Home Help: 21 September

Looking for Victorian tiles, bright velvets for chairs, and a pretty dog bed? Hugh St Clair has all the answers

Q I'd like to cover an old armchair in brightly coloured velvet, but most velvet is for curtains and too pricey. Please point me in the right direction. PS, Kent

A Bell House Fabrics supplies cotton, silk and linen velvet in bright colours from companies such as Northcroft Fabrics (1).

Bell House Fabrics, High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3DN: 01580-712555, www.bellhousefabrics.co.uk

Q I am going to stay with my friend, who has just got a puppy, and I thought it would be nice to take a present for her new dog. My local pet shop only has leads and bones – not any pretty doggy accessories. Can you suggest where I could find a pretty dog bed or bowl? TC, via email

A Look on the website or visit Mungo & Maud, a shop that sells smart and subtle dog and cat accessories (main picture and 3), in tonal colours.

Mungo & Maud Dog & Cat Fitters, 9 Elizabeth Street, London SW1: 020-7022 1207, www.mungoandmaud.com

Q We have bought a lovely late-Victorian terraced house, but sadly the tiles that originally lined the path from the gate to the front door have been covered in concrete. Do they still make the tiles the Victorians used? I would like to restore our entrance to the way it looked 130 years ago. JS, via email

A Maw & Company has produced ceramic wall and floor tiles since 1850, supplying some of London's most famous Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Today the company is involved in the restoration of floor tiles, resupplying many of its original customers, together with the faithful replication of tiles produced during the Victorian era by other leading tile makers of the time, such as Minton and Campbell & Malkin.

Maw & Co, PO Box 3237, Stoke on Trent ST7 9DW: 01782- 777420, www.mawandco.com

Q I went to our local shopping mall looking for posters for my granddaughter's room, but all I could find was semi-clad girls, rather rude slogans or young men who I imagine are the latest pop stars. My granddaughter is only four years old, and I was looking for something pretty and innocent. Can you suggest where I might go? LM, Devon

A The places you used to find posters, WHSmith or Athena, have drastically reduced their choice. I am afraid you will have to order from the internet or by telephone. Easy Art (4) is a website with a huge choice of adorable images for little girls of animals and butterflies. For unique artwork, look at the website of Supafrank and its Creature Collective posters.

Easy Art: 0845-166 2732, www.easyart.com or Supafrank: www.supafrank.com

Email your design enquiries to Hugh St Clair at homehelp@lady.co.uk