Spelling out bright ideas for a home makeover

Looking for inspiration in the home? Interior designer Jamie Hempsall answers your questions and offers some innovative solutions.

Q. I am looking to decorate a room using a flag theme and want to incorporate a Union Jack carpet. Can you suggest any interesting options?

A. The flag theme is very fashionable at the moment. I have found two particularly nice designs which are also a little quirky. The Union Jack rug from Hill & Co (www.hillcorugs.com; 020 3258 4100) features the flag at an angle, which is more visually appealing than a straight reproduction and avoids looking like a front door mat.

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It is made from 100 per cent viscose, measures 1.8m x 1.2m and costs 390.

If you have a bit more budget and are looking to make a serious design statement, choose the VW Flag, by Vivienne Westwood for The Rug Company (www.therugcompany.info; 020 7229 5148). At 1,995, it

is more pricey, but is a wonderful 100 per cent wool Aubusson tapestry rug that works equally well as a wall hanging.

Q. We have converted the cellars in our Georgian home to create a day room. The ceilings are not high, but we need a central light fitting to incorporate into the room. Our decorating style is "traditional with a twist".

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A. With low ceilings you need to ensure you get impact from a light fitting, without it obscuring your view through the room.

The ideal solution is alight constructed from glass to allow you to both appreciate the design, but also easily look beyond it to avoid breaking your sight line.

Victoria Rothschild and Mark Bickers have developed a wonderful range of hand-blown glass lights which are all made at the London Glassworks, one of the last workshops in the UK.

Most of their lamps would be perfect, but I particularly favour their Vintage and Opulence designs with the cheeky interplay of glass and fringing: around 250 including delivery (www.rothschild

bickers.com; 020 8418 5900).

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Q. I have just moved into my first home and want to liven up the walls of my kitchen which are painted plain magnolia. I am afraid I have a very tight budget. Do you have any ideas other than a bright colour or feature wall as I want to do something more interesting?

A. When it comes to jazzing up a plain wall, you do not need to go mad to achieve something stylish. Less is often more and I would opt for one of the new wall stickers which you can easily apply to a ready-painted surface.

Spin Collective (www.spincollective.co.uk; 01242 255244) offer a range of funky designs made in vinyl. They also have a "custom wall quote and sign" maker on their website that allows you to choose your own word or phrase. There are a variety of fonts from which to choose and 20 colours available. Prices start from 12.

Q. We are looking for an eye-catching feature to include over our fireplace at home, but want to avoid a picture or mirror.

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A. I love incorporating really eccentric items above a fireplace to amuse both owner and any guests. They provide a great talking point and a good ice-breaker at social occasions.

My current favourite is the Silver Trophy Stage Head from Strawberry Fool (69.99 – www.strawberryfool.com; 0845 226 9177) a witty take on the traditional hunting trophy.

At 47cm in height, this is large enough to make an impact without being overbearing.

Jamie Hempsall is a member of The British Institute of Interior Design and one of the region's leading interior designers. If you have an interior query you need answering call him on 0800 032

1180 or visit www. jamiehempsall.com

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