Sheerluxe Masterclass

A few weeks ago, I went to SheerLuxe’s Interior Design Masterclass - a panel event, covering tips and tricks from Britain’s top designers. The overall aim was to help the audience in transforming their homes (something that I’m delving into, as you can see in the past couple of posts). The advice? Invaluable…

The Panel

Jamie, of Blakes London

“With a degree in interior design, Jamie Blake founded Blakes London, a boutique design studio delivering beautiful and inspiring kitchens. Putting creativity and innovation at the forefront, Jamie and his expert team design, manufacture and deliver one of a kind spaces.’”

Bunny, of Turner Pocock

“A London-based interior design agency with an international portfolio of both residential and commercial projects, set up by Bunny Turner and Emma Pocock in 2007. The philosophy is simple: it all begins and ends with the client - everything else is secondary.”

Ruth, of Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library

“Ruth Mottershead has been working in her family’s business for nine years and is responsible for creating concepts and ideas for upcoming paint and wallpaper collections. Little Greene is an independent, British paint manufacturer, committed to the socially and environmentally responsible production of high-quality paints and wallpapers.”

Discussion

Having spent the entire discussion rapidly scrawling away on my notepad, I’ve hopefully captured the main points!

Building a Modern Colour Scheme

Trends for 2020

Ruth - Ruth suggests that we are moving away from greys, towards a new natural, which is warmer (like stone). She also notes that dark greens, teals and monochrome are all ‘in’.

Jamie - Jamie definitely agrees. In kitchens, we are seeing softer, more natural tones. Teals are also being used for bold, design-led purposes. Veneers are back and concrete worktops are also popular, as are textured wall finishes. What’s more, he suggests that we should be influenced by trends, but should not copy them. Rather, we should translate them into our homes.

Bunny - Similarly, Bunny suggests that while it is hard not to be influenced, we should try and ignore trends. The home is a personal space; it needs to be honest and have longevity.

Ruth - And Ruth adds that just because it is a trend, doesn’t mean it is a new colour per se.

Is it still okay to use grey?

B - Bunny says maybe. Try shifting away from a cold grey and create some contrasts.

R - Ruth says don’t do it! We’ve had 10 years of grey, so it will soon be outdated.

What colours are best?

R - The most popular colours at Little Greene are French Grey and Hicks’ Blue. What’s more, off-blacks are also selling well at the moment - like Squid Ink. For a finish, intelligent matte is best, as it is easily cleaned.

J - For kitchens, earthy, natural colours are good, especially those that are complementary to the timber veneers that are popular at the moment.

When should you think about colour?

B - For Bunny, it should be early doors. People always gravitate to one particular part of the colour chart.

R - But Ruth notes that it is the cheapest material and can be changed quickly.

B - Which Bunny agrees with - with this in mind, you can be brave. The more colours in a colour scheme, the better. She often uses a texture, like a cushion, as a starting point. Its much easier to work with three colours than one. But, she stresses, no feature walls!

J - Jamie has a similar technique, often using colours from a painting or picture.

What about painting the ceiling?

R - Ruth goes for a colour similar to the walls.

B - Bunny prefers lighter colours and architectural ranges.

J - In line with this, Jamie suggests using a palette, like those from Paint & Paper Library. Palettes show a family of five colours - each with the same pigment but of differing strengths. They are easy to use and help to give a real feel for the colour.

Little Greene colour cards - received in the goodie bag!

Key Considerations in Room Design

What should you prioritise?

R - For Ruth, it is the proportions of a room, plus the light.

J - Likewise, Jamie prioritises the architecture - look at what you have got and what you can’t change. What is the height of the room? Tall and skinny? You need to think laterally. Short and fat? Think the opposite. The room needs to work in plan or 2D before you move into 3D, especially with regards to flow. He also notes that people often leave too much space between furniture - in reality, you do not need to fixate on this.

B - Bunny always starts with a questionnaire on functionality. The room needs to address the users’ needs. Ask yourself, is this the way you actually live?

The importance of lighting

B - Bunny notes that overhead lighting should be ignored - since it is cold and uninviting, it should just be used for task functions. Instead, she focuses on lamps, as these provide soft lighting. They should be placed both high and low.

J - Jamie agrees. Task lighting should be used “in an emergency”, while ambient lighting should be enough.

R - What’s more, Ruth reminds us to test samples of paint, as lighting has a profound impact on colours.

What about period features?

B - This should be thought of first up. Bunny suggests that period features should be celebrated and embraced, as the home should remain true to its historic substance. A new build is much more scary because it doesn’t have any such parameters! But be careful, as period features can impact the proportion of a room.

J - Indeed, Jamie uses the example of panelling adding height.

R - Ruth suggests using a strong colour above and below a dado rail to keep things modern and fresh.

And furniture?

B - Bunny stresses the importance of having enough interest at different levels in a room, both low and high. But equally, the room should not be too distracting. It’s all about finding a balance. What’s more, the space needs to feel like it has been curated over time. Combine new, comfy sofas with antiques that tell a story - they give an honest quality to a room. And it doesn’t matter if they come from different periods.

J - Similar to this, Jamie suggests that a room can’t be soul-less. Every space and every family has a different story - try to express this.

B - Painted vintage furniture is a good way to do so. A story is told through the damage to the paint and the layers chipping through.

R - Ruth agrees with the above. Real homes need pieces that tell a story.

Kitchens

Form vs Function

J - According to Jamie, kitchen trends are changing. We are buying less food more often, meaning larder space isn’t necessarily needed. What’s more, some people are removing their double reception room, in favour of a second kitchen/ utility. In doing so, you no longer have to have cupboards on the walls of the kitchen - which, by the way, is apparently a bad use of space, as they are too small. In a way, this removes the functionality of the kitchen.

B - Bunny adds to this. We tend not to have dining rooms anymore, so our kitchens need to be nice - we spend our lives in there! But you need to be honest about how tidy you are before ripping out any cupboards.

What styles are best?

J - As a carpenter by trade, for Jamie, it’s all about the details. It needs to be clean, have texture and shouldn’t look too much like a kitchen!

R - In Ruth’s opinion, it depends on the space. For example, a country house may look best with a rustic, lived-in, cosy kitchen, with painted-style cabinets.

B - Quite simply, white!

What about worktops?

J - Here, form is function. Wood is porous, making it hard to maintain and not too hygienic - so opt for accents, like chopping blocks. What’s more try embracing two textures in a hybrid sort of way - like a light worktop and a marble splash back.

B - Bunny agrees with braving marble - it is dramatic and super forgiving.

R - Ruth suggests painting islands boldly, to add some colour.

Where to spend?

B - Bunny suggests the bones of the house. Work on the shell first, but have an idea of where you are going.

J - In contrast, Jamie reminds us that bathrooms and kitchens sell homes. But, these are the bits that you don’t take with you. What’s more, he has the mantra, “buy once, buy properly”.

Small Changes for a Big Impact?

B - Similar to the above, Bunny says to focus on the bones of the house - like the hallways. These are spaces that you are immediately impacted by as you walk through. Be brave - paint them bold colours. Also, re-hang art in different places.

R - Ruth suggests using paint, wallpaper and wall murals as a small change, with big impact. The downstairs toilet is also a space to be brave!

J - Jamie says to think laterally. Regenerate - by retiling, replacing worktops, painting cabinets, adding new handles, changing splash backs.

Impact of Social Media on Interior Design

B - When Bunny first started in the field, she tore sheets from magazines, read history books, looked at archives etc. These days, because magazines are so challenged, what they do is really good. And while Instagram and Pinterest are a more modern or digital form of this, they can be dangerous, as ideas just get copied.

R - Ruth agrees. Her brand, as well as many others, are creating their own imagery through photoshoots.

J - As does Jamie. Pinterest is on the way out. Instead, find out who the person is that you are looking at online. They will speak a particular language or have a particular style that you should research.

R - But, Pinterest is a good place to start…

J - If you go deeper - there’s a whole world out there.

B - And, definitely order your thoughts!

Verdict

I’m in awe of the breadth of knowledge that the panel have and it’s great to hear them share so openly and passionately. What’s more, it’s comforting that they don’t always agree - because that’s the whole point of design, right? We all have different ideas or standpoints and that’s what makes things so exciting! Anyway, the event certainly inspired me and spurred me on to learn more…

*Main image source: http://turnerpocock.co.uk/portfolio/chelsea-pied-a-terre/