Sunshine and Serenity through interior design
Sympathetically balancing comfort, design and function for a client relocating from London to Cheshire
Moving on her own from a cramped flat on the outskirts of London to a 3-bed semi-detached house with a garden to be closer to her sister and nephews was an exciting yet courageous move for our client. She wanted the guidance and support from an experienced interior designer to bring to life her detailed design brief that she had been envisioning for her new home in the North of England.
Our client suffers from ME, a chronic fatigue syndrome which meant that the functionality of the design had to be carefully considered. Before being diagnosed with this disease, her life was a perpetual cycle of 80-hour work weeks, adrenaline, stress and burnout followed by radical escapism to the middle of nowhere on the other side of world. Whether it was camping in the Serengeti or climbing a mountain in Guatemala, her happy place was in nature, somewhere warm, intriguing and far from home.
The relocation meant a fresh start, with a new home that would exude ‘sunshine and serenity’. Rather than needing to escape to far-off destinations in order to relax, she wanted to enjoy the power of a calm and balanced life within her own surroundings at home.
The support and guidance of an interior designer
With a clear idea of the colour scheme and design elements that she wanted to incorporate, we had a clear brief, but there was another reason why she needed the help of an interior designer. Her ADHD meant managing big tasks like this were challenging. Having our support meant that she didn’t have to use all her energy resource, but instead she could focus on laying down her roots in a new location without feeling too overwhelmed.
First off, we helped our client carry out a life changing declutter exercise in her kitchen, and incorporated space-saving solutions to make everything really accessible and tidy in her new home. It was important that everything had a logical place to make her everyday life easier.
Things that were important to our client:
- Her dog
- Materials that were ethically sourced
- Child-friendly
- Support local businesses
- Moments of magic and enchanted touches
- Quality craftsmanship
- Style AND function
- Logical and organised
- Hosting guests (spaces for dining, talking and sleeping)
- Music and art (creating and consuming)
We used local tradespeople to carry out the work, and where possible, we sourced products and furnishings from local businesses in Warrington to reduce carbon footprint.
To safeguard the furniture with her dog, we selected materials that were stain repellent and easy to clean.
Our client’s brief was ‘sunshine and serenity’ and she asked us to look at using biophilic interior design.
Biophilia (noun)
An innate and genetically determined love for the natural world, felt universally by humankind.
Biophilic design is an extension of biophilia, it incorporates natural materials, natural light, vegetation, nature views and other experiences of the natural world into the modern world environment.
In pursuit of creating a living area that allowed a deep connection with nature, we used a tree-themed paper, inspired by nature to help create a calm flow to the outside space.
We complemented this using furnishings including a lush green velvet sofa and footstool, tall brushed brass lamp with a bespoke lampshade and a ceramic dining table. We installed window shutters throughout her home so that our client could adjust the amount of natural light throughout the day and not feel overlooked.
The living area was transformed into a harmonious and rejuvenating sanctuary that balanced design and function.
Tranquil and elegant bathroom
The bathroom was sourced from a local bathroom company, Porcelanosa, and included a large shower featuring elegant gold hardware and dark natural wood accents, with hexagon shaped tiles by Craven Dunnill in the shower that were inspired by nature.
Balancing function and design
We carefully considered our client’s practical requirements throughout her home, paying close attention to elements that would help alleviate her pain and fatigue and allow her to move between different comfortable seating options in the living area.
We needed to be really clever with the use of space, because our client wanted one room in the house which was both relaxing and functional for her to entertain guests. We incorporated a corner seating area made of soft velvet material adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the room.
A strategically placed extra large ornate mirror and glass pendant chandelier at the top of the stairs created the illusion of more space as you walk upstairs to the bedrooms.
A comfortable yet inspiring home office
Working as a medical writer from home, our client had three design imperatives for her new home office:
- A large desk with a large space for writing by hand and keyboard with plenty of legroom underneath to allow her to move from one area of the desk to another
- A professional background that has character and is in line with her ‘brand’ behind her seat for video calls
- A comfortable desk chair that is suitable for someone with chronic pain
We sourced a large L-shaped desk with computer and keyboard on one side and space for writing on the other. This meant that she didn’t have to move too far to complete her varied tasks and allowed her the space for creativity.
We carefully selected an abstract mural that wove together her love of travel, personality, and professional expertise, creating a visually captivating focal point for her home office.
Our client is in love with her new home and perfectly fits her vision whilst sympathetically balancing comfort, design and function. It’s a place where she can now relax and not feel like she has to escape to a different destination to switch off.
It just goes to show how the interior design of our home and the layout of our rooms have a huge impact on how we feel and function on a daily basis.
BEFORE AND AFTER
“If I could give Emmie B more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! Working with them on transforming my house into my slice of heaven has been an absolute delight. From the initial consultation to the final finishing touches, Emmie B exceeded all expectations.
They have an uncanny ability to understand personal style – they took my vague ideas and turned them into a living, breathing reality that is uniquely me. I walk into each room and can’t help but smile :)
Every nook and cranny reflects not just style, but a deep understanding of my lifestyle and needs. They even took into consideration my health and work requirements, seamlessly blending functionality with fabulous design.
But it’s not just about the end result – the journey with Emmie B was just as fantastic. The team is an absolute joy to work with – they’re the kind of people who turn a potentially stressful process into a fun and collaborative adventure.
In short, I couldn’t recommend them higher – they’re like magicians, turning spaces into pure happiness. Huge thanks to Emmie B for making my home an oasis!”
If you’re inspired to get started on your interior design project and would like some expert help, then we invite you to book free design consultation so you can tell us more about it.
CONTACT US FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION
