Home Help: 4 October
Q I want to cover a sofa in my son’s bedroom. No flowers or pretty colours and the fabric must be hardwearing and not too pricey. DD, by email
A Corduroy is becoming very fashionable as furniture covering. Brisbane Moss offers many different colours. For upholstery they recommend the Coniston, which at five ribs per inch is neither too fine nor too chunky. The price is fair – £8.65 per metre, plus VAT – but you need a reproof liner underneath.
Q What is the best way to clean dust marks off wallpaper? I don’t want to use bleach. JL, Nottinghamshire
A Rub with stale bread is the tip from Miss Fedden, who was Principal of St Martha’s College of Housecraft in 1911. ‘First,’ she advised, ‘tie a soft duster over the handle of a long-handled broom and work down to remove the loose dust, then rub in the stale bread, but don’t use too much vigour, which could destroy the surface of the paper.’
Q At a friend’s house I saw an ingenious way of storing files. The top of a fabric-covered box opened to reveal strips of metal on which to hang suspension files. Where can I find them? RV, by email
A The Dormy House makes filing ottomans covered in calico. The lid is well padded for comfortable seating. They can also cover your ottoman in the fabric of your choice.
Q Where can I find a nice plain wicker linen basket with a lid? SM, by email
A Marks & Spencer offers good-quality woven ones made from water hyacinth (£39.50), or more sturdy woven rattan laundry bins (£59 each).
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com
A Corduroy is becoming very fashionable as furniture covering. Brisbane Moss offers many different colours. For upholstery they recommend the Coniston, which at five ribs per inch is neither too fine nor too chunky. The price is fair – £8.65 per metre, plus VAT – but you need a reproof liner underneath.
- Brisbane Moss: 01706- 815121, wwwbrisbanemoss.co.uk
Q What is the best way to clean dust marks off wallpaper? I don’t want to use bleach. JL, Nottinghamshire
A Rub with stale bread is the tip from Miss Fedden, who was Principal of St Martha’s College of Housecraft in 1911. ‘First,’ she advised, ‘tie a soft duster over the handle of a long-handled broom and work down to remove the loose dust, then rub in the stale bread, but don’t use too much vigour, which could destroy the surface of the paper.’
Q At a friend’s house I saw an ingenious way of storing files. The top of a fabric-covered box opened to reveal strips of metal on which to hang suspension files. Where can I find them? RV, by email
A The Dormy House makes filing ottomans covered in calico. The lid is well padded for comfortable seating. They can also cover your ottoman in the fabric of your choice.
- 01264-365808, www.thedormyhouse.com
Q Where can I find a nice plain wicker linen basket with a lid? SM, by email
A Marks & Spencer offers good-quality woven ones made from water hyacinth (£39.50), or more sturdy woven rattan laundry bins (£59 each).
- 0845-609 0200, www.marksandspencer.com
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com