It just goes to show...

...that if you use timeless classics and neutral shades then you can get away with decorating every 10 years , although you still can't get those ghastly dark stains above radiators to disappear. We decorated our living room over a decade ago with lovely Farrow and Ball colours and I collected a few antique bits and bob, nothing expensive - just flea market finds, to go on the mantelpiece. There's seagrass on the floor and some brown leather chests about the place plus a lovely rosewood writing desk that belonged to my Great Grandmother. Add a couple of taupe leather sofas ( only DFS so bargain prices ) and my one indulgence at the other end of the scale a ludicrously expensive square leather table from the Conran Shop which I bought back in 1988 ( well , I was working back then and still was able to use the phrase disposable income) and it really does still look good. I'm not saying that IKEA isn't good value but I can't help thinking that if everything was laminate and plastic it wouldn't half look awful by now. Tonight I'm going to sit in there with a glass of something nice and chilled , light a few candles and admire.