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22 Oct 20

The home office and new design books, Podcast show notes S9 ep2

bold pink floral wallpaper, cobalt blue cupboards and wooden dining table with rattan chairs. Sophie Robinson's home office

Hello and welcome to my show notes for the second episode in the ninth season of The Great Indoors. I just wanted to say thanks to all you listeners out there for sticking with us and please do rate and review if you can – it really does make all the difference. Also a big high five to all of you over on  our Facebook group which is alive with lots of interior inspiration, advice and creativity.

For today’s episode, we thought we would reflect on the pandemic and consider the longer lasting changes for the way we live and work, you can listen to the full episode here.

Increased time at home has really challenged us all to really re-think and evaluate our environment, especially our work situation. I’ve always worked from home so little had changed for me, although I’ve now been joined by my husband Tom. However it was when I went to London to record the recent podcast episode at Skye McAlpine’s house that I realised how many people still aren’t traveling by train to work. So more time spent working and being at home really challenges the way we use and feel about them.

It’s my turn for some stats now – move over Kate!

According to the Office for National Statistics as of September 2020:

  • Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) working adults said they had changed their work location during the pandemic and were planning on continuing to work from home at least some of the time.
  • Among those planning to work from home all or part of the time, 12% said they have considered moving to a different location in the UK, most commonly to rural or coastal areas.

We had touched on this before when we spoke to Matt Gibberd founding director of The Modern House in episode 6 Series 8, when he said that there was a huge number of enquiries from people who want to live and work more flexibly so want a larger property to be able to have a dedicated home office space.

During lockdown i took up working out from home which has been the biggest change to the way i use my home!

Kate was sent a survey by the flat-sharing site SpareRoom and they found that there has been a considerable increase in the demand for having a garden and being nearer to green open spaces. Priorities used to be ‘a small flat close to the strain station’ but now it’s about having more space with 54% wanting to be within a 10-minute walk to a park or half an hour from the open countryside. There has been a whopping 98% increase in demand for gardens and 96% increase in demand for balcony or patio. So it seems that people don’t imagine this way of life will change any time soon and so we are looking at adapting our homes to accommodate it.

The Flexible Living Report: Redefining The UK’s Homes For a New Chapter in Twenty-First Century Living by John Lewis found that one in five of us have created spaces in our homes for ourselves or others to be alone. This could be as simple as a cosy chair in a hallway, a comfortable cushion on a window seat or adding candles and houseplants in the bathroom for ‘me time’. They say the remote work solution has become part of everyday life and see every room in the home as a potential place to work – 1/3 on the sofa and nearly 1 in 10 work in their bathroom. Perhaps they are the parents of toddlers who just need a door they can lock!

The Diletta console table at La Redoute which folds out to become a dining table or a large desk.

So it seems that working from home is here to stay and if space is not on your side, it’s time to be inventive on how you use your rooms, so perhaps multi-purpose furniture is the way forward. I think it’s fair to say that none of us expected the lockdown to last as long as it did or indeed the knock-on effect, so we probably thought it was fine to perch on the sofa with a laptop to start with. But now 6 months on, we find ourselves working from home so it’s essential that we find the discipline to make the transition from workspace to living space – whether that’s folding a table, pushing it back against the wall – just make it your relaxing space again.

The rise of the ‘shoffice.’ Sarah Mitchenall‘s stylish garden office which she has managed to fit into her compact urban garden.

I would actually love to have a garden office and according to a Guardian article, I dug out, research by Direct Line home insurance found that since the start of lockdown over 1 million homeworkers have splashed out on a shed – or should I say ‘shoffice.’ Yes that’s what the garden office is now referred to! Not sure it will catch on in the Mad household.

It is difficult to make a home office work within your home and most of us that do, will be working on a laptop and it’s just easy to plonk ourselves wherever we have a bit of space. It’s worth trying to create some storage space to house the printer and other office supplies and then you can hot desk around the house. As Kate pointed out, you might like a particular spot in the morning as that’s where the sun is, you can be more productive by sitting in a nice place in the house. You need to have a space that is inspirational as well as functional and it needs to be presentable for all those Zoom meetings! Not sure many people will want to look at your dirty laundry or the mess the kids have just made!

Book launches

Molly Mahon’s new book photographed by Krisitn Perers and published by Pavilion Books

We kick off with one of my favourites, House of Print by Molly Mahon, one of my favourite designers, I have one of her gorgeous hand-blocked wallpapers in the spare bedroom. I love this book firstly because Molly is a fellow colour and pattern lover and it really is a joyful book. It is split into two halves – the first half is about her inspirations and creativity and the second half is a practical guide to block printing (or as Kate puts it “posh potato printing”) I’ve never tried it but I think it looks very satisfying and you get beautiful results, check out Molly’s Instagram account @mollymahonblockprinting. This is a real celebration of craftsmanship and inspires you to create unique accents to your home.

Now that’s a studio! photographed by Krisitn Perers and published by Pavilion Books

Next up is Home for the Soul by Sara Bird and Dan Duchars – a meeting of great interior minds. Sara has worked on Ideal Home and Country Homes & Interiors so knows her stuff and Dan is a fantastic interiors photographer.

What a great subject to cover and because of Sara’s extensive experience she doesn’t just about sustainability, she covers all bases – paints, wallpapers, texture and textiles, all the sustainable mindset. Now it is a neutral book, shining a light on all things natural, wood and vintage, Kate argued she would have liked to have seen a bit more colourful sustainability – how the tables have turned! You know me and colour but I think the monotone vibe aids a very restful and calming space which aids wellbeing.

Home for the Soul by Sara Bird and Dan Duchars of The CONTENTed Nest, published by Ryland Peters & Small Photography by Dan Duchars

This is all about things in their natural state, natural light, natural texture with no chemical enhancements, so if this look resonates with you and you are drawn to this palette then this is a beautiful book for you. I do agree with Kate, and if like me, you need colour in your life then you will probably take away some pointers and ideas from this book.

Which leads us onto our next book. Known for her dark and moody interiors, Abigail Ahern’s latest book, Everything: A Maximalist Style Guide which has a slightly different take on the subject to me. I would say I’m in the joyful maximalist camp and Abigail is in the moody maximalist camp. Abigail says stick to no more than three colours and with a restricted palette, you can then have a riot of textures and textiles to liven up the space.

Maryam Mahdavi’s location, photography by Gaelle le Boulicaut

She cleverly mixes the old and new, contemporary and vintage with lots of different textures and surfaces and layering them all on top of each other. Because Abigail’s colours are so dark and inky, the texture is vital for that look. As much as I am a flicker and not a reader, not only is this a beautiful book, it also has substance and Abigail shares her brilliant design process and shows you how to achieve her take on maximalism.

We will be back in two weeks talking about sustainability in design and selling houses! Till then, see you in the great indoors!

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comments

Pia on 22.10.20

I do love when you do this new book launches in the pod. Thank you for those!

About new books. There is this Swedish author/blogger Frida Ramstedt. Her book is now released in an UK version.
Highly recommend it! (I have it in Swedish 🙂 ) It is a real practical handbook. Hands on tips, regardless of your preferred style, which I love.
Something for you to check out?
https://trendenser.se/2020/10/release-dates-for-the-interior-design-handbook/

Thank you for brightening my day with your pod!

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 11.11.20

Great recommendation- I’ll hunt it out!

Reply
pvcvinylflooring on 03.11.20

Thanks for sharing this amazing article.

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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. 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
DAY 15 of #easywininteriors and I’m having a re DAY 15 of #easywininteriors  and I’m having a reshuffle on the bookcase to celebrate the happy Back To School vibes! 🙌 YES! This one is a work in progress because sorting your books as to the spine colour can be really meditative! I’m excited for you guys to share your colour coded bookcases using the hashtag #easywininteriors because I’ve seen some amazing examples on here! This idea can also include colour coding your ornaments or glassware collection too. Somehow grouping them in blocks  just intensifies the colour and I love the 🌈 effect. Happy faffing! 

#interiorinspo #interiorstyling #colourlover #banthebeige #faffthegaff #bookshelf #shelfie #shelfiestyling #rainbow #rainbowstyle #mycolourfulinterior #colourfulhomevibe
DAY 13 of #easywininteriors and Sundays here are o DAY 13 of #easywininteriors and Sundays here are often the day I get the house in order before the week starts again. It’s laundry day, the on-line shop gets done and if I can be bothered I might do some batch cooking. 💪 But the garden is also pulling our attention at this time of year and I spent yesterday picking up twigs that have littered the garden after the high winds and piled it all up for kindling. Satisfying! I’m not a naturally tidy or organised person  but I do feel like I’m winning at life once chores have been done and everything is in it’s place. And here lies the easy win. If you have systems in place it makes it so much easier! This shoe storage was game changing. Before the hall was littered with shoes and bags that I was always tripping over. So planning your storage and then using it is key to creating order and an element of calm. And once the storage is fit to bursting, it’s time to have a declutter. How do you keep the house feeling orderly and calm and do you use Sunday as a Sort It day too? #sortitsunday 

CREDITS walls in Lazuli and woodwork in Perfect white @zoffanyfw . Havana Bauta cement Tiles @claybrookstudio . Fabrics are vintage and @thestripescompany . Stair runner @roger_oates 

#easywininteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #hallwaydecor #hallway #interiorinspo #declutter #storageideas #shoestorage
DAY 12 of #easywininteriors and I’m back in the DAY 12 of #easywininteriors and I’m back in the bedroom and enjoying a well earned lie in this morning! My morning routine has been really important to me during lock down. In  his brilliant book ‘think like a monk’ @jayshetty talks about how a positive morning ritual sets you up for the day. Similarly a good night time ritual sets you up for a good nights sleep. Styling up your bedroom  to support these ideas really helps! I’ve taken to setting my wake up alarm an hour before the rest of the house so I can enjoy some quiet solitude before the day gets going. I make my coffee in my favourite mug and spend a while reading or exercising. But no phone scrolling! My bedside is laid out with everything I need including a big pile of books and a dish for my watch and specs. I charge my phone in the kitchen to keep it away from temptation! Admittedly I’ve never had a problem sleeping but I was hardly what you’d call a morning person. Now it’s my favourite time of the day! Have a gorgeous lazy weekend folks x

CREDITS wallpaper @mollymahonblockprinting bedside table is vintage. Lamp @pookylights Vases and dishes all vintage. Pillows and duvet @cocoandwolf Flat sheet and bedthrow @societyofwanderers 

#easywininteriors #bedroomdecor #countrybedroom #colourfiedhomes #colourstylehome #colourlover #banthebeige #patternclash #interiorstyling #interiordesign #interiorinspo #faffthegaff
DAY 11 of #easywininteriors and we are over half w DAY 11 of #easywininteriors and we are over half way there! Whoop whoop, March is  just nine short days away! And I can feel the Spring vibes! It’s getting lighter, the bluebells are coming and the birds are singing! But back to it, we’ve got work to do! Today I’m sharing how I switch my home from working day to home time, without leaving the house. It’s so important for our mental health that we can make that transition. I’ve worked from home for years so I’ve always done this, but I find it essential to tidy my desk/kitchen table at the end of everyday and get it out of sight. This often means piling up all my paper work, laptop, pen pot and putting it all into a tray. And if you don’t have a deep tray a cardboard box does the job. Then hide it in the cupboard, pop it on a shelf or slide it under the table. The key is that you can’t see it and it doesn’t encroach on your non-work life. Out of sight out of mind kind of thing. 
And you might notice in the back of this shot is my 2021 vision board. I keep this in my view everyday as it helps keep me focused, uplifted and motivated. Im hosting a live webinar next Tuesday on how and why I create vision boards for every aspect of my life, including my interiors. If you’d like to join me it’s 7pm 23/02/21 and I can promise a fun, creative and enlightening evening! Link to book is up in my bio if you fancy getting a boost of inspiration towards creating your dream home. 

Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend 😍

#workingfromhome #myhomeoffice #interiorstyling #visionboard #interiorinspo #interiorinspiration #homeoffice #creativeworkspace #colourlover #colourcolorlovers #banthebeige
DAY 9 of #easywininteriors and I’m going to make DAY 9 of #easywininteriors and I’m going to make it super easy after yesterday’s kitchen cupboard love, which I’ll be honest, felt a bit strenuous! So today is all about creating as simple but effective styling moment; a trio of vases. Three seems to be the magic number when it comes to styling your objects and I have a few tips . I like to make sure there is a mixture of sizes, colour and textures but all held together with a theme. These three work because they’re  all vintage, Picked up from various car boot sales over the years! You can create little trios all over your home from the sideboards, book shelves, worktops, bathrooms and side tables. Push the tall one to the back and bring the small one to the fore but it’s the lack of symmetry that makes it pleasing. And you don’t have to stop with just vases, a trio of objects works with picture frames, ornaments and candle sticks too. 

#easywininteriors #vintagestyle #howivintage #myvintagehome #interiorstyling #interiorstyle #interiorinspo #colourlover #banthebeige
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