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Black and white can be used to dramatic effect, to create statement designs or, combined with tonal grey’s for a more understated look.

A dramatic printed wallpaper is used as a feature in this guest bedroom.  Such a bold print might be too much to live with day-to-day but for occasional guest use, it gives the room a distinct character and charm.

Black and white accents are used to contrast with the antique furniture to give the scheme a slightly more contemporary twist.

A tonal scheme using shades of grey with black accents creates a softer and more subtle scheme.

In all these designs, texture and form are used to add interest and detail to the simple, neutral colour palette.  Colour can be overlaid onto tonal grey or black and white schemes to great affect and might be changed to reflect seasonal changes.

Paneling is one of my favourite surface finishes and I’m seeing a revival of the use of paneling recently, possibly as a follow-on from the popularity of wallpaper. Paneling can add a new dimension to any space with the texture and effect of the shadow and reflected light it creates. Although rooted in history, paneling can be used to create a very clean and modern finish, whilst adding character and contrast to sleek contemporary lines.

This project undertook the transformation of an out-dated master suite, including the dark and gloomy bathroom located within an old converted farm building. The main concerns of the client were lighting levels, practical storage and adding some character to the space in keeping with the age and style of the existing architecture.

Paneling was the ideal medium to unify the master bedroom, dressing area and bathroom. A monochromatic taupe scheme combines mixed surface finishes including marble, mirror and glazed tiles for a high quality and hotel chic finish but with reference to the history of the building.

Recently completed and awaiting the finishing touches, the new design provides practical cupboard storage above and below the his-and-hers basins, open shelving above the bath and a concealed cupboard above the WC. The panel detail has been painstakingly crafted by Duncan Bruce Fine Furniture to suit the scale of the space and allow practical storage to be incorporated. All of the decorative finishes have been immaculately completed by Paintworks Solutions.

Images of the ‘before’ layout and colour scheme show just how dramatic this transformation has been.

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

This project is still being completed but progress is being made, with the recent delivery of a stunning dining table and round-back upholstered chairs.

One end wall has been mirrored to reflect natural light into the space during daytime use and sparkling candle and soft lamp light in the evening.

A glamorous Porta Romana gold lamp base and chartreuse green silk shade compliment the other elements of the scheme perfectly.

Gold-leaf poles and silk curtains have softened the room and helped to re-proportion the shallow, wide window.

Adding the finishing touches to any room can be daunting, but these final additions are the key to personalising a home. As with handbags and jewelery, these items can turn a simple design into something unique.

Dressing a pair of antique demi-lune tables in a Hallway, with oak lamp bases, antique leather-bound books and a pair of antique, wooden shoe molds, completes the symmetrical styling of the space and prevents the table-top becoming cluttered with random objects and muddles.

A pair of lamps and an orchid are used to simply decorate a marble-top chest of draws on the first floor landing. The lamp light gives a gentle glow and adding flowers or plants adds instant life and warmth to interiors.

Adding or, changing these small items within any space can alter the atmosphere of a room. These finishing touches may be seen as an additional expense at the end of a possibly costly project, but without them the scheme will look incomplete. Using existing treasured belongings can help to save money and revamp a new or existing room design.

Reclamation is right on trend and can be given a modern twist to bring old finds in line with modern lifestyles.

The joy of using reclaimed pieces is you can create a design which is totally unique to yourself and cannot be reproduced exactly, whilst doing your bit for the environment and recycling other peoples ‘rubbish’.  A perfect design mentality to fit with increased environmental concerns and a bleak economic outlook…. BUT, we can still have style!

A bit like clever wardrobe styling, vintage or reclamation pieces can be combined with modern design to create a warm and inviting space with plenty of interest and character.

In this open-plan living space, the architectural grandeur of the Georgian window is given priority as the focal point of the kitchen layout.  Beneath it, a reclaimed cabinet is used to house a butlers sink and the vintage style is contrasted with a contemporary, designer tap.  An industrial edge is created with sleek stainless appliance, freestanding commercial kitchen units and open shelving.

Contemporary lighting provides good task lighting over the work surfaces and reflected light adds sparkle to the stainless steel surfaces.  The worktops are created from wide, reclaimed floorboards, stained and sealed.  The reclaimed wood shows all its age and character in contrast to the sleek, modern appliances and stainless steel surfaces.

Colour is added to the neutral decoration, using the open shelving to display and store mis-matched china pieces, collected over time.

Glass jars, old crates, hooks and wicker baskets are used for practical storage.  A large reclaimed and restored dresser is used for concealed cupboard storage , draw storage and the glass-fronted cabinet above, for glassware and china display.

The overall effect is a free-standing kitchen design which combines practical modern convenience with the interest and character of antique and reclaimed items.  With a glittering antique chandelier still to be hung over the stainless steel island unit and a reinforced mirror splash-back to be fitted, the design is still evolving.  Charles Eames chairs are still awaited to contrast with the antique Georgian kitchen table to balance the contrast of old and new but with all reclaimed design, the process is ongoing…..  What I personally love about a reclaimed kitchen within our preferred open plan living spaces is that it blends, the free-standing furniture merges with the adjoining rooms and decor, making the kitchen feel less utilitarian and more part of the overall home.

Many people are scared of using dark colours in their homes.  Black and charcoal are often regarded with caution, but can be used within schemes to successfully create drama and impact within any space and used in small amounts throughout a home will lead the eye through the space.

As this open plan kitchen and family living space illustrates, charcoal grey is used throughout a pale neutral space to punctuate and define the three distinct areas from a dark charcoal sofa, white dining space and charcoal painted kitchen cabinets.  The key is to create contrast and balance the light and shade within the scheme.

Whilst this room is still a work in progress, the backbones are already established and dark coloured surfaces are featured to great effect.  Assorted surface finishes from the reflective glass mosaic tiles, the matt painted cabinet doors and the soft velvet charcoal sofa upholstery, add depth to an otherwise neutral scheme.

As well as contrasting light with dark, the styles of furniture and finish also provide contrast.  Traditional paneled kitchen cabinet doors, black Aga and a grey-veined marble work tops are contrasted with contemporary kitchen door handles and clean lines of an inexpensive white high-gloss kitchen table and leather chairs.

Try turning to the dark side and add a little black!

This modern family home was a warren of smaller rooms which didn’t benefit from the garden outlook to the rear of the property. Working with GS Design, we reworked the existing space and extended to create a large open plan family kitchen, with dining table and seating area.

The kitchen units and doors are all Ikea but Corian worktops have been added in white to the island unit and in pale concrete grey to the L-planned units. A grey glass splash back reflects natural light into the space and stainless steel appliances and accessories complete the look.

Solid oak flooring is used to add warmth to the kitchen/living space and is continued throughout the home. Colour is added with a pair of red occasional chairs to compliment the Clients existing artwork and are positioned to benefit from the French-doors accessing the garden. Linen curtains and a textured rug are still to be added to soften the scheme and improve the acoustics in this open plan space.

The interior oak flooring is combined with a wrap-around timber decked area to blur boundary between internal and external living. Surface recessed uplighters are sunk into the perimeter of the decking and an oak frame balcony has been added to the Master Bedroom above.

The Client requested a feminine but practical dressing room and adjoining ensuite bathroom. The same pale grey which is used throughout the property is given a feminine twist with contrasting pink. A feature wall of Cole & Son wallpaper provides a focal point to the space.

The Dressing Room wallpaper is reflected in the large bathroom mirror and accents of pink are added to the white scheme.

Large grey slate tiles are applied to the floor and back wall of the shower to compliment the grey of the wallpaper, chrome fittings and to warm the all-white scheme.

Work in progress - Dining Room

Work in Progress…..

This exquisite hand-painted de Gournay Chinoiserie silk wallpaper is the statement design element in this beautiful, half-panelled dining room.

The brief was to create a formal dining space, increasing reflected natural light for daytime use and improving the limited artificial lighting for evening dining.

An ongoing project, Strange Electrical have recently added directional down-lighters to illuminate the perimeter of the room and highlight the silk wallpaper and curtains (still to be made and hung) and suspended a delicate antique chandelier sourced from Phoenix Antiques to add sparkle to the dining experience. A switched lamp circuit can be used for softer, more intimate lighting and table lamps will be positioned on the Porta Romana console table and antique Walnut commode.

Planning Stage

Now that the hard work has been done, and Bailey Wighton have fitted the Herringbone Coir mating, the furniture can arrive…..

A seating area will be created at the opposite end of the room for after-dinner relaxation. A reproduction, linen-upholstered antique sofa will be delivered next week along with the Walnut commode and a pair of low-back club chairs are being sourced, along with the modern walnut dining table.

I will keep you posted with regard to the progress of this room as the design begins to take shape…..

A 1930’s Georgian-style country property to be redecorated and dressed for sale.

Property details Master suite including dressing room and ensuite, 5 further bedrooms, family bathroom, entrance hall, hall, landing areas, drawing room, dining room, sunroom, snug, study/butlers room and kitchen.

The brief was to re-present the property for sale at a price in excess of £1.7m and for a total budget of around £20,000 including flooring, re-tiling bathrooms, decorating and dressing.

The property had been neglected but by redecorating in white it immediately provided a bright, neutral space emphasising the room proportions, the beautiful panelling and existing architecture which had been hidden under layers of old fashioned decoration, fabrics and personal affects!

Existing parquet flooring was uncovered beneath old carpets and stripped and polished, some of the clients existing furniture was reupholstered and re-presented alongside new furniture pieces to create a simple interior intended to appeal to a majority market.

Finishing touches were added including flowers, plants, cushions, fresh bedding and lighting to give each room its own identity for potential buyers reference.

A 1940’s, greatly extended family home.

Areas designed master suite bathroom, second bedroom with ensuite, three childrens’ bedrooms, family bathroom, reception, landing spaces, entrance hall, dining room, basement cinema and playroom, study, kitchen/snug, annexe and annexe bedroom, pool house and gym.

This large family property lacked any original features or flow between the rooms, so through the use of textured and patterned wallpapers, one-off furniture pieces and beautiful fabrics. I worked with the client to give each room a distinct feel and character but used taupe and black accents to connect all the ground floor rooms, stairs and landing spaces. Whilst the three daughters briefed me with very specific requirements, likes and dislikes for their bedroom decoration from which I created three very different bedroom designs specific to the character of each.

Practical considerations provided the basis for designing the pool area, gym and cinema space.