Design Dilemma

I've had this question through our website: "If I am having big red poppy wallpaper on my chimney breast wall and I would like to have a big red sofa what colour should I do the rest of my walls and what colour carpet would u advise?" Mrs. Cooper

Ruth Says: First off - I like your style! I love red too. Red symbolises passion, life and energy.

I would keep the carpet neutral in case you change your mind in the future. Also the colours that go really well with red are creamy neutrals and some purples. Another client asked me a similar question recently and I illustrate here some suggestions I made about wall and curtain colours (these are Dulux colours - our decorators like Dulux)with her wallpaper.


I think exactly the same advice applies to your room. The best thing to do is get some sample pots and paint them on each of the walls. Also go for a darker shade than you think as it always looks lighter when painted on the whole wall. I love using Espresso Delight as there is nothing it does not match with! Introduce a third colour somewhere - cushions, curtains or other accessories , maybe gold, purple or browns. Wood looks very well with red, so using some wooden furnitiure will work well. Let me know how you get on and send me some pics. Best of luck!

Waterproof Music

I love this new mirror, with minimal styling but maximal features: including an interactive touch screen with FM radio, clock, LED light, anti-mist system and a connection to an auxiliary audio source such as your iPod. If you need to know, it will tell you the ambient temperature. It’s aptly called Innova and it's by bathroom company Roca. www.roca-uk.com

Forget Rock Chicks here come the Rock Finches

Now showing at the curve space at The Barbican, is a new take on rock chicks - Rock Finches! 

Designed by artist Celeste Boursier-Mougenot, the large curved space has been set up in two parts - the first a strobe lit, long dark atmospheric corridor with a background hum and dimly lit projection of guitar playing on the walls. The second half has been kitted out with electric guitars & amplifiers, basses and cymbals. Then a flock of male and female zebra finches have been let loose to make music. 

The result is totally unexpected in both the impact on the visitor and the melodic nature of the finches daily activities. As a visitor you wander unprotected through this flock of tiny delicate chirping finches and musical instruments (so be careful where you step). I have been twice and each time has left me uplifted and with a very very broad smile on my face. 

You can see the little chaps performing on YouTube by clicking here. Over 583,000 people have already had a look.

I can't recommend this highly enough. Admission is free and the exhibition runs until the May 23rd. Entry is limited to 25 people so plan to go at a quiet time.


Visitors are assured by the gallery that the welfare of the finches is very carefully monitored.