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Strategies to transform a room in half a day

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• Take cover
  Fake fur, lush velvet and antique linen, renovate weary furniture. Keep an eye out for sales in your local fabric store. Measure the sofa then add a good metre and a half for a flowing, generous effect. Eiderdowns and bedspreads make great furniture throws, they're nice to snuggle into as well. Scour the bedding department of your local department store. Go for textured fabrics that add a touchy feely quality to a room and make sure they're washable
• Brighten up
  There is such a thing as too much white. Bring some colour on to at least one wall. Look at your mood board and see what colours dominate. Whatever colour you go for, invest in good quality paint. The wonderfully muted, slightly 'dirty' shades from Farrow and Ball (£24.99 for 2.5 litres) are still the finest. If you must have white go for one of their more subtle 'alternative whites': contrast Tallow with London Stone for a classy smooth cappuccino feel or Pointing and Arsenic for grassy cleanness. Painting looks easier than it is and you will get bored. But don't despair. A roller is the quickest and easiest way to cover a wall - save a brush for the awkward bits. Always assume paint will get knocked over so stand it on a paper plate or some tin foil. Cover the floor with newspaper. Store any leftover paint in a clearly labelled jar - it's handy for touching up
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• Make ornaments work for you
  Ethnic art can be used to striking effect and won't break the bank. A stone head, or dark carved figure against a pale wall looks stunning. Show objects to their advantage - don't crowd them together. Look around for charity importers of African and Oriental arts, or leave some room in your suitcase when you're on holiday. There are some great bargains to be had in foreign markets. Stick to souvenirs made from natural materials and you won't go wrong. A hand-carved teak wooden bowl is a great holder for small change and keys. A string of amber beads, casually hanging from a window adds interest and colour. A large glass bowl of shells, or pebbles picked up on your travels, is a tactile reminder of places visited

Half a day later and you're done. Now dedicate the rest of the day to sitting and back and feeling satisfied. Enjoy.

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