Living Walls

This indoor garden trend involves hanging boxes with plants growing vertically. Succulents are currently popular, with geometric shapes and interesting lines that match the modern aesthetic. They’re also hardy and don’t need a lot of tending. Herb gardens and small rainforests may suit your personal style better. Living walls are green in more ways than one, as they improve indoor air quality while making a statement. You can get everything you need in a kit, or if you’re handy, hit the hardware store.

Window Seat

A classic for good reason, a window seat combines cosy comfort, a nook filled with natural light, and practical storage. Indeed, a thick drape in something sumptuous like suede cloth or brocade could enclose a window seat for the perfect indoor escape, or forgo curtains to create an inviting focal point. If you’re averse to carpentry, bench furniture and pillows can create the same effect. Besides the romance of it, every house could use extra seating and another cupboard.

Low Bookcases and High Art

To highlight collections and art pieces, flank the window with matching shelves that are low and use the vertical space as your gallery. Don’t be afraid to go near the ceiling, further than the top of the window frame, just as long as the higher pieces don’t have details that would be lost. Choose bookcases that are the same size and colour, if not identical. A unifying scheme works well in these intentional displays, but if you want a jumble of everything in your gallery, you can bring it together by painting all the frames the same colour.

Think Outside the Blinds

As with all things décor, don’t limit yourself to framing windows at the home goods shop. What unusual materials can you use to manage light, views, and visual appeal on your windows? Further, vintage lace, beaded curtains, even macramé are coming back in style. Install cast iron twists, old fireplace fenders, and pieces of fences upside down at the top of a window to create a unique frame. Painting on the glass (if you’re artistic) or applying vinyl clings (if you’re not) lets light through and shares it with the world outside.

Learn More About Framing Windows

Contact Lisa Lewis Interior Design to schedule a consultation here.

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Role of Textures in Light Reflection/Capture

Different surface textures attract and reflect light from various angles. Additionally, direct light on texture boosts it. However, if it is diffused light, it makes the texture appear dull. A room with more light allows surfaces to reflect more light.

Surface Textures That Brighten Spaces

1. Rough or coarse texture — reflects less light portraying a warm feeling while making the room feel dense and rustic. These textures provide a sense of intimacy. Examples include carpets, embroidered fabrics, rugs, or Maltese stone.
2. Smooth or shiny texture — reflects more light projecting a cool feeling. It makes a room feel light, sleek, more sophisticated, and more modern. Indeed, such textures include stone countertops and silky pillows.
3. Soft or raised texture — tends to take in more light making a room feel warm, for instance, embellished furniture.
4. Shiny and reflective texture — reflects more light. It is ideal in darker and smaller rooms as it makes them appear bigger and brighter. Examples of such texture include mirrors, wooden floors, lattice tables, or ceramic tiles.

Conclusion

By having a mix of light and heavy textures in varying sizes, you will create a perfect ambience in your home. You can also alternate between rough and smooth texture to bring out an interesting scheme in a space. Glossy textures are more modern while natural or rough textures are laid back and rustic.

To learn more about how to infuse surface textures to brighten your space, schedule an online/virtual consultation with us today.

The post 4 Surface Textures That Lift a Room’s Mood appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Storage, Storage, and More Storage!

You’ve probably heard the saying, “A place for everything, and everything in its place”. It’s important that we indeed do have a place for everything, and in many cases, storage is the answer to the dilemma. Some elements will need to contain items long-term (like quilts, photo albums, old letters), while others will simply be a place to hang items that are used every day, such as keys, hats, purses, etc.

Depending on the available space, it’s a good idea to keep the type of item in mind before acquiring it. Large spaces may benefit from curio cabinets and extensive shelving units, while a smaller room might be better served by dual-purpose furniture, such as a bench with hidden storage underneath.

Making Storage an Attractive Matter

Now is the time to get creative and really tap into your inner designer. Look around each room and try to envision unique and practical ways to reduce that mind-altering clutter. Examples might include:

• An antique shelf by the door for shoes
• Some rustic pegs on the wall
• A work desk with lots of compartments
• Bookshelves
• New closets

Learn More About Storing Items in a Visually-Appealing Way

Of course, all the basics of design apply in these decisions; choose the colours, wood types, and styles that compliment your room and add visual interest. Let your personality shine through each of your choices and you’ll find that the new look will fit into your lifestyle!

The post Create Visually-Appealing Storage in Every Room appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Use Vertical Space

Your walls aren’t only a place to display art; when designing a room that is going to serve multiple purposes, walls are prime real estate for storage options. Wall-mounted bookshelves and hooks  free floor space and keep your belongings organised. Consider using hanging planters for houseplants, for example. Anything that you can put up and away will help your space feel more open.

Consider Murphy Furniture

The Murphy bed folds up against the wall when not in use. However, these days, beds are not the only type of furniture designed to be neatly stashed away. Desks pull down from inside bookshelves, kitchen tables fold up against the wall, and seating options fold flat when not in use, or even double as additional storage. Space savers such as these can be both stylish and functional.

Divide Your Room

If you need to share your space with others but would like some additional privacy,  a room divider could be a great solution. Stylish screens and curtains easily store away or for a more permanent solution, a bookshelf can be used to divide a room.

Find Smart Storage Solutions

A room feels more peaceful and orderly when things are stored  within easy access. Just because your room is multi-functional doesn’t mean it has to be cluttered. Consider decorative boxes or opaque storage containers to keep like objects together. If your living room doubles as a home gym, finding a place to store your dumbbells when not in use can make a huge difference in the feel of the room.

Learn More About Designing Multi-Functional Rooms

If you keep these tips in mind, you will be well on your way to a successful result. Creating a spacious-feeling living space that suits your lifestyle is possible for everyone. If you would like personalised advice for your unique living situation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The post Designing Multi-Functional Rooms: Tips From a Professional appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Material selection is more complicated than people think, not just because there are so many options to choose from, but also because there are many decisions to make along the way. One of the things you have to decide is whether to use authentic or artificial materials.

Importance of Authentic, Quality Materials When Doing a Home Interior Redesign

When choosing interior design materials, quality is key. Interior design experts and enthusiasts can attest that good design is characterised by being good both in form and function. In other words, you have to pick the right material, not just the right material look.

As far as the right materials are concerned, natural or authentic materials reign supreme. There are several reasons for this. First, the quality and craftsmanship of authentic materials are higher than what you get in artificial pieces. This gives them a look that’s different from knockoffs.

Another aspect that makes authentic materials a better choice than artificial materials is that they are enduring. Interior designs that incorporate original and authentic materials last longer, maybe even become more beautiful over the years.

There’s also something about authentic materials that instantly adds depth to a room. Compared to synthetic or processed materials, natural raw materials like stone, wood, leather, linen, and hides not only look good, but they add more richness to a room.

When to Use Real Materials

If you’re looking to bring a touch of nature into your home, you should consider using real materials. The good thing about authentic, quality materials, is that they offer a very organic, vital, and wholesome feel.

Environmental awareness has increased in every single aspect of our lives, and interior design is no exception. If you’re a homeowner or interior designer who’s embracing the eco-friendly trend, then you should use real materials.

Natural materials are better for the environment. If you’re looking for a durable, sustainable, versatile, eco-friendly, and health-conscious option, you should consider using authentic, quality materials.

When to Use Artificial Materials

If you’re going for a sophisticated design that involves layering different textures and patterns, consider using artificial materials. Due to their artificial nature, these materials are manufactured in different colors, sizes, shapes, and strengths.

Another instance when you can use artificial materials is when you’re working on a tight budget. In terms of cost, artificial materials are often less expensive. As such, incorporating artificial materials into your interior design project is an excellent way to add interest to a room without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

More than ever, the overall design story is as important, if not more important, than the individual interior design materials themselves. As such, you should decide what story you want to tell with the materials. Be sure to evaluate things you like and incorporate them into your space. If you need help choosing the right materials for your space, be sure to consult with a professional.

The post Authentic vs. Artificial Materials: How to Pick the Right Material for Interior Design appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Furniture

Could your storage problem be fixed with new furniture? Cabinets, shelves, console tables with room for bins underneath: the possibilities are as varied as the rooms in which they live. Don’t feel restricted by the label or placement designated in the furniture store. For example, a tall bedroom dresser can hold all the board games for a family. A jewellery cabinet can sort craft supplies. Wine racks can keep scarves.

Wrap It Up

Wrap boxes, bins, and holders a stylish cover to match the room’s theme. Hat boxes, magazine holders, and even right-sized plain cardboard boxes can easily be covered with scrapbook pages, wrapping paper, or decorative fabric. Use a glue such as Modge Podge pasted under the paper and then brush a layer on top to create a lacquered surface and keep the paper stuck.

Don’t Hide It

Storage doesn’t need to be hidden behind cabinet doors or in pretty boxes to be beautiful. Consider the space and what you need to store. Books are a perfect example. Some designers have started arranging books by spine colour, but be careful not to lose the ability to find a title or subject. Within a shelf or group of books, can you arrange them to be visually appealing? Try ascending size within biographies or colour transitions on a shelf of novels. Mass market paperbacks are all the same size, so turn a stack on their side every shelf or two. Don’t be afraid to switch up strategies within one space to avoid monotony.

Label With Flair

Make your labels aesthetic. Labelling complex storage is important for finding things easily but think outside the label-maker. Chalk signs and decorative stickers are available in most home stores, or you can write your own pretty cursive labels. You can even label with pictures or colours instead of words to change things up.

Find More Creative Storage Solutions

Great design meets the needs of both looks and function. Contact us for a consultation on your sustainable interior design solution.

The post Even Storage Deserves Appealing Design appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Scale Down Furniture

When it comes to furniture, it’s a good idea to think about proportions. You don’t want pieces of furniture bumping up against each other as this can emphasize the smallness of the room.

Instead, you want to create a sense of roominess by leaving space between furniture. It’s also a good idea to avoid bulky furniture that can take up too much of the room.

Incorporate Furniture Lower to the Ground

Furniture that is designed to sit low to the ground may not be the first thing you think about when making your space look larger. However, this is one of the easiest ways to create a sense of openness in small areas.

Essentially, when furniture sits lower to the ground, you create more room between your furniture and the ceilings, which is a great way to make the room feel larger.

Mirrors, Mirrors, and More Mirrors

If you’re looking for a quick and easy hack to maximize your living space, try adding mirrors. When done correctly, mirrors do a great job of creating a sense of openness, even in small living spaces. This is because mirrors not only reflect light, but they reflect the view, which easily tricks the eye to perceive more space.

Keep It Simple

It certainly never hurts to keep it simple when you need to maximize the space of a small room. Working with small spaces takes a bit of editing and a part of that editing process is arranging, adding, and removing certain pieces altogether.

The more pieces you add to your room, the more cluttered it will look and feel. If you have a lot of small objects, try grouping some together so that it can read as one installation. Additionally, you should avoid patterns that are too busy and colours that are overwhelming. Using neutral colours and patterns can help open up the overall space.

Learn More About Effective Interior Design

Just because you have a small space doesn’t mean you can’t get the most out of it. Small spaces can be fun, and with effective interior design, can help you maximize any room in your home. For the best results, consider hiring an interior designer. An interior designer understands how to make spaces more functional and appealing. They are able to assess your space and determine what the best solution is to open it up. Contact us to learn more.

The post 4 Ways to Make Spaces Look Bigger With Effective Interior Design appeared first on Interior Designer for Richmond & Dorset.

Through a survey published by the Association for Psychological Science, most people believe the type of ambiance influences their emotions in a room. It is against this backdrop that excellent bedroom design is essential in promoting positive feelings.

Therefore, this article offers insight into various design trends you can apply to have a superb bedroom experience.

1. Hushed Palettes in Bedrooms

Most homeowners are slowly getting rid of big master suites by replacing the space with a larger closet and bathroom. Further, colour palettes are giving bedrooms a new relaxing and classical experience.

 Monochromatic colours are one of the most preferred painting trends that are picking momentum among most interior designers. Opposed to earlier, when interior designers used only a single floral pattern in bedroom decoration, the current approach offers a new touch in the general bedroom decoration.

2. Statement Textiles

Decorating your bedroom walls using Wallpapers and draperies give your room a gorgeous outlook. With the hectic current lifestyle, people enjoy seeing around soft luxurious fabrics when they go back home. In this case, wallpapers give your bedroom an excellent colour and pattern combinations that make a kids room more appealing

3. A Place to Unplug

Avoiding plugged in devices all over the bedroom gives the bedroom a great outlook. Most electricians are becoming more creative through better installations that don’t allow scattering of electrical installations all over the room.

The majority of homeowners are getting rid of TVs in their bedrooms. Instead, they invest more in beddings and window treatment to give the room a soft, serene lighting experience. Indeed, investing in soft textures and natural materials is an area of focus for most homeowners.

4. Elevating the Luxe Factor

A luxurious, gorgeous bedroom outlook boosts the mood and ambiance. The large headboards extending behind the nightstand provides comfort and a luxe outlook. Most people experience an elegant atmosphere when they spend time in various travel destinations. Contact us to learn more.

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Are there various staircase designs that you can use for your home? This article spotlights different classic designs that you should consider for your house.

Whether thinking about redesigning your staircase and looking for excellent design ideas, or building a new house and wondering which type you may need for your house, these steps will serve you well.

1. L Shaped

These straight shaped staircases ensure a 90-degree turn going right or left after landing. Additionally, the stairs are commonly used in most homes as they are simple and easy to design.

2. U Shaped

If you feel like using the staircase daily with ease, then the U shaped staircase is ideal for you. Just the way L shaped operates, the U shaped takes a full U shape. A landing is usually used to separate the two parallel segments.

3. Winder

The winder is a more complicated version of the L shaped staircase. This type has a set of winders with treads broader on one side than the other. The treads make the landing place to save space. They are ideal for limited space despite the complicated design.

4. Curved

The curved shaped staircase designs have no landing. Ordinarily, this design is continuous following the bend. This creates a striking architectural design for your house. If you are stylish and looking for a unique design for your home, then this design is ideal for you.

5. Bifurcated

Compared to a curved staircase, which generally continues with no landing, a bifurcated design resembles the iconic Titanic staircase. This type has a sweeping set of steps split into two flights going opposite directions. If you are looking for a gorgeous design for your home, then choose a bifurcated design.

Conclusion

An excellent staircase design gives your home a stylish outlook. Whether you opt for bifurcated, curved, or any form of style for your house, your budget counts. Transform your home’s outlook by collaborating with qualified interior designers to guide you in the process. Contact us to learn more.

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First, let’s discuss what green design is. There is no absolute definition, but the generally accepted concept is that green design improves the air quality in your home, and your materials have a limited impact on the environment. How this translates into your interior scheme is in using natural fibres, real wood, and maximizing natural light.

Natural Fibres

Opt for natural, nontreated fibres with flame-retardant chemicals. Synthetics emit chemical gases that can cause health problems ranging from infertility to developmental issues with children. Further, wool is a great choice for rugs as it is naturally flame-retardant. Cotton, linen, and silk blend with wool for durable and safe upholstery and rugs, and fabric blends without wool are available for window treatments.

Real Wood

Choose furniture made from solid wood. English oak and walnut have been the hallmark of British furniture for hundreds of years and are still going strong. Same with mahogany and teak. Real wood furniture is made with old woodworking techniques that favour wood joinery over glue. Thus, ensuring a strong bond without resorting to chemical adhesives, which are the primary culprits for interior VOC emissions. Avoid particleboard or MDF (sorry, IKEA) as the main adhesive ingredient in these synthetic pieces is formaldehyde, which causes all manner of respiratory problems.

Low-VOC Benefits

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) are chemicals that off-gas into your home. VOCs are what give paint that unmistakable odour, and are present in many synthetic fibres. Further, VOCs off-gassing can be toxic for some people and animals, so avoid them as best you can.

Natural Light

Arranging your furniture so that you take advantage of natural light allows you to use less artificial light. Thus, helping further reduce energy usage and your energy footprint.

Green design is ultimately a throwback to traditional design techniques used in modern conveniences. Contact us to learn more.

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