How to choose a builder
How to choose a light bulb
7 min read
Published 28 Jan 2020
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An incandescent bulb |
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Now that we’ve made it through the shortest day of the year and the days are getting longer, I find myself yearning for the light of Spring. Things just seem easier when we are surrounded by light, so brightening up the dark days of winter is still very much on our minds. We depend on artificial light at this time of year, and the type of light we see can really affect our mood. So how do we get it right and make ourselves feel happy instead of glum? It’s all about the type of lighting we choose, and that starts with the humble light bulb. There are a few things to consider when buying a light bulb - brightness or the amount of light it produces, shape, energy efficiency, and colour temperature. There are so many choices that it can be really confusing, so here’s my quick guide, starting with the types of bulbs available.
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A halogen bulb |
| We started to think properly about energy efficiency in the early 1980s when Halogen bulbs became popular. The first Halogen lamp was actually invented back in 1882, but it took a little while before they were reliable and bright enough to use! Halogen bulbs were slightly more efficient than the incandescent bulb because they lasted much longer, but they also got much hotter and could be dangerous to handle. We got used to using them in places like kitchen and bathroom ceiling spotlights as they didn’t need changing very often. Again, there weren’t many options if you wanted to use lighting to create a specific mood. |
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A twisted CFL bulb |
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A loop CFL bulb |
| The next level energy efficient light bulb was the CFL or Compact Fluorescent Lamp. Again, they were invented surprisingly early, in 1939, but didn’t come into general use until much later on (we’ve obviously been trying to crack this energy efficiency thing for a while). Today they come in lots of shapes and sizes, but in the 1980s and 90s they were a twisted or looped shape and the first ones were quite bulky and heavy. When we got married, my husband and I asked our student friends to buy them as wedding gifts for us as they were relatively expensive. We actually still have some of the bulbs! I remember finding that some of them were so big that they would stick out above a lampshade or light fitting. They weren’t the nicest of things to look at and didn’t really give a soft glow, but if we wanted to save the planet, they were the only option. |
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An LED bulb with a tungsten look |
| Concerns about how to dispose of CFL bulbs (they contained mercury) and the expense of production slowly led to a shift towards LED bulbs. Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs were again invented a surprisingly long time ago - 1907 to be exact, but it took a good few decades before the bulbs were cost effective enough to be produced commercially. They are now the most energy efficient light bulbs on the market and are almost a standard choice for manufacturers and homeowners because they come in many different shapes, sizes and colours.
So, where does that leave you if you need to buy a new light bulb? Chances are you’re probably going to buy an LED, because of their efficiency and the huge range of styles available. The next question is usually, how do I know how bright it will be? We all used to understand brightness in terms of wattage as there weren’t many options and you could easily see the differences between a 40 watt bulb compared to a 60 watt bulb. |
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The answer is to look at the Lumens, which is a measure of brightness. The great thing about using Lumens to compare brightness is that it applies to all types of bulb, no matter what technology is inside the bulb. Once we know the amount of Lumens we need, it makes it all much simpler. Here’s a handy conversion chart, which I still find myself referring to:  |
| A lumens chart from The Light Bulb Company |
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Okay, so now we know which type of bulb to buy and how much light we need it to give us. The next thing to consider is the colour temperature. Think of the colour difference between bright morning light and a pinky sunset. The blue light of the morning sky will make us feel awake and energised, whilst the pinky soft glow of the sunset will make us feel relaxed. It’s the same with bulbs. Do you need a bright, cooler light for say over the bathroom sink (so you can see what you’re doing), or do you need a warmer, softer glow for the lamp in the living room? That’s the colour temperature. |
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An LED bulb giving off a cool or blue light |
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An LED bulb giving off a warm glow |
| Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin, named after Lord Kelvin who came up with the measurement. Basically, the lower the Kelvin number is, the warmer or more yellow/orange the light will be, and the higher the number, the cooler or more blue the light will be. Here’s another handy chart to help you buy the right colour: |
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| A Lumens chart from Lumens.com |
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There is one final thing to consider when buying bulbs, which touches on lighting design. The direction and spread of the light you get from your bulb will give you different effects which can be used around your home. The type of light fixture you use will generally determine how this happens, as some shades will concentrate the light in a particular direction, and others will help it to spread around the room. For example, a desk lamp will give you a smaller, more targeted light (perfect for working at a computer or reading with). A lampshade will give a wider spread of light coming from the top and bottom of the shade. The light will be softened or diffused by the fabric, making it perfect for use in the evening when you’re watching TV and want to relax. |
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A lamp with the lampshade diffusing the light for a soft glow |
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A task lamp where the shade directs the light to a narrow area |
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If you're anything like me you'll have a mixture of all sorts of bulbs in your home, some old, some new, and some of them not quite doing the job you want them to. But at least now when you need to replace one, you'll know where to start. |
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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.
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The Great Outdoors
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| 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
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| 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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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
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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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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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
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| 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
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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
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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
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| 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
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| 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
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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?
