START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT

WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS FROM OUR MASTERCLASS

What’s the hardest part of any creative process? I reckon it’s starting the job.

If you draw, then it’s the blank white sheet of paper that seems overwhelming. If you write it’s the blinking cursor that appears to taunt you. If you’re designing your new home, it’s all those empty rooms clamouring for your attention.

YOUR STARTING POINT

Every interior designer has their favourite starting points. Some like to start with the floor plan and get practical with what will fit where.

I like to start with a story. I need to feel connected to the house and its’ owners. My clients’ taste, interests and memories are starting points. The house, its’ history and its’ location can also be a springboard. Houses that reflect personal stories (rather than just looking pretty) are far more compelling and have greater longevity. When you identify with something, you’re unlikely to tire of it quickly.

Some people find their style as easily as breathing. For others, it requires a bit of thought. Everyone has personal tastes, and that collection of preferences is your style. These pictures were taken at the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair at Battersea last week. They pretty much sum up my interests – modernist art and design, ethnic art, textured fabrics, simple, clean shapes, worn surfaces, natural materials, and artisan-made items.

FIND WHAT YOU DON’T LIKE

Just as important as identifying what you like, is determining what you hate! Try looking through magazines and Pinterest. Collect images in categories, file things you like separately from stuff you don’t like. Look at as many different styles as possible in the following categories: Textiles, Wallcoverings, Lighting, Flooring, Living rooms, Bedrooms, Kitchens and Bathrooms. Good sources of imagery are Country Living, Elle Decoration, Homes and Gardens, House and Garden, House Beautiful, Living etc, The World of Interiors, Wallpaper and Milk Magazine.

COLLATING YOUR IDEAS

Once you’ve built up a bank of 10-15 images in each category, then you can start to analyse what you’ve saved. What are the similarities that you can see? Do any of these words help…

Clean lines, textural, romantic, rustic, warm colours, cosy, light, airy, gentleman’s’ club, fresh, cool colours, pretty, natural materials, elegance, simplicity, detail, rich, industrial, ethnic, contrasting, muted, soft, subtle, craftsmanship, reflective, calm, tactile, traditional, classical, period style, minimal, eclectic, artisan, glossy, highly polished, gilded, worn, faded, distressed, floral, plain, paisley, luxurious, silky, velvet, neutral, dark, linen. You get the idea…Choose a handful of words that describe all the images you like and then a handful of words for the pictures you don’t like. You’ve started!

Our next blog will help you to define your style even further. Sign up to our mailing list to make sure you receive our newsletter straight to your inbox.

1-DAY INTERIOR DESIGN MASTERCLASS

We’ve created a 1-day interior design masterclass to help thaw your creative juices!
Contact us to find out more helen@helenbainbridge.co.uk T. 07590 068024