Style doctor: ‘How can I lighten a dark brown leather suite to a more medium brown shade?’

Published on Sunday 29 January 2012 17:51

The experts answer your interior design queries

A: Interior designer Pat Elliott says, In theory it is possible to change the colour of leather furniture. How successful the result will inevitably, however, depend on the condition and construction of the leather used for the suite. Like all colour changes, moving from light to dark is likely to be more successful than vice versa. Newcastle-based company the Furniture Clinic (0844 879 3691) offers a colourant kit that claims to change leather from and to any colour, and I would suggest contacting them for advice.

• Pat Elliott, The Borders Design House (www.thebordersdesignhouse.co.uk)

Q: I recently invested in new curtains for my bedroom. The scheme is light and airy, with a French-style bed and French doors that open on to the garden. The curtains are a mid-taupe shade and I would like tie-backs to create a pretty contrast, rather than toning in with them. Can you recommend anything?

A: It sounds like a lovely setting so perhaps something equally pretty with a delicate look would work well. Laura Ashley has some glass bead curtain tie-backs that might fit the bill. The ‘Evie’ tie-back comes in clear glass beads and duck egg blue, and are 91cm long. Currently on sale, they cost from £15.75 each.

• Laura Ashley (0871 230 2301, www.lauraashley.com)

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