Give freedom to your lust for wonder, go Romany.

Byline: By Andrew Durham

There's a hint of Bohemia in most of us, a yearning for freedom that creeps into us during those mundane Monday mornings.

Unfortunately, though, real life tends to get in the way of our inner gypsy and we stay shackled to the restraints of conventionality.

Well, thanks to this summer's interior must-have, we can shake off those shackles and give in to our wanderlust because the fair is back in town.

The Bohemian look has been making an impact on the catwalk for the past few years, with girls preferring floaty frocks to power suits and boys donning cloth caps and stripy scarves. As always, the catwalk look has shifted into our homes - and not just our wardrobes - be they caravans, semis or penthouse apartments.

Feathers, fringes, florals and lace all go into making this Romany dream. Think caravan chic, but more gypsy than grandma with a penchant for diamonds rather than doilies.

Let 70s colours inspire you for your choice of walls. Tomato reds, emerald greens and smoky greys all make a perfect backdrop for this look.

Bold colours are necessary to achieve this slightly sultry scene and there really should be no mixing them with whites - this is a seriously moody style.

Veneer is the material. Once resigned to dodgy walls and bad 70s sitcoms it has enjoyed a recent revival and we can't get enough of the stuff. It makes a nice change from wallpaper or paint and it's also fairly easy to install. You don't necessarily have to stick to the original wallboard type - which is very bendy you can simply use wooden flooring to create a sturdier look.

And another 70s throwback, beaded curtains are a must. Think Madame Zora stepping into a room to read your fortune - she wouldn't make her grand entrance via a pine door now would she? You want that mysterious element that bead curtains give.

To introduce that necessary seductive element into your Romany-inspired room lighting is the key.

Lamps, big and small, should be placed around your rooms at varying levels to create the all-important ambience. Go for lamps with coloured shades to accentuate the darkness of this look. Trawl around antique shops and car boot sales to find vintage 60s and 70s glass designs in block colours. Team up with a linen lampshade and, if you're feeling brave enough, stick in a red light bulb - it may look a little suspicious for some though! Textiles will bring depth and charm. Lace, especially black, has a very gypsy-inspired look about it but try mixing it with other colours too - red, turquoise and so on. And you can be as outrageous as you like with printed fabric - mix tropical floral patterns with exotic bird prints. Also have a look at www.puppy-bedstock.co.uk for a really nice range of photographic cushions featuring extremely cute puppies and kittens - very chocolate box.

Finding furniture to fit into this look should be no problem and my advice would be to mix true vintage finds with up-to-the-minute pieces. A nice teak table just like your gran's, sits effortlessly alongside a laquerware sideboard.

As far as accessorising this look, anything goes, really. Pampas grasses, fondue sets, glass bubbles spheres, coloured glass, chandeliers, wall friezes and anything with tassels or fringing. Oh, and just in case someone should come a-knocking wanting their fortune told, a nice crystal ball should come in handy.