Designer Fabrics at Kilver Court

Kilver Court

26th & 27th May

10am - 4pm 

We have been working closely with our suppliers to secure some fabulous furnishing fabrics which will be offered at our two day sale at well below half price. Jane Clayton was inspired to run the sale after witnessing the popularity of the Spring Sale staged by top design house Osborne & Little at Battersea Town Hall, London. Designer bargains from Osborne & Little as well as other famous furnishing brands will be on offer at Kilver Court. In total there will be over 5,000 metres of fabrics on offer, as well as hundreds of fabulous cushions and a selection of designer furniture.

Created by Mulberry founder Roger Saul, Kilver Court is developing as a desitnation for a growing number of discount designer labels and home furnishings retailers. We are delighted to be working with Roger to host the sale at Kilver Court. So, come along and pick up a bargain!

For further information about the Designer Fabric Sale, please contact Bertie Clayton on 01761 412255. 

Guests say they are taking UK breaks in addition to their usual quota of trips abroad. Often two foreign holidays and a couple of UK breaks within a year. Lucky for some. It seems that, with stress at work and strain on living costs, holidays continue to be given a high level of importance for those who can afford to go away.

The Garden House has a 5 star rating and has won a Gold Award. The star rating is based upon meeting some objective measures such as range of facilities, space and equipment provided. The Quality Inspector spends rather too long counting coat hangers and hair dryers. It is good to be awarded the top accolade from Quality in Tourism, which works in conjunction with Visit England. But it would be good to see the star-rating system continuing to move further beyond coat hanger counting and allow proper credit for well designed comfortable interiors and top level service. There is still an abundance of dated cheap pine furniture, even in highly rated accommodation. Those who read the Ikea catalogue for pleasure will often be greeted by their old friends too.

There are some fairly shocking self-catering properties that boast a good star rating, so if you are booking holiday accommodation, look beyond the star rating. The stars are OK as a starting point, but it is worth looking for reviews on websites too. At a recent regional meeting of 4 and 5 star holiday accommodation providers, it was astonishing to witness a discussion on toilet paper. One operator considered it adequate to provide one loo roll upon arrival only - after that, dear guests, you're on your own! The same operator charges for a basket of logs and electricity. Cold Comfort.

Retro nostalgia has allowed designers to use colour again, with strong bright colours very prevalent. Palettes for new wallpaper and fabric collections are not subtle - pinks, lime and plum seem popular.

Four of Jane Clayton's design team went to Maison & Objet, the glamorous Paris show which showcases furniture, fabrics, lighting and decorative accessories. Four others went to the UK's equivalent in Birmingham. Maybe less glam, but the people of Birmingham have to be some of the friendliest you will ever meet. Both these exhibitions majored in the 1960's look, but another trend is emerging, which fits nicely with the continuing downbeat economic climate. It could be called Industrial Upcycling.

Upcycled products include platform trolleys with rusted metal wheels and distressed timber deck, intended for use as coffee tables. Mind your shins. Steel stools, metal framed workbenches and industrial shelving were being offered for domestic furnishing. At first, you could almost believe that this distressed factory shop-floor furniture was the genuine thing, but after seeing it on one supplier stand after another it began to look as if this furniture is not upcycled at all but new product arriving by the pontainer load.

The Parisians were exhibiting a slightly more sophisticated look with lots of linen in grungey colours, coarse and crumpled or very finely woven. The look is natural and low key, in keeping with the mood. The effect is a kind of smart "shabby chic". But that doesn't mean to say that it is cheap.

Current trends are not easy to incorporate in family and country homes and many people will be more comfortable with safer styles. If you want to be a little bolder with your next interior project, there has never been a better time!