Wooden heart at centre of a home

We need to get a new dining table and chairs, but are worried about matching other wood in our dining room. What would you recommend? RS

Wood is a wonderful natural substance that adds warmth to any home and – if treated with love – should enhance with age.

I always advise that there is no need to slavishly match wood in any room scheme. In fact, doing this can make the entire result look a touch “samey” or over-designed. The trick to a successful scheme is to pick woods which are tonally similar so that they complement, rather than an exact colour match.

To see wood at its most beautiful aim to find pieces that have a more natural finish such as oil or wax, rather than a high varnish. Avoid anything that has a toffee apple or orange varnish appearance as this can look false.

The only other rule I apply is never to mix new pine with antique woods, they generally clash. If you are opting for new pine, stick to that throughout – it is a very definite statement. Otherwise, the world is your oyster.

I am looking for a solution to update our windows. We have been retired a number of years and live in a 1960s’ home. Our through-lounge has wonderful full-length windows at either end which are great for light, but not for privacy. I have had net curtains for years and really want a change. Can you suggest something that will help us feel more up to date? BB

Net curtains are definitely outmoded, but they are a very useful screen from the outside world.

If you like the secure feeling of a visual “wall”, then you should opt for a set of voiles – the modern equivalent.

There are plain voiles in an array of colours, but you can also get patterned or textured products which give a wonderful feel to any room.

Viscose fabrics drape beautifully and adding weights to the bottom of a voile curtain will help the overall look.

As with curtains, you should budget to allow 2.5 times the width of the window for curtains that will look substantial rather than pinched.

You can find particularly beautiful options in the Dhow range from Osborne & Little (www.osborneandlittle.com – 020 7352 1456) or Quinto by Designers Guild (www.designersguild.com – 020 7351 5775).

Alternatively, try string blinds which are one of my favourite products at the moment. The systems come in the form of a vertical blind system which is easily fitted inside full-length window recesses or in curtains (eyelet headed ones are a good modern option).

The strings afford great privacy from the outside, but allow internal occupants to see a well-shaded view of the exterior.

Look for stockists of Ado International who do a great range ( www.ado-goldkante.de/cordon/en/ – 01635 521261).

Both options are also great for blocking harmful rays that will damage silks and precious woods.

Help. We have a spillage on a sofa and want to know what we should do about cleaning it. SH

You do not say what the spillage was, but I can offer some general recommendations.

The most important thing to do is to clean all of your upholstery and never spot clean.

This also applies to loose covers which should be washed in their entirety. That way you avoid highlighting the patch.

Cleaning can be a nightmare, so tread carefully and use a specialist proprietary cleaning agent designed for your fabric.

The best method is to seek advice from a specialist cleaning firm such as ChemDry (www.chemdrycentral.com – 0800 048 3581). * Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is an award-winning interior designer. Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or phone 0800 0321180.