Home decorating, interior design ideas, garden design - Homes and Gardens

Since it was voted the first-ever winner of the Retailer of the Year Award last year, Laura Ashley hasn't rested on its laurels. New additions to the collections demonstrate that, far from standing still, CEO Lilian Tan and her team are continuing to develop their ranges with a host of new design-led items, including furniture and accessories that are perfectly in tune with today's fashions. You only need to look at recently introduced pieces of upholstered furniture, such as the Eaton and Carrington sofas, Kempton chaise longue and Hampstead armchair, to realise that Laura Ashley is setting trends rather than following them.

Across the company, from wallpapers and fabrics to new living room furniture, the choice of products is constantly renewed and refreshed. In addition to excellent levels of service (the company offers an array of bespoke options giving consumers an amazing breadth of choice) and an impressive presence on the high street, Laura Ashley has succeeded in beating off stiff competition to win this coveted award for a second year. Its triumphant position proves that, with a combination of energy, passion and creativity, a much-loved “heritage” brand can also be extremely innovative, and quick to capture the hearts of a new generation of home owners.