Work in Progress - The space savvy loft conversion
11 min read
Published 28 Mar 2022
A fab young couple came to me way back in December 2020, needing help with their planned loft conversion and hallway works. The builders were already in and working on the new porch area, and were due to start on the loft conversion, which would include the main bedroom and an ensuite, in the next couple of months. There were many delays (some of them covid related, some of them planning related), but the building work is just about completed now, so I thought I’d share the journey from initial consultation to (almost) finished spaces with you. |
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The hallway work included adding a porch which would make it larger, and my role was to help with paint colours, lighting, flooring, and to advise on a new seating area with built in storage. For the loft conversion, the couple wanted help with the paint colours, window dressings, bathroom fixtures and finishes, and to design a bespoke wooden headboard for the bed. They needed help to tie all three spaces together, and also with the rest of the house. So far, so simple. |
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The plans for the loft conversion had been drawn by an architect before I met the couple, and the builder was going to be working from them. Once we sat down and worked out a wish list for the new space in the loft, I was worried that we might have trouble fitting it all in. So we agreed that I’d have a proper look over the plans and draw them up again, checking where the bathroom would go, and where to place the furniture. The original plans had included French doors to a Juliette balcony for the new bedroom, which sounds lovely, but the more we discussed how they would use this room, it became clear that what they needed was as much storage space as possible. The couple also really wanted to make the most of the great views over Cardiff. |
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In reality, a Juliette balcony isn’t a balcony you can use (in this case it was a sheet of glass across the doors to stop anyone falling out) and the doors would have to open inwards into the room, taking up valuable space. So we decided against the French doors, and instead played around with ideas for window designs, eventually settling on a large picture window with a window seat with vital extra storage. The picture window would have no openings, so no glazing bars to interrupt the view, but the loft would also have Velux roof windows so the room could still be ventilated. |
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The next change to the plans was the size of the bathroom. When we looked over them, it became clear that it would be a very tight (if not impossible) fit to get the loo, basin, shower and radiator in here, never mind any storage, so we decided to extend the bathroom. We agreed to make it longer but not wider, as we didn't want to eat into too much of the bedroom space. | ||||
the original bathroom was 2.3 metres long, which didn't leave a lot of space to move around - the new bathroom would be 2.7 metres long, a small but important change | ||||
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So, the main practicalities had been hammered out, but we still needed to look at styles and colours for the bedroom and bathroom. When I met the clients I found that they were both drawn to seemingly opposing styles - neutral and Scandinavian, with lots of natural wood, but also colourful rich and warm schemes. They wanted this bedroom to feel darker and cosier than elsewhere in the house, as it would be their haven, so we decided to go with the more colourful and richer side of their styles, and I assured them that they could still have lots of natural woods in the scheme if they went the more colourful route. The clients had found this absolutely gorgeous velvet fabric from Susi Bellamy, and we all loved the colours in it, so decided it should be the inspiration for the whole scheme. |
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There was a lot to go on, including pinks, greens, oranges, blues and burgundies, so we chose our paint colours from there. The clients were particularly keen on pinks and greens, and after much perusing of paint charts, we settled on Little Greene’s Goblin for the loft bedroom, including the ceiling and skirting boards, to visually extend the ceiling height. |
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We would use the Susi Bellamy fabric for the window seat cushion. We had considered using it for the headboard, but the clients were still considering a statement headboard made from oak battens, a bit like the one I designed for some recent clients: |
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After a lot of discussion, they decided to opt for a padded velvet headboard, as it would be soft to lean against when reading in bed, and would also soften the angular nature of the loft. The clients have a real love for natural oak and ash, and wanted to keep the wood palette light here. I felt that they could still introduce this lighter wood palette in the doors, flooring and joinery, and also in smaller touches such as the pendant light fittings. The light wood offset with brushed brass details and contrasted with the dark green of the Goblin walls is striking and unexpected. When it came to designing the bathroom, the couple were finding it difficult to nail down the style they wanted. These clients have great taste but when they started making decisions for the bathroom they were overwhelmed with all the options and needed help pulling it all together. They had asked an online bathroom retailer to come up with a design for them, and this is what came back: |
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When the clients saw these designs, they realised they didn’t have any of the feelings of warmth or luxury that they were craving, so they asked me for help. Here’s what I designed for them: |
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I decided that the rich and dark look would give them the sense of luxury they craved, but I included some light oak in the wooden slats behind the basin and around the loo to cater to the wood they loved. I added in brushed brass fittings and lighting, and some absolutely gorgeous burnished copper tiles, which are dark but reflect light back into the room. When the light bounces off them they give a glow which makes the room feel really special. The sliding shower door screen and shower tray that the online bathroom company included just weren’t going to feel luxurious, so I chose a slim fixed shower screen with brushed brass detailing, and a wet room tray for a seamless look. The backlit mirror and two pendants placed above the sink add to the soft glow of light, and make a real statement in the basin area. The clients found this beautiful stone basin, which is stunning and adds an organic feel to the washing area. They also found this dramatic worktop from Foresso which is made from offcut and waste timber which would otherwise be thrown away. I was totally on board with using this product, but unfortunately it proved to be just a stretch too far for the budget, so we went with a dark worktop to tie in with the tiling. I also added in storage under the sink and around the wall hung loo. Here’s the almost finished bathroom: |
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And here’s more clever storage in the bedroom: |
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There will be a built in dressing table which continues on from the window seat and side tables on either side of the bed, and we chose pendant lights as bedside lighting to free up space on the bedside tables. The custom made headboard hasn't arrived yet, but it will sit between these two pendants. |
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The final piece of the jigsaw was the hallway. We needed to choose a colour scheme which would work with the rest of the house, as it would go all the way up through two sets of stairs to the loft. Again the couple liked the pink and green schemes, and wanted the hallway, in particular, to feel warm and welcoming. After spending time looking over paint options, we settled on Little Greene’s Hellebore for the walls, and Ambleside for the woodwork. They really do give off a warm vibe when used together, but the grey undertone of the Ambleside means that the colour scheme isn’t overwhelming. We again opted for brushed brass accents in the lighting, and decided to add some more wooden slats as a divider for the bench seating area. These pick up on the ones used in the loft bathroom, and help set a visual language for the house. |
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There will be a boxed cushion on the seating area to make it comfortable to use, and I found this amazing velvet fabric from Linwood for it, which brings the whole scheme to life: |
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The clients already owned the pendant light which we used in the porch area. They had bought it but weren’t sure if it would fit in with the scheme, but it’s so perfect it looks like it has been made for the space, and is great as it can be seen through the window above the front door at night, giving off a warm glow. |
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the scheme continuing up the stairs to the landing outside the new loft bedroom There is a runner for the stairs on order, and the couple will be putting up artwork, so this space is not quite there yet, but already the house feels completely different to how it did when I first visited. Even though this has been one of the longest builds I’ve known, the clients are over the moon with their new spaces. This is what they had to say: |
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"Louise was such a joy to work with. We knew we wanted to combine colour, pattern and texture in our hallway and loft conversion, but Louise managed to bring it all to life so effortlessly. She was very patient and encouraged us to be brave in our design choices, which more than paid off. We’re thrilled with all the suggestions and are so pleased we were able to work with you, Louise!" | ||||
They must be pleased because they’ve just asked me back to help with a colour scheme for their kitchen, as the white walls just don’t feel right anymore. They also tell me that their neighbour has had a loft conversion done, but they don’t have a door to their ensuite bathroom because they couldn’t work out how to solve the problem of the clashing doors. It’s moments like these which make me feel so privileged to be able to help people improve their lives through improving their homes, and I’m very grateful that I am able to help. |
Welcome to the design blog, where you'll see posts about anything from the projects we are working on, to the latest fabric and wallpaper collections, and all things interiors related. We love colour, pattern, architecture and old buildings, and we love to share our finds with you.
Happy reading!
A new way to decorate
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One of our favourite paint brands, Little Greene, have introduced a new way to decorate our homes. It's called 'double drenching' and involves painting the entire space in two bold and complementary colours. Using a tight colour palette means you'll automatically create a cohesive scheme, and will dramatically transform your space. You can learn more about this style here. |
Bathroom accessories from Armac Martin
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One of our favourite hardware suppliers has just launched a collection of bathroom accessories, available in all their finishes to complement their handles, cabinet knobs and drawer pulls. The range includes loo roll holders, hooks and robe hooks, so everything can coordinate perfectly in your bathroom. |
Modern Florals
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Pour by Henry Holland Studio
28 Jun 2024
A collaboration between two of the big names in ceramics - Bert & May and Henry Holland Studio. This new collection features hand poured encaustic and printed glazed tiles, with four earth inspired hues available. The graphic lines capture the studio's unique style, with colour at the heart of the process, and you can buy them here. |
Intelligent paints from Little Greene
28 May 2024
Little Greene have just launched an intelligent paint range - it is a paint colour and primer in one, so you can use one tin to transform any surface, without the need to use a separate primer first. Learn more about the range here. |
Treat your senses with paint
28 Apr 2024
A collection of five brand new environmentally friendly paint colours from Earthborn. With names like 'Splashing', 'Balloon Ride' and 'Bunny Hop' they are designed to appeal to all of our five senses, and are almost good enough to eat. Available in all interior finishes, you can see the collection here. |
The Great Outdoors
28 Mar 2024
New from one of our favourite brands, outdoor fabric from House of Hackney. Their colourful prints are durable and colourfast, so they are perfect for use outside, and the sun (if we get any) won't fade them. You can see the outdoor collection here. |
Beata Heuman's Direktors Lampa
28 Feb 2024
A new product from one of my favourite designers - the ever so versatile Direktors Lampa from Beata Heuman. It has an articulated joint on the base and a directional shade holder, so you can move this lamp into the perfect position, whether that be for work or play. |
Little Greene x National Trust
28 Jan 2024
Little Greene have launched their latest collection of wallpapers in collaboration with the National Trust and they are just gorgeous. Featuring eight historic wallpaper designs that have been created from original patterns found at several of the National Trust’s historic houses, the collection comprises an array of exotic birds, stylised florals and large-scale tropical murals. You can see the collection here. |
All that glistens - antique copper from Soho Lighting
28 Nov 2023
Add some warmth and interest to your interiors with the Autumnal hues of antique brass, copper and brushed brass light switches and plug sockets from The Soho Lighting Company. Our favourites are the antique copper collection, as they are hand finished to replicate the aged tone of Victorian cookware. |
Paint made from olive stones?
28 Oct 2023
Well known paint brand Mylands have created an innovative new paint range made from ground olive stones. Using a waste product and turning it into an eco friendly paint is genius as it has virtually no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and creates minimal environmental harm. It is available in all their beautiful colours, and will leave the air in your home purer after decorating, meaning you and your loved ones will benefit too. |
Recycled yarn given a new life
28 Sep 2023
kirkby design's latest range is a happy collection that not only looks good but does good too. Created using 100% recycled cotton yarn from the fashion industry these eco-conscious prints are the perfect way to bring a splash of colour into your home this Autumn. |
Shower curtains can be cool too
28 Aug 2023
Who says shower curtains have to be white (or greying with mould)? The fabulously patterned range from Divine Savages is a bold and easy way to add a wall of colour and pattern to your home with no commitment. Very easy to change, and very easy to fall in love with too! |
Beautiful outdoor lighting
28 Jul 2023
Outdoor lighting is not usually something to get excited about. But this new collection from Soho Lighting is beautiful, and in on trend but timeless brass. Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show and designed to compliment any style of planting, there are three new lights in this collection. They are all made in Britain and you can take a closer look here. |
The perfect combo
28 Jun 2023
We often have lighting combinations in our rooms (such as kitchens) where some lights need to be dimmable, (say over the dining table) and others need to be a functional on or off switch. The clever people at Dowsing & Reynolds have combined these types of switches into one plate, which is not only practical but stylish too. You can see the range of switches and finishes available here. |
Rebel Walls x Jack Kinsey
28 May 2023
If you are a fan of the BBC's Interior Design Masters, you'll recognise Jack Kinsey, the runner up in the final of this year's show. He was our favourite to win, and is incredibly talented. It's lovely to see him team up with one of our wallpaper suppliers, Rebel Walls, to create a hand painted bespoke mural collection which brings the best of the past into the present. You can see the collab here. |
Heritage tiles from House of Hackney
28 Apr 2023
One of my favourite maximalist brands, House of Hackney, have released a stunning new collection of heritage tiles based on their most popular floral design, Artemis. They are hand made and traditionally glazed, and come in a rainbow of signature House of Hackney colours. You can buy the tiles here. |
Fired Earth x Nina Campbell
28 Mar 2023
One of the best known interior designers, Nina Campbell, has collaborated with one of my favourite tile suppliers, Fired Earth, to produce an elegant range of beautifully patterned tiles, and a complementary range of understated plains. They are designed in her signature style, and are very easy to mix and match to create a relaxed look in your home. You can see the collection here. |
New National Trust wallpapers
28 Feb 2023
A new collaboration from Little Greene and the National Trust, a collection of wallpapers spanning over 200 years of decoration. The designs have been created from original papers found at three of The National Trust's historic houses, and printed using traditional techniques. The collection includes hand painted birds and stylised florals, and comes in 45 colour ways. You can buy the collection here. |
More pattern joy!
28 Jan 2023
New from one of my favourite wallpaper suppliers, Woodchip & Magnolia, comes a long awaited collection of 18 bold and beautiful cushions. Inspired by some of their best selling wallpaper designs, they are made in tactile velvet and feature a pattern on one side and a coordinating plain on the other. You can see the collection here. |
New colours from Fenwick & Tilbrook
28 Nov 2022
One of my favourite paint suppliers, Fenwick & Tilbrook, have just released 5 new colours. Named lovely things like Tarnished Brass and Spring Puffin, these warm, muted shades have been mixed by eye and are perfect for creating cosy, cosseting homes. You can see all their colours here. |
Out of this world lighting
28 Oct 2022
It just so happens that I'm excited by newness from Mullan Lighting again this month. They have launched a fabulous colourful series of wall lights, with celestial names like Mars, Neptune and Jupiter, and I just LOVE the use of colour in them. You can see the range here. |
Introducing sustainable pendants from Mullan Lighting
28 Sep 2022
The brand new Altus and Betty ranges of pendants from Mullan Lighting are beautiful, but we are also excited about them because they are handcrafted from rattan and abaca, which are sustainably sourced materials. You can see the Altus collection here, and the Betty collection here. |
Whipping up a storm
28 Aug 2022
A colourful innovation from stylish flooring brand Alternative Flooring - you can now add a colour of your choice to the edges of any stair carpet runner they are making for you, taking whipped edges from ordinary to full of fun. |
A responsibly made lamp
28 Jul 2022
New from lighting brand HouseOf, a responsibly made eco table lamp. Made from recyclable and waste materials, and designed and made in London, they will even take it back within the next ten years in exchange for 20% off another one of their products. You can learn more here. |
Corduroy is cool again
28 Jun 2022
A new fabric from Kirkby Design called Sculpt includes these deep pile cotton velvets which look just like large versions of corduroy. The look takes me right back to my childhood, and is very comforting. You can see the collection here. |
Colourful, wonderful boucle fabric
28 May 2022
The trend for super soft Boucle fabric is still going strong, but up until now we've mostly seen it in creams and whites. One of my favourite fabric suppliers, Linwood, has produced a new colourful collection of 48 shades. It's a durable and soft fabric, and works particularly well on sofas and cushions. |
We won!
28 Apr 2022
This month, we were pleased as punch to receive the Best Homes & Interiors award from the prestigious Cardiff Life Awards. Cardiff Life Magazine are well-known champions of our city, and the annual awards celebrate the best of Cardiff talent, so we are over the moon to be named 2022 winners! |
Morris & Co. X Ben Pentreath
28 Mar 2022
The designs of William Morris have made a comeback over recent years, and now they have been given a striking makeover by interior designer Ben Pentreath. The Queen Square Collection has reimagined some of Morris's most famous fabrics and wallpapers in rich tones and vibrant colourways. You can see the collection here. |
Matchy Matchy
28 Feb 2022
One of my favourite design houses, Woodchip & Magnolia, have gone all out for the all over pattern trend and produced wallpapers and fabrics in the same prints, which I love. You can see the whole stunning collection here. |
New fabric collection from Prestigious Textiles
28 Jan 2022
A new collection of sumptuous fabrics has just been released from Prestigious Textiles, called Monsoon. The collection includes tactile velvets, animal motifs, embroideries and beautiful sheers, so it's versatile enough to use anywhere in your home. If you'd like to know more about these fabrics, please get in touch. |
New reeded glass pendants from Mullan Lighitng
28 Nov 2021
Lighting designers and manufacturers Mullan Lighting have a new range of reeded glass pendant lights available. These Mid Century inspired lights come in three shapes and four finishes, but the Nahla (the one pictured above) is my favourite. You can see the range here. |
Little Greene and Bert & May join forces
28 Oct 2021
Little Greene has announced a collaboration with tile brand Bert & May. The collection sees eight gorgeous Little Greene shades translated onto tiles, giving you even more opportunity to add colour, texture, and a mix of materials to every area of your home. I love this bathroom combination above, with the perfectly matched tiles and paint offset with touches of terracotta, mustard and oak. You can see the full collection here. |
Dulux colour of the year - Bright Skies
29 Sep 2021
So, Dulux have announced their colour of the year for next year, and here it is! Bright Skies is described as the 'breath of fresh air' that we all need after being indoors for so long. What do you think? I'm reserving judgement at the moment. It looks a little cold in the picture, but I don't think the beige sofa and the styling are doing it any favours here. Maybe colour drenched (painted on walls, ceilings, trims and doors) and with some warmer burgundies and terracotta, it could be lovely. You can buy the colour here. |
A new home collection from Paloma Faith
28 Aug 2021
British singer songwriter Paloma Faith has recently launched her first collection for the home. It includes wallpapers, fabrics, cushions and bedding, and she describes the look as 'faded grandeur and retro maximalism'. The prints are everything I love - dramatic, colourful and fun, and you can see more of the collection here. |
It's all about soft yellows
28 Jul 2021
I was watching an Instagram live post from The Little Greene Paint Company last week, and they were discussing a comeback for yellow. Now, as you know, I don't think you have to follow the trends but yellow hasn't been fashionable for a long time, so this sunny, uplifting shade is often overlooked. A warm yellow like Little Green's Carys (above) is perfect for cheering us all up, and you can buy it here. |
The cushion that gives back
28 Jun 2021
Introducing the cushion that gives back, from homewares company Oka. They have produced this cushion in partnership with The Trussell Trust who support two thirds of the UK's food banks, and 100% of the proceeds from sales of this lovely green velvet cushion will be donated by Oka to The Trussell Trust. It comes in a range of other colours too, and you can buy the cushion here. |
A beautiful new tile collection inspired by the National Trust
28 May 2021
Just launched, Ca Pietra a new tile collection in collaboration with the National Trust. Every tile has been inspired by one of the historic properties, gardens or coastlines looked after by the Trust, and a minimum of £10,000 from sales of the tiles will be given to the National Trust to help them continue their important work. You can see the collection here. |
Yummy new switch & socket colours
28 Apr 2021
Did you ever think that your light switches were good enough to eat? I'm guessing the answer is no, until now. You can now buy switches and sockets in these gorgeous colours from the new Dowsing & Reynolds Cafe Culture collection. They come in luscious shades like Cinnamon, Caramel Latte and Whipped Cream, so you can tone, coordinate or contrast with your wall colours and make every part of your interior scheme look delicious. You can buy the gorgeousness from here. |
A sustainable fabric choice
29 Mar 2021
A beautiful new sustainable fabric range from Clarke and Clarke has just been launched. It's made entirely from recycled materials so you can refresh your home with a clear conscience. You can have a look at the fabric here. Get in touch with me if you'd like to buy any of this fabric. |
Sought & Styled - Preloved items given new life
28 Feb 2021
This month I want to highlight a business run by a very talented lady I met a few years ago (remember when we could meet people?) Not only is she a creative interior designer, she also runs an online shop where she reuses and repurposes anything from soft furnishings to larger furniture items. Everything sold is bespoke and unique, and is effortlessly waste conscious because it's being used again. You can visit her shop here. |
Do kitchen worktops bore you?
27 Jan 2021
Thanks to a genius idea from kings of pattern Blackpop, you can now have one of their colourful designs on your kitchen worktop. They will put any of their funky fabric or wallpaper designs onto waterproof MDF to make you a unique worktop, or they can even make a design just for you. Chopping will never look the same again! You can buy the worktops from their website here. |
A Fresh Take - Cardiff Life feature
18 Dec 2020
This month's issue of Cardiff Life Magazine is out today, and features an interiors special, because one thing this past year has made us do is take a new look at our homes and how we'd like to live in them. To see what I and other local interiors experts have to say on the subject, including a round up of the trends for 2021, have a flick through the digital mag here. |
An enchanting inaugural wallpaper collection from Tom Baker
26 Nov 2020
This opulent and atmospheric wallpaper from Tom Baker immerses you in a world of tropical flora, fauna and exotic animals. With soft cool tones and hints of pink floral detailing, this is the perfect wallpaper to add a relaxing and exciting edge to your home. Find this enchanting collection here. |
A new shady collaboration between Matthew Williamson and Pooky
20 Oct 2020
The humble lampshade is often overlooked, but with the new collaboration between Pooky and Matthew Williamson they won't be for much longer! Matthew Williamson has applied his talent to design a new range of Pooky lampshades. Whatever your taste, colour scheme or budget you will find the perfect lampshade for your home in this new collection which is now available. This spectacular new collection can be found here. |
Felt covered curtain poles
17 Sep 2020
Now you can add some texture to your window dressing with these Walcot House felt covered poles. The pure wool coverings come with a option for bronze or steel fittings and wide spans up to six metres. The curtain track is cleverly hidden within the wooden curtain pole and there's a choice of nearly 50 colours and textures. You can find out more here. |
Please vote for my blog
11 Aug 2020
I'm really thrilled to have been nominated for an Amara Interiors Blog Award this year! If you enjoy reading my blog and would like to vote for me, I'm nominated in the Best Interior Designer Blog category, and you can vote for me here. |
Upcoming interiors trends from Love Rugs
10 Jul 2020
Love Rugs, the people who know about all things rugs have just published a feature on the upcoming interiors trends for 2020. They asked six of the UK's top interior designers (including me!) to tell them what the upcoming trends are, and in particular the changes we will be making to their homes. The article can be read here, and if you'd like to have a look at the huge range of rugs they offer, click here. |
A new fabric collection from Linwood Fabrics
15 Jun 2020
I love Linwood fabrics - they have a fab way of mixing colour and pattern into something really special, producing fabrics and wallpapers that make me want to coo. This new collection, available at the end of June, is just as gorgeous. It's called Kami, with the pattern inspired by a 19th Century document. The collection is a range of printed velvets, so perfect for upholstery and accessories like cushions. |
An easy way to update your kitchen
16 Apr 2020
If you are looking to update your existing Ikea kitchen rather than replace it, Stockholm based company Superfront are here to help. They sell a range of fronts, handles, legs and tops to fit not just the Faktum kitchen range but also the Besta, Metod and Pax ranges - so you can customise anything from your sideboard to your wardrobe. These super cute round handles are part of their new birch collection, and the whole range can be found here |
Move over boring taps - colour is the new black
13 Mar 2020
Colour has been taking over our kitchens and bathrooms for a while now (yay!), and has slowly been creeping into sanitaryware and fittings. These perfectly coloured mint green and pastel pink taps from the new Miami Colour Pop Collection from amazing homeware brand Dowsing & Reynolds are spot on and would look gorgeous in any kitchen or bathroom to add a shot of colour without overwhelming with sugary sweetness. You can learn more about this new collection here. |
Who knew a door stop could look this good?
19 Feb 2020
Door stops are one of those little annoying things that we all need, but are not the prettiest to look at. Now London based Buster & Punch have turned their attention to the problem and transformed the humble door stop into something cool and covetable. They might cost more than your average one from a DIY store, but as you're going to see it every day, why not look at something beautiful? here. |
Wallpaper made of cork?
29 Oct 2019
Sustainability and concern for our environment are key in the interiors world right now (as they should be). So when I saw that Monkey Puzzle Tree (a brand I admire for their sense of style and creativity) had produced this wallpaper made of cork, I was blown away. Cork is great for so many reasons - it can be harvested every nine years without harming the tree, is grown without the need for pesticides or fertilisers, has excellent sound and heat insulation properties, and is naturally antimicrobial and antifungal. This wallpaper has an A+ rating for emissions so it creates a healthy environment wherever it is hung. Add to this that the design was produced in collaboration with the talented Drew Millward who lives in my home county of West Yorkshire, and that it's called 'Hit The North', I was bound to fall in love with it. You can buy the wallpaper here. |
I'm in Cardiff Life magazine - again!
17 Sep 2019
Now that the summer is officially over and our thoughts turn to cosying up our homes for winter, I'm here to help. If you're in need of some inspiration, you can read all about the interiors trends for Autumn and how to work them into your home in this month's Cardiff Life magazine. Hear what I and other interiors experts have to say on pages 18-22. You can read the digital version of the magazine here. |
I've been nominated for an Amara Interiors blog award!
6 Sep 2019
Exciting news! My little blog (Design Insider) has been nominated for an Amara Interiors Blog award! I'm so chuffed to be included at all, and not expecting to win, but if you enjoy reading my blog posts then please vote for me. I'm nominated for the Best Interior Designer blog category. Voting is open until the 11th of September and you can vote for me here. |
My kitchen project featured on the Artifact Lighting blog!
1 Aug 2019
When I designed the contemporary copper kitchen, I wanted to use some copper elements to add warmth and also to tone in with the pink walls and pale grey units. I found these pendant lights from a company called Artifact Lighting, and they are perfect because they add to the 'warm glow' I wanted to acheive. They also have a vintage look which contrasts nicely with the sleek look of the kitchen units. When the kitchen was finished I sent some pictures to Artifact Lighting, and they liked the kitchen so much they featured it on the blog page of their website. You can read the blog page here |
House of Hackney's first outdoor fabric
26 Jun 2019
One of my favourite interiors brands, House of Hackney, who are known for their daring and quirky prints, have just released a new fabric which is suitable for our door use. They took one of their designs, Palmeral, and reimagined it in a fresh colour palette of off white and green. This colour fast and water resistant fabric can be used for anything from outdoor cushions to furnishing yachts (if you are lucky enough to have one!) |
My thoughts on the colour Living Coral in Cardiff Life Magazine
31 May 2019
Hear what I and my fellow designers have got to say about Pantone's colour of the year, Living Coral, and how to use it, in this month's Cardiff Life magazine. The article is on pages 84-86, and you can read it here. Do you think you could use it in your home? |
Sustainability in furniture design
7 May 2019
Sustainability is something that is becoming more and more important in interior design - not just where we buy items from and how far they've travelled to get to us, but also the materials that they are made from. Kartell, one of Italy's best known design brands, have just released the world's first piece of furniture made from a bioplastic called Bio-On. It's a fully sustainable version of one of their best selling items - the Componibili modular unit, and it comes in four delicious pastel shades. They may be 100% sustainable, but they are also super cute and bang on trend with this seasons colours. You can buy them here |
The latest trend in shutters
24 Feb 2019
Forget painted shutters - the new style direction for window shutters is bare wood. These full height shutters made from sustainably sourced ash are the newest product from California Shutters, and are set to be big this year. |
My new favourite tile!
7 Feb 2019
I was searching for some tiles for a client's splashback recently and came across these beauties from Topps Tiles. There's long been a trend for patterned tiles, with lots of geometric shapes and bold colours going on, but I've begun to see more and more tiles with a pattern in the surface of the tile itself. These ones are a lovely example, and the deep blue colour is just stunning. To get a closer look at them, follow the link below.
Pantone announce their colour of the year 2019
11 Dec 2018
Leading colour experts Pantone have annouced the shade which they think will be the colour of the year for next year - Coral pink. It might look very bright and scary, but it's actually quite easy to use. I wouldn't suggest painting a whole room in it, as that might be a bit overwhelming, but I would use it in small doses, such as on cushions or in artwork, to liven up a shceme. Pantone say that the colour is meant to 'embrace us with warmth and nourishment and provide comfort and bouyancy in our continually shifting envirnoment', which basically means it's a happy, uplifting colour, and might just cheer us all up!
My work featured on Homify
8 Oct 2018
My work has been featured in an article on Homify - one of the leading online ideas platforms for all things interiors. My project is in an article on how to avoid common mistakes when designing a bedroom. The article mentions how important it is to block out light for a good nights sleep - something I addressed by adding blackout lining to the curtains and adding an extra layer of window dressing with the wooden Venetian blinds. To see the article, please use the link below.
Homfy article - Are you guilty of these 8 bedroom design mistakes?