Reshaping Real Estate with Interior Design - The Developer’s Guide
Commissioning a new property development gives stakeholders the opportunity to build real estate that will entice future buyers and maximise value. However, interior design plays a key role in ‘selling’ a property and can have an enormous impact on a potential buyer’s purchasing behaviour.
Due to this, it’s vital that property developers realise the value that an interior design can add to their project and use their expertise to enhance the final outcome. In our Developer’s Guide, you can discover how to integrate an interior designer into future development projects to achieve the best results:
1. Appoint a Designer at the Concept Stage
Hiring an interior designer once a property has been built is a little like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted! While a talented designer can certainly add value to a project at this stage, you’re limiting the impact they can have. In contrast, appointing a designer at the concept stage of a project allows them to integrate their ideas and visions into your plans for design and construction of the building itself.
Essentially, you’re pooling more resources and knowledge-sharing on a wider scale at a time when it can have the most beneficial effect on the project. As a result, you’ll be able to use input and recommendations from your designer to inform your overall design and construction decisions.
2. Prioritise Internal Space Planning
Working with an interior designer allows you to prioritise internal space planning from an early stage and gives you the scope to utilise the interior in a way that is most effective. Designers are adept at defining how a space will be used and creating interior designs that accommodate everyday living, which is vital for a successful residential development.
3. Permit (and encourage!) Creativity
Instead, permit and encourage your interior designer to use their creativity to design a unique and inspiring interior. When prospective homeowners walk into a property, the interior essentially allows them to envisage a future for themselves and sells them a dream lifestyle. With a distinctive yet non-polarising interior design, you can ensure that buyers are captivated by a property as soon as they come through the door.
4. Choose Quality Craftsmanship
Furthermore, don’t shy away from having bespoke items commissioned. This empowers your interior designers to collaborate with creators and have unique pieces produced. When custom-made furniture or decoration is used within your development, it accommodates, reflects, and highlights the features of the property and showcases them to maximum effect.
5. Create a Legacy
If you want your property development company to be renowned for its work and highly respected within the industry, focus on creating a legacy for your brand via your properties. While maximising commercial value will always be a top priority, don’t overlook the fact that you’re creating homes that will be enjoyed for generations.
Hiring an interior designer ensures that the purpose of the property is at the heart of the design and construction process at all times, and it gives context to the build. As your designer focuses on how the interior will look and feel, this approach will enhance the final product and allow you to cultivate a reputation as a top development firm.
6. Factor in Final Dressing
However, many developments run out of time and over budget, which means that developers tend to overlook the importance of final dressing. By ringfencing some of your budget and allocating sufficient time, you can ensure that this critical aspect of preparing your development is given the time and expertise that are required.
7. Trust Your Designer
Successful property developers have a wealth of expertise, knowledge and skills, but interior design may not be one of them! When you’re working with an interior designer to enhance your developments, be confident in their abilities and put your trust in them.
Establishing the parameters of the project in advance and being clear about expectations will help both parties to set reasonable objectives and give you an insight into how your chosen designer can enrich the project.
Can Interior Design Add Value to Your Developments?
When you’re reviewing a site for potential development, the interior of the property might not be the first thing you think about. However, interior design is a major factor for potential buyers, which is why it has the potential to add significant value to your developments. With input from the right designer, you can ensure your properties exceed the expectations of subsequent buyers, reflect your brand’s attributes and add value to your portfolio.
Modern Arabic Interior Design Trends
Blending Islamic, Mediterranean and Moroccan styles, modern Arabic design is a wonderful fusion of colours, textures and cultures. From the elaborate ornamentation and interlacing arches synonymous with Moorish architecture to the geometry and structure of Islamic design, Arabic art is celebrated all over the world and now, you can discover how to integrate this timeless style into your own interiors.
To get started, take a look at these top modern Arabic interior design trends and find out how to weave them into your own interior design:
Warm Colours
Traditional Arabic design is known for its warm, enriching colours and you’ll see this palette coming through in more modern interiors too. Moroccan styles tend to incorporate bold colours, like blues, reds and greens, for example, while Islamic interior design often uses more neutral shades interjected with more vibrant colours.
If you want to put a modern twist on your interior and embrace the latest trends, stay true to the warm colours associated with Arabic design but choose hues that offer tone variation to add depth to your design.
Luxurious Fabrics
Often seen in traditional Mediterranean and Moroccan design, luxurious fabrics play a significant role in Modern Arabic interior design also. Plush furniture adds a sense of decadence to any room and the use of tactile fabrics adds another layer of depth to your design. Furthermore, adding luxurious fabrics in the form of sofas, chairs, rugs, and cushions to a room allows you to integrate bolder colours into the space easily, if you choose to.
Silk velvet, damask and even cashmere can all elevate your design and feature in a modern Arabic interior. No matter what colour palette you choose, using luxury fabrics to furnish the space will emulate the traditional aspects of the style.
Strategic Space Layouts
The way you use space has a considerable impact on how a room looks and feels but it also determines its functionality. Unsurprisingly, space layout has been a top priority for centuries amongst designers and you can see how traditional Arabic design used layouts to reflect the purpose of a space.
For Modern Arabic interior design, take the same approach to space layouts and ensure that the proportions of the room and its styling reflect the functionality of the space. When you want to encourage interactivity and conversation, for example, ensure seating is not too far apart. Alternatively, when peace and tranquillity are the order of the day, adjust the layout to afford everyone a little extra space.
Ceiling Design
In modern homes, the design potential of the ceiling is often overlooked but one glance at Arabic interior design will highlight just how impactful this element of the room can be. While you may not be able to recreate the glorious ceilings seen in traditional building in a residential property, you can certainly be inspired to use ceiling design to create your own modern Arabic interior.
Recessed ceilings and strategic lighting are effective ways of integrating ceiling design into the overall aesthetic of the room, for example, and this can draw your design together too. A suspended ceiling with clean lines gives a modern, minimalist feel, for example, while ornamental lighting fixtures and chandeliers deliver a traditional feel.
Low-Seated Furniture
If you want to embrace modern Arabic interior design trends, be sure to feature low-seated furniture in your new space. Hailing from the traditional use of mattresses around the perimeter of a room, low sofas can easily be used to reflect the tenets of Arabic design.
For maximum flexibility, choose modular pieces that can be easily modified to accommodate your needs. When you’re hosting large gatherings or entertaining guests, for example, a modular sofa or ‘diwan’ can provide additional seating without disrupting the flow of your design.
Organic Materials
Organic materials have been used for centuries in interior design but, more recently, they gave way to man-made alternatives. However, the cyclical nature of fashion, combined with the desire for increasing sustainability, means that demand of organic materials is once again on the rise.
If you want to futureproof your modern Arabic interior, choose organic materials that represent those used in a traditional setting. Ethically sourced rosewood, lemon wood and walnut exemplify Arabic design and can be used at the centrepiece of a modern interior, for example. Similarly, cotton, woollen linen and even hemp can be used to incorporate organic fabrics into a modern Arabic interior.
Lighting Effects
Lighting always has a tremendous impact on a room, so be sure to factor this into your design plans. While traditional designs will feature warm lighting, more modern designs can lend themselves to cooler, more contemporary lighting styles. This is especially true for certain spaces, such as home offices, hallways, and kitchens, which typically require brighter lighting to optimise functionality.
When it comes to fixtures and fittings, modern Arabic interior design gives you the perfect opportunity to embrace luxurious light installations and decadent drop lighting. Suspended fixtures and pendant lighting are a fabulous way to draw attention to your ceiling design, for example, and will draw different elements of the space together.
Fine Flooring
Tiles, marble and carpet are all acceptable flooring options if you want to use modern Arabic design to elevate your interiors, but this doesn’t mean that wooden flooring is to be avoided. Adding clean lines to traditional styles is a key element of modern Arabic design and wooden flooring is one way to achieve this. As always, you can use rugs and floor coverings to reflect the space layout and integrate accent colours into your design.
Using Modern Arabic Interior Design in Your Home
Traditional Arabic design is a fusion of styles that has developed over the centuries and the most modern interpretations blend age-old elements with contemporary trends, such as minimalism and muted tones. By adding a modern twist to Arabic design in your home, you can create an interior that’s luxurious, welcoming and decadent while maximising functionality and flexibility.
6 Decor Trends That Will Rule 2022
Following the super-successful Milan Furniture Fair in June, we’ve got the inside track on which décor trends are going to be big throughout next season. As we transition to a post-pandemic era, designers are reflecting the new demands of homeowners and presenting innovative and exciting ideas.
There’s no doubt, however, that the pandemic has left its mark on the interior design world, particularly as people’s needs evolve and lifestyles change. In this year’s décor trends, you’ll find inspiring ways to enhance your home while maximising functionality and prioritising comfort.
Whether you’re planning a total redesign, starting a new renovation project, or looking for ways to refresh your interiors, these six trends will give you the inspiration you need to envisage a whole new style:
Bold Stripes
Many top furniture designers are incorporating exaggerated stripes into their work, so you can expect to see this fashion statement in on-trend homes throughout 2022. Perfect for adding drama and excitement to an interior, stripes can also make a compact space feel larger. Select vertical stripes if you want to add height to a room and horizontal stripes to make the area feel wider.
To stay on trend this season, you’ll want to choose stripes that are thick and bold and use them to inject a little colour into an interior. Bright, playful colours or soothing, traditional tones work equally well, so be sure to use stripes to complement your existing style. From a welcoming sofa to a statement armchair, bold stripes are an easy yet uber-fashionable way to ensure your interior design stays bang up to date this season.
Woven Furniture and Accessories
Rattan furniture has proven popular this year and the trend looks set to continue throughout 2022. However, don’t feel restricted as any woven piece will fit the bill and keep your home up to date. Cane, wicker, raffia and even seagrass can all be used to create a light and relaxed interior, so use them to keep interiors feeling fresh.
Often seen outdoors, woven furniture has become a firm favourite amongst interior designers and is becoming increasing popular in living rooms, bedrooms, and studies. The lightness of the material lends itself to smaller spaces, while intricate woven designs can add detail and character without being overpowering.
When you embrace furniture made from natural materials, you can also inject biophilic designs into your interior. Achieving harmony between traditional architecture and the natural world, biophilic interior design is heralded for optimising wellness and delivering a sense of calmness and tranquillity.
Inspired Home Offices
After two years of living and working from home, it’s no surprise that people are looking for innovative new ways to combine these elements of their lives. As the remote working trend continues to boom, an increasing number of people are making their homes dual purpose and updating their interiors to reflect the changing environment.
Designers are responding to the demand by creating inspiring yet functional home office furniture in chic, fun palettes. Instead of relying on drab, grey tones or using transient spaces as a makeshift office, dedicate some of your home over to a permanent workspace and make it a motivation hub. From bright colours to ergonomic designs, home offices are about to become better than ever.
Cool Comfort
Unsurprisingly, comfort continues to be a top priority amongst designers and homeowners alike. We’ll see a rise in cumulous sofas and low-to-the-ground chairs in 2022, as people embrace a relaxed and welcoming vibe.
When you incorporate low-to-the-ground furniture, it creates a sense of casual calm and positively entices you to lounge around and take life at a slower pace. As people continue to seek comfort from their homes, this trend is set to be even bigger this year.
What’s more – low-slung furniture makes it easy to integrate statement pieces into any space. In smaller sitting areas, for example, a low sofa can be eye-catching without dominating the space. Conversely, low-to-the-ground furniture can be idea in minimalist interiors, when you want the space to speak for itself.
Paper Lanterns
For a super-fast way to brighten up any room, add paper lanterns to your interior design. While paper lanterns have long been a popular lighting choice, designers are putting a new spin on the trend this year. With geometrical panels over a wooden frame, for example, colour and light can fill the room without relying on a traditional overhead light.
While paper lanterns may be popular in garden design, they’re enjoying something of a renaissance when it comes to interiors. Use them in isolation or pair them with bejewelled lighting for a mesmerising focal point.
Enhanced Colour
Changing the colour of a room can be one of the quickest ways to give it a brand-new feel and an enhanced focus on colour in 2022 makes it easy to update your interior. Sky Blue is a popular shade this year and has already been named as Dulux’s Colour of the Year. Associated with nature, it’s ideal when you want to connect to the outside world and add a sense of calm to your interior. Also from the blue colour family, Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2022, Veri Peri, uses a red violet undertone to add a dynamic feel that inspires and motivates.
Whatever colours and palettes you choose for your home, rely on colour theory to achieve a sense of balance. Remember – repainting the walls isn’t the only way to inject colour into your interior design. With a spectacular selection of pieces in coloured glass from this year’s top designers, there are plenty of ways to incorporate more colour into your interior.
Embracing 2022’s Décor Trends
Using the latest trends to enhance your interior design is a fantastic way to keep your home feeling new and fresh. While you needn’t redesign your entire interior on a whim or use every trend to renovate a property, incorporating your favourite elements of this year’s décor trends can give you the inspiration and impetus you need to reset and refresh your home.
10 Stylish Outdoor Dining Ideas
When the sun’s shining and the temperatures are soaring, a garden, terrace, or courtyard is the perfect place to be. By embracing al fresco dining, you can extend your home beyond the property’s four walls and make the most of the space you have available. Of course, you’ll want to expand your interior design to the exterior of your property too! To get started, take a look at these 10 ideas to enjoy stylish outdoor dining this season:
1. Mimic Indoor Flooring
Creating an outdoor dining space requires practical considerations, as well as design choices, and adding robust, durable flooring will create a level space that helps to avoid accidents and prevents your outdoor furniture from sinking into the grass! When you’re selecting flooring for an outdoor dining space, mimic or complement your indoor flooring to extend your interior design throughout the entire property.
2. Add Soft Furnishings
Don’t let the thought of bad weather prevent you from adding extra comfort to an outdoor dining space. Instead, choose soft furnishings and accessories that are designed for outdoor use. Outdoor rugs and cushions are a great way to enhance the design of an outdoor dining area and they will increase your comfort levels too.
3. Consider Outdoor Cooking
If you really want to embrace outdoor dining this summer, why not take things a step further and install an outdoor cooking station too? This will give you the opportunity to impress your guests with your cooking skills and make it even easier to make the most of your outdoor space. From pizza ovens and built-in BBQs to standalone workstations and integrated kitchens, there are endless options to consider. With a range of styles available, you can complement your garden design with a traditional feel or opt for an uber-contemporary style to modernise the space.
4. Beat the Heat with a Canopy
Getting too much sun isn’t something you often have to worry about in the UK, but it’s important to protect yourself from the rays if you want to enjoy al fresco dining. Whether you’re designing an outdoor dining area for your home in London, a holiday home in the south of France or a villa in Tuscany, you can increase the functionality of the space by adding a canopy.
5. Fuse Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
In many homes, it’s possible to create a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors by removing an exterior wall of the property and replacing it with sliding or folding doors. This creates a unique indoor-outdoor environment that can be enjoyed whatever the weather and it can also increase convenience for outdoor dining. When you have a bar or entertainment space that leads directly into your garden, for example, it’s easy to entertain guests and host light refreshments indoors before moving outside for a more formal feast.
6. Add Table-Top Heating
When you’ve been enjoying the sun throughout the day, evening temperatures can feel a little chilly. With table-top heating, however, you needn’t let this prevent you from enjoying al fresco dining well into autumn. Self-contained table-top fire pits are a top trend this year and it’s easy to see why. As well as keeping your guests warm, a table-top fire pit makes for a spectacular centrepiece on your tablescape and enhances your table design.
7. Update Outdoor Furniture
If you’re upgrading your outdoor dining area, it’s a good time to update your outdoor furniture too. From classic wooden furniture with soft, sumptuous cushions to sleek, brushed metal and ornate wrought iron, you’ll want an outdoor dining set that complements your design and reflects the style of your home. When you pair an outdoor dining table and chairs with outdoor armchairs, daybeds, and side tables, you can enjoy flexible and functional garden living at any time.
8. Illuminate the Space with Outdoor Lighting
As the days get longer, it might not seem necessary to add lighting to an al fresco dining space, but you’ll soon realise the impact it has. In addition to increasing functionality as dusk draws in, outdoor lighting adds ambience and atmosphere to your dining area. To create the ultimate outdoor dining space, use soft lighting to create a sense of warmth. From table-top candles and string lights to hidden uplights, there are a variety of ways to enhance your design with the right lighting.
If you have a water feature nearby, for example, be sure to showcase it with underwater LED lighting. This will ensure it remains a statement feature at all times of the day and night – even when you’re enjoying a late-night meal in your new outdoor dining space.
9. Use Screening for Discreet Dining
Garden screening is a fast and effective way to add ambience to an outdoor dining space and it can be an effective way to increase your privacy too. If you’re green-fingered, you can rely on shrubs, hedges and climbing plants to create a natural screen that will separate your outdoor dining area from the rest of your garden. However, if you don’t want to wait for plants to mature, consider using container plants, artificial green walls, or freestanding room dividers as garden screens.
10. Create Stunning Tablescapes
When you’re entertaining guests in your home, a tablescape can set the tone and really showcase your interior design – and the same applies when you’re hosting guests outdoors. By choosing a spectacular table design, you can give a temporary outdoor dining area a sense of permanence and reflect your broader design choices in the finer details. Use decorative table linens or runners to add colour to the space, for example, and add accessories, such as candleholders, vases, or barware, in varying heights to add visual interest.
Enjoy Al Fresco Dining All Year Round
With the right design and materials, an outdoor dining space can be functional at any time of year, which means you can enjoy al fresco dining throughout every season. Combining stylish design choices with practical additions, like heating and overhead coverage, your new outdoor dining area can become a permanent and much-loved part of your home.
Entryway Design Tips: Nine Ways To Make An Entrance In Your Home
The entryway of your home is somewhere you’ll pass through multiple times a day and it’s the first part of the interior that your guests will experience, which is why it’s such an important part of your interior design. By making the most of this space, you can set the tone for the rest of your property and create a welcoming feel that extends throughout your home. To get started, take a look at these nine entryway design tips:
1. Select a Bold Colour Palette
While neutral shades can work well in a foyer or entryway, don’t feel you have to stick to muted tones when designing a hallway or entrance. Using vibrant colours gives you an opportunity to make an impression with your interior design and a bold shade can lift the space. When you choose a bright or empowering colour, such as yellow, you can add a sense of warmth to this welcoming space and transform a transitional area into a feature in its own right.
2. Use Floorboards to Amplify the Space
If your entryway is a little on the small side and you want to make it feel larger, consider using real wood floorboards. Orienting the floorboards so that they run into the home from the entryway can make the space feel significantly larger and will draw the eye further into the property. Alternatively, lay rectangular tiles leading into the property to create a similar effect.
3. Add Seating
No matter what size a foyer is, seating can be an excellent addition to this space. Many people assume that seating isn’t necessary in an entryway, particularly if the area is relatively small and you don’t plan on spending much time there. However, entryway seating can play a functional role, as well as an aesthetic one. While bold, statement furniture can work well in larger foyers, a slimline bench or a sleek, contemporary chair can enhance smaller entryways while minimising the amount of space that’s used.
4. Use Feature Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important components in any interior and this is true of entryways too. The right lighting will illuminate a foyer effectively and create a welcoming feel that instantly puts guests at ease and makes you breathe a sigh of relief every time you arrive home. You can make the space feel warmer with soft lighting, for example, or give the entryway a modern feel with cool, overhead lighting. Whether you opt for a spectacular chandelier, hidden recessed lights, or eye-catching drop lights, make sure the accessories you choose turn functional lighting into a noticeable feature.
5. Consider Form and Function
How you use your entryway will depend on the layout of your home, so consider the many purposes the space may need to serve. If you don’t have a separate cloakroom, for example, your hallway might be somewhere where you store coats, outerwear, bags, accessories, and shoes. If so, you’ll want to ensure that these items can be kept neatly and that they don’t detract from your carefully curated interior design.
Adding furniture to an entryway can enhance its functionality considerably and is an effective way to combine form and function. A well-placed coat rack, storage chest, or cupboard can give you access to the space you need while reflecting your preferred style, for example.
6. Use Vertical Space
When you’re designing an entryway or foyer, be sure to use wall and ceiling space to accentuate the area. Statement pieces, such as sculptures and suspended artwork are perfect in large, vaulted foyers and will act as a focal point. Alternatively, smaller entryways can be enhanced with artwork on the walls, shadow boxes, and even custom murals.
By making the most of the available vertical space, you draw the eye upwards and create a centrepiece for your design. Furthermore, using the vertical space well in smaller entranceways will make the area feel more spacious and expansive.
7. Reflect the Light
As well as using statement lighting features as part of your interior design, aim to reflect the light to prevent entryways from feeling dull or drab. Strategically placed mirrors will reflect the light and make any entryway feel brighter. Whether you have windows and door glazing that allow natural light to flow through or you’re relying solely on artificial light, use mirrors to maximise the feeling of brightness. With endless styles and sizes to choose from, it’s easy to find mirrors that complement any interior design, so you’ll have no problems incorporating a brightening mirror into your theme.
8. Add Definition
If your foyer is particularly large or part of an open plan space, it might not be well-defined. This can make it tricky to determine where the entryway ends and where your living space begins. However, effective interior design can add definition to the space and create a distinction between the different areas in your home.
Using different colours is one way to transition from an open-plan entryway to the living space, for example. Alternatively, add a rug to the floor to signify where the entryway ends or differentiate between the varying spaces by using wallpaper in the entryway and paint in the living area.
9. Make Staircases Spectacular
Most entryways include a staircase of some kind, and this gives you a great opportunity to turn a standard feature into something truly spectacular. A dramatic curved staircase or a contemporary suspended staircase can give large entryways a touch of glamour, while tiled stair risers, stylish runners, or glass balustrades can transform a regular staircase into an eye-catching entryway.
Take Your Entryway to the Next Level
The entryway is one of the most important parts of your interior design, yet many people overlook the foyer or hallway design in favour of other areas, such as kitchens or living rooms. By using these top tips to enhance your entryway design, you can ensure that this critical part of your home is a core component of your interior and somewhere that exudes style.
SHALINI MISRA REVEALS DETAILS OF DESIGN FOR WOW!HOUSE
Shalini Misra reveals details of design for WOW!house at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour examining the aesthetics of interior design through the life of a fictional family across hundreds of years.
Using a several 100-year-old room as its canvas, Generations, the entrance foyer of WOW!House by Shalini Misra Ltd, will examine our constantly evolving relationship with the aesthetics of interior design as it ebbs and flows through time.
The room will offer insight into the styles of the various fictional inhabitants who have occupied it over the course of its lifetime while considering how interior design can marry the traditional and the contemporary to create a meaningful, welcoming space that honours and elevates period features. Shalini Misra’s concept is intended to create a dialogue between the antique and the modern, bringing traditional craftsmanship together with innovation to explore how each can elevate a visitor’s experience of the other.
Shining a light on themes at the heart of today’s generation, the space will feature Transmutation 1, a chandelier by French master craftsman Thierry Jeannot created from thousands of carefully selected, precisely cut pieces of waste P.E.T plastic bottles that, at first glance, appear to be crystal. This exquisite central piece will encourage visitors to revaluate their preconceptions of material value, purpose and waste.
AI Petals, NFT Crypto Art
Further exploring the contemporary, Interpolating AI Petals, an NFT artwork by conceptual artist and pioneer of crypto art Sarah Meyohas, will also be displayed in Shalini Misra’s entrance foyer. The work is a result of Meyohas’ performance, Cloud of Petals, at the former Bel Labs complex in New Jersey, which saw sixteen workers photograph 100,000 individual rose petals, compiling a digital database of their findings. Using the information gathered, the artist developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that generated new, unique petals.
AI Petals by Sarah Meyohas
Best In Handcraftsmanship
Championing the best in handcraftsmanship, Generations will feature the Ava Dining Table by British furniture designer Tom Faulkner sitting centrally. The distinctive sculptural table features a surface that appears to float above two intriguingly linked tetrahedrons. The table will sit atop Big Bliss Undyed, the Memphis movement inspired rug by Mae Engelgeer for CC Tapis. To the side, exquisite materials continue with the Wave Console by Staffan Tollgård for The Refined Workshop. Elegant in form and impeccably carved from one of the most prized natural stones in the world, the Wave Console’s sculptural underside highlights the importance of every surface within a design - a sentiment shared by Shalini Misra’s own practice. Ceramic sculptor Abigail Ozora Simpson’s large scale clay pieces continue the celebration of material and form - Salmon Pink Column is over 180cm tall and hand coiled in a pink stoneware clay. It sits next to ‘White Sculpture’ also from clay at 140cm tall.
Ava Dining Table by Tom Faulkner
Period Architectural Joinery
Bringing the history of this fictional several 100-year-old room to the fore, Shalini Misra Ltd has worked with period architectural joinery firm Atkey and Co to provide skirting, mouldings and architraves and with Jamb to present a carved Bath stone fireplace in the early George III manner. Above the fireplace will be a mirror by world celebrated Studio Peascod, made in Gloucestershire from sumptuous surfaces using atmospheric textures and materials. Adjacent, the Art Deco inspired Faro wall sconces and the romantic Clair de Lune pendant by the sofa by one of the world’s most exclusive decorative lighting companies, Bella Figura, will illuminate the space.
Seating in Shalini Misra’s entrance foyer will bring one generation together with another. An eye-catching 120-year-old vintage No.10 Bentwood cane rocking chair in black lacquer by Thonet, supplied by Sigmar London, will sit alongside a modernist design sofa and side table by New Delhi and New York firm DeMuro Das.
A Richly Layered Textural Space
British wood flooring company Havwoods’ Pureplank Oak Lattes Herringbone timber flooring is featured throughout the space while the walls are covered in Chinon by Fromental in the Henson colourway. The Chinon design depicts a European style rendering of an Asian garden scene, hand-painted using a relief process to mimic raised lacquer work. Dedar Milano has provided jacquard curtains for Generations, which are inspired by traditional Japanese "Obi" belts and masterfully depict wandering clouds.
A richly layered and textural space, Generations will offer a warm welcome as visitors begin their journey through WOW!House, realised through the exquisite attention to detail and curatorial eye that the practice is known for.
Interviews and informal meetings with Shalini Misra can be arranged throughout the month of WOW!House.
Making The Most Of Your Mantelpiece With These Decorating Tips
A mantelpiece can be a fantastic focal point in any room, providing you make the most of it with décor and styling. Whether you favour a traditional interior or a modern, contemporary style, inspired decoration can elevate a mantlepiece and make it a core feature. From living areas to bedrooms, find out how to make the most of your mantlepiece with these eight decorating tips:
1. Use Contrasting Colours to Make Your Mantlepiece Pop
If your mantlepiece is constructed from wood, you can repaint it as many times as you like to refresh your décor and uplift your interior design. To make your mantlepiece pop and ensure it’s the main feature in the room, use contrasting colours for the mantlepiece itself and the surrounding hearth or wall. A crisp white mantlepiece can look exquisite against a dark wall, for example, while a dark-hued mantle will stand out against a light or pastel backdrop.
2. Fill the Space Above the Mantlepiece
If there is a large expanse of space between the mantlepiece and ceiling, the mantle can end up looking a little lost, particularly in larger rooms. Filling this space with a mirror, artwork and wall scones can be an effective way to draw the eye to the mantle and complement its features.
Before you do this, however, consider what type of accessories you want to use to style the mantlepiece. If you favour tall vases, candlesticks, or decorative pieces, factor the height of these in when you’re choosing what to hang over the mantlepiece so that the area doesn’t feel crowded.
Aparentment Rectangle Prism Shaped Marble Bookends
3. Add Different Shapes, Textures, Sizes and Materials
When you’re choosing which pieces to display on your mantlepiece, be sure to add a range of different shapes, textures, sizes, and materials. This will add visual interest to the area, as well as depth. If you add square-shaped, tall vases to either side of the mantlepiece, for example, balance these with a circular decorative plate in a bronze, gold, or silver.
Alternatively, you can complement taller accessories with more compact items, like a small stack of books, the Bamboo Root Flamingo Sculpture by Lotus Arts de Vivre or Marble Bookends by Aparentment. With a mix of materials, sizes, and shapes, you can create a unique mantlepiece design that will complement your décor and add balance to your interior design.
ACH Collection Saturn Painted Ceramic Canister
4. Layer Items to Create Depth
When positioning items and accessories on your mantlepiece, don’t make the mistake of placing everything in a uniform line. This limits your creativity and reduces the number of pieces you’re able to showcase. Instead, layer items in front of each other to create depth and visual appeal.
You may want to rest artwork against the wall, with decorative pieces like the Saturn Painted Ceramic Canister by ACH Collection in front of it, for example. Again, using different textures, sizes, shapes, and materials will allow you to layer pieces without overcrowding the mantlepiece and will ensure that the styling elevates the entire feature.
5. Hide Electronics with Bifold Doors
Flatscreen televisions are often hung above fireplaces, but these can detract from the overall visual appeal of your mantlepiece and interrupt its styling. If you’re going to add a flatscreen tv to the wall above a fireplace, use interior design tips and tricks to minimise its visual impact when it’s not in use.
Adding a recess to the wall will enable you to hang the television so that it’s flush with the surface of the wall and prevent electronics from competing for attention with your décor. Similarly, custom bifold doors above the fireplace can be a subtle yet effective way to incorporate electronics into the room while maintaining effortless styling and design.
Casarialto Kansashi Handmade Vase
6. Group Items in Odd Numbers
If you want your mantlepiece to attract attention, group decorative pieces or artwork in odd numbers. Three candlesticks will be more impactful than two, for example. What’s more – grouping items in odd numbers gives you more opportunities to incorporate different sizes and shapes.
The Kansashi Handmade Vases by Casarialto are an excellent example of how you can achieve balance, interest and uniformity when styling a mantlepiece in this way. Available in three sizes and three shades, you can add depth and colour to your mantlepiece while retaining a sense of consistency by choosing pieces from the same range.
7. Add Candles to Create a Relaxed Ambience
Candles are a fantastic addition to any mantlepiece, both in terms of function and style. With a wide range of candleholders and sticks, you can achieve any interior design style when you incorporate these into your mantlepiece design. Furthermore, candles always create a relaxed, informal, and cosy atmosphere when they’re lit, which will enhance the way the space looks and feels.
Don’t forget – a calming scent, like lavender, jasmine or bergamot can help to create a casual and tranquil atmosphere, so select lightly fragranced designer candles for your mantlepiece if you want to create a peaceful and serene environment.
8. Display Fresh Flowers for a Burst of Colour
When you want to add colour to your mantlepiece, fresh flowers are the perfect option. Not only do they brighten a room but incorporating greenery into your interior can have a positive impact on your mood and well-being.
For on-trend styling, choose flowers that represent the season and use plants, grasses, and greenery to reflect the outdoors. Bold lilies and vibrant gerberas can be great in the summer, for example, while celosia, asters and Chinese lanterns are ideal for autumn. With new displays every week, you can use fresh flowers to continually refresh your mantlepiece design.
Create a Focal Point with Mantlepiece Styling
To truly make the most of your mantlepiece, be bold when you’re deciding what to showcase and what style to go for. It’s easy to update your mantlepiece design, so be as creative as you like when you experiment with new ideas. By doing so, you’ll create a unique mantlepiece that becomes a core component of your interior design.
Commissioning Craft for the Home
With London Craft Week starting this week, now is the perfect time to consider enhancing your décor with bespoke additions to your home. Commissioning a custom piece gives you the freedom to work with a designer or artisan of your choice and ensures you’ll have input and approval over the design and materials.
What’s more – incorporating bespoke decorative accessories, furniture or artwork into your interior design makes your décor more personal and means you’ll have a newfound attachment to your environment. To start planning your next interior design project, take a look at these top tips for commissioning craft for the home:
1. Be Inspired
Unless you already have an established idea of what you want to create for your home, take the time to explore all the options and seek out inspiration from a variety of sources. London Craft Week is a great opportunity to explore British and international creativity, with more than 250 designers, brands, artisans, and craftspeople coming together to celebrate the industry.
By attending events in person and scouring the internet for inspiration, you’ll be able to draw on existing ideas and styles to come up with your own vision. In addition to this, you may discover a designer or craftsperson who can collaborate with you to bring your ideas to life.
Wolk Coffee Table Gloss Brass by Scarlet Splendour
2. Meet with the Designer
Before you commission craft for your home, be sure to meet with the designer or artist. Ideally, you’ll be able to meet face to face and experience their work in person but, if not, video calls are the next best thing.
One advantage of commissioning a bespoke piece is that your individual personality and style can be incorporated into the work. To facilitate this, the artist or designer will want to engage with you, understand your goals and learn more about the project. The more time you can spend with them before they begin the creative process, the better they will be able to design a piece that embodies your vision.
3. Consider Your Budget
As you might expect, commissioning craft is typically more expensive than purchasing from an existing line. However, you don’t have to blow your budget in order to add outstanding custom pieces to your home. In fact, you might be surprised at how much variation there is when it comes to the cost of commissioning unique décor for the home.
Many people feel apprehensive about discussing their budget with a designer or artist, but this is an important conversation to have at the outset of your collaboration. By establishing your budget from the outset, you can find an artisan who can deliver stunning work without exceeding your financial expectations.
4. Be Willing to Learn
Teaming up with an artisan or designer gives you the opportunity to learn from their experience and talent. If you want to use a particular material, for example, your appointed craftsman or woman will be able to tell you whether it’s possible to achieve your concept or whether another material is best suited to your preferred design.
While you should certainly feel free to have some creative input, the best results are often achieved when you allow the designer to have a level of freedom over the piece. This allows them to combine their talent and experience with your ideas to deliver spectacular pieces that will enhance your home for years to come.
5. Establish a Method of Communication
How you communicate with your appointed designer will have a significant impact on the finished piece, so be sure to establish how you’ll work together. Some artists create mock-ups and prototypes, for example, while others rely on drawings or verbal explanations. Similarly, some craftspeople might like you to visit their studio while the piece is being created, whereas others may be happy to share their progress via images or video.
As every artist works differently, it’s important to find someone who you can collaborate with effectively. If you want to meet with your designer multiple times throughout the creation process, for example, discuss this with them in advance to ensure your working styles are well-matched.
6. Be Prepared to Wait
Once you’ve decided to commission craft for your home, you might be eager to get the process underway so you can begin enjoying your new interior design. However, finding the right craftsperson can take time and, even then, you might have to wait a while before the piece is completed.
It can take months for an artist to complete a project, which highlights just how much effort and passion goes into each piece. Before you commission any craft, query the designer’s timescale in advance so that you have an idea of what to expect. Then, you can begin collaborating with a clear idea of when your new piece will be ready to add to your home.
7. Enjoy the Process
Having a bespoke item created for your home should be a fun and exciting process, so be sure to make the most of it. Whether you’re commissioning artwork, furniture, sculptures, or ceramics, having something created just for you is a privilege and something to enjoy.
With the right designer or artist, you can have as much creative input as you choose and build a working relationship that complements both of your styles, which is why it’s worth doing some research before you embark on a project. With a little exploration and expert advice, locating the best designer for your project becomes a much easier task.
James Mirror by Laskasas
Finding the Right Artist for Bespoke Craft
No matter what type of craft you want to commission, finding the right artist is critical to a successful outcome. Fortunately, we have an extensive network of outstanding artisans, designers, and creators at Shalini Misra and we’re always happy to help clients find the right partner to collaborate with. By understanding your interior design preferences and artistic visions, we’ll help you to find an artist who can share your creative goals and design spectacular, one-off pieces for your home.
Interior Design Tips and Must Have Items for Spring
We all want to make the most of our homes and updating your property for the season will ensure you enjoy every day. Whether you’re planning a complete redesign, or you simply want to refresh your décor, our interior design tips and must-have items for spring will give you all the inspiration you need:
Surround Yourself with Greenery
There’s no doubt you’ll spend more time outdoors when springtime temperatures are upon us but, with the right interior design, you won’t have to step outside to enjoy nature. Embrace biophilic design this season and add greenery to your interior décor. From houseplants and indoor trees to hanging plants and tropical palms, greenery can be added to every room to inject a sense of warmth and colour.
Calamondin Orange trees, Weeping Figs, and Lemon Cypress trees all thrive in indoor environments but, if you’re looking for low maintenance greenery, use artificial green art to incorporate greenery into any indoor space.
Enjoy the Sun and Shade
As the weather gets brighter and you’re lounging in the garden or working from the patio, you’ll need a luxury parasol to keep the glare out of your eyes, and the Roxanna Parasol Base in Marble by Hommes Studio is the ultimate addition to your outdoor space this spring. Featuring layers of Carrara Marble and Negro Marquina Marble, its curves echo spring trends of organic shapes and soft lines.
If you have a larger garden, create a dedicated seating area complete with a parasol to keep you and your guests comfortable throughout the spring and summer. Alternatively, make seating the key focal point of your garden this season and you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors – whatever the weather!
Seamlessly Transition from Indoors to Outdoors
There’s no need to separate your interior design from your garden design when you create a flexible indoor-outdoor space. Making your home more multifunctional is a key trend for spring and fusing your indoor and outdoor space does just that.
Sliding, stacking, or trifold doors make it easy to create indoor-outdoor spaces that allow you to embrace nature at any time of year. In addition to this, automated awnings and canopies can extend the usable space right outside your interior and turn a patio into an all-weather, all-purpose space.
Add Statement Outdoor Furniture
The right furniture can be a showstopping focal point in any room, but why stop there? With spectacular outdoor furniture, you can enhance the aesthetic of your garden and enjoy a little luxury every time you step outside.
The Mykonos Sunbed in Outdoor Leather or the Tropez Sunbed in Striped Boucle, both by Hommes Studio, will add a sense of tropical glamour to any outdoor space and leave you feeling like you’ve just stepped off a sandy, golden beach.
For courtyards, patios, and balconies, the Marina Armchair in Outdoor Leather, also by Hommes Studio, offers luxury and flexibility. Its foldable design and compact size make it perfect for smaller spaces, while its monochrome stripe ensures it’s a showstopping piece for spring.
Sleek Lines and Soft Curves
This season, it’s all about comfortable aesthetics and organic shapes deliver unrivalled softness. For interiors, choose soft furnishings and decorative pieces that reflect this trend to create a luxurious and restorative space.
The Slice Pattern Sofa in Tweed and Velvet by Behspoke combines fun, spring colours with soft curves and bold patterns, which makes it the ideal eye-catching piece for living spaces. Similarly, the Plump Sofa by Royal Stranger exudes comfort and relaxation with its enveloping shape, while its range of colours means you’ll find the perfect shade for any interior!
Enjoy Spring Scents
One sure-fire way to make your home feel ready for springtime is to infuse the area with uplifting spring-ready scents. The light and fresh aroma of Erakis Bitter Orange Room Spray by Ooumm or the Less Stress, More Zest aromatherapy candle by Mayowa Samuel are effortless ways to instantly recharge a space.
What’s more – you can use springtime scents all over the home to enhance the ambience. Whether you’re enjoying an aperitif by candlelight on the patio or unwinding in your living room, bedroom, or self-care space, adding an uplifting scent will instantly make the space feel more enriching and inspiring.
Go Back to Nature
Using natural materials in your interior design offers a lot of benefits, including optimal wellness. When you combine natural materials with sunlight and a healthy flow of air, it can transform your well-being and make your home feel like a much healthier, happier place.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways to incorporate natural materials into your interior design, no matter what style you choose. From relaxing on the Severus Chaise Longue with Portuguese cork upholstery to sleeping on crisp, 100% cotton sheets, like the Leaves Duvet Set by Claudia Barbari, you’ll be cool and content this spring when you incorporate natural materials into your interiors.
Add Wild Water Features to Outdoor Spaces
If you want to create the perfect outdoor environment for spring, water features are a must-have item this season. A Babbling Basalt Slab or Copper Crucible Water Feature will enhance the aesthetic of your space but it will also add sensory elements to your garden. With the soft sound of running water in the background, your garden or courtyard can become a place of unrivalled luxury and relaxation this season.
Outdoor Cooking for Summer Fun
If you’re looking for a spring must-have that will provide you with fun throughout the year, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect design upgrade. From full-scale professional kitchens built for outdoor use to centrepieces, like the Chef’s Anvil BBQ, you can create a fully-equipped cooking area that blends seamlessly into a dining and entertainment space.
Get Ready for Spring 2022
With these must-have pieces and interior design tips, you’re ready to unleash your creativity and transform your home into a springtime retreat. There’s still plenty of time to embrace the latest trends, so why wait to refresh your home and garden in time for the new season?
Interior Home Décor Ideas & Trends for Spring 2022
As the weather gets a little warmer and the days become longer, now is the perfect time to refresh your home and renew your décor. Updating your surroundings gives you the opportunity to embrace the new season and surround yourself with colours and textures that reflect the times. To start planning your 2022 Spring refresh, take a look at these on-trend home interior design ideas now:
Make Your Home Multifunctional
Open plan living has been popular for some time but, in 2022, we’re taking things a step further and making our homes truly multifunctional. As more people choose to work from home on a permanent basis, our homes are serving an increasing number of purposes and the latest home interior ideas reflect this transition.
If you’re planning big renovations this year, transitioning to open plan and multifunctional living should certainly be a top priority. Creating large spaces that can serve multiple purposes gives you constant flexibility and the option to modify your environment at any time.
Incorporate Fluidity for a Softer Feel
When you’re searching for interior home décor ideas this season, you’re bound to notice an increase in the number of soft lines and organic shapes you see. Adding fluidity to a space gives it a softness and can make a room feel more comfortable, nurturing, and relaxing.
While arches and curved windows can be incorporated via renovations, you needn’t plan major renovations to embrace this trend. Instead, choose soft furnishings and interior décor that features curved lines, asymmetrical shapes, and spherical designs.
Get Playful with Paint
Lighter colours are perfect for spring, but this season is about more than just tone and shade. If you’re looking for ultimate spring decorating ideas, be bold with paint and express your home’s individuality with patterns.
Colour blocking is a great way to add depth to a room, but it also allows you to experiment with playful colours without making a space feel overpowering. Similarly, patterned walls and paint contrasts create a focal point and can be used to make a room feel more spacious. From buttery yellows and soft greens to sky blues and candyfloss pink, be as fun and frivolous as you like with this year’s home interior design ideas.
Let Lighting Draw the Eye
Lighting plays a functional role in your home, but it can be so much more than simply a way to illuminate a space. The fixtures you choose have a substantial impact on the overall aesthetic and, this spring, decorative lighting is all the rage.
Whether you favour a sleek, minimalistic style or a classic, traditional flair, you’ll find endless lighting options to match your décor. With the right styling and accessories, lighting can become a feature in any room, so be sure to make the most of the opportunity to brighten up your home with new fixtures.
Add Self Spaces
Your home is where you should feel more relaxed and ‘self spaces’ simply enhance this feeling of calmness. Reflecting the trend for self-care, self spaces are all about wellness, tranquillity, and hobbies. Carve out a space in your home for the things you love the most and create pockets of relaxation space that give you the chance to enjoy some downtime.
While some people choose to transform entire rooms into self spaces, you don’t have to give up a bedroom or office to ensure your home promotes optimal well-being. A cosy nook, a discreet landing, or even a section of an open plan living space can be transformed into a wellness hub. Use decorative screens to create a sense of privacy and surround yourself with soft textures, relaxing colours, and tranquil vibes for ultimate wellness.
Outdoor-Indoor Living
Bringing nature indoors can enhance your environment but it can be tricky to achieve during the colder months. Now that Spring has arrived, however, it’s the perfect time to incorporate natural materials into your décor and even create a dedicated outdoor-indoor living space.
Biophilic design involves using natural resources to enhance indoor spaces, so think indoor trees and shrubs, living walls and even indoor water features. For a simple way to achieve this, choose indoor plants that are easy to care for yet add greenery and texture to your design.
If you’re looking for home interior design ideas to complement a larger renovation project, consider incorporating an outdoor kitchen or an outdoor-indoor entertainment room to your floorplan. With the option to embrace the great outdoors with sliding or stack doors, it’s easy to create a space that gives you the best of both worlds.
Get Spring Cleaning
People are enjoying the process of decluttering their homes and living in a simpler way, so make sure you take organisation into account when you’re exploring interior home décor ideas in 2022. When storage is incorporated into your décor and design, it becomes far easier to maintain a simple and uncluttered space.
Both closed and open storage can be used to enhance your interior, providing you choose the right pieces to complement your design. With open shelving units, for example, you can access storage for books and decorative items, as well as showcasing artwork. Alternatively, storage ottomans can add texture to a room while providing you with a handy closed storage space.
Enjoy Natural Light with Window Treatments
One of the top home interior ideas for this spring is window shutters, and it’s easy to see why. As we’re treated to longer days and lots more natural light, you’ll want to soak up the sun as much as possible this season and shutters allow the light to stream into a room without inviting in excess heat.
What’s more – the range of materials and colours means you can mix spring interior design trends to maximum effect. From wood shutters painted in playful colours to floor-length shutters for outdoor-indoor living, there are endless possibilities to explore.
Make the Most of Your Home This Spring
With a wealth of exciting trends, Spring 2022 is an exciting time to be updating your interior design. Whatever your style, you’ll find home interior décor ideas that complement your property, reflect your personality, and allow you to create your dream home.
