What does an Interior Designer ACTUALLY do?
It all begins with an idea.
This is a question I get asked ALOT! There is a perception that hiring an Interior Designer is something that is only for the rich and famous, but I truly believe that good design should be accessible to everyone.
If the last 2 years in and out of lockdowns has taught us anything, it is the importance of our homes as the space that holds us. Our homes have had to work harder than ever, they have become classrooms for our children, offices for us, a place to relax, for zoom calls with friends, a place to excercise (jeezzz remember the dreaded daily Joe Wicks PE sessions!). The importance of excellent Interior Design and modular space planning has become paramount to a happy home life.
There is often a misconception between Interior Design and Interior Decoration, choosing finishes and colours are of course important to a successful interior scheme but Interior Design encompasses a whole lot more than that. As a designer, we must consider the function of a space, often working closely with architects or builders to ensure the layout and spacial planning are considered at the start of a project. Creating the correct layout of a room will have a big impact on ensuring your electrics and plumbing are in the right positions for the furniture or fittings that will follow. I have visited so many sites or homes where we are called in too far down the road of a project to impact these fundamental decisions and it can be quite detrimental to the final design.
Another key element of a skilled Interior Designer is to have a strong hold on managing budgets, to ensure that you get excellent value for money. We have many ‘tricks of the trade’ to help cut costs where possible, but also ensure the budget is spent in the right areas to ensure you end up with a stunning space. Couple this with some sharp project co-ordination skills and hiring an Interior Designer can really help to alleviate some of the stress of a renovation project, ensuring your project runs to time and to budget.
At Cat Woolner Interiors we offer a range of services to help you create your perfect home, drop us a line to see how we can help.
Designing a sweet dreams bedroom
Did you know we spend around one third of our lives asleep? 🤯 Getting good quality sleep is so important for our bodies to maintain good physical and mental health which is why I believe out of all the rooms in our homes, our bedroom should be an absolute sanctuary.
Did you know we spend around one third of our lives asleep? 🤯 Getting good quality sleep is so important for our bodies to maintain good physical and mental health which is why I believe out of all the rooms in our homes, our bedroom should be an absolute sanctuary.
When designing your bedroom, you should always choose a restful colour scheme, something that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. As a rule of thumb I would avoid using red in a bedroom (unless you are after a certain boudoir look 😉) as it synonymous with emotions such as anger and passion which make it very difficult to relax. Personally, the majority of my schemes start with one item that is absolutely coveted. This could be a piece of furniture, a picture, fabric, wallpaper or even a photograph that inspires you. Once you have that item, you can begin to match in colours or patterns (wallpaper or fabric) to start to build your scheme.
Above is an example of that method, I loved this striking wallpaper from Cole & Son used in a clients bedroom in Poundbury, Dorset and that formed the starting point for the scheme. Whilst a striking design, the wallpaper could also have become overpowering and busy so for the rest of the design I kept to a strict neutral palette, taking tones from the wallpaper and adding in the accent cushions. The bed itself is quite a statement and acts to balance the wallpaper.
The Cambourne bed from Feather & Black
If you are not sure where to start, then green, the colour most associated with nature, is considered one of the most calming colour schemes. Green can help us connect with the natural world and create a feeling of relaxation and calm, ideal for a sleep environment.
Aside from the design aesthetics of a bedroom, it is crucial to invest in a good mattress and nice quality bed linen (think thread count ALWAYS!). Other top tips for bedroom design are ensuring you have enough storage so your bedroom is a tranquil uncluttered haven. Couple this with a carefully considered lighting scheme (soft ambient bedside lamps as well as some task lighting for reading) and you will should a bedroom design of your dreams. 💤
If you are stuck or need a helping hand drop us a line to chat about how we can help.
Adding character to a living room
It all begins with an idea.
My dream has always been to own a Georgian rectory, but short of winning the lottery (especially given the escalating property prices in Dorset) I think it will have sadly have to remain as a dream.
That said, I do feel huge gratitude that we purchased our (somewhat ugly duckling) 1960’s home in July 2020. What it lacks in character, it makes up for in location with incredible sea views across Lyme Bay.
The view from our house
We are currently in the midst of a planning application and I thought I‘d share some of my tips for adding character into a space that may be somewhat lacking in features.
A good design scheme is all about layering, and this is especially important in a living room which should be cosy and snug. If you are starting with a blank room, consider adding some interest to the walls, this could be a bold colour (in which case paint all the walls and woodwork for a sweet contemporary vibe!). Alternatively, you could add in some wooden panelling or wallpaper.
📸 The Wood Veneer Hub
If budget allows, I would always include a wood burner or fireplace in my designs for a sitting room, there is nothing quite like watching an open fire, I find it instantly relaxing (not to mention the ultimate in cosiness!) If a real fire is not an option, you could consider creating a fireplace area and including bio flame stove or even just a nice arrangement of candles can be effective.
A living room wouldn’t be complete without a super squishy sofa to flop into at the end of a long day. There are literally so many options on the market nowadays and it really comes down to budget and space. Be sure to measure your space properly before ordering and also check the access to your room (for tight spaces order modular pieces that can be assembled in situ!). I love to layer up sofas with throws and cushions, these are also easy items to update if you tire of a scheme so you can be a bit more adventurous here to add an accent pop of colour.
Consider you lighting carefully, you will definitely need some ambient lighting to create a soft and warm atmosphere (think table lamps or a nice floor lamp).
If you have hard floors, including a rug in your scheme is the perfect way to add a more intimate and comfortable zone, its also a perfect position to add a coffee table which makes an ideal spot for interior design books or to perch your evening glass of wine. Cheers to that 🍷