harlequin.

A pair of her mugs at £8.50 each, and one of her ‘Wild Pod’ trays at £9 would make a perfect set for a summer tea break out in the garden.

You can also take the wildly abundant flora and fauna theme into the kitchen and bathroom.

Fired Earth (www.firedearth.com/0845 366 0400) has put together a lively collection of wall tiles decorated with bees, dragonflies and butterflies.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors.

Tel: 029 2037 1277. http://www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk/

Blog created by Molly Lamb ( Cathedral School ) 2nd July 2009


During my work experience I followed Natalie around, gaining perspective of how an interior design buisness works. I have really enjoyed my week and feel maybe an option for the future.

Western Mail Article - June 20th 2009

Bring some Indian summer heat into the homeIndian chic is a very popular trend this summer.

As it’s all about vivid colours and opulent finishes its the perfect way to introduce some sultry seasonal vibes into your home.

After last summer’s washout, we need a good dose of the feelgood factor, and the sumptuous nature of Indian style fits the bill perfectly – and, as a bonus, we are currently enjoying a mini heat wave too.

If you want to put the current lust for the exotic into context, then next time you visit London have a look at the British Museum’s Indian Summer season (on until October) and the Royal Paintings of Jodhpur - Garden and Cosmos - which will be exhibited until August 23.

Lush pleasure gardens provide a backdrop to many of the pictures, depicting a life of sensual delight where the Maharajah cavorts with his doe-eyed harem girls.

The splendours of India and its irresistible life force and pulsating colours really spring to life.In a collaboration with Kew, there will also be a themed garden (though without the potentate and his entourage), along with talks, films, music and food tasting (http://www.britishmuseum.org/).

Henry Wilson, the celebrated photographer, artist and Indian expert has been commissioned by Osborne & Little (www.osborneandlittle.com) to design a magnificent collection of wallpapers.

He describes his inspiration thus:“The soaring architecture in India can be overwhelming, and much of the fine detail is easily overlooked among the kaleidoscope of pattern and colour.

It is these frequently missed decorative details that I have drawn upon for my designs.”I love his Maharani wallpaper with its luscious combo of mauves and reds, with the overblown flower designs representing the fecundity of the subcontinent.

As with any style, the trick to introducing exotic influences into the home is to stick to the ‘less is more’ motto.

If you are opting for some wild wallpaper in powerful colours, then keep the floor simple, with a plain carpet or stripped floorboards.

Don’t be tempted to go overboard as the end result will tip over into the realms of kitsch.Luxuriant fabrics are a good way of introducing a touch of glamour and mystery - choose deep seductive tones such as warm gold, hot red, regal purple and gleaming bronze.

Osborne and Little has some suitably rich colours in its Nina Campbell and Lorca ranges.

The great thing about rich fabrics in glorious colours is that they suit the torpor of summer as well as the chill of winter and seeing as we get considerably more of the latter in this country we have to be sure that the colour schemes we choose will provide comfort on our endless grey days.

For a range of interesting furniture have a look at http://www.okadirect.com/.

The roomsets pictured demonstrate how the glamour and sumptuous colours of India can be brought into the home to great effect.Cushions, rugs, lamps and lanterns add warmth, comfort and interest.

I am a big fan of rugs as they can transform a room.

Although a high quality rug isn’t cheap, there are many affordable options available from Ikea which provide the eye catching splash of colour that every room needs.

Red is my favourite colour, and I have something red in every room, even if it’s just a lampshade.

Indian textiles go in for reds of every hue in a big way, which is probably one of the reasons why the style appeals to me so much.

If you feel reticent about bold colours and how to bring them in successfully, then sticking to rugs and cushions is a safe way to introduce them - if you keep everything else fairly low key you can’t go wrong.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk

Western Mail Article - June 13th 2009

Bespoke furniture brings a personal touch to the home front.

Your home should say something about you, so why not push the boat out and go in for some bespoke pieces of furniture?

Sure, it’s not a cheap route, but once in a while the opportunity to splash out comes up, and spending it on something lasting and beautiful is a good way to go.

The ultimate in luxury is to have a kitchen handmade for you, that way you’ll get exactly what you want in terms of aesthetics and practicality.

With regular fitted kitchens, there’s often some aspect that doesn’t really suit your needs or your tastes, but you have no choice but to put up with it.

Not so with made-to-measure kitchens.

Jeremy Davies is a craftsman I admire very much (01656 841 942/www.jeremydavies.co.uk), and his attention to detail is second to none.

He creates beautiful pieces designed to be loved and cherished for years.He can turn his hand to anything, from complete kitchens and bedrooms, to stand alone cabinets, chairs or tables.

He also offers a range of finishes from traditional French polish, to modern lacquers or hand-painting.

Another fantastic Welsh cabinet maker is Andrew Williams (01633 271 946/www.quailsusk.co.uk).

Andrew, known as Drew, established his business in 1979, designing and making furniture initially with the help of his grandfather, a master craftsman who followed a long family tradition of furniture making and country skills.

Drew’s cabinet making expertise combined with his intuitive ability to interpret clients’ wishes, makes for a successful relationship between craftsman and customer.

Here at Chameleon Interiors we offer a made-to measure service for sofas and chairs.

All you have to do is supply the measurements of the space you have available, and the dimensions of the sofa you require and we will advise on the appropriate proportions.

Getting the size just right is very important - a piece that’s too dominant for the room will hem you in, and make everything else look too small, while a sofa that’s too small for the room will look lost.

Custom-designed fabric for upholstery or curtains has immense wow factor, and having something unusual designed just for you gives pleasure that’s out of all proportion to the outlay.

Husband and wife team Peter Thwaites and Rebecca Aird of Rapture and Wright (01608 652 442/www.raptureandwright.co.uk) concoct some amazing deigns in a glorious spectrum of colours.

The philosophy behind their company is to be 100% British.

The cloth is woven in the UK, while the designs are conceived and hand printed in the couple’s Gloucestershire studio using skills that are rapidly disappearing in the UK.

The inspiration for their interior schemes is truly global however, recent commissions have taken their lead from a scrap of antique lace and a 13th century Persian illuminated manuscript, both reinterpreted for the 21st century.

Peter and Rebecca also produce a range of accessories including lampshades, cushions and 100 per cent Irish linen tea towels - just to complete the look.

I always think that the finishing touches are very important, so don’t hold back on the trimmings, as you may regret failing to go that extra mile.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk

Western Mail Article - June 6th 2009

Kids’ stuff rulesBuying things for the kids provides great entertainment, and there are some fantastic fun and funky goods to be had.

Kitting out a kid’s room can run away with cash though, especially as the young family members grow so quickly, and their tastes change with similar speed.

Delightful though nursery furniture is, children soon become embarrassed by things that are too babyish, so you might find yourself having to buy lots of new things to fit in with your child’s increasingly sophisticated tastes.

Try and make your outlay work hard for you by purchasing pieces that have longevity - particularly important with pricey items like furniture.

Make the whole process of designing a child’s room fun by involving them every step of the way.

They love it, and tend to have very definite ideas about what they like and don’t like.For beautifully made furniture that has style and flair, take a look at the Lion Witch Wardrobe web site (www.lionwitchwardrobe.co.uk or call 0208 318 2070).

The children’s collections were designed to fill the gap in the market for appealing designs that have a contemporary edge, but are nevertheless solid enough to take all the rough stuff that kids can dole out.

The cot bed in the ‘Lolly’ range is handcrafted in beech and is designed to solve your offspring’s sleeping needs from new-born to age five.

Similarly, the storage unit in the “Buck’ range has been built with flexibility in mind, catering to your needs when your baby is tiny, while the removable shelves and hanging rail mean that it remains practical as your child’s needs change.

Bunk beds are an excellent way of saving space in a room, and kids love them too.

However, they are not recommended for youngsters under the age of four.

Another space saving option for sleepovers is a truckle bed, where the extra bed tucks neatly under the main one, and can be pulled out easily when friends come to stay.

Aspace (www.aspace.co.uk) has a wide range of affordable furniture and plenty of choice of bunks and truckle beds.

For one-off pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation, designer Flavia del Pra can’t be beaten.

I love her upbeat ceramic ‘Kaori’ lamp, with its myriad of small faces imprinted on the shade.

Her work, and that of a number of other flamboyant designers, can be seen on the Bodie and Fou web site - http://www.bodieandfou.com/.

The company was founded by two French sisters, and reflects their Gallic sense of style, as well as their sense of fun.

Their cheerful sky blue ‘Grow’ height chart would make a great gift for for the smaller residents of the house, as we all know how much they like to chart their growth millimetre by millimetre!

If you’ve set your sights on something utterly quirky, then Nest is quite likely to have the answers (http://www.nest.co.uk/).

I was impressed with the originality of the Magis El Baul toy box.

It provides the antidote to all those twee pieces that have been designed with young ones in mind.

It looks similar to a golf ball in shape and design, but is as practical as it is interesting, providing plenty of storage room to house the multitude of toys that inevitably accumulate.

The Magis Julian chairs are also fun, with their slightly abstract animal forms and chirpy primary colours.

The Bodie and Fou kids’ clothing collection is also simple and fun- have a look at the colourful crocodile pyjamas, they are irresistible.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk

Western Mail Article - May 30th 2009

Give your sitting room a summer shake up.

Planning a space is a little like putting a menu together.

You have to be sure that all the assorted items complement one another and that you get harmony without repetition.

You also need a few surprises.

Individual pieces add character to a room, so don’t feel that you need a matching set of anything for the place to look right.

The trick is to combine different styles and periods of furniture and position them so that they suit the shape of the room.

Mix old with new, dark wood with gilded and painted surfaces, and chunky rustic styling with fine decorative carving.

The colour and style of your floor needs to be considered just as carefully as the walls to help set the scene and provide a backdrop for other furnishings.

A plain base gives you most scope - either a single colour fitted carpet or wooden boards (polished, waxed or painted), on top of which you can lay rugs to introduce some panache.

Rugs are a useful way of breaking up the space into different areas, and add warmth and softness.

The sitting room in the picture is formal, but the style of the rug brings in a touch of comfort that eases this, and creates harmony.

However, let’s say you have a high-ceilinged room that looks more formal than you would like it to, then you need to be careful with accessories.

Avoid creating a regimented display with pictures and accessories.

Prop pictures on shelves and mix different colours and styles to generate a more casual feel.

A sitting room needs to be conducive to relaxation so steer clear of harsh lightin

One option is to use recessed spotlights and a dimmer switch, so you can up the brightness when you are reading and soften things when you need a more soothing environment.

A chandelier makes the most of a high ceiling, and looks stunning even when unlit, complement this with lamps that glow warmly, and illuminate dark corners.

Most sitting rooms have a multipurpose life involving books, magazines, games and electronic equipment.

It can be tricky to accommodate all these disparate elements yet avoid a sense of clutter.

Consider housing your books in a study or bedroom, or confine them to a single area in a living room in which floor to ceiling shelves can form a storage grid, housing other items such as CDs as well.

If possible house TVs and sound systems in cabinets so that they don’t intrude when not in use. I have had wonderful bespoke cabinets built for a number of clients.

The sofa is likely to be the most expensive purchase in the room, therefore select it with care.

Above all it has to be comfortable.

At the end of a long day it’s important to be able to chill out in front of a good movie, or stretch out with a good book.

Take time to choose a sofa that ticks all the boxes.

While a stylish look is desirable, remember that the furnishings you choose have to be compatible with the way you live.

Choosing high maintenance fabrics when you have a family will become a nightmare as the stress involved in keeping them looking great outweighs the pleasure.

A white carpet or sofa might look fab in a magazine, but it won't look so good covered in chocolate stains and cat hairs.

My family home is also occupied by a dog and four cats, so I am careful to choose furnishings that take that into account.

Afterall, a house should be a home and not a showpiece.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk

Western Mail Article - May 23rd 2009

Be prepared for summer - just in case it arrives.

Pity the poor birds trying to keep their fledgelings warm and fed despite the cold winds and torrential rain.

When the weather is poor the birds have even more of an uphill struggle keeping their youngsters alive, so we need to help them all we can by keeping our bird feeders and tables topped up with plenty of nourishing food.

The RSPB ( www.rspb.org.uk) gives excellent information on what to feed birds (and what to avoid).

Species such as house sparrows, dunnocks and finches love seed mixes that contain small seeds, while blackbirds are partial to flaked maize.

Black sunflower seeds are another good all-year staple.

Should you wish to attract the spectacular goldfinch to your patch, then you’ll need a special feeder to carry its favourite nibble - nyjer seeds.And don’t forget to top up the birds’ water bowl - and keep it clean.

If you are looking for an attractive new bird table, then have a look at the Plantstuff web site (www.plantstuff.com) - the one with the copper roof looks particularly palatial.

Plantstuff also has some excellent galvanised containers that will offset brightly coloured plants brilliantly.

Take a look at their rustic wooden seed trays too – these hark back to gentler days when there seemed to be more time for pottering contentedly in the garden or allotment.

If you are looking for seeds to nurture in these trays, then Sarah Raven is right up your street (http://www.sarahraven.com/).

She specialises in seeds to sow for the cutting garden - these plants love to be picked, and the more you do so, the more they flower.

I really love the deep summer sky blue of the agapanthus - and a tangerine and orange version of Cosmos, known as ‘Bright Lights’, is totally spectacular too.

However small your garden might be, with a bit of proper planning it can be so much more than a patch of lawn or a square of decking.

However, it might be worth investing in a spot of expert help in order to transform your outdoor space into an oasis.

Even if you are on a budget, a professional’s advice could be worth seeking - ensuring, for instance, that you don’t spend a fortune on plants that won’t thrive because you have the wrong soil or too little light.

Contact the Society of Garden Designers (www.sgd.org.uk) for a list of accredited designers.

Before launching into your garden project, ask yourself how much work you really want to do on the garden.

If the answer is ‘very little’ then avoid grass as it needs cutting regularly during the summer, and will also need some TLC if it starts getting weed or moss filled.

Flowering plants and blossoms look wonderful, but create debris that needs clearing up when they shed their petals.

For minimum fuss but maximum impact choose structural evergreens - they are a breeze to look after and look good throughout the year.

Lob in impressive splashes of colour with a few large pots of annuals, and some hanging baskets dripping with plants such as petunias.

Privacy is important - you are more likely to gain enjoyment from being outdoors if you have some peace.

Choose quality fencing and soften it with planting. For example, black bamboo against a red cedar fence looks stunning.

Virginia creeper and golden hop will spread like wildfire to cover bare expanses of fence - but beware, in a small garden they could easily sap the ground of nutrients, to the detriment of your other plants.

If you want to avoid a ‘Day of the Triffids’ experience, don’t plant something that’s too vigorous for the space available.

Yvonne Jones is a Royal College of Art trained designer, and is the owner of Chameleon Interiors. Tel: 029 2037 1277. www.chameleoninteriors.co.uk