What on earth were you thinking?

“Interior design: where ‘good taste’ and ‘what on earth were you thinking?’ collide.”

I don’t know who said this but it popped up on my feed, as these things often do when the algorithm steps in, and I rather like it. If you are working with your interior designer properly, what they suggest should not really feel safe or familiar. To begin with it may even spark a little trepidation, but if you trust them and the process, you will start to revel in that feeling and never tire of the result. Be brave.

And if you have been wondering about working with a designer but don’t know where start, you will find a link to a free consultation at the end of this month’s newsletter - still available until the end of April.

Make the most of every inch

This is the master bedroom of a London mews house project for a young family. The original house was made up of lots of small rooms and was only marginally extended by Three Fold Architects. But the remodelled space resulted in an open and airy 3 bedroom home with a good sized garden and roof terrace (Georgia Lindsay Design). Even though the clients decided to do away with half of their belongings, the footprint was still small for a growing family. So every inch of the interior had to work hard and sometimes have a dual purpose. Don’t assume that becuase the space is small, design is irrelevant. Small spaces often take the most time to design and need the most thought, but it’s really worth it.

Mirror, mirror - not just on the wall

‘If you want the room to look bigger, add mirror’ - well yes, but also no. This needs thought. Not all mirrors are created equal. And most importantly, what do you want the mirror to reflect; the whole room? just an element? This mirrored bath panel focussed on the handmade Austrian floor tiles. The more of these we could see the better, but that may not always be the case! Also bear in mind that mirror comes in many forms, from the plain silvered we are all familiar with, to foxed, cloudy, vintage, bronzed, you name it. It needs to work as an integral part of the overall scheme. So unless, as one of my clients cheerfully confessed, you are a budgie - think carefully before peppering your walls with mirror.

The handshake

A door handle is the handshake of the building. This is one of the first things I remember being taught when I studied interior design. At the time it sounded a bit pretentious, but it’s true. I’m sure you can remember the feel of that high-quality, well-crafted door handle, or the drop of a solid door knocker that makes you take notice, that stands out from the norm. In this series featuring brands and their story, I recently had a visit from Croft Hardware. The company is run by the fifth generation of the family and is based in Willenhall, just a short walk from where the original factory was set up in 1868. All of their products can be made in 25 different finishes, and when you hold one of their handles you can really feel the weight and craftsmanship. It will set the foundation for the rest of the scheme.

Image courtesy of Croft Hardware

Galleries open their doors

The London art scene is world-class and can seem exclusive and daunting, even to those who regularly buy art. The London Gallery Weekend is the world’s largest event of its kind and sets out to quash that, with over 100 galleries opening their often locked doors. From the 5th to 7th June, each day focuses on a different area of London. It is free to attend, and features tours, talks, family workshops and special events. I am of the firm belief that no home is complete without art on the walls, so put it in your diary.

The gift of time

Until the end of April, Sarah Ross Design is offering an opportunity to have a 45 minute consultation to talk about any aspect of your project from planning to furnishing; to find out more about working with an interior designer; to ask all those questions you have been itching to ask. Simply click here to get in touch and we can book it in. And pass it on if you know someone who needs this!

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Get in Touch

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