All in Interior Design
I realised that reading really is one of my favourite pastimes. Not only is it soothing and luxurious, but so enriching; actually being able to gain knowledge, insight and inspiration all at the same time. Spending time surrounded by my books, hot drinks, snacks, a blanket and, in our case, a log fire bought to us by Now TV, really is my happy place, and for this reason I love to invest in beautiful books that will continue to bring me endless joy over the years.
For a while now, I’ve wanted to create my own magazine pages, curating what I believe to be an important mix of items, and showing how my love for the fashion, colours and shapes that I’m drawn to has a direct influence on my home interior choices. And I think what we see on the catwalk, guides a lot of us when it come to interior design.
Our physical environments have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing – which is why it’s so important, now more than ever, to cultivate home environments that support us to feel happy, comfortable and secure.
With flexible working becoming more opportune, and in a lot of cases mandatory since the Covid outbreak, we’ve had to evaluate how and where we set up our work stations each day in order to concentrate, be comfortable and most importantly, able to disconnect from it all when ‘leaving work’. So where possible, it pays to have a designated area at home that’s set up specifically for work.
So, ‘Do You Like Good Music’? I have a print in my bedroom with these opening lyrics from the track Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley, and it got me thinking about the importance of music and how what we listen to influences our design aesthetic.
The prospect of refurbishing this chair has been looming over me for so long. When furlough came along via lockdown, I promised myself that I’d use the time to finally tackle it and start ordering the paint and fabric samples that I’ve been threatening to do for years.
Collecting art, prints and generally anything that can be flaunted on your walls is an ongoing hobby for those of us who love it. I truly believe there’s no hard stop to the amount of art that you should display in your home.
‘Damn Cool’ will be a features board where you can check out the extra cool pieces that really jump out at me, the ones that I feel the need that you MUST see, and if nothing else, to impart what’s in my brain and give the magazine features editor within me an excuse to play!
With a background and upbringing in fashion and design, my interiors and styling methods are inevitably influenced by the fashion industry, particularly in terms of colour palettes and texture. I often resonate with the photography used in the fashion adverts within the front few pages of magazines, for the stunning use of colour and pattern in the clothing, and environment they’re shot in.
What is ‘good taste’ and who decides it? Generally speaking, magazines, influencers and the media inform us what’s on the catwalk, therefore what’s in, or coming to the shops so we’re fairly dictated to by trends whether we know it or not, quite simply because that’s what’s currently available to buy.
What is more satisfying than curling up in a sumptuous armchair with a hot drink and good book at the weekend, or at the end of a long day? We all have our favourite spots for these deserving moments don’t we? and the best chairs are those that hug us back and feel great to touch, as well as fabulous to look at.
When I lived in this 2 bedroom terraced house in Sale (Manchester) from 2008 to 2013, I was a first time owner, so the excitement around the prospect of decorating was at its absolute peak, as you can imagine.
Comfortable and cosy for family nights in, as well as chic and cool for entertaining and cocktail making - this was the brief for the living room of the charming cottage in Knutsford, Cheshire.
It’s one of the most anticipated and exciting times of the year for me; the unveiling of the Pantone colour that will inspire product and design trends for the coming year.
Deck the halls with pink Christmas trees, neon wrapping and disco balls – this year I’m feeling a 90’s Christmas knees-up and it’s time to get the party started!
