A fairly bold statement I realise but stay with me for a mo. The easiest way to give your pad the wow factor is to do something with the walls. Be that wallpaper, paint, some cool tile or beautiful beautiful cladding like below.
I’ve been in a lot of spaces recently where the neutral palette prevails and if I’m lucky I might see the odd picture (normally in my opinion way to small hung way to high). I’m guessing it’s a confidence thing, or a pain and what if it doesn’t work – you know that sort of mentality. Which to a degree I understand everyone has busy lives and the easiest most liveable option is to stay pale and neutral. Yet if you take the plunge and dare to go dark or clad your walls with beautiful paper or wood there is no looking back. You will become addicted and obsessed with decorating I promise you and it will change your life!
I sense a change in the air, maybe it’s the fact that Spring is just around the corner or maybe more people are just wanting something a little different. Heston Blumenthal endorsing my work and cooking and hanging out in an inky sludgy space that I designed and being watched by millions has certainly brought a lot more attention our way. Good attention people emailing in or calling the store about paint colours, about how to add a twist to their homes.
My sort of decorating (if I may be as bold to say) changes lives. No matter how late you get home and believe me I’ve been pulling some long days of late the moment that key goes through the door and you walk into, for example a hallway painted deepest darkest black, a row of tongue in check art on the wall, a bulldog lamp sitting proudly on a console sprayed a high voltage hue topped off with a big bunch of blooms you feel instantly happy. This sort of decorating is all about creating the most tantalising, mesmerising background to your lives, to my life. You will have to take risks (no gain no pain) but its worth it, there is no place I would rather be in the world than here at home and that’s what it is all about.
Tomorrow no post from me I leave later this evening to Manchester where I will be over nighting for an early start in the morning, but back Thursday.
Wholeheartedly, totally, so agree. And thank you for it!
I graduated last year with a master’s in energy technology, but have since realised that I cannot do a job I hate. It just is not worth it. So now I am looking into becoming an interior designer, which has been my dream all along. I just have not dared, I have thought it is something to be relegated to hobby status. That, and my passion for writing. Hopefully I can combine the two. Am dreaming of my own shop, where I would offer interior design services, have a small gallery, and also write articles on the side.
Thank you for inspiring, for helping, for being you.
Such a lovely message thank you. Totally follow your dreams it will no tough (can’t tell you how many times I have wanted to throw the towel in) but have faith that I think is the hardest thing and believe in yourself. The very best with it x
Hi Abigail I totally agree with you and funnily enough I am just about to paint my hall ‘off black’ its such a lovely charcoal black by FB. I’m terrified, excited and wondering whether to paint everything except the doors which are stripped and waxed and lovely as they are. But the question is I guess,
should I do the ceiling tooooooo eeeeek???? I will paint the skirting and door frames. I already know what you will recommend but it’s a pain to put right if it looks like a nightclub! I’m not bothered about it looking dark it is dark so it will be cosy?
Paint the ceiling dark you will not regret it I promise!
people are literally beating down your door to look at your interiors ….!!!
Literally!
ps. do you ever come as far north as Newcastle? – any chance of a northern workshop this year if there is the demand? – even though sadly it couldnt be in your pad
At this stage its all London based I hate to say because of my schedule but should that change I will certainly let you know x
You mention your hall which sounds great but could you show us a picture of it – or have you already shown it and I missed it?
I will take some pics once I stop filming and life calms down a little I shall post x
can i ask for a wee cheeky piece of advice, i am in a one bedroom flat with a large living room and feel the need for a extra bed due to friends staying over a lot, do you think a bed in the living room would work , thank you xxxxx
Could you consider a sofa bed instead of a bed, just brought a fab one for a client for £299 from John Lewis and is far easier to incorporate into a scheme as you can zone it off, flank with side tables and hey ho you have a beautiful little vignitte going on
Dear Abigail
Your def swaying me on the old dark colours. Do you say anywhere on your site what paints you use? For instance I would love to know what paints are used in the Arthur/Martha article. Kind thanks, Lizzie
we don’t list paints but the hues seen in Martha/Arthur are down pipe by Farrow and Ball. Pretty much an F&B fan so Down pipe, London Clay, Hague Blue and Railings are constant favourites
Abigail, I really appreciate your thoughts. I recently started taking a couple classes at a small college in their Interior Decorating and Design program and I keep finding myself conflicted and a tad frustrated by the “design principles” being taught. It seems everyone around me values neutrality far more than excitement. There is a display in the hallway that features the saying, “Good design stands the test of time.” While I appreciate timeless design, I found myself reacting negatively to this sentiment. Shouldn’t the saying go, “Good design makes people happy.” I mean seriously, isn’t that the point? Shouldn’t happiness be the end goal of everything we do including the decoration of our homes? Who cares if the bold wall color or whimsical accessories aren’t “timeless”? If they bring a smile to your face, THAT is what matters! It has been a struggle to remember this while listening to contradictory lectures, so it is very refreshing to read this blog post. Thank you!
Totally agree with everything you’ve just said, you’ve spurred me on even more to get these classes up and running pronto. So thank you
Couldn’t agree with you more. My dining room is a dark sludgy grey and I absolutely LOVE it. In fact, I think it’s become one of my favourite rooms in my home.
I did, however, have an evening with my MIL this week who spluttered that the dark colour was horrible and she didn’t understand how anyone could ‘live in the dark’ (I did want to point out the irony of that statement but resisted). This from a woman who decorated her lounge in every shade of beige.
Alas, I suppose you can’t please them all!
xxx
You can’t please all – lots of people dont get it and have no trouble in telling us so. Whats ironical is that if we went to thier houses and said they very same thing about biege they would be appalled. Chin up and ignore
Iv’e used Hague blue from F&B, it’s an amazing hue and I highly recommend using it. Happy decorating!