The Latest Breaking News from Lara Clarke

Belfast Zoo welcomes three ‘playful’ young lion brothers

Belfast Zoo is hoping to hold the lions until full maturity, which is four-and-a-half to five years old

The Independent UK · Jul 22

Interior experts say this overused style trick from the 90’s and early 2000’s could be making your bedroom look dated – here’s how to bring it into 2026

Make your bedroom look bigger, without losing style points

Ideal Home · Jul 8

Why everyone is going for pops of butter yellow in their homes this season

Yellow might be a tricky colour to wear clothing-wise, but when it comes to homewares and interiors, you can’t go wrong with buttery hues.

The Independent UK · Jul 2

This is the flooring trend design experts say you *need* in your bedroom in 2026 – it's all about 'texture-maxxing'

Indulgent and cocooning, it's one of this year's hottest micro-trends

Ideal Home · Feb 15

5 Colors You Should Never, Ever Paint Your Kitchen — And the Ways Interior Designers 'Solve' Troublesome Shades

When it comes to the colors you should never use in the kitchen, the experts had some pretty strong opinions — and some of them might surprise you

Livingetc · Feb 4

I asked 5 interior designers if bedroom cushions and curtains should match – they all shared the same *very* strong opinion

This is what *not* to do when mixing and matching bedroom fabrics

Ideal Home · Jan 31

4 simple styling tricks to put a stamp on your space

From ambient lighting to shelving and rug rules, pro tips to enhance your decor. By Sam Wylie-Harris.

The Independent UK · Jan 27

These Are the Biggest 6 Rug Trends to Know in 2026 — From Tufted Textures to Graphic Prints and Solid Hues

Don’t overlook the decorative power of your floors; the latest rug trends prove they can be a design highlight as well as a functional foundation

Livingetc · Jan 25

7 Curtain Trends That Interior Designers Are Choosing for 2026 — The Looks, Colors, and Finishes to Elevate Your Windows Furnishings This Year

From statement drapery to light-maximizing solutions, designers share the curtain trends that will make your windows 'wow'

Livingetc · Jan 21

I Asked 11 Interior Designers: 'How Do You Style a Coffee Table?' These Are Their Top Tips for an Elegant and Characterful Display

Coffee tables are often the anchor of a living room, so it's important to get the styling right; to help you do just that, this is how to style a coffee table the way an interior designer would

Livingetc · Dec 24, 2025