Tag: Interior Designer

The Perfect Winter Accessories

It might be December, but it’s not all about Christmas. We’re sure that you’re thinking about your Christmas decorations, and many of you will have them up, but this right now we’re looking at accessories for the winter season that will last beyond 25th December. You might even be inspired to gift these items!

The weather has turned, and you will be wanting to snuggle down and keep warm. What better way than to spoil yourself or a loved one with this hot water bottle cover set from Cos Stores. Crafted from traceable cashmere it really is a touch of luxury, and it makes a lovely gift.

If you want to invest in high quality key pieces of furniture, we love the Levico Chaise Snuggle chair and the Timothy Oulton Yeti chair from Barker and Stonehouse that are timeless and iconic pieces of design to invest in. Perfect for winter evenings.

A throw is the ultimate winter accessory; stylish and warm. We love this Cashmere Blend Throw from John Lewis and can picture it working with the chaise. Use it on a bed or have it ready to grab when you’re chilly. Use cushions to complement the look; Nordic House supply these gorgeous luxury sheepskin cushion covers and will help you get cosy and comfy.

Take some time to relax this winter. The lighting in your home plays an important part in creating the ambiance that you’re looking for. Keeping the lighting low is perfect for a relaxed evening with friends or family, and this timeless table lamp from Heals does just the job.

The Winter Signature Candle from The White Company will make a wonderful Christmas present, although you’ll want to use it yourself! We sometimes forget that fragrances really bring a season to life, but the combination of cinnamon, clove and orange will definitely give you that winter smell. Candles also create a soft ambient mood. Whether indoors or outdoors these hurricane lanterns from nkuku allow you to perfect your scene. Add a pillar candle to complete the look.

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Get Your Interiors Ready for Christmas

At Interiors at 58 we love Christmas and get in the spirit at the beginning of December with a house full of decorations. We will be sharing our own Christmas look once it’s finished, but in the meantime we’re sharing with you some of our favourite Christmas decorations and accessories, hoping to inspire you with your Christmas décor.

Set the expectation with your decorations, starting with your front door. Choosing a beautiful wreath to hang, such as this Everlasting eucalyptus Wreath and Lights Set from Sarah Raven, gets you into the festive spirit before you even step into your home.

Winter is always the time to snuggle up and be warm at home, and Christmas is the perfect chance to bring in festive themed soft furnishings that look great and keep you toasty. This throw blanket from Café Press is made out of soft and warm plush fleece, and can be used anywhere.

Your Christmas tree is typically the focal point of decorations, but it doesn’t need to be. If you don’t have the space for a tree, or simply want more decorative cheer, use fairy lights throughout your home. Weave them round stair bannisters or adorn dressers. The Pom Pom Fairy lights from Anthropologie are perfect for the job, adding fun and cheer to the décor wherever they are placed.

We love this gold chandelier from Meri Meri. Gold is a fabulous colour to use at Christmas, and with the glittering gold stars, it is a star attraction. This is one that could be used all year round, and not just at Christmas. Stars really are a favourite at Christmas, and this golden star with mirrored glass from Oliver Bonas should feature in every home this year.

And talking of gold, we can’t ignore the range of gold tree decorations in the Gisela Graham range at Amara. Theme your tree with gold and a colour such as silver or green and create a wonderful look. Why not browse the full Gisela Graham tree selection; there is a large variety of beautifully crafted decorations and there is something to suit any tree.

Why not create your own Christmas gallery? With a choice of winter and Christmas themed artwork you can transform your room. There are a variety of prints available from Poster Store, available with or without frames and suitable for any budget. Or you could pick one piece of seasonal artwork, like the Joy Christmas Print from Annie Dornan Smith and make it the centre point of a display.

The dining table is the centre of Christmas day festivities and deserves to be decorated as such. There are many festive elements that you can bring to it. We love the Balsam Cloche from Anthropologie. Keep your festive bakes and Santa’s cookies safe under the beautifully decorated glass.

Remember to follow us on Facebook to get a first look at our Christmas decorations this year.

Update Your Interiors Quickly and Easily

Updating your home doesn’t need to be a long and complex process. If you’re going for a major renovation there will be both building and decorating work to consider, but you can quickly and easily refresh the décor of your homes and soon see the difference.

We often recommend that you invest in the key pieces of furniture in your home; your bed, dining table, sofa and alike. An update or refresh will work around these, and keep the costs down. But don’t be fooled into thinking that you can’t make a dramatic change without changing everything. With some consideration small alterations and additions can make all the difference.

Add Greenery

Adding plants immediately freshens a space. If you are using real plants then there are other benefits as well:

  • They make you feel calmer, reducing stress levels
  • They improve the quality of the air through a natural filtering process
  • Plants help you stay focused, and improve mood, productivity and creativity
  • Plants can help you fight colds by increasing the humidity – perfect for this time of year!

If you’re not green fingered, you can opt for faux foliage instead. Whether it’s real or faux it will uplift a room, and you can choose planters and vases that fit in with the décor of the room. We love these ceramic planters from Nordic House; they’re very versatile and work in many different types of colour themes.

This lovely faux fern from Dunelm is a quick and easy addition to any space, including its own iron pot.

Create a Feature in the Room

You can redecorate a whole room if you fancy a change, but that can be an upheaval and if it’s only been decorated recently it may not need it. Instead, pick a one wall and create a feature of it. This could be by painting it a bold colour, adding a striking print or using a luxe wallpaper for effect. We love the Chevron Panel wallpaper from I Love Wallpaper; available in 3 colours it gives a wood panel effect that will certainly make a statement.

Soft Furnishings

This may seem an obvious change to make, but it’s certainly an effective update. Cushions, cushion covers and curtains are straightforward to replace, and instantly change the feel of a room. You could update to reflect the seasons; bright summer flowers and lighter curtains in the spring and summer, moving to the richer autumn colours and plush finishes in the colder months.

If you’re updating now, we’d choose the Aelia cushion covers from Wayfair, an affordable statement cushion set available in a choice of colours. Perfect for a refresh.

Update Your Handles

You’ll notice the biggest change with this in the kitchen; changing cupboard and drawer handles is quick, easy and cost effective, but will change the overall effect. If you want to go one step further, you could update the cupboard and drawer fronts either by replacing or painting them. This is a great example of how you can make a dramatic change without much effort at all. These handles from Buster and Punch are an investment but a pair will give an old sideboard or wardrobe a whole new lease of life!

Upcycle Existing Furniture

As your life changes and evolves, your living needs evolve too. What was the perfect piece of furniture a few years ago now doesn’t quite fit in. Don’t jump straight into replacing it however, upcycling is an option that will allow you to repurpose and continue using loved items. It can evolve with you.

Use Your Dining Table

Dress your dining table and make a statement. For a big event, such as Christmas or Easter, your table often reflects the event and the season. You can continue this all year round, regularly updating and changing the display. Use flowers and foliage for a central display, match this with placemats on a central runner to bring it all together. Use the Rajura hurricane lanterns from nkuku in your table centre, place one large with two small ones on either side – place on a slate or marble platter for even more impact!

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Multipurpose Rooms Can Be The Smart Choice

When you move into a house, you don’t always know what life has in store for you. A growing family, working from home, and the need for additional storage; these aren’t always anticipated. Of course if your needs change you could move house, but there are many reasons why this doesn’t need to be the solution. Moving costs alone need to be considered, and often it can a cost-effective, viable option to stay where you are but make changes.

If you feel that your home isn’t working for you anymore, take a moment to really look at how you use your home and what you need from it. This knowledge will allow you to think about utilising your space more efficiently. Multipurpose rooms really come into their own here – they save space while taking into account different living needs.

Décor

You can use your colour scheme to great effect here to both create a seamless look and differentiate the spaces. Keeping walls neutral will keep the room bright and light, which will always give you the effect of space often needed in a multipurpose room. If you choose similar colours for your storage then it will blend in with the walls, keeping the light effect. Alternatively you could use colour to break the room up; a blue wall behind a desk will distinguish that as being the “office” section of the room.

Accessories and artwork are always brilliant additions to a room, adding interest and colour, and again these can be used to separate the room. A rug may be the centre point of the “living area” of the room. If you are keeping some, or all, of the walls a neutral colour, use artwork to stop the room looking blank.

What works in a multipurpose room?

Lockdown has certainly made many people create a working space in a variety of rooms; a common need that a multipurpose room solves. A working space could be added into a bedroom, ideal for children doing homework too, a living or dining room or even a kitchen. You might need to use a spare room in multiple ways, a playroom or office that easily converts into a guest bedroom maybe. A play space for children can be a welcome addition to a living room, family time together when you want it, and separated when you need a more adult space.

Here are just some pieces that you can use when space is at a premium.

When you have limited space, make sure you make use of every nook and cranny. The Quinnlynn Secretary Desk from Wayfair is perfect for a very limited space. If you want a discrete office space in a room, this works well.

Storage space doesn’t need to be boring and look functional. The Portland Wine Cupboard from The Dormy House is a stylish piece for a living room with a dining area. Keep the crockery and tableware hidden aware, and as an added bonus you can have your wine to hand at dinner time.

The Abel Ottoman from MADE boasts hidden storage and makes a great addition whether it’s a living room or a bedroom; the perfect secret hideaway for bits and bobs.

Storage and fun are two key things when it comes to children’s bedrooms. The Beach House Cabin bed, from The Children’s Furniture Company, is an investment but it’s not only a statement that will be the focal point in the room it’s practical and flexible too – keep everything else simple to keep costs down.

Do you need some play space in the living room that you can hide away after bedtime? The Bodmin Play Table from the Great Little Trading Company can double as a coffee table when the plain side faces up. One table serving two purposes.

Tips

  • Start with the ‘big space’ first and fit other things around it
  • Choose multipurpose furniture for space and cost-efficiency
  • Cupboards with doors can be used to hide things away
  • Check that it works for everyone.

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Keeping Cool in the Summer

It’s been a scorching hot couple of weeks, and with another heatwave predicted keeping cool is definitely on our minds. We may not be able to affect the temperature in our homes, but we can tell you the best ways to use cool colours in your interior design.

All cool colours have a blue undertone and evoke a feeling of calmness and serenity, forming an overall restful effect. Used wisely, cool colours will make space feel more open. Grey, white and neutral colours can also be cool, depending on their undertone.

We work with our clients to achieve a finish that they are happy with; we create the type of space they want to live in. This is one restful space that we have worked on that the owners love, and you can see more finished projects from Interiors at 58 in our Gallery. 

We know that the theory of cool colours works for interior design, but to help you visualise how this could work for you, here are some of our favourite things you could incorporate into your home.

For a classic, cool statement piece, go for the Vantagio Lounge chair from my furniture. This is a perfect example of how a neutral grey works with the silver base of the chair and adds a cool element to any room. You could afford to add a bold coloured cushion to great effect.

We are fans of art and wall hangings because they are just so versatile. They can be a statement piece and they can also be easily moved and rehung to create different effects. This canvas painting from Wayfair is a stunning abstract made with cool colours.

Also from Wayfair, this blue and ivory rug is warm for your feet but fits with the cool finish.

Add a pop of colour with accessories.  A natural green, like this table lamp from Loaf will be a point of interest while still keeping with the cool theme. Of course you can use larger pieces of furniture in cool colours. A mint green velvet sofa from Loaf too is a beautiful colour and the clever velvet finish is a super durable material and ideal for homes with children and pets.

Why not start with a statement piece, like this Etienne sideboard from my furniture, and build your room around it. This would work well with the mint sofa, and add in some pinks for the contrast in the room with accessories.

Tips

  • Cool colours are flexible, and they work well with silver accents as well as black or brass for a contrast that avoids being bland.
  • Cool colours are perfect for rooms where it’s important to concentrate, an office or a study, or those where tranquillity and rest is a priority, for example, a bedroom.
  • Layer the depth of tones using some darker and some more subtle tones but keep within the same cool colour family for the most cohesive look. 

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Enjoy the Summer Inside

Summer is coming, but after a spell of such changeable weather over the last couple of months, we’re forgiven for wondering how long the sun will last. If the weather is warm and sunny you can enjoy plants and flora outside; but what if it’s raining? With the unpredictable nature of the British weather, this month we are bringing you all year round ideas to enjoy flowers and summer floral colours.

Floral designs and patterns are in constant supply when it comes to interior design. With so much to choose from and changing trends, there is something for everyone.

Get an all year round bright, summery feel by using floral print wallpaper in your home. You can create a feature wall or paper the whole room, but be mindful that the pattern doesn’t overpower the space and leaving you feeling a little overwhelmed.

A pretty and calming floral print perfect for a bedroom or dining room is the Sanderson Chiswick Grove wallpaper from Jane Clayton. Whereas the Dark Floral II wallpaper from Ellie, a dark and moody oversized floral print, is perfect for cosy rooms such as snugs and smaller spaces such as the WC or a  bathroom. We would suggest painting the other walls in a complementary dark tone to make the feature wall appear cohesive with the room, rather than randomly placed and at odds with the rest of the room.

Artwork is an obvious choice for bringing bright blooms to your walls. The availability of a vast array of artwork means that you will be able to find a perfect match for your taste. Depending on your budget and preference you could look at posters or prints, hand-painted pictures or bespoke creations. We love these prints from Desenio; keeping the florals slightly abstract in nature with a close up view adds an extra aspect of interest to the flowers, really focusing on the beauty of the petals.

Soft furnishings make personalising your space easy. Choose cushions to complement your sofa, and curtains to create a feature. Small cushions and embellishments allow you to bring in an intricate design without overwhelming you. Matching the cushions and curtains, if the size of the pattern allows, really brings the room together. Use your choice of rug to make a statement with the Peonia Grande Rug from Jane Clayton or have a subtle addition with the Orphee rug from Maison du Monde.

Of course, you can always use flowers for your floral additions. Cut flowers can mirror the season and smell lovely, but artificial flowers are an effective, long lasting alternative to have beautiful blooms on display. Peony.co.uk stock a great range and two of our favourites are the Orchid Terrarium and the Sweet Pea Fish Bowl.

Top Tips for Florals in Interior Design

  • Floral doesn’t need to mean feminine – balanced patterns can be more neutral or masculine
  • Foliage, both real and artificial, is an easy way to bring greenery into a room, and the pot can be matched to the style you are looking for
  • Furniture featuring floral prints can be used as statement pieces to inject colour and energy into an otherwise neutral room. We love the Grey Armchair with Floral Design from Viano Interiors and Broughton Mist Dining Chair from Boo-Burys.

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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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New Year, New Design

Moving house or home improvements are often on New Year’s resolutions lists. It is the perfect time of year to have a rethink as new design trends are filtering through and inspiring new products. Maybe you’re considering moving house because your current home doesn’t offer you the space you need. Your home decoration may need a refresh or you want to put your design stamp on your new home.

We love what we do, and we are incredibly lucky to work with some fantastic clients, as well as developers, who are personalising their home décor. We work with those who need to reconfigure the space in their home to make it work for them, providing clever storage solutions and maximising space. But why should you consider using an interior designer?

Why use an Interior Designer?

There are lots of reasons to hire an interior designer to help design your living and working space, and some of them might surprise you!

Save money

With our knowledge and experience, we will help you make the best choices for your home. This means that you will avoid making costly mistakes when you try and do it yourself. A well-designed house can also increase the value of your house and make it more desirable to buyers; great if you are thinking about putting your house on the market. Design helps too with selling new developments, as it allows potential buyers to see the lifestyle acquiring the property will bring, rather than looking at empty, blank rooms.

Budgeting and Planning

A designer will work within your given budget, making the most of every penny you have to spend. With our resources and knowledge of product ranges, we know where to look, not only for the perfect item but for budget friendly options. We take care of any necessary research and put a plan in place so that everything commences smoothly.

Making the Space Work

Our clients often know the end result that they would like to achieve but they don’t know how to make it happen. This can lead to people moving house unnecessarily because the owners feel the house doesn’t work for them, but with the right design a home can be transformed. A common problem is that people lack storage space; we can find ingenious ways to overcome this. Whatever style you would like to go for – we have the skills to accomplish the desired finish.

Making it Happen

When you are redecorating yourself, it can be easy to procrastinate and put things off; life often gets in the way with things cropping up. As a designer, we focus on your project, designing and sourcing. Having an interior designer involved means that you are likely to complete the work in a shorter timescale, not to mention making it simpler!

Have a look at our full gallery of projects.

If you are considering making changes within your home this year, contact us to find out how we can help you, and follow us on Facebook for more trends and ideas.

January 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

Colours and Interior Design

Interior designers always consider colours when they are putting together designs for a room or space. There will be colours that their clients are drawn to, and equally colours they want to avoid. There are colours that will optimise the room and create certain effects.

When we commence a project, we take the time to get to know our clients, their tastes and preferences and desired finish for each room. We build a design around that and get creating. So, what can colour bring to your room?

Blue

This calming, meditative colour works well for workspaces, and rooms in which you wish to relax in. Blue can sometimes be thought of as a cold colour, but a room with plenty of natural light and sunlight work perfectly with blue hues. Organic material, such as wicker and wood, has innate warmth and will add texture and balance to a blue room.   Blue is extremely versatile; use it in any room and to create a variety of themes. Used with white, blue gives a feel of lightness and freshness, opening up small spaces.

Green

Bring the outdoors in with the use of green in your room. There are many different shades of green, from emeralds and forest greens which are vibrant and contemporary to pastel hues which work well in a more classic scheme. Aside from the décor, greens look great in velvets and you can use faux greenery to complement the tones.

Yellow

Yellow is a welcoming colour and it can be used to warm up and brighten up spaces without windows and with a lack of light. For these reasons, yellow is perfect for entryways and hallways. To avoid yellow being overwhelming, it is especially suited to accent the room whether that is with a feature wall or selected yellow accessories. Yellow particularly suits Scandinavian themes and is very effective when paired with navy blues.

White

White is the most commonly used colour in interior design, whether it’s ceilings and woodwork or fittings and walls, it is a solid choice. White reflects light so can be used to make spaces seem larger and rooms more spacious. This neutral colour can be used to complement a bold accent colour, such as black or gold. It can also be used with great effect to showcase architectural features and as a backdrop for artwork. To avoid a room feeling cold from the use of a lot of white, use accessories with warm colours and introduce textures or accent colours. White will help you create a minimalist, modern look.

Colour affects our moods, so choosing the right colours within your home is vital. If you’re not sure how to achieve the desired effects contact us.

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May 2019