Billiards Room

Got an interior design dilemma? Nick Lee takes your questions to Cambridgeshire’s leading interiors specialists

lighting for landscapes garden fountain lit at night.

Hi, I would like your opinion on the pros and cons of upholstering an ageing but rather special sofa or buying a new one. Betty, Burwell

I’m afraid this is going to be a decision that only you can make. It might be quicker to buy new and would allow you to go for a completely different style, but if you have a real attachment to your sofa and the only thing letting it down is the fading or torn fabric, reupholstering could reap five or ten years more use out of it and save a few carbon emissions by not buying new and recycling instead. Talk to a local upholsterer such as www.sproctor.co.uk

Who should I speak to regarding my Victorian terrace’s lower ground floor which has a ceiling height of 5ft and has so far only been used for storage. I feel it is crying out to be used but because of the height restrictions I am at a loss as to who to turn to and what to do with it. Edward, Newnham

Golden retriever dog with ginger tabby cat resting on sofa

To unleash your basement’s full potential you really need to speak to an architect who has basement excavation experience. If you can afford the cost and inconvenience for a few months the rewards will mean you can enjoy a whole new room and when you come to sell you could reap the financial rewards too. Visit localarchitectsdirect.co.uk for details of experts in your area.

I have a small garden which I am rather proud of and I would like to add some lighting. Would solar lights keep it lit throughout the winter? Robert, Cambridge

Low levels of sunlight in the winter mean that solar lighting will probably not light your garden very well or for very long. The latest LED lights use little electricity and last thousands of hours. A set of 10 to 12 LEDS’s could be used to highlight key points of interest and can be spiked or recessed. Try City Electrical (Mercers Row, Newmarket Road, CB5 8HY, 01223 354206) which has a small lighting showroom, or for real impact ask a designer at lightingforlandscapes.co.uk