HOME HELP:11 April
Q I am turning our basement into a room for teenagers so I need to buy a sofa bed. I want an L-shaped piece of furniture that will seat four or more. Access to the basement is restricted so it would have to be modular. Can you advise me where to find such a sofa at a reasonable price?
NC, by email
A Take a look at the website of Sofa.com, a company with a factory in Poland – so its prices are very reasonable. I like the modern Stella, which comes in sections to make it easier for delivery to your basement; a large single bed can also be incorporated and Sofa.com will assemble the sofa in situ. A 7 ft by 7ft-long sofa costs from £2,370.
www.sofa.com: 0845-619 0765, www.sofa.com
Q I am looking to redecorate my husband’s study. The room is tiny and dark so I thought wallpaper might brighten it up. He says my suggestions are too ‘pretty and girlish’. Can you suggest something more masculine, but not dreary? MM, by email
A Lewis & Wood has a good selection of wallpapers with sporting themes. Have a look at these classic designs: Alken Wildfowlers; Fly Fishing; Hunting Scenes; Bewick Birds and Gilpin Horses, from £69.60 a roll.
Lewis & Wood: 01453-872803, www.lewisandwood.co.uk
Q I have a large collection of Staffordshire china that I want to sell. Where would I get the best sale price?
M-L E, London
A The market in English antique porcelain has gone down recently. Look at the maker’s mark on the base: Minton, Wedgwood, Spode and Doulton are the most valuable. Bonhams has specialist pottery sales, but it cannot sell an item worth less than £200; it also takes 20 per cent commission. Country auction houses accept items of lesser value.
020-7447 7447, www.bonhams.com
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com
NC, by email
A Take a look at the website of Sofa.com, a company with a factory in Poland – so its prices are very reasonable. I like the modern Stella, which comes in sections to make it easier for delivery to your basement; a large single bed can also be incorporated and Sofa.com will assemble the sofa in situ. A 7 ft by 7ft-long sofa costs from £2,370.
www.sofa.com: 0845-619 0765, www.sofa.com
Q I am looking to redecorate my husband’s study. The room is tiny and dark so I thought wallpaper might brighten it up. He says my suggestions are too ‘pretty and girlish’. Can you suggest something more masculine, but not dreary? MM, by email
A Lewis & Wood has a good selection of wallpapers with sporting themes. Have a look at these classic designs: Alken Wildfowlers; Fly Fishing; Hunting Scenes; Bewick Birds and Gilpin Horses, from £69.60 a roll.
Lewis & Wood: 01453-872803, www.lewisandwood.co.uk
Q I have a large collection of Staffordshire china that I want to sell. Where would I get the best sale price?
M-L E, London
A The market in English antique porcelain has gone down recently. Look at the maker’s mark on the base: Minton, Wedgwood, Spode and Doulton are the most valuable. Bonhams has specialist pottery sales, but it cannot sell an item worth less than £200; it also takes 20 per cent commission. Country auction houses accept items of lesser value.
020-7447 7447, www.bonhams.com
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com