August Interior Inspiration

Maximalism

We've scoured our past interiors features and discovered some Kings and Queens of maximalism. Surrounding themselves with fascinating objects, they create their home as a reflection of their creative minds, utilising the interesting and unusual to enhance the decor and expression of their individualism. Here are a few of our favourites...

House Of Dreams

Laura Oakes, an artists and designer who is based in Rye, surrounds herself with vintage clothing. She has a love for Victorian style in particular and manages to successfully combine many varying textures, colours and prints in a vibrant and exciting space. Together with her partner, they rent the space, so fundamental changes to the decor aren't always possible, but it's a beautiful reflection of a creative mind all the same...

Welcome Aboard

After years of collecting antique china, Eileen and Tony developed a new love for Indian textiles. This is clearly reflected in the cosy cabin they have made for themselves. The boat is moored in the River Medway, in view of a Napoleonic fort, and the open sea beyond. Eileen admits to being a complete hoarder, but buys and sells fabrics and textiles, to support the local women they visited on their trip to India, and ensure their skills of artistry and embroidery are kept alive...

Natural History

This place is truly enchanting. After lots of work Claudine and Robin have transformed what was a bit of a mess, into a stunningly intriguing home. The building is around 300 years old, and the kitchen was once a scullery and shed. This history can be seen all over the house; from the oil lamps and iron game hangers suspended from the ceiling, to the unique prints and organic colour palette, this house has an absolute calm in amongst the chaos...

The Homemade Home

Colour is key here, with an explosion of red, white and blue, with union jack cushions scattered all over the place. This late Victorian semi-detached villa reflects Mandy, Queen of kitsch, and her family through and through. The interior has evolved over time as she can create anything they need from scratch, adding real charm and character...

For more interiors inspiration and features visit our website!

Photos: David Merewether
Words: Helen Barton

July's Interior Inspiration

How to create a magical space for your little ones

Add Adventure...

Adding a map, modern or vintage, will inspire your young travelers. One of these matched with an enchanting story of worldly explorers will create endless curiosity and enjoyment.

Use Vibrant Colour...

By introducing some bright colours to the bedroom, it gives it real personality, and this can easily be done on a small budget. The simple Ikea bed on the right was transformed with a lick of Annie Sloan paint, and when paired with a colourful duvet cover it will be guaranteed to bring a smile!

Create Interest...

 Whether you're trying to store toys, stack books or tidy clothes, why not make it into a feature? This book shelf doubles up as a stair case to a cabin bed, and the green wigwam makes toy tidying a simpler task. Failing this, just have some fun and create another universe entrance in the wall!

Spell It Out...

Children are rightly very proud of their names, so by making this into a focus of their bedroom, it can be showcased! Transfer it on the wall, embroider it on cushions or make letter bunting. The opportunities are endless...

Keep It Simple...

Cover a wall completely with chalkboard paint. This way, they can go totally mad, without ruining any beautiful wallpaper throughout the rest of the house! Chalks are cheap and come in loads of different colours; so a great means of self expression for toddlers and teens alike!

Photos: David Merewether
Styling: Lucy Fleming & Helen Barton

For more interiors inspiration pop to our website www.wealdentimes.co.uk

Interiors Inspiration

  Shades of Indigo  

Embracing the imperfect is something Mark and Sally of award winning homeware store Baileys Home, have developed impeccably. Their use of vintage fabrics and time worn colours, create beautifully unusual and modern interiors. 

Naturally derived colours also sit well with the hues found in industrial materials: This downstairs cloakroom has an original Victorian basin and taps. The towel warmer hanging on the ultramarine polished plaster walls, is made from old copper plumbing pipes.

Natural dyes are often mistakenly associated with a dull, washed out appearance. But plant derived indigo is a rich opulent shade of blue, that can transform an interior into an inky haze. Old utility and work clothes that have been battered and patched up over the year, make distinguished objects to display in any home. Try tie dying some old throws, or even kitchen cloths.

Stacking throws, and vintage textiles is a beautiful way of displaying pieces collected over the years. Here they have been laid out on an old patisserie stand.

This sofa and antique chair have been reupholstered in 1970s denim and backed with a bold 19th century stripe.

Antiques dealer Katherine Pole specialises in French textiles, a fact that is very clear on a visit to her North London home, which is packed with her fabric finds. Katherine says she was sold on the place the moment she saw the peeling wallpaper upstairs, which was half stripped away to reveal the mottled plaster beneath. The abundance of textiles, many of them patched and frayed, makes a significant contribution to the feeling of a well-lived-in home, adding warmth, colour, pattern and texture all in one go.

'Imperfect Home' by Mark and Sally Bailey is published by Ryland Peters and Small

Photographs: Debi Treloar

Get started at www.wealdenfairs.com for some inspiration!

February's Interior Inspiration...

Colour Blush

Here at the Wealden Times, we love using colour as it can brighten moods and transform an interior. But it can be tricky to incorporate it into your own home if you're not sure where to start or how much to use! So here are a few hints to inform and inspire...

Start small...

Adding the tiniest touches can make all the difference to the overall look of a room. If you haven't used a lot of colour before, or feel tentative about which ones to go for then try displaying colourful mugs or aprons in your kitchen. This way you can use things you already have for a decorative purpose as well as functional. Prints of images you like and collections of little objects on shelves are also great ways of increasing vibrancy in the home. 

Softly, softly...

Feeling a little braver? Then try out some bold and bright soft furnishings, or a fun printed wallpaper. Adding in cushions, rugs, bed spreads and curtains is a great idea if you love colour, but rent your home, so are limited to magnolia walls! WT's Helen uses vividly printed throws on her sofa to bring some new life to her living room. 

The Bold and Beautiful...

Upclycling is a huge trend at the moment. So give it a go! Dig out that old bed side table that's been neglected in the garage, get some paint and go wild! Charity shops, boot fairs and house clearances are all full of bureaus and dressers just screaming for some love. One piece of audacious furniture can totally transform anything from a bathroom to a hallway, creating focus and interest...that's if you can stick to one project!

Go the Whole Hog...

 You love colour, you're feeling inspired and are totally ready to be let loose in the house with a paint brush... But just hold on one second! Before making any major decisions, grab some swatch cards and sample paint pots and try out a few ideas first. Is it just one wall you want to be painted, or the entire room? Are you going to use contrasting, complimenting or matching colours when choosing your soft furnishings? Do you like print or block colour? There are lots of ideas to consider before getting messy, so experiment on a small scale and then get your overalls on!

Get started...

Here are a few gorgeous items to get you started that you can buy from www.wealdenfairs.com !

January's Interior Inspiration...

  5 top organising tips to refresh any home  

After the numerous parties, get togethers and gatherings of Christmas and New Year, it can leave our homes looking tired, in need of a little love, and dare I say it, untidy?! So here are a few hints to getting your abode back in tip top shape for the coming year.

1. Kitchen

                                                                

Use every tiny little bit of space. By keeping surfaces clear, it will give the impression of an ever tidy kitchen. The inside of cupboard doors is often wasted space, so by popping up a couple of small shelving units, smaller items can be stored easily. Even if your kitchen is small or an odd shape, shelves and hooks are so simple to use which means you have more space to prepare food!

2. Your Bedroom

Neat and tidy doesn't have to mean dull; hat boxes, trunks, suitcases are all great alternatives to using plastic storage containers to keep your bits and bobs tucked away and tidy, but still looking nice! You could buy them from an auction, junk shop or antiques fair and keep them looking rustic and battered. Or maybe give them a lick of paint, a bit of decoupage or a reupholster!

3. Living Room

If you're a book lover like WF's James, then why not make a feature of them? Invisible book shelves are a more interesting way of displaying your prized possessions, leaves you with more floor space and they're still easily accessible next time you want to snuggle up with a page turner, or a copy of Wealden Times! Under seat storage is particularly useful for larger, bulky items that aren't used all year round, like jumpers, quilts and spare linen. 

4. The Kids' Bedroom

Bunk beds are the perfect option if you have more than one child to a room. They're good fun and leave more floor space to play on. Having a higher bed with drawer space underneath is also a a great choice, especially if room for other pieces of furniture is limited. 

5. Bathroom

The space under the sink is often wasted, but can be used for storing cleaning products, or lotions and potions, which keeps window sills clear,  making it easier to clean! Small sets of drawers are incredibly useful for keeping small items in as well, such as hair grips, combs and make up. By rolling up towels, they can be squeezed into smaller spaces, and still grabbed easily when needed. 

 Photos David Merewether - Styling Lucy Fleming