HOME + GARDEN
REAL HOMES inspiration
Rosanna Blush Pink Cushion, £ 35, Laura Ashley
Botanical Sketchbook Wall Mural, from £ 38 / m 2, Wallsauce
Where do you start with interior styling for a home that you won’ t be living in? I start with the house’ s architectural fabric. From there, I set simple practical rules: hard-wearing upholstery in active rooms, washable finishes where needed and layered lighting for task and mood. Styling should feel curated over time rather than prescriptive. Once the bones are enhanced by reinstating Georgian details and adding complementary joinery, I combine the client’ s sentimental pieces with meaningful vintage finds from different eras and a few new pieces so each room reads as accumulated. My priority is that the interiors feel as if they have always been part of the house so any new element must look like it belongs.
Lutyens Moss Green Velvet Sofa, £ 1,099.99, Daals
What are you most proud of? I am proud that the house functions for modern family life while retaining its Georgian character. Reworking groundfloor layouts and joinery made daily routines easier for a wheelchair user without compromising any of the villa’ s grandeur. The bathrooms were reconfigured to be generous and well-considered. The entrance now reads as a flexible, impactful space and the dining room benefits from bespoke joinery tailored for entertaining. On the regular design meetings, our clients commented that they were‘ a real highlight in creating an elegant and cohesive look for our very tired Georgian home’, which underlines that the process mattered as much as the result. Even though an interior designer led the project, the rooms feel authentic to the house and client’ s style- and that’ s precisely what we set out to achieve.
Sun Mirror- Antique Gold, £ 910, Lime Lace
Graham and Green Water Lily Pendant Light, £ 195, Go Furniture
Actual wallpaper
What are your hints and tips for those looking to embark on a property renovation project? Contact a designer early ideally at feasibility or pre-planning stage because early decisions about layout services and conservation determine cost and programme. Prioritise changes that will genuinely improve how you live and protect these items in the budget. Plan lighting and services before final finishes to avoid rework. Use reclaimed and vintage pieces to add character and reduce spend. Secure contractor pricing once you have detailed drawings and programmes, and plan realistic lead times for bespoke joinery and specialist trades to avoid delays and added costs. Build a contingency into time and budget and stage decisions so you can manage risk. Lastly, keep communication routine; clear dialogue between client, designer and contractor saves time and prevents costly mistakes. |
Marlow Sage Rechargeable Lamp, £ 24.99 Valuelights |
Emma J Shipley Protea Lime Wallpaper, £ 88, Wallpaper Direct
Wooden Tic Tac Toe, £ 29.99, Keep Cosy
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JGrey Oversized Architect Lamp, £ 195, Click Style |
barker-design. com barker _ design
Vintage Plan Chest Architects Drawers, £ 1,195, & VNTG
Set of 2 Green Scalloped Trays, £ 85, Cox & Cox
152 • www. insidekent. co. uk