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20 Jul 20

Staycations and interview with garden designer Sarah Mitchenall, Podcast show notes S8 Ep1

We’re back! And onwards with the duvet dens as we continue to work remotely to bring you everything you ever wanted to know about interiors. Series 8 already! And with a brand new series comes a brand new sponsor. We are delighted to welcome Neptune to the Great Indoors.

On this episode, we discuss ‘staycations’, with an opportunity for Kate to reminisce her childhood camping memories, and we chat with garden designer turned interior designer, Sarah Mitchenall who has some great insight for designing a garden with the interior design in mind. As always you can listen to the full episode here.

Staycations

A favourite amongst the A-listers, The Beach Hut in Cornwall is the ultimate get away as it comes with it’s own private beach, via Unique Homestays

For obvious reasons more of us are thinking about staying put and making the most of what our country has to offer. Slightly off topic, I am going to France this summer, to visit my dad who lives in the Dordogne, but we are driving there as I don’t feel quite ready to hop on a plane right now  plus my husband doesn’t want to fly anymore because of the the adverse environmental impact. So much easier all round just to stay put in the UK wouldn’t you agree?  But where to stay if you are an interior design obsessive? For some real interior porn, check out Unique Homestays who have an impressive range of high end, design-led holiday lets which do come at a premium so expect nothing but the best. For quirky and unusual places to stay, I love to browse through The Landmark Trust who offer, towers, follies, Fishermans’ huts or even castles, no less but I thought the Appleton Water Tower in Sandringham, was particularly interesting given the history!

Can’t wait to stay at The Rose and indulge in some fabulous interior design

I have treated myself (and the boys) to a short staycation this month. I managed to book the fabulous Rose Hotel in Deal, Kent designed by one of my favourite interior designers, Nicola Harding and to be honest when I staycationing it’s all about the interior for me, so I look at the gallery of the room son the website before looking at the area! How about you? We’d love to know how important design is when you go holiday, so come and find us on Insta @sophierobinsoninteriors @mad_about_the_house

Some advice..

If you are a holiday home owner the Government have advised removing any unnecessary items – board games, surplus crockery, cushions, hairdryers etc. So do check before you set off whether you need to bring your own bits and bobs and entertainment!

Garden design

Garden and interior designer Sarah Mitchenall

On to our interview. Sarah Mitchenall studied fine art sculpture before moving on to garden design but then made the headlines when she won BBC2’s The Great Interior Design challenge 2016. So I have firsthand knowledge that she is a super interior designer and has now come full circle to re-embrace her love of gardens and now marries the two together. She cleverly designs the interior and exterior in tandem and really thinks about the two can complement each other and that’s why I’ve asked for her help with my garden and how it can work with an extension. Even though we won’t be planting the garden until next year Sarah says it’s a good idea to think about it now and incorporate it into the building work.

A wonderful garden designed by Sarah

She says it’s going to make a massive difference if you think about the two together – not only in terms of space and design but also there’s a financial gain. “If you’re doing a dig out for an extension then you’re going to need somewhere to put the spoils so you can use that to build up areas and save on top soil.”

During lockdown we’ve spent much more time in the garden, do you think this has made people view their gardens in a new way?

“I think people are engaging in their gardens in a completely different way, we all want to look out of the window and see a pretty garden, mine is tiny, a classic Victorian terrace but I’ve got my garden office, planted fruit trees, we’ve got a lawn, vegetables, a basketball net and a swing chair and we have lived and breathed in the garden. All the people that are talking to me about their gardens, they are engaging with them because they need them and need the space, the sunlight and somewhere to play.

Sarah has cleverly fitted in as much as she could in her city garden, including her stylish garden office.

What are your tips for an average size garden re-design?

“Think about it as if it’s an interior. Many people freeze when it comes to a garden, so imagine your designing a room but you’re doing it outside.”

  • Ignore the practicals, and start with the layout and how you are going to use the garden – are you going to sit and relax in that space, will you dine in it, do you want a basketball net, a football pitch and a firepit? Take out the things you don’t need and keep the things you get excited about.
  • Then think about where the sun is, where is it in the morning and the afternoon. Previous clients have wanted a formal dining area but these days it’s much more relaxed and people want a family seating area for the whole day. The reality is if the sun is down the other end of the garden, it’s very unlikely you will move everything down there.
  • So when it comes to where you spend the majority of your time, it will probably be near the house.
  • You also might want to have a firepit down the end of the garden or plant some trees so you feel like you have an orchard, to create spaces and creating different ‘rooms.’
  • Thinking about layout again, create layers and focal points, the last you want to do is open the beautiful bi-fold doors and look at a nasty fence, so cover it with climbers. By painting fences in a ‘colour’ you’re drawing attention to the least delightful part of your garden. If you want to paint the fence, go for black as it green looks great against it and is the best foil for anything you put in front of it.
  • Layer things in, plats are a way to add character, interest and texture – different heights and sizes. Add pergolas to create height and intimate spaces.
  • Don’t be scared of plants, and the reality is the garden is the plants. Those things that remind you of a beautiful garden when you were a child – bet they weren’t fences! Plants give you the character, romance and the emotional connection to a garden.

Realistically you don’t want to be traipsing up and down the garden with dishes, food, drinks do you? So Sarah says keep things close to the house. Chatto sofa set by Neptune.

Are we looking for ways to attract bees and butterflies? if so, how?

We’re looking at wildflower meadow but even in smaller gardens we need to be less precious and the more over-gardening, pruning and preening we do the less the bugs, bees and butterflies are going to thank you.

  • If you can turn over small sections of your lawn and just let it grow
  • Bees love the colour purple and like tubular-shaped flowers and single blooms.

I have always thought of the garden as a visual thing – flowers, plants and all that colour but I am realizing they are actually spaces for creatures! Our lovely producer Kate Taylor recommended that I pick up a copy of  The Garden Jungle by Dave Goulson, ok I’m only on page 5 but I’m loving it! ‘He explains how our lives and ultimately the fate of humankind are inextricably intertwined with that of earwigs, bees, lacewings and hoverflies, unappreciated heroes of the natural world. For anyone who has a garden, and cares about our planet, this book is essential reading.’

Kate’s recommendation is The Five Minute Garden by Laetitia Maklouf after she saw a post on Insta (@laetitiamaklouf) where Laetitia had left patches in the middle of the lawn to grow wild amongst perfectly manicured surroundings. Not only a lovely idea but also ideal if you’re not that good at creating straight lines with the mower!

Whilst I was chatting to Sarah she also had a lovely idea of guerilla gardening – if you’re out for a walk, pick some seed heads. She picked some dead poppy heads and scattered them in her parents’ orchard and the next year they had some red poppies, much to their surprise!
A huge thanks to Sarah for her time and all of her advice, Kate Taylor our brilliant-as-ever producer, Neptune our fab new sponsor Neptune and to you our faithful listeners. Please do rate and review as it really does help and don’t forget our fabulously resourceful Facebook group.
Image at top: Sarah Mitchenall brings the indoors out to her city garden.
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Just jumping on here to high five all the parents Just jumping on here to high five all the parents who saw their kids off to school this morning after two long months of home schooling. While some are bouncing out the door my Arthur was full of anxiety this morning after so long at home, going back to school feels overwhelming. However I know that once he is reunited with his friends he’ll be back in the swing by the end of the week helped along by his amazing teachers who have just been incredible throughout this whole ordeal. 🙌  And I’m slightly giddy at the thought of reclaiming my office and being able to actually focus on work. Gosh it’s been hard hasn’t it but things are looking up! Have a gorgeously productive Monday folks! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto 

#backtoschool #homeoffice #workingfromhome
It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesig It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesignmasters_tv last night and I feel super lucky to have been part of the show and to meet the talented line up of designers that @michelleogundehin had lined up! Michelle is a rare gem in the design world. She’s 100% authentically committed to championing the power  of design to exalt our experience. Which has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with creating extraordinary and thought out spaces that make us FEEL GOOD. Nothing does this better than a pink polka dot beach hut in my view! 
It’s this little bit of magic that’s hard to translate on mediums like Instagram and TV. You have to take our word for it! 
And while I’m  here, so much love for my Mac, the DM’s have been insane! I bought it last year from my fave little boutique @sirene.boutique and the label is @muntheofficial . Glad it brightened up your screens! 🥰 

#interiordesign #interiordesignmasters #interiordesignmasters_tv
Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! BBC 2. And I’m sidling up with the fabulous @michelleogundehin and hilarious @chattyman on a joint mission to bring you the best in interior design talent. The competition hots up at this half way point as the designers are given beach huts in tonight’s challenge. The perfect brief that demands full throttle on the creativity while throwing every practical problem at them too. A tiny multifunctional space, sea, sand, sunshine and rain storms. And two judges who want to feel transported to sunnier climes. What could possibly go wrong! If I wasn’t blown away by the high winds I was whipped away by the incredible talent of @moneypennyinteriors @interiorcurve @charlottebeevor @lynseyforddesign @micaelasharpdesign . Enjoy! It’s a real beauty of a show, see you tonight at 8! @interiordesignmasters_tv 

#interiordesignmasters #
DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the outside in! 20 days ago I was feeling heavy with lock down fatigue and endless grey skies, rain and endless mud. But as we reach the end of February the sun is coming out  and we’ve just been treated to the most beautiful blue skies and birdsong this weekend! It feels amazing that spring is around the corner, a time of rebirth, new life, hope and optimism. While this challenging period has highlighted to us the importance of home and our interiors have never mattered more, our outside spaces have also become fundamental to our wellbeing. I feel it’s really important to incorporate the great outdoors indoors. You can do this with a collection of houseplants and fresh flowers but also in the way your decorate. It’s no coincidence that we are drawn to floral and botanical motifs in our wallpapers, fabrics and artworks. They make us feel connected to nature and that makes us feel good. Nothing feels better than natural materials and indeed it’s been scientifically proven that when we touch real wood, it actively lowers our blood pressure. So if you don’t already, celebrate all of nature’s gifts and incorporate them in your schemes somehow.
So here we are, my 20 day count down to bring you to the doorstep of March has come to an end. I’ve loved seeing your #easywininteriors and getting a glimpse on how important our homes are to us and how they have the power to give us a little boost no matter how small. The wonderful  @kinteriorsuk has taken on the hashtag and will be posting daily for the next 10 days in March and so if you want to keep the easy win inspo  flowing, give her a follow, she has lots of ideas lined up for us all to get involved with. Thanks so much for following ime on this journey and hurrah for Spring! 

In the words of George Michael 
“I think I’m done with the sofa
I think I’m done with the hall
I think I’m done with the kitchen table baby
Let’s go outside!”🌷🌈😍 

#thegreatoutdoors #thegreatindoors #outsidein #happyinside #colourlover #banthebeige
DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost acro DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost across the finish line! Today my easy win to brighten up your home is artwork. I’m obsessed. I can remember the first piece of ‘art’ (as in not a framed poster) was back in 2000 at Battersea affordable arts fair and I bought a limited edition litho print of a blossom tree  and it felt so grown up! I still have it now, up in my hallway and it’s been in five different homes since I bought it. Collecting art, (as well as posters in frames) really makes a house a home for me and I love how certain pieces really make me remember particular times in my life . This is my latest piece, a portrait of my dog Lucy. I’ve discovered so many amazing artists here on Instagram but when I fell upon @georgiafiennesstudio I knew I had to have a piece of her work in my home. It’s just heavenly! I’ve never commissioned a piece before so it feels even more grown up but it’s just perfect because I love chintz and I love my dog and she bought both together. I’ve just got to wait to take it to the framers and then I can hang it in pride of place. I might have a switch about too and give the walls a new look while I’m at it. 🤩 

#easywininteriors #minibullie #minibullterrier #ihavethisthingwithchintz #ihavethisthingwithflowers #colourlover #banthebeige #artathome #portrait #countryinteriors
DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the paintbrush out! Giving old and unappreciated brown furniture of coat of colour is not just easy but quick too and you get ooodles of satisfaction giving something a new lease of life. Since the sun is starting to poke it’s head out it’s the perfect opportunity to fling open the windows, roll out the dust sheet, and calm your senses with the therapeutic strokes of a paint brush. I transformed these battered old Ercol chairs that I found at a car boot sale with an undercoat of Zinsser and a top coat of eggshell so they really can withstand the knocks. ( here’s a tip, use a sash  brush for spindly furniture) I love how the pink legs pick up on the pink in the wallpaper. I’ve got a couple of pots of chalk paint waiting in the wings. This just might be the weekend to tackle the bedside tables at last! Have a wonderful weekend  and I hope the sun shines on you wherever you are! 

CREDITS Reclaimed terracotta tiles @ca_pietra_  Borastapeter Rubarber wallpaper @wallpaperdirect Clock @newgateclocks Doors painted in Rose Ash Light @sanderson1860 Everything else is vintage 

#easywininteriors #kitchen #countrykitchen #upcycle #upcycledfurniture #countryliving #countrylivingmodernrustic #countrykitchen #greenkitchen #greenandpink #interiorinspo #interiordesign
DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do with what you’ve got and making it work. For most of us, decorating our home and choosing all the things we want to go with it is a long if not a life time journey and there are plenty of compromises along the way. One of the ways I make do with things I’m less happy about is with distraction. You can use colour to draw the eye and highlight the bits you do like and similarly blend away the areas that need to fade into the back ground. For me joinery, radiators and my unattractive windows all get painted in the same colour so they fall to the background and then the cushions and artwork can come to the fore and catch your eye. I painted these lovely old solid wood doors bright yellow on a whim with some left over paint. It was a quick and easy way to inject a burst of  colour joy. So don’t discount doors and architraves as a fun way to play with colour, but only if you have nice ones. 
On the PODCAST today @mad_about_the_house and I discuss more ways you can make do. I interview leading interior designer and queen of colour and pattern @nicolahardingandco who has amazing insights on how to go about planning your schemes, conjure mouthwatering colour palettes and work with what you’ve got. And our style surgery is from Callum who finds himself stuck with a shiny blue green sofa which he doesn’t love and doesn’t know what to put with. Obviously cover it with cushions and distract the eye with A bright yellow door Callum! 

If you have a question for our style surgery do please send it in as we are lining them up for the next series and we’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email to thegreatindoorspod@gmail.com.You can here all our ramblings and insights on today’s show The Great Indoors and thankyou to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#thegreatindoors #bluesofa #yellowdoor #banthebeige #interiorspodcast #podcast #interiordesign #interiorinspo
DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling th DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling the benefits of an occasional chair. I’ve always loved occasional chairs primarily for their decorative function. I’m a patterned fabric addict and so an occasional chair I’d another opportunity to add more pattern, more colour and another cushion to boot! But during these extended periods of lock down and staying at home I’ve appreciated the quiet little corners they offer. I’m lucky enough to find a space for one here on my landing but they can also find a home in a bedroom, a home office, under the stairs or indeed #lifegoals in the bathroom. So rather than playing second fiddle to THE SOFA put your occasional chair in pride of place and grab yourself 5 minutes solitude! Most of mine are junk shop funds bought back to live with my hoarded stash of remnant fabrics. So it’s time to raid grannies attic and  create a seat that makes you smile . 🥰  use the hashtags #easywininteriors to share your favourite corners of escape.

#easywininteriors #vintagearmchair #armchair #occassionalchair #colourlover #banthebiege
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