Back to the Future...

As part of the May Design series, I was asked to consider what the world of interior design would look like five years from now. Here are some of my thoughts on the trends and shifts that will continue to be pervasive in many areas of our lives and will shape the way that we live in the future…

(Image from 4estbakker)

How will our living spaces have changed?

I see a continuation of the trend towards eliminating formal ‘entertaining’ rooms - traditional dining rooms and sitting rooms will become a thing of the past. Spaces will continue to become much more fluid in how they are designed and used and therefore consistent design themes through an entire house (and anchoring design to a concept image and palette) will become increasingly important. There aren’t as many doors in houses as there used to be…

Which object/ product will we be using the most?

Smart phones and tablets will not only allow us to work and play; they will also enable us to manage our homes (both while we are in residence, but importantly, when we are not) – lighting, music, heating (including energy efficiency) and security... and, as we have been predicting on Tomorrow’s World for some time, eventually eating, diet and grocery shopping too – smart fridges! In terms of what we will be using less of… plumbed AV wires/cabling are on their way out. Wireless communication technologies mean that everything becomes much easier, particularly upgrading as technology continues to advance…

Who will be the next big thing in your industry? (hot talent – one to watch now)

It’s not who, it’s what… within our industry we all need to embrace technology and the impact it is going to have on both residential and commercial space in the future… and the associated impact it is going to have on how we think about design. Moore’s law is having a pervasive impact on every aspect of our existence, including architectural and interior design.

Who or what will be making a comeback?

It’s vintage darling! Completely at odds with embracing technology, contemporary design and a focus on the future, the movement towards sustainability within interiors means that vintage and salvaged items will continue to be in high demand as people seek to find sought after decorative ‘treasures’ for their home in an effort to make them more bespoke and individual (in a world where technology is seen as something that is relatively homogeneous)… blending vintage, cutting edge design/architecture and technology is the recipe for success in our industry for at least the next few years.


What will be the buzzword or catchphrase of the moment?

I/we want to live here and love it! A growing emphasis on ‘My House’ – a move from a ‘resale’ mentality to one of ‘quantity and lifestyle’. Homes will be renovated with longer term horizons of say 5-20 years. Homes will be viewed with more of a personal and lifestyle emphasis, rather than just as a monetary investment, which is where we were in the boom years before the onset of the global financial crisis and the associated impact on the housing market/availability of financing.

So, can you really trust a builder?

We are supposedly over half way through our build… and, as far as I can tell, the builders still seem to be demolishing stuff rather than building stuff… it does give considerable cause for concern when you see your home crumbling down around you, more so when you are living in a cramped one bedroom flat within the building site (with a very large dog and a very large cat), separated by just a few bits of hoarding and some expanding foam from all the noise and the dust… but, after nine weeks of this challenging existence we have finally capitulated and moved out. We are homeless. It’s a very strange feeling.

Anyway, back to the build. Now, according to our builder we have been a week ahead of schedule to this point, so I was unbelievably frustrated to see no real work or progress on site last week (with the exception of the removal of a picket fence, which to be frank, was so rotten I could have done it myself). As a consequence of this and our desire to get the build finished somewhere remotely close to the date we have in our plans and contract, we called an emergency meeting with our builder to ‘express our concerns’ (that is very diplomatic positioning and does not accurately reflect the colourful language that my husband used during this ‘discussion’).

Now for those that don’t know, in a previous life I worked in the city as a strategy consultant and, as a result of this, I am professionally trained as a project manager (as is my husband, but I’m better at it…). We both reviewed the project schedule and could see that after the past week of very little activity we were now in fact getting close to being one week behind schedule (so we effectively lost two weeks in the blink of an eye). Now that may not sound like a lot (and in the grand scale of things, it isn’t), but when you are begging, borrowing and stealing sofas and spare rooms from very good friends and family, the last thing on earth we want is for the build to run way over and we end up totally outstaying our welcome everywhere… we’re nice people, but everyone has their limits…

During the meeting we pointed out to the builder/project manager that we were behind schedule, to which his very interesting response was; ‘no we’re not, have you seen the latest schedule?’ Now I appreciate that there has to be flexibility in project planning and that in the real world of a build (where you may not discover a problem until you pull down a wall), plans do change and reprioritization is always necessary. However, you can’t simply move major elements of the build outlined within the project plan back and continue to say you are either on or ahead of schedule! My husband and I joked (in a very serious way) that if that was the case, he could quite easily have kept moving all the incomplete activities out until eventually they would all be sitting in the last week of the project – at which point, we would then have been told that we were behind schedule and that the house wasn’t going to be delivered. So, following our heated discussion on the basics of project planning and management, we now have a very clear agreement with the builder that items in the project plan cannot move and if they do it is by exception and joint agreement. It’s worth agreeing this up front if you are embarking upon a build…

Now, I don’t want to teach my builder ‘how to suck eggs’, but the foundations of a successful project are dependent on it being delivered on time, within budget and to a level of quality that the client is satisfied with. I just pray that our builder isn’t just full of promises and will deliver a project we are happy with, within the agreed timescales and to the fixed price that we agreed (with very few ‘additionals’). I keep coming back to the image below, because it is just so relevant to what I do and it’s a useful way of describing the different fundamental elements of any project to my clients… 

(Image from oneresult. co.uk)

In last month’s blog I set out how all projects are and should be constrained (and aggressively managed) by a set timeline, budget and resources. As a result, it is of utmost importance that the project process is constantly being driven towards completion with regular updates, meetings and follow-ups with the builder. Given that we have now moved out of the building site and are remote from day to day activities, it is even more important that our regular site meetings and reviews take place… and critical to the success of these meetings is structure, open communication between all parties and that it is a forum where everyone, including the builder, can voice their opinions and concerns. Again, it is important to agree project governance with the builder up front and make sure that you stick to it for the duration of the build.

I suppose I should apologise and say thank you for sticking this one out - this blog has been a bit of a cathartic rant… (but hopefully the project management tips will help someone about to embark upon a build).

It is only in our decisions that we are important…*

After years of deliberation and months (and months) of planning, we have finally commenced the renovation of our home. It’s about three years overdue, but at least we’ve now made a start – the defining moment in any build is the arrival of the sledgehammer on day 1 – there’s no going back… in fact, by my reckoning, our entire house is currently being held up by eight green metal poles, a plastic bag and a plank of wood.

…and, for the first time I am on the other side of the fence – not only am I the designer, but I am also the client… this puts a completely different slant on things…

We are now six weeks into the build and it has become increasingly evident to me that my clients may not only be choosing to use my services because of my impeccable taste and extensive marriage guidance capabilities, but also simply because they are completely overwhelmed with the number and sequencing of decisions that all need to be made at the start of the build and across the lifecycle of the project.


In addition to the vast number of decisions that need to be made, I am currently dealing with another tricky issue - I have been completely paralyzed when it comes to making decisions about my own home. When it comes to clients, I am decisive and can make decisions that I am confident will result in a fabulous design. My paralysis seems to originate from the fact that I know I am going to have to live with whatever I decide for a significant amount of time (more so given the amount it is costing) and I am concerned that people are going to judge me on what I decide to do with my home – in essence, I just want to make sure I get it right. Whether I like it or not, my home is going to become a showcase for the career that I have chosen…

I have also come to the conclusion that some clients may be choosing to use an interior designer in part because they want the confidence that their home is going to look aesthetically pleasing, but also because interior designers alleviate some of the stress associated with making so many critical decisions across the lifecycle of the project.

Another factor that can hinder the decision making process is the fact that you are spending so much money and (for most of us) your world has shifted from dealing in pounds and pence to amounts with a few more zeros at the end – it means every decision has potentially significant implications on the budget as well as the finish. Throw the vast number of options into the mix and the fact that everything needs to be compatible and arrive on site at just the right time (to ensure it doesn’t delay the build and doesn’t get damaged because it’s lying around in a corner for days) and your brain could simply go into meltdown…

(Image from Learn Live Lead)

So here is some advice for anyone about to embark on the renovation of their own home – ‘In order to create something great you need to have some constraints’. Limitations on time, budget, scope and size of the project define the rules that drive decisions and make for better solutions. A classic example of this is how to deal with writer’s block – give them a deadline. A creative mind has no limits but in order to balance the creativity, practical constraints around time, money and scope need to be in place. It may sound crazy but limitations and controls can make us happier and more creative. So, in order to focus my mind my husband and I have just revisited our budget and set a clear date for when everything in the house needs to be ordered – this has focused our minds and means that hopefully we will create a home we are proud to call ours. If it doesn’t fall down before then.

*Jean-Paul Sartre

Fifty Shades of Grey… A Tale of Economic Uncertainty, not S&M…

With pervasive uncertainty and continuing market volatility for the foreseeable future, it is not surprising that with this ongoing grim economic outlook that grey continues to feature heavily in the coming year – however, on a more upbeat note, it’s now in the form of dependable grey neutrals alongside an injection of something a bit more special. Fortunately there is still a desire to be a little bit distracted from the realities of life and to make our homes feel safe and secure and for there to be an overwhelming sense of well being – and, in short, vivid colours make us feel good. As a consequence, in addition to lots of conservative neutral tones, there are a range of joyous and uplifting complementary colours that are a key element of this years palette.

For example, blues are making a huge resurgence in 2013 – although, in keeping with our grumpy outlook this time around and (for the most part) they’re in the form of grey based blues – that said, these colour ranges add an element of oceanic tranquility and well being to our homes… The illustrations below also highlight that texture will play a vital role in making these broadly neutral schemes work really effectively…

(Image from Petra Bindel)

(Image from Design Traveler)

Getting away from the various shades of grey, this year pink is also the new hot impact colour – not girly (and sickening) pink, but dusty and more muted shades of pink. The image below illustrates how effectively these shades can be mixed with yellow. Although yellow is taking a bit of a step back from its huge popularity last year, it still features strongly – always adding an element of freshness to a scheme.

(Image from 10rooms.blogspot.co.uk)

I personally love grey (but not necessarily all the Shades of Grey…) and the idea of using neutral tones as the base of the room and then incorporating these more vivid colours to create a sanctuary where you can feel safe and secure – something that makes a bit of a statement.

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?*

That’s easy - I’d be 33. For. Ever. 

When searching the WorldWide Interweb for a source of inspiration for today’s blog I stumbled across the images below – I thought that they were rather apt given that it is my birthday this weekend and for little people birthdays = ice cream (with jelly). Obviously, these days for me, birthdays = (fizz + posh dinners) + (presents x lots). Importantly, what these images also demonstrate is that any kind of picture can be the inspiration for a room… 

(Images from Lime Love Mud and Atlanta Homes)

I think I mentioned it in a previous blog, but we are hopefully about to commence the complete renovation of our home (after months, if not years of deliberating, pontificating and planning). However, it struck me this morning that we have been so focused on the architectural aspects of the build, I haven’t really begun to think about colour schemes. So, I anticipate that during the next few weeks (as the destruction of our current home gets underway and we sit freezing in the loft with a fan heater and trangia stove) I will be spending an increasing amount of time focusing on the fun bits of the design, including the colour scheme… and my starting point for all this (and remaining consistent with my mantra from a number of previous blogs) – finding a few concept images like the one below that provide me (and my husband) with clear direction on the look and feel of our future home… well, as long as we don’t run out of money during the build... but I hear that unpainted skimmed walls and exposed flooring is very popular these days…


*Satchel Paige

Oh, what a feeling… when we’re dancing on the ceiling!*

…but it doesn’t have to be a white ceiling. And that’s helpful if you are planning to dance on it fairly regularly. 

This week I thought I would share some tips for painting your home to create a natural flow within the entirety of the space and to make your home feel bigger… operative word being ‘feel’ – paint cannot actually make your house bigger. In fact, logically, it will make your house millimeters smaller.

There are three ways that you can paint your walls and woodwork.

1. The traditional (and therefore most common/standard) way of painting our homes is to have coloured walls and white gloss on the woodwork – this is ok and a safe option, but it’s pretty boring…

2. A trend that is becoming increasingly popular (which interior designers use a lot) is to swap this around and put the light colour on the walls and the darker stronger colour on the woodwork. By doing this you will create a more impressive impact and the house will feel bigger (and finished to a higher standard)

3. Alternatively, another technique that interior designers use is to paint the entire room the same colour (including the skirting boards, dado rail and picture rail) – in the right space this can be very effective and make the room feel even bigger. You have to bear in mind that you may need different types of paint for different surfaces and the accuracy of colour matching is absolutely critical

With respect to the ceiling, there are again three ways in which it can be painted.

1. Lots of people ignore the ceiling and just paint it white – it makes a very clear distinction with the walls and highlights where the ceiling starts, which unfortunately has the effect of lowering the ceiling – by softening this transition by using a tone of white you will instantly create the illusion of more height

2. An effective way of creating the illusion of more height is to consider taking the wall colour over the cornice and onto the ceiling

3. A further alternative it to paint the cornice the same colour as the woodwork and then paint the ceiling the same colour as the walls – again, in the right space this can be very effective and creates an impact

If you are renovating your home or simply redecorating a room, choosing the paints can be a daunting task. There are no rights and wrongs (other than hideous taste), but hopefully these tips and decorative styles may help with your choices.

*Lionel Richie

(Image from John Lewis - Sanderson Paint)

Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.*

Well, Design Week is over and my liver (read ‘alcohol processing plant’) is now in full on recovery mode - far too many school nights out on the town in London and Monaco! – enough fizz to sink a ship, never mind launch one… Not great preparation for my imminent half marathon…

For me, the real highlight during the past few weeks was spending time on the super yacht that I have been working on for the past 18 months while it was showcased at the Monaco Boat show… and, most importantly, for it to be the talk of the show (you can’t really miss it – it’s huge and the interior is quite spectacular). It was so rewarding to see the yacht looking supreme amongst all the other craft and for it to receive so much high praise (from designers and billionaires alike). Unfortunately I am unable to share any images or tell you what it’s called, which is truly gutting… I can’t even drop any obvious hints…

So, given that I can’t show you any images of the yacht, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite finds from design week. Such a super simple idea (the best ideas always are), but such a great concept for displaying artwork and images from books and magazines.

(Image from www.boox.me)

The box has malleable foam rubber balls inside it that push the pages of a magazine or book or piece of art against the Perspex front to display the image as if it were floating in the box and on the wall …and the wonderful thing about it is that if you get bored with the images you can simply open the lid and change to another page or publication – you can actually curate your own art collection!

Can’t wait for these to go on sale – I think they would be a great addition to my studio to display inspirational and concept images – and maybe the odd picture of a super yacht… By the way, if you are in the process of commissioning a super yacht and need a designer, please do give me a shout (although I don’t really do anything less than 70m…).

*David Lee Roth