Do mix high and low
And don’t be afraid of a little ironic kitsch. The life-size Elvis cut-out in the Duchess of Devonshire’s powder room springs to mind - a true style icon… that goes for the both of them.
Do collect and invest in glassware and cocktail ware
Spoil your guests – and yourself, and every gathering can become a scene from a Fellini film.
Do let the walls vibrate
From dynamic plaster and panelling, textured wallpaper to fabric walling, or simply a glazed or waxed finish over ordinary paint – this surface layering brings depth and dimension to the most maximalist, or indeed minimalist, spaces.
Do show your personality
And if you don’t have one, rely on your designer’s - as long as they’re heavy on empathy.
Don't fear scale
My mentor, David Champion, used to say, a visit to Egypt is essential to understand scale. I had to correct him: I grew up in the expanse of the desert in the Karoo and the Kalahari… properly scaled furniture creates the illusion of space in the smallest of rooms.
Do add lots of texture to a minimalist space
This prevents it being devoid of soul. Conversely, ensure a maximalist room has good bones – underpin it with well-considered, balanced interior architectural detailing.
Do be disruptive
Those last-minute changes to a considered floor plan during installation often brings a dynamic energy to a room. We try to convince clients that “we are not nailing furniture to the floor”. Deliberately leave some aspects unplanned or at least be open to change – move furniture between rooms and allow for as much spontaneity as possible when hanging pictures and art – let your inner Jackson Pollock loose!
Don't forget the ceiling
It’s often a blank canvas brimming with potential. That dynamic wallpaper that you may not be quite ready for on all your walls, may look surprisingly effective on your ceiling. And when considering darker tones on walls, increase the intensity of the ceiling colour to avoid it being bleached out and reading much lighter than you would have imagined.
Do commission
Be a Medici – even in the most modest way. Enlist and commission artists and craftspeople to create special finishes and objects. Embrace the locality and give your project a sense of place by researching the unique materials, artistry and craftsmanship of the situation and culture of your project – show passion and support and the collaborative result can be enriching to all involved.
Do consider the environment
Use vintage and reclaimed - keep it local and you’ll be rewarded with a space filled with soulful energy and a budget saving to boot.
Don't strangle the interior
Try not to overthink every fabric and colour tone – trust your first instinct and allow rooms to be free of painful perfection.
Do backdate architectural detailing
Unless you are designing an ultra-contemporary interior, the (even slightly) backdated detailing, such as cornicing or plasterwork will ensure a timeless result.
Don't be a snob when it comes to collecting
Anything can be art! Your compulsive collection of key chains, correctly and confidently displayed en masse, can become an arresting work of pop art. Houseplants can be treated as sculpture: they can evoke the same emotional response as architecture – often at a fraction of the cost.
Do embrace clutter
Let your ‘inner Mondrian’ guide you when displaying and grouping collections and objects in the manner of a Cubist painter.
Do hoard books to the max
On a Lagerfeld level – his minimalist Paris apartment had a library’s worth. The kitchen, dining room, and especially landings can become libraries, but never the bedroom – books chatter!
Do remember - Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
True for every bride and every room
Do be authentic
Listen to the building and its environment, your personal style and that of your design team. This is the Holy Trinity - present in equal measure.
Do buy less, buy better
Take your time to collect good quality designs that will have many lives in different settings over time… and for the obsessive compulsive: at the very least you can never be labelled a hoarder, you will always be a collector!
Do consider the placement of overhead light fixtures in bedrooms
The intuitive position for pendant lights in bedrooms is in the centre of the room, but often results in the light hanging partially over the bed. Rather, place it halfway between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall or architectural feature, to leave the space over the bed energetically and visually free from disturbances.
