Interior Design Q&A Part 5

Shopping

23 Oct

Everyday we meet lovely customers and chat to them about their homes, and their design problems and dilemmas. And although every customer and every home is unique, there are also themes to the questions that we get asked. Below we have answered 5 questions that have cropped up recently in our chats to customers.

1. My home is feeling a bit neglected. How can I cosy it up for Autumn?

I think we all feel a bit this way as the realisation that summer is really over sinks in. As we turn our attention back inside again, our homes can feel like they’ve been a bit overlooked in favour of the garden! But it’s not too hard to don the duster and cosy up our homes again.

An easy win is to improve our lighting. Light can work like magic to change a mood and an atmosphere. Fairy lights are a great way to add sparkle and joy and don’t have to be only for Christmas. Wrap them around your headboard, wind them into a plant, drape them over a mirror - or even place them in a glass bowl or vase on a coffee table or mantlepiece - they can be used everywhere to soften and warm your home.

Candles work wonders too. Try grouping several together on a tray for greater impact - even tealights together can produce a lovely light, but are especially effective if used with candles of different heights and sizes. There’s something about those flickering flames that’s so soothing.

And finally, add textures and layers with different cushions, throws and rugs to really give that comforting ‘home’ feeling - and of course it is practical too, helping to keep those heating costs down!

cosy home interior ideas — @twopigsonehouse

cosy scandi living dining room — @ourlifeatno5

We can shop from anywhere to suit your style and budget. Click here to get started.

2. I’m drawn to using green in my home, but I’m unsure of the best shade, and although I love the darker shades, I’m a bit scared of using them. Any tips to help me get it right?

You’re asking the right person because I love green! Many years ago, when I first moved into my home I was stumped as to what colour to paint my Victorian living room. It was all white, and although a light blank canvas it lacked something extra. Around that time I went to watch a Jennifer Anniston movie - nothing memorable, I can’t even remember the name of the movie! - but what caught my eye was her New York apartment painted in a deep sage green with crisp white woodwork!! Wow. It looked so warm and cosy, and yet fresh and contemporary too. I left the cinema inspired and had ‘Jungle Drums’ mixed at Homebase the next day.

You’ll be pleased to know that green goes with pretty much everything – white, cream, grey, and pink all pair beautifully with green, along with accents of blue, mid browns - and even more green - it’s surprisingly easy to get right!

But what green should you choose? Take a look at this blog, showcasing our 8 favourite green paints, or this one for our favourite dark paint colours, and finally this blog for some great green inspiration for your living room.

dark green paint with pink living room ideas — @renovation_by_the_river

green panelling ideas for bedroom — @victorian_houseonthepark

3. I work from home several days a week, and I’m beginning to feel the chill. What can I add to my home office set-up that’s stylish but helps to keep me warm?

The best thing about working from home is that you can stay in your slippers all day - and the worst thing is that you have to pay for the heating! As the temperature starts to drop, sitting still at a desk for long periods of time can make you feel really chilly. We have our eye on these beauties to keep us warm whilst still looking good. And no one will ever know on your Zoom call that you have a heated blanket keeping you toasty under the desk!!

cosy home for autumn interior design tips — Beautifully soft and stylish the Snow Leopard Hot Water Bottle in only £12 from Dunelm.

stylish heated throws for sofa — GlamHaus Heated Throw, £59.99 from B&Q is equally good for your desk or your sofa. Cheap to run, it brings warmth directly to you.

cosy home for autumn design tips — The Body Hot Water Bottle by YuYu is £30 from Argos and actually wraps around you like a warm hug to get the heat right where you need it.

Cute and cosy, these Padded Slippers, £12 from H&M will help to ward off cold feet.

blush plaster cream pink throw — This beautiful Illusion Wool Blanket in Raspberry and Sage, £55 from James and May will last a lifetime, and would look good draped over your bed or chair when you don’t need it over your knees anymore.

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of decisions you need to make? We can help with our affordable interior packages - click here.

4. My partner and I have very different ideas when it comes to decorating our house. I hate what he suggests and vice versa. The result is we just don’t decorate or change anything. We’ve hit a stalemate. What can we do?

This is always a tricky one to navigate!! You may agree on so much in life, but when it comes to the style of your home, suddenly you realise you are poles apart. But don’t despair, there is a way through!

As with almost all things relationship based it’s about the C word - compromise! Not easy I know when you have your heart set on a certain look, but it is possible. The best way to try to see a path through your differences is to both separately make a moodboard. Search Pinterest for images that you like and put them all on a slide together. Then bring the two moodboards together and look for any similarities in the two. Maybe it’s the tone of wood used, or the layout of the room. Look for anything that resonates with you both as a starting point. After that discuss what is a must have for you and for them and see how these things could work together. Identify the things you’re not so fussed about and compromise on them in favour of your high ticket must have item. In the end you may have an eclectic look that is much more interesting as it represents you both.

And if all this sounds just too hard, then call in the experts. We navigate these design disputes often, and can be the mediator you need to keep your project on track.

Have a chat with us and find out how we can help you. Book a discovery call with us today!

5. What are your top 3 online interior shops?

Rockett St George - Launched in 2007, Rockett St George is an online emporium of expressive homeware with an exceptionally quirky style that inspires and delights. Home to an eclectic mix of treasures which inject magic, charm and personality into interiors. We love it as our go to shop for something a bit different.

Made - Made collaborate with independent designers and makers to create pieces you’ll love, minus the mark-up. They believe that “When it comes to your home, you can have it all: great design and quality, at an affordable price”. We find they have a great range of occasional chairs, lighting and artwork.

West Elm - West Elm are all about clean lines and plush comfort, with stylish easy to live with pieces for your home. From their Brooklyn studios, their in-house team designs exclusive collections you won't find anywhere else. And they are one of our all time favourites!

If you are feeling inspired, take a look at how The Living House can help you with all your design dilemmas, offering easy, friendly, and personal interior design help. We can shop from anywhere and to any budget to come up with a look that is unique to you. And you might be surprised at just how affordable our design packages are - starting at only £295! Check out our website www.thelivinghouse.co.uk for more information, and instagram @the_living_house for more inspiration and tips. We’d love to chat to you soon!

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