SUNSHINE CHIC

Nautical

The traditional lighting shop is now moving away from the high street, and onto the World Wide Web. With online stores offering lights, lamps, accessories and more from all around the world, customers are spoilt for choice. No longer is your choice of lighting limited to the shops in your local town or city but instead the whole world is at your fingertips. Table lamps, light bulbs, chandeliers and bathroom lighting can all be bought from the same place. Shopping is easy, delivery is straightforward and you get to choose between many more products than ever before.Stockholm light oak display unit pounds 199 (www.tesco.com, 0845 600 4411)Meleze white vinyl flooring from the Creation collection from pounds 16 per square metre (www.tarkett.com, 01622 854151)To begin with, invest in some wood furniture in white or a light colour. There are plenty of accessories as nautical is a big theme for this season. Think seaside but not too tacky... keep to stripes and textured products in driftwood, rope and rattan.Scotty dog doorstop pounds 19.50 (www.marksandspencer.com, 0845 302 1234)Red stripe mug pounds 1.50 (www.tesco.com, 0845 600 4411)Green skeleton leaf cushion pounds 6 (www.wilkinsonplus.co.uk, 0845 608 0807)Ektorp two seat sofa in Abyn Blue from pounds 289 (www.ikea.co.uk, 0845 355 1141)You will want to use a shop that has a helpline available, so avoid any that don't have obvious customer service representatives. If your order is wrong or a problem occurs you may want to speak to a member of staff. Because faceless websites tend to put potential customers off, however, most will have a helpline number available but it is a good idea to make sure of this before perusing the virtual shelves. Although you can't pay in cash at an online lighting shop, there may be several different ways to pay available including credit cards and even Paypal. Decide how you would like to pay beforehand to avoid any disappointment later if your preferred method of payment is unavailable.Salcombe house and conservatory designed by Ham SInteriors of Henley On Thames, Oxon (www.haminteriors.com)Another benefit of shopping online for all your lights is the larger range of products available. Because there is no physical shop or floor space taken up with a virtual store, there is a much larger choice available. Make sure there are good photographs available of all the products, with shots taken from every side. There is nothing worse than being disappointed with an online purchase.Joyce large rattan Stable lamp pounds 32.98, B&Q (www.diy.com, 0845 850 0175)Lacquered tray in Kiwi pounds 18 (www.greentulip.co.uk, 01380 859600)Although the majority of items in an online lighting shop will be lighting related, there may also be a good supply of further items you were not expecting to find. As well as lighting accessories and light bulbs that you can stock up on at the time of purchase, there may well be some nice gift ideas or other home furnishings available. The most perfect item for your home could be right there, in the place you were least expecting to find it. Cushions and bed linen in particular can often be found alongside the desk lamps and wall lights so make sure you check out the line of non-lighting related products.Wilkinson's and Asda have some lovely red table lamps plus cushions to match. A rug needn't be all red but with a touch of the colour in there.Ribbon table lamp pounds 45 (www.woolworths.co.uk, 0844 822 1010)Kubu rattan chair with seat pad pounds 199.95 (www.scottsofstow.co.uk, 0844 482 5555)Bamboo side table pounds 89 (www.idyllhome.co.uk, 01630 695779)Keep the sofa and carpet neutral. A plain grey or cream would suit your scheme. When you get bored with the look, it's easy to change your wall colour and accessories but you'll want to keep the carpet and suite.Twisted weave trunks pounds 45 for two (www.matalan.co.uk, 0845 330 3330)Pleated conservatory blinds in summer daze from pounds 750 (www.thomas-sanderson.co.uk, 0800 051 5404)Large enamel green floral pitcher pounds 14.99 (www.giftedpenguin.co.uk, 01642 763000)Indulge in shades of green. Use modern furniture in dark or light wood then choose accessories with a texture and pattern. If you want to use wicker or rattan make sure it is very light in colour to fit in with a contemporary look.Rose rug from pounds 95 (www.tesco.com, 0845 600 4411)

Meleze white vinyl flooring from the Creation collection from pounds 16 per square metre (www.tarkett.com, 01622 854151)

Author: ANGELA MACFARLANE