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Shabby chic info
I'm in love with the whole shabby chic look and want to recreate it in my new apartment. While I have collected lots of different items (from Cath Kidston for example) I don't know where to begin with the basics. What would you suggest I do first to make this look work for me?
The Shabby Chic style consists of white painted wood or iron furniture. Many pieces look slight worn and that is why it is called shabby. And it is how you make your combinations, that will make it chic. Fabrics are usually cottons and linens in pale pastels or whites and cream colours.
First, you should paint your walls a soft pastell colour or apply a fresh coat of white paint. Jotun has an excellent "Shades of White" colour chart which is a variety of pale colours, any of which would be perfect.
Second, you should decide on your furniture layout which best suits your room. I would not worry too much if you have a sofa which is not the right colour, as you can have a linen slip-cover made to cover your sofas, giving a very relaxed feeling. Add some old picture frames and fresh flowers and voila.
Boudoir chic
I'd like to find a dressing table that's smart but not too girly. Can you recommend any?
It is rather difficult to find your typical dressing table these days. The last time I saw one was a beautiful mirrored dressing table at ID Design at the Mall of the Emirates. But you can use a very simple desk or table in dark wood, and then add a linen runner over the top.
Then you could fix the mirror on the wall as well as a table mirror. Add small containers for all your products such as Q-tips and cotton balls. Remember that the bench or chair doesn't need to match the table so it could be whatever you like.
All change
I've had enough of neutral colours and white walls and want to change my home dramatically in 2008. Are there any rules regarding the use of strong colours on a wall? I'd like to paint my living room red for instance and my bedroom black?
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken. Both of your colour choices sound great! Test your colour choices first in your home since red is a difficult colour because on a large wall, you will perceive the colour differently.
Many prefer a slightly warmer red which is slightly towards terra cotta for a contemporary interior; or a bright red for a chrome and glass modern interior. There is Chinese red, sports-car red, tomato or ketchup red, Coca Cola red, burgundy red, so that is why I recommend painting a patch on the wall first and then you can decide.
As for the black colour, I suggest using a semi-gloss latex paint because I have tried using the normal matt latex paint and found that finger prints and other marks are easily seen.
When you start with the furniture, remember it is always beautiful to play with contrast, so try to put something light coloured in front of these strongly painted walls.
Off the shelf
We are looking for a new cabinet for our entrance are and it has to be custom made, since all of the "off the shelf" ones are either too high or too narrow. We tried ZEN on Sheikh Zayed Road, where we bought most of our furniture. Unfortunately we were informed that they stopped doing custom made furniture. Can you recommend any reliable company in order to help us please?
I understand your problem as many joiners are busy now with major projects. However try and contact: City Palace Furniture, tel. 04-347 44 97. It is helpful if you have a photograph or sketch of what you want with you during your first meeting.
Floral tips
I'd love to use a bold floral wallpaper as a feature wall in my bathroom but I'm a little worried I may not be able to pull it off. Do you have any tips on how to make it work?
Your idea sounds great. Just remember in a small bathroom, the repeat of the pattern in the wall paper should not be more than thirty centimeters. This is because in a bathroom, you will have plenty of accessories such as towel rails, shelves, mirror, wall lights, tiled walls, shower cabin, etc. so in order to appreciate the wallpaper, I would consider the repeat.
Try not to install wallpaper close to areas that will get too much water, otherwise you could cover the wall with clear glass. Also, try to take at least two colours from the wallpaper and select the same colours for your towels.
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