A is For Arches

Has anyone else noticed how many arch and hoop shapes are around at the moment? Instagram is full of them, from furniture to wallpaper to paint effects and accessories. Apart from wonderful arched windows in historic houses - wouldn't you just love those? arches inside are a fabulous design feature and frame a 'view through' to another area. Mind you, there were some monstrosities put in in the 70's, I had a wooden framed one between the (peach) living and (mint) dining room in my 1930's house that was squared off tout suite I can tell you, just as well as the bedroom would have fallen through the ceiling eventually. Anyway, I have found a few examples of some lovely arch shapes trending at the moment, I hope you like them.

A modern arch sets the scene for this stylish home office allowing plenty of natural light into the room and creating a focal point for the amazing furniture and funky rug. Jonathan Adler creates some fantastic pieces, these chairs with their rounded tops remind me of knitting needles and note the bobble glass lampbase and dome lampshade, which is echoed in the shape of the bookends.

And this is what I meant by a view through, it frames the console table and leads you into the hall, especially when the arch is painted in black like this, from the dark into the light, which makes the traditional-style wallpaper really stand out. It's been teamed with a modern table with an upturned arch as a base, referencing the arch shape, a funky, contemporary wall light - the Peggy and Tochi from Holloways of Ludlow are similar - and a timeless, Moroccan-style rug - a great combination.

Lamp Black and Tuscan Red Intelligent Satinwood, £73.50 for 2.5 ltrs, Brook St Etruscan Red wallpaper, £87 a roll, all Little Greene

Arches are everywhere on wallpaper too, like this classic style, Fornasetti Senza Tempo Procuratie Con Vista wallpaper, £180 a roll from Cole & Son, don't you just love the cloud background and cheeky monkeys?

Or for something more colourful, this Arcade wallpaper £105 a roll from Farrow & Ball below, which has a 1930's vibe. Love the hit of mustard in the chairs.

Or this one Moordale Design, £50 a roll from Mini Moderns that looks like rolling hills.

Or use paint to create an arched faux headboard design like this one from Annie Sloan. The colours are: Walls: Old Ochre, Honfleur (dark), Scandinavian Pink with a hoop of Aubusson Blue all Chalk Paint. The little side table is round too, to continue the theme.

Arched club chairs like these are so 1930's, such a glamorous look, and on a stunning metal base. A round light with a frame is enhanced by the circle on the wall, easy to do with some mdf.

Springsteen chairs in Dusty Rose velvet, £3872, Dorothy Pendant, £1573, all Arteriors

This Ankhara sideboard is from the new AW collection from Made.com rocking the hoop shape and on-trend cane too. Its part of a range including a wardrobe and a console table.

Cane gets in on the act with this tall cabinet with an arched design, £695, the Bardot range from Rose & Grey

Cane headboards are so on-trend right now, and in domed shapes too, so retro. This one is the Tio from La Redoute

Or bring in the shape with accessories, like this Harlequin capsule shaped mirror, £1250 sitting alongside the

Channing 6 drawer chest and Rider bench from Jonathan Adler

Or lovely podiums, tables, vases and hooped candles like these ones from Broste, Rillo table, £195, Rillo podiums from £185, Ursula flower pots £25 and £58, Hector vase, £13.50, Harald vase, £69, Bend candles, £30.