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The Forbes dynasty, of the informative Forbes Magazine fame, has decided to put much of their exquisite art collection and antique furniture from their Old Battersea House, on auction. The auction, taking place in Edinburgh on 01 November 2011, features an art collection from various period artists such as: Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846) who painted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; Walter Grieves (1846-1930); and Ramsay Richard Reinagle (1775-1862), amongst many others famously talented artisans.

The Old Battersea House built in 1699 has seen many owners and tenants, but none as famous as the art collecting Forbes family. The property for rent in Battersea was taken on a 99-year lease by Malcolm Forbes who saw the potential in the rundown home and its prime location along the riverside. The house, littered with the Forbes private art collection, also features furniture dating back to the early 1700’s such as a pair of George II Irish Mahogany side chairs, and art pieces such as an early 18^th century style cream-painted and parcel-gilt pier table, amongst much other traditionally antique furniture.

The difference between an ordinary plebian bed and an exceptional bed that could grace the covers of home décor magazines is simply how you accessorise it. Think of it like art: your bed is the blank canvas and the fabrics, bed linen and headboards are your pallet of paints. Fabric beds give you the advantage of already supplying you with a colour theme for your linen and accessories and they also add a touch of class and comfort to your bedroom

Choose two colours

Children’s upholstered beds are usually more colourful and ‘funky’, so you can run with the colours on the bed frame to create a cosy and fun atmosphere in your children’s bedroom. Adult fabric beds tend to be offered in a range of muted colours, so you really need to add your own stamp to your fabric bed by accessorising. As a rule of thumb for an adult bedroom, choose two colours and stick with those, any other variety you add should come in the form of patterns and textures.

If you use the right furniture, your patio can become a useful extension of your home in summer and your deck building activities would not have gone to waste. Like any room in your home, your deck has the potential to evoke an atmosphere if you decorate it properly. An oriental theme fits in well outdoors because it is understated and naturalistic and can be accompanied by an oriental rock garden or fountain. You can undertake the Asian design yourself by stenciling flower and bird patterns on existing painted furniture and adding bold reds and blues and silk scatter cushions to your deck furniture. Outdoor Chinese paper lanterns, for instance, are inexpensive and an essential touch for oriental themes and outdoor parties. However, if you decide to go the whole hog, you can buy customised deck furniture with an oriental theme. We’ve chosen some of our favourites which are all available to buy online.