51乱伦

Prints鈥� charming: Jamie鈥檚 pointers for choosing the perfect wallpaper

1. Pick the right wall: 鈥淭hink about where the paper will have the most impact. Hallways or powder rooms are perfect places to start if you鈥檙e new to the game.鈥�
2. Pay attention to scale: 鈥淟arge-scale prints can make a bold statement, while smaller patterns add charm. Consider how you want to feel in the space and lean into prints that evoke that mood.鈥�
3. Sample first: 鈥淪amples are your best friend. Order swatches and tape them up on different walls to see how lighting or the time-of-day changes things.鈥�
4. Balance with the rest of the decor: 鈥淭hink about your room as a whole and how the wallpaper will work alongside the furniture, paint colours and textiles.鈥�
5. Get it right first time: 鈥淎 professional installer is worth the investment, especially for intricate patterns, textured wallpapers, or murals. If you鈥檙e DIY-ing, take your time, prep your walls properly and always start with a level line.鈥�

From her early jewel-like pendants, the brand has grown into a collection of sculptural lights that feel more like artworks than fixtures. 鈥淚 wanted to keep the craft alive in this country,鈥� Esther explains. 鈥淲orking with British glassblowers means I can be part of the process every step of the way.鈥�

Today, Curiousa remains intentionally small, with a team of eight, but its influence is far-reaching. Recent releases include the Carnival collection, a striking blend of ceramics and glass, and a forthcoming Pastello bathroom lighting range that answers a long-overlooked need for statement lights in functional spaces.

Light work: Esther鈥檚 guide to incorporating statement lighting

1. Start with art: 鈥淚f you love a particular painting or a photograph, use it to inform the palette of a room and your light fittings. It鈥檚 a natural starting point.鈥�
2. If in doubt, keep it clean: 鈥淥ne pendant in a simple setting can create a beautiful focal point you鈥檒l enjoy for years.鈥�
3. Pair them up: 鈥淭hat said, I love clusters of pendants. They can deliver real visual impact when you mix different, complementary shapes and materials.鈥�
4. Balance colour tones in your fixtures: 鈥淏old shades need warmth. Think deep blue glass, offset with earthy ceramic accents or a pop of pink, for example.鈥�
5. Choose warmth: 鈥淚 always lean towards daylight or warm bulbs. Cool light feels sharp; warmth makes a space feel like home.鈥�

Eva Sonaike

Eva Sonaike鈥檚 story spans continents. Born in Nigeria and raised in Germany, she moved to London to pursue journalism before launching her eponymous interiors brand in 2009.

鈥淚 was surrounded by art and design from childhood 鈥� my father was an artist, so our home was like a museum,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淎fter my first child, I started making cushions with African prints I wanted for my home but couldn鈥檛 find. That鈥檚 when I realised there was a gap in the market.鈥�

Shades of meaning: Eva鈥檚 tips to embrace bold patterns

1. Start small: 鈥淐ushions and throws are an easy way to experiment. They let you trial colour and pattern without any commitment.鈥�
2. If in doubt, look at your clothes: 鈥淵our wardrobe often features the colours and patterns you鈥檙e drawn to 鈥� florals, stripes, bold shades. Take a cue from your fashion sense and bring it into your home.鈥� 
3. Mix bold choices with design classics: 鈥淧air bright or striking textiles with timeless furniture silhouettes to strike the right balance.鈥� 
4. Tell a story: 鈥淐hoose at least one piece in every room that connects to your heritage, travels or passions.鈥� 
5. Be authentic: 鈥淎bove all, surround yourself with colours and designs that resonate with you personally. That鈥檚 what makes a home feel alive.鈥�