Country clubs conjure up inviting images of grand conference rooms, high ceilings, leisure pursuits and relaxation, all set in picturesque grounds.

It’s no wonder therefore that the ‘country club’ look is having a huge influence on interiors as we head towards autumn. The good news is that this is one trend which is infinitely liveable.

To achieve the look of a traditional ‘country club’ in your home, start with lots of comfortable seating – think big leather sofas, an abundance of armchairs and soft furnishings with a patriotic twist.

The Comfy sofas from Barker and Stonehouse combine a timeless brown leather look with a looser, more modern style for an instant update on a classic piece. Make it even more inviting with scatter cushions in red, white and blue.

While the Saddle Easy Chair - created by dedicated craftsmen and hand finishing with equestrian details - is a beautiful piece and an exquisite blend

Read more ->>>>>

Give your home office a nautical makeover this summer with beautiful wooden pieces and accessories rich in historical feeling.

This look is all about creating a sense of adventure and exploration – you want to give the impression that your office is your base – the place you return to plan your next excursion.

Every adventurer needs his work station - so to create a work space fit for an intrepid explorer start with a classic desk.

The Starbay Indochine desk from Barker and Stonehouse is available in black walnut or solid rosewood and is made using traditional techniques for an antique appearance.

A large squashy sofa in your office is perfect for power naps – choose a style in distressed vintage leather such as the Viscount William three seater for a look that won’t date.

The perfect partner to such an exquisite desk, the Gulliver Executive chair is a traditionally styled leather office chair

Read more ->>>>>

Wheatgrass, mink, topaz or buttercream, whatever name you give it, this season’s neutral is soft and sophisticated.

Create a cool and calming atmosphere in your bedroom with a palette of cappuccino, cream and stone and introduce natural materials through accessories.

The Capuccine upholstered bedframe with its rolled foot and headboard, and studded and button tufted detailing, will add a touch of luxury to any boudoir. Dress it in the floral linen reverse bedding from Barker and Stonehouse for a vintage look.

Hang long, loose, linen curtains and use rope instead of tie-backs.

A plain carpet such as the Pompom in oatmeal or a seagrass floor covering will give you a good base on which to build. A tonal rug such as the Estella rug in Horizon Neutral, a 100% wool blend handtufted in India featuring blocks in greys and sands, will add an extra texture to the look.

Pale and blonde woods are a great

Read more ->>>>>

Whether you cook constantly or use your kitchen primarily for dining, it is one room which deserves your full attention.

A classic kitchen will not date and can increase the value of your home.

Kitchen style has come a long way since the days of flat pack cupboards and fitted units, and you can create your dream kitchen no matter the layout of your home.

For a real country cottage style kitchen start with an aga or a big open stove to form the centrepiece of your kitchen.

Look for reclaimed pieces such as old stable doors and copper kettles to imbue the space with a real sense of history.

Parquet and tiled effect floors never go out of style, visit salvage yards which have some great period pieces.

Alternatively, go for a slate effect tile such as the Amtico Welsh Slate from Barker

Read more ->>>>>

If you’re well-travelled and you want your home to reflect the culture and style of the far-flung places you’ve been to, this season’s key look, ‘Indian Summer’ is perfect for you.

Start with wooden floor such as the Parador Trendtime Oak 8, a brushed and richly textured wide plank design with a natural oiled finish.

Then introduce colours through overlapping rugs in traditional styles and patterns.

For walls, you have three choices: keep them neutral and let the accessories do the talking, paint them a vibrant combination of colours, or, for a more contemporary take on the trend, explore Mini Moderns delectable Darjeeling range of wallpapers: http://www.minimoderns.com/category/wallpaper

Whichever you choose, don’t be scared of colour – fuchsia and cerise feature heavily in Indian style, sitting alongside saffron yellows, purples, teals and gold.
Despite its British name and manufacturing, the Duresta Holmes sofa – with its gold motif and striking shape would work

Read more ->>>>>

We all love to sit outside in the garden during the hot summer months, but with the weather being so unpredictable these days, it is good to have a back-up plan.
A conservatory is great for enjoying garden style in the comfort of your own home and can be dressed for summer 2013 with just a few pieces.

You want to make the most of your conservatory – not use it as a storage room - so style it with the same care and attention you would any other room in your home.
Natural materials such as stone, wood and rattan work well in conservatories because they bridge the gap between indoors and outdoors.

And rattan is enjoying a moment this season having been given a stylish new makeover with a range of new finishes.

A rattan coffee table, such as the Jura round version from

Read more ->>>>>

Spring is here and summer is on its way, so let’s celebrate by getting outdoors and enjoying as much time in our gardens as possible.

Besides the weather, the most common reasons for avoiding spending time in your garden are untidy weeds, grass and a lack of suitable furniture.

Start by getting your hands dirty – weed your garden and give your soil a thorough turn over, then plant some fast blooming, vibrant flowers to add a pop of colour to your garden’s landscape.

Hire a pressure washer and hose down any paving stones, walls and decking, then have a clear out of your shed and garage and remember to be ruthless.

Now that you’ve created a pleasant space to relax, you need to furnish it.

So many people make the mistake of thinking any old patio furniture will do. But after you’ve gone to

Read more ->>>>>

This summer the name on everybody’s lips is Gatsby! The literary classic has been brought back to the big screen by Aussie director Baz Luhrman and its influence is already being felt through this season’s fashion and interiors trends.

Art Deco and the 1920s are what you need to reference to nail this look, with mirrors, sparkle, white, silver, black and gold all key to getting it right.

The Great Gatsby is a tale of excess as much as anything and this look is decadent, indulgent and spoilt – just like Gatsby’s great love Daisy Buchanan.

The Citadelle round wall mirror from Barker and Stonehouse is made up of connecting circles in a flower petal design. In antique silver, it’s perfect for a modern take on the Art Deco style.

Ligne Roset’s Moel sofa – with its fluted corolla shape and plush padded upholstery - is the epitome of 1920s chic, or try

Read more ->>>>>

YOUNG budding football stars have been given a morale boost thanks to sponsorship from a local furniture retailer.

Players in the Clifton Rangers YFC under 12 team, based in West Yorkshire, are now training in a stylish new strip and have been able to buy essential sporting equipment thanks to a donation from Barker and Stonehouse.

The company’s Hull store manager, Dean Hird, is the father of 11-year-old captain Bradley Hird and says the contribution has made a huge difference to the team.

Dean said: “With such a cold winter and slow start to spring the club needed to raise money for much needed equipment and coats to keep the boys warm on the route to every match and on the sidelines if they are substitutes.

“The team are extremely grateful for Barker and Stonehouse’s donation and the new gear has helped lift their confidence, which is evident in the way they have been

Read more ->>>>>

Art has always influenced interior design, from the paintings we hang on our wall to pull the look of a room together, to the unique pieces which turn our homes into exhibition spaces.

This season, designers have been taking a leaf out of the artists’ notebook with painterly florals, abstract designs and sculptural pieces which wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery.

Painterly florals are set to cover everything from shoes to sofas this summer and best of all they’re easy to achieve.

If you want to create your own feature wall, lightly draw your design on a clean dry surface, sketching out the colours you want to use – rather like a colour by number – then, using a soft sponge, blend the shades together with your fingertips to achieve a painterly finish.

The Estella rugs from Barker and Stonehouse in Carrie Bright and Summer Orange are works of art - 100%

Read more ->>>>>

Blue and white has always been a beautiful combination – think delicate willow pattern china, tasteful toile de jouy and this season’s ethnic Ikat prints in royal blues and brilliant whites.

The May edition of House Beautiful used accents of bright white to offset a deep moody blue palette, but white works equally well with cobalt or pale blue.

Basically you add splashes of blue to a white room, use white as an accent to a blue on blue palette or revel in a mixture of the two.

If you favour a clean white look, dip your toe into the trend with the Provincial stripe cushion from Barker and Stonehouse, or simply add blue accessories, such as the quirky Cobalt Blue Grooved Cylinder Vase.

Alternatively paint an old wardrobe or dressing-table white and use a stencil kit to adorn it with blue flowers.

There are thousands of fantastic blue and white wallpapers available this

Read more ->>>>>

A LOCAL retail manager is going the extra mile – literally – by running the London Marathon in memory of a colleague.

Dale Hollifield, manager of Barker and Stonehouse’s outlet store in Knaresborough, hopes to raise £2,000 for the Butterwick Hospice in Stockton by taking part in the race on April 21.

The London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet, with participants raising over £500m for good causes since it began in 1981.

Dale, 47 from Billingham, said: “I’ve had several family members and friends who have received support from the Butterwick Hospice, one of which was a colleague, Sharon Young, who passed away recently from bowel cancer and I wanted to do something to boost the funds.

“I've never done a marathon before but have run about 15 half marathons and am currently training by hitting the pavement and the gym.

“The longest run I’ve done so far is

Read more ->>>>>

Falling in love with France, and Provence in particular, is almost a national pastime. Now there’s no need for you to make it a once a year affair. The suggestion of golden summers, lavender scented nightfall and long relaxed suppers can be a part of every day. Nothing could be lovelier than this elegant chateau chic.

With its interesting calligraphic print and hand-applied studding the solid Grenadier chairs are a great blend of chic design and practicality. The roomy Versaille sideboard offers plenty of practical storage.

Walls should be painted in matt taupe with wooden floorboards - the simplicity of this Crucial Trading woven sisal rug brings a look of casual charm but can also happily take the wear and tear of relaxed family life. You can even create your own bespoke combination of size, colour and edging using Barker and Stonehouse’s Crucial Trading Rug Builder website.

Keep clutter to a minimum and

Read more ->>>>>

A grown up look full of sensual curves, dark woods and softly glowing metallics. The mixture of polish and rawness makes for a space that’s delicious to the touch, not too formal, not too loose.

This is a space that could serve as the weekend retreat of a high plains art dealer, and where your heart might just beat a bit more warmly.

This trend is grounded in a mix of light and dark woods, enhanced by chrome, glass and glowing copper tones.

Neutral or soft grey walls create a natural backdrop to this understated look, while maple wood or marble effect flooring provides a smooth surface on which to build.

Relax into a beautiful contemporary corner unit and let your cares fade away. Meticulous tailoring and foam-spring seating make the Rossi corner sofa big on style and comfort. Pair with the complimentary Santino swivel chair for seriously stylish seating.

The contrast of a pale

Read more ->>>>>

Welcome to your West Coast bolthole. The sun is shining and the cocktails come straight up, so kick off your city shoes and go barefoot.

This look is all about mixing retro shapes and prints with contemporary pieces in a mellow but colourful palette.

It’s a cool vintage vibe with a dash of candy coloured verve, where you can have fun without compromise to that high style.

This is a fun look which will provide instant impact, but it’s also incredibly liveable as it relies on creating a cool and comfortable living space.

Start with pieces in warm woods such as oak and walnut, we love the elegant Atlas Tripod lamp from Barker and Stonehouse which will reflect the grain of a buffed and polished hardwood floor to perfection.

A return to vintage classics, the Eames reproduction coffee table and the Ercol Originals nest of tables have been revived and repurposed for modern day cool.

And

Read more ->>>>>

This take on the country hideaway is like a high-style melting pot of Hoxton and the Hamptons.

We’ve given up chintz for a modernist mash-up of recycled industrial and soft eastern rugs. It’s making the most of its masculine materials, flexing its aesthetic like a Beat poet on a weekend jaunt.

Start with a simple range of wooden furniture. Minimal detailing and solid lines give the San Quentin collection from Barker and Stonehouse an authentic, rough-around-the-edges feel which forms the basis of the look. Reclaimed wood is sustainably sourced and crafted into this rustic bedroom furniture so every piece has its own unique style.

The macho drama of this big Tioga bedframe draws the eye and forms the centrepiece of the room, while the Bishop chest and Kern nightstand provide matching storage.

Arranging a selection of oriental style rugs to create a carpeted effect over one section of the room – such as under

Read more ->>>>>

This month it’s all about going green – not in an eco way, although it’s always good to do your bit to preserve our natural habitat – but with a melange of shades from lichen to olive.

Green goddesses sashayed down the A/W 2013 catwalks at fashion weeks around the world for designers such as Lanvin, Miu Miu, Gucci and looked stunning doing so.

And it’s not just the fashion pack who love green; interior designs are embracing this positive and rich colour in all its green glory.

Green is a colour associated with balance, nature growth, renewal, healing and regeneration – all things we are instinctively drawn to as we move into spring.

And this is one seasonal trend which looks set to stay around – with Pantone’s top ten colours for Fall 2013 including three shades of green – linden green, deep lichen green and of course the ubiquitous emerald.

It’s precisely this

Read more ->>>>>

The Romantics were a group of British poets, lead by the legendary Lord Byron, in the late 18th Century, and despite being more than 300 years old, this trend is timeless.

In fashion, think diaphanous dresses, floral hair garlands and faded lace – as seen on the catwalks at Milan fashion week for SS13.

But in interiors the emphasis is on the colours and the detail – with lots of rosy pinks, soft teals and carved embellishments.

Barker and Stonehouse has the Romance bedroom collection, a gorgeously rustic hand-finished range of furniture, painted off-white with decorative detailing.

Similarly, the Annabelle range features a pretty pink floral motif and an aged patina which looks particularly lovely in a little girl’s bedroom.

Flowers, especially roses are a big theme within the romantic trend and can be used to adorn just about anything. From tiny rose prints on cushions, curtains and bedding to

Read more ->>>>>

The fascination with expressing ourselves through the written word has not diminished, and in fact has arguably increased with the rise of social media and technology.

High street fashion has returned to the days of slogan tees and clothes that quite literally make a statement, but a stylish alternative can be found at hot new Polish label Monki www.monki.com.

If you don’t want to speak your mind on the front of your t-shirt, you can now do it across your chair, cushion or even your bedframe!

Spring 2013 has the typography trend written all over it, with furniture and accessories embracing the power of the written word.

One of my favourite pieces is the Clyde bedframe, from Barker and Stonehouse.
A beautifully upholstered bedframe in a script printed fabric, the beauty of the Clyde is enhanced by the intricate details, rolled back headboard and chunky wooden feet. With its luscious latte finish it’s

Read more ->>>>>

If spring’s pastels and arty pieces don’t suit your style, the alternative is to go for a pared-down, industrial look with lots of reclaimed wood, hard metals and a sprinkling of cotton and linen to soften the edges.

This is an infinitely liveable trend, and one that can be evolved into a range of different looks once you have created your base.

First sand down all the surfaces you are going to leave exposed – there’s a big difference between ‘industrial chic’ and splintered wooden hand rails!

Strip-back painted doors and window sills and take down curtains in heavy fabrics. Replace them with light blinds or light curtains in neutral tones.

Next put the majority of knick-knacks and decorative objects in storage – this look is all about simplicity.

A large chest of drawers will provide versatile storage and looks good in any room, making it a key buy for any well-dressed home.

Barker and Stonehouse

Read more ->>>>>

As we head towards spring a lighter, fresher look is starting to emerge throughout our homes – and it hails from across the pond.

The ‘New England’ look is based on the classic clapboard houses of America’s East Coast and is all about blending seaside style with comfort.

Think exposed floorboards, painted wood panelling and soft furnishings featuring checks and stripes in subtle shades.

Versions of this look have graced pages of all spring’s hottest magazines, and the Interiors UK show at Birmingham’s NEC showcased plump sofas and accent chairs in lemon, pale blue and lavender shades with masses of cushions.

Start with your floor. If you’re lucky enough to have hardwood floor boards, simply sand them down, wax them and allow the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. If not either cheat with a wood-effect floor tile or choose a soft carpet in a neutral shade.

Either way every

Read more ->>>>>

The Femme Fatale is a staple of old Hollywood - the gorgeous woman whose beauty and sex appeal drove men crazy and often led them to their destruction.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and, call us sentimental, we’re in the mood for some hearts and flowers.

Flowers have different meanings so should always be chosen with the utmost care - for example a striped carnation means refusal, and lavender means distrust, sunflowers signify adoration and red roses, of course, mean passionate love – hence their popularity during Valentine’s Day.

If you are lucky enough to receive flowers from your loved one, you’ll need a pretty vase in which to display them to their best advantage. Barker and Stonehouse has a stunning range of mocha and amber coloured glass vases in a variety of shapes such as bouquet and bud.

Chocolates are another faithful standby, because you can never have too much chocolate.

Alternatively, a nice piece of wall art is a lasting way to say I love you, and is particularly nice if you

Read more ->>>>>

After a wet summer and an equally dreary winter, colour is making itself at home in this season’s interior design and fashion.

Primary colours are set to lead the pack, with yellow, red and blue all featuring heavily in this year’s interior trends, and right now, we’re definitely feeling blue.

From denim to cobalt and duck egg to navy, blue hues are sweeping the nation.

February’s Marie Claire featured spring fashions in electric cobalt and fresh aqua, while Monaco Blue features in Pantone’s 2013 spring colour fashion report. 

Somewhat ironically, introducing blue into your home and wardrobe can help you banish ‘the blues’ as it’s a colour which stimulates clear thought and reflection, helping you to negate confusion and fear.

Designers predict that we will all become a little bit, or in some cases, a lot braver when it comes to our paint colour choices this year, and we are already beginning to

Read more ->>>>>

The trends for 2013 have a definite continental twist, and once again it’s the French who are providing the inspiration for one of spring’s must have looks.

But whereas last year’s French trend had a provincial cottage feel to it, now we are taking inspiration from the impeccable taste of the French Chateau.

Some of the most stunning castles in the world are located in France, with the Palace of Versailles being widely considered to be the one of the most beautiful.

Paying homage to the stunning interiors of this stunning historical building is the gorgeous Versaille collection of furniture from Barker and Stonehouse.

We particularly like the distressed finish pine side tables with their shaped pedestal legs and a long chunky top which would look fabulous with a trailing house plant winding its way around the base.

The sideboards also offer an ornate appearance with beaucoup de charm!

And no chateau would be complete without

Read more ->>>>>

It’s the place where you stash your magazines and plonk down your skinny latte in between sips, so it’s always a good idea to make sure your coffee table is as stylish as it is functional.

This piece of furniture combines aesthetics with practicality as the potential centrepiece of your living room and is also a handy little storage provider.

Usually, a living room is set out with the coffee table in the centre, with sofas and chairs congregating around it. This is why it is important to have the right table to suit the room - it will be the centre of attention more often than we realise.

With an extensive range of shapes and finishes available, it isn’t hard to find the perfect table for you. Certain shapes will instantly transform the look of a room, while classic styles will slot in perfectly with your

Read more ->>>>>

For centuries, tartan has ‘plaid’ a huge part in British fashion and interior design, featuring in fashion catalogues ever since the Victorian era.

The woolly, criss-cross pattern is bursting with history, having climbed its way to royal patronage and boasting thousands of check colours and styles which vary depending on their originating clan, region or ethnic group.

The check is hugely popular with numerous designers including Vivienne Westwood, whose love of the pattern is apparent from her British style affair with tartan, inspiring her clothing, accessories and even wallpapers designs.

Vivienne Westwood is the grand dame of tartan and we absolutely love her tartan wallpaper collection: http://designerwallpapers.co.uk/vivienne-westwood/vivienne-westwood/tartan/86-2010.

Tartan exudes classic British style and is the ideal texture to accessorise your home with, especially during the festive season, plus the broad range of cosy colours makes it apposite for any room.

The limelight-stealing Duresta Plantation sofa

Read more ->>>>>

New Year is typically a time for making resolutions and, usually, reverting right back to our old ways as soon as we hit the second week of January.

So this year, to help you stick to your good intentions, try revolving your resolutions around your home instead of you – there’s much less pressure and its harder to be led astray!

It is very much a case of out with the old and in with the new. Give your skirting boards a quick lick of paint to give a room a little lift, adding some colour and vibrancy without spending days redecorating.

Have a bit of a pre-spring clean, shampoo your carpets and hang fresh curtains; fast and easy solutions to make your home prepped and ready to embrace the seasonal change.

Of course, accessorising your home with furnishings in chic colours and textures is a vital piece of the new-look puzzle.

Vamp up your

Read more ->>>>>

Comfort is an essential human need – if we’re aren’t warm, dry and relaxed we don’t function properly – whereas luxury is all about wanting the best of everything.   

The build-up to Christmas is almost as exciting as the big day itself and what better way to get in the mood than jazzing up your home with some gorgeous seasonal shades.

Whatever room you’re sprinkling with festive cheer, fabulous furniture and fittings in the rich reds and mossy greens of Christmas instantly add a warm and merry feel to your home.

Red is instantly warming and seeing red furniture or accessories will give you a lift as soon as you walk through the door, particularly when it’s cold outside.

For a quick and easy Christmassy pop of colour, accessorise your sofa with scatter cushions varying shades of red, such as Barker and Stonehouse’s comfy Jemma cushion in textured, woven bands of scorching scarlet.

Red candles lining your window sills and garlands with red berries draped over a fireplace or around doorframe will also add an instantly festive feel without the need for tinsel.

The doors are about to open on a £4m investment by the UK’s largest independent furniture retailer.

Barker and Stonehouse is in the final stages of the construction project at Knaresborough.

It’s the latest chapter in the story of the family-run company, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Since the business first started trading in Stockton-on-Tees in 1946 it has added eight stores to its portfolio.

The company now boasts branches in Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Gateshead, Hull, Darlington, Leeds, Nottingham and Knaresborough.

Dennis McLuckie, project manager at the Knaresborough store, says it’s the largest retail construction in the town for some time.

Around 12 Yorkshire tradesmen have been working on the project for the last six months, and their efforts are now coming to fruition.

“The internal wooden floor is being laid this week, wall panels for room sets are being dropped into place, the final fittings on a feature spiral staircase are being carried out

Read more ->>>>>

With the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas advert already making an appearance, the festive season for many of us has officially begun. So it’s time to gather the Christmas lists and let the present buying commence!

A new store taking shape in Knaresborough is set to boast the best green credentials of any furniture retailer in the UK.

And if anyone wants living proof, they need look no further than the roof.

For topping the new 35,000 sq ft Barker and Stonehouse store will be a ‘mini meadow’.

The independent furniture retailer – the largest in the UK – is relocating from its current site at St James Retail Park to its new position adjacent the park.

The move marks a £4 million investment and will create a flagship store for the company on one of the town’s most highly visible retail locations.

The new store’s sustainable features include the living roof – housing self-maintaining vegetation which will provide bio-diversity and the creation of natural habitats - natural ventilation, low energy heating, an innovative heat recovery system and a unique lighting system specially designed by the company.

The construction has attracted a

Read more ->>>>>

The Hobbit film is set to take us all on an ‘Unexpected Journey’ next month, however you don’t have to be from Middle Earth to embrace the woodland chic trend which has been inspiring interior designers worldwide for months.

Whether your house is classic or contemporary, the style is easy to incorporate this season as the gorgeous earthy palettes and decorative heritage animals add warming notes and tones and a ‘no place like home’ feel.

To add this wonderful autumnal feeling to your home you don’t need to go all-out and have a complete house renovation. Simply add a few squashy cushions or a snugly rug to bury your feet into and you’ve instantly waved the woodland wand in any room.

As you will probably have noticed, animals are a major style statement this season, gracing the front of jumpers from both luxury and high street labels. The revival of certain heritage

Read more ->>>>>

Vintage fashions never go out of style - the shapes, patterns and materials of yesteryear all influence today’s designs.

And be it the swinging sixties of Mad Men or the 1920s of Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire, it seems we can’t get enough of period styling this winter.

When creating a vintage look, you can either choose a trend and go all out, cherry-picking the best items and tracking down must haves on the Internet, or you can mix the decades to create a look that’s all you.

Vintage shops are enjoying a revival right now and are well-stocked with treasures of bygone ages.

But you can also get the vintage look with a couple of well chosen contemporary pieces.

The Tetrad Winchester grand sofa from Barker and Stonehouse, is a Chesterfield -style sofa with a buttoned back and hand-studded detailing, but its velvet fabric cushions, sheltering arms and sprung seat with a feather wrap

Read more ->>>>>

Things are getting a little bit hairy at Barker and Stonehouse this month, with members of staff pledging their support to the global charity initiative Movember and becoming official Mo Bros.

Thirteen male employees from the retailer’s Hull store and Middlesbrough warehouse will be battling it out to see who can grow the most impressive moustache, but all have a common goal – to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Female staff, or Mo Sistas, will also be doing their bit for the worthy cause by baking moustache designed cupcakes to sell in the Hull store to customers throughout the month.

Movember was established in Australia in 2003, with the vision of changing the way people view men’s health issues, and now spans the globe with campaigns in 21 countries.

Funds raised by Movember are donated to programmes run by the charity and its partners -

Read more ->>>>>

Who can fail to be charmed by the art of the Orient? Delicate, detailed and full of scintillating colour, it’s based on thousands of years of history and beauty.

When did we first start our love affair with pattern? Thousands of years ago, certainly – the Ancient Egyptians lavished patterns on their furnishings in gold and precious stones, but they were far from the first.

Our last real passion for pattern gripped us in the seventies when geometrics were all the rage, taking tips from the stylish days of Art Deco.

Then pattern hit a bit of a slow patch – but we were never going to abandon it for long, and now it’s back stronger than ever.

Much of that is thanks to the efforts of some remarkable designers who have revolutionised our ideas about filling our lives with loveliness.

One of the most famous is Emma Bridgewater, the British artist whose charming patterns started off on ceramics and have now spread out into many other areas.

For instance, Emma has brought out a new range of delightful bedding carrying her keynote polka

Read more ->>>>>

It’s the iconic design that gives TV’s Poirot its glamorous locations, and the look that wowed Britain after the end of the First World War.

But Art Deco has never gone away – and now it’s even bigger news than in its heyday.

Deco has been around since the turn of the last century, when it came to us from Europe. Like the fashion that came before, Art Nouveau, it took its influence from nature, but swapped ornate organic shapes for sleek curves and geometric patterns.

So how did Art Deco become such a long-lasting favourite in our homes? It’s not hard to see why.

For starters, it looks eternally modern with its cool shades, clean lines and reflective surfaces.

And it’s extremely adaptable – it mixes and matches well with styles from antique to minimalist, and you can achieve the look with just one or two keynote pieces and accessories.

For example, take a look

Read more ->>>>>

It's back to business for Barker and Stonehouse’s Gateshead store which this week marks two months since it re-opened after the catastrophic June flooding forced its closure.

A heavy casualty of the freak storm, the company’s Metrocentre-based store is now looking better than ever thanks to the tireless efforts of ‘Team B&S’ and an investment of £500,000.

When a month’s rainfall fell in just two hours, the store was badly hit, resulting in more than half a million pounds worth of damage.

A flood-damage sale was held to liquidate stock, giving thousands of customers products from world renowned brands such as Natuzzi, Ekornes, Ercol and Tempur at bargain prices.

But no sooner had the rain stopped than the store’s staff sprang into action, removing damaged carpets and flooring and beginning the long process of drying the whole store out.

Barker and Stonehouse managing director James Barker then invested £500,000 to restore the Gateshead store to

Read more ->>>>>

 Halloween – if you ever thought it was just for kids, think again.

It’s no trick...because we’ve got plenty of grown-up treats to give your home a touch of gothic drama as the seasons take their turn into winter.

Naturally, we’re thinking about black. Not only does it have true glamour, it adds an element of sleek chic to any décor, making a statement out of simple pieces such as lamps and tables.

Black needs to be handled with care in any room, where it can easily become gloomy and overpowering if overused.

Harness its astonishing powers to your advantage by keeping black to accessories and accents; if you are using it on walls team it with a light-reflecting shade such as silver – we love brocade wallpapers

Read more ->>>>>

Plum, amethyst, violet, lavender, mauve – whichever shade you go for everyone’s talking about the colour purple.

A mix of red and blue, purple combines their hot and cold properties, making it the ideal colour for any room. Mysterious with a hint of magic about it, purple also works with any number of colour combinations to create a myriad of different looks.

Hues of pale lavender for example create a soft feel which is ideal for a bedroom or guest room.

The Enchante Boheme in mauve from Barker and Stonehouse is a beautiful French style chest of drawers with pretty edge detailing. Pair with the matching bedside and add bedding in lilac shades for a romantic look. A floral cushion such as the Samantha in damson will pull the look together and introduce a hint of pink into the colour scheme too.

At the other end of the spectrum, shades like amethyst work well

Read more ->>>>>

British winter is often accompanied by grey skies and a dreary, colourless vista which can leave us longing for an injection of colour.

With work, family and social engagements, the pace of modern life can often seem relentless and we all dream of creating a sanctuary where we can shut the world out and relax.

Interior design tastes vary, but if you long for open plan living with lots of natural light and reclaimed wood then Mid Century Metropolis is the look for you.

I created this look for Barker and Stonehouse’s recent autumn brochure and was really happy with the results.

An open plan is the basis of this look, with natural brick walls, exposed beams and metal fixtures creating unusual features.

But if exposed bricks aren’t your cup of tea, a terracotta paint applied with a sponge for a softer finish will give you a similar effect. I particularly like Freckle and Flower Pot from Earth Born paints – a range of environmentally friendly paints: http://www.earthbornpaints.co.uk/environmentally-friendly-interior-paint.php

Large open spaces and undressed windows are given a homely

Read more ->>>>>

An Englishman’s home is his castle and should be decorated as such, but in a tasteful and understated manner - hand polished wood, whip-cord carpet and the light from a traditional sash window - this is classic British style.

And just like this season’s catwalks, interiors are taking on a distinctly tailored look. Soft velvets in beige, brown and sage green are paired with mustard, navy and burnt orange tweeds for a look which is unmistakeably British.

Start with a solid base of beautiful furniture. Barker and Stonehouse has the Victorian inspired Grosvenor collection, meticulously hand-crafted from solid mahogany for that ‘laird of the manor’ look.

Alternatively, the Willard wing bed is an opulent and luxurious centre piece to your bedroom in a stunning biker tan leather. Dressed in a tussar birch double quilt with matching cushions and the velvety softness of the Sheesha scatters, it’s just the right side of decadent.

Like your

Read more ->>>>>

‘Oh we do like to be beside the seaside’ – with seaside views, fresh air and a relaxed rustic style, the coastal look provides inspiration for one of this season’s most liveable trends and the first of Barker and Stonehouse’s autumn brochure looks.

Cosy Coastal style is all about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere which works all year round.

In the warmer months, the neutral colours, pretty furniture and clean finishes give a fresh and cool look but as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, the addition of a roaring fire, big soft blankets and extra bedding turn it into a haven of tranquillity, a sanctuary against the cold.

White painted furniture such as the Carisbrooke dining range from Barker and Stonehouse match the understated beauty of this look and add a touch of elegance to the rustic décor. The turned front legs of the dining chairs can be picked

Read more ->>>>>

In the same way as a gorgeous necklace or a quirky scarf can make or break an outfit, home accessories finish the look of a room.

‘Accessories’ is a broad term which encompasses everything from soft furnishings such as cushions and throws, to decorative objects, vases, baskets, mirrors and some lighting such as table lamps. They can all be used to create variations on classic pieces and key trends and generally make your home uniquely yours.

And how you accessorise says a lot about you. Are you playful with eclectic tastes or elegant and understated? Do you like order and conformity or are you a colour clashing rebel? Do you follow the rules or set the trends? – your home will give clues about your personality.

If you think of your home as a canvas, the furniture you choose is the broad strokes with which you can start to build a picture and

Read more ->>>>>

Most of us enjoy a good spending spree. It’s one of life’s little pleasures to select lovely finishing touches for our homes but for Caroline Hodgson, Barker and Stonehouse accessories buying manager, it’a labour of love on a grand scale.

Caroline is responsible for setting up our new range of accessories, including lighting, clocks, textiles and rugs, for our eight stores this autumn. It’s a task that requires a great eye for trends and the things that we’ll all fall in love with. It also demands steely planning as the accessories are sourced from a wide range of artisans, designers and manufacturers from the UK and around the world.

Following a degree in Textile Design & Management at UMIST (Manchester University) Caroline worked with some of Britain’s leading design and retailing houses including The Conran Shop, Habitat and Paul Smith amongst others.

“Having a background in textile manufacturing has been a huge benefit

Read more ->>>>>

Knaresborough’s newest retail destination and one of the UK’s greenest furniture stores is a step closer with 165 tonnes of steel framework now complete.

Local firm Hares of Snape manufactured and erected the steelwork for Barker and Stonehouse’s new 30,000 sq ft store in Knaresborough.

The store has a BREEAM (an established and respected tool used to measure the sustainability of new non-domestic buildings in the UK) rating of very good.

This means the construction will benefit from maximum insulation, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and the use of recycled and environmentally resourced materials along with neighbourly construction activities.

Sustainable features include a ‘green’ roof which provides bio-diversity and the creation of natural habitats for local wildlife, natural lighting and an innovative heat recovery system.

Project manager Dennis McLuckie said: “We have been involved with Barker and Stonehouse for many years and are using our local labour and contractors to complete this innovative project

Read more ->>>>>

Soft vanilla ice-cream, crisp white meringues and crumbly sweet shortbread – this season takes inspiration from many of our favourite childhood treats with a palette of pale colours that look good enough to eat.

This creamy canvas of soothing neutrals combines creams, beiges, biscuits and whites in a variety of interior textures to create looks of timeless elegance.

Fashionista Victoria Beckham’s designs epitomize this trend, with pale hues featuring heavily on the runway of her widely acclaimed SS12 collection.

Victoria’s interior designer, Kelly Hoppen, is also famed world-wide for her signature palette of neutral shades and recently partnered with us at Barker and Stonehouse to create her first furniture collection.

She said: “You have to start somewhere and neutral is the perfect beginning for any room design, starry or otherwise. I do use colour but neutrals are a great starting point.”

And we couldn’t agree more! Pale shades are particularly universal because they transcend interior

Read more ->>>>>

 The wins just keep on coming for ‘Team B&S’ with the Barker and Stonehouse website being voted the best for online shopping in the world.

It’s the most talked about colour in the world right now – what with there being ‘50 Shades’ of it and all – but grey has long been associated with more than just handsome, brooding billionaires. 

When you have spent five years creating one of the most impressive new homes ever built in the North East, you want the interior to live up to the £6.75m building.

We’re loving this organic age where we grow our own veg, wear natural fibres and revel in the beauties of nature.

It all contributes to our sense of wellbeing – and now it’s time to bring the naturals into our homes, too.

Martial arts students at one of the North East’s top karate clubs will be keeping warm in style from now on, thanks to sponsorship by furniture experts Barker and Stonehouse.

Throughout history, artists have known the power of scintillating colours partnered with deep black – just look at Toulouse Lautrec’s dashing can-can dancers.

 We’ve now got our eyes firmly on the Olympics – and we’re naturally hoping for gold, silver and bronze for Team GB.

It’s cool, clean and classy – and for those reasons and more, we always love white in our homes.

Ice white has particular appeal, because it reflects back the available light to help create an impression of spaciousness and luxury in rooms of any size.

But that’s not to say using white as keynote can’t go wrong. Done well, it creates a bright and stunning vision - but overdone, it can tend to be a touch stark.

So what are the guidelines about making white work in your own home? First, choose your look.

One of the great benefits of white is that it works with many kinds of décor – we naturally think of contemporary, but as an alternative, antique white gives a French country-style appeal to your room.

For instance, the Simply Chic mindi wood-framed mirror from Barker and Stonehouse has a gently distressed white finish that immediately creates a sense of elegant

Read more ->>>>>

In the modern world whether you work from home or not, having an office in your house is becoming increasingly essential.

We all have paperwork to do, emails to check and spreadsheets to create, and it’s beneficial to have a clearly defined office space in order to separate your work time from the places you relax.

But it’s also very important to make sure your office works for you and suits the way you work.

If you’re a writer, surrounding yourself with books will provide inspiration when writers block sets in, and just because we can now Google just about anything, doesn’t mean your office shouldn’t be equipped with reference books, a good Oxford Dictionary and an encyclopedia.

The Starbay revolving bookcase from Barker and Stonehouse is beautifully handmade in solid rosewood and provides three levels of storage to accommodate all manner of reference books and literature.

And the geniuses at Starbay have also

Read more ->>>>>

Everyone remembers their childhood bedroom fondly, whether it had a pirate theme, a fairy princess feel or was just painted in their favourite colour.

 Hot off the catwalk and straight into homes this season is the pastel trend.

Trends come and go every season, but one look that is always in fashion is the floral trend. Whether they are bold and brash or delicate and feminine, florals can be incorporated into any home decor.

Many people worry that floral interiors are purely for summer, but you can cross pollinate through the seasons by changing accessories in your rooms. In the summer for example, a great way to refresh the look is to bring stunning arrangements of freshly cut flowers into your home. In winter why not create a gorgeous garland for your mantle piece?

This summer’s take on the floral trend is romantic and ethereal, perfect to help you wind down after a hard day in the office.

Settle down in sumptuous luxury on the Chatham/Hilton sofa from the Simply Chic range at Barker and Stonehouse. The dreamy floral print goes hand in hand with the collection’s vintage style frame and

Read more ->>>>>

Summer is here and its time to grab a glass of wine, whip up some pasta and take yourself outside for a spot of al fresco dining.

Al fresco literally means ‘in the open air’ in Italian, and is a style of eating which originated as a way of gathering communities together – everyone from the village or town would bring food to someone’s garden and they would all eat together in the open air, enjoying good food and good company. 

Today, dining al fresco can mean a picnic, a dinner party outside or simply a meal enjoyed alone in your garden or on a balcony.

The key is to enjoy the experience, and the best way to do that (weather permitting) is to create a dining area outside with furniture suitable for outdoor use.

The

Read more ->>>>>

Italians have always been considered the masters of style, from the Renaissance painters to fashion designers such as Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, and Italian furniture designers are equally as innovative and inspiring.

Italian style is sleek and elegant with clean lines and modern finishes. From exquisite traditional glassware to the latest in contemporary design and construction, the Italians have a way of producing excellence every time.

Big names such as Natuzzi, Gallotti & Radice and B&B Italia have brought the best of Italian furniture design to England, so we can all have a taste of the Italian look.

From Natuzzi comes the Grandelegance, a stand lamp which lives up to its name. Characterised by its large shade in a choice of white or grey brown fabric finish and comprising a nickel base, the Grandelegance is an understated yet unusual piece which is sure to provoke comment.

Italian marble has been famed for its beauty

Read more ->>>>>

One of the key trends picked out by Living Etc for summer 2012, shocking pink is a high impact colour which is fast becoming the colour-de-jour.

It’s fashion’s new colour crush too, with neon pink top of the list of the block brights that are everywhere on the high street this season.

The boldness of the shade by itself can seem a little intimidating. But when combined with neutral tones or natural materials like exposed brick or concrete, it can give interiors a punchy, modern look as opposed to the floaty feminine feel or bubblegum Barbie appearance more traditionally associated with the colour pink.

An easy way to turn a simple space into a room that makes a real statement is with hot pink accessories such as the Mimo lamp from Barker & Stonehouse. Its gorgeous dark hue and block colour encompassing the base and stand make it a cutting edge, stand out

Read more ->>>>>

Have you ever been away on holiday, but couldn’t find anything worthy of being a stylish souvenir? Unfortunately those two words - ‘stylish’ and ‘souvenir’ don’t often go hand in hand. Too often I’m confronted by gift shops that are brimming with poor quality items that, when I get them home, end up in the attic.

But souvenir chic is a big trend in the fashion world right now with everything from bags to earrings sporting miniature Eiffel Towers, London Buses or Russian babushka dolls, and interior designers are catching on to the trend.

So don’t fall into the trap while on holiday of buying souvenirs at the last minute that you don’t really want and end up giving away. Rather than returning home laden with a heavy suitcase full of keep-sakes, why not buy something stylish from Barker and Stonehouse to remind you of your travels? And at the same time

Read more ->>>>>

I am so excited about the Queen’s Jubilee in June. Four days of celebrating all things British culminating in a spectacular royal parade, and a thoroughly British celebration.

Whether you’re organising a street party, having a get together at home, or are day-tripping to London to fly the flag at the parade in person, celebrate this momentous occasion with some beautifully patriotic home furnishings.

The last few years have seen our iconic red, white and blue flag used a lot in interior design, whether for furniture, cushion prints or curtains, and what better time to invest in such a quintessentially British style than for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

I love this Hope and Glory three-seater sofa – to me it is true British ‘rock n roll’ and reminiscent of the 90’s Britpop era when Oasis and Blur burst onto the scene. Using original vintage Union Jack fabric in a traditional Chesterfield style, it

Read more ->>>>>

We’ve been sourcing material for our Barker and Stonehouse ethical furniture from the Trees4Trees project in Indonesia since 2008 – and it’s paying huge dividends for the farmers and communities in the country.

Our involvement with Trees4Trees helps farmers plant sustainable trees that we can then turn into our popular Trees4Trees range. In fact, they’ve planted around 600,000 since the project started.

The latest news from Trees4Trees is that a farmers’ group set up in Patemon, Java, in 2009 has grown into a thriving tree seedling nursery producing 60,000 seedlings in its second year.

Local farmers are growing the seedlings on to bring in money – the community has already benefited from more than $14,000 in income.

Under Trees4Trees, farmers are taught planting, forestry and maintenance of valuable tree species such as teak, mahogany and mango. We also have education programmes in schools and communities.

Recently, Trees4Trees has also launched an environmenvironmental programme

Read more ->>>>>

With at least two adaptations of the Snow White fairytale hitting cinemas this year, the Disney icon’s influence was bound to reach further than just the film screens.

Fashion and beauty have followed suit, with Benefit cosmetics creating a limited edition make-up collection entitled ‘Rare Beauty’ to recreate the look of the porcelain princess.

In terms of interiors, seeking solace and escapism from the world around us and retreating into a fantastical sanctuary is an emerging trend – and I’m sure that the resurgence of Snow White was an influential factor.

When I get home after a long day my home is my haven, and nothing would make me happier than coming home to a beautiful, fairytale-inspired fantasy setting.

The trend is all about whites, crystals and glass and elegant lines, with fantasy prints and ornaments adding the final touches to your very own dreamy oasis.

With this look it’s important not to go overboard

Read more ->>>>>

The juxtaposition of opposing colours can be stunning when applied correctly to interior design and the combination of vibrant lime and rich dark chocolate is sophisticated yet fun.

Chocolate and lime is an earthy mix which is reminiscent of the great outdoors, so incorporate other warm browns and sandy tones to create depth and contrast within your colour scheme.

The Cosette from Barker and Stonehouse is a classically shaped sofa with perfect proportions in luxurious moss green vintage velvet with contrasting russet and gold scatters. Impecably finished and full of character the Cosette is a real statement piece which is also bang on trend.

While the Tuxedo ribbed cushion in chocolate is the ideal accompaniment to any chair, sofa or bed.

Chocolate is a strong colour and provides the ideal backdrop for zingy lime, but both can be a tad overpowering so keep the rest of the room tonal.

Try pairing brown curtains with neutral

Read more ->>>>>

Now that spring is here, it’s the perfect time for streamlining your interiors and de-cluttering to create a more pared-down aesthetic. And if you are short on space there are some incredibly clever storage solutions out there to really make the most of the space you’ve got.

Often new homes don’t have enough in-built storage areas, while older buildings have spaces that don’t fit standard storage solutions.

And despite recent minimalist trends, many of us own more possessions than we actually have room to store – particularly if you have children.

Furniture that doubles up as storage is a great starting point, and this stylish Kimberley coffee table from Barker and Stonehouse is a fantastic place to keep clutter out of sight in the lounge. I love its rustic charm and high quality distressed finish, which give it an antique feel that’s usually only achieved over a period of years. Incorporating eight drawers,

Read more ->>>>>

The Shabby Chic interior trend of has been hugely popular for some time now, and shows no signs of fading in 2012.

One of the things I love most about this style is that it’s ‘lived-in’ and comfortable but light and airy, the ideal combination for spring.

The faded elegance and casual glamour of a crumbling French chateaux and rustic country houses provide perfect inspiration for styling your home with this look in mind.

Bleached whites, pastel shades, and girly pinks provide the perfect colour palate, while pretty floral prints bring the beauty of spring into your home.

For a slightly more luxurious take on Shabby Chic, this Felicity sofa, designer chair and stool are spot on, with their gloriously comfortable yet elegant chord fabric and deep seat cushions. Available at Barker and Stonehouse, the chair and stool come in six pretty prints such as Lyric Cherry and Garland Pear, finished off with solid

Read more ->>>>>

With the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this year is definitely one in which to celebrate being British, and what better way than by introducing some Patriotic furniture?

My Rough Luxe takes classic fabrics and styles and brings them bang up to date by roughing them up a little. Think velvet and chaise longues but in funky, modern colours; distressed furniture with wood left bare and natural and a fusion of influences that span the Commonwealth.

Mixing different materials, textures and colours such as raw, reclaimed brick, vintage prints and plush velvets work well. Use oversized accessories, memorabilia and bric-a-brac bargains as accent pieces.

Ideally, this look would suit a converted factory or other former industrial space, but there’s no need to feel excluded if yours is a more conventional home. A few key pieces and a bit of clever styling should mean that you too can achieve a

Read more ->>>>>

With spring now well and truly under way, why not refresh your home with the cool influence of the Nordic look?

This delicate but classic style uses a pallet of white and grey to transform any room, giving it an instant air of sophistication.

Start with pure white walls or a delicate blend of white and grey, perhaps using wallpaper with a subtle pattern, as a backdrop for furniture in whispery hues.

Barker and Stonehouse has the gorgeous Garland collection, which adds grace to any living room.

The aptly-named grand sofa has deep, plush cushions, subtly sloping arms and striking grey leaf-patterned cushions which really stand out against the plain background.

This kind of detail is key to the look, which uses accessories like delicate lamps and vases of fresh flowers to maximum effect. Emma Birch, an interior designer at Barker and Stonehouse who created the look for our latest brochure summed Nordic Spring up

Read more ->>>>>

Fruity shades such as apple green and cherry red are always big favourites of mine when it comes to choosing accent colours for spring. The vibrancy of these shades bring a room to life, allowing you to create a fresh look with rustic furniture and unfussy accessories.

Using these colours as the perfect complement to the simple beauty of solid wood furniture, Barker and Stonehouse interior designer Trish Ridley created her ‘Fresh Grain’ look for our spring brochure.

Trish Said: “Create a classic fresh, vibrant look by mixing stylish oak furniture with punchy accent colours.”

Oak furniture is long lasting and hard wearing, it is also timeless and can be used to achieve both a contemporary look and a more traditional look.

The Hayden dining range is a gorgeous example of a contemporary dining range - crafted from oak with finger joints and long metal handles.

The dining table and matching sideboard feature an understated

Read more ->>>>>

Interior design is big on colour this spring, from bold citrus shades to the good old white red and blue of the Union Jack as we prepare for the Olympics. But colour doesn’t have to mean ‘bright’ and some looks never go out of style.

Starting with a neutral colour palette and building up contrast using different textures and materials will allow you to create a range of looks and add in colour through punchy accents.

For a look that’s ‘pure elegance’ follow Barker and Stonehouse interior designer Jill Molnar’s top tips.

Jill created the ‘Pure Elegance’ look for the spring Barker and Stonehouse brochure, using a subtle palette of predominantly dove greys with accents of pink and white.

Jill said: “Use soft pinks, whites and greys to create

Read more ->>>>>

Spring 2012 is here and I’m really feeling the zing!

The interiors world has embraced the zesty new shades and winter’s rich deep jewel colours and comforting neutrals have been replaced by something altogether lighter and brighter. Look for spring-time brights with a citrus flavour such as tangerine, lime and sunshine yellow.

In her ‘Plush Brights’ look for Barker and Stonehouse’s gorgeous new spring brochure, accessories department buyer Sophie Westlake paired pieces in zingy shades such as the chartreuse Giles swivel chair with a largely monochromatic backdrop.

The Giles is a boxy velvet swivel chair with deep plush cushions in a range of fun velvet coverings.

Sophie said: “Pick soothing colours such as mid-tone grey because they are very versatile and can be used in most

Read more ->>>>>

The chair has been used to define social status through the ages. In ancient Egypt for example, sitting on a stool was better than being seated on the floor, but a sidechair was better than a stool and armchairs were the top of the seating hierarchy and were therefore reserved for Pharaohs. This practice eventually evolved into the design of elaborate thrones still used by royalty today.

These days, thrones are still used by the British monarchy, who were photographed seated at elaborate red and gold thrones at Kate and Wills’ wedding last year.

Celebrities such as Victoria and David Beckham have also used thrones to cement their status as a power couple. The Beckham’s famously spent their first hours as man and wife sitting in gold his and hers thrones on a stage at their lavish wedding reception.

Read more ->>>>>

The martial art of Ishinryu is uniting people all over the world – from right here in Darlington!

Steve Baxter has travelled 10,000 miles and boosted links with fellow enthusiasts which he describes as ‘his worldwide family’.

A Barker and Stonehouse store manager by day and karate champion the rest of the time Steve has recently returned from a two-week trip Down Under where he shared his impressive skills.

He travelled more than 10,000 miles to Melbourne, in Australia, where he taught his Ishinryu techniques to groups of up to 85 other martial artists.

The 36-year-old former England international, who is an instructor with the Peterlee-based East Durham Ishinryu Club, was invited on a two-week trip to Oz by sensei Bruce Hyland 6th Dan, a former Australian national coach, to help train students.

Steve also passed on his expertise during a three-day residential camp at Mount Evelyn, on the outskirts of Melbourne.

The fearsome fighter has

Read more ->>>>>

Barker and Stonehouse has donated computer equipment which is helping one group of lucky students to access the Internet literally anywhere in their school.

The north east based furniture company has donated four wireless routers to Mowbray School in North Yorkshire; to improve the school’s Internet access.

And this is one school where Internet access is paramount to the children’s learning and development.

Mowbray School is a purpose built school catering for children aged three to sixteen with a wide range of learning difficulties; including moderate and severe learning difficulties; autistic spectrum condition; speech, language and communication difficulties; social emotional behavioural difficulties and physical & sensory impairments.

The routers mean that the school can access the Internet across the full campus, enabling the pupils to use online media, particularly an online reading and assessment programme called Lexia.

Head teacher Jonathan Tearle, said: “Reading is one of the skills our students struggle with and online learning

Read more ->>>>>

As spring starts to bloom and the fresh air changes from icy winds to a pleasant breeze, we are less interested in keeping our rooms looking cosy.

We start to want a cleaner, simpler look and nobody does clean and simple quite like the Scandinavians.

Scandinavians have long been vaunted for their appreciation of rustic style and their ability to marry form and function.

Ekornes are one of the leading Scandinavian furniture manufacturers, creating sofas and chairs which are not only stylish and modern but ultra comfortable.

The Norwegian brand is the self proclaimed ‘innovators of comfort’ and we couldn’t agree more. All Ekornes Stressless sofas feature the option of individual reclinable seats. The supersoft cushions mean you are always comfortable, while Ekornes patented glide function means the sofa follows your slightest movement.

Our favourite is the Stressless Windsor from Barker and Stonehouse in a lovely pea green, perfect for this fresh spring look.

Due to

Read more ->>>>>

Features walls are a fantastic way to display your creativity, break up large expanses of space and add interest.

From using paint and paper to mirrors, books, paintings and ornaments, there are a myriad of ways to create a feature wall which reflects your style and compliments your home.

If the overall colour scheme of your living room is neutral a wall of colour, such as around your fireplace will draw the eye and create a stunning backdrop. You don’t have to use a bright colour as you can create a beautiful effect with a tone a few shades darker than your base colour, such as dove grey wall set against pale pink. Pick out similar shades in your accessories to pull the whole look together, such as the Madison cushion with fan detailing in taupe.

Similarly, a wall of block colour at the head of your bed provides a dramatic look, particularly

Read more ->>>>>

It’s February and almost Valentine’s Day. Whether you consider it to be a lovely expression of togetherness or a mass-marketed commercial sham, you can’t really avoid it.

Around the world there are different traditions for Valentine’s Day. In Japan, school girls make chocolates, not for their boyfriends, but for their friends.

Why not follow their example and get the girls round for a couple of glasses of bubbly and some gorgeous chocolates?

The Nelson wine cooler will keep your favourite tipple chilled, while the Milo wine glasses in red or black are quirky yet elegant.

And the interiors world is certainly feeling the love this year, and celebrating with an abundance of themed furniture and accessories.

Jan Constantine has a range of cushions to suit every look and her Luxurious Velvets Collection in white and ivory with silver embroidery are absolutely beautiful. Available in five designs with ‘Love’ and heart motifs, they’d make the perfect

Read more ->>>>>

Metal is a useful material, hard wearing and malleable in its liquid form, it’s strong, durable and tough. But it can also be beautiful. Metal can be twisted into a myriad of shapes, it can be matt or polished to achieve a high shine and it can be used to create intricate patterns and designs.

Decorative metals is a trend which has begun to spring up and bloom long before the season changes.

Basically if it’s embossed, punctured, twisted or shaped it’s a must have item.

Mirror with a decorative edging is one of the ways to try the look, and the Casanova Decoration O mirror from Barker and Stonehouse is a perfect example. A thick mirror engraved with round Murano glass bevelling, it’s available in a choice of shapes and sizes.

And for those who like their mirrors a little less mainstream, the Lotus and Frasca mirrors from Porada are individual leaf and

Read more ->>>>>

In recent months there has been a growing trend for simple décor and a stripped back aesthetic. And as we move towards spring the desire for a less cluttered space intensifies. It’s a sort of reversal of the winter hibernation mode we all go into. Where the focus was on warmth and comfort during the colder months, now we start to think about a cleaner look. 

Middlesbrough-based furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has teamed up with Newcastle energy consultancy Orchard Energy as it embarks on a nationwide initiative to improve energy efficiency at each of its eight UK stores.

Rising overheads have prompted the company to look at a range of measures including meter downgrading, forward purchasing of energy and microgeneration.

Vince Lithgo, operations manager at Barker and Stonehouse said the efficiency drive was designed to counteract the rising cost of business overheads, particularly energy bills.

“Businesses aren’t immune from the rising energy costs that are hitting domestic users at the moment and we’re determined to find ways to reduce the impact without passing the cost on to our customers,” said Lithgo.

The independent family run firm has been working with Orchard Energy to streamline energy contract renewals at each site and negotiate with suppliers.

“The measures are helping us manage costs and protect our budgets from gas and electricity price

Read more ->>>>>

The decorations are down and the tree is back in the loft for another year. The aftermath of the festive season can leave your home looking, and feeling, a little bare, so now is the perfect time to invest in some new soft furnishings and gorgeous accessories to dress it up.

One of the most interesting trends this year is the global traveller. A blend of cultures, themes and materials, it’s about collecting and bringing beautiful pieces together from all over the world.

Ideally we would all be able to pair the stunning silk hand-embroidered rug we sourced in Malaysia with the clay pot picked up at a fabulous little market in South Africa, but in today’s economy, expensive travel is just not an option for the majority of us.

So if your typical holiday destinations are more pre-packaged trips than exotic adventures, you can still get the look with a few well

Read more ->>>>>

Traditional winter colours tend to be either festive; think reds, golds and greens or cool tones such as iced whites and silvers or hot berry shades.

But turquoise spans the seasons, and the colour wheel. 

A mixture of blue and green, turquoise is a spiritual colour meaning ‘open communication and clarity of thought’ and named after the distinctive colour of the turquoise gemstone.

Teal is a darker version of turquoise which works wonderfully with other jewel colours such as amethyst and sapphire and looks equally stylish alongside dark or light wood.

A chesterfield style sofa with buttoned back detailing, rolled arms and hand studding, the stunning Violetta three seater sofa from Barker and Stonehouse is a vision of crushed velvet in ‘elegance teal’. With scatter cushions in a contrasting colour and fabric its turquoise at its most regal.

For a more rustic take

Read more ->>>>>

Now is the perfect time to start thinking about redecorating. Cold days and bad weather are ideal for indoor craft activities and there are endless sources of inspiration. With this in mind I’m once again going to advocate the moodboard.

Once we’ve gotten through the festive season it’s easy to experience a post Christmas slump. But the New Year brings with it new ideas and a fresh perspective.

As every designer knows, keeping a moodboard or even a scrap book of ideas helps you to focus your creativity. Cut pictures of furniture you like from magazines, take photographs of places or objects which inspire you and create a collage of loveliness.

The New Year also brings a whole new season of fabulous trends and one of the biggest trends for 2012 is yellow. Yellow is the colour of happiness and positivity, but it sometimes gets a bad reputation in the design world.

For some

Read more ->>>>>

One of the dominant fashion trends this season was plaid. A multitude of Tartans, checks and tweeds graced the autumn/winter catwalks of everyone from Chanel to Agnes B and the interior design world has followed suit, with Living Etc recently dedicating eight pages to all things plaid with a 21st century twist.

Plaid is warming, cosy and natural. It’s unisex and versatile and, if you get the details right, it will take you right through winter and into 2012.

The key to updating plaid and creating a fresh and modern look is with a bright accent colour.

Traditionally, plaid featured tartan checks in red, blue, green, navy and very occasionally, yellow, representing the different Scottish clans. But a myriad of coloured plaids and tartans has filtered down to the high street.

The Fairfax sofa is a fun juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary. Its Chesterfield shape, button back detailing, rolled arms and wooden feet are

Read more ->>>>>

The best antidote to cold weather is really good home-cooked food, and the best way to enjoy good food is seated at a fabulously dressed dining table.

Whether you are hosting an elaborate festive dinner party, or just cooking for family and friends, this winter you want to make sure your dining room is as delectable as the culinary delights you are serving.

The basis for a divine dinner party is a table which comfortably seats all your guests – there’s nothing worse than being forced to sit too close to someone you barely know because there just isn’t enough space for both your meals.

The Marseille monastery table from Barker and Stonehouse is a beautiful, French inspired solid oak dining table with a rustic farmhouse style which oozes mid-century charm. Available in three lengths, with cross legs and bar, it’s a stunning and practical piece of furniture which will age naturally over

Read more ->>>>>

We all like to be kept cosy during the colder months, but in the true festive spirit of giving, Barker and Stonehouse are offering you the chance to help those less fortunate feel cosy too.

Trees4trees, Barker and Stonehouse’s fair trade initiative, is all about taking responsibility for manufacturing by creating ranges of furniture made from ethically sourced wood from trees grown specifically for furniture production.

All the collections in the Trees4Trees ranges are ethically and responsibly sourced, sustainable furniture for a sustainable future.

And as it’s Barker and Stonehouse furniture, you get all the quality you expect.

Take the Grosvenor bedroom collection for example, an eye-catching blend of rich detailing, gracefully shaped curves and exceptional beauty. Inspired by the Victorian age, Grosvenor is meticulously hand-crafted from solid mahogany which has been especially selected for its distinctive grain and character.

Staying with mahogany, the elegant Chapelle collection of bedroom furniture is made from solid Indonesian

Read more ->>>>>

With the nights getting darker, it’s time to consider if your home is well-lit.

A well-lit home can help you create the right atmosphere for each room, and what could be lovelier during these chilly evenings than a soft, warm glow to welcome guests into your home?

Lighting isn’t simply a necessity, your lighting choices can make or break the look you are creating and it’s easy to feel in the dark about your options.

Fortunately, Barker and Stonehouse has a huge selection of lighting to ensure no matter what look you are going for, there’s something to suit your style.

And if elegance with retro twist is what you’re after, then look no further than the beautiful 2097 – 30. Whilst the name may suggest an order number for an engine part, the 2097 – 30 is actually a timeless pendant light, designed in 1958 by the visionary Venetian engineer Gino Sarfatti.

Read more ->>>>>

Life is full of tough choices - tea or coffee? blonde or brunette? rugs or carpets? Difficult as these questions may be to answer, Barker and Stonehouse is here to help with a range of stylish solutions for all your flooring woes.

With stunning hard flooring, a gorgeous selection of carpets and a smorgasbord of rugs to choose from, you can be sure that no matter what your taste, your home will look fabulous and you’ll have toasty toes throughout the winter months.

The choice between hard flooring and carpets can be a difficult one. You want something which you can keep clean but also something which will provide year-round warmth. Get the best of both worlds by installing hard flooring and plenty of large rugs.

It’s important to ensure that your hard flooring and rugs compliment each other as well as the rest of the room’s furnishings. Fortunately Amtico’s range of hard

Read more ->>>>>

This season we are all about hibernation, cosying up and snuggling down for what promises to be a long cold winter.

Hibernating is a thoroughly appealing idea but most of us have to brave the cold and face the working day. So when you do come home and it’s time for bed, you want to create a luxurious and cosy environment where you can curl up and sleep soundly.

The vintage inspired Willard wing bed in stunning hand dyed dark rose moleskin fabric with a hardwood frame and hand studded detailing from Barker and Stonehouse is the ultimate in opulence and provides a touch of glamour for your bedroom.

A gorgeous bed, such as the Willard, will give your room a fabulous centerpiece, but for maximum comfort you need to make sure you have the right mattress too.

Convention tells us we should change our mattress every five to ten years, but really it’s

Read more ->>>>>

As winter approaches it’s time to get your house ready for the colder months. This winter is all about warm natural colours, soft fabrics and big comfy seating - in other words, it’s time to cosy up.

Barker and Stonehouse’s Tompkins range of beanbag sofas and chairs tick all the boxes for cosying up this winter. Available in a range of colours from red hot rust to mellow mink, these sofas and chairs have taken the humble beanbag and given it a stylish re-invention. Tompkins naturally wrap around your body as you sit or lounge, using your own body heat to keep you warm and snuggly.

For a more traditional feel try the Parker Knoll York wing chair. Its high back and dark mahogany legs echo the feel of a grand country house, but its recliner means it’s equally at home in front of a widescreen TV.

With an array of neutral colours

Read more ->>>>>

 When it comes to decorating a large open plan space, I’m a big fan of a clean and simple look which relies on the existing structure of a building and embraces the raw materials within it.

So when I was asked to create a look for Barker and Stonehouse’s new autumn brochure I decided to go for a new take on the industrial look a modern interpretation that I call ‘industrial fusion’.

Working against a stripped-back setting of white walls, exposed brickwork and unvarnished floorboards, I chose contemporary designs with lots of leather and some bold prints to provide an interesting juxtaposition with the industrial backdrop.

The Dyce from Barker and Stonehouse is a fabulously styled corner sofa made from sectional pieces available in a huge selection of colours and fabrics allowing you to be as bold and playful as you dare.

This look doesn’t require an excess of furniture but I incorporated lots

Read more ->>>>>

 Achieving the right balance between glamour and ostentation can sometimes be tricky. Fabrics such as silk and velvet form the basis of a luxury look but can feel very heavy in dark colours.

Instead plump for a bronzed colour scheme with accents of cream, like Barker and Stonehouse designer Jill Molnar.

Jill blended luxury fabrics in golden shades with metallics and glass to create a look of tailored opulence for Barker and Stonehouse’s autumn brochure.

Jill says: “A dark toning palette of browns, taupes, bronze and gold creates an opulent yet cosy haven.”

Texture is all important when creating an opulent look – incorporate lots of silks and velvet through soft furnishings and luxurious bedding.

The Mariana double bed formed the base of Jill’s bedroom look which she then accessorized with high shine metals and mirrored surfaces to compliment the Mariana’s aluminium frame.

Dress the bed in style with embellished scatter cushions in silk and satin

Read more ->>>>>

Libraries have long served as places of quiet relaxation and inspiration offering sanctuary to those seeking shelter from the stresses of everyday life – so why not create a literary haven in your own home?

The new Barker and Stonehouse autumn brochure features a stunning ‘laidback library’ look created by interior designer Trish Ridley that could easily be replicated with a few carefully selected items.

Part of Barker and Stonehouse’s interior design team, Trish feels her contemporary interpretation of the classic British library offers up the perfect laidback, stylish atmosphere. With the right mix of leather, dark woods and polished surfaces Trish believes that anyone can create a room “as rich as literature itself”.

The classic yet contemporary feel of the laidback library theme is perfectly demonstrated by Barker and Stonehouse’s Renoir armchair. Taking a classic, stylish design with a high winged back, classic curves and studded detailing then modernising it with a

Read more ->>>>>

It is always a pleasure to be inspired by another designer and Graeme Fuller’s striking ‘modern retro’ look, created for Barker and Stonehouse’s new autumn brochure, had us all reaching for the bold geometric prints.

Graeme has used a mixture of striking prints, reclaimed woods, chic 50s styling and black leather to create a retro look which is bang up to date.

A good starting point for this look is a vintage style sofa, such as the gorgeous Carluccio from Barker and Stonehouse. With beautiful buttoned back and seat detailing in butter soft liquorice leather, the Carluccio is a timeless classic.

Modern items with a quirky twist such as the EA coffee table with its plate like top and shaped legs stop the look becoming too retrospective.

Graeme says: “This retro look is great for mixing found items or sale room bargains with new pieces”.

Read more ->>>>>

We all like to be beside the seaside, and for Barker and Stonehouse designer Emma Birch cultivating a beach house style interior is the key to serenity.

Emma says: “It’s a look that is perennially in favour, easy to live with but stylish and flexible too.”

Emma created a beach house look for Barker and Stonehouse’s new autumn/winter brochure and you can re-create it with a few key pieces and some matching accessories.

Firstly, beach house style is laid back, so avoid polished surfaces and glossy woods. Instead go for roughly painted furniture and stripped back aged pine.

The pretty white-painted Carisbrooke dining collection is perfect for your beachy interior. Rendered in reclaimed pine with turned legs and a sundried ash finish top, the dining table and matching chairs give a relaxed yet stylish look.

Light reflecting neutral shades such as whites, creams, sand and taupe will maximise natural light and occasional accents of pale

Read more ->>>>>

If you live in a period property, it can be tricky to get the decoration right. Modern furniture and accessories can look out of place and spoil the overall look.

There are however major aesthetic advantages to living in a period property. You will often acquire a myriad of features that just don’t exist in a new build.

High ceilings and big bay windows are just some of the gifts you can expect from a period property. Longer length curtains may be necessary and larger windows can take more fabric.

During Victorian times, lights used to be placed closer to windows to counteract the lack of natural light coming through. Baring this in mind you may find your lighting is not central, particularly in bedrooms, so take this into account when choosing your fixtures and fittings.

Coving, alcoves and ceiling roses are all pretty features of period properties. If you do have a ceiling

Read more ->>>>>

With the London 2012 Olympics less than a year away, there is only one colour on the minds of the nation - we are striving for success and we are going for gold.

Gold is the pinnacle of achievement, the optimum level and the ultimate prize. It is also a gorgeous shade for interior design. Warm and inviting, rich and deep, gold is an excellent choice for any room where you want to relax and feel pampered.

If you really want to make a statement, a living room with a golden touch screams affluence and a gold sofa is the height of opulence. To help you achieve this look, Barker and Stonehouse has the Duresta Kublai Khan sofa.

Named after the Mongolian emperor of China in the Middle Ages, the Kublai Khan has a distinctively oriental flavour. Its glorious gold colouring and bold geometric pattern make it deliciously decadent, while the full bodied

Read more ->>>>>

Year after year animal prints come back into fashion, both on the catwalk and in the home. Expressive, sensual and glamorous, prints, skins and fake fur tap into our animalistic origins. We all have a wild side and decorating with animal prints allows you to show off yours.

Leather, faux fur and skins are all big news in the world of interior design with the Elle Deco website featuring houses of some of the biggest names in fashion – Roberto Cavalli, Donatella Versace et al, all decorated with a distinctly animalistic flavour.

Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon’s Manhattan living room is adorned by a stunning leopard print carpet and fuchsia sofas, but if you don’t want to go quite that wild, try a skin rug instead.

Barker and Stonehouse has a wide range of cowhide and cowskin rugs, from pure white cowskin to the more exotic zebra print in aged beige but the

Read more ->>>>>

 Rainbows are a natural phenomenon which occur when sunlight hits water and produces a spectrum of colours.

The most common colours seen in a rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

This means we are used to seeing these colours together, despite their clashing nature and find the combination of shades pleasing to the eye, so don’t be afraid to experiment with a riot of rainbow colours.

Rainbows can also be produced through glass. Hanging clear crystals or prisms either over the window or over a light will produce real rainbows. Chandeliers such as the stunning Chantilly will send rainbows cascading across your walls and ceiling if the light hits it right.

Alternatively, you can create the appearance of a rainbow room by building up bright colours.

The rules for decorating with rainbows are similar to those for stripes because choosing one colour from the rainbow in a paler shade as a

Read more ->>>>>

Talk of the end of the world has no doubt been greatly exaggerated. Naturally that hasn’t stopped sci-fi shows such as The Walking Dead and Falling Skies from cashing in on the paranoia and depicting a grim apocalyptic future.

But not so in the interior world. Designers are embracing the future with a trend towards space style. Indeed, respected blog The Trend Bible predicted that furniture with a futuristic feeling to it will be big news this autumn/winter.

So, the usual rules apply – you can follow as much or as little of the trend as you like, the key is to make it work for you.

Unsurprisingly, futuristic style involves a lot of metal – steel and chrome in particular - but glass and clear plastic also feature heavily.

Barker and Stonehouse’s Tonelli Kat occasional table is a work of art, three kinds of glass - smoked, frosted and transparent - are brought

Read more ->>>>>

Established by Japanese designer Kuniko Kataoka in 1998, Wabi Sabi is loosely based on the material representation of Zen Buddhism.

Wabi, stemming from the root word of ‘wa’ has come to mean unmaterialistic and in tune with nature, whilst Sabi means ‘the bloom of time’ and refers to the acknowledgement that beauty is fleeting.

Wabi Sabi is a paired back approach. Its beauty comes from its simplicity and the textures which are used to create different dimensions.

Walls should be ‘washed’ in milk or naturally made paint and a low key natural shade palette should be maintained. Lighting should also be kept minimal and natural as Wabi Sabi is also linked to shadows.

Materials from metal, stone, glass and even paper are used to create a myriad of textures. Meanwhile furniture is constructed on clean lines and low levels.

And Wabi Sabi furniture does not have to be of Eastern origin because it

Read more ->>>>>

Interior design has long been inspired by nature. We often subconsciously seek out colours and designs which reflect the natural world because it is comforting and familiar.

Similarly, floral motives recur season after season because they are a universal symbol of life and also due to their inherent beauty. Be it ditzy prints or full blooms, flora and fauna are springing up everywhere this month.

To get the look, first decide what kind of flowers you like. For example full lush flowers such as camellias in pastels colours will give you an opulent look while blossoms feel more oriental.

The Ayanna cushion from Barker and Stonehouse strikes a balance between bold design and subtle beauty with its striking floral motif. The stunning design, gorgeous mulberry shade and duck feather pad filling have made the Ayanna a long time best seller and it is not hard to see why.

But you don’t have to go

Read more ->>>>>

 Metal has recently returned to being a valuable commodity and the market price of gold and silver is rising.

Most definitely a ‘precious metal’ silver is sizzlingly hot, as both a material and a colour.

For silver with real punch, the Duresta Hornblower from Barker and Stonehouse is a grand and imposing three seater sofa.

Standing on mahogany legs with brass castors and piped in two tones of shimmering silver, the Hornblower features matching scatter cushions filled with duck feathers and large tassels to finish the look.

If you prefer your silver with a little less flounce and a little more substance, Barker and Stonehouse also has the Portland coffee table.

With a solid hardwood frame, steel sheeting and a spitfire finish, the Portland is an industrial hard-wearing table which includes a large draw in the side for clever storage.

Silver can be understated. The Ballet table lamp has delicate mirrored ellipses suspended between chrome rings

Read more ->>>>>

Art Deco was a movement born out of the western world finding its feet after a period of enormous emotional and financial upheaval.

In England we were coming to terms with the fallout of World War I, while across the Atlantic, the Americans were recovering from the Great Depression.

Design has always reflected the times and based on a philosophy of celebrating life and freedom in the 1920s and 30s, the Art Deco movement was all about opulence.

Traditional but distinctive shapes dominated the furniture design in this period and due to a new found freedom to travel, Eastern and African influences started to creep in. Skin rugs were a popular addition to the home of the well travelled and the more exotic the animal the better.

However you don’t need to take up game hunting to get the look – Barker and Stonehouse’s Rodeo Cowskin rug is printed with a zebra pattern to

Read more ->>>>>

When it comes to interior design, inspiration can come from magazines, the natural world or the catwalk, but being invited to share someone else’s creative vision is always a thrill.

As such I am very excited by the launch of world renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen’s new concept store at Barker and Stonehouse Newcastle.

I have long admired Kelly’s unfussy attitude to design and elegant style, she blends of vintage influences and materials with a thoroughly modern finish and her latest designs are simply stunning.

Kelly loves photography and has reflected this passion in the monochromatic palette she has chosen for the collection. However unlike most monochromatic colour schemes, Kelly’s vision incorporates shades of grey and beige from charcoal and slate to taupe.

The aim is to create the look of a black and white picture and with a few pointers you can achieve a similar level of monochromatic perfection in your own home.

Visualising

Read more ->>>>>

Wood is an infinitely versatile material. It’s pure, organic and long lasting and best of all it can be used to construct just about anything!

A bit like precious stones, wood varies in value depending on its rarity, colour, shine and durability.

Fruit woods such as mango wood and other ‘luxury’ woods such as rosewood are often used as inlays for furniture because they are rarer and therefore more expensive than pine or oak for example. But American colonial furniture was traditionally made in its entirety from these beautiful woods, praised for their colour and patina.

Barker and Stonehouse’s Starbay Goa four panel screen is made from solid rosewood with brass inserts to give you a little taste of colonial luxury in your own home.

Always a staple in the furniture world, wood is having a bit of a moment right now, particularly in relation to accessories.

Danish company Rosendahl have bought the rights to

Read more ->>>>>

When it comes to interior decorating, a certain amount of restraint is usually recommended, with the thought that guests may be put off by anything too elaborate or flamboyant.

However as your bedroom is very much your own, you have more licence to let your imagination run wild.

Fairytales stay with us from our childhood and often affect our adult dreams. If you wish, you can turn your bedroom into a paradise of girlish perfection, fit for a princess but for grown up take on fairytale style, go gothic!

There is nothing childlike about the gothic fairytale, it’s dark, sensual and fabulously dramatic.

To create a look like this you need a standout piece which will serve as inspiration for the rest of the room. And if you go ga-ga for gothic, you will fall in love with the gorgeous Gelivra bed from Barker and Stonehouse. Crafted from ash and with oak veneers and

Read more ->>>>>

There has been a bit of a Mondrian movement happening in the interior design world recently, with geometric prints and monochrome with brightly coloured accessories making something of a comeback.

Named after Dutch artist Pieter Cornelis "Piet" Mondriaan, Mondrian is the term used to reflect his work in the 1910s when he experimented and honed his distinctive style while living in Paris, London and New York.

Mondrian design is a grid of black and white lines with occasional squares of colour and for Mondrian purists, the inserts must be of the three primary colours, red, blue and yellow.

The Platinum rug from Barker and Stonehouse is black with white and blue lines, giving a subtle nod to the trend.

But if you want to take the look a little further, the Ciara and Esta shelf units come in black

Read more ->>>>>

 Feng Shui, the practice of placing buildings and objects in relation to energy flows to increase positive energy and reduce negative energy is an ancient art dating back at least 2000 years.

And, along with all things astrologically inspired, it is currently experiencing something of a revival.

Feng Shui, which means wind and water, works on the principle of the five Chinese elements – fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Inanimate objects are associated with the different elements and meanings are ascribed to the objects.

Mirrors are water elements which should therefore not be introduced into a fire zone as it will dilute the positive fire energy. However in a water zone, an oval or round mirror, particularly in wood is associated with wealth and is therefore a good choice for an office or study. The Earlston round mirror in bleached old pine, from Barker and Stonehouse, ticks all the boxes.

To get started

Read more ->>>>>

 Coffee shops have been big business since the early 1990s and while really good coffee accounts for most of the appeal, customers flock to these places for the ambiance too.

A great coffee shop will be relaxing and smell wonderful. You can create a similar atmosphere in your home by using a combination of coffee and toffee shades with cosy yet full-bodied furniture.

Start with comfortable leather seating. Barker and Stonehouse’s Tendu sofa fits the bill perfectly, with its plump toffee coloured cushions and generous proportions making it a gorgeous combination of comfortable and chic.

An easy chair is also the perfect compliment to these relaxing shades and the Copeland in saddle nut leather with a solid steel frame is built to be hard wearing without compromising on style or comfort.

And when it comes to dining, the leather Anna dining chairs from Barker and Stonehouse are simple and sophisticated, in cream or dark

Read more ->>>>>

Now is the time to look forward to summer - longer days mean we can adopt a more leisurely pace and perhaps dip into the easy style of another nation – and nobody does it quite like the French.

That certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that the French exude has always made them ones to watch in terms of design.

Many of the classic shapes of furniture, such as the chaise long and the wing chair still have a French influence. For a fresh take on the wing chair, Barker and Stonehouse has the Pasha, a traditional wing chair shape formed in transparent polycarbonate to instantly update the style. 

But what constitutes French design today?

On the catwalk they are the most elegant of designers but often delighting in a flamboyant twist. They tend

Read more ->>>>>

If you like bold design but are not a fan of colour blocking, why not try stripes?

Stripes are a fabulous way to incorporate a pop of colour or dip your toe into a particular trend. Navy and white stripes will immediately lend your home a nautical air, while a single horizontal stripe will break up a large expanse of wall and add length to a room.

If you are intending to paint stripes onto your walls, masking tape is essential to achieve a smooth finish, but don’t be afraid to experiment with varying widths and lengths.

When it comes to striped furniture, you can of course paint your own, but for stripes without the stress, Barker and Stonehouse have some stunning pieces and none more so than the Jeff Banks striped rugs.

Our favourite is the PC14,

Read more ->>>>>

Sizzling citrus shades are big news this season and vibrant orange is the juiciest shade of all. From coral to carrot, tangerine to pumpkin, zesty orange always makes an impact.

For unashamed orange, look no further than the gorgeous Love chair in tangerine. A long time Barker and Stonehouse favourite, the beautifully handcrafted Love chair is constructed from European Oak and features love heart button detailing.

Orange is actually an incredibly versatile colour too, you just have to find a shade that works for you and experiment with different combinations.

For bold summer style, splashes of bright pumpkin work well with white walls or a sunny yellow backdrop, you can blend clementine with rich chocolate shades to achieve a sophisticated look, or team cream with accents of tangerine to spice up a neutral palette.

But

Read more ->>>>>

We Brits love a bit of kitsch, and the royal wedding has given designers a licence to go Union Jack crazy!

Royalist or not, we all appreciate the true meaning of the royal wedding (an extra bank holiday!) and, as such, Barker and Stonehouse have a plethora of patriotic products to help you fly the flag in style.

The viewing figures for the first real royal wedding in decades are expected to be astronomical, so comfort during the viewing of the Big Day is important.

Barker and Stonehouse has Union Jack cushions in a variety of shapes and sizes, in black and grey and even a monochrome leopard print for those who are looking for something a little bit different.

And if you are having a right royal knees up this bank holiday weekend, go the whole hog and decorate the room

Read more ->>>>>

Easter has arrived and with it, along with massive quantities of chocolate eggs, the promise of renewal.

If you want to refresh your home and get it ready for the second half of 2011, sugared almond shades such as lavender, lemon, duck egg and pale pink will give you a fresh spring look which is perfect for Easter but will last long after the last egg has been eaten.

Barker and Stonehouse’s La Marie chair in light yellow is made from transparent polycarbonate and conjures up images of baby chicks and pale spring sunshine, without being too cutesy, while Kartell’s Maui chairs in pale blue and pale green look effortlessly cool and fresh. Both chairs are fully stackable and can be used outdoors, always a bonus in the spring and summer months.

Decorating a child’s bedroom can be anything but child’s play.

If girly glamour isn’t your thing, and you are tired of all the frills, take a leaf out of Jessie J’s book and ‘do it like a dude’ with masculine style.

Masculine decorating does not mean turning your beautiful home into a bachelor pad - there will be no ‘lad’s mags’ posters or dirty socks lying around thank you very much.

Masculine style is all about achieving maximum comfort with minimal effort. Most men are happy to pay a bit extra to get everything they want in one go and they love gadgets – ‘boys and toys’ as they say.

Barker and Stonehouse’s sound and vision collections combine modern design with technology, allowing you to listen to music and watch the TV or even create a home cinema experience, all controlled from your sofa.

The Natuzzi Surround is

Read more ->>>>>

We’ve had an exciting month here at Barker and Stonehouse, preparing for the launch of our fabulous new BASE collection (Barker and Stonehouse Elements).

BASE brings together furniture from the world’s leading design houses to form a collection which is unique, beautiful and inspirational.

Featuring the cream of the crop from Ligne Roset, B&B Italia, De Sede, Kartell and more, BASE is the very best of the best, cherry picked by us and presented to you as one amazing new collection.

Ligne Roset design comfortable contemporary furniture with a twist and the incredible Togo sofa is a best seller. Constructed from five different densities of foam, and available in a choice of juicy colours and fabrics, Togo is the original all foam settee, and still the best. And then there’s the Harry, a French designer’s take on

Read more ->>>>>

Blue works in any room, giving a clean and contemporary look to a bathroom or kitchen, while adding depth to a bedroom or living room. But it is the darker shades which are taking centre stage at the moment.

Softer than black and more sensual than navy, indigo and cobalt are the shades ‘du jour’. The spring catwalks are awash with blue creations, and interior designers have followed suit.

Indigo is a moody blue, a deep rich colour which evokes thoughts of oceans at night and endless starless skies. Play up the drama with contrasting jewel colours such as amethyst and topaz in sumptuous silks and velvets.

Barker and Stonehouse’s striking leather Nia chaise longue is available in pacific aubergine and would compliment a blue background beautifully.

 After enjoying our pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, one of my favourite ‘holidays’ and one of the few occasions when some of us cook, it is time to turn our attention to the kitchen.     

Whether you are a culinary genius or more of a tea and toast type, the kitchen is the heart of any home. And it’s often neglected. Elle Decoration devoted a whopping 31 pages to the kitchen in their March edition, showcasing brightly coloured ovens, sparkling fridges and dazzling accessories.

Spring is an excellent time to update a tired looking kitchen, but the expense of new cabinets and worktops can often leave our eyes watering.

Try freshening paintwork, updating tiles with transfers and painting walls in light reflecting colours to maximise sun exposure. Changing door

Read more ->>>>>

Whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not hearts and flowers are big news this spring so even if you won’t be getting a dozen roses you can treat yourself to something lovely for your home.

If you’re going for florals then the trend reports say that they must be big and bold think Cath Kidston and her bright, flowery designs or our own rather striking Hartnell Grand sofa. The Harlequin rug is also spot on......

If flowers

Read more ->>>>>

What could be more snug than using chic Scottish style in your home this winter?

REGIONAL charity the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund (NECCR) has received another welcome boost from this year’s Great North Run and dedicated Barker and Stonehouse staff. 

A team of 20 Barker and Stonehouse staff from as far afield as Nottingham and Hull joined forces to run for the 10th year in a row in the race that generates thousands of pounds for good causes.

Barker and Stonehouse has so far donated more than £90,000 to NECCR to help with its research at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne.

MD James Barker said “I am immensely proud of our team and the dedication, hard work and generosity they have shown for what is a really worthwhile cause.

“Barker and Stonehouse is part of the community and we want to give something back. Many of the staff feel very passionately about the NECCR and are delighted that we’ve been able to renew

Read more ->>>>>

A PARTNERSHIP between two of the Tees Valley’s most recognisable names has exceeded all expectations this year after switching operations from the South of England.

Middlesbrough-based furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse, which imports products from all over the world, needed a more effective and environmentally friendly solution to its supply chain logistics and decided to switch its port operations from the South to local facilities at PD Ports, Teesport.

PD Ports Teesport, the third largest port in the UK, has since handled more than two hundred consignments – a staggering 40,000 items of bedroom, dining and occasional furniture from Europe and as far afield as Vietnam, Indonesia and China.

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse said: “We source our furniture from around the world so it is vital we can then deliver back to the customer quickly and efficiently.

“We have made a significant investment in our warehouse operations at Middlesbrough

Read more ->>>>>

A non-profit community reforestation programme in Indonesia has launched a new ethical range of timber furniture in the UK, aimed at providing a responsibly -sourced, ethical range of products via the independent and small retailer market.

Trees4Trees has been founded with support and funding from leading independent UK furniture retailer, Barker and Stonehouse. The firm has provided finance, support and marketing advice to the not-for-profit foundation which aims to empower Indonesian communities through partner reforestation programmes and long-term education and training.

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse said: “Trees4Trees has been founded to ensure that timber used by responsible manufacturers in furniture production is replaced to the benefit of local communities.

“The Trees4Trees programme gives high-value tree saplings – i.e. Mango, Teak or Mahogany – which offer real economic benefits to these communities. The programme is underpinned by long-term support; education so that communities can take ownership

Read more ->>>>>

TOP furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has been short-listed for a prestigious national award alongside some of the UK’s biggest and best-known names.

The company, which has its headquarters in Middlesbrough, is in the running for the title of “Responsible Retailer of the Year” in the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2009.

Barker and Stonehouse is the only independent retailer to make the short-list which also includes Marks and Spencer, Asda and Morrisons.

MD James Barker said: “This is brilliant news for us and great recognition for the time and commitment that Barker and Stonehouse has devoted to being a responsible retailer.

“We are sitting amongst some very respected and well-known high street names but being recognised in this way demonstrates that independent retailers can match, if not lead the way with green and ethical issues.”

A hugely important event in the retailing calendar the responsible retailer award recognises retailers

Read more ->>>>>

One of the biggest names in furniture retailing, Barker & Stonehouse, has launched an industry-leading scheme in mattress and furniture recycling.

The family-run business with eight stores across the North of England has teamed up with Hartlepool based charity OFCA (Owton Fens Community Association) to offer customers a mattress and bulky furniture recycling service.

Mattresses are currently one of the most difficult household items to recycle and account for millions of tonnes of landfill a year in the UK alone.

Vince Lithgo, Operations Manager at Barker & Stonehouse said, “We have been working extensively with the Carbon Trust to reduce our carbon footprint. As part of our Environmental Action Plan we looked long and hard for a partner to work with us on recycling our mattresses and furniture. We were delighted when we found OFCA, based on our doorstep at Hartlepool.”

“We’ve been incredibly impressed with their SHELVE

Read more ->>>>>

Thousands of canny north east shoppers queued up to beat the credit crunch at Barker and Stonehouse this weekend as the furniture retailer opened its doors for a huge warehouse relocation sale.

More than 8,000 people braved the weather over the weekend in the hope of getting the best pick of hundreds of items of furniture at hugely reduced prices.

Queues snaked all the way round the store and the extra marquees placed in the car park with many people arriving hours before the store opened to get to the front of the queue.

MD James Barker said: “The atmosphere in store was electric - queues of people waiting to pay for and collect furniture wound their way out of the reception area and down the stairs to the front door. Our takings for the first 2 hours on Saturday were equivalent to a normal full weekend sales.

Read more ->>>>>

TOP furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has been short-listed for a prestigious national award alongside some of the UK’s biggest and best-known names.

The company, which has its headquarters in Middlesbrough, is in the running for the title of “Retail Environment of the year” in the Homes and Gardens Classic Design awards.

The award ceremony takes place in the impressive setting of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The aim is to celebrate the best in contemporary British Design and this award recognises excellence and innovation in the retail space.

A hugely important event in the retailing calendar the awards are the only ones to recognise excellence in commercially manufactured design for the home.

Barker and Stonehouse is the only independent retailer outside of London to make the short-list.

Each year the winners are catalogued and made eligible for the honour of being acquired by the V&A as

Read more ->>>>>

Anyone for tea?

Bargain hunters looking to snap up a great deal at Barker & Stonehouse’s Christmas sale are in for a refreshing surprise.

For those struggling to keep warm in the hours before the doors open on Boxing Day will be issued with their very own flask full hot tea.

Barker & Stonehouse managing director James Barker said he was delighted to be able to repay the loyalty of the store’s keenest customers.

The flasks were surplus stock following last year’s 60th anniversary celebrations – and supplies are limited to the first 20 customers at Barker and Stonehouse’s seven stores.

James said: “There are always great bargains to be found at our Boxing Day sale, so we’re used to people starting to queue outside the store from the early hours to make sure they get the best items.

“It’s pretty chilly out there at this time of year,

Read more ->>>>>

Cutting edge design combined with handmade craftsmanship are the hallmarks of a new collection launched this week by one of the region’s leading furniture stores.

The Love Collection - an exciting new capsule furniture collection with a cunning twist - is a collaboration between Barker & Stonehouse and Newcastle-based design team Deadgood.

The collection comprises three products - a console table, Chesterfield chair and mirror - all designed to showcase the best of British craftsmanship and inspired by a passion for fabulous furniture.

Oak is the material of choice, harking back to traditional British furniture designs of the past, more specifically the Georgian period, while keeping in mind contemporary styling. The use of the heart motif is not meant to be soppy, but rather a cheeky little design device made to appeal to the English eccentric in all of us. Look out for its more subtle application on the

Read more ->>>>>