I read your recent suggestion for chest of drawers as storage solutions. They are great but I’m looking for something more original myself. Do you have anything at Velvet?
Rosie Clarke, Brighton
Nick says: ‘We have just ordered in some amazing trunks – they might not be to everyone’s taste but they are certainly original (Emma has just bought some for our home). I picture them with delicate clothes draped out in a French style bedroom, or neatly stacked in a clinical white modern room with rustic floorboards. They are large enough to store plenty of clothes or bits and bobs. Buy one or invest in a set of three (pictured). There’s something very Gucci about them! Except that prices start from just £55. If trunks aren’t to your taste then why not visit our stores for more ideas!’
It’s my Mums 50th birthday next month and she loves your stores. I’m looking for something really great for her. Have you got any special ranges in at the moment?
Robert, via email
Emma says: ‘We’re glad your Mum likes Velvet! The easiest thing to suggest would be a gift voucher. We can sell them for any multiple of £5. This way your Mum can come in and choose whatever she likes in any of our stores. If you would prefer to choose something more personal though then here are a few suggestions. In the lead up to Christmas we have a beautiful range of toiletries including ranges from Heathcote and Ivory, Cath Kidston and Sanderson – each of these are stunning. We also have a beautiful handmade range of signs, candles, mirrors and accessories from East of India which are all handmade - making each item unique! All these gifts have prices starting from just £2.99.’
NEW Credit Crunch Cleaning Tips!
Lead Pencil – you can use this as a dry lubricant on stubborn zips, just rub along both sides of the zip and voila!
My wife and I are turning a couple of our rooms into B&B to generate some extra income. We’re looking for some bold lighting to complement the modern interiors. Any ideas welcome!
Alistair Jones, Brighton
Emma says: ‘One of the most important things to consider is having different sources of light. Overhead lighting as well as mood lighting is crucial. Depending on your ceiling height will determine or not whether you can use chandeliers. Very often Chandeliers are associated with more traditional interiors, but work equally well with modern decor. We have a great selection online and in our stores. Lamps are ideal for creating pools of light. Place on a dressing or bedside table – perfect for bed time reading. Our personal favourites at the moment are our ‘Mimo’ lamps (£140, pictured). These are bright, bold and colourful! And will become a statement piece in any room.’
I’m trying to get my Christmas shopping done early to avoid a last minute rush. I’m looking for unusual gifts for friends and family who already have everything they need! Any suggestions?
Adrian Broughton, Hove
Nick says: ‘We have loads of stuff to choose from! We’re pretty confident that Velvet could almost be your one stop shop for Christmas. Shop online and you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home! We have sections for him, for her, gifts under £10, £20 and £50. We predict our best sellers online will be Glamorous Washing Up gloves £4.99, our Blossom Recipe book £11, Retro style signs from £6.50 and our Dreyfuss phones from £55. If you fancy some fresh air then in-store you will find everything from wrapping paper, decorations for your tree, stocking fillers and more luxurious gifts. Our favourites in store are our chunky modern lettering (pictured) reading Love, Welcome and much more. Prices start from just £9.50.’
NEW Credit Crunch Cleaning Tips!
Cola – can help clean your toilet. Just pour in, leave over night then flush away the next morning!
I’m opening a small boutique bar in London with a trendy gothic look, what lighting do you suggest that will suit my £500 budget?
Nicola Brown, via email
Nick says: ‘It all depends on how much lighting you need! But I have a few suggestions. For just £95 each you could invest in 5 of our acrylic Black Chandeliers for around the bar or above tables. Although these will eat up most of your budget, they will give the impression that you spent twice the amount. If you require more lighting however, why not stick to one or two chandeliers for key areas such as the entrance and bar and then for the rest of the area choose shades such as our Black Small String Pendant Shades. At just £35 you could buy 10 or more! If you haven’t already kitted out the rest of your bar might I also suggest you take a look at our stunning mirrors and our Moulin Noir range, available online and in-store. We also offer delivery to London if you can’t collect the items yourself.’
I’m looking for a nursing chair as I am due in 6 weeks! I would like something fairly traditional in design I suppose but I can’t make up my mind what to have! Any suggestions?
Emily Richardson, Brighton
Emma says: ‘Firstly congratulations and all the best for the next few weeks! Our all time best selling tub chair is our Sir Armchair. This chair has proved popular with many expectant mums as it’s really comfy but also upright enough to sit in for long periods of time. The arms have also proved to be in an excellent position for nursing! Our Sir Chairs are as comfy as big armchairs like our Chatsworth but don’t take up as much space – perfect for a bedroom or nursery. It comes upholstered in a gorgeous floral flock design with many colour options, including – burgundy, pink, cream, black or blue on beige, and white on a black background. Choose whichever colour combination will suit your room! Sir Sandra Armchair £225.’
NEW Credit Crunch Cleaning Tips!
Sticky Tape – is perfect for removing dust and crumbs from sofas, chairs and even computer keyboards, fold and slide between the keys!
I’m looking for an occasional chair or sofa for my dressing room. The decor of the room is cream and gold so it must match! What do you suggest?
Jenny Hardy, Hove
Emma says: ‘Wow it all depends on your budget! The great thing about occasional chairs is you can go for luxury materials that wouldn’t always withstand the daily wear and tear that usual living room furniture goes through. Our Versailles range is upholstered in a beautiful pale silk and is finished in genuine gold leaf – this is a luxurious range that will blow the budget but is truly worth it! The 2 Seater Settee (pictured) is priced at £725. For a cheaper option though why not take a look at our range of Chaise Longue with prices starting at just £295.’
I seriously lack storage in my home, for everything from clothes to clutter. What do you suggest?
Lucy Adamson, via email
Nick says: ‘The look of your home hugely depends on what to suggest really. We have lots of stylish solutions online and in store to help you conquer the clutter – from practical hooks to huge sideboards. One of our best selling items through all our different collections, from French to modern, is chest of drawers. The great thing about chests is their versatility. They sit equally well in bedrooms and living rooms and can house everything from your summer wardrobe going into to hibernation over the winter to little bits and pieces that you need to easily have to hand. The Brooklyn chest (pictured, £425) is made from solid oak and has enough drawers to hold everything!’
NEW Credit Crunch Cleaning Tips!
Shaving Foam – can lift red wine stains. Squeeze on, leave for a few minutes then rinse off.
As mentioned earlier this year, our renovation work at Church Road is complete. We now have a beautiful clothes and shoes ’boutique’ section at the back of our ground floor, complete with stunning new changing rooms.
And down stairs has been transformed from a dingy dark stockroom into a gorgeous new basement full of furniture, lighting and mirrors. Be sure to come and visit us, we’d love to welcome you (but here’s some pictures for those of you who can’t! Click Thumbnail to enlarge…)
Well, not quite a boom, but we are expecting two Velvet babies this Summer!
Directors Nick and Emma are expecting their 3rd in July. And Menna our PR and Internet Manager is expecting her 1st in June… there must be something in the water..!
All this baby talk must have rubbed off on the buying team… we have some beautiful gifts for expectant parents, families and friends, as well as stunning new products for around your home, available in store and online.
(follow us on here and on our twitterfor all the latest news!)
As wikipedia so kindly explains… Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users’ updates (known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.
