A sneak peak at an article in House & Garden!

We were luckily enough to be part of this issue’s House & Garden. Our chairs have been mentioned which is terrific news!

They seem to be going down a treat! Christmas is finally arriving and these seem to be this winter’s, ‘must-have’.

Creative spaces

With many creatives off to university this month it’s a great time to look at creative spaces which will make the ideas flow. Having a section of any room you desire dedicated to creativity and personal exploration is so important to escape to and indulge yourself in your passions. Some great ways to keep this space organised (especially if you are a stationary hoarder like me) is to have lots of boxes and hidden spaces to make your chaos a little bit more manageable. I love the first image below which has reclaimed wooden shelves and steel piping for a raw feel. This is such a personal space so make it whatever you want to be! Try mixing personal items with your tools to make the space seem less workshop like and blend well with you overall interior style. If you fear eccentric, then rejoice at the creative example on the right which shows a chic creative space with a minimalist style. Any style, any room, any size, a creative space is exactly what the doctor ordered this semester.

Study student zone

Being a student is hard; long days, even longer nights and the terrible fear of an empty fridge. To keep at least one part of your mind at ease create a zone in your small space that you can study relax and get back into your own groove. Meeting this combination of needs can be hard but with a few items you can have the perfect Space. First let’s tackle the not so pleasant – study! Get yourself a decent lamp to power through those all nights and make sure to have a comfy seat whether it’s at a desk or not. Relaxation is personal but some full proof pieces such as candles and cushions are a must have. Finally go personal crazy, being away from home can be hard so decorate with what makes you, you. To keep you from going mad, keep this space clean by thinking of some storage solutions like this cute trolley below or add baskets for under desk storage.

Focus On: Patterned Tiles

I know, the title may sound like a chapter in a DIY book found in the back of the library but

stay with me! Once a design feature of cluttered kitchens and Victorian-esc buildings, the

patterned tile has been reinvented into a must have for any modern interior. Whether it’s an old bathroom in need of some detail or a brand new minimalist kitchen with a feature wall, the patterned tiles are thriving. Tiling a large space can be scary so why not try under a counter or between each step in a staircase? Big or small, patterned tiles will surely bring

some detail into any interior.

How the EU referendum will effect Interior Designers

Leaving Europe would be a leap into the unknown for millions of people across the UK who work in the creative industries, and for the millions more at home and abroad who benefit from the growth and vibrancy of Britain’s cultural sector.

Exporters and importers from the EU are more likely to have a strong opinion on staying in the EU. Aside from the risk of restrictive trade practices such as trade barriers or tariffs or quotas  they may need to work harder to position the UK as a compelling and attractive business proposition.

From the smallest gallery to the biggest blockbuster, many of us have worked on projects that would never have happened without vital EU funding or by collaborating across borders. Britain is not just stronger in Europe, it is more imaginative and more creative, and our global creative success would be severely weakened by walking away.

Brexit has been a much talked about issue in 2016 and the result on friday will determine what businesses will thrive, and those that will collapse. I fear that Interior Designers like myself won’t get the opportunity to show their skills with others losing job;, funding becoming impossible and exporting and importing taxes becoming ludicrous. Whatever vote you chose, make sure it’s the right choice.

A day in the life of an Interior Designer

Interior Designer, James Blakeley, may live a prominent and lavish lifestyle with roots that reach into Hollywood’s high society, but he is certainly not a stranger to a day’s hard work.

Blakeley was first introduced into the design world by a friend of the family, the late American design icon Tony Duquette. From there his intense passion for architecture and creative design grew into a prominent career. Fast forward to the present, and Blakeley’s resume has notable names such as Keifer Sutherland, Tom Selleck and Paramount Studios listed as clients, to name only a few.

Blakeley has carved out such an astounding career for himself, so we thought it would be fun to follow him around for a day and see what it was really like in his shoes. All of you budding interior designers take note—this talented designer works hard (very hard) and devotes a large portion of his day to his success.

Here is what a typical day looks like for Interior Designer to the Stars, James Blakeley:

9AM
Blakeley does allow himself a few precious morning moments to greet the day in the proper way.

” I usually like to read the morning paper first and have breakfast with tea. Then I meditate. I don’t use this time to waste with worry. I am always pushing myself throughout the day, and I try new things with every client.”

Blakeley is proud that even after all these years, he is able to keep his designs fresh and fun. Perhaps that morning mediation allows him the calm Zen that is required in the high-stress design world?

10 AM
At this time Blakeley is ready to greet clients.

“ I find it easy to handle 2-3 jobs at one time, since they are always in different stages.”

Blakeley has a process that he undergoes with each new client:

“I first meet with the client(s) and take a look at the house or the plans. I talk with them to see what their wishes are. I begin to create concepts with sketches and pictures – assemble it all in the office like a story board for a movie. Then have everyone in the office throw out their ideas. And it just evolves from there.”

Noon
While most of us are in need of an escape at this point in the day, Blakeley is still hard at work.

“Truthfully, I hardly ever eat lunch by myself; I’m usually with clients or workmen.“

Power lunch it is then, no time to slow down when productivity is paramount. Blakeley may be on to something with this noontime habit—it’s not about the food, but about the company you keep.

1pm -5pm
Blakeley divides his afternoon work into numerous tasks.

“Afternoons are spent broken up between visiting job site, shopping for jobs, overall organization, and making calls.”

However, as all interior designers know—things go wrong on a daily basis, whether it be an upset client, tight deadlines or the wrong fabric arrives. So how does a veteran like Blakeley handle this?

“Things always go wrong. It’s part of the job that you just have to deal with. There are times when I’ll discuss a problem with a client and times when I won’t, depending on what it is. But as a general rule, it’s best to keep the client in the loop so as to avoid surprises.“

5PM
It must be time for a break, right? Yes, indeed it is.

“Usually around 4 or 5pm I like to take some time to regenerate. Sometimes I’ll go to a movie or just ‘disappear’ for a bit.“

Blakeley is very wise to take a few precious moments to revitalize himself. Studies have shown that career burnout can be avoided by taking moments for regeneration; moments of reflection; moments to check in with ourselves and see how we are doing.

Blakeley also calls his home his sanctuary and place to escape.

“My home is the place for me to escape from the real world. I also try to make my clients’ space the same – so they have their own place to get away to.”

6PM-9PM
When day turns to night, Blakeley is still going strong.

“I often continue to work. I meet with clients after they have had their dinner. Or I will go to dinner with existing or new clients around 8:30 or 9:00pm.”

We see a mealtime trend occurring—Blakeley often uses the relaxing atmosphere of meals to discuss design with clients. Perhaps, those who break bread together, stay together?

11PM- 3AM
Hmmm… Are we getting tired yet? Apparently not. Blakeley is just arriving home around 11pm, but his work day is not done.

“I’m generally home by 11pm or 12, at which time I prepare for the next day by making notes, etc. And then to bed and read until 2 or 3 am. Then sleep.”