You will need:

Lever arch file

Sticky backed plastic available from ebay

Gold spray paint

Ruler, pen and scissors or rotary mat, scalpel and safety ruler.

Soft cloth

Here’s the instructions for covering a whole folder in sticky back plastic:

1. Lay the sticky backed plastic reverse side up and place the file opened out on it and position in line with the grid already marked for you. Cut the plastic to size, but  allowing enough excess to turn over the edges.

2. Mark a line on the plastic at each corner of the file, 45 degrees to the file edge.

3. Cut along the lines you just marked on each of the four corners.

4. Mark and cut 2 small notches from top and 2 small notches from the bottom of file where the file folds.

5. Peel away one edge of the protective backing, but don’t start sticking yet, just mark where the edge of the folder should sit, so that when you are ready to start, you know where to line it up correctly.

6. Lay the file out flat on the reverse of the plastic and starting at one end carefully peel away the protective backing from the plastic folding the inside flap in.

7. Make sure it is positioned correctly and then smooth over with the cloth to get rid of air bubbles. Continue in this way a small section at a time over the front of the file, smoothing out air bubbles and making sure the plastic adheres to the file.

8. Turn the file over and lay flat so that you can carefully fold the flaps in and smooth them down.

The instructions for the folder with marble front and back, and gold spine are very similar:

1. Spray the spine of the file gold (preferably outside and making sure you have a good sized sheet or cardboard laid down first) with several light coats of spray paint so it doesn’t run or clog. Allow time between each coat for the paint to dry.

2.Lay the file down on the reverse side of the plastic so you can mark the shape. Cut along the edge that will butt up to the spin and again cut the corners at right angles for tuning in.

3. Start at the edge of the spine and remove the backing making sure you have it positioned in a straight line along the spin and smooth over with the cloth to remove air bubbles.   Carefully remove all the backing whilst smoothing out the plastic and then turn in the flaps and smooth them down.

4. Repeat for the other side of the file.

And for the gold version of the lever arch file just spray all over in even thin coats allowing the paint to dry in between until you are happy with the coverage. The jam jar has been sprayed in the same way and then a strip of marble sticky backed plastic cut to fit the centre of the jar. Choose a jar that has straight side so that the plastic doesn’t have to be shaped to fit.

What a glamorous collection of lever arch files and who would have thought it would be so simple or so cheap to do?   Combined with the gold and marble pen pot they make even the simplest office shelf or desk into a thing of beauty.

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui & Amelia Brooks

Carrara Polished Marble laid in herringbone- £76.80 per sqm. Black Emperador Honed Marble flooring- £95.98 per sqm.

I love this kitchen so much – the colours, the simplicity, the mix of materials, and the fabulous way the tiles have been laid to achieve the zigzag edge. Definitely something to think about here! The tiles are simple, the colour neutral, but the edge gives it a vibrancy that doesn’t date – always a worry with patterned tiles.

Vintage Décor White/Blue hexagon– £42.00 per sqm. Bluestone Stellar Basin– £118.80 each.

Country rustic at its best with these gorgeous patchwork effect tiles, perfect for a cloakroom, and don’t you just love the shape?

Delicato Mer Decorative & Glazed– £119.70 per sqm

Deliciously delicate floral and geometric patterns for a more vintage vibe. There are nine designs in a set to give a patchwork effect of almost lace like quality and eight soft muted shades to choose from. Again, a patchwork effect. I’m obviously drawn to patchwork.

So many choices it’s quite mind boggling really. You need to have some idea of the look you are after and that’s my problem, I like lots of different styles, but tiles are a big investment – you can’t change them easily like a fresh coat of paint, so leave yourself plenty of time to research the options. Wish I had taken my own advice!

Jacqui x

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Images from Mandarin Stone

Real Deal

Kitchen designed by Elizabeth Roberts

If you really want to splash out this has to be the ultimate in marble envy for lesser mortals – a sink, worktop and splash back in…..marble.   En masse it can be quite cold but the addition of a wooden shelf helps to soften the look but I would prefer brass taps to add even more warmth.

Ideal

A beautifully simple marble and brass side table to bring urban glamour into your life. The simplicity of the round marble top is enhanced and warmed by the addition of brass spoked legs which give it a timeless appearance suited to any décor. For me marble always needs softening, either by colour or texture, to counteract its hard lines and a pink velvet chair is the perfect way to do this this, as it enhances the clean lines of the table and adds warmth.

Steal

And now the easy, and cheap way, to bring the trend into your décor – accessories. With increased technology marble effects can be applied to any surface realistically and cheaply. A melamine marble effect tray, not only for carrying your cuppa to the armchair but to use for styling vignettes. We love this tray for its simplicity and practicality.

Here’s my top 6 picks of how to get the look with accessories and furniture:

Shop marble home accessories and furniture >>

Jacqui x

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Photography: Amelia Brooks/ Styling: Jacqui and Amelia Brooks