Do use reclaimed floorboards; this is your stage
Antique, reclaimed floorboards are a must. The homogeneity of factory engineered planks undermine a room and, ironically, throw it into disarray. Even a superb antique rug cannot do all the groundwork.
Don’t downlight; lamplit is always best
When it comes to lighting, drawing rooms should not be mistaken for football stadiums. A carefully lamplit room gently buoys along a conversation, the interplay of dark and light flattering not only one's guests but, more importantly, one's furnishings.
Don’t scale your chimneypiece to the chamber opening, always work to the scale of the room
The chimneypiece is the anchor of a room, the focal point around which the rest of the room revolves. It is therefore crucial that it fits perfectly the room in which it is to be housed. The chimneypiece, being purely decorative, does not have to reflect the size of the chamber opening, but the dimensions of the room itself.
Do use antique textiles wherever possible
The beauty of an antique textile lies in the shifting colour and texture of the woven fabric; no two square inches are the same. Antique textile cushions, bed throws and wall hangings are one of the best ways to add depth to a room. Drawing together disparate cultures could not be easier: old Irish linens and Turkish suzanis look splendid right next to each other.
Don’t be scared to scale up
Table lamps, lanterns, sculpture and mirrors ought to steal the show, yet they cannot if they are too small. Our Upton sofa for example, demands quite generously sized table lamps if they are to hold their own against such a grand sofa. Small lamps next to such a piece would look dainty and, at worst, mean.
Do play to the strengths of a room when it comes to colour
If a room is naturally dark, be brave in the shadow and paint it a dark colour. If a room is naturally light, lean into this and make it more so. There are of course exceptions to this rule but generally, when thinking about colour, work with the grain of a room, not against it.
Do trust the bones of a piece
The bones of an antique sofa, once exposed and having been stripped of its upholstery and other trappings, are the best indicator of its quality. Good bones in an antique sofa means that it has the potential to become something magnificent.
Do choose a striking marble for your bolection chimneypiece
Restraint is an important part of any decorator’s arsenal, yet so too is knowing when to drop it. Choosing a marble for your chimneypiece may just be one of those moments. Jamb’s world class marble library means that we can supply marble that will do justice to even the most decadent of tastes. A chimneypiece in Breccia Medicea for instance, will charge whichever room it is fitted with drama and opulence. The tumbled, ox-blood and purple tones mean this marble has a powerful presence.
Do take time to choose a lantern that works
Lanterns are not just about lighting, they are architectural components, and this makes choosing the right one all important. First, the size of the lantern must be decided. A bit of aplomb does not go amiss here: a lantern has to justify its pre-eminent position in the room and scaling up is one way of achieving this. When it comes to the design, the mouldings of one’s room is a good initial guide. Jamb’s ‘Mott’ lantern reflects the streamlined, utilitarian aesthetic of the industrial age and would look incongruous hanging next to a finely detailed classical cornice.
Do act instinctively when dealing with symmetry and balance
A well decorated room must look effortlessly balanced, no matter how much hard work has gone into it. Don’t be too self-conscious and rely on your intuition for there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to symmetry. The moment a room looks consciously balanced it tends to look strained and contrived. Trust your instinct and this will be avoided.
