[author]

Updated: 11:51 EST, 7 May 2008

Relax and unwind

After six months of making big decisions and talking dimensions, paint and flooring, we are now safely installed in our wonderful house. There were a few teething problems, such as boiling water coming out of the filtered drinking-water tap

and, worse still, the bidet! But now my focus can move on to the more whimsical, indulgent side of renovating: soft furnishings.

Whether you're a minimalist or a clutter-lover, it's the decorative touches - a lampshade made with a much-loved piece of vintage fabric, a worn-in rug, lots

of old one-eyed cuddly toys - which will instantly liven up the hotel-like blandness of a newly decorated house and turn it into a home. And the beauty is, it's almost impossible to make a mistake, as something that isn't quite perfect will often add charm. My house is full of these touches, in particular my cushions - a mish-mash of adored presents, memories, can't-live-without vintage fabrics and the odd hasty decision. Nothing quite works, and yet it all does - at least, I hope so!

The vintage cushions are my favourite - the vast majority of which have come from Cath Kidston - and they tick lots of eco boxes, too. Why buy new fabrics when you can reuse wonderful old ones? Cath Kidston does a variety of one-offs that include brightly coloured tickings, French florals and retro cartoon prints (tel: 0845 026 2440, cathkidston.co.uk).

You can also order customised versions. Tobias and the Angel in Barnes, Southwest London, is a great source of vintage fabrics, and will make cushions to any specification (tel: 020 8878 8902, tobiasandtheangel.com). And wherever you live, car-boot sales are rich hunting grounds. Be sure to pick a feather filling rather than a fibre one, though, as these are natural and will break down rapidly in a landfill site.

Other favourite cushions of mine include ones that commemorate special occasions, such as a wedding or a birthday. The Monogrammed Linen Shop in London offers an embroidery service that will replicate your child's drawing on a cotton cushion (tel: 020 7589 4033, monogrammedlinenshop.com).

To make something that is particularly personal, why not use a piece of old clothing? Pieces of You (tel: 020 8567 9692, piecesofyou.co.uk) makes cushions using cherished or worn clothes; you can either choose a design from their ready-made collection or commission something special.

If the chaos of random nostalgic cushions is not your style, then Harland's Organic Furnishings (tel: 07984 635726, organic-furnishings.co.uk) has a selection of beautiful cushions made using the finest organic textiles and handmade silk-screened, non-toxic prints, which will give a chic designer look to any space.

Me? I'm just glad to have my own sofa on which to relax again - and the occasional five minutes to rest my head on my much-loved cushion collection.

• Francine Raymond's the Kitchen Garden shop - which specialises in all things for chickens - also stocks a selection of Jo Guinness's soft, large, wool-covered cushions. I particularly love the chicken design. Tel: 01359 268322, kitchen-garden-hens.co.uk
• Twice uses pretty vintage floral fabrics to make covered notebooks, hangers and aprons, as well as cushions. Tel: 01738 860066, thetwiceshop.co.uk
• Slogan pillows have earned themselves a bad name with their tired clichŽs, but there are some that will still bring a smile to your face - or you can have one made to your specifications. Try Original Tailor Made Cushions, tel: 01403 790264, cushions.org.uk
• Fine Cell Work is a charity that produces embroidered cushions. They are stitched by prisoners, who often find creating the cushions calming and therapeutic - as well as a valuable source of extra income. You can have your own design made into a cushion. It also offers a tapestry-finishing service, which is great for anyone who has a craft bag full of UFOs (that's unfinished objects!).
• Tel: 020 7931 9998, finecellwork.co.uk
• carbootsrus.com lists more than 1,000 car-boot sale locations across the UK. Also try wholesalepages.co.uk for listings

Illustration Jose Luis Merino