Tag: interior designer milton keynes

Upcycling: The Eco-Friendly Design Feature

Upcycling has been around for a while, but in a world where impact on the environment is becoming a bigger priority to people, it is increasing in popularity. Not to mention that it can be a cost-effective way to add a personal and unique to your home.

We’re taking this opportunity to help you decide whether upcycling is for you.

While recycling breaks items down to produce raw materials, upcycling is more creative, and doesn’t involve breaking it down, but rather reimagining it for a new lease of life. Upcycling’s roots are in the practice of resourcefulness, and is now fuelled by environmental awareness.

Re-using furniture in this way reduces waste and minimises the average carbon footprint.

What can you upcycle?

Not all furniture is created equal when it comes to upcycling potential, but don’t worry! These are the key qualities to look for in your potential furniture:

  • Quality of material – durable woods such as oak or teak and sturdy metals are ideal for upcycling. These materials will withstand modification and age beautifully.
  • Structural integrity – look for pieces that are solid and stable. Cosmetic damage like scratches or faded finishes is fine, but avoid items with severe structural damage.
  • Aesthetic potential: Pieces with a unique design, interesting lines or historic values can become standout features in your home.
  • Where to find your potential piece: it might already be in your home, or you could find the perfect thing in a charity shop, eBay or car boot sales.           
  • Potential for Easy Repairs and Refurbishments: Choose pieces that can be easily cleaned, sanded, or painted. Items that require minimal effort to restore are ideal.
  • Style and Functionality: Ensure the piece fits your design scheme and consider its potential for multifunctionality, like a table that can also serve as a storage unit.

If you have a creative flair, then you may wish to tackle an upcycling DIY project there are plenty of resources online to help you. Our top tip for your projects is to use primers and paints that are suitable for the work. Primers will help you prepare tricky surfaces, whether that’s a smooth service that you need paint to be able to stick to, or a rough finish that you want to even out ready for a smooth top coat of paint. Choose your paint carefully too, making sure it will help you achieve the look you are after. We love Chalk Paints from Annie Sloan; there is no need for sanding or priming, you simply choose the colour you want, from the large range of gorgeous shades, and get going.

If you don’t feel up to taking on DIY, there are skilled professionals who can help you achieve a beautiful upcycled piece. In the Bedfordshire area, you have options like Absolutely Shabbylass, based on Castle Road in Bedford and Gracie’s House, based in Bromham. Bedfordshire.

If we’ve inspired you to upcycle, then good luck with your projects, and remember that you can follow us on Facebook for more interior design tips and ideas.

Falling Back in Love with Your Home

We’re in the middle of what could be considered the coldest, bleakest time of the year. The excitement of Christmas has faded, and the spring seems quite a way off, and this often means everything around us can just feel a little tired and shabby. If you’re looking around your home thinking you’re a bit fed up with it and would like to perk it up, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Re-arrange

Experiment with moving and repositioning some of your furniture. Try different pieces in different areas and even in different rooms for an easy and cost free way to reinvigorate the space. Typically, odd numbered groupings with different heights feel the best and opt for balance rather than symmetry when dressing longer pieces of furniture.

The same applies to accessories; grouping them in different ways can give a totally new feel and look.

Edit

Nothing makes you feel more cleansed and ready for a new season than a good edit! Invest in good transparent storage boxes for things you want to keep and be ruthless with the rest! Clearing your surfaces, and even unseen spaces like drawers and cupboards will make you feel refreshed and organised and help give your home a new lease of life!

Up the Oxygen Levels

Add some real plants into your home! We love faux plants and there is such a beautiful variety to choose from, however a scattering of the ‘real deal’ in sunny and light areas will bring a lovely natural and fresh feeling and with a little love should last for years.

If you’re not naturally green-fingered, click here for helpful advice on how to keep your new plants alive.

Invest in a Lovely Aroma

Home interiors aren’t all about the aesthetics, there can be something for every sense. Spend some time picking out some scents that make you happy and introduce them to your home with diffusers, candles and room sprays. Walking into a home that smells just the way you want it to a great way to give your mood a little lift and help you feel more at home.  

We love… these gorgeous candles from Chloe Jade Home, they have a lovely scent as well as looking the part.

Deep Clean

This is a great time of year for a deep clean. Make sure the windows are sparkling and the skirting boards aren’t covered in dust is another great way to make your home feel its best and inspire you to keep everything looking perfect! If you’re moving furniture, clean the exposed areas before anything is replaced for a thorough job.

Storage Options

Clearing the clutter from your home will have an instant effect, but storage can often be restricted. Make use of storage choices like these trunks available on Amazon. They are pretty and practical, and will keep the clutter under control.

Repaint

Choose a fresh bold colour for one of your rooms. It can be daunting thinking about painting all the walls a dark or vibrant colour; maybe your worried about the room feeling dark or the commitment to something completely different is a little scary. Instead of all 4 walls, paint just the ceiling, or only the strip above the picture rail. Both of these executions can really lift and refresh a room and help you feel excited about it again whilst keeping a light and airy feel!

For more interior design tips and ideas remember to follow us on Facebook.

Bring the Outdoors In

This is a hot trend at the moment, and we don’t want you to miss out. Here are some ways that you can bring the outdoors in and create a beautiful space in any home whatever your budget.

Real vs Faux

When you’re thinking about plants and foliage you can opt for either faux or real, both have their advantages.

Faux

There is a huge range of faux plants and foliage to choose from. For the best outcome get the most realistic looking plants you can find, they don’t have to be super expensive with shops like Dunelm and Homesense stocking a large variety. Where possible we’d recommend looking at the plants in situ so that you can select the best ones more easily.

When you’re choosing the plant disregard the pot it is in, that can be changed to suit your tastes and theme. Go for a large pot for a high-end look – slip the existing pot into the new one and fill around the edges with moss or small decorative stones like these stone available from Amazon. By spending a little more over all you achieve a lux look for much less than if you had purchased something equivalent from a high-end store, plus it can be exactly as you want it to be!

For the most authentic look, choose faux plants that would survive in the area where you would place them if they were real, for example in a hot garden room or conservatory you could choose something more tropical whereas in a shady hallway something like a fern would be more appropriate.

These are some of our favourites available in Dunelm at the moment*. You can mix and match these to suit what you want.

Real

If you are choosing real potted plants some of the same tips apply. Choose your pots independently from the plants. You can either put the pot directly in or re-pot the plant while making sure that the plant container is the style you want. We’d recommend choosing something hardy that doesn’t require too much watering if you are after something lower maintenance.

For a statement look, you may be tempted by a living wall or a green wall which is a self-sufficient vertical garden attached to a wall. Although these can look incredible, they are typically hard to pull off particularly on a budget so we would recommend considering getting professional help and either get the real thing with beautiful organic planting or finding a specialist to help you create an authentic looking faux one suitable for the location.

For a versatile and budget-friendly way to add greenery to a wall we would suggest contemporary hanging planters such as these metal plant hangers from Amazon. They bring life and colour to the wall but in a more subtle, affordable and ultimately changeable way      

Tips

  • Use natural fibres, textures and patterns
  • Floral wall patterns and rugs can be used for the botanical element
  • Use natural, earthy colours
  • Use decoration elements that are found in nature, for example, shells
  • Make use of natural light
  • Introduce scents from outdoors using scented candles and diffusers.

Follow us on Facebook for more interior design inspiration and help.

*Links to our featured products:

London Black Framed Planter

Artificial Bonsai Tree in Pot

Ceramic Curves Planter Silver

Trailing Plant in Ceramic Pot

Artificial Fern in Black Pot

Green Plant in Black Pot

Creating a Space for You

Hybrid working seems to be here to stay, and that means a lot of us are both working and relaxing at home. Whilst there is a certain amount of convenience with this, where can you then go to truly disconnect from your day at work? You may have a separate office or office space, but you deserve to have a place to unwind without a constant reminder of the daily grind and chores. Let us show you how you can create a safe haven in your bedroom; somewhere to escape the day and wind down.

Create a Sanctuary in Your Bedroom

We recommend that you invest in your bedding as this is the perfect opportunity to bring some luxury into your bedroom. Choose a colour to complement the colour scheme, or to create a feature, and choose the fabric type you prefer; silk bedding can help keep you cool at night or go for luxuriously soft cotton instead.

Sallie loves both the Dorma range from Dunelm or the White company, both offer great quality without breaking the bank, and as the price is reasonable you can afford to refresh it when you feel the colours have faded a little to ensure the overall look is sharp and crisp. This is the Dorma Meadow Breeze cotton duvet cover set from Dunelm; a calming blue for a good night’s sleep.

Along with the perfect bedding, choose your mattress wisely as a good mattress is crucial for a good night’s sleep and in achieving good back health.

Keep your bedroom clear of clutter

You will no doubt find a bed and wardrobe in every bedroom, and there often isn’t much space left for additional storage so daily detritus can often clutter the room. This is where clever storage solutions save the day. Make the most of the space and have tucked away places to hide your technology too if you can’t bear to leave it at the door.

This pretty storage ottoman from Oliver Bonas would work perfectly at the end of the bed or under a window and provide excellent storage for blankets, pillows and anything you want to tuck away.

If you have a wide bedroom, don’t just opt for small typical sized bedside tables, maximise storage and fill the space visually with a lovely chest of drawers that work well aesthetically and practically with lots of extra drawers to keep things neat – and therefore restful! This reasonably priced chest of drawers from Furniture123 gives you additional storage, and its sage colour makes a statement.

Repaint and Relax

Hues of blue and green are known to be calming colours that promote relaxation, so they are the ideal choice for a bedroom’s colour scheme. If you want to make a bigger impact you could repaint your bedroom, or have a feature wall.

The Chiswick Grove Silver wallpaper from Closs & Hamblyn is much more beautiful in the flesh, with a subtle iridescence and it is charming for a restful classic bedroom, or for something stronger and more graphic.

Sallie loves this stunning green geometric paper from wallpaperdirect.com. If you don’t want it all over, make a chic feature wall by painting the rest of the room in one of the green or ivory tones, so that it blends beautifully into the space.

If you don’t fancy decorating, artwork works well too, like this calming sea green abstract painting from Etsy, there will be something for everyone’s taste.

Hints and Tips

  • If you want a quick injection of the colour, you can easily change accessories and soft furnishings
  • Thick curtains or blackout blinds will help you get a good night’s sleep
  • A relaxing scented candle, a fragrance such as lavender, will add to a tranquil bedroom
  • Keep technology out of the bedroom or hidden away at the very least.

For more interior design ideas follow us on Facebook.

Create a Relaxing Space You Love

At the end of the day you deserve a tranquil space to relax and unwind. You might think that a bedroom is just a place to sleep, but it is more than that. The right tones, textures and furniture can make your bedroom a calm and serene haven.

Consider the following:

Colour

Cool and muted colours are always calming colours. Green and blue tones bring in a hint of nature and can be used in varying depths of tone to create a layered look that is interested and not bland.

Lighting

Subtly is key here; avoid harsh lighting instead opting for softer lighting that creates the desired mood. This light from Ocean Lighting has the wow factor but also contains a diffuser at the bottom to soften the light. For even more flexibility, add a dimmer switch to control the brightness.

Bedrooms are often a place to read, and adding a light suitable for this purpose is a great idea. The Niche wall light from Pooky is both elegant and practical. It allows the light to be directed onto your book so as to not disturb others.

Bedside cabinets

Cabinets are certainly functional, but the right choice will assist with keeping the room relaxing. If you have space on either side of your bed, it’s best to fill it with a well-fitting low chest, not only does it prevent awkward gaps either side but also gives you plenty of storage to tuck away anything unsightly. The Federico by Gillmore Space fits the bill – a contemporary design with plenty of storage space.

Soft furnishings

Accessories are perfect for injecting colour, pattern and texture into a room, and are an easy way to update the décor. In the bedroom, they have the added bonus of softening the room, whether it’s with a plush rug or scatter cushion.

Every bedroom needs curtains; choosing a heavy or thick fabric will help you keep your room dark. We love these curtains from Anthropologie – perfect for keeping the light out, as well as adding texture and colour to the room.

Use cushions to give a real feel of comfort in the bedroom. They can be scattered or arranged on the bed, or added to chairs. These Glacier Powder cushions from Andrew Martin are a wonderful choice for a bedroom with their cool, calming colours. Alternatively, the Sanderson Sycamore cushions in Mist Blue from Bedeck Home fit into a relaxing theme.

If you have the space, you can create a dedicated reading or relaxing area within your bedroom, somewhere to put your feet up whatever time of the day. A comfortable chair is a great addition, allowing somewhere to sit and contemplate. The Mitzi armchair from Atkin and Thyme would work well.

Pair it with the luxurious Supersoft Sheepskin Pouf from Nordic House and quite literally put your feet up at the end of a tiring day.

Some tips to keep in mind when you are designing your bedroom:

  • Make sure you choose furniture that is both comfortable and functional
  • A neutral colour scheme on the walls is ideal, add texture and interest through accessories
  • Comfort is key in a bedroom, soften edges and corners with plush cushions and blankets.

Remember to follow us on Facebook for more interior design tips.

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.

Follow us on Facebook for more interior design ideas.

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.

Remember to follow us on Facebook to see more interior design tips.

September 2020

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

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.

Interior Design Inspiration for Awkward Spaces

It’s not often that you find a home full of large, rectangular rooms with not a challenging corner in sight. Our homes, and therefore the rooms, are all unique. While that leads to a lot of variety, it can leave home owners confused about how best to decorate and furnish an awkward shaped room. Maybe you have a long narrow living room, and L shaped bedroom, or a room with sloped ceilings or curved walls. There is a design for every place.

Have a look at our tips for dealing with some spaces to give you some ideas:

Asymmetry

We often strive for symmetry in a room, but with a small or awkward space this may be compromised. Try for balance rather than symmetry, for example if you are using a tone or pattern in one area of the room for curtains use it on lampshades or cushions in another area. With the right choice of furniture and accessories, it can be a stylish space that doesn’t feel compromised.

Zone a Large Room

You may not consider a big room to be awkward to design, but sometimes a bigger space leads to too many decisions resulting in a confusing or muddled space. Use furniture and colours and patterns to divide a room into different sections with different functions. The result is a well-organised room with clearly defined areas.

Embrace the Quirk

Instead of trying to hide or disguise an awkward, embrace it, for example an awkwardly shaped alcove could become a desk space with the help of a simple shelf! Use bespoke elements, maybe an usually shaped mirror, or make a feature with a bold pattern or accent colour.

Nooks and Corners

Utilise the space with fitted storage. A bespoke storage system will make any space functional and can be designed in keeping with the rest of the room. This technique is also useful for a small or awkward shaped bedroom where you need storage built around the bed. In narrow spaces consider a sliding door rather than one opening into the area for a more spacious feel, and use mirrors to bounce the light around the room.

With space planning and thinking outside the box, any room can reach its full potential. Work with the space you have and don’t be afraid to be bold.

For more ideas for small and awkward spaces, see our Facebook page and check out the May edition of ‘Ask the Expert’ in House Beautiful.