I Do Like Settee By The Seaside

Jun 22 2008 Justin And Colin

Get The Look

WOOD YOU FAKE IT?

To get the look of sun-dried, salty, timber floorboards without the hassle or the cost, try the Van Gogh Bearwood board from Karndean. It's easy to use and offers the rustic look without dirt-hoarding gaps or splinters. Find out more about Karndean from the experts at The Art & Floor Gallery in Glasgow - log on to www.artandfloorgallery.com - or from Karndean at www.karndean.co.uk

HOT AND MODERN

A modern, fixed feature such as our new fire suggests a modern room in the same way a traditional fire would elicit a more traditional feel. It's great to mix and match so think about either adding other modern furnishings to create a cutting-edge look or using softer, traditional items to create an older-style look. For a similar fire, try the Mirage White Sparkle Micro Marble electric fire, £799 from B&Q - www.diy.com

A SEA OF COLOURS

Be inspired by the sea and all things beachy when it comes to adding colour. Soft furnishings, cushions and window treatments in aqua, sand, white and natural green tones work well so add as much or as little as you like to warm up your room. Try two-tone aqua cushions (£6 from Tesco), ivory silk cushions (£15 from John Lewis) or, for an American take on the coast, check out the seaside accessories at www.oldeglory.co.uk

YOUR DRIFTWOOD

Want to know a fabulous way to keep the coastline clean and get great free artwork into the bargain? Head down to your local beach for washed-up driftwood branches and allow them to dry in the sun for a salty, baked look.

Bracket them on to your wall and, hey presto, you've got a sculptural work of art like no other.

Lounge around on one of these fabulous chaise longues...and with models for all budgets, you're sure to be longing for one of them.

SCRIMP La Vie chaise

£299.99 from Empire Stores, www.empirestores.co.uk

This chaise has a touch of the Moulin Rouge and would be perfect for Agent Provocateurstyle goddesses who have lovers in the afternoons. The Queen Anne legs and bold, damask print fabric cover are the very epitome of divine decadence.

SPEND Tate chaise

£895 from John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

This classy, polka-dotted chaise longue offers a simple yet eye-catching design that fuses an art deco shape seat with a modern fabric twist. The legs are made from hand-polished antique oak and the frame from fully-seasoned beech.

SPLURGE Teatime Tallulah chaise

From £1166 at Sofa Workshop - www.sofaworkshop.com

With this smart model, you can choose a different colour for each of the beautiful buttons so you can turn your choice into a very individual piece. Shown in treacle Moroccan blue, this classic chaise will stand the test of time in terms of durability and style.

FALL FOR TIMBER

We added painted, timber tongue-and-groove to chair rail height to make the room cosy and create a Cape Cod look. By painting it the same colour as the wall, we let the timber detail speak for itself. Find great-value tongue-and-groove at Wickes, timber cladding from £5.61 per sqm (www.wickes.co.uk). Use Dulux white mist for a calm wall colour, www.dulux.co.uk

SIMPLY THE BREAST

Adding a chimney breast is a great way of creating a focal point, especially in a room with no additional features. It looks fab and provides an area to dress furniture on to so the finished room has focus. The stone tiling brings a nice beachy feel. For similar stone, try White Pebble Mosaic, £18.50 per sqm from the Travertine Warehouse. Log on to www.travertinewarehouse.co.uk