Rebecca, in the UK it is known as "Kartell (...) Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck" -- browse any main store that sells it in Britain and you will see that that's what is called around here (and trust me - I may be a regular user, but I'm a pro at shopping!!) http://www.heals.co.uk/chairs+stools/kartell-louis-ghost-chair-by-philippe-starck/invt/louisghost http://www.johnlewis.com/philippe-starck-for-kartell-louis-ghost-chair/p326287 http://www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk/furniture/Dining-Room/Chairs/Kartell/3-1792-64920/ http://www.design55online.co.uk/kartell-louis-ghost-chair.html

Thanks guys. Comfort has been important to us. One of the reasons I like most leather sofas is that they can be quite firm and supportive. I hate sinking into a sofa and then struggling to get out. Wife likes fabric because it's more comfortable - she finds leather very cold in winter for example. But we both agree on the firmness so we have been trying out sofas. The wallpaper is generally very light - it doesn't come across as overpowering in real life. It's certainly more interesting than plain white/magnolia/cream walls. We both struggle with artistic vision so ideas and thoughts are what we both need to help decide. The aim was to have light/plain furniture and then have bright or contrasting colours for cushions, curtains and lampshades for example. Something to contrast with the "plain" decor.

Hi emham, there's nothing wrong with a little beige here and there but too much can certainly 'wash out' the character of a room. Don't feel you have to overcompensate by using bold colours or patterned feature walls; it may feel dated within a few years and we humans get bored quickly so giving a room the flexibility to change every six to 12 months without a great deal of expense will give you much more satisfaction. If you are set on painting the walls then perhaps consider an 'antique' or 'off-white'; with good ambient lighting I find these are always the warmest colours. If you're going to go bold then keep the upper part white above the picture rail, its less oppressive on the mind! Gloss the woodwork, freshen u[p the plaster covings and let the period features speak for themselves. For a real burst of colour hang paintings, add textured cushions and throws on the furniture and add a bit of natural warmth with plants .. lots of green plants. A 'soft' central feature light with the correct energy efficient lighting can change the room's ambiance, along with wall lights, table and floor lamps. Depending on your budget, you could strip the carpet back and hope for a wooden floor beneath, but if you haven't the time or budget for installing a reclaimed wood floor, adding a colourful rug over the top of your carpet will do just as well and you could always replace the fabric window blinds with natural wooden shutters for that natural wood feel. You may also consider re-installing the Victorian fireplace! Keep creative and have fun.

The biggest problem with this question is that it's all so deeply subjective. That said, I used to live in an ex-council maisonette in London, and the way I dealt with it was painting all of the walls in bright colours. I had turquoise in the sitting room, yellow hallway and stairs, a pink bedroom, a lime green loo... but I tied it all together by painting the skirting boards and coving throughout the property in bright matt white. The skirting and coving was very simple and had been put in retrospectively (albeit not by me) - in fact I think the coving was made of some sort of polystyrene, so I imagine it was incredibly cheap, although it didn't look it - and I think it made a huge difference. So I'd certainly consider adding that, as it makes the room look more "finished" instead of the cheap standard that council flats usually aim for. For me, this was transformative. As I say - it's so subjective. But although it's undeniably a faff to paint a room, remember that it's also cheaper than buying new furniture, and easier to replace and start again! For what it's worth, I now rent out that flat and recently had it painted in a neutral off-white colour, with new grey carpets. It looks smart, but not nearly so characterful as it previously did. Like I say: subjective. But the important thing, to me, is walking into a place and it immediately feeling like home. Be brave and paint those walls ;)