Moving from London to the Cotswolds is no mean feat, but with the help of Helen from our Interior Planning Service, influencer Beth (@bethsandland) and her family were able to create a modern country bedroom befitting of their new life in Oxfordshire.
At once contemporary but timeless, it's a stylish room for rest and relaxation, providing a much-needed sanctuary for the mother-of-one after another busy day juggling toddler Ziggy and her mentoring business – not to mention her interiors account, book club and online magazine.
We caught up with Beth and TC to find out all about her collaboration with our Interior Planning Service, her favourite pieces and how the room works for them.
Beth, TC and Ziggy in their new bedroom
Hello, Beth. Can you tell us about your home and family?
Beth: We moved from a two-bed London flat to a large family home on the edge of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds in the spring of 2022. I was immediately drawn to the floorplan; the previous owners had lived here for 30 years so it needed a lot of modernisation but the potential was huge.
I love the space – especially the size of the master bedroom – and the outlook, too; we’ve got lots of fields and meadows on our doorstep and my son can see cows out of his window! I live with my husband, TC, our toddler, Ziggy, and our toy cockapoo puppy, Martha – plus, we have another baby on the way!
Cosy and comforting – a serene dream
What was your ambition for the décor?
B: I really wanted to lean into a modern countryside aesthetic that felt fresh but timeless. I love neutrals and muted tones that are easy to style with the changing seasons. My goal for our bedroom was to make it feel like a boutique hotel! I took Pinterest boards and other ideas to the designer at Heal's and loved walking around the store to get a real feel for the pieces and textures that might work best in the space.
A corner for curling up with a good book
How did you find working with our IPS team?
B: The floorplan and moodboard were so helpful, particularly in visually communicating the ideas to my husband while they were still in my head, while Helen suggested pieces I wouldn’t have even thought of.
The Barrington armchair and Tom Raffield lights are great examples – I love the masculine tones they bring to the space and the mix of materials like leather and wood. It really helped to create to that boutique hotel vibe I was after, whilst still being a really useable, family space.
A bench for taking a breather at the end of the day
How do you feel about the finished space?
B: Our bedroom makes me happy every day. I can’t wait to snuggle up in bed each night – and that’s not just because I’m pregnant or chasing a toddler around all day! I’m so proud of the space and it functions beautifully for us as a family.
Beth and Ziggy
Finally, what would you say is your favourite piece and why?
B: It’s almost impossible to choose! I love the Retta headboard, because it’s such a focal piece, but it’s really comfortable to use, too.
Scatter cushions and a bedspread add texture and depth
Hello, Helen. Can you tell us about the brief?
Helen: The project was designing the master bedroom of a beautiful family home nestled in the Cotswolds. The brief was to take inspiration from the signature aesthetic of Studio McGee, an internationally-renowned interior design firm in the US, which is currently enjoying a third season of its hit interiors show ‘Dream Home Makeover’ on Netflix.
The look combines natural textures, tones and materials with a beautifully-muted colour palette inspired by nature. Maximising storage potential was also a key requirement, while keeping the proportions of the room balanced, so it didn’t feel cluttered with too much furniture.
Curated accessories make for an Instagrammable corner
How did you begin?
H: Initially, I met Beth at our flagship store on Tottenham Court Road to discuss ideas and get a better understanding of her overall goals. She wanted the room to feel light, bright and spacious, but with a warm, peaceful and welcoming vibe.
At that time, Beth and her husband were considering installing Velux windows, which is a wonderful way to really maximise the amount of natural light. Beth had prepared a Pinterest board and her images provided a very clear design brief with the key elements of a neutral colour palette with soft beiges, sage greens, wood tones and warm terracottas.
Texture also played an important role in the design scheme, so we were keen to explore fabric options for the upholstery, while using an eclectic mix of light and dark woods to allow the scheme to feel considered yet natural.
Bedside beautiful – practical and pretty
Talk us through the steps, from initial brainstorm to product selection and install day?
H: After the initial consultation with Beth, we prepared a floorplan to ensure we were both on the same page with the layout and location of the key items. I was then able to start shortlisting pieces that matched her design brief. Selecting the right bed was a key decision, and given the generous room proportions and high ceilings, the couple opted for the luxurious Lift Storage Divan Bed in a super-king size paired with the Retta Headboard.
The tall profile of the headboard worked really well with the height of the room while the fluted detailing was softened with bouclé fabric. The width of the space also allowed us to select matching chests of drawers either side of the bed, rather than traditional bedsides, which provided symmetry and balance together with lots of useful storage.
While we browsed the showroom together, we spotted additional items that could work, such as the Lisbon Bench from our ‘Designed by You’ range in the dining department. I then created a moodboard to illustrate how all of our shortlisted pieces worked as a cohesive scheme and mapped these onto a scaled floorplan using our CAD software. It was at this stage we added further items to inject some additional contrast. Install day was exciting and went very smoothly.
All items were consolidated in our warehouse and a delivery date was agreed. It was wonderful to see our carefully-made plans literally come to life! Dressing the room with all the final touches, like books, candles and foliage, brought everything together.
Ziggy
Was it a collaborative process?
H: Working with the IPS design team at Heal’s is always a collaborative process! We partner closely with our customers to fully understand their individual priorities for their homes, allowing us to shortlist solutions tailored to fit their personal style and budget, resulting in beautifully-balanced design schemes.
A windowsill sets the stage for treasured items
Are there any key pieces you knew would work well in the space?
H: Since many of the colours and finishes Beth had selected were lighter tones – such as pale oak, natural bouclé and white linen – I was keen to introduce pieces to inject some contrast into the scheme. The Barrington armchair was the perfect choice for the corner as it added depth while smaller accessories such as the Wideboy Clock and Square Vase created balance.
An armchair for kicking-back and relaxing
Finally, what would you say to someone thinking about working with a designer at IPS?
H: Go for it! If you you’re feeling overwhelmed with the huge choice available from Heal’s, our IPS is perfect, as the design team is here to guide you through every decision to ensure that your final scheme is cohesive and considered.
Confident in their creative use of colour and pattern, homeowner India Hares, along with her husband Tom and children, Honey and Rocco, have completely transformed their 1930s home in Balham, South London, beginning renovations during the height of lockdown.
India set up her Instagram account, @OurHouseEdit, to share their journey and inspire others in theirs. While the couple wasted no time in tackling the kitchen – characterised by chic terracotta tiles and pink painted cabinets – the living room was left as a bit of a dumping ground while other spaces took priority amid the ongoing pandemic. Not so anymore, thanks to a little help from Nicola from our Interior Planning Service, who collaborated with the couple to devise a scheme and select pieces of furniture to fit their space and style.
The result? A chic but comfortable living room that embraces colour and pattern to spectacular effect. It’s now a room for rest and relaxation; a place for gathering friends and family; and somewhere the couple can spend time together. Here, we catch-up up with India and Nicola to find out about the project, the process and how you can recreate the look in your own home.
Fine Edge Floor Arch Mirror, Purlin Tufted Rug, Eton Loveseat in Smart Velvet Cognac
Nicola, how do you start a project and a begin the process?
N: It always starts with a consultation with the couple: getting to know them and their requirements, understanding their taste, budget and timeline, and looking around their home. Getting a feel for the house is crucial, not just for taking measurements, but also understanding how people live in and use the space.
Once we’ve brainstormed together – a mixture of looking at moodboards or pouring over Pinterest – we browse the pieces in-store to spark ideas and fire imaginations. The rest of the room can then be built around these key items. For India and her husband, this was the Eton sofa in black and the Mega Junction chandelier, both providing striking focal points.
Mega Junction Chandelier, Double Hand Forged Wavey Candlestick, Twist Candles, Meridan Table Lamp, Massimo Bobble Vase
India, tell us about your renovation story. When did it start and how have you transformed the space?
I: After months of searching for a property in our preferred area, one Saturday we saw our house online - very run-down, but in the perfect location and oozing with potential. We immediately fell in love. It felt like 'the one'. I was unable to make the viewing, so after my husband saw it and confirmed it ticked all the boxes, we decided to make an offer before I had even seen it, which felt crazy at the time, but we knew it had so much potential to become our dream home. I could also blame him if it all went wrong!
The house is a 1930s semi-detached and was complete with retro polystyrene ceilings and lino floor throughout! It needed complete renovation (we later found out we were only the second family to own it since it was built in 1936) but we were so excited by the challenge. With lots of false starts due to the pandemic, we eventually moved in and spent the next six months planning, measuring, sketching and Pinterest’ing our hearts out.
We found it so useful living in the property at the time to get a real feel for the space and how it would work best for our family. It took five months to complete the work in total. We extended out at the back to create a large family kitchen living space, remodelled the separate toilet and bathroom upstairs to make one family bathroom, and gutted every room in the house to relieve it of its dated 70s interiors and features.
Purlin Tufted Rug, Cezanne Coffee Table, Silk Floor Lamp, Free Cushion, Magic Seeds Throw
How would you describe your style? Do you and your partner have the same taste? If not, how have you found the balance between your styles? Were there moments where you didn’t agree on the style or aesthetic during the design process?
I: I’ve always loved the use of vibrant colours and textures in my home combined with natural earthy materials. My husband has a preference for a more industrial, minimalist style so our tastes complemented each other well, although he was happy to let me lead the way and thankfully had faith in my vision for how it would all come together… although he did take a bit more convincing on the pink kitchen!
India and her husband have different tastes: Nicola, how did you manage to combine both in a happy compromise.
N: It was quite easy, actually, Not many couples have exactly the same styles – in fact, some can be the exact opposite! – so we’re experienced in planning schemes that bring together differing tastes. Luckily, India’s love of colour, pattern and texture complements her husband’s passion for an industrial, minimalist aesthetic, so everything works naturally together. Her fun, whimsical style is given a clean, masculine edge that creates a beautifully balanced room.
Eton 4-Seater Sofa in Black Velvet, Velvet Bolster Cushion, Botanize Velvet Cushion
Nicola, are there any key pieces from Heal’s you knew would work well in the space?
N: The Eton sofa in elegant black was a no-brainer for me as a way of giving the green living room a strong focal point – an ‘anchor’, if you will – around which everything else could revolve.
India, how did you find working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space? Were there pieces in the scheme that weren’t something you thought you’d have chosen but ended up loving?
I: Nicola from the IPS team was so friendly, talented and full of suggestions that we would never have thought of. Having someone take all the fragments of our ideas and add their own professional expertise and advice to bring it all together to create one look was invaluable.
After our initial consultation, it was so useful to walk around the store and see how all the pieces looked, which was a completely unique experience. We then had a back and forth over email to refine the ideas, which was so effortless and fun. It really felt like having a true partner who was as passionate about creating our perfect living room as we were. We may never have opted for the Eton sofa in black, but it works so perfectly with the green of the room and the feel of the rest of the house.
The lighting was another great example of where Nicola pushed us out of our design comfort zone, and we’re so glad she did, the Mega Junction chandelier is such a beautiful focal point of the living room - it feels like part light, part art installation. We absolutely love it!
Eton Footstool in Black Velvet, Two Tone Merino Throw, Hourglass Plant Pot
Sum up how you feel about the finished space. How would you describe it and how does it feel when you walk in?
I: We’re so overjoyed with result! We wanted a living space that was a contrast to our light bright kitchen but was still in line with the feel of the house. What Nicola and the team have created is the absolute perfect balance of a comfortable and cosy family living room, and a stylish ‘adult’ space - with its different fabrics, patterns, textures and lighting moods depending on the time of day. We couldn’t be happier!
Nicola: what advice would you give to people wanting to recreate the look?
N: India’s living room works so well because she has committed to the green colour by washing it on the walls and woodwork – it’s called colour-saturation. Then, we worked together to layer complementary colour and texture over the top of the green base, adding more depth and interest. A few key pieces in gleaming metallics complete the look and add further richness and glamour.
Fine Edge Floor Arch Mirror, Purlin Tufted Rug, Eton Loveseat in Smart Velvet Cognac, Double Hand Forged Wavey Candlestick, Twist Candles, Milo Table Lamp
India, what was your favourite part of the process and what would you say is your favourite piece?
I: Having Nicola visit our home to discuss and finalise our plans and ideas over a cup of coffee. This allowed us to imagine everything in the room and make sure pieces would work in the reality of the space. Where to begin on favourites pieces? We have so many!
But If I had to choose, it’s a close call between the Cezanne Square coffee table – with its beautiful marble top bringing such elegance to the space – the Eton armchair in a fabulous mustard – the perfect pop of colour – and the luxurious velvet Divine Savages cushions which finish the room off to perfection!
Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team is here to help!
Click here to follow along with India’s renovation journey.
When you’re in the midst of the madness, dust and destruction of a home renovation, sometimes it can be difficult to see the finish line and visualise how the finished project will come together.
Ross and Ian (@ross_and_ian) set up their Instagram account to document their renovation projects and are currently in the process of transforming their 'Victorian fixer upper' that they share with their two cats, Otis and Penelope.
Together with the help of Nicola from our Interior Planning Service, they picked the perfect pieces to create the ultimate cosy informal living space. We caught up with Nicola and Ross to find out all about the design process, the key pieces and how to get the look of this relaxed and oh so inviting set up.
Ross, tell us about your renovation story. When did it star and how have you transformed the space?
R: We purchased our Victorian fixer upper back in March 2021 after falling in love with the house on the first viewing. It was exactly what we were looking for and although it required a lot of work, it was a challenge we were willing to take on. From the outside, the house had lots of character but inside, the house was in desperate need of renovating.
The house had already been extended in the late eighties but this had caused a complex layout which was no longer fit for purchase. As part of the overall works, which included a new single story wraparound, we decided to completely alter the layout of the house and re-work the different spaces in the house. One of these spaces was to take the old Dining Room and expand it into a new, airy and light living space.
Massimo Bobble vase, Duck Bowl, Newgate Clock, Paper Collective prints
How would you describe your style? Do you both have the same taste? If not, how have you found the balance between your styles? Were there moments where you did not agree on the style or aesthetic during the design process?
R: We love all kinds of styles which always makes things more challenging when designing and planning a space as you have to take so much more into consideration such as how the rooms will flow with each other should you mix up styles. I would say we are neutralists at heart, and love everything monochrome while adding lots of blue and green tones to rooms. We often disagree (as we are both strong minded) but we always manage to come to an agreement in the end. We don't always get it right and I would say we are always learning with each renovation we do.
Nicola, what are the first steps when it comes to designing a space? We’d love to get some insight into how you approach a full room design.
N: We start with the shape, size and layout of the room. We look at how the space could work and then how it can work based on the customer’s needs and requirements. Firstly, we consider the main pieces to the room, so for this it was easy- it was the sofa. Naturally the room layout then lends itself around this. We wanted to make sure the sofa was in the best position to take full advantage of the space.
Bowl table, Islington cushion, Wavey candlestick
Did you find that Ross and Ian had different styles? If so, how did you find the balance between the two different styles?
N: I wouldn’t say they had different styles, more like they different views. Both of them liked the same pieces but it took a little warming up on both sides to hit a happy medium and compromise on what everyone liked. This is the best part of any interior when its more than one person living in it. Interiors should reflect personality and individual taste, it’s what gives them life and character otherwise they can be flat. I think we nailed it with all the pieces for them both.
@ross_and_ian
Were there any key pieces that stood out to you that you knew would be perfect for the space?
N: The sumptuousness of the Tailor corner sofa was a natural fit for the room that Ross and Ian wanted to create, as it looks great from every angle, and is the perfect sofa to sink in to after a long day.
So Ross, how did you find working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space? Were there pieces in the scheme that weren't something you thought you'd have chosen but ended up loving?
R: We loved working with the IPS team. It definitely helped us to push the boundaries a lot more than we probably would have gone. Looking around the Heal's Flagship Store, and seeing all the different brands under one roof certainly makes things easier. Being able to sit and test out all the sofa's and look over an array of samples at the same time is so much fun.
The IPS team understood what we wanted from our new living room space, taking everything into account. Designing the space and making sure everything fits perfectly can be tricky, with Heal's IPS service, this was all done for us so it made things so much easier knowing what sizes we could go for leveraging the IPS team's experience in what worked best.
The team also helped select some of the accessories for the space, which included a cushion in a style I don't think we would have chosen ourselves but after seeing it all come together it worked perfectly and it's probably our favourite cushion.
Nyoko rug, Merino & Cashmere throw, Cabana cushion, Eden cushion, Islington cushion
Nicola, how would you describe the finished space?
N: A calming and understated piece of heaven that oozes the perfect mix of comfort and style.
King & McGaw prints
And Ross, sum up how you feel about the finished space. How would you describe it and how does it feel when you walk in?
R: We couldn't have hoped for a better final outcome. The space works as it was intended. A cosy, informal family room that offers comfort and style in equal measure. The colours and tones also compliment our adjacent Kitchen so they go hand in hand.
Everyone comments on the room as they walk in, and our cats Otis & Penelope can't get enough of it too! We are super happy with the finished room and look forward to cosy nights in the Autumn/Winter snuggled up on the sofa under a Heal's blanket!
What was your favourite part of the process and what would you both choose as your favourite pieces?
R: For us it has to be visiting the store to see everything first hand and gaining lots of new inspiration along the way. Sitting down with Nicola in the IPS studio at the beginning and discussing our ideas and bringing it all together. I think our favourite piece is the Tailor Sofa along with the Rug.
Oh, but also have to shout out the beautiful bowl tables and our Timothy Oulton chair too. So many pieces to choose from it's really hard! We love the quality of everything and the service we received was fantastic. Couldn't recommend Heal's free Interior Planning Service enough, it is super helpful.
Finally, Nicola, what advice would you have for someone who is looking to get the look of Ross and Ian's living room?
N: Pick your statement pieces that are the focal points in the space and pair with varying neutral tones and textures, complete with touches of monochrome to create a cosy aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to add pops of colour and pattern to bring a relaxed, informal setting to life.
Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team is here to help!
Click here to follow along with Ross and Ian’s renovation journey.
Cartmel bed and Kendal bedside table
From bees in the walls to a birds nest in the ceiling, renovating a home can be full of surprises. At least that’s what Courtney and Lanre (@milliennialspad) found in their master bedroom when they began renovating their home. It can be difficult at times to see how everything will piece together in amongst the dust and destruction when you’re in the thick of a renovation project, but when you start to see your vision come to life, well, there’s no better feeling.
Courtney and Lanre collaborated with designer Nicola Smith from the Heal’s Interior Planning Service, to bring their tranquil and inviting bedroom to life. We caught up with Nicola and Courtney to find out all about the design process, the key pieces and how to get the look of this calm yet captivating set up.
So, let’s start at the very beginning. Nicola, what are the first steps when it comes to designing a space? We’d love to get some insight into how you approach a full room design.
N: We start with the shape, size and layout of the room. We look at how the space could work and then how it can work based on the customer’s needs and requirements. Firstly, we consider the main pieces to the room, so for this it was easy- it was the bed.
Naturally the room layout then lends itself around this. We wanted to make sure the bed was in the best position to take full advantage of the already built-in features in the room- the fireplace, the wardrobes and the bay window.
Courtney, tell us about your renovation story. When did it start and how have you found the process so far?
C: It all started back in November 2019 before we knew the country was going to go into lockdown a couple of months later. We put our offer in on a house that needed A LOT of work. We finally moved in August 2020, the longest wait of our lives and that's when the fun began!
We decided that we would focus on one room at a time so that we wouldn't feel like we were living in a full renovation. The main bedroom had to be tackled first as it had a hole in the ceiling with a bird's nest living in it and would leak every time it rained! So, the roof was the first job on our list to get repaired, however, as everyone knows tradesmen are not as reliable as you would hope, so it was a waiting game for at least a month.
From the moment the roof was fixed we used every little spare time we had taking the room back to brick so our builder (my Dad) could rebuild the walls again and we could get on to making it feel like a bedroom. I don’t remember the exact time frame it took to complete the main bedroom, but it was not quick at all, as we were doing a lot of work ourselves.
The floor sanding, the building of the wardrobes and restoring the fireplace. So far, we are still enjoying renovating, we love looking back on pictures and seeing how far we've come, and have picked up a lot of new skills, each room gets easier and easier as we now know what to do and in what sequence we should do things in. We may get the renovation itch as soon as this house is finished, who knows!
How would you describe your style? Do you both have the same taste? If not, how have you found the balance between your styles? Were there moments where you didn’t agree on the style or aesthetic during the design process?
C: I don’t know how I would describe my style, I just know what I like and what I don’t like. I LOVE wood, I feel myself gravitate to anything that is made of wood when scrolling through Pinterest, maybe I fit in the mid-century modern style category if I had to choose. Lanre on the other hand likes the modern luxury style he will be happy with an all black and white room with gold details.
The more we looked at rooms on Pinterest the more he warmed to wood pieces, so when we created a mood board just after we moved in it was a room we would both be very happy with. During the design process the only thing we did not agree on was the colour of the Elgin chair; Lanre wanted a dark green colour with black legs and I wanted beige and gold legs, after seeing the fabric and the room put together on a mood board I was won over and we decided to go with Lanre’s choice.
Fine Edge Arch Floor Mirror
Nicola, did you find that Courtney and Lanre had different styles? If so, how did you find the balance between the two different styles?
N: I wouldn’t say they had different styles-more different views. Both of them liked the same pieces but it took a little warming up on both sides to hit a happy medium and compromise on what everyone liked. This is the best part of any interior when its more than one person living in it. Interiors should reflect personality and individual taste, it’s what gives them life and character otherwise they can be flat. I think we nailed it with all the pieces for them both.
Were there any key pieces that stood out to you that you knew would be perfect for the space?
N: The Cartmel bed and the Kendal range. The Cartmel bed offers a beautiful, simple organic look and feel to it with its shape and soft edges. Due to the shape of this room, it was important we added pieces that complimented it and wasn’t too boxy or square. Courtney and Lanre where very open with what they liked but equally open to suggestions of pieces they may not have looked twice at initially.
For the bedsides and the chest of drawers it was evident that the Kendal range was the one. The groove detailing in these pieces reflected the built-in wardrobes that they had built. It’s like they were made specifically for this space.
Courtney, how did you and Lanre find working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space? Were there pieces in the scheme that weren’t something you thought you’d have chosen but ended up loving?
C: We loved every second of it! Nicola was very attentive, she listened to what we liked and came up with the most amazing ideas, she also knows the products very well, so was able to give us alternatives when needed. We found going into the showroom and seeing the items in person a huge help.
For example, you don't get to see the full beauty of the Cartmel bed online, so seeing it in person made us both fall in love with it. The Heat pendant light for me is the piece I would have never thought I would have in my bedroom, but I do. It’s the first thing people comment on when they see our bedroom; it’s such a statement piece on its own.
Nicola, how would you describe the finished space?
N: A calming and understated piece of heaven that oozes a mix of modern and scandi influences throughout.
Kendal bedside table and Joule table lamp
And Courtney, how would you and Lanre describe the finished space?
C: Zen. Calm. Tranquillity! A space we thought we could only see in a show room or on TV, we couldn't have imagined anything better. You can't walk into the room and not be happy or wake up in the room and not start your day with a spring in your step. There are little touches that complete the room like the pictures on the wall and the lamps. Everything we could have hoped for and more!
Okay, we know no one likes playing favourites, but if you were to choose what are yours and Lanre’s favourite pieces?
C: If I HAD to choose, it would have to be the Heat pendant light or the Cartmel bed. It's a toss between the two. Lanre is 1 million percent the bed; he absolutely loves it.
Finally, Nicola, what advice would you have for someone who is looking to get the look of Courtney and Lanre’s bedroom?
N: Keep to light finishes such as oak or veneer, don’t overthink or complicate the space and keep the textures heavy with layers and organic shapes and colours adding lots of greenery. This will give a sense of calm throughout. Add some brush brass to give a luxurious feel but keep it limited alongside strong accents of black in key areas, such as door handles and furniture feet/legs for example.
Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team is here to help!
Click here to follow along with Courtney and Lanre’s renovation journey.
When you’re in the thick of the dust and destruction of a home renovation, sometimes it can be tricky to see the light at the end of the tunnel and visualise how the finished project will come together.
Interiors and Lifestyle influencer Jess Parr (@jessroseparr) set up @jessrosehome to document her renovations of her Victorian terrace that she shares with her husband Freddie and lovely pup, Winnie. Together with the help of Roger and Helen from our Interior Planning Service, they picked the perfect pieces to create the ultimate minimalist yet cosy open-living space.
We caught up with Helen and Jess to find out all about the design process, the key pieces and how to get the look of this relaxed and oh so inviting set up.
Jess, tell us about your renovation story. When did it start and how have you found the process so far?
J: After living in the house for 2 years we started our renovation early 2021. It took five months to complete the three-story job where we extended our group floor and opened up our galley kitchen, re-jigged the layout of our first floor and built a loft extension with en-suite on the top floor.
It was a learning curve taking on a project like this with minimal experience, but we learned so much. Living on site really helped communication with our builders and lots of last minute design changes and style decisions were made possible by being here every day to watch the process of the build.
How would you describe your style? Do you and your partner have the same taste? If not, how have you found the balance between your styles?
J: My style is neutral minimalist with a bit of mid-century thrown in. Layer on a few organic shapes and textures and that’s me. A bit of everything basically! I try to avoid trends too much as I don’t want to constantly update our space.
Mid-century never dates so I always like pieces in the room, and you can’t go wrong with neutral decor and styling. My partner doesn’t know what he likes and when he sees the finished result of the rooms that I create he says it’s exactly how he’d have wanted it so currently we get along great in the style department!
Helen, what are the first steps when it comes to designing a space? We’d love to get some insight into how you approach a full room design.
H: Firstly, establish what functions the space will be used for and by which members of the household. Often rooms need to perform more than one function, such as working from home during the day and family dining in the evening. Larger spaces can be ‘zoned’ with the use of rugs and lighting to further define these functions. Space planning is a critical step in designing any interior in order to create a well-balanced, easily navigable and beautiful space.
Selecting the right size sofa and table within a living-dining space is critical to the overall success of the final design, and mapping this out during the planning stages can prevent costly mistakes. Finally, define your style, design and colour preferences, which will help when shortlisting and selecting furnishings to create a unique and cohesive interior scheme.
Jess, how did you find working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space?
J: I absolutely loved working with the IPS team. Whilst I knew exactly what I liked I was having trouble working with the space. Our kitchen / living / dining area is three zones in one room so I didn't want it to feel cramped or cluttered. In terms of style, I wanted each space to flow seamlessly into the next which is where the IPS team helped me pick simple pieces and we brought the space to life with lots of plants to help bring the outdoors in.
So, Helen, what ideas and elements did you use to help to bring the outside in?
H: By selecting natural textures, materials, and fluid shapes in a muted colour palette of greens and earthy tones create flow and effortlessly connect the interior scheme with the outdoor space.
Were there any key pieces that stood out to you that you knew would be perfect for the space?
H: The graceful organic curves of the Luna sofa was a natural fit for Jess’ room, as it looks great from every angle, so it was perfect for this open-plan living space.
And how would you describe the finished space?
H: Relaxed, natural, organic.
How would you describe the finished space, Jess?
J: It feels minimalist yet cosy. It’s the back of our house and we wanted to create this feeling of indoor to outdoor living. The doors open fully on the back wall and its feels wonderful sitting on the sofa and practically being outside. We opted for an armless end of the sofa by the doors so you can feel more connected to the outdoors when the doors are open.
It’s a sociable area where we can have guests over who can relax whilst we host. It’s the perfect summer and winter space - in the evenings we can have the doors open enjoying the balmy evenings or cosy up in the winter after dinner with a glass of wine and a movie.
Now, we know no one likes playing favourites, but if you were to choose what’s your favourite piece?
J: The Luna sofa! It's the perfect balance of a comfy nappable Sunday sofa which also looks ultra-chic at the same time. The thin legs make it feel lighter all round even though it’s a big piece of furniture. I love the Tundra Texture Stone linen colour which is the perfect neutral tone for the space.
Finally, Helen, what advice would you have for someone who is looking to get the look of Jess’ inside outside living space?
H: Take inspiration from the great outdoors! Keep your design simple and stick with a muted and natural colour palette. Select furniture and furnishings with organic shapes in fabrics and textures that echo nature. The use of eco-friendly materials, such as our Romilly rug, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, creates an authentic feel while supporting the drive for sustainable living.
Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team are here to help!
Click here to follow along with Jess’ renovation journey.
When renovating a home, it can be difficult at times to see how everything will piece together in amongst the dust and destruction. But when you start to see your vision come to life, well, there’s no better feeling.
Interiors influencer Liv Likosso (@renovating_cheznous) and her partner Rob collaborated with designer Nicola Meighan from the Heal’s Interior Planning Service, to bring their scandi rustic dining room to life. We caught up with Nicola and Liv to find out all about the design process, the key pieces and how to get the look of this calm yet captivating set up.
Nicola, let’s start at the very beginning. We’d love to get some design expert insight. How do you approach a full room design? What’s your process?
N: There are many different processes depending on each project. For this one, it was important that the look and feel of it complimented the living room and kitchen as they are run off each other being open plan.
Secondly, how Liv and Rob wanted to use this space. For them, it was a relaxed dining room where they could enjoy a space with family and friends. There was lots of natural light in the room, so I wanted to make sure it didn’t lose that. From here, I was able to create mood boards to show the look and feel of the room, followed by floor plans and a selection of fabrics, and finishes that work with each piece based on our intended style moving forward.
Liv, Tell us about your renovation story. When did it start and how have you found the process so far?
L: We purchased our London flat over a year ago, it took us a while to initially start renovating as we had to sort out planning permission etc. Renovating our flat has been an experience I’m sure we will never forget. It’s an ex-council flat which had not been touched since the 80s. There have been times where it’s been incredibly overwhelming but also very rewarding when we look back to see how far we’ve come.
I’m still in denial sometimes, I find it hard to believe it’s still the same flat as we had to completely gut the place to get it to the stage it’s in now. We’ve also been doing the majority of things on our own, we’ve saved a lot of money this way and we’ve also learnt so much on the job, now we are already talking about another renovation project (I know we must be crazy!)
How would you describe your style? And how have you found the balance between your style and your partners?
L: I always struggle to describe my style, I tend to just go with the flow. If I was to try and describe it I would probably say my style is a mix of contemporary, boho and Scandi rustic, I say rustic because I do like to add antique pieces here and there while taking a minimalistic approach.
Rob style is more quirky, he really likes dark colours, original features and I think our styles work perfectly together, I think we have definitely found the perfect balance in both our styles which is very evident in our dining room, we were able to add a mixture of dark colours and textures without the room looking overwhelming (while keeping a modern, airy feel)
Nicola, how did you find the balance between the two different styles?
N: It was very simple actually. I took the pieces that Liv and Rob loved and used them as a base point to add complimentary pieces. I made a conscious decision to mix different textures, shapes and finishes that would balance it out and add softness to the room.
And Liv, how did you find it when working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space?
L: The experience was amazing; Nicola really took her time to hear us out. The exchange of mood boards I found was really helpful when designing our space. She sent us three mood boards and we were able to nail it down to one which was so useful. Nicola turned our vision into reality and was able to marry both Rob and my vision and style which we initially found hard to do, and I just loved how she always had time for us.
Nicola, were there any key pieces that stood out to you that you knew would be perfect for the space?
N: The wishbone chairs. Visually, they were exactly what was needed around a solid wooden dining table that had a chunky base. The table needed something light to flow otherwise this space would have been very top heavy. The elegance and soft curves were perfect for the Scandinavian feel we wanted to achieve.
How would you describe the finished space?
N: Contemporary craft with a Scandinavian influence.
And Liv, how would you describe the finished space?
L: Exceeded our expectations for sure, it’s everything we wanted and more. Seeing all the products in situ was just the icing on the cake - I couldn’t believe it was our dining room, for ages we’ve been so used to our home being a building site and now it feels and looks really homely.
Now, we know no one likes playing favourites, but if you were to choose what’s your favourite piece?
L: This is a very hard question, please forgive me for picking out two items but it's definitely the Lisbon dining table we got the blonde oiled oak not filled, we have a thing for textures and I feel like it complements the room so well. Another favourite is the handcrafted wooden steam-bent pendant light, we are both really big fans of Tom Raffield, so it's such a privilege to have it in our home.
Finally, Nicola, what advice would you have for someone who is looking to get the look of Liv’s dining room?
N: Don’t overthink the scheme. This look and feel lends itself to a balance of materials and shapes. Stick with a core selection of colours and finishes and use them in the different pieces you need for the room. Working with a neutral palette allows for you to add more shapes and styles without making it look or feel too busy, regardless of the size.
Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team is here to help!
Click here to follow along with Liv’s renovation journey.
