Interiors blog

There is now, thankfully, much more awareness of design in all aspects of everyday life.

But sometimes is it more of a case of style over substance and will it stand the test of time? 

A discussion with a client got us thinking about what is good and what is bad design. 

In light of all that's been happening recently, many of us have been spending more time at home and with this, thoughts may have turned to changing a few things around the house or the garden.  It's something we've been mulling over and a redesign is looking highly likely as we spend more time using and looking at the garden.

If you are not sure about what you want to do, how to do it, or any idea of cost then it's worthwhile getting in some professional help in from an interior designer or garden designer.  As with most things, a professional will be able to look at your project objectively and offer you options that you may not have thought about yourself - they also have access to a wide range of suppliers, manufacturers and tradespeople that will be able to make the most of your budget.

If you like something blue, then you'll certainly have a great choice of products as one of the  on-trend colours for 2020 is Classic Blue.

Described as "solid and dependable" and a shade "we can always rely on" by Pantone Color Institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman, Classic Blue will make a strong statement on its own — as a bold feature wall or as an accessory against a neutral backdrop — or layered with other lighter shades of blue, such as denim or sky, for a tonal look.

Indoors or outdoors, we like to create private spaces to relax, work or just be free from prying eyes! 

In this blog we look at a few design ideas of how you might start to think about that area or space that you would like to create a little privacy in.

Have you heard of  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ?

VOCs are a combination of chemicals, some of which may have short and long term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are much higher indoors than outdoors.  You may be surprised to know that even carpets can contain VOCs and are also emitted into the air through second hand cigarette smoke and we all know of the health risks associated with that!

First home, downsizing or just a small room - designing the space in your home to accommodate all your needs can be a difficult challenge. 

The world really is your oyster if you're looking for some inspiration for your interior.  With so many rich and vibrant cultures to choose - from the rich and colourful Moroccan to simple minimalist Japanese, there are so many iconic design styles to give your home a touch of individuality - how far you take the theme is up to you! 

We take a look at a few favourites that will add some international interior design details to your home.....

A hundred years ago the kitchen was a utilitarian space for cooking and little else - a lonely place to cook and do the washing.  Today it's often the social hub of the house.  Spacious, open plan spacious kitchens with a central island and seating have turned the space into a multipurpose room - for cooking, dining and living room all-in-one.  With the revolution in DIY and self assembly cabinets, designer kitchens have become more accessible to everyone and are a real statement of interior design. 

Love it or hate it, purple is going to be appearing alot in 2018. 

Somewhat controversially, PANTONE declared 18-3838 Ultra Violet as it's colour of the year 2018 which has signalled its comeback.  In describing the nature of Ultra Violet Pantone say "Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now.  The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own."

It may not be your first choice to decorate a whole room, but used wisely you can inject a shot of this regal shade into your home without it taking over!

Paint has come a long way since Stone Age man first discovered the colorful potential of pigments created from crushed rocks and earth.  From using egg as a binder to oil paints and then the mass production process during the Industrial Revolution and the advent of acrylics in the 1940s paint has continued to develop. 

Now with the application of modern technological innovations there are paints for a whole host of uses that you may not even have thought of - you can even paint your tarmac if the notion takes you!

One of the major developments in recent years is 'safe paint' with one manufacturer claiming 'Baby-Safe even if chewed & eaten' - quite amazing considering the combination of potentially hazardous chemicals that make up most paints.

Colour now plays a major part in the marketing of paint with many manufacturers declaring their 'colour of the season' each year.  The trend reports from the London and New York catwalks for spring/summer 2018 show we're set to see a season of saturated colour!  Bold & bright will not only be taking centre stage in everyone's wardrobe but making an impact in the home too with paint companies tempting us with a host of intense hot-house hues!

In recent weeks we've been looking around at the latest colour trends in interiors and one of the biggest most definitely can't ignore is bright green.  It may not be everyone's choice so the important thing to remember is no matter what the experts may say is 'on trend' if your own personal 'taste' sensors say 'no' then the trend is not going to work for you - so have a look at some of the other options and find one that does appeal and look at how you can incorporate it into your home.

If you do decide to 'go green' then pick a shade you really love - and enjoy!

Your floor is one of the most important areas to consider in your interior so there is a lot to consider when choosing your carpet or rug.  There are some amazing designs to choose from and prices vary greatly and you may be surprised to find it is possible to get bespoke rugs made within a reasonable budget.  You should watch out for the Goodweave scheme to ensure your rug or carpet has been made under fair trade principles.

Here are some things to consider that may help you find the perfect carpet or rug.

Autumn is fast approaching and with October 30^th just around the corner (when we turn the clocks back an hour!), it’s a good time to be thinking about lighting. 

Those of you who follow Twitter may be aware of hash tag #wallpaperwednesday.