For the first time, model and actress, Elizabeth Hurley has turned her hand to interior design, teaming up with House of Fraser for the launch of a capsule bed linen collection.

The collection, inspired by Elizabeth’s travels around the globe, will be in stores and online from the end of May and features glamorous and exotic designs.

The collection offers a range of three printed bed linen designs in 100% cotton alongside coordinating accessories featuring bold damask and paisley prints, with embellished and embroidered cushions and soft velvet runners. Prices range from £16 - £175.

‘Persian’ features a lime paisley print on a cool white background. With a fresh, summery feel the bedlinen is layered with a velvet runner in a zesty lime hue and two coordinating white cushions embroidered with a bold lime paisley print. 

     
 
The cool blue tones of ‘Aruba’ hint at the colour of the ocean under a clear blue sky. With a pattern inspired by Far Eastern influences, the design has an exotic, sumptuous feel. The coordinating accessories include a soft blue velvet runner with a silver sheen alongside an embroidered paisley pattern cushion and a silver sequin cushion.



On a warm, manila base, ‘Tobago’ features an intricate cappuccino-coloured damask print that is perfect for those who like neutral coloured bedlinen. The soft shades of the linen are lifted by the gold tones of the layering pieces which include a sequin cushion and a velvet panelled bed runner. 



Which of the three designs will you be buying for your home?

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We're just a few months into 2012 but the year has already proved to be a success for textile designer, Lindsey Lang. She's been the talk of the interior design pack for the past few months, but we managed to catch up with Lindsey to hear about her work and what the rest of the year has in store...

How did you get into textile design?
I was born and raised in Kansas, USA where my father taught me how to crochet at a very young age. His mother always used to hand-make slippers for him, but he would demolish them within a few days. One day his mother decided that he would have to start making his own. So, she taught him how to crochet, and then my father taught me. This is my first memory of interest in textiles and once I started I just couldn't stop inventing new things with yarn, fabrics and whatever I could get my hands on.

I pursued Textile Design at the University of Kansas and then studied abroad to complete my Fine Arts degree in Textile Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

               

What inspires your designs?
Once I graduated from university I landed a job in Graphic Design, which has proven to shape my interests in bold modern pattern. I'm constantly inspired by everything around me. Colours, patterns, fashion and life in London is a huge inspiration but, my true heroes are Anni Albers, Theloneous Monk, Charlie Parker and Constructivism of the early 20th century.

What is your process?
Colour plays a key role in my process; I usually start with a palette that interests me and then begin to sketch. I used to paint or cut out shapes from those paint swatches that you can take from DIY shops, but now I have become more confident and work through most of my ideas on my computer.

              

Your website states that each piece is handmade. How long does it take for you to make a piece?
I used to make everything with my sewing machine, but now I design all of my prototypes for new products and work with British manufactures which help me to achieve the quantities that I need to fulfil orders. The company is so new that I am still creating some things by hand which is always a pleasure to do, but all of our fabric products are hand-made in Britain by a lovely team of seamstresses.

Was it important for you to make your products practical?
Absolutely, focusing on practical kitchenware and interior accessories for the home is what I have always wanted to do. As my company grows I plan to expand into more products along the way, but designing beautifully functional products that adds a little smile to everyday life has always been the cornerstone of Lindsey Lang Design.

              

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
I would say that the debut launch at HOME Earl's Court London (January 2012) was a huge moment for me. I worked throughout the year to launch over 60 product variants including tea towels, tea cosies, double oven gloves, cushions, hot handles, hot pads, ceramic trivets and cement flooring tiles all at the same time. The incredible positive response and press has been absolutely amazing! I love it when customers send me messages about how happy they are with their purchase. I love what I do, and I was just so incredibly overwhelmed when I realised that others liked it too!
 
What is your studio like?
I have recently moved into a new studio near Bermondsey and I absolutely adore it. It has large windows with a view of London. It's in a building that's buzzing with other creatives. They even have a little lounge area full of found vintage furniture and a cook that provides a fresh lunch on the weekdays for a cheap and cheerful price.

            

What is your home like?
I live where there is a sneaky view of the Thames, and I think its key be able to see a bit of nature in the middle of the city. My husband and I have an eclectic mix of vintage appliances and furniture. We both have a habit of collecting things from the places that we have travelled, and our home reflects the fun mix of treasures that we have found along the way.

What do you think a home should provide?
Home is where your family is... it should be safe, warm, welcoming and full of the stuff that makes you smile.
 
What does 2012 have in store for you?
Well, I think this summer will be fantastic as so much is going on in London this year. I am looking forward to getting our products stocked throughout the UK. Also, I am also excited to be designing for the new Spring Summer 2013 collection which will be showing at HOME Earl's Court this January!

For more information about Lindsey or to browse her work, visit her website.

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Buying a sofa for your home is one of the most important purchases you’re likely to make; after all, you’ll spend a lot of time snuggled up on it, watching movies or entertaining friends. So it is important to make the right choice and that is where our Shop if the Week, Sofa.com, comes in.

Founders, Rohan Blacker and Pat Reeves set up Sofa.com with the aim to offer the best value, high-quality, beautiful and comfy sofas (and beds) in the UK, combined with the best customer service in the industry.

Choose from dozens of stylish sofa and bed designs and customise with different fabrics and patterns until you’ve created the perfect piece for your home.       

             

The Lovehome team is coveting the Snowdrop loveseat, the Commander armchair (pictured) and the stunning Angelica bed (in Kingsize, of course).

What sets Sofa.com apart is the risk free buying process. If, for whatever reason you don’t like your sofa, just call the team within 2 weeks, they’ll come and collect it and issue a refund, free of charge. Easy!

               

If you’d still like to see the sofa in person before committing to buy, you can visit their showroom which is based in South West London. It’s just around the corner from Chelsea Harbour, so is ideally placed for those keen to undertake some serious interiors-related retail therapy!

So what are you waiting for? Visit the Sofa.com website and browse through their wide selection of sofas, footstools and beds.

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Last week the Lovehome team were invited to the launch of a brand new, and exciting decorating website – DecorateNow.

From the Brewers family, DecorateNow has all the best brands under one carefully designed roof and we’re huge fans of what they have to offer.

       

The site offers its users hundreds of paints, wallpapers, woodcare, tools and decorating accessories that have been carefully selected to ensure that all your decorating needs are met.

There are over 800 paint shades from leading brands such as Crown, Dulux and Farrow and Ball, as well as specialist paints for every surface, from walls to floors to household exteriors. But if wallpaper is more to your taste, you won’t be disappointed either as there are around 1,000 wallpaper designs from all the top brands including Graham and Brown, Barbara Hulanicki and Laurence Llewelyn Bowen.

       

But perhaps the most exciting part of the site are the virtual roomset and moodboard facilities which allow you to create the look you want in your home before you buy even a drop of paint.

The virtual roomset feature allows you to colour your room of choice and imagine what it would look like, perfect for those who need some reassurance. But if it’s inspiration you’re looking for, the moodboard facility is ideal for dragging and dropping your favourite colours and wallpaper patterns or uploading your own images.

       

And with free paint colourcards from all the leading brands, expert advice available over email and free delivery on all orders over £30, it’s never been easier to achieve the perfect home.

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Towards the end of last year Mary Portas collaborated with House of Fraser, launching a concept store to showcase the best of British interior talent.

The store has been such a success that Mary is back with a further ten independent designers on board.

           
The new designers were selected after pitching their collections at the Interiors UK trade show earlier this year and they will now see their products either sold or showcased through the Mary and House of Fraser shops.

The new products will form a selection of carefully curated home ware that will sit alongside Mary’s existing fashion collection.

             

Whimsical china, fun tableware, bespoke up cycled furniture and free hand embroidery, the collection is rich and varied. We particularly love Lianna Mellor’s Mellor Ware and the Surfacephilia pieces by Helen Stevens.

              
Want to get your hands on the eclectic and stylish collection? It will be available online and in four House of Fraser stores (Glasgow, London Oxford Street, London Westfield, Manchester) from mid-April.

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