http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/ Shopping from HomeSearch en-gb http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/img/logo120x17.gif http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/ webmaster@gmgrd.co.uk WHEN the furniture store Housing Units started out with its first small shop on Oldham Road in Hollinwood back in 1947, one of the first customers through the door was Elizabeth Foster. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/237/237851_keeping_it_in_the_family.html?rss=yes LITECRAFT is the lighting store where TV's Colin and Justin are shown enthusiastically cooing over the design of the products and their prices. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/237/237427_bringing_light_out_of_the_shadows.html?rss=yes THESE days art is to walls as rugs are to floors - in other words, a home is pretty dull without it. The idea that `home is where the art is' has never been more fashionable. A survey by the Affordable Art Fair, which opens in London in March, reveals that one in 10 people now consider original art work a must-have for their home. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/s/233/233483_making_an_impression.html?rss=yes EVEN hardline minimalists are having to face up to the fact that pattern is back. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/228/228304_damask_is_new_black_and_white.html?rss=yes IF you're fed up with winter and yearn to be in the Mediterranean, want to swop your semi for a stately pile, or just need to soothe a cold and sore throat, it's time to use your nose. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/227/227708_all_winners_by_a_nose.html?rss=yes AT this time of year, when we start leaving and returning home in the dark, it's easy to feel like a mole, never seeing daylight - especially after the clocks going back on Sunday. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/227/227082_making_light_work_of_it.html?rss=yes IF you're a cushion hugger and love all things tactile, autumn is definitely your season. It may seem inexplicable to those who perpetually mourn the passing of summer, but home hibernators love the chill in the air, darker nights and relish being able to retreat indoors. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/226/226465_its_time_to_be_all_cosy.html?rss=yes THERE'S nothing subtle about the decorating trends around at the moment. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/s/209/209956_be_bold_and_bring_about_real_change.html?rss=yes IF you're currently experiencing blurred vision, confusion and fatigue, you'll be relieved to know you're not an early victim of bird flu - you're probably suffering from a seasonal affliction called Decorating Dismay. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/207/207227_decorating_without_drama.html?rss=yes There's something really rustic and simple about wooden floors that many homeowners really love and the fact that they are durable and low maintenance are real 'selling points' too. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/s/206/206954_get_into_the_groove_with_wooden_floor_boards.html?rss=yes Think rich, dark and handsome - no, calm down, not George Clooney - it's the new trend for kitchens. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/206/206385_kitchen_charisma.html?rss=yes THE minimalist look is all very well, but most of us find it difficult, if not downright impossible, to maintain the `less is more' look. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/205/205581_best_dressers.html?rss=yes DEVELOPER Simon Flame has a clear idea about the sort of person who would shell out more than £2m for a feature-packed barn conversion and adjoining "mini me" cottage in five acres of Cheshire countryside. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/s/201/201380_property_developer_sets_his_sights_high.html?rss=yes Black homeware is definitely a strong new spring trend so there are quite a few shops stocking products at the moment. However, moderation is the key to success unless you want to give your home a raunchy boudoir look. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/201/201045_black_is_back_home.html?rss=yes A CHRISTMAS table is the focal point of the festive celebrations and it should sparkle so it adds to the pleasure of the food and the company. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/190/190468_christmas_tables_that_are_dressed_to_thrill.html?rss=yes NOT an obvious gift but something more practical for a new year clear-out! http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/189/189593_bags_of_good_ideas_for_gifts.html?rss=yes If you've landed yourself with a headache by inviting friends and family to stay without having the beds to accommodate them here's the solution. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/189/189585_a_new_bed__in_just_3_minutes.html?rss=yes TAKE a trip round the bookstores at this time of year and you will find all sorts of publications dedicated to the beautification, restoration or simply day to day maintenance of your home. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/189/189573_diy_bibles_that_stand_test_of_time.html?rss=yes When hosting a party at home, lighting is of the utmost importance for creating the right ambience. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/189/189391_let_there_be_light.html?rss=yes Stuart Westwell may only be 22 but already this innovative young furniture designer from Bolton is attracting a lot of attention. Pieces he made for the "100% Design" show at Earl's Court last September were spotted by Kevin McCloud and included in the Grand Designs man's latest venture, Place - an on-line collection of home items by some of Britain's best new designers. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/181/181163_stuarts_got_grand_designs.html?rss=yes Fashion rules in homes as well as on the catwalk and it's time to make sure your rooms don't look sadly out of date. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/180/180921_bringing_glamour_indoors.html?rss=yes Toys for the boys play an increasingly important part in today's high tech homes. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/179/179516_house_toys_for_the_boys.html?rss=yes Making a home cosy for winter is one of the more appealing rituals of the year, partly because it's easy to do and most importantly because it's a great excuse for a mini-shopping spree. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/178/178175_nesting_instinct.html?rss=yes Wall tiles make for an attractive and practical addition to any bathroom or kitchen. But while they may look great when they first go up, after a few years of active service they can end up looking tired and worn. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/177/177452_tired_tiles.html?rss=yes You just have to visit local parks to know that autumn has arrived, as the leaves turn shades of orange and red and bright berries appear on the trees. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/177/177422_turning_japanese.html?rss=yes Be ashamed if your walls aren't talking to you - it could mean they're speechless with boredom because they've been given only a predictable coat of paint or hung with dull wallpaper. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/177/177287_wake_up_walls.html?rss=yes AT FIRST sight, the current fashion for picking up other people's old furniture, fabrics and bric-a-brac at markets and using them to decorate your rooms is, frankly, fraught with danger. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/176/176676_trash_to_treasure.html?rss=yes As probably the biggest interiors store in the north west, Housing Units of Hollinwood is hardly a hidden secret. But if you've not been to the sprawling site just off the M60 for a while you may be surprised not just by the sheer scale of the place but also by the stock. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/175/175855_family_firm_with_style_all_under_one_roof.html?rss=yes A SHRINE to this new era of luxurious interiors is about to open in Manchester. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/174/174950_breck_backs_a_life_of_luxury.html?rss=yes JOHN Lewis has gone all lush this winter. The retailer has built up a reputation for providing a sophisticated mix of furniture and furnishings for every room in the house and now has a base at the Trafford Centre as well as at Handforth Dean. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/174/174959_glam_it_up_for_the_winter.html?rss=yes NOWADAYS you can pick up a new look for the living room at the same time as stocking up on cereal and baked beans. However, this supermarket sweep attitude to style can lead to a hotchpotch of looks. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/174/174958_stores_show_off_in_style.html?rss=yes ONE north west design company is proving that the Lancashire mills can still produce some of the best fabrics in the world. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/159/159115_luxury_on_a_roll.html?rss=yes ACCORDINGto research, children today get at least one hour's less sleep a night than kids a decade ago and two hours' less than their parents. Which is not surprising when some of their rooms now often resemble mini-entertainment centres rather than places to wind down and sleep. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/157/157256_sleep_in_beauty.html?rss=yes ONCEupon a time having a bar at home meant you were a Del Boy or a posing Noel Coward look-alike. Look again, because bars are back and their hungover, stale 70s image is a thing of the past. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/156/156618_home_bars_are_back.html?rss=yes IN the fiercely-competitive homeware market, famous names alone just aren't enough to sell cookware and crockery. It's got to look good but more important it has to do its job well at a good price. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/152/152236_star_names_battle_it_out_in_homeware_wars.html?rss=yes THERE'S something in the air as designers take inspiration from nature this spring and bring the birds, bees and butterflies into your rooms. They're fluttering onto everything from wallpapers and fabrics to china and accessories. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homesearch/latest/shopping/s/151/151402_its_back_to_nature.html?rss=yes CURTAINS just don't cut it in slick city apartments and if you want a swift update for your semi switch to blinds. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/147/147961_is_it_curtains_for_curtains.html?rss=yes TEENAGERS' rooms can be as black and unpleasant as their moods. But there's no need to retreat until they start packing their bags for university - instead you could help them create a sanctuary they are proud of. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/146/146433_create_a_teenagers_sanctuary.html?rss=yes WHAT'Shappened to art? Suddenly Rolf Harris is the hottest thing on e-Bay and cheap and cheerful prints just won't cut it any more. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/145/145653_time_to_be_original.html?rss=yes DIGITAL techniques have transformed the image industry. Everything from huge canvases to wallpaper, furniture and fabric can be produced at the click of a mouse. - http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/145/145654_youre_my_wonderwall.html?rss=yes GALLERIES should have price lists on display - if not, ask to see one. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/145/145645_top_tips_when_buying_art.html?rss=yes TIMEwas that if you wanted a fire you didn't have much choice. Without the luxury of an open chimney you were faced with gas fires that hissed and roared or the unattractive glow of orange and black plastic from an electric fire. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/145/145644_cuddle_up_to_a_new_flame.html?rss=yes IF you have half an interest in design, or want to see what may appear in the high street shops in the future, you can see the work of the five finalists in the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/144/144882_weird_and_wonderful_furniture.html?rss=yes IF there's one special place in the house where we can retreat, unwind and indulge it must be the bathroom. Here are some ideas for making the space soothing as well as functional. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/144/144237_make_a_splash.html?rss=yes FORGET laundry rooms or wet rooms, the new trendy must-have is the home cinema. Maybe it's the long dark evenings or possibly the January sales but suddenly everyone wants plasma screens, surround sound and a TV the size of a blackboard. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/143/143330_find_your_perfect_picture.html?rss=yes WE all long for homes with plenty of space, but an influx of visitors over the holiday may have highlighted the fact that your rooms aren't large enough for you and your family. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/142/142564_make_a_smart_conversion.html?rss=yes IT'Seasy to be baffled by lights and the choice today is dazzling. Faced with downlighters, uplighters, spotlights and fibre optic lights, you can be so blinded by technology you have to retire to a darkened room. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/136/136354_let_there_be_light.html?rss=yes SPARE beds can be beautiful and practical if saving space is a priority - especially with the Christmas season approaching. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/134/134397_sofabulous.html?rss=yes TV presenter Kevin McCloud spends long periods away from his own dream house filming Channel 4's hugely successful series Grand Designs, where people create their dream homes. But he's found time to embark onhis latest project -a homeware range for Debenhams. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/129/129779_grand_designs_at_home_and_abroad.html?rss=yes THE seaside and costal look iscurrently very fashionableand stores and mail order companies are awash with sunbleached and deckchair-striped fabrics, as well as plenty of accessories from yachts to shell lights. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/126/126854_seaside_chic.html?rss=yes THERE'S something special about summer entertaining. In fact, for those al fresco meals on sultry summer evenings you need different, lighter tableeffects and pretty touches.There's an array of dinnerware to choose from whether you want ultra-cheap picnic ware or designer chic china. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/124/124751_eating_outside__the_best_tablewear_buys.html?rss=yes WOULDN'T you like to wave a magic wand over your home and create a fabulous designer look without breaking the bank? All you need is cheap chic. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/124/124719_chic_and_cheerful.html?rss=yes YOU don't really expect to find some of the sleekest modern furniture around under the railway arches in Salford. But that's where Stephen Johnson has set up shop, selling pieces he has designed himself out of glass, steel, Corian and marble. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/shopping/s/123/123882_ice_and_easy_does_it_.html?rss=yes THE sun has come out and suddenly you need somewhere to sit and soak it up. But don't panic if the sight of your patio or terrace doesn't make you smile. While it may be fashionable to talk of this area as an `outdoor room' - which in theory should be as stylish as indoor rooms - the reality is most of us ignore it until the weather clears. http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/homes/latest/s/116/116902_room_for_improvement_.html?rss=yes