HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN INTERIOR DESIGNER

HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN INTERIOR DESIGNER

Decorating isn’t easy – if it was everyone would have a fabulously cool interior right? Skill is involved. Even (or especially) when it looks super easy and effortless, it isn’t. But that is not to say you can’t achieve a droolworthy stylish pad on your own. Here are some pointers to help you become your very own designer:

 

GATHER GATHER GATHER

 

Any project I’ve worked on, whether it’s a residential or commercial space or like now when I’m in the middle of designing a new collection, I start with amassing lots of inspirational images. Moodboards are an essential part of the process to gather as much aspirational inspiration as you can! I put different hats on and explore different vibes and once I’ve amassed a ton I kind of put them through my AA filter and come up with a concept. I can’t encourage you enough in doing this it really sets up the framework of your scheme. Pinterest, books, magazines, your own travel photos – there’s inspiration everywhere. Here’s my guide to how I go about making moodboards.

INSPIRATIONAL READS

 

LISTEN TO YOUR HOME
Architecture matters - your home will want to be a certain style, if that makes sense. That doesn't mean you have to turn it into a museum home at all, in fact you can flip expectations on their head by going ultra modern in a period home, or hanging huge ornate chandeliers in a bijou city apartment.

 

 

If you live in a period property (like me) then fireplaces, mouldings, high ceilings, big skirting boards and maybe stained glass will all interact with your décor so consider them when designing your scheme. You might want to highlight them, or push them into the background - figure out which way you want to go. I personally want mine to not shout ‘ta da’ so I paint them the same shade as the walls, ceiling and floors. They are still integral to the scheme but it means the art, sculptures, chandeliers, mirrors and furniture get centre-stage instead. You have to decide how the bare bones of your home are going to work in whichever scheme you go for, is what I’m saying in a fairly rambling way!

 

KNOW YOUR STYLE

 

To stop everything looking a hot mess, you need to know what you love and how to combine things together. The only way to have the confidence to mix and match with aplomb and achieve your amazing dream home is to really know your own style. My style quiz should help you figure out your own style and how to interpret it into your own home. You might even be surprised by the results!

 

 

I actually got classic, and I think that's right because my style has been more and more converging on the sort of "classic with a twist" aesthetic in recent years. I tend to stay classic with my big ticket items – for example my George Smith sofa I’ve had for 14 years. Schemes have come and gone but the sofa remains in the same fabric that I originally brought it. When you stay classic no matter which direction you go in it always work. The way you make it your own is with colour, texture, art and statement pieces that add personality.

 

CLASSIC FAVOURITES

 

 

LIGHT IT RIGHT

 

I feel like I am saying this in every blog post but lighting is key. I've once heard chandeliers and table lamps described as "jewellery for the home". Well if that's true then the actual lighting scheme is like make up - it can flatter, enhance, disguise and draw attention to all the best parts of your home to make it look it's most gorgeous. Get it wrong though, and it's disastrous. Worse than having none at all and just sitting in the dark!! Here's how to do it right.

 

 

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