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01 Feb 16

Most common interior design crimes

sophie daniel tom series 3 pubicity shot GIDC

One thing that I’ve just loved about The Great Interior Design Challenge has been the opportunity to traipse up and down the country having a jolly good nose into other people’s houses. While we have been to some lovely locations and met the most charming people, but I’ve also seen a fair quota of design disasters. Here are my observations on the most common mistakes and how to easily turn them around.

1. Bright white isn’t a bright idea
Bright white is a really poor colour choice for most houses in the UK. With skies that are mostly grey, that bright white will look bleak and dismal. Instead choose an off white with some warmth. Or better still embrace the darkness and daub a deep and mysterious colour on the walls. Contrary to popular opinion dark colours can actually visually push the walls out making a room appear bigger.

2. Supersized furniture
The fight of the elephant-like sofa is a battle that living rooms up and down the country are losing. When a room is of petite proportions, you’re better off buying a sofa that can pirouette on legs. The gap below helps to create the illusion of space (as well as the perfect storage spot for odd socks, biros and Lego bricks, but I digress). Then add comfort with a bevy of feather filled scatter cushions. And while I’m on this rant the TV is almost always too big too, along with those awful trunk style coffee tables. All this super sized furniture is choking up the room. Opt instead for furniture raised on legs, a glass coffee table and a TV that is in proportion to the size of the room. And breath.

3. Use it or lose it

You’ve done a stellar job picking out a rocking colour scheme. Tick. You’ve maxed the credit card out on serious home candy. Tick. You might have even got the builders in to help you realise your pent house aspirations. Tick. But then the big fail comes when its time to move all the ‘stuff’ back in. The collection of Bruce Lee films, the plethora paperback travel books, every CD you’ve ever owned will collectively kill off any stylish room design. Adequate storage (shallow shelves and cupboards so things don’t lurk at the back) needs to be allotted.  Next have a very strict de-clutter. Utilise the digital age to its full advantage and ditch DVDs, CDs and paperbacks altogether. Then use your bookcases and display areas to show off your best bits.

4. Keeping up appearances

People have forgotten on how to make an entrance. We have such great housing stock in this country, the legacy of the Victorians and Edwardians are streets with the most amazing facades. Encaustic tiles, stained glassed door panels and stone pediments. This was because our forebears knew the importance of appearance. But all too often you’ve got to have a scrap with the recycling bins before you can get to the front door. Hallways are unloved, with a dangling light bulb and an assault course of trainers, scooter helmets and kit bags. All this can be rectified by gentrifying with a little box hedging, encasing the bins out of site, slap a coat of gloss paint on the front door and buff up your knockers. A fancy dangly chandelier hung in full view and you’re ready to party.

5.Think big

When it comes to accessories, think big to create impact. A titchy rug floating in the middle of the room just looks stingey. Instead go large-scale, big enough so the feet of the sofa can sit on it. This helps to ground the space. Next, that tiny pendant over the dining table, upscale it and hang it nice and low. Grab a supersized piece of artwork and hang it low over the sofa or console. Next the headboard in the bedroom could be oversized to hotel proportions for a luxurious look.

6. Dare to be different

Astonishingly most people redecorate to impress their friends rather than tap into how they want to feel in the space they live in. The result is an anodyne interior, which is always a big Design Fail. I call it the ‘Footballers House effect’. They all look the same and lack personality. I say if you want leopard print wallpaper on all your walls then Go For It! Homes should be personal spaces, where we can be creative and as a result a true expression of the people who live there.

The Great Interior Design Challenge is on BBC2 at 7pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, starting from the 1st February.Follow the chatter on twitter using the hashtag #GIDC

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Before and after! This room took me on a real jour Before and after! This room took me on a real journey.
At first, I thought I needed a calm, blank space to focus… so I painted it all white. I know - can you believe it?! I told myself it was for clarity and creativity, but the truth is, I hated it. I felt flat and totally uninspired.

So, I ripped up the rulebook and went back to what I know works for me: bold colour and big pattern. I painted the whole space in my favourite cobalt blue (Lazuli by @zoffanyfw) and installed the ‘In the Woods’ mural from my @Harlequinfw collection - and now it’s everything I wanted and more.

I feel creative, energised, and completely connected to the beautiful garden just outside the window. A daily reminder to trust your instincts, feel from your gut and be brave. 

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A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨ It was such A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨

It was such an honour to guest judge the Interior Design Masters final alongside the fabulous @michelleogundehin and wow, what a finale it was!

The setting? The magical village of Portmeirion.
The challenge? Transform a bland holiday cottage.
The winner? The brilliant @john_cooper_design and what a winning design it was! 

John’s scheme was a glorious celebration of colour and perfect  storytelling. I loved how  he used bold Mediterranean hues and motifs from room to room which cleverly held this maximalist vision together. It felt like being whisked away to a land far far away. And thereby perfectly capturing the spirit of Portmerion. Honestly, it felt magical to be there!

I’ve unpacked all Johns clever ideas and design takeaways over on the blog (link in bio) — but I’d LOVE to hear what you thought.

Was John your winner?
What design moment caught your eye?
Could you stay in a house like this?

Tell me in the comments 👇

#interiordesignmasters #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #portmerion #colourlover #banthebeige
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Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically YOU?

For me it’s about bold joyful colour, striking pattern, and those magical touches that light you up every time you walk through the door. This isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about crafting a home that celebrates the uniqueness of who you are and how you want to feel. 

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EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignm EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters ! 

Thankyou @john_cooper_design for a beautiful LIVE taking a deeper look into your amazing experience being on the this most loved show. We all loved watching you grow and develop as a designer and your collection with @johnlewis is an absolute triumph! Cannot wait to see what you do next 🙌
All the Finale feels ✨ What a joy was filming t All the Finale feels ✨
What a joy was filming this series of @interiordesignmasters with @michelleogundehin , @chattyman , not mention this year’s insanely talented finalists @john_cooper_design 💙 @ritamillat ❤️ There is a lot of love and positive energy that goes into making this show.

And it doesn’t end here…

TONIGHT at 7pm I’ll be going LIVE right here on Instagram with this year’s winner… SPOLER ALERT….

@john_cooper_design 
I cannot wait to chat all the behind-the-scenes design insights, and what it really takes to win Interior Design Masters. What a smashing journey John has been on. Wow his final design blew me away, it’s was soo well executed and his vision was perfectly in step with the flamboyant eccentricity of Portmerion. Top marks! 

Come join us and ask your questions during this exciting Live event or come back later and watch the replay! 👀

Missed the show? Catch  up with @bbcone  Interior Design Masters on @bbciplayer 

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Beware of listening to the ‘experts’! I get i Beware of listening to the ‘experts’!
I get it though, designing a house is hard, especially if your taste leans towards the 
maximalist style. There is every chance you’ll feel overwhelmed or stressed about getting it wrong with the end result one hot mess. However here are some of those common ‘design rules’ that I absolutely disagree with! Would love to know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and fully embrace creating a home that truly reflects you, my specially designed online course has everything you need to keep you falling into any more traps. I’ll guide you through uncovering your unique style, choosing colours with confidence, and mixing patterns like a pro, all while making it feel beautifully cohesive and creative. And the best bit? It’s 25% off until the end of May! That’s right, just a few days left to pick up a massive discount.

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Ready to step into your best life? Start with the Ready to step into your best life? Start with the place that holds it all. Your home.

I’ve always believed that a joyful, soul-filled home isn’t just a reflection of who you are… it’s a catalyst for who you want to become. When you’re surrounded by colours that lift you, patterns that energise you, and decor that tells to your story, something magical happens.

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