Country interior design by MJ

The Shabby Chic or Country Core as we like to call it,  is actually fairly easy to create yourself.  With so many different types of chalky paints on the market, you could upcycle a simple item of furniture with ease.Old pine furniture is a great place to start. You could always visit the National Painting & Decorating Show, held annually at the NEC, Birmingham.  The next show is on the between the 23rd-25th June. If you're interested in doing this professionally or as a small business.  I discovered Frenchic paint at the Leominster Antique Centre and it's perfect for this type of project.  The first step and the most important one is in the preparation.  If you have an electric sander, this will make your life so much easier, start with a courser grain of sandpaper.  The lower the number, the rougher it is: ie P80, then once you have gone over the surfaces, you could change over to a higher number sandpaper which will give you a smoother finish....

I am writing this blog, as a guide to help new interior designers set their stall, so to speak when venturing into this industry.  Many people, see this as a dream job, almost like a hobbyist, I want to set the record straight and say, it's so much more than that.  Many interior designers have been studying for years to learn about the various aspects of becoming an interior designer; understanding about spacial design, how we can design spaces for the future both in terms of work, home and play. And the different technological advancements that support this industry, with the use of AI, 3D Visuals etc.  There are also the other type of interior designers, that are passionate about what they do and have become skilled through experience, a particular flair for design and the sheet ability to, be able to visualise how a home can be designed in a better way to improve the lives of the people that live within them. I fall into this category.  That's not to say I'm not e...

Log piles, antlers and tweed or faux fur soft furnishings is synonymous with the Rustic look and can help elevate the overall rustic interior design Style aesthetic.   Think of rough sawn wood and you are already half way there. Old Scaffold boards or reclaimed wooden planks would easily look in place in this type of setting.  I've been researching Rustic Interiors and came across this book by Emily Henson called Modern Rustic and the book is filled with stunning ideas as an interpretation of Rustic, here's a few of my favourite ones: 1, Rough Textures: Brick walls, textured concrete, flag stone floors are embraced, making for an authentic and rugged style.  2, Paint Finishes: Lime paint in Matt finish, adds to the almost aged style of the Rustic look. 3, Cool & Uncluttered: select just a few items of  large furniture. Keep the room clear and store away any items that do not compliment the Rustic style.  4, Natural Materials: Cow hide rugs, leather surf...

Many people as they reach middle age, make the hugely exciting leap to invest in a second home by the Sea, or decide to purchase a holiday let as a Property business. Quite often the property will not be on the same scale as your main home, so it's worth exploring, what minimal space, maximal lifestyle means for you.  Clever design is significant when space is a premium.  Small can be beautiful and many people for various reasons are now living in smaller homes. The great news is, that Manufacturers have cottoned on to the need to design functional furniture that fits into these types of spaces.  Furniture choice is not the only consideration when living in smaller homes, the ability to plan out the use of your rooms is vital to ensure your satisfied with how your going to live in it & whether it suits your lifestyle? There is various steps you can take to increase the illusion of a larger room.  Whether that's by the reflection of light or clever trickery by mak...

A walk along the stunning sandy beaches of our coastline, is guaranteed to provide you with plenty Flotsam and Jetson for your next Art piece. We usually visit Hayle in Cornwall which has over three miles of golden sand and I always find treasures washed up on the shore line.   Driftwood, smoothed glass shards, fishing net rope, shells and bouy's, there are always an array of art objects just waiting to be turned into a piece of unique art.   We usual stop by the Lula Shack by Godrevy (next to the village of Gwithian) which is Restaurant and live music venue by night and a place to enjoy a Coffee by day. The reason I mention it, is because there wall art, which is box frames filled with sand, shells and sea creatures and they look really effective in the right setting.   Today's interior design Style is exploring Coastal design and this type of art looks beautiful in this style. How about giving your own Art a try, especially with the holiday season and sta...

In our Socials posts today we are exploring minimalism interior design style and I thought it could be worth sharing a blog on whether it's time to Organise your homes.  Over the course of your life time, we tend to hold on to items and store things away, in the thought that one day we may need them or use them again. That's all okay, if you have sufficient room to store them or an attic or loft space to place them in. My one caveat would be, is to store them and label them appropriately, so you can quickly get your hands on the items you want to use.  I really enjoy watching Stacey Solomons TV show: Sort your life out, as this gives lots of tips and tricks on how best to Organise & declutter your home. It's worth a watch, if you're looking to get your home in order.  My previous career before being an interior designer was as a Head of Service in Communities, Support and Care, in Social Housing and the Housing Officers would have to manage tenants that were Hoarder...

In today's Interior design Style posts on our Facebook & Instagram accounts, we are looking at Art Nouveau/Deco as a particular style, the style we used to makeover our mobile showroom and the best place to gain more inspiration is to book a trip to the Theatre.   Seriously, though showmanship goes hand in hand with the Art Nouveau and Art Deco because the style was intentionally designed to embody luxury, glamour, and technological optimism, making it the perfect aesthetic for the "show" culture of the 1920s and 1930s. A trip to London is highly recommended as it is awash with over 300 theatres. With the best exceptional designs of this period being;   the Savoy, Adelphi and the newly restored Trafalgar theatres.  Other notable examples are the Apollo Victoria and the former Saville Theatre. These venues feature striking geometric designs, opulent foyers, and bold, luxurious interiors.Typical of the style guide for Art Deco decoration style.  Grab your...