Newsview: What's hot for around the house this week?

Rose Martin looks at what’s trending in the home, inside and out, this week

IT’S back to the future for bathrooms this season as dark colours take centre stage in a revised, Victorian style from Tile Merchants.

The darker the better for the smallest room, says Aisling O’Reilly: “There is a definite trend for deep blues, dark hues and anthracite colours in bathroom furniture at the moment and as well as making bathrooms more mysterious and inviting, dark tones can have a surprisingly harmonious and relaxing effect.”

Design expert Aisling says deep colours are combined with strong traditional pieces like big ornate taps, free-standing, zinc-style baths and highly-glazed, Victorian and patterned tiles, to great effect.

“The period look is making a comeback and with good reason, because it doesn’t date.

“Accessories like regency sink units, elegantly ornate taps and even crystal door handles, all add to the style statement.

“Sink units are teamed with cream or white rustic tiles and dark grouting, which not only looks sophisticated it is easier to keep clean too.”

Tile Merchants. Downton and Roseberry ranges, seen here, can help to create a classic, country house bathroom blended with a contemporary dark-toned style.

“You can design your own bathroom thanks to the large selection of different coloured units, worktop surfaces and door handle options,” she says.

“And in the Downton range, the bath skirt and the toilet seat can be sprayed to match the colour of the units bringing the whole room together.”

Tile Merchants, who recently opened a new 8,000 sq ft retail showroom in Dublin’s Ballymount, also supply much of the tile trade in Ireland, as well as floor and wall coverings and bathrooms to some of the country’s largest new developments.

Dark tones and classic styling are a feature in this Roseberry bathroom in London Grey from Dublin’s Tile Merchant. Roseberry sink and storage unit, prices from €1,227, Regent three hole basin mixer, from €380, bath with painted skirt prices from €1,770, traditional style bath shower mixer price €685, mirror prices from €350.

IN TIME for late summer/ early autumn updates in the home, Monsoon has released a new homewares range that plays to its longstanding theme of ethnic fabrics, which nicely with the latest, earthy vibe and layering trends, in home interiors.

Using hand-crafted materials along with 19th, 20th and 21st century furniture allows the home designer ease in creating a unique, relaxed style.

Monsoon is also offering a range of furniture items too, to go with its new range and this collection will be available online, initially.

The look combines warmth, colour and personality, Monsoon says, and the collection, while designed in London, is handcrafted by a range of global artisans.

The offering comprises 80 pieces ranging across occasional furniture, fabric, curtains and accessories.

Plush velvet oversized cushions, sumptuous jewel-coloured jacquard throws, wool-blend rugs and Moroccan wedding blankets are part of a funky, ethnic look that works well in lifting a minimalist palette and adding life to neutral interiors.

www.monsoon.co.uk

Now is the time to collect fragrant Meadowsweet for use as a healing tea throughout the year. Ideal for coughs, colds and tummy upsets, it contains natural aspirin and is a good all-rounder.

Gather the flowers and dry in an airing cupboard or on a windowsill, (it dries easily), then store is glass jars.

These look really good set in a line on top of high cupboards, or on a kitchen shelf along with other foraged herbs, ready for a quick cup of tea.