Ask the Designer

Q Can you advise me what type of artwork is suitable for hanging on our dining room wall?

A. Decide what type of feel you want for the room. If you want a dramatic talking point, go for a bold pop-art print of flowers. For something serene, go for a nice landscape in muted colours. As it’s where you’ll be entertaining guests, avoid anything too controversial, such as nudes or religious imagery.

Irish artist Chára Nagle has just released a collection of limited edition prints from her Portrait of a Horse series (from €100) that would be ideal for your dining room. You can view them at No 15 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, until December 11 or see www.charanagle.com.

Q. We have a bay window in our living room which we often use as a seat — but is it possible to have it upholstered into something more comfortable?

A. Your room with a view is a great place to relax — and, yes, it’s possible to have the window sill made into a seat. For maximum comfort, it should be made to measure by a professional — we do them at www.kenjacksoninteriors.com. But you can also find out how to make it at home with plywood, upholstery and foam on www.ehow.com.

For luxury, I’d recommend having the seat stuffed with foam or go for feather-and-down. And when choosing upholstery, remember to be sure it complements the rest of the room.

Q. My living room always feels cold and uninviting — how can I make it more inviting for the winter?

A. To create a sense of cosiness in your living room, play with the senses, both sight and touch. First, consider the colour of the room. Choose warm yellows, brown-red, orange-red, but avoid cool yellows and reds, black or white. Likewise, opt for rich woods, like walnut, above paler ones, like pine. The lighting should be soft and inviting, so go for pearl bulbs instead of clear ones. Avoid angular furniture arrangements, instead aim for a flowing layout with the furniture pulled towards a focal point like the fireplace.

Finally, soft furnishings like a faux fur throw, heavier curtains and a large rug will help turn your living room into a cocoon in time for Christmas.

Q. With Christmas just a few weeks away, do you have any ideas to turn our home into a winter wonderland on a budget?

A. As promised last week, here are some more ‘Scroogetastic’ ideas to make your home feel festive. At the moment, Christmas decorations are everywhere — but I found some real bargains on the high street. Something as simple as this snowflake cushion (€12 from Heatons) will add some festive cheer to your sofa. Meanwhile, when you’re buying your tree, ask to keep any bits that have been cut or have fallen off. They’re great for making a Christmas swag for your door, table or fireplace — just add some ribbon, cinnamon sticks and mandarin oranges studded with cloves.

* Interior designer Marion Ormond of Ken Jackson Interiors, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road, Cork city, www.kenjacksoninteriors.com, answers your questions. Email: [e-mail]