Ask the designer

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

Q Over the past while, I haven’t been sleeping well – and am determined to make up for it over Christmas. Do you have any tips to make my bedroom more snooze-worthy?

A. Although insomnia can be medical, it can often be environmental too. Here are a few tips to make your bedroom more dreamy. The first thing to consider is your bed — you’re less likely to toss and turn snuggled beneath cosy covers on a comfortable mattress.

Feng shui your bedroom with a platform bed. Cool colours are best for counting sheep, so go for relaxing lavender, light blue or greens on the walls. A few creature comforts, such as plush cushions or shagpile rug, will also help fool your subconscious into falling asleep. Remove items of distraction like the TV, treadmill and computer from the bedroom.

Finally, use blackout curtains or just an eye mask to inspire a deeper sleep.

Q. I’m hosting Christmas dinner for the first time this year, can you tell me how to set the perfect Christmas table?

A. Creating a magical table sets the entire tone for the Christmas dinner. Choose a festive table cloth and runner — a simple white table cloth with a colourful runner is the most dramatic. Build your colour theme with matching napkins, candles and crackers. Sprinkle the table with red and white crystal gems or little silver foil stars. Or set a couple of tea lights in front of each place setting to get the whole table twinkling. Small wrapped gifts, a stocking hanging on the back of each chair or gilded pine cones with your guests names make cute alternative to place cards. Finally, fresh flowers add an elegant touch to your table.

Q. It’s not even Christmas and already the house is a mess of wrapping paper, Christmas cards and chocolate boxes — any suggestions on how to recycle or reuse it all?

A. If your recycling bin is already overflowing, there are craftier ways to reuse all that festive waste. Just like newspaper, (matte) wrapping paper is great for leaving windows streak-free. You could also use it to make Christmas origami for next year with the kids. Christmas cards can be cut into gift tags for next Christmas too — use a pinking shears to add interest. Save the needles from the Christmas tree as pine-scented pot pourri — you can even use the needles of (unsprayed) trees in cooking. Those waxy little envelopes that After Eight mints come in make a perfect filing box for seeds for spring.

Q. We’re throwing a New Year Eve’s party for our friends at home — do you have any decorating ideas to help ring in 2012?

A. Making a few simple changes to the Christmas decorations you already have up will give your home a real New Year wow. Transform your tree by taking off the star, tinsel and any traditional decorations and decorating with white lights and modern silver ornaments. Clear away any festive tableware for another year and use plain white or clear dishes instead.