INTERIOR INSPIRATION
BY KATE KINGSTON
Kate Kingston , Managing Director of Kingston Shaw , an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral , London and Dubai , shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home .
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
STAGE 2
Over the Christmas period I was ‘ zooming ’ with friends and family across the globe and the overriding topic of conversation was the prospect of moving , downsizing and changing it up on the home front . This may be because we have all spent so much time in our homes over the last 12 months that our environments and minds need a change up or simply it ’ s the natural evolution of living through a pandemic , whatever the reason it made me think of my own move recently and how I prepared for it .
As an interior designer , I have moved countless clients in and out of houses for the past 20 years and we have as a company got the process down to a science , we make our clients ’ moves stressless through meticulously planning and seamless execution , so I thought I would share our expertise with you . We assume the basics will be covered , like informing utility companies etc .
STAGE 1
• Let people know about your change of address - friends , online shops , mail order , milk , newspapers and magazine subscriptions .
• Clean as you pack and remember to throw away foods that are pass their sell by date .
• Dismantle unnecessary furniture and or re vamp the furniture so it is ready to go into the house , re-upholstery is a great thing to do at this point .
• Organise your clothes into summer and winter and vacuum pack the season that you don ’ t need so it is ready to store .
• Organise blinds , curtains and other window dressings to be fitted the week you move in .
• Organise the packing company to come back to pick up the unpacked boxes the week you move so that you ensure there are no unpacked boxes 6 months later .
• Organise an online food delivery for the day you move to ensure that you have everything you need and take the kettle , tea bags or coffee with you so you know where it is .
STAGE 3
• Research removal companies , their insurance policies , collect quotes and book your preferred choice . Use a size estimator to get a clearer idea as to how much can be packed away in the quoted vans .
• Begin to sort out your belongings . Maybe give unwanted clothes to friends , family or charity .
• Purchase boxes , bubble wrap and other storage supplies and start packing less essential items .
• Make a list of the furniture that you are taking to the new property and label this furniture with its new location within the property .
• Get a good nights sleep the night before .
• Ensure the new property is clean before putting anything away .
• Do one room at a time and start with the bedrooms .
• Take the boxes out of the room when finished and dismantle them .
• Make a list of anything that needs to be changed and ensure that this is done within the month .
• Buy fresh flowers and put them in the main rooms , nothing makes a house feel more like a home !
• Put towels out in the bathrooms and use new soaps , personal belongings out .
The above list is not exhaustive but it will make your move less stressful !
Finally spray some lavender water around the house , it will calm you , your family and pets !
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