Interior Design 2020: Creating the Perfect English Home

The interior designers we work with regularly all seem to be in agreement about one important point – that a successful English home is much more than a series of rooms that look beautiful. A home needs to be tailor-made for its inhabitants. Each space needs to be carefully considered so that it includes all of the practical requirements to be comfortable. Lifestyles need to be taken into account, and changes in how needs might evolve in the coming years also need to be identified and catered for before layers of decoration can be added. As interior designer Alidad told me recently, “If I was to finish a project and the client tells me they need one more cupboard added, then however wonderful it looks, I have failed with my…

A SURE START Though the desired finished look for a room is often at the forefront when redecorating, time spent planning at the beginning will pay dividends and ensure a result that looks not only polished but performs well too. From layouts to show the best positions for electrical outlets and plumbing to choosing the most appropriate flooring and lighting, we advise on the decisions to be made before indulging in those beautiful new curtains.…

Few rooms are called upon to fill as many functions as the sitting room. A space for hosting as well as retreating, it serves as both showcase and sanctuary. It is a place to read and rest, to gather as a family or entertain friends. While the kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, a sitting room, with its blend of form and function, may well reveal more about the signature style of its occupants than any other space. Nancy Lancaster and John Fowler’s Yellow Room at 39 Brook Street, created in 1957, is perhaps the most famous of English sitting rooms. From its glossy yellow hues to its convivial furniture arrangement, it provided the blueprint for living areas as we know them today – an informal blend…

Size is the main issue for many planning a new kitchen, but, whether large or small, rooms of all dimensions have their advantages, and the most beneficial approach is to embrace the reality of what exists and play to its strengths. Make the most of all available space, remembering that when structural changes are out of the question, shortcomings can be improved by good design. “The adage ‘bespoke is best’ is true of all spaces as no two families are the same,” Richard Moore of Martin Moore says. “A custom-made solution will ensure the kitchen suits the owner’s individual property, way of life, and style.” Here we look at inspiring ways of enhancing different sizes and types of kitchens with a variety of designs to suit both traditional and contemporary…

Without well-designed lighting, even the most exquisite home will look dull and lifeless. As Lee Lovett, founder of the Soho Lighting Company, says: “Lighting has the power to ignite an interior design scheme. It can totally change the feel of a space by means of the colour temperature, brightness or clarity.” Planning a permanent lighting scheme – which includes not only ceiling and wall lighting but also sockets and switches in the right places – can be a complex process, with many factors to take into consideration, both functional and aesthetic, from the positioning of a ceiling pendant to the choice of dimmable bulb. By focusing on the main features, and adding ambient light, it is possible to create layers of light, contrasting brightness and shadow. Which, says Sally Storey,…

There is no doubt that the modern bathroom is seen as a sanctuary, a precious respite from the stresses of everyday life – especially when life is in a bustling town or hectic city. Creating the ultimate urban bathroom must take into account factors such as views (or lack of them), restricted space, awkward areas and storage. A design that incorporates all the necessities while achieving a sense of welcome relaxation will also depend on the individual: it may be a streamlined, understated space or perhaps one with dynamic colours and drama. Either way, it will involve both minute detail and a well-planned overview, with special attention not only to colours, patterns and the shapes and sizes of fittings, but also to every material and texture, from floor coverings to…