Imitation chandeliers are a great way to add the sparkling finishing touches and whilst genuine crystal chandeliers are very expensive there are some great replicas which look equally as stunning for creating striking interiors.



This seasons mix and match of old and new makes this type of interior fun to create and can be a cost effective way of achieving a trendy interior which feels homely and yet striking. This type of design is typically used for homes which are large with rooms of generous proportion, however you can scale down the size to fit your own room size to create the same stunning effects.

Look for second hand furniture which you can bring back to life by distressing the paintwork, adding touches of gold leaf, as well as recovering worn chairs by selecting beautiful fabrics in colours and patterns which reflect the room's theme and colour scheme.

Having odd pieces of furniture is longer regarded as unacceptable, which is great news for those who have a restricted or tight budget and yet still want to create fabulous interiors. Choose pieces which you love which revolve around a theme by way of colour or design. Having an eclectic mix of furnishings from different periods is also very acceptable.

Make the most of windows and natural light by not having heavy curtains, particularly during the summer as lighter weight fabrics such as voile, organza or silk will enable as much light as possible to flood into the room. This will add to the overall feeling of homeliness and a room which is easy to relax in. During the colder months these could be replaced with heavier weight fabrics which may also help to prevent heat loss through large windows, more especially if they are not double glazed!

Take advantage of large windows by having curtains which are 'floor to ceiling'. If using voiles or light weight fabrics you can leave them to pool naturally onto the floor to provide and informal look. Alternatively have them measured precisely to just touch the floor for a more sophisticated look.

Sweeping curtains back from the centre and holding them in place with beaded tie backs will add the all important finishing touches. Opt for beaded tie backs which reflect a similar style as your chandeliers to bring a sense of cohesion to the room. Little details such as this will show that you have taken care over the design style of the room and not just simply brought a mish-mash of odd pieces of furnishings and thrown them together in the hope that the end result will look good!

Having a picture in one's mind of how you wish the room to look can be extremely difficult. You could call in professional interior designers or you can browse through magazines, journals or online for inspirational ideas which you could then replicate into your own bespoke design which you feel comfortable with! Looking for guidance via any of these routes is essential if you want to create a beautiful home.