Get ready for the autumn nights

Decor, Harrogate

Décor is a lighting and traditional furniture store nestled in the heart of Harrogate.

For over 60 years, Décor has specialised in supplying customers with bespoke and quality lighting that has been designed to exude grandeur and opulence. Headed up by Nick Russell, Décor’s magnificent products range from traditional and original antique pieces, to cutting edge contemporary designs. The Décor’s products are available to buy online at www.decorharrogate.co.uk or from the Harrogate based store.

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Shades of greatness
With darkness forced upon us earlier and earlier as winter draws in, the humble light bulb can utterly transform a home. Choose the right lighting and in one click you can immediately make your sitting room a cosy den against the cold, your kitchen a cooks’ haven, or your home-office an energetic space to work.

But of course, it’s the shading that really counts. While few of us (bar perhaps penniless students) are likely to opt for a single light bulb look – we often underrate what a good lampshade can bring to a room. Though subtle, light – and in turn shade – can have a massive impact on a space, and it remains one of the key ‘secret’ ingredients to good interior design.

For Nick Russell, lighting – and lampshades – has been a long-held passion. During his summers off school and college, he would help his father, a lighting importer, bead lampshades in his garden shed, and growing up with so much light in his life it was only natural he would one day own his own lighting shop.

In 2008, his family – already running a string of successful gift shops in the north – purchased Décor Lighting in Harrogate, one of the few remaining independent, traditional lighting shops in the UK, with a 65-year-old reputation for top-quality lights, lamps and shades – and bespoke, one-to-one service – that would have John Lewis weeping.

And, while the shop stocks lighting, mirrors, and even sofas too, it’s the shades that keep customers coming back for more.''

“We offer lampshades that you simply won’t find anywhere else, ranging from £50 to up to £500,” says Nick. “Plus, we’re able to offer a bespoke service so customers can get them in pretty much any colour, shape and texture, with the beading and fringing they desire.”'

It’s not surprising then that – as one of a dying breed of independent lighting shops – some of Décor’s customers have been visiting them for more than 20 years.

Light source
Careful sourcing has been the key to quality, with Nick and his father continuing to visit trade shows in Milan and the UK to uncover the latest gems.

One of his Soho suppliers – a restorer of antique light fittings – has been running since 1776, working for the National Trust, 10 Downing Street and Clarence House, among others, as well as supplying the fittings used in the film Titanic. Another supplier, based in Wrexham, which specializes in the design and manufacture of soft shades has had its products used in TV shows Downton Abbey and Gosford Park.

“These companies have an amazing pedigree; but above all they’re independent, family businesses like ours that really know their stuff,” says Nick.

Service with a smile
“Really knowing their stuff” is certainly true of the Décor staff, who tot up more than 40 years’ experience between them.

“There’s not many traditional, independent shops left, let alone ones that sell lighting,” says Nick. “Because we’re ‘boutique’ we’re able to offer a different level of service. Most of the staff have been here 10 years, some 20, and when someone comes in with a lamp stand needing a shade or a piece of wallpaper they want to match with a lampshade fabric, we can spend 40 minutes helping them do that,” says Nick. “You just don't get that in bigger stores.”

With a new website planned for Christmas, customers will now find it even easier to browse and buy Décor lighting, especially when they are contemplating decorating a new room. And, since the property bubble burst and fewer people are doing up entire houses, Nick finds that he’s getting more customers in who just want to spruce up a room.

“Rather than spend a lot of money redecorating an entire house or a whole room, people tend to be looking to update more cheaply with some new lampshades or lighting,” he says. “After all, good lighting can bring something new to a room, just as bad lighting can make it feel unwelcoming or old fashioned, so it pays to get it right.”

Décor’s Top Shade & Light Tips

1. Use downlights to create a glow in the evening – very useful in a dining room or hallway. Dimmer switches are also a great way to create ambience here.

2. Check what colour your shade will ‘throw’ around the room (a perfect colour ‘off’ might not be the perfect colour when it’s switched on!) and make sure it ties in with your theme. The darker the shade the less light will emanate around the room, and it will act more like a spotlight.

3. Spotlights are a great way to pick out key features in a room such as prized objects and architectural detail, or for centering over a dining table and brightening a dark corner.

4. The height of a shade should be about ¾ of the height of the base and should be wider than the widest part of the base.

5. Think about lighting individual seats in your living room so people can read. Swing arm ‘book lights’ are good for this or tall lampstands. Try to get a shade that emulates the type of base you’ve chosen. A Grecian urn style will probably not suit a square shade – like-for-like options tend to work best so square bases tend to look better with a square shade, Victorian bases work with a Victorian-style shade.

6. Go for simplicity on top and jazzy patterns at the bottom – or vice versa – don’t do both and let the shade and the lamp compete with each other.

7. Always request a swatch of the shade fabric so you can match it against your colour scheme before you buy.

Coronation v Jubilee Sleep Survey - The Sleep Council

They go to bed later, eat later and prefer playing in to playing out.

According to The Sleep Council, the seismic shift in children’s lifestyles since the Queen came to the throne in 1952 could be having a detrimental effect on their ability to achieve a good night’s sleep.

It found that today’s seven to 14-year-old ‘Jubilee Generation’ children go to bed almost 40 minutes later than their ‘Coronation Generation’ grandparents. They are also much more likely to snack on crisps and fizzy drinks before bedtime than their grandparents who had cups of tea or milky drinks. But, on the plus side, Jubilee children are more likely to sleep on a new bed in a room of their own.

Commenting on The Sleep Council survey comparing the lives of children around 60 years ago against those of today, TV agony aunt and grandmother/ great grandmother Denise Robertson said: “Modern lifestyles could be having a seriously detrimental effect on children’s’ ability to get a good night’s sleep.

“Today’s youngsters get a lot less fresh air and exercise than their grandparents did and that alone will have a significant effect. But when you add in the impact of staying up late chatting online, televisions in bedrooms and all the convenience food, fizzy drinks and additives that our youngsters are consuming, it begins to go against best practice for good sleep.”

According to the survey – which asked 1,006 grandparents with grandchildren aged seven to 14, to compare their early lifestyle with that of their grandchildren - 21% said when they were children, they would spend more than three hours playing outside on the average school day. That compares to the 28% who said their grandchildren now spend less than 30 minutes playing outside on the average school day.

When they were children, 24% of grandparents went to bed on a school night between 7 – 7.30pm whereas 20% of children these days go to bed between 8.30 – 9pm.

In terms of what they did before bedtime, more than half of the Coronation Generation (54%) read books when they were schoolchildren, whereas less than a third of today’s kids read books before bedtime - 58% of them now spend that time watching television. And while just 3% of grandparents said they ate crisps and 1% drank fizzy drinks before bedtime, one in six of the Jubilee Generation has crisps before bed and 13% have fizzy drinks.

In terms of main meals, 70% of grandparents ate dinner before 6pm whereas a far lower 38% of children now eat that early. Just over half (51%) eat between 6pm – 7.30pm.

But what they eat has changed even more radically than when they eat. For 95% of grandparents, the average evening meal was home cooked when they were children: today, for just over a quarter of children, dinner time means swift, ready made convenience meals.

And whereas playing outside was normal when today’s grandparents were children (89% said they would spend their free time playing outside), 66% stated that their grandchildren now play computer games in their spare time.

On the positive side, 36% of grandparents had to share a bedroom when they were children whereas almost three quarters of children now have their own bedroom. 63% of them have a television in the room.

But best of all, while 37% of grandparents slept on hand-me-down mattresses/beds, 78% of today’s youngsters have a new one.

Said Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council: “Having a new bed and, for the greater part, a room of their own is a significant step forward. Grotty old, hand-me-down mattresses in a room shared with other siblings is not conducive to a perfect sleeping environment.

“Along with a good supportive bed, also essential to achieving the all-important good night’s sleep that ensures children behave and perform at their best is plenty of fresh air and exercise, and establishing a regular bedtime that ensures sufficient sleep. Seven to 14-year-olds still need a good nine or 10 hours sleep a night.

“Not eating too close to bedtime and avoiding caffeine-fuelled pop is also important as is a well balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Ensuring the bedroom is not too hot or too cold, is kept dark, well ventilated and free from technology-led gadgets is also vital.”

REGIONAL INFORMATION
National
58% of children watch television before bed compared to 25% of grandparents at their age.
31% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 89% of grandparents at their age.
78% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 51% of grandparents at their age.
27% of children read a book before bed compared to 54% of grandparents at their age.

East
52% of children watch television before bed compared to 21% of grandparents at their age.
41% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 88% of grandparents at their age.
77% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 60% of grandparents at their age.
40% of children read a book before bed compared to 57% of grandparents at their age.

London
54% of children watch television before bed compared to 21% of grandparents at their age.
25% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 75% of grandparents at their age.
70% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 51% of grandparents at their age.
31% of children read a book before bed compared to 50% of grandparents at their age.

Midlands
60% of children watch television before bed compared to 23% of grandparents at their age.
28% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 84% of grandparents at their age.
69% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 47% of grandparents at their age.
21% of children read a book before bed compared to 60% of grandparents at their age.

North East
64% of children watch television before bed compared to 29% of grandparents at their age.
35% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 90% of grandparents at their age.
79% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 46% of grandparents at their age.
37% of children read a book before bed compared to 50% of grandparents at their age.

North West
56% of children watch television before bed compared to 21% of grandparents at their age.
25% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 91% of grandparents at their age.
81% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 51% of grandparents at their age.
27% of children read a book before bed compared to 51% of grandparents at their age.

Northern Ireland
56% of children watch television before bed compared to 25% of grandparents at their age.
43% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 93% of grandparents at their age.
62% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 56% of grandparents at their age.
18% of children read a book before bed compared to 31% of grandparents at their age.

Scotland
51% of children watch television before bed compared to 35% of grandparents at their age.
35% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 90% of grandparents at their age.
81% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 54% of grandparents at their age.
17% of children read a book before bed compared to 41% of grandparents at their age.

South East
58% of children watch television before bed compared to 22% of grandparents at their age.
25% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 86% of grandparents at their age.
76% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 48% of grandparents at their age.
28% of children read a book before bed compared to 61% of grandparents at their age.

South West
59% of children watch television before bed compared to 25% of grandparents at their age.
25% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 89% of grandparents at their age.
79% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 47% of grandparents at their age.
26% of children read a book before bed compared to 53% of grandparents at their age.

Wales
60% of children watch television before bed compared to 18% of grandparents at their age.
38% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 96% of grandparents at their age.
80% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 50% of grandparents at their age.
21% of children read a book before bed compared to 58% of grandparents at their age.

Yorkshire
60% of children watch television before bed compared to 33% of grandparents at their age.
33% of children mostly spend their free time playing outside compared to 94% of grandparents at their age.
86% of children sleep on a new bed or mattress compared to 54% of grandparents at their age.
28% of children read a book before bed compared to 50% of grandparents at their age.

Get ready for the autumn nights with Decor lighting

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Decor, Harrogate

Décor is a lighting and traditional furniture store nestled in the heart of Harrogate.

For over 60 years, Décor has specialised in supplying customers with bespoke and quality lighting that has been designed to exude grandeur and opulence. Headed up by Nick Russell, Décor’s magnificent products range from traditional and original antique pieces, to cutting edge contemporary designs. The Décor’s products are available to buy online at www.decorharrogate.co.uk or from the Harrogate based store.

Shades of greatness
With darkness forced upon us earlier and earlier as winter draws in, the humble light bulb can utterly transform a home. Choose the right lighting and in one click you can immediately make your sitting room a cosy den against the cold, your kitchen a cooks’ haven, or your home-office an energetic space to work.

But of course, it’s the shading that really counts. While few of us (bar perhaps penniless students) are likely to opt for a single light bulb look – we often underrate what a good lampshade can bring to a room. Though subtle, light – and in turn shade – can have a massive impact on a space, and it remains one of the key ‘secret’ ingredients to good interior design.

For Nick Russell, lighting – and lampshades – has been a long-held passion. During his summers off school and college, he would help his father, a lighting importer, bead lampshades in his garden shed, and growing up with so much light in his life it was only natural he would one day own his own lighting shop.

In 2008, his family – already running a string of successful gift shops in the north – purchased Décor Lighting in Harrogate, one of the few remaining independent, traditional lighting shops in the UK, with a 65-year-old reputation for top-quality lights, lamps and shades – and bespoke, one-to-one service – that would have John Lewis weeping.

And, while the shop stocks lighting, mirrors, and even sofas too, it’s the shades that keep customers coming back for more.

“We offer lampshades that you simply won’t find anywhere else, ranging from £50 to up to £500,” says Nick. “Plus, we’re able to offer a bespoke service so customers can get them in pretty much any colour, shape and texture, with the beading and fringing they desire.”
It’s not surprising then that – as one of a dying breed of independent lighting shops – some of Décor’s customers have been visiting them for more than 20 years.

Light source
Careful sourcing has been the key to quality, with Nick and his father continuing to visit trade shows in Milan and the UK to uncover the latest gems.

One of his Soho suppliers – a restorer of antique light fittings – has been running since 1776, working for the National Trust, 10 Downing Street and Clarence House, among others, as well as supplying the fittings used in the film Titanic. Another supplier, based in Wrexham, which specializes in the design and manufacture of soft shades has had its products used in TV shows Downton Abbey and Gosford Park.

“These companies have an amazing pedigree; but above all they’re independent, family businesses like ours that really know their stuff,” says Nick.

Service with a smile
“Really knowing their stuff” is certainly true of the Décor staff, who tot up more than 40 years’ experience between them.

“There’s not many traditional, independent shops left, let alone ones that sell lighting,” says Nick. “Because we’re ‘boutique’ we’re able to offer a different level of service. Most of the staff have been here 10 years, some 20, and when someone comes in with a lamp stand needing a shade or a piece of wallpaper they want to match with a lampshade fabric, we can spend 40 minutes helping them do that,” says Nick. “You just don't get that in bigger stores.”

With a new website planned for Christmas, customers will now find it even easier to browse and buy Décor lighting, especially when they are contemplating decorating a new room. And, since the property bubble burst and fewer people are doing up entire houses, Nick finds that he’s getting more customers in who just want to spruce up a room.

“Rather than spend a lot of money redecorating an entire house or a whole room, people tend to be looking to update more cheaply with some new lampshades or lighting,” he says. “After all, good lighting can bring something new to a room, just as bad lighting can make it feel unwelcoming or old fashioned, so it pays to get it right.”

Décor’s Top Shade & Light Tips
1. Use downlights to create a glow in the evening – very useful in a dining room or hallway. Dimmer switches are also a great way to create ambience here.

2. Check what colour your shade will ‘throw’ around the room (a perfect colour ‘off’ might not be the perfect colour when it’s switched on!) and make sure it ties in with your theme. The darker the shade the less light will emanate around the room, and it will act more like a spotlight.

3. Spotlights are a great way to pick out key features in a room such as prized objects and architectural detail, or for centering over a dining table and brightening a dark corner.

4. The height of a shade should be about ¾ of the height of the base and should be wider than the widest part of the base.

5. Think about lighting individual seats in your living room so people can read. Swing arm ‘book lights’ are good for this or tall lampstands. Try to get a shade that emulates the type of base you’ve chosen. A Grecian urn style will probably not suit a square shade – like-for-like options tend to work best so square bases tend to look better with a square shade, Victorian bases work with a Victorian-style shade.

6. Go for simplicity on top and jazzy patterns at the bottom – or vice versa – don’t do both and let the shade and the lamp compete with each other.

7. Always request a swatch of the shade fabric so you can match it against your colour scheme before you buy.