This week, we’ve caught up with Sandra and Mellony from ‘Design A Room Interiors’, to bring you some top hints and tips from those in the know. Sandra and Mellony have been creating beautiful interior spaces for nearly 13 years.

Their honest opinions and fresh decorating ideas, as well as innovative paint schemes and wall coverings have earned them great respect in the industry.

We’ve picked their brains to see if they can inspire us as we look to transform our homes from winter to spring.

1. You’ve just bought a new house. What’s the first thing you would buy?

A bottle of good bubbly! Then invest in a good comfortable bed. If you want a feature headboard, go for a divan; if you need storage, go for a legged one where containers slip away underneath nicely.  An energy-efficient cooker should be on your list too.

2. What are the key existing features you look for when designing a room?

In modern new builds, we have to work a lot harder to layer up and give a homely feel. In period properties, it’s all there for you – together with wonky walls and windows of different heights.

Always find out what way your rooms face – this is important when we put a paint scheme together as natural light can change colours beautifully. Everyone loves to chill at the end of the day in a colour that is warm – even a warm grey or cream works better rather than a harsh, clean shade.

A few other little things we aim to do are:

–          Always try and pull in some symmetry to give a room a sense of calm.

–          Dress the windows with real flair – don’t worry about looking out on to cars or the neighbour’s garage wall. Just pop a linen privacy sheer in the window and then curtains in a gorgeous fabric in front of the sheer.

–          Give the fireplace space to breathe too; don’t clutter it with too much stuff. A pair of candlesticks together on one side together, or simply an elegant orchid and a photo of the kids is enough.

3. What storage suggestions and solutions do you have for small spaces?

Beautiful baskets: Always keep an eye out for pretty baskets. Tall rustic ones are great for sports gear, umbrellas and wellies.

Be clever with mirrors: Mirrored furniture popped under eaves and in the corner of rooms adds some reflection, whilst doubling up for storage too.

Use space under beds: Underbed slim containers with lids are great. They can simply be pushed back and forth with ease, whilst remaining out of sight.

4. How can you refresh the style and look of a room on a budget?

Change of size, shape, colour and texture of cushions or layer up sofa arms with lovely throws. Consider Swarovski crystal embellishment for a discreet twinkle.

New lamps can make a huge difference. There are many glass versions coming through for spring and we are seeing loads of coloured shades too. Choose pale greens and raspberry tones for a soft splash of colour, or if neutral is more your thing, oyster and grey shades always look very classic.

5. What is the most timeless piece of furniture you can buy?

Always try and buy a good sofa with a high fabric Rub Count. This is the industry level of testing fabric for wear and tear. Once you have this, you can refresh it each season with funky cushions, as we’ve mentioned above, to scatter around for a splash of colour. Keep an eye out on sales here at BrandAlley to revive your look without breaking the bank.

6. How can you make a large room feel more intimate?

The key here is soft lighting. Try and use pearl light bulbs, so a soft light is thrown up on the walls rather than the sharp light given off by a clear bulb. Alternatively, make sure overhead lights or chandeliers are on a dimmer switch. Don’t be afraid of dark shades – black lampshades really add the wow factor to a simple candlestick lampbase to pack a punch.

7. How can you make a small room feel bigger?

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors! Make sure they are well positioned and at a good height and fill the space. Don’t be frightened to call your local glazier and get them to template the whole wall, skirting to ceiling. We have done this for loads of our little rooms and clients love it. Always take great care in window-dressing small rooms – take your poles nice and high so that it throws the eyeline up and try not to have fabric covering the window. Crystal tie-backs catch and reflect light too.

8. Vertical or horizontal stripes?

Vertical to make a room appear taller. Horizontal to make a narrow room appear wider. Again, play around with stripes on cushions or go zigzag for a more modern feel.

9. Have you got any advice for bold colour schemes that complement each other?

A grey scheme is very calm until you add a vibrant jade silk-patterned cushion. Even a splash of burnt red and orange can look great. Purple is a favourite colour loved by many and sits well with silver.

 

Never be afraid of a dark paint on the wall. We love the Farrow & Ball Oxford Stone, but be brave and don’t stop at the ceiling. What is it with the English? We feel safe with white ceilings and skirting boards. Take the colour up and over the entire room, taking in doors, skirting and architrave for a seamless design look. Gorgeous!

10. What are the up-coming styles and trends for 2014?

Eclectic. Don’t throw away that old sideboard of granny’s – just pop a contemporary lamp or quirky photo frames on top to dress it up.

We are off to Maison&Objet now, the worldwide interior design show in Paris, so we hope to bring you some more inspiration soon….

Au revoir
Sandra and Mellony
[email protected]