Fun fabrics for bedrooms

Bright, vivid colours in intricate patterns are one of the joys of a handmade bedspread. When the quilt is cosy as well as a cheerful focal point of the bedroom, it makes it a no-brainer for those looking for quality and style. They’re ideal for modern homemakers looking to cut down on the chores of keeping a semblance of order in bedrooms. Like the duvet, it offers blanket cover and convenience, but has the added attraction of being an elegantly subtle statement of bling. Handmade textiles like these padded winter warmers offer great value as their usefulness is prolonged over many changes of décor. The complexity of the colour palette means you can cheaply revamp your walls or the dominant mood of the room and still have it tie in beautifully with the artwork on the bed. See Redpoppyquits.blogspot.ie for a sample of an Irish crafter’s work. Otherwise, Amanda Murphy’s book on quilting offers 12 patterns for contemporary designs in solid colours. “Color Essentials: crisp and vibrant quilts” is her second publication, following on from a lovely work on holiday-themed projects that you could have perfected as gifts for next Christmas. You’ll find Amanda on craftsy.com where you can also get online lessons in mixing quilting with embroidered motifs for spectacular results. Buying for a new mum? Have a look at coverlets like this handmade baby quilt (€78.39, shown above) from Now and Then Quilts on etsy.com. “I've constructed and quilted this in a newer modern style, sure to please new mothers,” says Dana, the quilt maker. “The quilt back is very soft with a cream/white natural cotton flannel by Robert Kaufman, great quality!” She assures us that though the quilt will shrink a little on first wash, afterwards can be washed as usual, either laid flat to air dry or tossed in a dryer. Another eco-credential from Dana is that she bought the fabrics from etsy suppliers and her local quilt shop. See more of her designs on http://www.etsy.com/shop/NowandThenQuilts?section_id=12689569

Starred architect: Barbara Bestor

The LA Times and Martha Stewart Living featured some of architect Barbara Bestor’s work recently in the Chiselhurst residence (shown left) and while few of us have the scale of this house to play with, it is jam-packed with OMG!! ideas that can be easily adapted to our “two-family suburbans” as, I believe, Americans call our semi-Ds. Lightbulbs will go on in your head over storage ideas that double as window seating as in the custom-made storage topped with bright cushioning pictured. On her website there are fab floors covered with Nicaraguan tiles that could be an afternoon's stenciling for the crafty. There’s also mega-wattage glossy yellow on a wardrobe door (who needs Lanzarote or Gran Canaria this year when you can wake up to this?) Her buildings are impressive on the outside but win your heart with the interiors: not just in how she uses colour, space and furniture, but how she creates moods from restful to work-friendly. (And have a look at the black and white pics of two kids as the main graphic on the Stussy shop wall.) You can see her work at bestorarchitecture.com or, if you’re a Michael Connelly fan, you can see her take on Harry Bosch’s territory in Bohemian Modern: Living in Silverlake, published by Harper Collins.