[int]: workshop - how to use mural wallpaper

I've always been wary of mural wallpaper, because it can so easily go wrong. But I've seen some gorgeous examples recently, and they're starting to change my mind.

Photo credit: DreamyWall on Etsy.com

Because it's so easy to get wrong, I thought I would share with you the tips I've learnt from the best mural designs I've seen.

Choose an atmosphere

Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

There are some beautiful landscape wallpapers that can transport your room into a different world, or colourful murals for a lively summer atmosphere. Decide what you're trying to achieve before you start looking. The example above is very misty and enigmatic, while the one below is much brighter. By using an ombre pattern rather than a photograph the room is given a fresh, modern feel. You can  also paint ombre designs if you hate the idea of hanging wallpaper.

Photo credit: pixersize.com

Stay simple

Photo credit: muralswallpaper.co.uk

Don't try to do too much with the rest of the room. By using an image on a feature wall you automatically draw all attention to that wall, and if you try to add accent furniture then too many items will jostle for attention. Instead, try a stripped down, neutral scheme with simple pieces of furniture. When choosing soft furnishings, complement the tones of the wallpaper if you're looking for a relaxed atmosphere, or contrast for a brighter feel. The image above uses furniture which echoes the muted colours of the wall or remains neutral in tone, which is why it is so successful. It also places the key items of furniture against the wall, grouping the visual interest into one area of the space and using the focus of the wall to draw you towards the sofa and the lamp.

Avoid your holiday snaps

Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

In my friendship and family circle there are some great photographers. But I would never recommend their photographs for use as wallpaper, for one simple reason. They weren't designed for that purpose. An amateur photographer is unlikely to have the equipment needed to take a photograph of high enough resolution to blow up and put on an entire wall. You'd also have to send the photograph out to specialist printers, and in doing that you can't check the way the colours print. You could end up with something washed out, or just completely the wrong tone. To avoid disappointment, go for a wallpaper that you can check over first. The example above is very blurry, which I am not a fan of.

Don't pretend

Photo credit: lushome.com

Is there really a path that leads out of the back wall of your living room? I thought not. While photographs that draw the eye in usually add interest, they are not going to make your room look bigger, and they will mess with the perspective of the room if you're not looking at them from exactly the right angle. Instead, choose an image that was taken straight on.

Restrict the amount you use

Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

Don't try to paper the entire room in forest - it won't make you feel like you're in the forest, it will just feel overboard. Try sticking to one wall to draw the attention. In the image above, the photograph is confined to the space between two columns, which demarcates a very natural area to fill.

If you give this a go, why not post a photo in the comments!

[int]: workshop - painting

This weekend I spent the best part of my Saturday morning repainting a room. My parents are having a bit of a swap around of rooms, so I'm helping out redecorating the guest room that will mostly be home to me on visits, and designing the look of the room. It's far from finished, but for now here's an update on what's been done so far.

Photo credit: eyeseyeseyeseyes.com

When I told my Dad I'd be blogging about our DIY exploits he told me that this was far from the correct way of repainting. But really, does anyone other than a paid decorator go through all the correct steps? I'm pretty happy with the result, despite the awful phone photographs, so I thought I'd take you through what we did.

1. Preparation

This means moving furniture out of the room and into the centre, and setting out sheets to avoid ugly paint splatters. But it also means cleaning. Dust can ruin a paint job, so I took the hoover out straight away to get rid of any dust we might kick up with movement and activity. I dusted down the skirting boards, radiator, and fittings where dust could gather. We took down the curtains and the roller blind and stowed them away in another room.

2. Making good

The room used to be my little brother's bedroom, which meant it's had a lot of wear and tear. there were shelves put up on the walls, leaving holes in the plaster. We filled the holes with general purpose filler, which Dad mixed up to the manufacturer's instructions and then put into the holes, using a filling knife to scrape the excess from the top. This also worked for small dents in the wall.

Filling a hole left from a shelf

3. Sanding

My parents' house is relatively old, and it has never been replastered. When we moved in there was a strange sort of distemper on the walls, and it has made it difficult for paint to stick to the walls. The previous coat of paint had a strange, crazed texture in places. There were chips around the window and marks under blu-tack. That meant we needed to sand. I went around and paid particular attention to troublesome spots. My Dad followed me lightly sanding the entire walls.

Sanding the walls

4. Cleaning

The sanding created a lot of dust, so I hoovered again, and washed the walls. I used slightly soapy water to pick up all the dust, making sure to pay attention to the skirting boards where the dust gathered.

5. Cover the surfaces

The paint is about to come out, now, so make sure there are sheets on the floor and any remaining furniture.

6. Rolling

This was my Dad's job, and he's become very good at it over the years. From watching him, I think the trick is not to overload the roller, to keep the coat even. Work down the wall to catch any drips as you go downwards.

Paint roller

7. Cutting in

I followed Dad around with a paintbrush, painting between the trims and the painted areas. You're supposed to use painter's tape to mask the edge of the trims but if you have a steady hand you can still get a clean line, and any mistakes in emulsion paint can easily be wiped off gloss paint skirting or plastic sockets with a piece of tissue.

Cutting in around a doorframe

So far, it was all going well. And then we went back to where we started to see how well the paint was taking. Which is when we found this. The paint looked as if it was bubbling from the wall.

Paint bubbling off the walls

Dad went to apply a second coat but he didn't leave the paint to dry before he started. Where the paint was failing to stick, layers started to peel off the wall when he touched them. So we learnt our lesson and left the paint to dry.

Paint peeling off the walls

I sat and waited nervously over lunch while we waited to see what the room would end up looking like. When we had finished eating, Dad went upstairs and called for me. I expected to see paint flakes all over the floor but somehow, miraculously, the patch pictured above was the only one flaking. Once the rest of the room had dried, I sanded the flakes down and painted over the top/

While the paint was wet the previous colour showed through a little, but when it had dried we realised it didn't need a second coat. The room, overall, looked pretty good once it was done. I'll show you more when the new furniture is bought and in place.

[int]: workshop - budgeting

The worst thing you can do to your home is run out of money half way through decorating. You'll be left with mismatched old and new pieces, and nothing will quite work together. The best way to approach a project is to have a plan.

Photo credit: gettyimages

There are a few techniques you can use to plan out your project, and to save a bit of money. The key is to get organised early on, know your budget, and bear these tips in mind.

1. Consider everything

Photo credit: DP Mattinson Ltd UK

A tin of paint doesn't cost much, but when you add in lampshades, curtains, rugs, potted plants, photo frames, the price tag racks up quickly. Make sure you set aside an amount of money for all these little things early on, or else you will be waiting for your next pay cheque to finish the job.

2. Reuse what you can

Photo credit: bhg.com

Your sofa is still perfectly comfortable but doesn't fit the new design? Try a new throw over the top to save you so much. Dining chairs the wrong colour? Try staining the wood and reupholstering the cushions. Chest of drawers that doesn't fit the style? Try changing the handles. Good furniture is very expensive and you'll give yourself so much more room to experiment and buy quality if you can reuse a piece.

3. Go for a bargain

Photo credit: hughesremovals.co.uk

Once you've decided what furniture you absolutely have to buy, shop around for the best place to buy it. There are so many furniture sales throughout the year, especially beginning in January, that unless you want something very specific you'll be best off timing the revamp of your home to coincide with one. If you're looking for designer style furniture but don't want to pay the hefty price, shop around online stores for pieces inspired by major trends, though make sure you trust the quality before you buy. Look out for vouchers or online discounts and search for the piece online to see if you can find it for cheaper elsewhere. And don't be afraid to look for second hand furniture, particularly in a specialist shop where you can be more certain the item is of a good quality.

4. Design with your budget in mind

Photo credit: ArtFilesVicky on Etsy.com

If you're the sort of person who wants a constantly up-to-date home, but has a relatively small budget, then you need to be looking for relatively neutral furniture. Use soft furnishings and small items like art, mirrors and vases to change and update the look as different trends come and go.

But if you have one style in mind that you want to keep for years, then don't try to do it all at once. If you can slowly build up your design, piece by piece, then you'll end up with a better quality of furniture in your space, and so a better design as a whole.

5. Prioritise

Photo credit: frenchfancy.com

Make sure you look for the pieces that are most important to you first. If your room revolves around a statement chair, look for that first, and allow the biggest portion of your budget for that. If you're not sure where to start, look for the pieces that will catch your eye. They're the ones you'll look back to again and again, so they should be good quality.

It can be pretty straightforward to update your home if you know your budget and your priorities. If this post has helped with your project, don't hesitate to let me know or to share!

[int]: workshop - how to design luxury

I've seen a glut of interiors where money appears to have been thrown blindly at the room, with velvet soft furnishings, diamantes, and crystal chandeliers. To me, these efforts just look gaudy. There's a much better way to design in luxury.

Photo credit: bungalowclassic.com

When designing an interior, you need to think about how you're going to live in it. So think about the amazing dinner parties you'll have, yes, but also think about when you've got the flu. When you want to curl up under a blanket and get comfortable, where are you going to do that? Certainly not on sequin embroidered pillows. So instead of that, I've got a few ideas about how you can bring some sophistication into your home.

1. Greyscale

A careful use of neutrals can add some elegance to your home, making it seem more sleek, less cluttered. To bring a little more warmth into the space, choose one highlight colour and use it sparingly. Metallic accents also work well; try warm colours like copper or brass and coordinate throughout your room.

Kitchen, photo from Raya Todorova on Behance 

This kitchen uses a beautiful palette of charcoal grey, off-white and pale wood. The materials used are stunning and well finished, and the whole composition is complimented by the brass stools and pendant lights.

2. Well made furniture

An entire room can hang off a great piece of furniture. Choose something that fits your style, with a timeless quality. It will make for a great investment, and will instantly add an extra level to your space.

Flow chair, Ercol

Designer companies like Ercol have been tested for generations, and still make beautiful, up to date furniture. They carry a hefty price tag, but for real luxury you do have to spend more, and when you buy a piece you love it will stay with you for years.

3. Organised design

Clutter makes an interior look too fussy, but clean lines keep the character simple and strong. Take one idea and run with it; even in a large room you don't want to try to combine too many ideas for a luxurious feel.

Bedroom, photo found at thescoutguide.com

Every element of this bedroom has been carefully placed, with simple furniture. The frames on the walls have been arranged beautifully, and the cushions on the bed are mirrored along the centre line. There aren't too many cushions, too many pictures or accessories. Everything has been balanced, which gives the feeling of luxury.

4. Textures

I'm not endorsing damask sofa fabric or velvet curtains here - what I mean is the textural feel of your furniture. Choose something that's a joy to touch, as well as to look at.

Kitchen, photo from thedesignchaser.com

This kitchen uses a combination of rough wooden flooring and smooth polished stone, which will hold your interest for a long time after the novelty of a new interior has worn off.

5. No fakes

I'm serious here. If you don't have the budget for the real thing, nine times out of ten you'll be disappointed with how the facsimile holds up over time. Instead, I'd look for alternatives that preserve your style, like a richly polished concrete instead of stone countertops. The same holds for products like brick effect wallpaper or artificial plants. When you're up close, they don't throw the right shadows, and they don't move right.

That said, there are some exceptions to the rule. I wouldn't attempt them unless you've seen them in situ, at least a couple of years after they were installed. You want to see how well these replacement products last before you buy them yourself.

Polished concrete countertop, photo from bloglovin.com

I love the use of this polished concrete, giving the same sleek finish as stone would. It's equally hardwearing, and far less expensive than solid stone.

6. Maintenance

You might have a team of cleaners on hand to sweep up every little mess, but regardless, an interior that isn't hardwearing is going to deteriorate quickly. Keep children and pets in mind, and avoid spindly, fragile furniture if you think it may be damaged. Cats can destroy a sofa, so you would do well to cover yours with a throw if you own one. Metal can be less easy to scratch than wood, and I would keep vases out of reach of children.

Round coffee table, photo from bloglovin.com

This round table has no sharp corners for children to run into, and the stone top is hardwearing and difficult to damage. I love the three-legged design and the combination of materials too. It proves that your furniture can be both beautiful and practical.

If you have specific needs and want a luxury design, it might be worth your while to hire an interior designer. Be sure to make sure they're interested in styles that you like, too, or you may end up with something gaudy and ostentatious rather than stylish and sophisticated.