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15 Jul 22

Trend report: Big Checks

Antipodream Thistle Check Duvet Cover Duvet covers SOCIETY OF WANDERERS 2 888x copy

Over here at Pattern Lovers HQ I am loving the new print on the block. The Big Check is sashaying its way into the fashion pages of interior style mags, filling up the shelves on the high street and will soon be swaggering into my home I’m sure when I can get round to/justify a cheeky little decor update. Now while we all love to fantasise about new trends, this one actually has a lot going for it. Big checks are a really useful tool, helping to break up a fight between fussy florals  or give a lack lustre room some punch. Big checks have oomph. While there is nothing new or exciting about the classic check (of which we are seeing everywhere too), these big scale checks and chequerboard prints are bold and unashamed and thats why we will be friends.

 

Take this fabulous Thistle Check Duvet Cover and co ordinating bedlinen from tastemakers Society of Wanderers at Antipodream. Fabulous! See what I mean by muscling in fabulously with the patterned wallpaper and stripped flat sheet. Pattern mashing heaven right there, along with the colour clash that’s going on it’s all rather thrilling. Getting in on this pattern trend is easy because my tip is, you don’t need too much of it. Have it as the main event, as in bedlinen or a sofa, or save it for an accent- on a lampshade or cushion. Scroll down to the end of this post for my edit of the best of the big checks to update your home.

Featured image at top: home of Featured image at top: home of @buchanan.studio Photographed by @david.fernandez.studio for @tmagazine

Instagram is a great place to get some big check inspiration. Historically interiors have always been adorned by chequerboard floors and I love their dramatic effect in small rooms like hallways or bathrooms. This candy colour schemed bathroom by the oh-so-talented designers at Buchanan Studio is a riot of checks. Head on over to their page @buchanan.studio  for the full reveal. Obviously you have to have quite a lot of conviction to do wall to wall chequerboard but the effect is visually dazzling. While the classic black and white is very high contrast and dramatic, picking tonal colours will give a more subtle effect. Still super cool though.

 

Checkerboard knight woven dhurrie by 8 Holland street x Vanderhurd

A big check or chequerboard pattern is strong enough to hold its own in a room and be the star of the show like this huge chequerboard rug by designers 8hollandstreet x Vanderhurd . I love the way it has a feeling of fun and frivolity about it so even in the most seriously contemplated and curated interior design spaces- it can punch through with some much needed jollity. I cant help thinking of clowns trousers when I think of big checks and I love interiors that don’t take themselves too seriously so that works for me.

The home of @Mullercanseveren

The classic chequerboard floor is a great place to introduce this big bold geometric and is a wonderful pattern addition to any maximalist interior.

SHOP THE LOOK

1. Lavender Fizz Full Ruffle Cushion Cover, £49, Antipodream | 2. Checkmate placemats, £102. Balu London | 3. Piero Footstool, Punch, £855, Ceruado | 4. Checkboard shaggy rug, £169, Urban Outfitters | 5. Joy of Print Checkerboard lampshade in Pomegranate, from £84, Rosie de Ruig | 6. Velvet checkmate studio chair, contact Buchanan Studio for further info.

7. Pile rug, £79.99, H&M | 8. Ella Chair Upholstered in Chubby Check by Kit Kemp, £845, Gabriella James | 9. Check print ceramic jug, £29, Monsoon | 10. Carlotta ottoman, £1.555, Ceraudo | 11. Checked cotton cushion cover, £12.99, H&M | 12. Royal Check Charger/Plate, £80, Mackenzie Childs at Amara | 13. Patterned porcelain mug, £2.99, H&M.

Featured image at top: home of @buchanan.studio Photographed by @david.fernandez.studio for @tmagazine

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April, you’ve been the reboot I needed! And it’s April, you’ve been the reboot I needed!

And it’s been a month of firsts…
First sea swim (bracing but invigorating)
First time as a mum to a 15-year-old (how did that happen?!)
First sunglasses of the year went on
First washing out on the line
And… my first proper deadlift at the gym 💪

I’m feeling full of that gorgeous spring energy now. Light, optimistic and ready for what’s next as May comes galloping in.
Who’s feeling it too?

1. Arthur’s birthday table setting
2. New bike taken out for a trip along Brighton sea front 
3. I’ve been cooking a lot for friends and family this month! Just to prove I can
4. Attended a fabulous Designers dinner to celebrate the new @wmorrisandco 
5. First deadlift with @teamyo_weight_training 
6. @interiordesignmasters is back on the box!
7. Waiting for the oak trees to break out into leaf
8. Finally got the washing line out!
9. Breathwork session with @wildwillowwellbeing @theacupuncturist 
10. New moon meditation at the fabulous home of @alexadecastilho 
11. Easter table setting 
12. . 
13. The brilliant @joshuaidehen live at @chalk
14. Movie nights
15. Suns out on Brighton Beach
16. First sea swim with @sophieabbottartist Was bracing! 
17. Mini makeover using my latest collection with @dunelmuk
18. @sophieabbottartist house ready for Artist Open Houses and Brighton festival 
19. Hair and makeup by @jadefarmiloemua 
20. It’s a wrap! Phew!
AD Sun’s out, the garden’s calling… and I might ha AD Sun’s out, the garden’s calling… and I might have just the thing! 🌸

If your outdoor space is feeling a little lack lustre, the quickest way to bring it to life is through colour, pattern and personality. You don’t need a full redesign. Just a few joyful prints, some feel good colour and you instantly shift the mood.

From bold tasseled parasols and squishy bench pads to playful outdoor lighting and characterful wall décor, my collection with @Dunelmuk is designed to make it easy and affordable. Whether you’ve got a tiny city terrace or a sprawling country garden, these are the pieces that instantly elevate a space and make it feel special.

I had so much fun creating this range, inspired by my travels to Marrakech, and seeing it come to life in real homes and gardens is always the best bit.

If you’re near Brighton, you can experience it in person as part of the Brighton Festival.
My best friend Sophie is opening her home for Artists Open Houses on the 8th, 9th, 10th May
from  11–4pm. Drop her a DM for details @sophieabbottartist 

Otherwise, you know where to go… pop into your local Dunelm or shop online and bring a little joy outdoors this bank holiday.

So Tell me, which piece are you adding to your garden first?

Beldi Parasol £89
Outdoor wall art  flowers £18
Beldi and Ourika Bench pads £45
outdoor cushions £22
Pavilion chair £69
Raid star tray £30
Mint jug £8 glasses £2.50
It’s Interior Design Masters episode 2 and this we It’s Interior Design Masters episode 2 and this week things got romantic!

The task was castle hotel bedrooms, all centred around a “romantic retreat” brief… and what I love most is how wildly different each interpretation turned out. Some designers ran with the medieval theme while others left it at the turret and went full whack whimsy. From bold and playful to soft and serene, it’s a showcase of diverse design aesthetics and proof that one style certainly doesn’t fit all.

As always, it’s not all just paint and pillows. Add in 4m-high ceilings, tricky stone mullion windows and some very traditional furniture that needed a fresh twist, and it’s no small feat. Once again I take my hat off to the amateur designers and am in awe of their creativity and ingenuity given the time and budget constraints. 

So… which room are you checking into? Let me know below 👇

@interiordesignmasters 
@frankieratford 
@jonniknightdesign 
@byajeetjugnauth 
@bensmithinteriors 
@duran_deedee 
@emmely 
@our_bears_home 
@liagoldinteriors 
@shaginterior
A little silliness, a little colour, a little faff A little silliness, a little colour, a little faffing … and suddenly life feels more beautiful 🌸

For me, it’s never just been about how my home looks. It’s how it feels to live in it. This is your reminder that creating a beautiful life isn’t about big, grand gestures… it’s built in the small, whimsical moments you make for yourself every day ✨
AD It takes an army to bring a collection together AD It takes an army to bring a collection together, and here is a sneak behind the scenes for my latest collection from @dunelmuk. 

The team is made up of photographer, stylists, art director, a team of PR and marketing folk, the social media crew, set builders, couriers, make up artists and me. Its a really busy day where we take over a location house and bring in flats for wall colour, hang pendant lights on tripods, steam bedlinen, plump pillows and arrange flowers. Its a real creative whirlwind and I feel blessed that I get to work with the best in the business. I’ve created three homewares collection with Dunelm and they have been just the best team of people to collaborate with, so this really is a happy reminder. I’m so proud of everything we have achieved, bringing my particular take on maximalism to your high street, so do check it all out in store and online while stocks last.

I’ve got another shoot, this time for my own exclusive collection at my house this week, ready for my AW ‘26 collection that will be launching very soon! Pinch me! And make sure you watch this space.
Interior Design Masters is BACK and it’s come out Interior Design Masters is BACK and it’s come out swinging…

Take ten bold new designers and give them a row of iconic British beach huts, with a first challenge that demands serious confidence. To decorate them in your signature style demands no playing it safe here.

The talent this year is strong. What I enjoyed was the brilliant mix of ideas, confidence and creativity. It’s a reminder that there is no one way to design a beautiful space… and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.

Now I need to know…

Who would have won Stand Out Space for you?
Which beach hut are you mentally moving into?
And whose ideas are you absolutely stealing for your own home?

Watch @interiordesignmasters with @chattyman on BBC One and @bbciplayer Tuesdays at 8pm… then come straight back here and let’s get into it 👀

Also make sure to follow the budding Design Masters 

AJEET – @byajeetjugnauth 
BEN - @bensmithinteriors 
DURAN - @duran_deedee 
EMMELY - @emmely
FRANKIE - @frankieratford 
JONNI - @jonniknightdesign 
KATE - @our_bears_home 
LIA - @liagoldinteriors 
SOPHIE -  @shaginterior 
TEO - @teovillacci
Are you on board the Colour Revolution?! While the Are you on board the Colour Revolution?! While the majority of people continue to numb them selves out on neutrals a growing number of us are banning the beige and leaning into leading a full life in colour. 

The colours you love say everything about you and to you. It’s deeply personal and I’m passionate about helping people find their own colour palette. But it starts with listening to your heart. So what is your home saying to you?
A small room loves a deep rich dark colour. I knew A small room loves a deep rich dark colour. I knew that but my goodness the opinions! 

If you struggle to block out the well meant advise this is your sign to follow your gut and do what you want, it’s your house! 

This small room was once a cramped kitchen until we switched things up and made it our cosy TV Snug. I drenched the walls in the dark leathery red and its created a really atmospheric cocooning feeling, perfect for cosy movie night and box set binges. The jewel bright fabrics really pop too which is why I love it more! 

Wall colour is Cordoba @littlegreenepaintcompany . All fabrics are from my collection with @harlequinfw . Rug is vintage from @studiolidmarrakech and pictures by @beckyblairartist
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