St Ives, CornwallCoastal Bedroom, Cornwall
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“We often do this initial consultation on Zoom,” Jane says. “We find out about people’s lifestyles – whether they’re a family, need to work from home, or want to use their bedroom for other purposes.“If we’re styling for someone who’s staying put, we focus very much on their particular style and tastes, but when we’re styling their home to sell it, we’re much more dictatorial,” she laughs. “The target audience is probably them 10 years ago when they bought the property, so once we’ve established that, we know what we need to do to style it.”Take a look around this room, which was designed remotely.
…in the bedroomAnother clutter culprit is the bedroom chair. Yes, it’s handy and gives your room a cosy feel, but it can easily become buried under a mountain of clothes. “If you’re no longer using this chair to sit in, and it’s just become a dumping ground, then I strongly suggest moving it out of your bedroom,” Sarah says. “Once you’ve removed the option of dumping your clothes, you’ll be forced to put things away.” If the chair is being used for clothes storage because the wardrobe is stuffed to the gills, turn your attention to the source of the problem. “Look at organising the wardrobes and it will be easier to keep the chair clear,” Sarah says.
Create a seating areaIf you have the room, make your bedroom somewhere cosy to hang out by having a seating area. A couple of armchairs like these will give you the opportunity to share your bedroom space with close friends, or provide a place to escape to for a quiet read.Get ideas for bedroom seating areas
Do fill the spaceLarger artworks are often placed on expansive blank walls as a way of making use of empty space and demanding attention, but this can produce the impersonal feel of a gallery. For a more homely style, take advantage of your centre-stage fireplace and choose a piece that will fill the space above the mantel, bridging the gap all the way to the ceiling. The rule of thumb is that an artwork – or mirror – should measure around two thirds the size of the fire surround and mantel over which it hangs, but here that rule has been broken to great effect. However, do resist the urge to place your work in line with the edge of the mantelpiece: choosing something that’s either narrower or wider will ensure your art becomes a feature, not just an extension of the architecture.
Invest in artThe right artwork can give a room the wow factor, but it can be daunting knowing where to source the perfect piece. That’s why many homeowners ask for help in buying a work that lifts a room out of the ordinary. Choosing art for a client is not only a joy, but an honour. It’s something I prefer to do either right at the start of a project and build my scheme around it, or right at the end, when I make it my mission to find the perfect picture. Art is very personal and can be a big investment, so you need to love it or have taken very good advice on where your money is going. Alternatively, it could be something worth very little in cash terms, but lots in sentiment. Take your time deciding where something should go. It’s a good idea to prop it up on a chair against the wall you have in mind and keep revisiting it over a few days before you knock any holes in the wall. Also, don’t be afraid to hang your paintings lower than you might feel is natural. As a guide, go by your line of sight at the centre of the painting. It’s no good hanging the centre at six foot high if you are five foot!
Restore itIt makes sense to keep hold of period features wherever possible, for both aesthetic and financial reasons. If you have an original cast-iron Victorian or Edwardian fireplace in your bedroom that has seen better days, you might want to try your hand at restoring it. If the surface is covered in a thick layer of paint, either get it sandblasted by an expert or set to with a heavy-duty stripper, such as Nitromors. Then, using a special metal polish and ultra-fine wire wool, gently buff the fireplace back to life until it looks shiny and happy once more.Check out 10 easy ideas for improving a period fireplace
Let sheepskins rule A simple cream sheepskin is one of those great interiors accessories that every home should have. They look particularly good slung casually over an armchair for extra cosiness, plus a dash of simple Nordic style.
Stop playing safeDon’t be afraid of making mistakes and, instead, start to have fun with your home. Initiate a few bold changes, from hanging a striking artwork to using a zingy paint shade and live with them for a while, to see how they look and feel. You may be surprised at how improved a room can be when you stop being cautious.In the middle of a renovation project? You’ll probably recognise these signs
Layer up chairsSheepskin is one of those versatile items that tends to work its way around the home. If your bedroom is big enough for a chair or chaise, layer it up with a strokable sheepskins, which can be reused elsewhere, such as on dining chairs when friends come for dinner.
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Photos in Cornish Townhouse, St Ives, Cornwall
Tom Flanagan
Camellia Interiors Ltd