Life Begins 50+ Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 8

property Multi flex extending table £2,015, Christel stackable chair £105, Red Fly pendant light £159, V plus sideboard £1,580, Dexter floor lamp £149, Aztec rug £325. Barker & Stonehouse. Dining delight Easter’s on the horizon and celebration meals or informal gatherings will be on the calendar. “Springtime is all about giving interiors an uplift,” says Claire Hornby, interior stylist at Barker & Stonehouse. “Breathe new life into a jaded dining area by introducing a few key accessories in bold, zesty colours. Update your look with brightly upholstered chairs or new chair cushions, and a statement rug to zone the area.” Always consider some natural greenery: “Pot plants hung on hooks, and vases of cut flowers, will add vital touches of greenery.” Says Hornby. And if you’re not keen on the upkeep of real shrubs or flowers, there’s a wealth of very convincing life-like vegetation complete with opts and real looking soil available online at most local DIY stores or online at Amazon.com Alternatively, recreate informal al fresco dining in a kitchen or conservatory with a simple bistro-style table and chair set. Use seat pads for comfort, keep styling simple and display freshly picked garden foliage in pots or containers like jam jars or milk bottles. Patio perfect Spring scent It can be depressing staring out at garden furniture that’s been battered by downpours and winter frost. Instead of buying new, give it a revamp. Choose a