Our top six design styles
We love to blend a few styles when creating an interior. However, as a starting point when speaking with clients, it is important to distinguish between the different styles in isolation to help us decide which ones to incorporate in our design proposal.
Our six favourite design styles are:
· Scandi: Natural, cosy, relaxing.
· Classic: Timeless, sophisticated, romantic.
· Minimalist: Paired back, clean, design led.
· Country: Warm and inviting. Soft but not precious.
· Coastal: Light, airy, natural.
· Industrial: Robust, rough and honest.
Scandinavian
There’s no secret this is one of our favourite styles and influences much of our work. The light and airy walls, natural materials and uncluttered spaces are relaxing and calming to enjoy.
Every item is considered and curated, and item on display has at least two uses:
Its primary function(s)
Being a piece of art
There is an appreciation for design and craftsmanship, and day-to-day items become the décor. Stunning salt and pepper mills become the centre piece of the dining table, a hand crafted wooden serving board is proudly left on the kitchen counter, a sexy Danish designed wall lamp negates the need for a painting… you get the point. Another key element of this style is layering. Adding layers of design detail to the scheme gives depth to the room and adds a tonne of visual interest.
Get the look:
· Monochrome decor softened with lots of natural finishes.
· Add layered, earthy coloured textiles.
· Add texture with oversized throws and some plants.
· Beautiful but functional pieces become décor.
Classic
Never in, never out; but always classy.
In our humble opinion, no one did architecture and interiors better than the Georgians. There’s a calmness to the symmetry of the classic style which we absolutely love, and is a Georgian design trick we keep up our sleeve. We love pairing ornate architectural elements such as cornicing or ornate fireplaces with the cleaner lines of Scandinavian furniture. The material palette brings the two design styles together and is a marriage made in heaven.
Get the look:
· Highlight any ornate architectural features.
· Embrace symmetry.
· Wood or stone floors with large rugs.
· Marble & aged brass accents.
· Statement glass pendant light.
· Bring it up to date with clean lined furnishings.
Minimalist
One for the super organised amongst us. With this look the devil is absolutely in the detail, as every detail is on show. Monochromatic spaces, filled with natural light and a few stunning furniture pieces. Think of a gallery of modern art, where the architecture takes second stage to the stunning pieces on display inside it. Nothing undeliberate is left on show, so clever storage is vital to pull this look off while still making it liveable. Nothing is added if not essential. I.e. cabinets are push to open instead of having a handle – details, details, details.
Get the look
· Restricted colour palette.
· Very few, very carefully selected pieces of furniture.
· Blank walls, or maybe one large feature piece of art.
· Gallery aesthetic
· Concrete floors for a purist look, wood floors to soften it slightly.
· Clever, ‘invisible’ storage for all day-to-day items.
· Very clean lines; no fussy details.
Country
Think cosy mountain cabin, brought into the 21st century. The interior screams warmth and gives you a ‘hug’ as soon as you walk through the door. Lots of wood, layered in different finishes keeps this design far away from being an orangey-pine log cabin. The colour palette is taken from nature with greys, blue, greens and browns being the main palette. Splashes of bright colour can be brought in to accessorise the space, and are tied together with a feature piece of floral art. The log burner is the focal point in the living space and wood storage is celebrated, not hidden outside. Textured throws, lots of cushions and full height curtains add to the gorgeous warmth these interiors give off.
Get the look:
· Wood panelling on the walls and even the ceilings.
· A feature fireplace with logs on show.
· A big soft sofa with lots of cushions and throws
· Soft, diffuse lighting.
· Rustic wood furniture.
· Lots of texture and layering.
· Earthy/natural colour palette.
Coastal
These interiors are light filled, calming, breezy spaces that are relaxed and inviting.
Light walls are softened with natural accents and lots of texture. Wood panelling is washed out to give a more relaxed, aged look to the timber. The console table is made from a stunning piece of imperfect driftwood. A jute rug compliments the linen curtains. Considered use of muted stripes and occasional splashes of muted blues give a nod to the classic coastal aesthetic, without looking like a sailors t-shirt.
Get the look:
· Light walls, bouncing all the natural light around the space
· Natural, sandy colour materials warm up the space.
· Textured natural wood furniture.
· White washed wood panelling.
· Muted stripes and discreet blue accents.
Industrial
A style trend that’s been ‘on-trend’ for a long time, but shows no sign of waning in popularity, and we can see why.
The lofty ceilings, exposed brickwork and metal furniture can seem cold, but softened up with some reclaimed timber, feature lighting and some aged leather, these spaces suddenly rival a cool New York loft apartment.
Get the look:
· Show off the construction of the building with exposed steels, bricks and even cabling.
· Use reclaimed wood, vintage textiles and large rugs to soften the space.
· Let the colours of the exposed brick/steels guide your colour palette.
· Get down to your local reclamation yard. Genuine vintage lights or canteen chairs are brilliant additions and are cost effective.