Category: Blog

How to Design a Small Room

When it comes to designing any room there are always challenges, but with smaller rooms the design difficulties are even more apparent. However, if you follow some simple guidelines you can maximise the space you have and make even the smallest room feel airy and spacious!

Décor

When maximising space you need lightness and brightness. The use of too much of a dark colour can shrink any room. Pale, neutral colours are perfect for an airy feel in a room. Brilliant white on walls can be a little stark, but with a wide variety of white, there is something for everyone. Farrow and Ball have a range of white paints to create a stylish look; click here to see their colour range.

Horizontal lines on wallpaper create a simple optical illusion, making a room seem larger by drawing the eyes across the room. You could also install a long horizontal shelf on a wall to give a similar effect and at the same time introduce some additional functional space.

Furniture

A lack of space doesn’t need to restrict your living, but you need to make considered choices. A dining table that folds away can be a great choice and dining chairs with a rounded back mean they are easier to walk around in a snug kitchen. Sofas and armchairs with legs give a sense of space on the floor and you should avoid pushing them right up to walls to give them a ‘floating’ feel within the room.

Here’s some inspiration for your home:

Living

Often a living room is the hub of the home so it needs to be comfortable and suitable for your lifestyle. With sofas being one of the larger pieces of furniture in your home it needs to work for you. There are so many options, but careful choices will give you the perfect sofa for any room. Choose a sofa with high legs and that isn’t too deep; we love this sofa from Swoon and it’s just 80cm deep!

The addition of a footstool will give you added comfort and can double up as a coffee table when necessary; small rooms love multi-purpose furniture. If you are opting for a separate coffee table, choose something narrow. This glass coffee table from Wayfair would look great piled on the bottom with beautiful books and candles.

Dining

When you have your dining area in either a kitchen or living room you often need to consider a more creative design to fit everything in seamlessly. For a table, glass and slim framed pieces work well for a tighter space. This contemporary table from Oak Furniture Superstore would look great in a modern home – the glass will make the room feel spacious and the position of the legs in the middle ensure you can seat the maximum number of people.

Transparent furniture, in general, is perfect for any small room; embrace these acrylic Ghost chairs from Amara to use with your dining table.

Sleeping

Every bedroom needs a bed, but an undersized room might leave you sleepless thinking about how to fit in everything you need. When choosing a bed for a smaller bedroom keep the frames fine rather than chunky and choose styles with high legs such as this stunning copper bed frame from Dunelm. Positioning the bed by a window ensures that you’re not wasting any of the precious wall space.

General Rules

  • Reflect light where you can to create a feeling of space. Mirrors and lighting can be used to accomplish this
  • Keep clutter to a minimum in rooms; a plethora of ornaments and accessories will make a room feel crowded and closed in
  • If you are pushed for space in a small bedroom wall or ceiling mounted bedside lights will save valuable bedside table space
  • Don’t let a lack of space restrict your storage. There creative solutions and furniture that has craftily concealed storage aplenty.

If you would like more interior design information, hints and tips, follow us on Facebook.

March 2019

Fall in Love with your Home

If you are ready to give your home an update or looking at furnishing a new extension or home it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start! We can help, as Interior Designers we spend time, we spend time getting to know our clients, learning about their likes, dislikes and how they use their home. Our clients may have a style that they would like, and we’ll work with that. There may be an existing piece of furniture or something to restore or upcycle, that is the inspiration for the room. Your home is personal to you, and we ensure that your interior reflects your personality and style.

It can often seem daunting when you are faced with a brand new room or house to style. You don’t yet know how you will use the room; you may not be able to see clearly what will fit in the room. Faced with blank or magnolia walls you may feel a little overwhelmed. This is where an interior designer can help; experience helps us know what will work and getting to know our clients means we can tailor that.

We have had the opportunity to style some amazing new build houses. Here is an example of what you can do with those blank walls:

You can see more shots of this stunning contemporary house in our gallery.

Developers with either large scale developments or a single residence are also faced with blank, character-free spaces. In order to appeal to potential buyers, it is important to demonstrate how a home could look. When there is a large plot developed, there is always a minimum of one show home to allow potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. Interior designers can also help here; we dress a room to appeal to the ideal market. Here are some examples of a project we took on in Bedford.

We take into account the lifestyle of those who live in the house and create designs and ideas that fall within our clients’ budget. Restored antique furniture may suit some homes, but we aren’t afraid to look to high street retailers to get something more budget friendly. If you have pets and children running about the house, we’ll take into consideration that you need something that is practical as well beautiful.

Interior design is not a luxury. Our skill and experience will save you time and money, and create a space that you truly love. We put furniture, colours and accessories together to craft the perfect finish for you.

If you would like to see more from Interiorsat58 follow us on Facebook.

February 2019

Interior Design your New Year

Happy New Year! Christmas is over, and the decorations have come down. How many of you are thinking how blank your walls look? A new year, a new interior look; now is the time to start planning your home renovations for the year. We have talked about colours, textures and statements within the design of a space, but with the fresh start of the New Year in our mind, we are looking at how to use white in your home to great effect.

You can bring a fresh crisp white into a room by decorating, using paint or wallpaper, or with accessories or furniture. A white paint, or white paint with a hint of a colour, can create a great backdrop for bold accessories or statement furniture without overcrowding the space with too many elements.

Accessorising with White

If you choose to have a single colour palette, with one shade of white, it is important to mix up the textures to bring depth and avoid a bland look.

This off-white Sheepskin rug, from www.nordichouse.co.uk, adds texture and luxury to your room. This luxurious rug is beautifully soft and versatile; why not add it to a sofa rather than the floor?

Another Scandinavian touch to add is this pure wool chunky knit blanket. Throw it over a chair, on the end of the end of the bed, or the perfect blanket to snuggle up to; this chunky knit is a beautiful decorative piece, and the ideal choice to cuddle up with on a cold winter’s night.

Invest in beautiful linen for your bedroom. Make every morning crisp and bright with this beautiful bed linen from www.oka.com; the ultimate in luxury.

When you have a dark painted wall as a feature in a room, try this statement piece of white wall art, from Maisons du Monde, for a dramatic finish

Furniture

With many shades of white available, it may be a challenge to exactly match the colour you choose. Try one of these gorgeous Angel and Bohos wooden chairs – they can be painted in any colour so you can choose exactly the right kind of white for your scheme, from pure and brilliant through to a more soft and gentle hue.

There’s no need to worry that white furniture will not stand up to your lifestyle; children and pets, in particular, may be a consideration. With careful choices, white can be made to work in any home. Loaf offer a clever linen that can be used on any Loaf sofa or chair and is spill resistant, no need to be scared of using white.

This high gloss, wipe clean coffee table is a functional item, but still a contemporary addition to style a room.

For more interior updates for 2019 remember to follow us on Facebook.

January 2019

Designing Your Christmas

We usually put our efforts into designing homes that will stand the test of time, however, at Christmas we love to put our hearts into getting the perfect festive look with some well-chosen accessories! With a plethora of decorations available on the High Street and online, how do you choose your colour scheme and put together your decorations? We’d like to make your life easier and share with you some of our top tips and favourite Christmas accessories.

Top Tips

  • Choosing one accent colour will give you the most elegant look. We love to use green; it is a beautiful natural tone and perfect for Christmas combined with either silver or golds.
  • Make the entry to your home welcoming and festive by lighting a pine scented candle. We love Jo Malone, but Homesense often have lovely affordable options.
  • We love using fewer items but picking something oversized to give the wow factor and this year have made a festive window display of 3 giant hanging 50cm baubles. Don’t forget the outside of your house with this oversized star light from Festive-Lights.com.
  • It’s all about fairy lights at Christmas! Try combining them with a garland of seasonal leaves such as ivy and winding them down your bannister or draping them over your fireplace for a stylish look. This flocked pine garland from The Worm That Turned will also make your hallway look spectacular.

 

Our favourite seasonal picks

This wicker tree skirt from Dunelm completes a Christmas tree giving it a rustic touch.

This gorgeous snowflake light from Graham and Green makes a great centrepiece or a statement in your home whilst bring a soft glow to the room.

You don’t need snow this Christmas to give you an excuse to get this luxurious throw from Westelm out. Snuggle up over the holidays in luxury.

Make your Christmas tree truly personalised with these glass letter ornaments from Westelm, choose one for each of the family.

Children and adults alike can’t resist a snow globe. This cute Natural Woodland scene snow globe, from Not on the High Street, would make a perfect gift, or a gorgeous ornament.

Make an unforgettable first impression with your festive spirit and start your decorations from your front door. This wreath, from Nordic House, creates an impact before your guests have even crossed the threshold.

We would love to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Interiorsat58 and of course have a look at our Facebook page for more seasonal ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Should you use bold colours in your home?

Interior design is not all about muted colours and minimalist rooms. As a designer, we talk to our clients to understand their preferences, and design a room to perfectly suit their tastes.

When you want to include a bold or bright colour or design into a room, it is important that you don’t overpower the room by using too much. To help you avoid making a mistake we’re bringing you some ideas of how to introduce statement colours effectively.

Feature Walls

A feature wall, or accent wall, is one that is different to the other walls in the room. It can be a subtle difference, however we are talking about making a bigger difference and creating a dramatic effect.

We love striped wallpapers and Sallie herself has a bold French blue stripe wallpaper in her kitchen which has been featured previously. We love these designs by Sandberg, which can be used to great effect to bring a strong colour into a design. With a range of colours, there’s something for everyone.

Farrow and Ball have a great range of colours and have released their new colours for 2018. With such a variety there are plenty of options for a standout feature wall and complementing colour scheme.

Key Pieces

Every home, every room needs certain key pieces of furniture, whether that’s a sofa in a living room or a table and chairs in a dining room. These pivotal pieces do not need to blend into the background and can be a feature in any room.

We love these chairs with their strong blue colour and fantastic floral backs from Turnball and Thomas. A striking, luxury addition to any meal time.

And this statement green velvet sofa from Swoon is another key piece that we love, and it looks far more expensive than its price tag

Artwork

Hanging a piece of art on your wall allows you to bring in a bold splash into a room; abstract art can often be the perfect option. There is plenty of choice from Kari Taylor and Nancy Ortenstone at www.art.co.uk. The work of these two abstract artists can enliven and add interest to the barest, bleakest of walls.

Rugs

Remember, the floor is also a part of a room’s design, and the installation of a striking rug can transform your home. We have recently installed a Paul Smith bold striped runner in a client’s home to give a contemporary hallway the wow factor, we balanced the other side of the room with strong artwork and kept the rest beautifully simple.

We also love this abstract rug by Bluebell Gray; splashes of colour bring a room together and make a bold statement.

It is important to note that, in order for bold statements to work, it is all about balance. When you have chosen your bold colours and pieces, ensure that they are not all placed in one area of the room.

 

If you need help deciding your colour schemes, and want ideas for brightening your rooms, contact us now. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more interior design ideas!

 

 

Autumnal Luxury for Interior Design

The nights are drawing in, the clocks go back at the end of the month and the weather is turning chilly. We’re all starting to think about keeping warm and, of course, we want you to stay cosy in style. There’s a plethora of blankets, soft furnishings and accessories available, especially at this time of year, and we’ve picked some of our favourites to share with you. Snap them up to have in your home, or even start your Christmas shopping early and give the perfect gifts to your friends and family.

Chunky Knit Throw

Use this throw from Cox and Cox in the bedroom or the living room; perfect for snuggling up next to the fire while bringing texture into the room. Who can resist a soft, cosy blanket when it’s cold outside?

Vintage Hanging Lantern

When the weather cools down, we like to stay indoors and snuggle up. Candles can add a decorative element to the room as well as creating a romantic and comfortable atmosphere. Relax at home with this gorgeous lantern, from Nordic House, and its soft candlelight.

Abstract Geometry Rug

A rug can transform a room, adding colour, texture and style, and of course, will help keep your feet warm on draughty wooden floors in winter. This stylish tufted wool-blend rug, from Anthropologie, will bring warmth to your floors.

Velvet Bedspread

Luxury doesn’t have to just be for rooms that your guests see. Treat yourself this Autumn with this soft, velvet bedspread and pillow cases from Westelm.

Sheepskin Beanbag

Soft and sumptuous, these sheepskin bean bags from The White Company are pure luxury. The ultimate indulgence and perfect to curl up on on a winter’s evening.

For more ideas about interior design, from classic styles to the latest trends, follow us on Facebook and look out for our regular blogs. Contact us if you would like help creating the perfect home.

How To Choose The Perfect Curtains or Blinds For Your Home

Choosing the right curtains or blinds for your home is significant, as this will determine how much light or privacy you will have in the room.

There are a number of things that you need to consider when choosing your curtains or blinds such as your budget, the light you want in the room and also if you are going to be staying in the home long term.

Will you have a big budget to splurge on the shutters of your dreams or are you trying to keep the cost as minimal as possible? Do you want your room to be filled with natural light or do you prefer to light it from within to maintain your privacy? Will you be staying in your home long enough to make the investment of bespoke blinds worth your while?

If elegance is what you want but you have a moderate budget, the Trellis Clipped Jacquard Curtain is an excellent choice. The quality of this curtain is great and its simple neutral tones enhance any room. Not only does it look gorgeous, but it also lets natural light in to brighten up the room. You can find products like this here: www.westelm.co.uk/ and www.anthropologie.com/

If you are looking for more of a statement piece for your room, something contemporary and colourful yet not too loud, the Natalie Curtain from Anthropologie is exactly what you need. The Natalie Curtain is ideal for injecting colour and personality into your room, at a very reasonable price. You will love the gorgeous blue glow as the sun shines through it. You can find them here: www.anthropologie.com/

If you want to try something different to fabric curtains, you should check out Blinds UK. They offer a fantastic range of very reasonably priced wooden blinds. Wooden blinds add class and a more natural vibe to any room. They are timeless and offer as much, or as little privacy or light as you want, from simply pulling a cord. You can find them here: www.blinds-uk.net/

Another option that is brilliant for any room where you need a little extra privacy such as a bathroom, is window film. It’s a phenomenal fix at a bargain price. There is an array of window film available at www.purlfrost.com.

For made to measure curtains and blinds you can contact us directly at Interiors at 58 and we can help you select the perfect fabric! Made to measure curtains and blinds are an investment, and we can help you ensure that you don’t make any costly mistakes! You can contact us now on 07970 381875 or sallie@interiorsat58.com.

How To Fill The Blank Spaces On Your Walls Without Breaking The Bank

If you are moving into a new home or simply redecorating, this can be one of the most invigorating times of your life, but like everything else, it can come with its own set of problems. One of the concerns that you might have after choosing what colours you want in each room and what furniture fits best in each room, is what do you do with all the empty wall space that you’re left with.

When it comes to filling your vacant wall space initially you might think there is going to be an exorbitant cost involved, but there are some very affordable options available. I recently wrote an article about this for House Beautiful, which you can find here https://interiorsat58.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Septemer-right.pdf. In this post I want to dive more into the specific objects that you can buy to help flourish your walls and set the tone of your room, at a very affordable price.

Posters are an inventive way to fill that empty space! Desenio have an amazing collection of posters available. They are a Scandinavian company with an array of very affordable posters and prints for around your home. Their posters start from as little as £6.99 and are available in a variety of different styles and sizes so that you can add a statement piece to any room. Their styles range from posters of art to skylines, floral prints to black & white, to name a few. You can find them at www.desenio.co.uk.

If you want something a little more chic and sophisticated, then you might want to check out this beautiful bleached and carved friezes from Maisons Du Monde. (www.maisonsdumonde.com) This elegant wall filler will add a touch of class to any room, whilst ousting some of your empty wall space at an affordable price of only £149.50. Remember, having the right statement piece can create the illusion of more space, in any room.

Canvas’s are a great way to get creative with your wall space. The Apple Bottom canvas from Graham and Green will add a splash of nature for only £160. This linen canvas will create a natural and serene atmosphere in your chosen room. You can find it here at https://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/apple-blossom-canvas

Another fantastic piece that will not only fill up that empty wall space but also add additional light to your room is a mirror. This Venetian Round Wall mirror from Hauzz, is simply gorgeous and boasts a carefully created baroque frame that will add a touch of class to your home. It’s classy yet affordable at £169. You can find it at https://www.houzz.co.uk.

Gold – Tasteful or Tacky?

Gold is on trend at the moment, but not everyone knows how to use it effectively to get a tasteful effect. Gold is associated with opulence, luxury and wealth but the misuse of gold, in interior design, can look inelegant and garish.  We think that gold is a great addition to an interior, and you can find gold accessories dotted around our office. The Golden rule, is to use gold sparingly, in the right proportion and right places.

Accessories are a great way to introduce an accent colour, without it overwhelming the room.  You can also use the decor with the addition of a feature wall, alternatively a thoughtfully chosen wallpaper can bring pattern, texture and colour on the perfect proportions.

We want to inspire you and put you on the right path to how you can inject a splash of gold into your home.  Here are some of our favourite things:

This Magazine Rack from Alchemy is a stylish addition to any living room. It’s functional yet quirky; nothing boring about this!

This Golden Shell, again from Alchemy, would look great displayed on a shelf, in a glass-fronted cabinet or on a mantelpiece. It is eye-catching, and the perfect way to get gold into the room.

We do love a quirky accessory, and this is another example; this Golden Beetle from Graham and Green is a unique piece that will add drama to your walls. The detail and the finish of this piece are beautiful.

This Standing Planter is another way of how a functional item can be used to bring colour into your room. Functional doesn’t need to be boring and every day.

These Gilded Vases can be used to create interest in your room. The variety of sizes and shapes mean that you don’t need to just have the one, and they are a modern twist on a glass vase.

If you’re inspired to update your décor, have a look for gold accessories that catch your eye, or look at how you can add gold with the use of wallpaper, like this one from Graham and Brown, or furniture, such as this side table from Wayfair. Contact us if you want help and advice on how to get the look that you are after, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more great ideas.

Kitchens and Interior Design

A kitchen is a functional room that every home needs, and, being in everyday use, you should ensure that it is a room you can also enjoy being in; a room that reflects your style and taste.

An interior designer might not be top of your list when you think of the people you should consult about your kitchen design, but they can be a great asset to have on-board; they will work with your kitchen designer to not only look at the practical element of the space but also inject that all-important personality and style through use of colours and textures so that the end result is everything you want it to be – and more!  Of course, if you have a small or awkward shaped room, the design element can be of even more importance. Your head might be filled with ideas of beautiful islands, marble worktops and storage galore; your interior designer will help you make sense of your ideas and create a cohesive look ensuring tones and finishes are complementary throughout.

Some of our top tips are:

  • Plan out your kitchen before work commences, a well-thought out kitchen is key to a successful kitchen long term.
  • Give your kitchen some personality using accessories, colour, wallpaper and fabrics. This will make your kitchen more welcoming, and soften the hard edges.
  • Think about how your kitchen will be organised; a space for everything and everything with a space. This is the mark of a well-thought out kitchen; for example tray spaces, wine storage and ironing board storage and so on, will all make a big difference to how easy to use the kitchen is in the long run.
  • Keep the clutter away by ensuring that you have enough cupboard space to keep ugly and bulky gadgets and appliances behind closed doors.

 

In Sallie’s kitchen, this bold French blue stripe elevates a simple white kitchen and is easy to change while simple natural wood toned accessories like the chairs clock and picture frames add warmth and depth.

Accessories can make all the difference to a kitchen, whether you want to revive the space or start from scratch and refit the room. Here are some of our favourites:

Brushed Wire Kitchen Baskets from Anthropologie

Song Bird Tray from Graham and Green

White Concrete Clock from Nordic House

Waterfall Stemless Glass from Anthropologie

Rose Gold Sensor Bin from Simplehuman

White Marble Shelf from Not on the Highstreet

If you need some help designing your kitchen, whether at home or at work, contact us and we can help you create your perfect culinary workspace.