Yarm's newest store blends designer style with comfort. Women's Editor Christen Pears visits The Conservatory

Light streams in through the glass roof and floods the room. There are plants, rattan furniture and doors opening onto a terrace. If it wasn't for the rails of clothes, you would think you were in a conservatory - and that's exactly the idea.

Yarm's newest womenswear store is actually called The Conservatory. Light and airy, it offers a relaxing shopping environment that seems miles away from the bustle of the busy High Street.

Owners Julian and Rhona Blades are the team behind Jules B, the designer shop opened in Jesmond almost 20 years ago. Although the store has gone from strength to strength, with a branch opening in Kendal, the couple were keen to try something different. The Conservatory opened in Jesmond in 2002 and the concept has proved so successful, a second branch has just opened its doors in Yarm.

Julian and Rhona wanted to create a relaxed environment, moving away from the sometimes intimidating atmosphere associated with designer stores. "By introducing light into the retail environment it had a much more positive effect on people. It was a nicer shopping experience," says Julian. "We're getting women into the shop who don't really like the security of brands. They're not fashionistas or designer junkies but they like style and elegance, as well as comfort."

The clothes aren't for women who look "like sticks" but real women, no matter what their age or size. There are even some elasticated waists.

"That sounds frumpy and awful but it isn't. It's just about comfort," says Julian.

The Conservatory boasts a wide range of designers, including Shirin Guild, Sand, Joseph and Oska. This season sees a profusion of soft pastels: pinks, blues and greens. There are linen separates and relaxed knitwear - clothes that are both practical and stylish. Team them with the Birkenstock sandals that are on display and they're casual, but worn with one of the stunning necklaces they're perfect for a special occasion. A Mulberry bag will complete the look.

There's no hard sell at The Conservatory. Customers are free to browse and enjoy the mellow jazz soundtrack in the background. It's all part of the laid back atmosphere that makes it such a pleasurable place to shop.

AN inspirational new store, based on the rituals of everyday life, was unveiled recently when the first ever Marks & Spencer Lifestore opened at Gateshead.

To celebrate the opening, it has teamed up with The Northern Echo to offer five lucky readers the chance to win £100 of vouchers to spend on revamping their homes this spring.

Based on nine concepts - rest, relax, renew, celebrate, cook, organise, play, escape and alfresco - Marks & Spencer Lifestore offers an extensive product range, which is continuously changing so you can add different styles to your home without needing to change everything.

Customers can wander through the spacious settings of each of the concepts, which offer inspiration for anyone wanting to update the look of their house or simply add a few new accessories to update its look. John Pawson's minimalist two-storey house embodies the concepts and demonstrates what can be achieved when rest and relax, celebrate and cook are blended together. Customers can take a break from this visual feast to visit the in-store caf, the brainchild of top Australian chef, Bill Granger.

To enter this competition and enjoy the Marks & Spencer Lifestore experience, simply tell us the name of two of the concepts within Marks & Spencer Lifestore.

Send your answers and name and address to: Lifestore Competition, Features, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF. The closing date is Tuesday, March 30.

Green spring clean

NOW the days are getting longer and brighter, it's time to crack on with the DIY jobs and don the marigolds for a traditional spring clean. But while you're giving your home a blast of fresh air, you could also be making some small alterations to your lifestyle that could have a positive impact on the planet - and your pocket.

The Energy Saving Trust's Green Spring Clean leaflet explains a range of simple no-cost and low-cost energy efficiency measures that you can adopt to help cut your home's carbon dioxide emissions - one of the largest contributors to climate change - and on how to cut your energy bills.

The Energy Saving Trust reckons following their advice could save you up to £200 on your home energy bills every year.

Log on to www.saveenergy.co.uk or call the Energy Efficiency Helpline on 0845 727 7200 for free, impartial advice on how to make your home more energy efficient.