When clients call in The Design Team to re-decorate their house we always take a check of their pictures and art.   These are not going to go out with the old curtains but will need to be incorporated into the new scheme and in many cases are the starting point for the scheme.  This apartment in the South of France is filled with local art.

If a house lacks  paintings we recommend our local clients visit the York Open Studios event.

Local artists exhibit their work at their studios or homes during a two-week period.  This opportunity to buy good local original art direct from the studio is not to be missed. It is a great opportunity to start a collection without breaking the bank.  Not only paintings are on show, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, sculpture -  and all can be bought directly from the artist.

What about this wonderful bronze cat by Sally Arnup?

Murals can be fun and sophisticated

If you want a bit of fun decorating a room murals come into their own.  They are quite often chosen to bring to life a child’s bedroom, but they can be used to good effect in all rooms of the house. My great friend Rosie Cameron Smith specialises in murals. She paints walls, ceilings, doors – whatever you want – in health spas, hotels and homes.  The mural below is on the chimney in a house in Yorkshire.

Monkeys swinging in the trees will thrill a young child. Parents will be pleased to see that that Rosie’s murals are not at all cliched but fresh and subtle on the eye.

Below is a Caribbean scene complete with added sheep which has been used to decorate a wall recess in a country house.

Rosie has painted walls and ceilings in all the best places.  Based in St. Kitts in the Caribbean she spends much of her time designing and painting murals and commissioned art for the owners of private villas at the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis.  There is always a little humour added to the mural.

She also works in the UK mostly on large projects but is available for smaller commissions.  If you would like me to give you more information please get in touch for an introduction to Rosie or for any help with your interiors.

Let The Design Team kick start your project

Shirley and I work with an open mind.  We do not have a set style that we offer to every client but like to take time to meet people and interpret what their requirements are.

Interior design isn’t an instant fix and we hope new clients understand this.  It is worth the effort as we can save you precious time, bring you a wealth of products both new and favourite oldies which you would find  hard to source as well as a fresh pair of eyes to help you interpret your own style.

More news and ideas coming soon:   Lulie Machin

Shirley and I took the day trip to Decorex last week, anticipating all manner of inspiration.

Harrogate interior designer relaxing!

There’s never a shortage of glamour at Decorex but on entering the marquee at Chelsea we were amused to see to what lengths some designers go to create a glamorous bedroom.

Oops I don’t think our current clients quite want the Aphrodite look in Helperby!

As usual there were wonderful displays of fabrics both traditional and contemporary.  Soft sofas, excellent galleries of  beautifully framed prints, funky and elegant furniture. The selection of rugs and carpets was  awe- inspiring. We filled our show bags with fabulous samples and brochures for future reference.

With so many patterns, bright colours, stripes and retro prints the most outstanding display was so subtle and tactile you wanted to wrap yourself in the fabulous linens and woven wool and cashmere fabrics displayed in blanket size samples gently graded in shades of cream to silver.

de la cuona fabrics and cushions

These fabrics scream STYLE in their simplicity, and hardly warrant lining or interlining they just stand on their own.  However, they are at the top end price range so perhaps not for us today.

The sun was shining and we had done the show from top to bottom, so we walked up the Kings Road to Osborne & Little and Designers Guild showrooms.

Starving and thirsty we stopped for a well-earned sandwich at Paul Patisserie.  Such a shame we don’t have one of these in Harrogate, after a delicious jambon cru baguette and espresso we were revived and full of enthusiasm again for the final showrooms and journey home.

Decorex is the classic trade show to find new interesting products for our clients.   We are currently working on a child’s bedroom and will be visiting some of the many bespoke rug makers showcasing their products in London this  month.  On the top of the list is AnnaVRugs- I’m hoping the’ Flat Cat’ looks as good in the flesh as it does pictured.

This butterfly rug is a brand new design from Anna and can be made in any colourway, could be exciting.

As Interior Designers it is our responsibility to be aware of the new and emerging trends within the design industry. So with that in mind we are on our way to London to visit Decorex International 2011.

Decorex International is an amazing event for Interior Design professionals, we always find it an exciting place to visit, it whets our appetite for design as it gives us the latest inspirational ideas and showcases many of the new interior products and new designers.

On the train journey we plan which stands to visit and what items we need to look out for, to source products for our individual clients .There are 280 specialist exhibitors so as you can imagine this takes time and we want to make sure we don’t miss anything, on top of this there are also a variety of seminars ranging from,

•    What is luxury
•    Home technology for today’s savvy clients
•    Live love and decorate

I think we all love a bit of luxury in our homes whether it’s a piece of furniture, an amazing light or a pair of stunning curtains. Luxury is something we are looking forward to finding within the many exciting exhibits featured at Decorex (see our previous blog for our ‘insider’ tips on interior design!)

With having so much to think about, making sure we use our time at Decorex wisely, the train journey will pass in a flash.   Although, it may be a little more luxurious if we were sitting at this fabulous table from Tom Faulkner – we’ll certainly take a good look at his stand.

When it comes to designing a room scheme many people just don’t know where to start; the scale of the project can seem overwhelming. As interior designers we know a thing or two about those little tricks of the trade that can make a big difference so here are our ‘insider tips’:

Tip 1: Colour

While it can be tempting to apply a range of colours in a room scheme, try and restrain yourself to no more than three. This creates a sense of calm and you can add pattern and texture through fabric and accessories. When choosing colours remember that natural colours are conducive to relaxation; shades of taupe are always popular; but don’t forget to use a bolder accent colour to lift the room.  When you are choosing a paint colour, test it out by painting the inside of a shoe box.  This will give you an idea what the colour will look like on different walls of the room.

Tip 2: Over-scale

This is a classic interior design tactic! Try over-scaling a few key items in the room to add drama and boldness. This can work particularly well with artwork, mirrors, light fittings, accessories and wallpaper.

Tip 3: Lighting

Lighting is often an afterthought but it should actually form an integral part of your design. Lighting adds atmosphere and softness and accents your other design features. It needs to be part of your plans from the outset, not purely from an aesthetic point of view but from a practical one too. For example, if you have table lamps in the centre of your room you may want to consider having sockets fitted in the floor which would need to be completed before any decoration work could commence. Also don’t forget to have fun with lighting and experiment with the effects you can create!

Tip 4: Symmetry and Asymmetry

The use of symmetry in an interior can be very soothing. Try placing a console table in your hallway with a pair of tall lamps separated by a statement piece mirror. Not only is this decorate, it’s highly functional as well. Alternatively, asymmetry can create character and interest such as a group of furniture or objects together in one corner of the room.

Tip 5: Feature Elements

Don’t be afraid of investing in a special piece of furniture or artwork; the dramatic focus it creates will be worth the outlay!   To get real value from this piece buy beautiful enduring design classics that you will want to live with for a long time.

Tip 6: Form Follows Function

This old adage is always worth remembering! Your home needs to be comfortable and fit for purpose so design your scheme around how you use the room to avoid the trap of style over content.

We hope that we have inspired you with our little titbits of advice. If they have convinced you that it actually would be worth seeking the advice of experienced interior designers then please contact us to discuss your requirements further.