THE SPACEMAKER - INTERIORS BY PETER GRECH
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In conversation with... Helen Orrock

29/5/2020

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Today we are speaking with Helen Orrock aka @theinteriorslady who has created her ideal home while downsizing into a beautiful monochrome and sleek interior space. ​

​When did you realise you had a passion for interior design?

Helen Orrock in a white linen top on her sleek modern sofa
It probably all stems back to when I was a child. I remember around GCSE time I was making my own curtains, bedspreads and cushion covers. I then kind of bypassed it entirely until I started investing in property that I got back into it. I had cancer a while back, and it made me stop and re-assess what I wanted to do and that was to open a little interior shop which is what kept me driven and motivated through treatment. I ran my own store for 5 years until re relocated to the city. I did an interiors course at the national design academy, fortunate enough that it was in my hometown of Nottingham. It gave me enough skills to pursue the career I wanted to do . I love seeing the potential in any space and helping people finding their own style.

​
Clients don't always realize that an interior designer can help you gain value in your home, not just with a big extension or full remodel but also in smaller elements that are crucial to the good function of an interior space such as proper layout planning and creating lovely areas within the home. This gives both me and my clients great pleasure, when we can find new life in a client’s current possessions.

What is your process with your clients?

I normally ask for a scope of work, this would detail what level of work are they prepared to do, what is not working for them, what is, what they are hoping to achieve and what is the end goal. I then book my inspiration visit and talk them through their options after I've seen their space.  I put forward a proposal of works, weather is be recommendations on window dressings, soft furnishings, lighting, layout plans, using furniture pieces from elsewhere in the home etc. I let clients have this and after talking them through it, I leave it up to them to get back to me if they want me to help them further with the project and usually it always progresses onto either more styling work or shopping trips etc. 
monochrome living space with log burner

What if a client picks something you don't like during one of your shopping visits?

I've got one of those faces where I can’t hide my emotions so I will be very honest with them and tell them that I don't think it would work in the space. I am brutal, but it’s for their own good. The issue with shopping trips is that you sometimes don't find exactly what you are looking for, so it might take multiple trips or going to various stores to find the item that is just right! You need to be happy to walk out with nothing if you just don't find what you want. Overall, we always end up becoming friends as it’s such a close way to work with someone.
Textural monochrome scandinavian interior

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Very neural and monochrome, with layers of texture. I have a very restricted colour palate, with a strong emphasis on the black tone. I introduce texture with wools, sheep skins, and textiles. Another extra element is green from plants and foliage. ​

If you had to pick one design trend that you are loving at the moment and one that you are glad is over?

I think the breath of Scandinavian design really alights itself as a "trend" to my design aesthetic. I like it mostly from rustic, to minimalist or Japandi but not really the super traditional Scandinavian design. I find it timeless and adaptable. I'm glad that the palm leaf print and the gold pineapple trend is over as it doesn't fit at all within my aesthetic. ​
Sleek monochrome kitchen with marble countertop with a waterfall edge

Biggest design no-no

Following an immediate trend that doesn't work for you or trying to copy an interior you see without thinking how it adapts to your personality or lifestyle.  Also, I think that compromising on quality is another big no-no.  Things like bedding, or hardware or upholstery need to be investments as you interact with them so closely. I'd rather have less but better quality. ​
monochrome kitchen island

What is your top pet peeve in your home?

We are lucky not to have any things that annoy us in our home. This happened as we did a lot of planning and predicted the issues before we completed this project. The biggest hurdle was to create the spaces that we needed due to downsizing but it allowed us to get exactly what we wanted. If I were to re-do this home, I would make all the same decisions. But I'm not sure if this is our forever home, by embracing a more minimal life, it has made me realise that I can live with a lot less. So, my next step is to build my own affordable, sustainable, minimal Scandinavian hut, it’s something for me to look forward to.
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In conversation with ... Pandora Maxton

22/5/2020

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Today we speak to one of our tastemakers - Pandora Maxton (@pandora.maxton). On a lovely sunny afternoon, we join Pandora by the terrace doors in her living room looking out onto her gorgeous garden. With nearly 50k followers on Instagram, she is well known for her eclectic and maximalist style and is focusing on celebrating country living and lifestyle. We delve into some of her tips on maximalist décor and she reveals the top three things that her space must have!
headshot of Pandora Maxton

When did you realise your passion for interior design?

I studied fine arts and printmaking and initially I used to make abstract art for office spaces. Then did a degree in Interior design and worked with Nobilis (the high-end fabric and wall coverings company) as a sales rep in the North of the UK. I would see Interior designers working and thought I would love to get creative but I never really wanted to work as an interior designer for others. I guess it was when I started using Instagram that it really started expressing my creativity. I love doing styling work and working on building more of a lifestyle brand including outdoor living and food.
Outdoor sofa swing made of scrap wood.

​How would you describe your aesthetic?

​I would describe it as eclectic and maximalist with a homely vibe. Everything inside my home has a personal sentiment. I'm not afraid to use colour boldly and to mix styles. No-one would be able to re-create my home space exactly the same as it is so personal to me.

What are your tips on creating a maximalist space?

​There is definitely a knack to maximalist interiors. My first tip would be to keep an eye on the colours that you use and make sure they are cohesive and work well together, but also that things aren't TOO matchy-matchy as it quickly becomes boring. I usually have a warmer element within my spaces even if it is just the glow of a lamp or some fairy lights. A second tip would be to use a dark colour as a base colour to tie all the other colours together, something like Downpipe from Farrow and Ball works really well instead of having a white/off white. Lastly, I would also suggest that you mix different styles together including mid-century, antiques and rustic elements. Try to overcome the fear and risk making a mistake - but this always something you can learn and improve on. I am constantly turning spaces within my home around, it keeps things fresh and interesting. Just before speaking to you, I moved my dining table around and it just gives the space a new perspective.
Maximalist eclecitc bedroom with reclaimed bed and black wall.

​Have you ever heard or given any advice that you think is golden?

​Give your space a soul. Make sure there is something within the space that really sings. Even if you are a fan of minimalist interiors, it could be something as simple as a massive fireplace with a gorgeous armchair and one sprig of eucalyptus. The space just has personality and reflects the people within it.  Try not to copy other spaces that you see online or in magazines piece for piece, but try and adapt it to your own space and make it unique to you.

​What do you find the most inspiring?

​I am not impressed by expensive interiors. I think if we all had the money we could all go and spend 15K on a sofa. But what really impresses me is people who are innovative with their interiors and come up with solutions to their design dilemmas that really push the boat out. Someone making a beautiful piece of furniture with some scrap wood or upcycled furniture - that really inspires me.
Cherry blossom with suspended outdoor sofa.

My ideal space has to have these three things:

I would say a massive fireplace cos I love fire! It's so cosy and warm regardless of the time of year. I love lamps - again these really help create that atmosphere when the sunlight fades. Finally, plants, they just give life to a space. Overall obviously light is the most important element in a space.

What is your pet peeve inside your home?

​Must there only be one?? I am so frustrated with the lack of natural light inside our kitchen. I would love to have the opportunity to re-do it and glaze a whole side. We spend so much time in the kitchen and its quite gloomy but I appreciate that we are lucky to have an already beautiful kitchen, so it is not a priority but will get to it eventually.
Dark blue country kitchen with slate flooring and a red aga stove

​What is your favourite space in your home?

I love our pergola! It's such a great outside space that we use all the time from Spring till Early Autumn. I wish we could glaze it and use it more throughout the year. But currently, we're loving having all our meals out there and I'm making my kids sit outside in their coats cos I just love using that space.
Outdoor sofa made from palettes. Monochrome and mustard tones with a firepit

​One design trend that you love and one that you hate.

I love anything boho and eclectic with a layered look. I don't really hate any specific trends, I don't think I'm a fan of French faux rustic look that is a bit too perfect, it just can seem a bit try-hard.

How do you think social media has changed the way people interact with or delve into interiors?

​I think platforms such as Instagram has been great at providing people with an outlet for something they are interested in such as interiors and also, its lovely receiving feedback from people, other than my family, saying how much they loved a revamped space I worked on. But it can be quite noisy, sometimes all you see are massive accounts which don't necessarily have what you are looking for, and miss some incredible small accounts who are really inspiring. The other thing that can frustrate is seeing people playing the game and it seems very strategized. But I guess it's about finding people that really inspire you and trying to give them as much support as possible.
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In conversation with...Rohan Blacker

15/5/2020

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​Today we have the privilege of speaking with Rohan Blacker, the founder of Pooky Lighting. He gives us a sneak peek into his journey into the world of lighting, the values of Pooky and what is next in the pipeline.
brass and fluted glass chandelier by pooky lighting
Pooky lighting logo
Rohan blacker, founder of pooky lighting

Tell me a little bit about your journey into Pooky lighting

​It has a been a relatively tortuous journey but incredibly fun! I initially qualified as a lawyer, but soon realised it wasn’t the thing for me. So, I jumped ship and went into catering for the best part of 20 years operating a variety of different businesses from restaurants, soup wholesale, commercial catering and eventually to high end food delivery services. That was amazingly fun and challenging. My business partner and I then decided to go into sofas and focus mainly online. At the time it was pretty revolutionary and despite lots of discouragement we slowly built the business of sofa.com up over 7-8 years. I started to live and breathe the shapes, fabrics, colours and spring systems. After selling up I decided to go into lighting, because lights are the number 1 thing that one should think about in their house. They make such a profound impact to the interior and the mood of any space. Equally I love the fact that you can turn anything into a light, you can be as creative or as wacko as you like and have a lot of fun with lighting.

It is clear how passionate you are about the importance of beauty and form and despite not specifically having come from a design background you have a definite understanding and appreciation of it, be it in sofa design or lighting.  Did you self-teach along your journey?

​I've always been an appreciator of beautiful things, I guess one can say I have an interest in beauty. Despite never going to interior school, I can tell you what I like and don't like and what works within a given space. I am very careful that I am not designing for myself, but for my clientele. I want to design stuff that lasts, I do not want to be making tomorrows landfill. One of my frustrations with the interiors market is that is has become like the fast fashion industry. People shouldn't be changing their interiors with the seasons as much as they do. When you buy something for your home, assume you will hold onto it forever and pass it down to your children. There are huge numbers of companies that make gimmicky lighting - they are quirky but are going to go totally out of fashion in a few months’ time. Not only because their design is fleeting and ephemeral but also the quality isn't necessarily great. Which is why most of our lights are made of solid brass, which doesn't rust and will last! 
mushroom shaped lamp with domed cap

How would you describe the Pooky aesthetic?

the longford lamp with brass and green resin base.
​I would describe it as above all decorative with a love of colour and shape. At the same time, our designs have longevity and classical roots. We have a lot of lights that are based on a very classic column, but we tweak, such as making a brass base, a green resin shaft and a brass pediment. An example of such is our Longford light, it’s a twist on classicism, not in a silly or quirky way but in a fresh way that will stand the test of time.

Who would you say is your quintessential customer?

​ I am trying to sell, beautifully well made, long lasting, decorative lights that are mid-market.  We start off trying to design for interior designers, who have responded well to our designs. We also sell directly to retail customers of course. We aren't low end at all, but as I said before, lights for a tenner are next year’s landfill. Our lights range from £40-£250, in contrast, at some high-end lighting stores one could easily spend £1000 on a lamp base.
mixed metals lamp by pooky

What have been your biggest challenges with setting up Pooky lighting?​

​Our biggest challenge was getting brand recognition and awareness as well as taking a big financial risk. Because we wanted to sell pieces at an affordable price, we had to invest and buy lights in bulk. So, I had a warehouse full of thousands of lights, of which we didnt know would sell. I was there holding my breath, looking at my website, hoping that someone would come on and buy. Design is a risky business - you have as many flops as hits, you get better over time obviously, but no one has any certainty.

​What are your best sellers and which styles are less popular?

​(Chuckling slightly) Well now, the Metro light - is a beautiful slightly industrial, solid brass light in various finishes with a very strong design, but surprisingly not many people buy it! On the other hand, our best seller is the light called Trafalgar - it has a very simple design, a solid brass obelisk. It is very elegant but contemporary. It came from an offcut of brass on the floor that I saw in a foundry in Portugal which we put a very flat base on and kept it very minimal in design. Another light that is doing very well is the Stucco, we spent a long time agonizing over how big those petals would be, the shape of the light, how far apart the rows of petals should be.
textured ceramic lamp with multiple petals in an off white by pooky lighting.

When did you have that big "AHA!" moment when you realized that you were creating something special? 

​I don't like to be complacent about what we do, because the moment you start thinking that you have cracked it that is when the edifice starts to collapse, but it is great to read the feedback on our site. We have recently hit 10k reviews and virtually all of them are 5star reviews. Some of them are really quite moving as some people are really grateful of what we do.

What are one of the interior trends that you are loving right now and one that you are glad is over?

​Wall lights, despite quite a traditional vibe, have really come back and we love that. Also, people are much braver with colour than they have been, so even though someone might still not be brave enough to paint their full room in orange, they might slowly introduce bright colours in their light shades. Introducing pops of colour can create eye-catching punctuations. The trend that I am glad is over is gimmicky lighting. I think that quirky can be a good thing, it eludes to a sense of eccentricity and fun but if it is pushed too far it becomes contrived. Quirky for the sake of quirky will create short lived designs. 
black and white stripy lamp base with a black and gold marbleized paper shade against a palm print backdrop

What is the next thing that you are working on?

​We are launching our outdoor lighting which is exciting. People tend to be less brave with outdoor lighting as they see them as functional lights. We are trying to create a range of swan necks and lanterns that add that extra decorative edge to outdoor spaces. 
outdoor lighting range in brushed brass
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Our top 5 tips for Christmas styling!

16/12/2019

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1. Bring the outside in. Its not just about bringing a tree in, but think about increasing the amount of real greenery in your home. Consider adding a garland on your fireplace or stairs. Use foraged greens such as ivy, holly and conifers and hang dehydrated oranges, dried pomegranates and pine cones to add detail and interest. If you are ambitious enough why not try a suspended garland aka a flower cloud?
2. Layer it up. Make sure you create extra cosiness with beautiful throws and blankets around the house. Consider adding window treatments or upgrading to thicker curtains to really create that snugly feel. If you want an eclectic look consider layering rugs (especially useful if your rugs are slightly undersized or if you have awkwardly shaped spaces) to cut out any draughts and keep it toasty underfoot.
3. Lower the lighting. With longer darker hours remember to increase the number of lights but keep them dimmed and muted, or at low levels. I suggest having at minimum of 3-5 sight sources in a room including lamps, candles and fairy lights. These create a truly magical ambience and help you cosy up this season. 
green living room and a Christmas tree with fairlyights
4. Consider all the senses. Keep the whole experience of your space memorable and festive. Light some festively gorgeous candles. My current favourite is WYNTER by AHLT, I have received so many compliments from it. Plonk it on the mantle and even unlit - the room smells of Christmas with sweet orange, spicy cinnamon and spicy clove. 
5. Keep it simple. I keep my wrapping super simple and super effective. Brown paper wrapping, silk ribbon and a sprig of holly or pine and you are done. Cheap, cheerful and recyclable - especially if you use plastic free tape! 
brown paper packaging with ribbon and green sprigs
holly sprig with brown paper Christmas presents
greenery and eco wrapping
fairy lights down a circular staircase
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Creating a sensory space

8/7/2019

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Hi everyone, today I thought I would write about my experience of creating sensory spaces in specific relation to bathrooms. As humans, we depend on our five senses to guide us through the world and how we interact with it. We also use these senses to derive pleasure and improve our wellbeing. Being aware of and considering these senses when designing your home and spaces within it is vital, as it helps maximise the positive experience we take from these spaces. I will delve further into each of these senses, and how, I have found ways of improving the sensory experience when designing a bathroom, in collaboration with my favourite pieces from Geberit and some pretty fun surprises.
Sight
This seems obvious when talking about interior design as it is mainly thought of as a visual art. But our sight is so complex and has many different considerations from the perception to the interpretation of what is around us.  Our vision as humans is dependant on light and the quality and intensity of it changes how we see everything. Our eyes help us see colour and our bi-occular vision (two eyes) gives us 3D appreciation of a space. All of this is processed in our brain and this is why people can be seeing the same colour, and depending on their situation, light intensity and mood, they will describe it differently and have various emotional responses to it.
Keeping this in mind when designing a space really helps focus the thought on light and colour. What is the orientation of the room in relation to the sun? Where is the light source coming from? When will this room be used and for what purpose? Lots of light is generally thought of as a good thing, it wakes us up and energises us, so it's great when your room has large windows that flood the room with light. It is also important to consider appropriate task lighting, such as a mirror with a backlight (check out the video) or your worktop/space having good lighting.
Next consideration is mood lighting, so when creating an intimate or relaxing space choose a softer lighting mode. An ingenious mode of lighting for night time which keeps us in our natural circadian rhythms is navigation lighting, which is a very low glow from the objects that we want to use or need to interact with at night time to allow us to not disrupt your natural wake/sleep patterns. The Geberit orientation lights which can either be under the WC or incorporated into the flush plate emanate a soft glow that allow the body to not fully wake up when using the space at night time, and therefore allowing you to drift back off to sleep easily afterwards.
sink with back lit mirror from the geberit myday range on a taupe console
sink with back lit mirror from the geberit myday range on a taupe console
guide light from the monolith flush system from geberit can have customised colours
Touch
This is an incredibly intimate sensation and often not as highly valued initially when considering a space, but has such impact. Think of when you are in your favourite store, you want to touch everything you see - its emotive, its raw. Like how you know which jumper you are grabbing for in a bag full of stuff when you feel its material, our tactile sensation is very powerful and through it we determine a lot about our surroundings, which is why its imperative to consider this sensation when designing a bathroom. Incorporating different textures and finishes gives your bathroom personality and depth. Think of the smooth surface of glass, the slightly rougher texture of wood, the fluffy towels and the clean ceramics. The Geberit Aquaclean WC is quite frankly a work of art. You can get models whose lid lifts without having to touch it. The toilets come with an incorporated bidet, giving you a shower clean finish with every use. You can have your personal preferences memorised using the app on your phone. These can specify what water pressure you like, at what angle and what temperature you want it at! To really ramp up the luxury why not have a heated WC seat? I first experienced this calibre of WC when travelling in Japan and was gobsmacked at the luxury and level of hygiene I felt after using it and shocked at how most homes in Japan have one but this is still an emerging trend in Europe. Come on! We need to up our game!
furniture detail shot of a wooden cabinet in a bathroom space by geberit
toilet shower, bidet, douche, aquaclean, waterwipe
Smell
Our sense of smell, despite not being honed to hunt, definitely evokes within us emotions and reactions that we can use to our advantage when designing a space. Think of that smell of freshly cut grass in spring, or the smell of mulled cider and bonfires in winter - these evocative smells bring back memories and transport us to a different place and time. Aromatherapy is a great way to relax and help improve balance, both physically and emotionally. It allows us to focus on the smell and a memory, creating moments of mindfulness and helping restore calm. When one thinks about the sense of smell in relation bathrooms, it can evoke a mixed reaction - but this shouldn't be the case. The smell of our favourite shampoos or face creams all form part of our daily routine and we buy these products based on how they perform and make us feel, including their perfume. So if we extended this concept further to the interior of the bathroom space, we can use scented candles or reed diffusers to creating a soothing space to be in and relax. Geberit have also thought of odour extraction within their WC systems. "WHAT?!" I hear you say, yes! Apparently so! There is a small extraction vent that removes any of the unpleasant odours from the air through a ceramic honeycomb filter. Insanely brilliant!
styled photo of a backlit mirror in a bathroom showing the acanto range and greenery and candles in a bathroom all creating a sensory space
Picture
Sound
With all the hard surfaces in a bathroom, they can sometimes become an echoic chamber and that is the opposite of a relaxing sensory space. So to tackle this, I advise upping the soft textures as much as possible, be it with open shelves displaying beautiful towels, lovely woven floor rugs and even lush planting to soften the space and create a better acoustic space. The sound of flowing water when running a bath or having a shower is another relaxing sound that we are drawn to. We associate it with freshness and cleanliness and imagine ourselves being under a beautiful waterfall, bathing ourselves (you have the visual now I'm sure).  Maximising the positive sounds in a bathroom is great, so I always recommend playing some relaxing jazz or soul music when having a bath, it allows the mind to distract itself from our thoughts and just be in the moment, with the water and the music. Geberit have thought of this element too in reducing sound transmission from the waste pipes in your home and even the way the toilet flushes. They are real sticklers for the detail - they even have a sound lab in Switzerland! They use three unique ways to test sound. First is to have their entire flushing and drainage system on a pre-wall including having a wall hung toilet, this reduces the vibration and hence sound going through the walls of the house. Secondly they have silent drainage pipes, that dampen the sounds of the water going through them. Last but not least, their rimless Turboflush WCs have the most silent flushes I have EVER heard - or not heard... You get what I mean.
creating a sensory bathroom space involves thinking of all the senses including  touch, smell, taste, sight and sound.
Taste
Now this sensation is probably the least stimulated in the bathroom of all rooms. But our taste buds are stimulated by the toothpaste and mouth cleaning products we use and even possibly the glass of wine we sip on slowly when having a bath. So despite not being the most obvious space that will stimulate our taste buds, remember its also something worth considering when developing the sensory space. 
styled bathroom with a towel over the bath, and lovely green palm and plants in the room. Geberit dual flush plate show how versatile it can be
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[This is a paid partnership with Geberit. To find out more head to their website: https://inspiredbygeberit.co.uk/in-your-area/cheshire/]

#Inspiredbygeberit
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Peter Grech in Altrincham, Cheshire, UK on Houzz
Peter Grech in Altrincham, Cheshire, UK on Houzz
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