Wirral Life September 2018 | Page 68

INTERIOR INSPIRATION BY KATE KINGSTON Kate Kingston, Managing Director of Kingston Shaw, an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral, London and Dubai, shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home. SOFA SO GOOD... 3. LONGEVITY They tell us nothing lasts for ever, this may be true, but if you want to get the most out of your sofa there are a few things you can do to ensure that is the case! Firstly check that is has a solid base, hardwood is best. Secondly ensure you pick a sofa that is constructed with screws and dowels and not glued together. Ask the manufacturer what the rub count is on your fabric of choice, anything over 50,000 rubs will ensure that the fabric doesn’t look shabby in a couple of years. Did you know that you spend approximately 17 years of your life sitting on a sofa... 17 years people that is a long time on your posterior! So it is therefore essential that you purchase the best sofa that your bottom can afford. There are literally thousands of sofas available to choose from but what should you look for and what should you avoid, here are some tips: 1. SIZE IS EVERYTHING! For goodness sake measure your space before making the decision; including measuring your doorways, lifts and stairways, you don’t want to be stuck with a sofa you cannot get into through your door and get it wedged in the stairwell. If you are lucky to have ample space then size and shape should not be a problem, but if you have a smaller area then it’s a good idea to choose a sofa with low arms or no arms, as this will ensure that your room looks bigger. Westwood Sofa from Andrew Martin From £1795.00 2. PRACTICALITY You are likely to be spending a substantial amount of money so really think about what you need the sofa to do. Do you have children and or pets, if so then think about fabrics, leather is practical as you can wipe it clean and pet hair doesn’t stick to it. If you want a sofa to snuggle on then pick a deep sofa with a soft fabric such as a velvet or mohair. Is the sofa long enough for you to lie out on it whilst streaming the latest box set? Would you benefit from a chaise unit? Make sure that your pick suits your needs not just your aesthetic! Cuddle Muffin Sofa by Loaf from £4040 4. STYLE AND COMFORT For me comfort comes from the cushioning and the style from the fabric. Hopefully you will live with the sofa for a long time so choose wisely, be led by classic designs and whether you opt for a bold shot of colour, a pattern or a texture ensure that it suits you and your circumstances. Stuffing is best when it is a mixture of foam and feather. A neutral colour like charcoal or linen can be enlivened and changed throughout the years with cushions and throws. And if you really can’t choose a fabric use them all and patchwork that sofa up! Mah Jong Sofa at Roche Bobois POA The Matera Sofa From Heals in Leather £2999.00 68 wirrallife.com