Out With The Old... And In With Blue For Cool New Look

Sep 7 2008 Justin And Colin

Get The Look

TECH SPEC

Use the latest technology to help modernise a room.

Mounting a flat-screen TV on a wall is a great way of freeing up floorspace which will make the room seem bigger.

But don't think hi-tech gadgets are only for futurist homes - flat-screen TVs work just as well to update traditional rooms.

For great plasmas, try the Kuro range from Pioneer (www.pioneer.co.uk).

BLACK TO BASICS

Use black sparingly for impact and contrast and your design will come to life.

In this room black lamp shades, picture frames and a sunburst mirror really help 'pop' the scheme.

The Mirror Sticks table lamps are £80 each by Jasper Conran at Debenhams and the overhead lamp fitting is the fivearm Othello in black, £119 from www.bennettshome lighting.co.uk

LIGHT FANTASTIC

Mirrors bounce light, making any space feel fresher and roomier. The sunburst design above the fireplace adds an interesting shape while the three frames create a landscape triptych and help elongate proportions.

Other metallic finishes such as the coffee table legs and lamp bases also bounce light around, as does the foil detail on the Osbourne and Little wallpaper (www.osborne andlittle.com).

FLEX APPEAL

Previously, the furniture was in the wrong configuration but the new layout works better and is still flexible.

The occasional tables can be moved to serve as a central coffee table or as a pair at different sides of the room and the clear glass tops serve to visually declutter our design.

The Nice frosted chrome tables from Argos are similar, £89.99 for a nest of two (www.argos.co.uk).

BIN THE BRICK

You should remove all negative elements before redesigning your space.

The brick wall was ugly and dominant but the perfect solution was to paint it the same colour as the wallpaper - a cash conscious way of camouflaging and merging it into the background.

It's now part of the colourscheme, rather than in competition with it.

KEEP YOUR COOL

Plot out your design to avoid making mistakes.

As we have used loads of grey, sliver and black the final look could have been too cold but the timber-effect plank flooring tones down the coolness of the room and adds a lovely warm natural touch.

Plank flooring is by Amtico (www.amtico.com).