What’s on an Interior Designer’s Wish List?
Interior designers create beautiful homes for others, but which ideas would they pick for their own dream home? One designer shares her list
If money, time and location were no object, what would you want from your ideal home? As a designer with many years’ experience, I’ve often made my clients’ dream options come true, and that’s made me think about what I’d want on my own wish list if I were creating a fantasy home from scratch. Here are 10 luxurious design features for us all to dream about.
Nurture a living wall
Living walls are thing of wonder and they never fail to impress me. They do require a lot of attention, though, and need to be well irrigated.
I’m not opposed to artificial ‘living’ walls, either, which can be a more affordable option after the initial investment. If you go down this route, though, think carefully about which plants you use – it would be foolish to go for tropical planting for a house on the Northumberland coast, for example, so always do your research first if you want to fool friends into thinking your living wall is doing just that.
Be inspired by these stunning living walls
Living walls are thing of wonder and they never fail to impress me. They do require a lot of attention, though, and need to be well irrigated.
I’m not opposed to artificial ‘living’ walls, either, which can be a more affordable option after the initial investment. If you go down this route, though, think carefully about which plants you use – it would be foolish to go for tropical planting for a house on the Northumberland coast, for example, so always do your research first if you want to fool friends into thinking your living wall is doing just that.
Be inspired by these stunning living walls
Install an outdoor cinema
Now I’m really dreaming! Obviously alongside my outdoor cinema screen I’d need wall-to-wall sunshine all year round, with blissful balmy evenings, to boot.
Thanks to bifold doors and other advances in glazing, outdoor spaces can now become a part of your home, and the idea of relaxing and watching a film with friends and family while drifting in and out of the kitchen making drinks is just so appealing.
If your budget can’t stretch to an outdoor screen, then outdoor speakers to play music is a more affordable luxury.
Now I’m really dreaming! Obviously alongside my outdoor cinema screen I’d need wall-to-wall sunshine all year round, with blissful balmy evenings, to boot.
Thanks to bifold doors and other advances in glazing, outdoor spaces can now become a part of your home, and the idea of relaxing and watching a film with friends and family while drifting in and out of the kitchen making drinks is just so appealing.
If your budget can’t stretch to an outdoor screen, then outdoor speakers to play music is a more affordable luxury.
Fall for a four-poster bed
Asking for a good night’s sleep every night may be pushing the wish list a bit far, but if I could have a four-poster bed – super-king at the very least, instead, that would make me very happy. Four-posters are so romantic and there are so many designs available, you don’t have to go for a heavy, oppressive style.
Be mindful of your ceiling height, though. While four-posters can look great in smaller rooms, if you go for something too tall, it can make the ceiling feel even lower.
Asking for a good night’s sleep every night may be pushing the wish list a bit far, but if I could have a four-poster bed – super-king at the very least, instead, that would make me very happy. Four-posters are so romantic and there are so many designs available, you don’t have to go for a heavy, oppressive style.
Be mindful of your ceiling height, though. While four-posters can look great in smaller rooms, if you go for something too tall, it can make the ceiling feel even lower.
Stock a secret bar
There’s something so decadent about having your own mini speakeasy, so I’d love a huge, fully stocked drinks cupboard with enough space to shake a few cocktails, plus a fridge to chill my vino to the perfect temperature.
Double doors would mean I could leave the cupboard open when entertaining and close it during those more sober moments.
Fancy a tipple? Here’s how to install a home bar
There’s something so decadent about having your own mini speakeasy, so I’d love a huge, fully stocked drinks cupboard with enough space to shake a few cocktails, plus a fridge to chill my vino to the perfect temperature.
Double doors would mean I could leave the cupboard open when entertaining and close it during those more sober moments.
Fancy a tipple? Here’s how to install a home bar
Relax in a spa sanctuary
Even if you’re not that fond of swimming, your own personal basement spa would probably entice you to have the odd paddle – so this dream item is good for your health, too.
I think a basement location is ideal for two reasons: firstly, a dream spa needs to be dark, private and flattering. Secondly, the smell of chlorine can be off-putting if it permeates your home. While we’d all like to brag that we have a swimming pool in our basement, no one wants their house to smell like the local swimming baths!
Even if you’re not that fond of swimming, your own personal basement spa would probably entice you to have the odd paddle – so this dream item is good for your health, too.
I think a basement location is ideal for two reasons: firstly, a dream spa needs to be dark, private and flattering. Secondly, the smell of chlorine can be off-putting if it permeates your home. While we’d all like to brag that we have a swimming pool in our basement, no one wants their house to smell like the local swimming baths!
Select his ’n’ hers basins
A pair of bathroom basins can be the key to a happy marriage, but you’ll need space to make this dream a reality. Twin sinks won’t work if you end up with a black eye each morning from a stray elbow. For ‘the dream’ to work, you need to be realistic about the size of your bathroom.
A pair of bathroom basins can be the key to a happy marriage, but you’ll need space to make this dream a reality. Twin sinks won’t work if you end up with a black eye each morning from a stray elbow. For ‘the dream’ to work, you need to be realistic about the size of your bathroom.
Have your own library
Even though many of us read books on a device these days, there will always be a place for the real thing, so a room totally devoted to the written word would be a dream come true.
I believe that even in these advancing technological times, the modest book will become an even more important part of our lives. Not only are hefty pages great for the acoustics in a home, they also bring a depth of colour and texture to a space. Plus they tell guests something about the owner: casting your eyes over someone’s bookcase can be a real icebreaker.
No space for a library? Try these brilliant bookshelf ideas
Even though many of us read books on a device these days, there will always be a place for the real thing, so a room totally devoted to the written word would be a dream come true.
I believe that even in these advancing technological times, the modest book will become an even more important part of our lives. Not only are hefty pages great for the acoustics in a home, they also bring a depth of colour and texture to a space. Plus they tell guests something about the owner: casting your eyes over someone’s bookcase can be a real icebreaker.
No space for a library? Try these brilliant bookshelf ideas
Go for a grand piano
Can I add the ability to play the piano to my wish list? Otherwise my grand piano will just end up as a display table for silver picture frames and fresh flowers.
A piano in the home holds so much nostalgia for so many, and can be a beautiful heirloom that stays in a family for generations. It’s an investment piece and a thing of beauty, even if you can only play Chopsticks.
Can I add the ability to play the piano to my wish list? Otherwise my grand piano will just end up as a display table for silver picture frames and fresh flowers.
A piano in the home holds so much nostalgia for so many, and can be a beautiful heirloom that stays in a family for generations. It’s an investment piece and a thing of beauty, even if you can only play Chopsticks.
Cook on gas
If you live in a remote area without mains gas, as I do, or have an all-electric home, a timeless gas range is often a luxury lust-after.
Providing efficient heat that does the business, a gas range can help you cook like a pro. There are many snazzy electric range cookers on the market now, but my heart still belongs to gas.
TELL US…
What would make your perfect home? Share your dream features with us in the Comments below.
If you live in a remote area without mains gas, as I do, or have an all-electric home, a timeless gas range is often a luxury lust-after.
Providing efficient heat that does the business, a gas range can help you cook like a pro. There are many snazzy electric range cookers on the market now, but my heart still belongs to gas.
TELL US…
What would make your perfect home? Share your dream features with us in the Comments below.
First impressions count, so how wonderful it would be to welcome guests into a hallway that makes them gasp. There would be a sweeping staircase to float down (this is a wish list, remember) and, of course, a beautiful crystal chandelier cascading down the atrium that could be seen throughout the house.
With an entrance like this, a polished floor (and, ideally, someone else to polish it) is a must, as well as stunning artworks and flattering, low-level lighting.