How to create a country-house bedroom

Floral country bedroom

Floral prints, traditional wallpaper with a modern twist, a variety of textures, colours and French-inspired accessories combine to create a gorgeous country-style guest bedroom.

Mix a floral print with painted panelling in your bedroom. Keep furniture pale and painted to balance the look, and introduce smart upholstery with a chic bed and footstool at the base.

Cosy up, and add texture, with an old-fashioned eiderdown or heavy quilt on your bed. Find similar duvets at House of Fraser, and wallpaper at Harlequin.

Layer with traditional linens

Dress your bed with lace-edged and ticking-striped pillowcases, topped with a touch of ever-elegant chintz.

Formal Living rooms ideas

Living room with inglenook fireplace

An inglenook fireplace takes pride of place in this traditional living room. A bright floral sofa keeps the look up to date, while the exposed beams and brickwork give the room a grand country-cottage feel.

Classic living room fireplace

A neutral colour scheme creates the perfect backdrop for a mixture of eclectic objects to stand

Main Course

Chicken Chow Mein

Ingredients - 175g egg noodles - Salt & Pepper - 175g onions, peeled - 225g skinless chicken breast fillets - 225g Chinese leaves - 30ml oil - 30ml sesame oil 2.5ml chilli powder - 175g bean sprouts - 225g cooked peeled prawns - 1 garlic clove, crushed - 30ml soy sauce - 30 white grape juice	1. Cook the noodles in boiling water according to packet directions until just tender. Drain well and rinse under cold running water to stop them cooking further. 2. Meanwhile, thinly slice the onions and chicken; shred the Chinese leaves into fine pieces. 3. Heat the oil and sesame oil in a large wok or frying pan. Add the onions and chicken with the chilli powder and stir-fry over high hear for 3-4 minutes until almost tender. 4. Mix in the bean sprouts, Chinese leaves, prawns, garlic and pepper to taste. Stir over a high heat for about 2 minutes. 5. Add the noodles, soy sauce and grape juice. Cook, stirring, until thoroughly hot. Adjust the seasoning and server Immediately.

Beef Chili