Choosing a Removal Firm

The first thing to think about is where you get your moving quotes from. If you have any particularly expensive or delicate items to be moved, then you may find some firms which specialise in doing so. Remember to get quotes from a few different firms, rather than just settling for the first one you call. It is important to look at more than just the financial part of the quote. The price is, naturally, important, and you know what budget you need to stick to. However, you also need to look at exactly what the removal firms you get quotes from are prepared to offer. Ask them for their policy (in writing) on damage to your items. Also ask them if their staff have training in how to move fragile items, and what precautions they take to ensure that such items survive the journey intact. Such questions should be fairly revealing about how they will treat your favourite pieces.

Ensure Insurance

If the worst does happen, and even with the best care in the world, it may do, what can you do? Any reputable firm will have public liability insurance which should cover any such eventuality. In order ensure that you will be able to get back the cost of your furniture, check before booking any firm that they do have such insurance. If they don’t, do not even consider using them. Apart from the actual problem that you’ll have if they do cause damage, it is likely such a firm will be cutting corners elsewhere too (regard any particularly low quotes with a degree of healthy suspicion for this reason). If you need to make a claim on their insurance, then you’ll need to liaise with the removal company to do so. It’s best in these situations to keep calm and be reasonable. Of course, you won’t get your antique dresser or designer mirror back, but as long as the company (and you) have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that they were protected, you have to accept the breakage. Human error will always occur. The aim of making an insurance claim is to get compensation for your loss with which you will be able to at replace it with something similar, even if it’s not the same.

You could also consider taking out your own insurance. If you have a really valuable item to transport, then it might be worth thinking about doing so. Sometimes, your home insurance policy will allow you to insure particular items as an extra even when they are out of your home (although of course, if you are moving home you will need to make sure the insurance applies to your new home too). Generally, a removal firm’s insurance should be all you need to cover your goods, but your own insurance might give you extra peace of mind.

The Last Resort

If the worst comes to the worst, and you have booked a removal firm who don’t have insurance, and they have then broken or damaged your prize possessions, then the best option available to you is to pursue them through the small claims court. Remember, they are in the wrong, and should have had insurance, so you have a reasonable claim to make. Of course, if your broken item is more of sentimental value than financial, it may be best just to lick your wounds and learn your lesson, but otherwise? Make sure you get your money and buy something even more fabulous!

 Author: Izzy A. Woods

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Seating, in particular, is often relatively un-stylish. Partly that is practical: people want a comfortable sofa more than one that is nice to look at (and that is more than fair enough – coming home after a hard day’s work to an uncomfortable sofa is not much fun). It is also partly because of a lack of options: it can be difficult to find exciting, well-designed living-room furniture that also meets the needs of a busy family. It’s difficult, but not impossible. There are a few ways to make sure your living-room is as stylish as the rest of your home.

Whole-room design

Putting in a new kitchen generally means ripping everything out and starting again. Very often, that’s not so in the living-room. Sofas and chairs in particular are expensive, so many people tend to make-do with what they already have, even if what they have doesn’t fit their ideas for the rest of the room. If you can’t afford to replace your seating, then try and update it with new covers, or pick out elements in the design of them which you can link to other things in the room (for example, if they have chrome feet, make that part of your theme by bringing in chrome picture frames or a chrome fire surround).

Statement pieces

Living-room seating can be a great way of making a statement, so if you are able to bring in new seating, do. Be brave with the designs you choose and make them the centrepiece of the room. The key to finding something that will really act as a focal point of your living-room is to be imaginative. Look a little further than the high street chains: there are many online suppliers and small ‘boutique’ furniture shops which may be able to help supply something that meets your practical needs and looks great.

Think carefully about the configuration of seating and how it fits the room and space you have. You don’t need to go for a traditional three-piece-suite. A corner sofa or modular system that you can adjust according to how you want to use it can work really well, for example. Another option is to have one large sofa for general family use, and one or two statement chairs which don’t match, but contrast.

Use your imagination

As with any kind of design, let your imagination run riot initially. Then consider whether what you want is practical. If it isn’t, then work out ways to compromise. Everyone has their own style, but if you’re struggling to put a living-room seating design together, perhaps these ideas will give you a kick-start:

-          For sophisticated urban homes limited on space, a leather loveseat combined with a couple of leather chairs can be attractive and flexible.

-          For a retro, sixties look try to get hold of a second-hand Eames chair or a modern copy. This design classic adds instant style to a room.

Go for a luxury look with something more old-fashioned. How about an elegant chaise longue? Or a high-backed wing chair? Both can be either understated, or indulgent, with metallic decoration on the feet and patterned fabric.

-          See if you can make your own seating, or hire a professional to do it. With the requisite carpentry skills and some wood un-used space in a bay window can be turned into a comfortable window seat (make the seat hinged, and you also have some useful storage).

There are, of course, countless other options. Good interior design is about matching up your lifestyle, aspirations and interests to create something that feels like yours. If you love design, don’t allow your living –room to let you down – put some thought into it and make it somewhere you love to relax in.

 Author: Izzy A. Woods

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The project is a combination of the application of new technologies to traditional stitching techniques. The pieces of the NETwork, armchairs, stools and lamps, are carefully designed for later flattening. The objects created are extremely light and transparent and they seem to flow in space.

3D textile pop-up technology is an empirical research/result developed with a traditional German manufacturer in Plauen, a region with a long tradition in stitching and embroidery. The combination of experimental design with a hidden traditional production is always a challenge for designers albeit an exciting field for new concepts. Nowadays the know-how of specialised technologies is more often found in the supplying industries than in the design brands themselves.

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Five get out of jail free cards:

1. Look for furniture such as wardrobes that come in different heights and widths.

2. If wardrobes just won’t fit, place drawers the full line of the eves – the repetition creates a neat style feature.

3. Low level beds are a great way to stop you banging your head in the mornings.

4. Under-bed storage can avoid the need for so much furniture keeping the rest of the space in the room clear and uncluttered.

5. Modular furniture is really flexible, meaning you will be free to move your room around in the future. Avoid beds with built-in bedside cabinets.

Harveys ranges suitable for loft space include the Lima bedroom range which is fully flexible. The wardrobes come in a variety of heights, widths and also door styles with a mirrored finish option.

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Imagine sitting comfortably cocooned in the Teardrop’s basket whilst rocking gently, warmed by the summer sun. Sink yourself into the oversized cream cushion as you allow yourself to drift off. The very picture of a blissful afternoon!

Failing that, the Teardrop’s galvanized frame is designed to be resistant to the inevitable cold and wet of the British weather. Available in a choice of black or natural weave. It is quite expensive at £329 but it definitely works for me!

More details at Living It Up.

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Renowned for their exquisite collection of bedroom furniture, Newtons has just introduced the gorgeous French White from the stunning hand-crafted Rococo range. The extensive collection includes this intricately carved rococo styled bed finished in beautiful ‘French White’.

Extensively hand-carved from mahogany, the exceptional range exudes grandeur and pure luxury. Simple, yet striking – painted in subtle white, the furniture is gently rubbed back and an antique finish applied to accentuate the intricate detail of graceful, curvaceous lines, presenting a style that is quite unique.

The Rococo French White collection creates an energising yet calming feel to the bedroom. The perfect new look for spring, great for lifting spirits and ‘tired bedrooms’!

Newtons’ Marketing Director, Rachel Edmonds, says:

“We pride ourselves on creating impressive handmade furniture that exudes French style. This stunning yet quite affordable French White collection breathes new life into the bedroom – demanding just the right amount of attention!”

Newtons, online, by phone or mail order for delivery across the UK and Ireland.

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A popular choice for sofas, purple shades remain fashionable, yet if you choose a practical or classic shape they’ll have timeless appeal. A versatile choice for sofas, it allows you to make a statement even in small rooms as long as you keep the rest of the room light and balance out the bold colour.

Marrisa Sofa

Many different size options and fabric colour choices are available as well as customer’s own choice.

See their full range at www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk or visit one of their showrooms (locations listed on their website).

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