Flying the flag's not just for the patriotic, it's a style statement for homes too. Check out the red, white and blue emblem making an impact in our rooms.
By Gabrielle Fagan
Nothing is more in vogue this Autumn than a British flag themed interior.
This trend has jumped off the catwalk into our homes, with fashion designers such as Lulu Guinness using the Union Jack in their designs.
Nostalgic and perfectly in tune with our current love of retro-chic, the shops are filled with a patriotic array of items, from furniture emblazoned with the flag to eye-catching lamps and cushions.
"Not since the days of Brit Pop in the early Nineties have we seen the flag used as such a huge style icon," says Claire Hornby, creative stylist at store group, Barker and Stonehouse.
"UK interiors have seen a very patriotic trend coming through recently and it will definitely continue into next year."
Just to underline the Union Jack's symbolic value, the only surviving flag which flew at the Battle of Trafalgar is expected to see bids exceeding £15,000 when it is auctioned on Trafalgar Day, October 21.
Flying the flag in your own rooms should be a slightly less expensive exercise. But remember that less is more, to prevent that tourist souvenir stall look.
Claire's advice is to simply mix red, white and blue pieces - you don't need to fill your home with items embellished with flags!
"Make an impact by keeping the walls and furnishings plain. White walls, neutral flooring and then add a 'not to be ignored' patriotic statement. Choose a sofa or chair embellished with a flag or perhaps make a feature of a few well-chosen red, white and blue flag accessories," she says.
Further retro-style pieces of glossy Perspex or metal, such as a vivid red filing cabinet or contemporary lacquered white drawers, would enhance the effect.
Traditionalists may shudder at the flag's new incarnation but the variety and quality of the homeware currently flying off the shelves shows that the flag's iconic design can be successfully turned on its head and retain its cool status.
We've sourced everything you need to create a 'Best of British' room.
:: Flag facts
The British flag (the Union Jack) incorporates the national symbols of three distinct countries: England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Those symbols are the St George's Cross - the flag of England, St Andrew's Cross - the flag of Scotland and St Patrick's Cross - the flag of Ireland. All are named after the patron saint of each country.
The Welsh flag, with the dragon, was not incorporated into the Union flag because Wales had already been united to England when the first version of the Union flag was designed in 1606.
The flag's use at sea probably resulted in the word 'Jack' being added to the name Union flag, because it was usually flown at the bow end of the ship, from the jack staff.
The name Union Jack became official when it was approved in Parliament in 1908.
:: Flag up the style
If you're confident that your enthusiasm for the look won't wane it's fine to paint walls in red, white or blue!
Cool Britannia pieces can also look striking set against shades such as muted silvers, as well as neon pinks through to brick reds.
But a safer bet might be offsetting white walls with a contrasting wall of royal blue, suggests Claire Hornby.
"It's not a colour often used in decorating but blue is coming through strongly this season so it's dark shades can be used with confidence."
For a less permanent celebration of the style hang a Union Jack wall canvas, or a beautiful hand made rug such as one from The Rug Company which has the classic, Union Flag or a more muted version by fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.
For versatility and instant 'wow' effect my choice would be a Union Jack blanket throw which could also be used as a wall hanging or bedspread. It's £212.50 from Graham & Green.
Alternatively, dress a window with a bespoke Union Jack blind, £143.50 from Web-blinds.com. Choose your own flag design and get them to make it up for you.
Budget buy: Debenhams Union Jack range includes a flag printed canvas, £45, and a rug, £100.
:: Fly the flag
"The Union Jack flag has become more popular in the home as the maximalism trend has taken over," says designer Joanna Wood.
"As we've moved away from plain and neutral interiors, the patriotism and 'mod' style has grown even more and decorative pieces of furniture reign supreme."
So if you've got a severe case of Autumn flag fervour, and the budget to back your desires, there are plenty of stunning statement pieces to choose from.
An aptly-named Hope and Glory sofa - a buttoned Chesterfield - looks as though it's been draped in the flag as its vintage-style upholstery bears the complete design.
You could bag a bargain on this as it's £1,595 at Barker & Stonehouse until November 15, after which it increases to £3,195. A matching armchair, £969 and footstool, £815 are available.
Connoisseurs of interior fashion know that the trademark of interior specialists Andrew Martin is skilfully incorporating iconic designs into furniture and accessories.
Their pod chair, £3,295 which is reminiscent of the Sixties, has an upholstered interior and wooden back emblazoned with the flag and is definitely an investment piece.
But if you're looking for a talking point value, it's hard to beat a personalised throne dressed in glossy red paint, silver metallic spray with a Union Jack flag seat, from online company, notonthehighstreet.com.
Called the Urban Jack Throne, these revamped antique and vintage chairs, £500 are fab, as are their vintage Union Jack lampshades, £200.
Budget buy: HomeSense, where the style-savvy now shop for designer and on-trend homeware at a fraction of high street prices, has a Louis Union-Jack distressed-style cabinet, £129.99.
:: Flirt with the flag
"Everyone loves a bit of Cool Britannia in the home," Victoria Wright, spokesperson for HomeSense, "but it's a bold theme, and one that not everyone has the confidence to carry off."
Instead, she suggests, integrating a few Union Jack print items into a room.
"Group a Union Jack print cushion on a sofa with other cushions in block blues and reds and perhaps a white cashmere throw," she says.
"Or create a feature corner with perhaps a retro dial telephone, Union Jack picture frames, all displayed on a cabinet draped with a Union Jack flag."
Luckily, there is an abundance of flag cushions to choose from.
Debenhams has a large cushion £50, small £30 and tasteful Union Jack mugs £4 each. Next, John Lewis, and Graham & Green have also picked up on the style.
But if a cushion's too predictable other details might appeal.
Aspen & Brown, an online company, has pretty offerings including a fabric-covered Union Jack pinboard, £26.95, wooden flag bunting, £21.95, and a doorstop, £16.95.
Budget buy: John Lewis Hampton Crest cushion, £29 has a stately home heirloom look with a gold crest on a Union Jack background.
:: Flag without flash
If you want to join the Union gang but all that colour is too garish for your decor-taste, then opt for a more subtle interpretation.
For instance, a linen and velour cushion in greys and creams by De La Cuona echoes the design and is £110 from Occa-Home.
Or try a leather button-back Rebel Sofa Union Jack from £3,495, with the flag in cream, brown and black imprinted on the back from Andrew Martin.
Budget buy: Linda Barker's Cool Britannia range has an easy-on-the-eye folksy feel.
She's used dusky pinks, washed-out blues and white for a flag-decorated cushion, £24.50, matching throw, £57 and rug, £79.95.
:: Flag destinations
Aspen & Brown: 0800 033 6116/www.aspenandbrown.com
Linda Barker: 0870 242 0651/www.reallylindabarker.co.uk
Barker & Stonehouse: 01642 230 988/www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk
Debenhams: 08445 616161/www.debenhams.com
Graham & Green: 0845 130 6622/www.grahamandgreen.co.uk
HomeSense: www.myhomesense.com
John Lewis: 0845 6049 049/www.johnlewis.com
Andrew Martin: 0207 2255 100/www.andrewmartin.co.uk
Next: 0844 844 8000/www.next.co.uk
Not On The High Street: 0845 259 1359/www.notonthehighstreet.com
Occa-Home: 0844 879 4258/www.occa-home.co.uk
The Rug Company: 020 7229 5148/www.therugcompany.info
Web Blinds: 0845 604 9611/www.web-blinds.com
Joanna Wood: 020 7730 0693/www.joannatrading.co.uk
Upcoming:
Oct 22: INTERIORS Halloween: Halloween may be scary but its style is distinctly gothic-chic. Conjure a spook-tacular style using fashionable black and hints of silver, you'll have a room that's a definite treat and will be the envy of visiting spirits!
Oct 29: INTERIORS Books: Books can transform a room, but the last thing you want is them cluttering the space especially if an influx of Xmas visitors is looming. We check out the best ways to display and store books.
