16 life&stylewww.yorkshireposttoday.co.ukWEDNESDAY JANUARY 24 2007 YORKSHIRE POST

What will the bestdressed homes bewearing this year?SHARON DALE asksthe experts.Richard Grafton, managingdirector of interiors specialistsJames Brindley of Harrogate.www.jamesbrindley.com■ Key trend: Matchingwallpaper and fabric.■ Richard says: “Wallpaper isvery much in vogue again, withOsborne & Little and Colefax &Fowler both showing fabrics andmatching wallpapers for the firsttime in very many years.

“We have even made our ownsilk fabrics available as made toorder wallpaper in keeping withthis new trend.

“Fabric and paper designs thisyear are largely floral, with somebrave companies showing birdswhich historically wereconsidered by some to beunlucky.

“Contemporary styles have amore structured look but I thinkultimately it is the palette thatdetermines whether a schemelooks traditional or contempo-rary. It’s possible to have the samefabric and design fit comfortablyinto either camp, dependent onthe colourway – an embroideredsilk in red and gold, for example,clearly fits well within aVictorian-style period schemebut the same silk in chocolate,taupe and beige tones looksequally at home in a city loft.”

James Kincaid, head of rangeat Habitat.■ Key trend: Ocean inspired.■ James says: “For springsummer 2007 our collection iscalled Midnight Ocean and is allabout interacting with thenatural environment near, aboveand under the sea.

“Key colours including blue,white and neutral, with flashesof indigo, coral and magenta.Distressed

metal and weathered surfacesare strongly in evidence,alongside layered glazes andhand-painted embellishment.”

Linda Barker, interiors designerand founder of home storewww.reallylindabarker.co.uk■ Key trends: Black and white

and wallpaper.■ Linda says: “Two trendswhich are set to continue into2007 are the use of wallpaperand the love affair we arehaving with black and white.

“Wallpaper just seems to getbetter and better, bold designsmake grand sweepingstatements right round thehome, not just in the livingroom.

“Leading the pack areinnovators Cole and Son andtheir flock wallcoverings arestill among my favourites, butfor those on a careful budgetGraham and Brown are produc-ing some beautiful papers.

“Black and white was such astrong story all around the homein 2006, I thought its appeal

might be waning a little.However, the monochromaticwallpapers, china, glassware andsoft furnishings that we lovedlast year are still bang on trendfor the early part of this year.

“The damask trend, though, isstarting to fade, so choose someof the newer, more innovativedesigns in black and white.”

Paula Whiteside from Prego,contemporary interiors, Sheffield.www.pregosheffield.co.uk■ Key trend: Grey is the newcream.■ Paula says: “When investingin great quality furniture it’salways sensible to have a neutralbackdrop.

“This year will see every shadeof grey, from soft off-white torich anthracite, pebble blue greyand sage green/grey, form thebasis of the modern interior.

“This is fantastic news, as greyworks with a vibrant shot of colour.B&B Italia have introducedcolour to their neutral schemewith a tan easy chair, MDF Italiaand Sancal use coloured cushions

or coffee tables in shades ofcitrus and pea green. Rich yellowand deepest glossy black are alsotwo of the latest colours foraccessories.

“The new lookfor 2007 homeinteriorsemphasisesluxury inthe use ofhigh glossfinishes,and richtexture,and daringflashes ofbright colourand boldpattern.”

Abby Parker, interiordesigner at Wetherby-basedCarolyn Parker.www.carolynparker.com■ Key trend: Eco awareness.■ Abby says: “One trend thatwill be really big this year, andfor years to come, is going greenand I don’t mean the colour. Thedeteriorating state of our planet

is news everywhere and I thinkthis year we will all be doing ourbit to become eco friendly.

“Furniture and accessories willplay a big part in thisenvironmental movement. Weare already seeing designerscreating furniture fromreclaimed products, such asMathew Butler who has justlaunched his flatpackseat/table/box by using recycledmaterials (£133, Zaishu.com). Ifyou want to get closer to earth’screations, visit bleunature.comand have a look at theirexperiments with the naturalbeauty of untamed driftwood.

“With this environmentalresponsibility, we will continueto see vintage style this year.Rather than buying somethingnew, have a look in the attic or atcar boot sales and see what youcan salvage and restore to itsformer glory.

“If you do have anything for thetip, why not advertise it onreuze.com. Something that youdon’t want anymore could be justwhat another person has beendesperately searching for.

“Bright colours will also be bigthis year.”

Clare Jobson, interiors specialistat Barker and Stonehouse.www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk■ Main trend: White andflorals.■ Clare says: “A big look thisyear is white and I don’t justmean walls. Wooden floorboardsand beams are being covered inmatt white paint. White carpetsare big news, as is whiteupholstery. The great thing withwhite is you can always add anaccent colour for a burst ofvibrancy; and zesty lime green isa key tone. ”

Zoe Jackson, buying and designdirector at Heal’s. www.heals.

co.uk■■ Main trend:

Bright colour.■ Zoe says:“We

have startedthis year witha gentleapproach tocolourfeaturing apalette ofnaturals and

soft turquoise,aqua, yellow

and lime. Thecolours are mixed

with natural woods,both oak and walnut

featuring prominently.“For summer, a high energy

palette will be introduced ofdeep citrus greens, playfulturquoise and yellow withhighlights of deep, rich orangeand gold. Later in the season,there will also be an explosion ofpinks, reds and hints of mango.”

HO

MES The flowers and the glory

Fashionable furnishings: Clare Jobson, of Barker and Stonehouse, is predicting a floral revival thissummer, left; black is still big according to Linda Barker, top right; and papers and fabrics to match is anew trend, says Richard Grafton, head of James Brindley in Harrogate, above right.

Soft turquoise, yellow, aqua andlime are the fashionable coloursthis season, according to Heal’s.

You can’t go wrongwith all white.