Small But Beautiful Interiors

Interior design is about creating a space that works for you, both in terms of practicality and style. It’s a common misconception that interior design is only for big houses, it is just as important to style a small room or space carefully. When space is already at a premium, making small spaces more efficient within our homes is a key service for us.

One of the top reasons that people move house is because there is a lack of space in their current home. In our experience space is often used inefficiently which means that space is simply underused and wasted. Don’t rush to move house; you have options for your home, however big or small.

Small Office Spaces

Lockdown has forced us to face the challenge of working remotely, without a home office. For many, this is now a longer term situation as an increasing number of employers will not be asking their employees to return to offices full time. This has meant fitting in a working space in our homes. For those who don’t have the spare space to set up a complete office, there are space saving and stylish options.

You could choose a unit, like The Talist Secretary’s Desk from La Redoute. It is a desk when you need it, but when you’re not working you can have everything concealed and tidy; the perfect choice for a space-saving desk.

If you want something that you can access all the time, but only have a small amount of wall space, a ladder style desk will suit you. Prop it up where you want it, pair it with your perfect chair and you have you own working space tucked away. The Dionara Desk from Wayfair has desk and storage space, and at less than a metre wide will fit in tight spaces.

Maybe you don’t have a suitable space that you can fit in a desk, but you do have a dining table or breakfast bar. Make your table dual purpose; a dining area for meal times and your desk during work hours. Make use of a portable desk organiser so that the transition is seamless. Choose this antique brass desk tidy from Notonthehighstreet.com and have the storage you need with a stylish look.   

Making awkward spaces work

The space under the stairs is often under-utilised – it can be an awkward shape, not easily accessible or simply used as inefficient storage.

One option for making better use is to open up the space, as long as this is structurally viable, and create space for a home office. The addition of a slimline desk, shelves and pull out storage on wheels will give you everything you need to get working.

Create a reading nook, somewhere to take some time out and relax. Choose a chair or bench that fits the space, add plush cushions and a blanket or two. Don’t forget the lighting; a floor lamp can be tucked under the stairs for much needed light.  This floor lamp from Made.com is a great option when you want a light above you.

Hints and Tips

Multi-function items of furniture come into their own when making the most of limited space.

Choose fine-framed rather than bulky pieces of furniture to enhance the feeling of space and ensure the maximum amount of floor remains visible.

Invest in built in storage to ensure that you maximise every centimetre you have available.

Keeping your home clutter free helps maintain a sense of space.

Install shelves around the perimeter of your bedroom or living room walls about 12 inches from the ceiling. This is a typically under-used spot, but it could give you so much extra storage!

Use mirrors and reflective surfaces to give the feel of space. Lighting and smart colour choices will add to the spacious effect.

Don’t waste space with a media console and mount your TV on the wall.

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Interior Design Thoughts from Lockdown

We are going through very strange times at the moment, with many people seeing only their own 4 walls for weeks, if not months, on end. We, like many others, have worked on some interiors projects, maintenance and repair jobs and other restyling projects. One thing that lockdown seems to have made us review is our home environment. Maybe you hadn’t considered a décor update in your home, but we know that having been confined to your homes many of you would love to refresh your home so now is the perfect time to do so!

Interior design and restyling doesn’t have to be budget busting, we very much believe that there is a beautiful interior finish for any taste and any budget.

The Living Room

Other than the kitchen, this is arguably the most communal space in the home, used by everyone in the family. It is a place for relaxing, entertaining, watching television, playing games and much more. Very much a multi-purpose room, especially in a time when open plan living is incredibly popular, you need to choose your furniture and colour theme carefully.

A sofa is often the largest, most prominent item of furniture and can affect the tone of the whole room. Choose your sofa wisely and you will love it for years to come

For a small room this sofa from Neptune is lovely as is on high legs and deep enough to be comfortable but not too deep. Leave a gap between the sofa and the wall to create an illusion of space.

If you need something hard wearing for children and pets, look at Loaf clever velvet. It is very hard wearing and practical while giving a lux finish. Sometimes darker colours can be as tricky as light ones as they show all dust/fluff/pet hairs so we would suggest a mid-tone for best longevity. Alternatively, a tweed with a mix of colours in the fabric hides stains well. Also, if you choose a sofa with a fixed back you won’t be constantly plumping up the cushions or putting them back on straight after the kids have played! The Pudding sofa from Loaf is a great choice for a busy family home.

If space and storage are at a premium in your room, opt for a table with hidden storage like this ottoman table from White Company. Alternatively, when you need extra surface space, a nest of tables is perfect.  This trio of tables from Maisons du Monde adds a lovely rustic touch to a room and has coordinating items such as media units and shelves.  

The ability to either brighten or darken the room makes the living room a versatile space to use during the night or day.  If you have a light room with large windows or a television that faces a window install good blinds or curtains. A thick luxe fabric curtain adds a spot of luxury and will be able to complement any colour scheme. We often suggest to clients that we have bespoke curtains made as they are crucial to a design and having them made gives us a much wider choice of fabric and style and  means we can tie all the elements together much quicker but if you are on a budget try these Geometric curtains off the peg from Dunelm – great value!     

At the opposite end of the scale, you need to also ensure that the room has enough lighting options. Choose a beautiful ceiling light fitting for an artistic centrepiece and marry that with side and table This light fitting from Wayfair would be an incredible statement investment and perfect over a kitchen island or table. We also love this side lamp, also from Wayfair, for adding a pop of colour to a room in a very natural way.

Finally, soft furnishings are a quick and easy way to make a room look and feel different. A change of rug, curtains and cushions can transform your living room. With the hot weather drawing to a close, it’s the perfect time to think about cosy blankets and throws; add a different colour and create a homely autumnal look.

Whether you are looking at a complete renovation or simply to swap a few key things in the room, there is a way for you to create a fresh look in your home.

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September 2020

Are you ready for summer?

With summer knocking at our doors, we all need somewhere to relax and enjoy every ray of sunshine that comes our way. Outdoor living, whether it’s a patio, balcony or terrace, can be just as stylish and luxurious as any internal room. You can create your perfect patio for relaxing, entertaining and topping up your vitamin D.

The garden itself can create a backdrop with the greens of foliage and the colour of flowers in bloom, but you don’t need to rely on the natural flora. Here are some of our favourite things to add to your garden to inject colour and create your perfect outdoor space.

An outdoor rug from Westelm brings colour and a touch of luxury to your back garden. Whether your patio is set up for seating or dining, walking on this soft wool with bare feet will make you feel like you’re on holiday.

We love this garden bench from Maisons du Monde with its Mediterranean feel. This modern bench is understated and timeless and, importantly, comfortable.

As with an internal dining table, you can dress it up with table linen and crockery. With this vibrant table cloth from Graham and Green you will have no problem feeling summery. Dress your table for a little al fresco dining, or for a tropical garden party.

As much as we want to enjoy the sun, it’s a must to provide some shade too. A perfect parasol lives up this job perfectly! We love this teak and ecru cotton parasol from Maison du Monde. Functional definitely doesn’t need to be boring.

If your priority for your patio is relaxation, there is no better way than lounging in a hanging chair. With its own hanging stand, this chair from Cox and Cox is a great choice.

Small rooms can be maximised with considered choices. Choosing paler colours always works to make a space feel airy and bright, and mirrors are a classic way to increase the sense of space; gardens are no different. This beautiful arched window mirror, also from Cox and Cox, creates new dimensions on even the tiniest terrace.

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June 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.

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February 2019

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.

An Interior Designer’s Christmas

It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking about Christmas. Maybe you’ve already got your decorations up, maybe you’re waiting a while longer; everyone has their own tradition. We wanted to share with you a few of our favourite things for Christmas, and give you a snapshot of our family home at this time of year.

 

We love the rustic natural tones of this star from castlegatelights and at 52 cm high it’s a real showstopper at a great price!

This piece is a real bargain from The Range – a gorgeous light up tree with stunning pearl detail!

Love this oversized star(85cm) the perfect way to enliven some blank wall space and bring in the Xmas spirit in a contemporary way. There are some other great Christmas accessories from Rockett St George.

This fantastic garland would look gorgeous wound down the banisters in your entryway, or draped over a mantelpiece, it’s beautifully elegant and understated and perfect for those who prefer a subtle look. Another beautiful Christmas decoration from Rockett St George!

Here at Interiorsat58 we have these beautiful gold leaf lights, made in bespoke lengths by Autumn Weddings from Etsy, perfectly delicate and as they are battery operated very versatile, we will be putting them on the table on Christmas day in Jars.

This Jingle Bell wreath from Anthropologie is a fun and stylish take on the classic leaf wreath and best of all will last for years!

 

For more Christmas favourites and decoration ideas, have a look at our Facebook page.

We would like to thank you for your support over through the year, and we’re looking forward to announcing something very exciting in 2018.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.