Relocation Sale ALL STOCK MUST GO Weybridge Lights LIGHTING FOR HOUSE AND GARDEN 6 Temple Market, Queens Road Weybridge, <strong>Surrey</strong>, KT13 9DL • 01932 820318 weybridgelights.co.uk • sales@weybridgelights.co.uk
<strong>Adding</strong> Value <strong>to</strong> <strong>your</strong> Property Supplement Luxe for Less Jules Haines, founder of Haines Collection, the waste-reducing surplus high-end interiors fabric company, explains how <strong>to</strong> make thrify savings without comprimising on aesthetics How can I get a luxe interior look without a hefty price tag? Be ready <strong>to</strong> hunt! I would always recommend second hand shopping <strong>to</strong> get <strong>your</strong> best bargains for textiles, furniture and antiques. There is so much available and people are getting much better at reselling or donating their unwanted items. In person search <strong>your</strong> local auction or charity shop. Great online options for second hand are ebay and Facebook Marketplace. For luxury waste, head <strong>to</strong> the Haines Collection (of course!) for textiles, wallpaper, lights and accessories. But, as always with second hand, <strong>your</strong> search could take you a while. Be patient and it’s best not <strong>to</strong> be <strong>to</strong>tally set on one exact item – if you can be flexible it helps and you are more likely <strong>to</strong> find what you are looking for. What type of fabrics should I choose for my soft furnishings? I would always try and opt for something 100% natural when it comes <strong>to</strong> choosing fabrics. Linens drape particularly well and so are perfect for curtains. When choosing <strong>your</strong> fabric think about where they are going <strong>to</strong> go and how much use they will get – a cushion on a busy kitchen bench will see a lot of wear (and no doubt washing) so an expensive silk velvet wouldn’t be <strong>your</strong> best option! It’s also worth considering if it’s going <strong>to</strong> be in direct sunlight, as the power of the sun can damage light weight fabric such as silk very quickly. Sunlight will nearly always fade the fabric <strong>to</strong>o, sadly you can’t get around it. Are there any colours or patterns I should avoid? I don’t think there are any colours or patterns <strong>to</strong> strictly avoid, but think about their use and the other patterns and colours in a room. I think all decisions are <strong>to</strong>tally up <strong>to</strong> you really, you are the one who is going <strong>to</strong> have <strong>to</strong> live with it! Some of the <strong>to</strong>p designers will come up with schemes that make you think ‘oh goodness, I wouldn’t have done that’ but <strong>your</strong> home is a reflection of you and <strong>your</strong> personality – dress it the way you dress <strong>your</strong>self, wearing exactly what you like. Also, like <strong>your</strong> clothes, try it on in the room – obtain a swatch and leave in place in the space and see how you like living with it. If it’s got a large repeat see if you can borrow a returnable (a larger piece) from the retailer so you can hang or pin it in the space and see how it catches <strong>your</strong> eye in situ. This trial and test method isn’t so much of an option if you are buying second hand, just be prepared <strong>to</strong> re-sell it if it doesn’t work in <strong>your</strong> home. Ultimately follow <strong>your</strong> gut, and I would say that generally when you step slightly out of <strong>your</strong> comfort zone with interiors you don’t regret it. Everyone will compliment the strong apple green curtains, but are unlikely <strong>to</strong> take notice of the plain cream ones. How can I express my personality without going overboard if I’m doing up my home <strong>to</strong> sell it? If it’s for a home <strong>to</strong> sell I would try not <strong>to</strong> put <strong>to</strong>o much of <strong>your</strong> personality in it – mainly because you don’t want <strong>to</strong> feel personally rejected if they don’t buy it or find the decor off putting. If it’s not going <strong>to</strong> be <strong>your</strong>s soon, I would be smart about what you choose <strong>to</strong> make sure you invest in items that you can take with you. Perhaps some bright cushions so it pops in the pho<strong>to</strong>s, but the main bones and expensive items in the room (like curtains) <strong>to</strong> be more plain and then the next person might take them on as part of the sale. Which rooms should I pay close attention <strong>to</strong>? I would choose the rooms you use the most, probably the bedroom and the kitchen, followed by the sitting room. Keep asking <strong>your</strong>self ‘how do I want this room <strong>to</strong> make me feel’ that’s so important. The bedroom for me should be restful and calm, and a place <strong>to</strong> switch off and relax. The kitchen for us is a busy bustling space for the family <strong>to</strong> gather so it’s brighter and bolder! hainescollection.co.uk priceless-magazines.com