Interior Thoughts
Hello! I thought it was about time that I introduced myself, by starting a notes section with some ramblings, and ideas that you may (or may not!) be interested in!
Since moving back to the UK in 2020 during this strange pandemic way of life, the worlds of interiors, and art and design have become unbelievably popular, as people continue to spend more and more time at home.
People are conciously wanting a more curated and thoughtful place to call home. A place to sleep, a place to work, a place to relax, and hopefully in the near future, a place to sit round a table or in the garden with friends and family again!
People quite often ask what they can do to create a better home without spending a huge amount on outside costs, like labour, materials etc. I tend to think quite carefully before making any big commitments or changing paint colours. I normally request or buy small samples of fabrics or paints, and live with them for a while and see how they make me feel when sitting in the space.
Mood boarding is a favourite thing of mine to do, whether with textures or colours, or actual bits and pieces, or even just virtually on a platform like Pinterest. Pinterest can be quite overwhelming when you don’t know what you’re looking for exactly, but it is an invaluable tool. Instagram and the ‘Save’ button is also a great way to figure out what you are drawn to and what you think you might consider in your space. I often find following people whose style you are drawn to, whether it be fashion or interiors, always interesting. You soon start to see what colours, trends or design ideas are popular amongst other like-minded people. You will also be able to see your ‘Saved’ grid come to life with recurring ideas and thoughts that may give you inspiration after staring at a blank room for a while.
I also find if you have a piece of artwork or an object you like, whether it be a rug or a print by an artist you admire, this can be a great place to begin. Some people even base an entire room scheme on a painting.
If you are looking for inexpensive ways to update a room, I would always suggest changing out cushions or re-styling shelves with different books or objects. Often just moving things around the house can be the change you are after. New cushion covers and rugs are also a cheaper way to revive a space without committing to a full re-paint or new furniture.
My suggestions for furniture would be to invest in a long lasting sofa, and a few key pieces; like a solid wood dining table, or a well-made armchair or stool that you can then reupholster. These pieces can stay with you wherever you move, and can change over time with new fabrics or removable covers.
It seems expensive at the time, but buy cheap, buy twice! I am a huge fan of Facebook marketplace, Ebay and Etsy. Someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure! (and often at a fraction of the price a reseller may be charging) I have found some serious bargains over the last couple of years whilst scouring these sites. I love buying used, vintage items, as re-using is also great for the environment we live in. Too many interior items these days are single use, or are made too quickly and are full of plastic or cheap veneer, without having any thought of the consequence of these ending up in landfill in ten years’ time. The textile industry being, alarmingly, one of the biggest contributors to industry waste and landfill. Let alone the amount of oil and water used in the manufacturing of fabrics. Anything, however small we can do to help with sustainability and recycling is a bonus in my eyes.
Two people that I really admire for reducing waste are Jules Haines, from the Haines Collection and Laurie Hanrahan from Noir et Or Interiors. Both these ladies take leftover fabrics and samples from various design and textile houses and sell the remnants on or in Laurie’s case, create wonderful feather filled cushion’s for your home. Perhaps a good place to start if you are considering buying a few things for a refresh?
https://hainescollection.co.uk/collections/just-in
I hope that there were a few ideas there to help you along. As always, I love to hear from you so please do contact me if you have any questions or ideas you wanted to discuss!
