Provencal terrace pretty in pink

CREATE YOUR very own style Provencal by adopting the warm pink paintscape in this French terrace to suit the cooler Irish environment.

The colour featured is like many souvenirs, great in situ but like Dustin's recent Eurovision excursion - lost in translation. The pink is just too hot in tone for us Paddy paleskins.

Dulux's Weathershield Smooth Masonry paint comes in a couple of sand tones that will work better with the Irish outdoors. Try Warm Clay, Cameo or Moroccan Earth for a similarly warm effect and use on south-facing aspects only.

The tiered decking helps build texture as does the addition of classical style pillars and arches to create spaces within spaces.

Wrought iron tables are as Provencal as lavender. Formality (01-280 8071) in Glasthule, Dublin, has a table range in patinated green which, when teamed with its 1900 armchairs, will have you rolling your Rs in no time.

And the Plaster Moulding Company (01-868 5000) has an array of Romanesque moulds to help you add the historical touches.